With freezing temperatures, blustery winds and plenty
of snow and sleet, it’s no wonder New Yorkers tend to hibernate during winter. Still,
it’s important to keep active during the cold months to avoid weight gain and unhealthy
levels of inactivity. To get kids motivated, fitness experts recommend adopting
practical and creative strategies, ranging from parent-and-child fitness classes
to exercises circuits at home to simply exploring a new neighborhood.
Do It Together
Winter fitness is especially important for children, says Lisa Sanguiliano,
senior director of healthy lifestyles at the YMCA of Greater New York, who says
kids need “20 to 30 minutes of sustained exercise, five times a week.” However,
these routines can be broken down into shorter sessions throughout the day, and
parents can even get kids moving in the morning by having them march in place
while they brush their teeth and get ready for school. Shannon Pollock, co-founder
and director of operations at Dasha Wellness, a health sanctuary with offerings
for adults and kids alike, suggests beginning the day with a family stretch.
Sanguiliano also recommends that parents create
an open discussion about physical fitness with their children, and ask for
their ideas for outings at the dinner table. “Use a calendar to chart out
opportunities within everyone’s schedules,” she suggests.
After dinner, families can do modified sit-ups, yoga poses, hula hoops or
jumping jacks during commercial breaks, or have a living room dance party! For
younger children, Sanguiliano suggests creating obstacle courses in the
apartment by using movable furniture, toys and other gear.
Enjoy The
Great Outdoors
Don’t let the dropping temperatures keep you
from exploring the city! Bundle your family in layers (Jarrod Jordan, director at Chelsea Piers Bluestreak,
recommends tighter-fitting, winter-proof clothing like ski or bike gear) and combine
a brisk walk with some window shopping. While you walk, play games like
spotting shapes, state license plates or street signs to keep kids engaged.
Another easy activity is simply venturing beyond your neighborhood. “Walk 10
blocks east or west of where you live,” suggests Pollock. She also recommends planning
a day trip to visit a park in a borough you don’t know well.
Cathe Thompson, group fitness manager at
Equinox, also encourages activity-based play dates, such as ice skating in
Bryant Park, a day trip to Woodbury Commons or bike riding in Central Park.
Indoor Sports
Sign up for parent-and-child classes or sport-specific
training at your local gym or activity center. Or, families can head to the gym
together, and parents can alternate playing with the kids at the basketball
court or swimming pool while the other parent takes a yoga or Zumba class, says
Thompson.
Finally, Pollack encourages families to keep their approach to fitness positive
and fun. “Parents should adopt and maintain a healthy outlook and a ‘can do’ attitude,”
she says.
An Indoor Sport For
Everyone
The
Climbing Wall in Central Park: The North Meadow Recreation Center (mid-Park at
97th Street) features indoor climbing walls for adults and children over the
age of eight. The walls are supervised during working hours. For more info,
call 212-348-4867, ext 14.
Chelsea
Piers: Featuring a health club, day spa, climbing wall, bowling alley, skating
rink, batting cages, basketball courts, indoor lacrosse, soccer fields and more, this complex of four
Hudson River Piers is the place to be when it’s too cold to play outside. (chelseapiers.com.)
Sutton
East Tennis: Located under the 59th Street Bridge, Sutton East’s red clay
tennis courts are open every day from September through April. Court time can
be reserved on an hourly basis—just be sure to book one week in advance. (suttoneasttennis.com.)
Bowling:
For a classic family outing, head to one of the city’s great bowling alleys. We
love 300 New York at Chelsea Piers (chelseapiers.com/300NY.htm), the
glow-in-the-dark lanes at Bowlmor (bowlmor.com) and the karaoke theme night at
Harlem Lanes (harlemlanes.com).
Aviator
Sports and Recreation: This Brooklyn center offers a wide selection of youth
clinics, skating sessions and a fitness center. Popular sports include
gymnastics, soccer, ice hockey, basketball, figure skating, and volleyball. (aviatorsports.com.)
Guliadis
