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Aug 2010  |  By T.J. Wheeler  |  Comments

Grown-Up Recess: A 20-Minute Timeout

Getting bored with your elliptical routine, while your kids get to try all kinds of sports in their gym classes?

Here are a few quick, energizing activities that will take you back to your schoolyard days.

Hula Hoop
Bring back your childhood favorite and challenge your kids to a hula-hooping contest. “Hula-hooping strengthens your core—you won’t even realize you’re exercising because it’s a fun activity to do with your kids,” says T.J. Wheeler, sports program manager at Buffalo Grove Fitness Center. “The hips are used in a circular motion to keep the hoop going.” Once you can keep the hoop up, try walking in a circle without it falling down.

Jump Rope
Time to dust off that old jump rope. “Jumping rope is actually a great cardio exercise,” Wheeler says. “It’s also weight-bearing, so it has the added benefit of helping to increase bone density.” Double-dutch, anyone?

Kick a Soccer Ball
Post-World Cup, your child is probably practicing to be the next Landon Donovan or Mia Hamm, and you can join in the fun. “Kicking a soccer ball repeatedly with the hip in neutral or external rotation works the inner thighs,” Wheeler says.