Children's exercise equipment

[MilkOnTap]

I've seen a lot of children's sized exercise equipment; bikes (http://www.dealsdirect.com.au/p/kids-fun-exercise-bicycle/), treadmills (http://www.dealsdirect.com.au/p/kids-fun-exercise-treadmill-1/), air walkers, (http://www.dealsdirect.com.au/p/kids-fun-exercise-air-walker/)exercise bench (etc). (http://www.dealsdirect.com.au/p/kids-fun-exercise-weight-bench/)

Do you think these are sending the right message? I know that health and fitness is important, and that education needs to begin in childhood; but are pint-sized pieces of gym equipment taking it a bit too far?

I was a chubby child, and my Mum's continuous 'encouragement' made me feel even more self-conscious about my body image. She is still like it now - last year she bought me 3 diet books for Christmas.

I guess I feel that it is an issue for children who (like me) are feeling continued pressure from family, friends and the media that to be accepted you have to be 'skinny'.

What do you think? Do you think children's gym equipment is a good idea? Or does it need to be used under the 'right' circumstances?

Poll coming,

[Chanelc]

Personally I don't agree with promoting children's gym equipment - I think exercise should be fun and food is yummy to eat!!

I was a chubby child as all children are and lucky me my mum didn't put focus on food and I naturally lost my weight as I grew.

So I am guessing my mum did something right and I can only follow her lead.

[elissas]

DS was given that exact weight bench by my SIL as a gift, and although it's well constructed etc, it's pretty light. I wouldn't consider it serious exercise equipment.

For DS it's a toy. His Daddy has a weight bench and when he exercises, he gets to do a few (and I mean 3 or 4 total) reps with DH doing most of the work for him ;) He loves it and it's got nothing to do with fitness. It's just about him spending quality time with DH. Like the toy BBQ and whipper snipper he's got. And the toy vacuum he follows me around the house with. I don't see it as any different and we don't intend for him to believe it's any different.

[neostudded]

I want to get Julius a mini gym when he is 3.I think it's fantastic.

[A Party of Five]

Personally I don't agree with promoting children's gym equipment - I think exercise should be fun and food is yummy to eat!!

I was a chubby child as all children are and lucky me my mum didn't put focus on food and I naturally lost my weight as I grew.

So I am guessing my mum did something right and I can only follow her lead.

:iagree:

[coogeemum]

I think this trend is just an extension of the usual - kids love to immitate their parents. There's a market for it, but most likely purely for the novelty and 'cuteness' of it, not for serious exercise.

[Fuchsia!]

DS was given that exact weight bench by my SIL as a gift, and although it's well constructed etc, it's pretty light. I wouldn't consider it serious exercise equipment.

For DS it's a toy. His Daddy has a weight bench and when he exercises, he gets to do a few (and I mean 3 or 4 total) reps with DH doing most of the work for him ;) He loves it and it's got nothing to do with fitness. It's just about him spending quality time with DH. Like the toy BBQ and whipper snipper he's got. And the toy vacuum he follows me around the house with. I don't see it as any different and we don't intend for him to believe it's any different.

:iagree: :laughing: sounds like jax! He even has a weight training singlet "like his dad!"

As long as you promote it in the correct way then it should be safe :)

[OJandMe]

The one thing I really DON'T like, is that bike, like an exercise bike which is hooked up to the TV so the kids 'ride along' playing some kind of game.

Kids should be OUTSIDE riding bikes, not in front of a TV.

the Cateye Gamebike (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B000CECSJK/ref=dp_otherviews_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&img=1)I think it's called.

Or the Fisher Price: Smart Cycle (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B000NWU9NI/ref=dp_image_0?ie=UTF8&n=165793011&s=toys-and-games)


I don't like that.

[neostudded]

The one thing I really DON'T like, is that bike, like an exercise bike which is hooked up to the TV so the kids 'ride along' playing some kind of game.

Kids should be OUTSIDE riding bikes, not in front of a TV.

the Cateye Gamebike (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B000CECSJK/ref=dp_otherviews_1?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&img=1)I think it's called.

Or the Fisher Price: Smart Cycle (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/B000NWU9NI/ref=dp_image_0?ie=UTF8&n=165793011&s=toys-and-games)


I don't like that.
I saw that and I REALLY REALLY dont like it either.:no:

[Ky]

I can understand applications like the smartcycle being used for apartment dwellers where the kids really don't have a lot of room to burn off energy, but weight benches etc I think are taking it a bit too far.

Their little bones are still so soft and like taking up jogging at too early an age, they can end up doing themselves more harm than good!

I am lucky enough to live in a rural town with a huge section and plenty of room for my kids to ride their bikes, get out on scooters, climb trees, chase each other, swim etc. I encourage them to be outside in nearly all weather conditions (except for the heat of the day and electrical storms) and we have play equipment that encourages activity. Things like a trampoline, swing set, seesaw and jungle gym.

What's a bit of mud and dust in these times of fantastic washing machines and stain-busting laundy products!

If we were still living in the middle of Sydney and hadn't had a park just down the road (although I hated having to scout the area for needles, condoms and glass before allowing play), I would have seriously considered an eye toy or a smart cycle.

Kids have energy - they really need the opportunity to burn it off and develop good habits when it comes to exercise - I think the ones that have had it as part of every day life as youngsters are less likely to suffer from some of the common childhood problems that are so prevalent these days.

I was a chubby kid, but also an active kid. I still have a natural level of fitness that astounds me at times - it certainly has helped in keeping up with my 2 active kids while pregnant ...

[HollyHotLips]

I think this trend is just an extension of the usual - kids love to immitate their parents. There's a market for it, but most likely purely for the novelty and 'cuteness' of it, not for serious exercise.

If it's just for those reasons then I cant see the harm, but kids should be encouraged to go out and run around outside to burn it off, not be cooped up indoors.

kids get little enough freedom these days as it is because of the fear of a peadophile on every corner, IMO this will only encourage parents to let their kids outside to play less.

[Lilyloo]

I suppose the aim of them is to encourage children to be active reather than sitting in front of TV and playstations all day...

Personally I don't really like them or see the point, Why would a child need a to lift wieghts? To build muscules??? :confused:

A run aruond the park, a bike ride, or a swim at the beach is a much better way for a child to be active.

[forbetoel]

I think they are fine, my kids have them. My children live in ahousehold where weight is NEVER mentioned, so th eexersize equipment is just for the kids to play on. They are lucky to play on them for longer than two minutes,but are a real hit with children who come over.

Excersize equipment for kids could only be a problem where the children are being raised in a fitness, health and fat obsessed household.