Activities

The great thing about the Exercise US program is the children are free to do as they like with regards to participation. This means there are no set rules in place as to what you would like to do during the event. You may also choose to participate with just one class, or the entire school. This page is merely suggestions that you may follow.

US Walking

Try taking your children out for a brisk 15 minute walk around your school, YMCA, or health club. October weather is a beautiful time of the year in the United States. Set up some cones to create a walking track you will be all set to go!

US Dance

Gather up some of your favorite children's dance music from the Bunny Hop to the Macarena. Regardless, the children will love dancing to the music.

US Calisthenics

Pump on some music and exercise with the children. Exercises can range from running in place, to push-ups, hopping, jumping jacks, and curl-ups to name a few.

US Jumping Rope

Jumping rope activities can be a lot of fun for 15 minutes. You can choose to have each child jump with their own rope, or have children take rotate turning the longer rope for their peers.

US Aerobics

Most local health clubs love to volunteer their time to visit a school and perform aerobics with the children. It is great PR for their health club as they reach out to the community.

US Yoga

Yoga is more than just stretching, it is about creating balance in the body through developing both strength and flexibility. The children will love performing yoga for 15 minutes during this event.

Exercise Daily

Children need to get at least 60 minutes of activity everyday. Whether it is playing sports, simple calisthenics, or going on a family walk, adults need to get their children up and moving. The American Heart Association (AHA), is now reporting that 25 million children and adolescents (age 2-19) in the United States are overweight or obese - that's nearly 1 in 3 American children. Teach children the value of leading a healthy lifestyle!

The AHA also reports "Most obese children already have at least one other major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, such as high blood cholesterol, high triglycerides, high insulin or high blood pressure."

Use the Exercise US program as a motivational tool to help your children start exercising on a daily basis!

US Exercise US

Why participate in the Exercise US event?

According to The President's Council On Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition (PCFSN), "Moderate daily physical activity can reduce substantially the risk of developing or dying from cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers, such as colon cancer. Daily physical activity helps to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, helps prevent or retard osteoporosis, and helps reduce obesity, symptoms of anxiety and depression, and symptoms of arthritis."

The American College Of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recently sent out a press release that suggests "children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 engage in 60 minutes or more of physical activity each day, including aerobic, muscle-strengthening and bone-strengthening exercises." Promoting physical activity is the start of getting children healthier.

The 15 minutes the children participate in the Exercise US program may not change their lives, but may be the start of a good habit that will help them lead a healthy lifestyle!