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Tips For Keeping Your Kids Active From A Sacramento Fitness Professional

Vernia Smith is the award-winning founder and head trainer of Shape Health & Fitness in Sacramento. He has shared a few tips on how to help kids stay active even when it might be rainy, cold or miserable outside.

Vernia Smith
Shape Health & Fitness
5363 H St.
Sacramento, CA 95819
(916) 730-1679
www.shapehealthfitness.com

Tips

wii tennis
(credit: nintendo.com)

Vernia's first suggestion is to meet the kids where they live these days, in the world of video games. Use either a Wii or XBox to include games that actively encourage the children to move and get some exercise. Some of the games involve dancing, tennis, boxing, mixed martial arts, cardio workouts and more.

Vernia's second suggestion is to find a venue for indoor sports activities, such as basketball. The focus should be on finding a sport the youth will enjoy that will also provide a cardio workout. The objective is to find the current comfort level of the youngster or teen, and then provide a modest increase in the activity level over a period of time. Vernia suggested beginning with a modest workout which will not exceed 30 minutes for those kids who aren't currently active. Working toward a full hour of exercise is the goal.

Below are a few venues for kids to enjoy playing and staying active this winter.

lets play
(credit: letsplaysoccer.com)

Let's Play! Indoor Soccer Arena 2000
4670 Aldona Lane
Sacramento, CA 95841
(916) 489-5000
www.indoorsoccerarena.com

Beyond using one of the fitness studios such as Shape Health & Fitness, venues for active play include Indoor Soccer Arena 2000 for those kids who enjoy soccer. The indoor soccer arena is open year round, and league play is also forming regularly. Rates are posted on the site for each team. While some previous soccer skills may be necessary for older kids, there are teams for the younger set also.

Related: The Best Ways For Sacramento To Get Moving In 2013

bounce u
(credit: bounceu.com)

Bounce U
11280 Sanders Drive, Unit A
Rancho Cordova, CA 95742
(916) 859-0559
www.bounceuranchocordova.com

7611 Galilee Road
Roseville, CA 95678
(916) 783-4386
www.bounceuroseville.com

Bounce U in Roseville and Rancho Cordova offer plenty of fun activities coupled with large inflatable bounce structures. Geared toward younger kids and young teens, Bounce U is open year round. Sessions for special needs children are also available, but reservations are suggested. Keeping the kids moving in the bounce structures should be no problem at this fun spot. This is one play area which will be able to keep even the youngest of your kids interested in exercising.

sky zone
(credit: skyzone.com)

Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park
1091 Tinker Road
Rocklin, CA 95765
(916) 644-9966
www.skyzone.com

For kids of all ages, trampoline jumping can be an aerobic and intensely fun way to get fit or stay fit during the winter. Sky Zone Sports in Rocklin is a short drive with something for all age groups, from Skyrobics 4Kids to 3-D Dodgeball. Sky Zone "The Sport" is a 3-D sport offered as a demonstration only at this time. The 3-D Dodgeball pickup games and league play are offered as well. 

sky high
(credit: sacramento.jumpskyhigh.com)

Sky High Sports
11327 Folsom Blvd., #160
Rancho Cordova, CA 95742
(916) 853-5867 
www.sacramento.jumpskyhigh.com

Sky High Sports is another trampoline venue for kids of all ages and all skill levels. Sky High Sports offers AIRobic classes, dodgeball and even special days for kids with special needs. Burning 1,000 calories an hour has never been this much fun! Group prices are also available. Kids will enjoy the freedom to bounce around until they just can't handle anymore.

Related: Best Extreme Sports And Rec Spots In Sacramento

Gar Swaffar is a freelance writer covering all things Sacramento. His work can be found on Examiner.com.

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