“It takes 21 days to form a new habit.” This is a bit of an urban myth. Research has shown that it can take more than 2 months before a new behaviour becomes automatic – 66 days to be exact. This obviously can vary widely depending on the behaviour, the person and the circumstances.

Bit of a difference from 21 days though.

I know from my own lifestyle that getting back into a healthy routine can be challenging and getting back into training in the gym 3-4 times a week took me 3 months before I could say I wasn’t detesting it and making every excuse not to do it. It took even longer with my diet as I love to eat rubbish food choices like all of us do.

So what happens when you find yourself unable to continue with your routine? A holiday, a trip back home to see mum and dad or even a business trip?

For me, I struggle even if it’s 3 days. I’m straight back into bad habits thinking it’s ok. I’m training but I think it’s ok to eat pizza and ice-cream. Being totally honest, missing my training day – my mood levels drop massively! I end up going to bed later, sleeping in and if I’m going home to see my mum (who is a feeder) I have a home full of sugary foods to battle against.

I often go away travelling around the UK with my photography and while this can see me walking for miles carry my kit, it’s not the same as getting in the gym deadlifting, squatting and pressing. I need access to training facilities and often this is the last thing on my mind to sort out. I’m often too busy sorting out my photography kit and booking last minute trains.

I’ve tried fitness apps in the past that motivate you to train in your hotel room but they are just not my thing. I prefer being in a gym. So when I came across Gym Nomad, I was interested to find out how it could help people like me who travel but don’t want to break their training habits.

Gym Nomad has just launched in Amsterdam. It brilliantly solves the two biggest problems for anyone travelling that wants to maintain their training. First, finding the right place to train. Second, ensuring your visits don’t cost you a fortune.

Genuis

Finding your gym is really easy! The way the website operates reminds me of airbnb, which I use for most of my travels. I wasn’t overwhelmed trying to find a gym or even a class. You can even search for the a gym that has the right equipment for your needs! So no more hotel gyms without a squat rack and bar! All well within your budget too.

Then all you do is book your class or gym. During this stage you will find out about the specifics such as gym equipment on offer, the opening times and what you need to bring with you. Once you’re happy, you simply sign up for the short term membership by creating a Gym Nomad account so that you can pay for your booking. You then receive your booking code so you can quote the code when you first arrive at the venue.

It really is a great idea and I really hope this concept come over to the UK. The sooner the better as far as I am concerned.

Thanks for reading,

Best for agility: 123 back

Need to build split-second reactions and the ability to adapt on the fly? Agility training will help you learn quick-fire speed so you can make decisions on the pitch. Cone-based drills are a good way to build this kind of skill.

The 123 back is an agility training drill. You’ll need four cones and a training partner or a coach. Place the first cone where the halfway line meets the touchline. Place the next cone two strides along the half way line. The third cone should be three long strides away from the touchline. The fourth and final cone should be in the same position as the third but to the left of the first cone. See this video for a visual guide.

To perform the drill, stand at the first cone and sprint to a cone indicated by your partner. As you reach the cone, your partner should shout a new cone and you must sprint to that. This should happen ten times before you get a 60 second rest. Increase the next number of sprints to 15 cones and then rest again. The final set should be 20 cones.

Best for speed: Push up starts

Want to build sudden bursts of sprint speed like Theo Walcott and Christiano Ronaldo? Practice push up starts to really excel and learn how to blast off from rest. They’re great for emulating a player who takes an opportunity on the ball and rushes to the goal.

Push up starts are a good way of training your explosive acceleration. They’re also fairly easy to perform. Start by placing two cones on the ground 20 yards apart. Head to one cone and assume a box push up position. Jump up to your feet and sprint to the second cone. Jog back to starting position. Repeat for eight reps with a 30 second rest in between each.

Best for endurance: continuous training

Continuous training is pretty simple. It’s essentially a steady state cardio that builds aerobic endurance so you can withstand a full 90 minutes without running out of breath. There are a number of different levels of continuous training, but all equate to performing an activity at a set pace for a sustained amount of time. There are three different levels:

• Train your body to between 50 and 60 per cent of its maximal work rate in order to metabolise fat. This will see only the aerobic system being called upon, so the exercise can be performed for 60 minutes or more without issue.

• Train your body to between 70 and 80 per cent of its maximal work rate in order to improve your cardiovascular system. This will see only the aerobic system being called upon once again but, because it uses glycogen, you are likely to only be able to perform the exercise effectively for between 30 and 45 minutes.

• Train your body to between 80 and 90 per cent of its maximal work rate in order to improve your cardiovascular system and burn glycogen more effectively. Your lactate tolerance threshold will also be heightened. As the aerobic system is put under heavy strain, the activity should last from 10 minutes to a maximum of 20 minutes before resting.

Using these drills, you can really excel both on the pitch and off it, building strength and speed that will complement both your football and your physique. Read Maxinutrition’s football guides for more information.

Thanks,

Recently we have seen a surge in cycling insurance policies who claim that your cycling gear won’t be covered by your home insurance policy.

But, is this really true?

For those that picked the cheapest home insurance when using a comparison site, this may be correct, as your cover may not be very broad. But, as you can imagine, home insurance policies are not all the same. If you have picked your home insurance policy based on quality rather than price you may have a lot more cover for your cycling gear than you think.

To help you decide if  home insurance is enough, Bought By Many have outlined the key differences between home insurance and cycling insurance policies for us.

Accidents – specific cycling policies will often pay out if you have an accident that results in a severe injury. But, this benefit is only paid out to severe injuries like losing a limb. Less extreme injuries will not be covered.

