Summer often leads to inconsistent workout routines for moms and dads with the kids out of school, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
Over the last few weeks, we’ve been reviewing ideas to keep you in shape all summer long, so you don’t have to feel like you have to start from scratch in September. Plus, you get to work out while the kids get some good playing time, too!
In addition, many gyms offer summer student memberships, so you can take classes and work out with your child. These programs are popular with parents at both our Portland and Vancouver studios. And most clubs offer day care for younger kids, so you can get in for a quick one hour workout without feeling too guilty.
Here are a few more exercises you can do at the park while the kids play and get their exercise at the same time:
• Overhead shoulder press: Find a bench and wrap an exercise tube underneath the seat. Grab both handles and slowly press your arms above your head. Avoid lifting your shoulders up toward your ears. Perform 8-20 reps. This is a great one for your shoulders and triceps.
• Tricep kickback: Wrap an exercise tube around a pole and hold each handle. Bend over with your back straight and position your elbows beside your body and lifted high. Slowly extend your arms until they are almost straight without moving your elbows up or down. Perform 8-20 reps. This is a great exercise for the back of your arms.
• Tricep dips: Find a bench and sit on it. Place your hands beside your hips on the bench and position them so they’re approximately shoulder width apart. Slowly lower your body down and then rise back up to the starting position. Keep your hips positioned close to the bench. To make the exercise more challenging, keep your legs straight. Perform 8-20 reps. Do this one right after tricep kickbacks without a break and give yourself an awesome burn in your triceps.
If you’re looking for an easy way to get in some extra cardio with the kids, there’s nothing like a good old fashioned game of tag to get your heart pumping. Plus you’ll be the coolest mom or dad around.
Sherri McMillan, M.Sc., is the owner of Northwest Personal Training in downtown Vancouver. She can be reached at http://nwPersonalTraining.com or http://ShapeupwithSherri.com.
