4 Tips for Teens Looking to Get Active

teens

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends teens get at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day, with 3 days of moderate-to-vigorous activity a week. However, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services found that more than 80% of adolescents fail to meet these national guidelines for physical activity.


Getting active has a proven correlation with an overall healthier state of being. This means exercise is especially important for teens, who face a variety of stressors on a daily basis in between juggling school, work, extracurriculars, and college applications.

Tip #1: Find what makes you happy, and do a lot of that

The easiest way to get active is to find an activity you enjoy. Despite popular belief, you don’t have to run on a treadmill for half-an-hour to burn calories. Oftentimes, fitness studios and gyms will offer a free class or trial period, which allows you to investigate different options without making any form of commitment.

Take advantage of these freebies and find out if there’s a form of activity you particularly enjoy. For example, if you end up loving a barre class, you could elect to join the studio or find videos to imitate on YouTube. Or, if you like nature, find a trail near your house and invite a friend to go exploring with you. The possibilities are endless, and you’ll be the most committed when you’re having fun while working out!

Tip #2: Start small

Another idea includes incorporating small changes into your everyday routine. Rather than taking the elevator, opt to take the stairs. Other options are walking and riding your bike to nearby destinations, which also help out the environment as an added incentive. These small choices add up and serve to make you more conscious of your health as a whole.

Tip #3: Get involved with a community

Your city probably offers opportunities to get active with other people. For example, if you’re goal-oriented, you may find training for a 5k to be fun, as you can follow a schedule and work your way towards an objective measure. Some cities also may offer things like yoga in the park, which can be a fun and relaxing opportunity when compared to working out alone.

You could also volunteer to walk your neighbors’ dogs on Facebook and make money while doing so. You can begin saving for the car you have always wanted while getting fit at the same time!

Tip #4: Explore the App Store

It’s possible to get fit by using your smartphone. Plenty of apps combine the best of strength training and endurance building, while also including sections dedicated to community forums and healthy meal ideas. The highest ranked app by experts includes the Johnson and Johnson Official 7 Workout, which requires only your body, a wall, and a chair. If you’re looking for a structured workout but want to avoid the fees associated with boutique fitness classes, fitness apps may be your answer.

Getting active isn’t as hard as it seems to be. Effective exercise should be both challenging and enjoyable. If you dedicate 30-60 minutes of your day to making your heart healthy, you’re almost guaranteed to notice an improvement in your academics and overall happiness level.

You may also like...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.