I have a 13yr old girl as a new client. Needed suggestions on fun safe fitness activities for her
With my young clients, I let them play their own music. Jump rope is a good cardio exercise and fun. I do a balloon workout (you can google it) and also a towel workout. Footwork ladders are also fun. I use partner exercises and have them all on a separate small piece of paper. The client “draws” one and that’s the one we do. This is repeated for a full workout. I vary the workout props – resistance bands, BOSU, free weights, TRX. Good luck!
Hi Shaw. If you’re working with a 13 year old “unmotivated girl” I guess the first question is who wants the training/exercise? I work with many young clients and I always take the time to speak with them (away from the parent) to find out exactly who wants the training and what it is that they want. I’ve had my share of ‘unmotivated young clients,” and one common theme that I’ve used is exercising within a ‘game” atmosphere. I like Suz’s suggestion of using ‘their music,” and I would add that planning ‘exercise games’ for her might help her embrace exercise or at least enjoy your time together.
I hope that this helps.
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
Most 13 year olds won’t follow “traditional” exercise workouts.
You say “make a significant changes for her”? Does she want to change?
I am assuming her parents hired you, I would speak with them and find out if they are pressuring her and then speak with her alone and narrow down her goals and motives.
I would get the entire family involved if possible.
Find a sport or activity she likes such as swimming, tennis, bike riding,dancing, martial arts, jump roping etc and work off of that. If she already detests exercise at the age of 13 this will be a challenge for you in many ways.
Think in terms of short attention span, keep things simple and fun.
