How to Integrate Technology and Fitness

Children of this generation are growing up with technology. Unlike you or your parents, they’ve never known a world without video games or smartphones. Mix this with how much they might see you on your phone, and it’s no surprise they think technology is amazing. However, that’s not to say that it’s your fault. Rather, it’s expected.

What it can lead to though, is our responsibility as parents. In another blog post, we talked about how to sneak workouts into everyday life. Previous to that, we talked about how your child will do what they see you doing. Adding these two together, you might start together where we are going with this topic of fitness and technology.

Technology Isn’t Bad

Unlike the outdoors, technology can be turned off and on. It’s also the cheapest way to help kids get active. If your child goes to a daycare, you might know what we’re talking about. Songs like Baby Shark and Going on a Bear Hunt can get kids active while inside. If you need ideas, you can check websites like Pinterest for ideas or check on Google for fun classes they, or you can take!

How to Integrate Fitness and Technology:


When you work with a child, it’s important to realize that you’re setting up their foundation for life. Though daunting, you will be in charge of making sure that they know what’s good to eat and how to take care of themselves. Here’s a quick five-step guide on how to show them that technology can be used for good.

Limit Technology Time

The first step in integrating technology and fitness is to limit technology time. That might sound strange, but it’s important to get into the details. You’ll be using technology in your workouts. However, we don’t need to sit for hours watching TV in the afternoon (no matter how much we all want to.)

Try to limit the amount of time you’re just sitting watching TV or playing video games. Likewise, ensure that you and your family has a place for phones by the door or in the kitchen. If you don’t have your phone on the armrest all afternoon, you’ll be less likely to spend hours scrolling through social media.

Plan Time for Fitness

The obvious thing to do when you want to get in shape is plan time for working out. Each afternoon or morning, try to plan aside 30 minutes to an hour for physical fitness. This will ensure that you can get in the workout, technology or not. After all, you can’t integrate technology with a workout if you have no time to get in shape!

Use YouTube

YouTube is a wealth of fitness inspiration. You can use the app on your phone or even on your video game consols. Try looking up trainers like Fitness Marshal or Popsugar for family-friendly workouts that everyone will look forward too. If you have something you like in particular, for example, yoga, search around to see what you can find.

Think Active

There are movement-based video games that you can enjoy with your family. When you feel like changing it up, why not break out some Just Dance with your children? Make it even more fun by creating a contest. Whoever wins doesn’t have to clean their dishes for the day!

Find Inspiration

As alluded to, technology is a great way to find inspiration for a workout. Apps like Pinterest are ripe with fitness ideas and programs. You can even find kid-friendly apps to download and exercise with. The sky is the limit when you’re using technology to be productive rather than postpone productivity!
​


Working out doesn’t have to be something devoid of technology. If your child is like many their age, they might balk at the idea of “just going for a run.” However, no matter the age, technology can be used to get them moving. Try dancing and moving to YouTube or video games. Don’t forget to use apps like Pinterest for inspiration and check the app store for fitness apps that your whole family can use.