Parents should not assume that schools are taking care of their kid's physical education. On the average, schools are offering fewer gym classes. Only 36 percent have required daily gym classes. More important, few gym programs are effective in promoting cardiovascular fitness. Instead of aerobic activities, gym classes tend to stress competitive sports, which involve only a limited number of students who have the required abilities.

All kids, though, can participate in aerobic exercise, since it requires minimal hand-eye coordination and little athletic talent. Aerobic activities are also likely to become lifelong habits. Running, for example, can be a good aerobic activity for children. Long distance running poses an increased risk of injury for prepubescent children, but if a running program is gradual and well supervised, and if the child wears good running shoes and warm up properly, the risks should be minimal.

Swimming, cycling, brisk walking, and hiking are other good aerobic options that can easily be shared as family activities.

Exercise should be fun for children. The adage "no pain, no gain" is even more dangerous for kids than for adults. For example, weight lifting that calls for lifting as much weight as possible may be hazardous for youngsters. If a child over nine wishes to begin a weight lifting program, make sure he or she works with a trained supervisor who allows only slow lifts that can be repeated twelve to fifteen times.

Indeed, a child who wants to engage in any type of strenuous after school exercise or sports program should be supervised by a qualified person and should also have a physical exam before hand.

"The difference between
where you are and where you want to be"