




06
This piece of equipment might well be one of the coolest things I’ve seen (and after more than a decade in the fitness business, I’ve seen a lot of cool things)…Skywall! A motorized climbing wall that enables you to hone your climbing skills, without the height (or necessary belts and harnesses). The wall is about 11 ft tall, has 10 different climbing speeds, and the rocks can be moved around, so each climb is completely unique.
Some benefits to climbing, in case you’re new to this sport (as am I):
Climbing…
You can find out more about the Skywall at Motion Fitness.
P.S – There is a kid-sized version of this wall that is 9ft high and recommended for kids up to age 9. Another, slightly larger model is designed for kids up to age 12. My two cents: this seems like a fun way to introduce kids to climbing in a safe environment. If I can find out what gyms/where have these, I’ll pass the info along.
17
So how do you get your iPod-loving, DS-playing, YouTube-watching kids off their duffs and onto their feet? By encouraging movement, rather than exercise.
A whopping 40% of children already have at least one risk factor for heart disease and reduced fitness due to inactive lifestyles, yet there are opportunities everywhere you look that have the potential to turn mundane activities into heart-pumping, muscle-strengthening movements. The trick is to make the activity fun, and not seem like exercise at all.
Try this fun game…
Carpet Coaster Frenzy
Ages: 6-8
Instructions: Pair up players in groups of two and give each group two plates. Using only the feet, players pass the plates back and forth to one another from a variety of directions for 30 seconds. Clever twist: have them stand on one leg, then bend down and push the plates with hands only and without letting the other leg touch the floor. All of the reaching and lunging activity strengthens leg muscles and gets hearts pumping too.