How to Encourage Teens to Exercise

All teens can benefit from exercise—whether or not they play organized sports—so it’s important to encourage them to make physical activity a part of their everyday lives. Here are some ways to do it.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Be a good role model. Build physical activity into your daily routine. If your children see you making time for exercise, they will inherit the view that staying active is an important and natural part of life. On the flip side, if you are new to exercise, demonstrate that people are never too old to change their habits or learn new skills.
2. Support your teen’s choices of activities, especially if they are not passions of yours. Embrace any reasonable outlet for their energy: dance, skateboarding, yoga, hiking, to name a few. Emphasize that it’s not what they do, but that they do something to stay physically active on a regular basis.
3. Help them make time for exercise. Many teens have responsibilities and commitments beyond school homework. Brainstorm and develop a plan with them, then help them accomplish it. Look for a program that works with their schedule, such as gym memberships with flexible hours.
4. Provide transportation if necessary, either by driving them, organizing a carpool or loaning them a car.
5. Help them have the right gear. With some activities, this is an issue of practicality and safety. But also remember how important image is to teens. The proper attire can give your child added comfort in a new situation. If she feels self-conscious at the gym, she may not want to go back.
6. Try family-related activities. Midnight walks under a full moon, family ski trips or group scuba diving lessons.
7. Like kids of all ages, teens are most motivated when the atmosphere is fun and light-hearted.