Should kids join exercise programs?

Question

I do crossfit and at our gym we have kids fit (4-12 I believe). I am an assistant coach and think it's such an amazing thing for kids to do!

What are your views on having kids exercising?

Answer

If someone says kids shouldn't exercise they are crazy

Answer

Yes!! The gym next to my work does kids & family courses, and I think it's great. Lots of families go.

They do it after school, so not just on the holidays!

Answer

I think all children should be physically  active.

Answer

If my child doesn't want to play sports as a form of exercise, then he will exercise another way. It's important to have a healthy body. I think exercising in children isn't as common as it needs to be.

Answer

I wish they had this kind of stuff when I was little. I hated sports and gym class but could have benefited from a program like crossfit.

Answer

No.
I think adults just magically up one day with the desire and skills to eat healthy and exercise. They don't need to learn these things as children.

Answer

I think that exercise for children is great! But don't force them into going to a class or something. Just encourage them to go out and play with friends! I was forced into doing sports stuff and i hated it and now have a resentment towards sports and my body because I don't feel like im athletic enough. Forcing children to partake in sports that they don't like can be damaging whereas if they're out having safe fun with friends then they'll be more likely to want to continue.

Answer

I think it's great, obviously recognizing children should not lift like adults (lighter weights yes). I try to tell my step son he should exercise all the time, his response is "but I'm not fat". Not sure where he got this idea, but he thinks exercise is for fat people. I've told him he's wrong, but I don't think he's the only kid who thinks that and we as a society should change that.

Answer

Sure, if they're tailored to children and properly managed to watch children and help them recognize their limits. Let them know having a limit is OK.

I used to hate gym class. They would make us do Tae Bo and it sucked ass standing in the same spot for half an hour doing stupid shit and you couldn't stop. Or the pacer test but we weren't allowed to stop. But clearly I have a problem with trying to grade a wide variety of children on one fitness level.

Answer

100% some kids don't understand sports but something like that can easily be fun and confidence building for them without having to be in constant competition with more gifted kids (depending on the sport)