1. Family Fitness

2. Reasons to consider Family Fitness
Healthier lifestyle for you and your family
Spending quality time with family, while doing something fun and active
Cultivates better relationships between family members
Fitness is a challenge that you can overcome as a family
Can create health-conscious habits for your children, which can help them later on in life

3. Benefits of Exercise Physical Benefits Increases Your Metabolism
Combats Health Conditions and Diseases
Boosts Energy Levels
Improves Quality of Sleep
Improves Cardiovascular and Muscular Fitness

4. Benefits of Exercise Mental Benefits
Reduces Stress, Anxiety, and Depression
Improves Overall Mood
Improves Self-Confidence
Prevents Cognitive Declines
Boosts Brainpower
Sharpens Memory

5. How to get started Identify Different Types of Fun Physical Activities
Each person is different, so make a list of activities you will all enjoy.
Decide When You’re Going To Do These Activities
Choose one or two activities to do each day and mark them on the calendar to ensure you follow through.
Create and Track Each Individual’s Goals
Goals are key to improving your fitness level. Set goals for each individual and track their progression towards reaching those goals.
Discuss the Importance of Proper Nutrition and Practice Healthy Eating Habits
One of the most important aspects of living a healthy lifestyle is nutrition. As a family, make it a goal to practice healthy eating habits and make health-conscious decisions when it comes to nutrition.

6. Activities To do as a family
Choose a new sport to learn as a family
Play games like tag or have a family race
Do exercises together
When the weather is nice, go for a swim
Go for a family walk after dinner
Ride bikes to the store instead of driving
Go hiking together
*The possibilities are endless. Just make sure you are doing something that the whole family enjoys.

7. Guidelines for Family Fitness
Dos
Don'ts
Try to be active for at least minutes a day.
If a family member does not enjoy an activity, don’t force them to keep doing it. Pick a different one.
Change your activity schedule from time to time to prevent staleness.
Try to choose outdoor activities. Don’t let the TV become a distraction; take the family outside and get moving.
Do your best to follow the schedule. Missed days can start to pile up.
Don’t get complacent. Always challenge each other to do more and strive to accomplish new goals.
Enjoy the time you get to spend with your family. Think of these activities as a chance to bond, not exercise.

8. Resistance training for Children?
Can you do resistance training with your kids?
Yes, resistance training can be very beneficial for child development, even at a young age. Resistance training can increase your child’s muscle strength and endurance, strengthen their bones, control body weight, and improve their self-esteem.
Things to avoid when resistance training with children:
Resistance training should not be confused with bodybuilding. It is important that children use light resistance and focus mainly on proper form.
Bodyweight exercises are a great way for children to begin resistance training without putting undo stress on their muscles and joints.
Excessive weight can damage a child’s muscles, tendons, and cartilage; therefore, it is important to place the most attention on exercise form and execution rather than the amount of weight lifted.
*Go ahead, plan a family day at the gym, but make sure to follow these guidelines when resistance training with children.

9. References
4 Ways to Plan a Healthy Lifestyle for Your Family. (n.d.). Active.com. Retrieved June 9, 2014, from family/articles/4-ways-to-plan-a-healthy-lifestyle-for-your-family
Avnet, L. (2013, March 27). 13 Mental Health Benefits Of Exercise. The Huffington Post. Retrieved June 9, 2014, from exercise_n_ html
Explore by Topic. (n.d.). Top Ten Benefits of Regular Physical Activity. Retrieved June 9, 2014, from e-48dd-8380-ba0dfb4dd47a#.U5BVc_mwK2U
Tween and teen health. (n.d.). Strength training: OK for kids?. Retrieved June 9, , from health/in-depth/strength-training/art