4fitbodies.com

Your Child and Sports

David Hansey
NASM Certified Performance Enhancement Specialist
NASM Certified Sports Fitness Specialist
NASM Certified Personal Trainer

As I am writing this, kids are getting ready to start school. And my son has just started jujitsu classes. He took karate classes all summer and both of these highlighted to me how unique each child is. While one child may need extra conditioning to get fit, another may need specific training for balance or strength. And the unique thing about children’s sports is that you can sit back and see that each child has a truly individual training need.
So, as our children start school sports and extracurricular activities, it is important to be in tune with the specific needs of your child. Their most basic need is safety. Obviously you want to prevent your child from being injured. You do this by ensuring they are in the condition they need to be in for their sport. If not, you help them get there through additional training or conditioning. A few individual sessions or some personal training may cost a little bit more than you were expecting but your child is worth it. You also keep your children safe by ensuring they are training with certified professionals. There is not a coach, trainer or teacher that I can think of that would be offended if you asked them their credentials when it comes to training your child. And remember that sometimes it takes more than one individual to teach them the skills and give them the fitness they need. For example, a trainer should not try to be a coach, nor should a coach try to be a trainer or physical therapist and you as a parent should not ask them to try to be something they are not.
Once you have taken the steps to keep your child safe, it is important to ensure that they are having fun. Did they choose this sport? Are they thrilled to go? Every child is different and each activity may be a better fit for some children than others. I know my son is enjoying the jujitsu because he loves going and asks me every day if it is a jujitsu day. On the other hand, he did not enjoy karate to the same degree and chose to try something else when the summer session came to an end. So, be sure to listen to what they want. Your older son may love football while your youngest may detest it and favor horseback riding or swimming. Allow them to try a variety of activities. Their enjoyment ensures they will want to attend and will get something out of it. It also ensures that you are planting the seeds for a healthy lifestyle for the rest of their life.
Once you ensure you child is safe and having fun with their new activity, it is easy because now all you need to do is offer that great parental support that you always have. I wish you and your child a safe, healthy and fit start to the fall. And hopefully it is a start that leads them to a lifetime of fitness.
For more information on Sports Specific Training, call me at 404-514-1896 or visit my website at www.4fitbodies.com.

Tags: Chapel Hill News, Douglasville, Sports Fitness // Comments Off