4Elite Fitness Obstacle Course
60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity daily is recommended by global health organizations for kids. Fact is, most kids in the U.S. are not meeting the recommended time allowances. At 4elite Training Academy we asked how can we change those statistics and make something that is fun and appealing to kids while getting them active?
For adults, most fitness pros encourage them to get a steady-state of exercise through running, biking, weight training, walking, or swimming. This allows adults to be active daily and studies have shown this to be an effective method to improve fitness and lifestyle. However, the same style of exercise is not equally effective or enticing for our youth and adolescents. Steady-state exercise requires fewer motor skills and less mental involvement and quickly gets boring for kids.
Incorporating instruction, skill, and mental involvement in the recommended 60 minutes is equally important and more stimulating than just aerobic exercise. Including necessary skills for physical development such as balance, coordination, and general fitness is the biggest factor of 4Elite Training Academy into planning our program for kids and keeping them active.
We have developed a program that is fun for kids but gets them active without thinking of it as exercise. Our staple program is the 4Elite Fitness Obstacle Course where we incorporate aerobic fitness with drills and competition. This is very beneficial to the kids because its allows physical activity while participating in an obstacle course and relay race. Here is a breakdown of our program:
Workout Session
Physical fitness is a key factor to a healthy lifestyle. Being active has many benefits for kids such as strengthening bones, protecting muscles ad joints, and maintaining a healthy weight. We structure our physical fitness session where students perform plyometrics and body weight workouts to get the muscles activated
Cone Sprint Obstacle Course Relay
Here we set up an obstacle course where we incorporate jump ropes, cones, speed ladders, balance beams, and more. We set up the area so the kids feel as if they are racing for the finish but in reality they are working on coordination, balance, agility, and speed while working on their aerobic conditioning.
Tug of War
Tug of War is a century old game that kids love. It allows them to display their strength and will power while developing skills to work as a team.