Time for Exercise

I have a son, about 22 months old right now, and he just finished a gymnastics class. Two reasons for signing him up for that. One is that he isn’t talking much yet, so it’s a minor social opportunity for him. But the other was of course to encourage him to get active.

I must say, even following him around his class was draining. Lots of up and down and helping him. But watching his class was quite inspiring for my own workouts.

It’s some of the stuff they did that don’t require special equipment that were most interesting, of course. This class was in a serious gym, so most of what he did there we can’t reproduce at home. But other stuff is quite possible.

I can’t think of when the last time was that I comfortably did a somersault. I suppose I just tense up too much. They had the kids learning the early steps toward doing cartwheels, something I never mastered even as a child.

But other stuff doesn’t look that hard even now. The stretching exercises are very easy. The nice thing about doing the exercises they do in class is that they’re fun to do with the kids at home, so we can all be motivated. And yes, it is goofy! So? You know how kids love it when the parents get silly. Sitting with my legs straight out and running my fingers like spiders down to tickle my toes doesn’t seem all that silly when I’m in Mommy Mode.

But some of the workout they do is pretty good exercise. The kids did bear walks. In class they did them on beams or mats spread a short distance apart, but of course this can be done at home. If you aren’t familiar with this, it’s where you walk on your hands and feet (not knees) just like a bear.

The kids also learned to get into the crab walk position, that is, on hands and feet but face up rather than down. So far they’re just picking up one hand at a time to wave, but it’s really great exercise if you can walk backwards in that position.

Headstands or handstands… no, the kids in the class for the most part haven’t mastered these yet, but I must admit the idea is just about intimidating now, and I’m certainly not about to try walking my feet up the wall as they do in class just to try it. Some things you just can’t talk me into these days.

However, the class has reminded my that I really need to work on my flexibility. Children this young have a marvelous flexibility in many cases. We won’t even discuss their teacher. But I know I can do better.

I’d love to be able to do just a few of the things they’re teaching the kids to do in this class. Starting in January it will be my daughter’s turn and I’m really looking forward to watching her go through it. It’s so much fun showing children how much fun exercise can be.

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