Playground Fitness:
Kids Corner

Aired on Lifetime Television
Sunday, July 8 and August 26, 2007
Show 415

Finding time in your busy schedule to exercise can be quite a challenge. But just because you're not at the gym, it doesn't mean you can't be active. Try turning a trip to the playground with the kids into a beneficial workout.

With any physical activity, it's best to start by warming up. Walk or ride your bike to the park instead of driving there to get your heart rate up. The same playground equipment your kids love can really work your muscles. Work your thighs on the seesaw. Try some chin-ups on the monkey bars. Or tighten your abs by pumping back and forth on the swings.

Pushing your kids is great strength training for your arms. Even a picnic table turns into your own personal gym. Work the back of your arms by facing away from the seat, placing both hands behind you and lowering yourself slowly. And who needs a stair machine when you have a park bench to work your legs and cardiovascular system?

If you get creative, you can work out just about anywhere, even at the mall. Just pushing your child around in the stroller gets your heart pumping. And the bench at the mall is just as good as the bench at the park. So next time you take your kids to the playground, you could catch up on your reading or you could try to catch up with them!