Sponsored by Blank Children’s Hospital
Going outside to play or exercise, even when it’s cold, is good for us. However, sometimes that isn’t possible. Extreme cold, rain and snow may convince us to stay inside. Here are some ideas from Blank Children’s Hospital for keeping active indoors whether you stay home or venture somewhere else.
Design a Family Fitness Challenge
Creating a family fitness challenge is a way to involve all members of the family and to challenge yourselves to improve your fitness over the cold winter months. Anyone can do this challenge as the real competition is against yourself.
- Learn some simple exercises you can do to build strength at home. These exercises can all be modified based on current level of fitness or age. If you don’t have hand weights, use cans of soup or books for weights, and you can just lay on the floor if you don’t have a stability ball. Get creative with ways to modify the moves!
- Grab a notebook. Now for the fun part! Make a chart on the first page showing each family member’s name down one side and a list of the exercises across the top. Have each person do as many of the exercise as they can and record the number on the chart. Practice the moves together a few nights each week or on your own.
- Every week on the same day, test yourself again to see how many of each exercise you can do. Create a new chart on the next page of the notebook and record the new number. You can set goals to work toward, such as doing two more squats the next week. Looking back at your progress over the winter will be rewarding and motivating to help you keep active!
Explore a Change of Scenery
Sometimes you might want to get out of the house to try a new activity or place to be active. Many schools hold open gym times on weekends as do some city parks and recreation departments. Check with your local school or city for locations and times. Below is a list of places where you can try new activities (indoor rock climbing) and brush up your skills at old ones (roller skating).
Climb Iowa
3605 SE Miehe Dr., Grimes
climbiowa.com
Youth and adults of any climbing ability from beginner to advanced
Memberships, punch cards, camps, classes, parties
Courage League Sports
Adaptive sports and physical activities
4405 121st St, Urbandale
Courageleaguesports.com
Open gym, camps, classes
The Playground for Kids
2401 SE Tones Dr. #7, Ankeny
theplaygroundforkids.com
Indoor playground, open play, parties
Sapphire Gymnastics
11401 Meredith Dr., Urbandale
1536 E. Army Post Rd., Des Moines
Sapphiregymnasticsacademy.com
Open gym, camps, classes
Triad Gymnastics
2202 SE Creekview Dr., Ankeny
Triadgymnastics.com
Open gym, camps, classes, Fit Kids program
Skate North Incrediroll
5621 Meredith Dr., Des Moines
skatenorthdsm.com
Open skate, parties, roller derby
Skate South
10494 County Line Rd., Des Moines
Skatesouth.com
Open skate, parties, hockey, roller derby
Skate West
2019 Grand Ave., West Des Moines
Sk8west.com
Open skate, parties, hockey
How do you keep your family active in the winter? We want to hear!
At Blank Children’s Hospital, we are concerned about the health, safety and wellbeing of all children. All Kids Healthy presented by Kohl’s aims to provide information about healthy habits to children and families as well as their health providers.
All photos used with permission from Blank Children’s Hospital.
