Raising Active Kids: How to Encourage Fitness as a Family

Raising Active Kids: How to Encourage Fitness as a Family

            Despite the well-documented benefits of physical activity, only 20% to 28% of children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 meet the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical exercise (CDC, 2023).

            On December 26, 1960, President-Elect John F. Kennedy wrote an article for Sports Illustrated, titled “The Soft American”. In it, he highlighted a nearly 20% decline (from 1951 to 1960) in the number of young adult males able to pass Yale University’s annual physical fitness test for freshmen. He also provided statistics showing the disparity between American children and their European counterparts (Kennedy, 1960).

            Kennedy ended the article with a powerful call to action: “All of us must consider our own responsibilities for the physical vigor of our children and of the young men and women of our community. We do not want our children to become a generation of spectators. Rather, we want each of them to be a participant in the vigorous life.”

            I remember being in elementary school P.E. class, standing in line-boys on the left, girls on the right. We were told to complete a series of physical challenges: pull-ups, push-ups, the V-sit and reach, and finally, the dreaded mile run. If a boy couldn’t do a pull-up, he got a second chance with the flexed-arm hang.

            I was fortunate to grow up with competitive cousins and brothers, which kept me in shape. But I still remember the look on some of my friends’ faces when they struggled with those challenges and had to attempt the alternative exercises. Those were the good ol’ days of the Presidential Fitness Program—a time when physical fitness was a core part of childhood.

            Times have changed, and while schools today may not have the same rigorous fitness programs, the importance of keeping kids active remains. As homeschooling parents, we make it a priority to ensure our boys stay active by participating in sports and getting the exercise that traditional schools typically provide. In fact, children and teens spend an average 7.5 hours a day in front of screens, with less than 24% of 6- to 17-year-olds getting an hour of physical activity daily (CDC, 2022).

            Growing up, I played soccer, football, and ran track--experiences that shaped my love for fitness. Today, as a certified Master Trainer through ISSA and a Marine for 15 years, I’ve spent much of my life dedicated to fitness—both personally and professionally.

            That passion for movement has made us hyper-aware of one question since starting our homeschooling journey: Are we doing enough to keep our kids active throughout the day? Some days, after a long day of work, the last thing we feel like doing is going outside and pushing them to move. But what we’ve learned is that keeping our kids active isn’t about forcing them into a specific sport or making them stay outside until bedtime. Instead, it’s about showing them what an active lifestyle looks like.

            The easiest way we’ve found to get our kids excited about fitness—without if feeling like a chore—is by staying active ourselves. We ride bikes, life weights, run, walk, rock climb, and constantly look for new activities to try. Our kids see this, and wouldn’t you know it? I’ll turn my back for a second and see one of my boys on the rower, determined to set a new personal record. Or I’ll catch them climbing onto our gymnastic rings, testing their strength and grip.

            I believe this is exactly what President John F. Kennedy was talking about over 60 years ago. While government programs can encourage schools to emphasize physical fitness, their impact can only go so far. True change starts with us.

            Ensure the United States continues to enjoy the freedoms we have isn’t just about government policies—it starts with individual citizens taking ownership. It’s about setting the right example, not just by living an active lifestyle ourselves, but by ensuring our children do the same.

            Physical inactivity contributes to increased risks of obesity, heart disease, and Type 2 diabetes. About 1 in 5 children in the U.S. struggles with obesity (CDC, 2023).

            As parents, we have the power to change this. This is why I plan to keep writing, sharing tips, pictures, and ideas to help families engage in fitness beyond just enrolling in sports.

            Remember, as it says in Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”

            If we do this together, we will be making strides toward President Kennedy’s vision—one active family at a time.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Youth Physical Activity Facts. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/physicalactivity/facts.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Childhood Obesity Facts. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/childhood.html

Kennedy, J.F. (1960). The Soft American. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved from https://vault.si.com/vault/1960/12/26/the-sofe-american

Bible Reference: New International Version (NIV), Colossians 3:23