Exercise helps keep your family healthy both physically and mentally. Teaching your kids to be active from a young age can help them make it a life-long habit. Additionally, sports can be a great way to bond as a family. However, not every home is set up for much physical activity, and it can become easier for kids and adults alike to veg out in front of the television. If you’re looking for things you can do to encourage your family to be more active, consider these home improvements.
Garden
If you don’t already have one, this could be the perfect time to start a small garden. Weeding and dragging bags of mulch around will encourage new levels of fitness for your family. Try growing your favorite herbs and vegetables for extra flavor at dinner, or maybe plant a patch of your favorite flowers. Those who already have a garden know that it will keep you active. There are constantly new ways to improve or expand your garden, which is good because there is something for everyone. Growing your own food also helps encourage a healthy diet.
Pool
Everyone wants a nice place to swim and relax during the hot summer months. Also, it’s a great way to get some exercise. Whether kids are playing water games, adults are swimming laps, or seniors are doing water aerobics, you have plenty of options.
In-ground pools can be expensive, and they require a lot of maintenance. However, you may want to consider above-ground concrete pool installation. This is more affordable than in-ground pools and can look just as attractive. It’s also durable and can be installed quickly. While it’s not as deep, it allows for a wide range of exercises and activities for the whole family.
Backyard
Spending time in the backyard with family and friends can create some of the best memories. Playing games or sports in the backyard also helps encourage exercise. However, no one will want to hang out in the backyard if it’s not set up for it. You can fix this with just some simple updates.
If your grass is growing in patches or if it is struggling to grow altogether, either reseed the yard or lay down fresh sod. Soft grass is much more inviting that scratchy or patchy grass.
If you have a patio, you can set it up with seating and lights so that the whole family can spend evenings in the yard. If you have the space, this is a great place to do yoga or a daily workout routine.
Install a Gym
If you have an extra room in your home that isn’t being used effectively, consider converting it into a home gym. Before you add new equipment, make sure you put durable flooring in, especially if you will have heavy weights. You may also want to add a wall of mirrors so that you can see and correct your form as you workout. In order to get the whole family using the new family gym, add equipment and space for plenty of different types of exercise, such as cycling, running, weight lifting, dancing, and yoga.
When you give your family the opportunity to be active from the comfort of home, you help teach your kids the importance of exercise and physical fitness. If you’re looking to do some home improvements soon, consider these to encourage exercise in your family.