How to Encourage Teens to Exercise
Helping teens become motivated to exercise involves helping them make some practical choices. Teens who exercise regularly will have fewer chronic health conditions later in life. They usually have better self-esteem and are less likely to engage in risky behaviors like drug abuse and unprotected sex compared to teens who do not exercise regularly.
- Find a coach or assistant coach at your son or daughter’s high school that your son or daughter looks up to. If your teenager emulates someone who exercises, they are more likely to exercise to be like him. Parents should first check with their teen’s high school to see what sports are available there.
- Find your teen a job that is physically challenging. Your teen might not want to exercise at a gym and might be more excited about getting a job and earning some spending income. Direct him to a job that is physically active to allow him to get exercise.
- Figure out the best time to get some exercise for your teen. If you look at your teenager’s schedule, there may be certain periods in the day that are more conducive to exercise. This could be before school in the morning, or immediately after school in the afternoon. If your child has lots of extracurricular activities, then you might need to squeeze in an exercise session in the evening.
- Hire a personal trainer for your teen. A personal trainer can help motivate your teenager to exercise by helping set goals. A personal trainer can also discuss dietary changes that will help your teen stay fit and give her more energy while sustaining an exercise routine.