Expert: Ken Alan - 5/31/2006

Question
Dear Ken,
This may seem like a no brainer, because we are taught that exercise is vital to living a healthy lifestyle as adults and the same holds for kids, right?  But I have 2 children (a boy and a girl) and they are both under 5 years old.  Can exercise be risk as well as a benefit to them?  Or is that contingent on the type of exercise and how often it is done?  Also I've read about the impact of weight training, and how it is a very positive way to burn fat and strengthen the body.  Is there an age when this method is appropriate for kids? In other words, is weight training safe and effective for children as young as mine?  And does gender play a factor at all?
I look forward to hearing from you!
Thanks so much,
Shevaun


Answer
Good question.

Exercise is beneficial for everybody.  Children as young as yours do not need a formal strength training program as adults do.  

The kind of exercise kids should do is play...throw things, climb on things, run, jump, hop, bike, skate, swim, skateboard, dance, basketball, kickball, soccer... what kids do naturally is called interval training for adults.  Wait until teenage years before thinking about a stuctured training or exercise program.   

If your kids have an infinity for a particular sport or activity, you may have them spend more time pursuing it.  My 11 year old and 7 year old nephews have been into basketball, baseball and soccer the past 5 years, so that is what they do the most.

Hope this helps.