So is a personal trainer really the solution? It may not be for everyone, but for some people it is a perfect solution. Given that childhood obesity predicts adult obesity with amazing accuracy, parents are both wise to encourage healthy habits early on. A trainer can provide direction, structure, and strategies that help create a habit of healthy living that can have a tremendous impact.
Other reasons parents hire trainers for their kids include sports skill training or instruction and, of course, performance improvement. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, kids as young as 8 years old can benefit from low-resistance exercise with small weights and actually grow stronger with little risk of injury.
Is a Personal Trainer Right for Your Child?
A trainer can be helpful in the following scenarios:
- Your child doesn't like organized sports
- Your child is self-conscious playing sports or trying new activities
- Your child has some health issues and you prefer supervised exercise sessions
- Your child expresses interest in personal training
What Kind of Trainer is Best for Children?
A personal trainer who works with adults isn’t always the best option for a child. Here are some recommendations for finding the best trainer for your child:
- The trainer should have a degree and/or nationally recognized certification (NSCA, ACSM, etc..)
- The trainer should have experience training children, including a sense of humor and patience
- The trainer should create training sessions around fun activities that aren't typical gym routines and include input from the child
- The trainer should have offer a balanced routine of strength, cardio and core exercise.
- The trainer should help the child find activities he enjoys and will do on his own.
- The trainer should have references from parents of other kid-clients.
- Ask questions about the trainer's philosophy about working with kids and setting goals and make sure you agree with the approach.
- Attend the first one or two sessions with your child and see if it meets your needs.
As a parent you need to be patient and encouraging for your child to get the most of the sessions. To improve motor skills, speed, and coordination, children need to work with a trainer once or twice a week for three to four months before they develop a habit of exercise and be motivated to stay active on their own.
For kids to develop a new lifestyle takes time, and the goals of you, your child and the personal trainer need to be realistic and modest.
Source
The American Academy of Pediatrics
The American Obesity Association
