June is Youth Month and a great reminder to get the younger members of the family up and moving! Unless your child is naturally keen on sport and interested in maintaining their fitness, it may take a bit of persuasion to get them off their devices for a workout.
There can be multiple benefits to starting a healthy fitness routine from a young age. A reasonable amount of exercise per week can lead to better physical and mental health.
Nevertheless, there are some considerations to take note of when teenagers exercise:
A Variation of Exercises
Just like adults, a well-rounded exercise routine that includes:
- cardio (examples include walking, running or cycling);
- strength training (using lower weights is best or bodyweight exercises); and
- flexibility training (stretching), is key for teens.
- Some teens may benefit from calming activities such as yoga.
To avoid burnout, teens should aim for a minimum of thirty minute workouts, three times a week. The goal should be to enjoy their sport or activity. This increases the chance of them continuing their workouts into adulthood.
Make the Necessary Adjustments
- Before starting a training program, it is advisable to get advice from your healthcare professional.
- If necessary, have exercise equipment adjusted to fit your teen. For example, they may not be big enough to use adult settings on gym equipment or their bicycle may need to be sized correctly.
- Professional guidance may help teens avoid injuries. For example, in the case of weight training, teens may benefit from advice from a trainer or instructor in order to develop a safe but productive routine.
Rest and Recovery
- Teens should be encouraged to warm up with light cardio before training, and then to cool down afterwards by stretching.
- Massaging MYO2 Recovery Gel into muscles before and after training may relieve muscle pain and discomfort. Teens should not experience pain beyond the normal muscle soreness you experience after exertion.
- Suitable post-exercise nutrition and hydration is important. A balanced post-workout meal or snack that includes a combination of carbohydrates and protein, is optimal. Carbohydrates replenish glycogen stores, while protein supports muscle repair and growth.
- Adequate hydration is essential for optimal muscle function and overall health. The new MYO2 Recovery and Immune Booster drink aims to hydrate the body while repairing muscles damaged during exercise and boosting the immune system, which can also be compromised during intense training. The zesty, orange-flavoured MYO2 drink is free from caffeine and preservatives and contains Vitamin C and Zinc to boost the immune system; Taurine and L-Glutamine for muscle recovery; and Magnesium, Potassium and Sodium for electrolytes.
- Teens should incorporate rest days into their recovery routines and ensure that they get a suitable amount of sleep.
Support your teen on their fitness journey by modelling a healthy lifestyle, making fitness fun, and praising their efforts to work on their health.
