Training... with Children

Three undeniable reasons to exercise through parenthood.

This article is for every parent out there who works hard in the gym to be the best version of their self, the best parent they can be, and the best role model they can be for their child or children.

In this article:

• Three reasons to train while traveling the parenthood path.

• How and why your children benefit from your self-care.

• Subscribers share their stories.

Reason 1: You’re Setting Your Child Up for Success

To the parents who train; you are setting an example for your children, as you are the epitome of greatness in their eyes. You are their super hero and if they see you exercising and working hard to be your best, they'll want to do the same. This is immensely important for them!

They’ll be bound for success in several facets of life, as they’ll understand the value of working hard for things they want.

There is so much value in understanding that success is earned through continual hard work and discipline. Training as a parent, and making sure your child sees you working hard, instills this knowledge in your child’s young brain.

Success isn’t something people inherit, but without you showing your child and teaching them, they may think that success is going to be handed to them when they get older. If they expect success to be a given without work on their end, it’s going to rattle them hard when the truth hits as they grow up. By training as a parent, you will safeguard your child from this future situation.

They’ll never expect success to be given to them and they’ll put more effort and work into everything they do because of that. The major tenants of a successful life require big effort and work; relationships, health, finances, and careers.

As a parent who trains, you will have already prepared them by continually showing them the value of discipline and work ethic and they’ll be well-equipped to make the most of their lives as a result; and you will have given them that.

Reason 2: You’re A Better Parent

Happier healthier people make better parents. This is no secret. And what do happy and healthy people have in common? They exercise. They value their bodies and minds and understand that exercise is required to live their best life.

We will never feel our best when we’re not taking care of ourselves through exercise. And if we aren’t feeling our best, we aren’t able to be our best at anything we do; parenting included.

Parenting requires energy, physical strength, mental tenacity, balanced mood, and good health. Continual training provides and builds all of these things.

Exercise increases energy levels. As a parent, you need that…period.

Exercise, particularly resistance training, increases physical strength. Kids love wrestling around, playing sports, and building things. When you’re strong, it’s easier to do all of these things with them.

Exercise improves brain function, including memory and thinking skills. Being mentally checked-in is important when parenting. Remember, you’re the example both mentally and physically. Exercise improves your brain power and you’re a better parent and example to your child as a result.

Exercise improves sleep quality, as well as having anti-depressant effects, leading to a balanced/positive daily mood. Quality sleep improves everything about life; parenting skills and abilities included.

Exercise reduces the risk for major diseases, such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. You can’t parent if you’re not alive. It’s blunt, but true. Don’t neglect your health and decide it’s time to take care of yourself after you’re diagnosed. Prevent the diagnosis from happening in the first place.

There’s no question about it, parents who exercise are more capable as they travel down the parenting path than those who don’t.

And honestly, in what world are we not supposed to exercise? It isn’t like this is some huge breakthrough and what I’m saying isn’t controversial. Exercise gives us advantages in life, and that’s that. Do you agree?

A Quick Note

At this point, while writing this article, I took a pause and met my son in the gym to train. We ended up spending two hours together, which made it so easy to talk to you about the next reason. Everything I talk about below happened with him and I today.

Reason 3: Training Together is Time Together

Have you ever done physical work with people, perhaps as part of a construction job or a big home improvement project?

You start off as a group of people working together, but through the process of doing physical work as a team, you finish the job as a crew.

You’ve shared thoughts, stories, jokes, and motivated each other to get things done along the way. You’ve all shown up repeatedly for each other, continuing to work on the same goal. Bonds were created and friendships were made.

Now, imagine being able to do physical work with your child on a regular basis. Imagine the hours of time together you’re creating with every new workout. There’s time to motivate each other, time to teach each other new things, time to hear each other’s thoughts, time to joke around, and time to just do something together with no techy distractions.

It’s honestly hard to find another activity that creates this type of time together over and over and over.

Workouts with your child are your chance to instill values in them. You’re able to watch them grow mentally and physically, with you being their source of influence. Your child needs inspiration and motivation from you. Training together gives them those things and that’s priceless.

If you have the chance, let your child or children be next to you during some of your training sessions. The feeling you'll have when you see them trying to do the things you do is unparalleled, and they'll think you're the strongest person in the world no matter how much weight you're lifting.

Training dedication and work ethic carry over so much into the real world, and showing your children those qualities will only help them in their futures. Set the example, plant the seeds, and watch them grow!

Again, I’m just not sure there’s another activity you can do with your child that creates so much positivity inside and out, for both of you. What do you think?

What Do My Subscribers Think?

This article was begging for some real world stories and thoughts, which I’m happy to share.

Lorelei, Todd, Stacy, Josh, and Colleen are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to people experiencing the benefits of training as parents, along with their children. If you’re reading this and would like to be added as a featured subscriber, let me know in a comment.

If you’re a parent who trains, give yourself a congratulatory pat on the back. You’re maximizing your life and your child’s experience with you as their super hero. Be proud of yourself, there’s no shame in that! You’re putting in the work, revel in it.

I’ve really enjoyed writing this article and I hope you’ve enjoyed reading it. Thank you so much for your time. On that note, I’m signing off.

What did John Lennon’s parents say to him to get him to eat his veggies when he was a kid? ‘All we are saying is, give peas a chance.’