I think it's important to teach your kids good, healthy habits. So as a
personal trainer in Katy, I have 10 things I want to focus on as my son grows up.
- I want him to learn his basic skills first. I want him involved in tumbling at an early age. Next we are going to enroll him in a class at Showcase Gymnastics so he can start focusing on these basic skills. It sets a foundation that is invaluable.
- The habit of stretching. Have you ever noticed that those who are flexible love to stretch, and those that are not flexible hate to stretch. My hope is that I can get him accustomed to stretching consistently at an early age so he will continue it the rest of his life.
- Swimming at an early age. I know we are late by some standards, but I want my son to start swimming very soon. It's such a great activity at any age.
- Play a variety of sports. I'm sorry, I know it's common practice to play a sport year round, but I want my son to rotate among various sports throughout the year. Ask anyone who works with injured athletes and they will tell you there are way too many overuse injuries in today's youth.
- Learn Team Sports - I want my son to learn how to play with others, to learn teamwork. He needs to know that it take a collective group to achieve success. It's more than just about him.
- Play Individual Sports - That being said, I want him to play some individual sports too. He can't always depend on a team. Also, as he ages he will find it's more common to play individual sports (tennis golf, etc...) vs team sports. He might as well develop some of those skills while he is still young.
- Learn how to lift weight properly - I'm in no hurry for him to start pumping iron, but when he does, I want him to learn how to do it properly. Not from his coaches that are stretched thin trying to supervise 20 kids, but from someone who will work with him one-on-one. Once he develops his form, I will feel much better about his safety in a group setting.
- Helping Others - This world is not all about us, and I want to instill in him the importance of helping his teammates. As he learns, he can share with and teach others.
- Nutrition is important - He will be taught what proper nutrition is at an early age. It is so important to eat healthy when you are active and we will do all we can to teach him good habits. It doesn't have to be crazy, excessive to be effective. Kids are smart and can learn.
- Don't judge others - I don't want him putting other kids down that do not have the same things instilled in them. A kid's weight or skill level does not determine their worth. Simple as that.
