Getting teen boys into fitness

[cyclingwife]

Hi, I have two teen boys 16 and 14 who barely move now they are online home schooling. They walk the dog occasionally and occasionally use the exercise bike but not much else. The 14yo probably does 500 steps each day compared to my 6000 to 10000. I workout 5 days out of 7 but cannot get them interested. Eldest tried C25k last year but really struggled. The bitterly cold weather doesn't help.

I have some dumbbells and have shown them a few moves to build their muscles, but I'm looking for some teen focused apps or youtube videos that will help them do something that is not sitting on their backsides in front of their laptops.
I'm worried about them losing their bone density and would like to encourage them to get fit. Any ideas?

If you have dumbbells try them on les mills on demand body pump

@Hazelnutlatteplease thanks, I'll take a look and see what they say. Looks like there is a free trial they could try. Just trying to get them engaged in something!
Thought by them seeing me exercising it might inspire them but no.

Have a look at boxercise on you tube too.

My 16yo loves it (even though he's a swimmer ) and I think it's just the boxing element that appeals to boys this age!

Thanks @itsgettingwierd are there any teen friendly videos that your 16yo uses? Don't want to scare them with scary workouts, to start with anyway

I use the Peloton app (don't have the bike though!) I bought a decent skipping rope and DS who is 14 goes outside after lessons and uses that for around 15-20 minutes, so that he is getting some fresh air and exercise. In the evenings after homework and Xbox time he does a 30 minute cardio or strength workout from the app. Sometimes he isn't too keen, but knows that it is the only way he will maintain his strength when they are eventually allowed back to the pool.

During lockdown 1 he was cycling everyday, but not so easy this time round with the weather!!

They could try Zombie Run together? Its an immersive game, where the listener is at the centre of a zombie adventure. Basically you just download the app, and run/jog/ walk your way through the missions. It brings a loads of fun to repetetive boring exercise.

I bought ds the Nintendo Ring Fitast year thinking it’ll be fun and exercise at the same time. He never looks at it. He doesn’t move himself either and husband is ever worse. At least ds goes out a walk from time to time. I’m the disabled one and I’m the most active of them all!

Thanks all. The zombie app sounds good. I'm going to have a look at that.

And yes cycling played a huge part in lockdown 1.

Interestingly school has given them homework this week of walking at least 20 minutes a day Monday to Friday, ideally more. Even more surprisingly they both walked the dog for 30 mins this afternoon!

My son uses the Homecourt app - it’s for basketball but also has reaction and speed tests. You set your phone up to record you and it’s interactive, I think it’s a fantastic app. He’s part of a club so not sure if you need to be to sign up, worth a look

Thanks Mamaibear, I'll take a look. It's interactive element that will hopefully keep their attention

Get them a Fitbit each? Lots of cheap ones on Amazon. Maybe they'll get competitive with each other. Also buy some weights -5kg probably good to start with. My 14 yr old son goes cycling every day and does weights. He is naturally quite motivated. Unfortunately my 18 year old will only do a short bike ride now and again, and his step count is under 1000 a day, like yours. It's hard!