Racing – if you take part in official race events or time trials, you will not be covered by your home insurance policy. You would need cycling insurance in this instance. This is because accidental damage, collisions and injuries are much more common whilst participating in these events.

Accessories – from GPS to lighting, cycling accessories can be incredibly expensive to replace if they are damaged or stolen. Many home insurance policies will reimburse you if the items are stolen with the bike, but not if the items are stolen without the bike. On the other hand, specific cycling insurance will provide a certain amount of cover for accessories.

Breakdown cover – unsurprisingly, home insurance policies do not provide breakdown cover, but some cycling policies do. In the event of an irreparable breakdown, some policies offer help to get you and your bike to a railway station or back home via a taxi.

Multibike discounts – if you have multiple bikes that need insurance, many cycling related policies will offer a multi bike discount. This is not something that is typically seen on a home insurance policy.

Ultimately the choice of whether to use your existing home insurance policy or go for a cycling specific policy is down to your own needs and specifics. In general, you can get good cycling cover with the right home insurance policy if you are a recreational cyclist. But, if you are a more serious cyclist you may benefit from a cycling specific policy.

It’s important to keep your fitness levels up despite the season we are in and here are some top tips to do this in winter.

Keeping fit in winter

If your favourite way to keep fit is by walking or hiking winter can be a bit of a washout. It’s usually wet, cold and grey, so not the most inviting weather to lace up your boots and get out in the fresh air. However, you can keep doing what you love this winter if you follow our top tips:

Dress for the weather

Just because it’s raining it doesn’t mean walking or hiking is off the menu. As long as you dress appropriately for the weather you can still have an enjoyable hike. Layering up with insulating clothing is essential. Although it’s cold you’ll still work up a sweat – having several layers is much more beneficial than one big outer layer. A reliable waterproof coat is crucial for keeping dry, try M and M Direct for good quality waterproofs at low prices.

Wear the right shoes

Investing in a pair of winter walking boots is essential so that you’re ready for all weathers. Winter boots need to be tougher than your summer alternative and be sturdy enough to maintain grip in snow, ice and mud. Several layers of socks underneath is also really important, cold toes do not make for a good hike.

Be prepared

Remember that the days are much shorter in winter. If you’re going on a long hike be prepared to get up early and catch the maximum amount of daylight. Remember to make sure that you have a head torch, often hikers get caught out and end up in the moors unable to see where they are going. Pocket warmers are also worth bringing along for if you get really cold and need a boost.

Go in a group

If you’re going on a brisk winter walk then of course its fine to go alone but if you’re planning a long hike its always best to go in a group. In a group you’ll be much safer should you end up in any danger from treacherous conditions or get caught in a sudden heavy snowfall. A group hike also has its advantages as often at times where you have little motivation someone can be there to push you on to keep going, ensuring you get the most out of your walk.

So don’t be put off; walking and hiking in winter can be really enjoyable. Sometimes the cold, crisp days are often the most beautiful and not to mention, testing. Your body has to work much harder to keep warm in sub-zero temperatures meaning that your winter walk is much more beneficial for your wellbeing.

It’s important that you consider whether you need to take it, and how’s best to get your daily dose. After all, as the body only requires 30g of protein for day-to-day activities, any excess is simply removed as waste, so if you’re currently spending a fortune on expensive protein shakes it might be worthwhile knowing if you’re really just flushing it all down the toilet.

It’s essential to understand that even without exercise protein is an important macro-nutrient that provides our bodies with the ability to build and repair tissues.

Weight Loss

If you’re looking to lose weight your diet is a key part of this goal, as the old saying goes “abs are made in the kitchen and not in the gym”, so whatever you’re fuelling your body with it has to help aid your rigorous regimes rather than counteract them.

As many calories you burn it’s not ideal to eat them with high fat foods that don’t nourish the body.

Low carb diets and the infamous Paleo diet have reigned supreme in the food fads as their high protein intake is helping many achieve results without feeling hungry, or as though they’re actually dieting.

Protein rich foods take more energy to digest which means your body is constantly burning up calories in the process. In conjunction with this as protein does not leave your stomach as quickly as other foods, they leave you feeling fuller for longer, hindering your likelihood to snack or overindulge.

Using a Whey protein along with a healthy diet can enhance your attempts at weight loss and give your muscles the nutrition they need after intense workouts.

Taking this in the morning along with your breakfast and after a workout will dramatically improve its absorption into the body and will not only set you up for the day, but also encourage muscle repair after a workout.

Build Muscle

Hitting the weights hard and taking inspiration from Arnie is one way to build muscle, but eating the correct amount of protein with a varied diet can improve your muscle mass, and give you a more defined silhouette.

The trouble with protein and building muscle is that many people can go overboard and begin to drink high calorie shakes that are often more full of sugar more than they are of any nutritional value. Eating clean when your body building is just as important as when you’re losing weight.

Once you’ve understood the basics of muscle building, find a protein supplement to take immediately post workout. You’ve put your muscles under a lot of stress and must now provide the nutrients to repair and re-grow your muscles.

Research shows that after strength based training session your muscles are starved so have a ‘sponge-like’ property. Feeding the body with protein ensures that nutrients are available during the overnight fast and muscle breakdown is avoided.

Endurance

If you’re workouts involve heavy endurance it can be easy to focus on carbohydrates and pay little attention to protein.  A common occurrence in athletes is for a protein deficiency to appear giving negative effects on performance and health.

A lack in protein will make you become susceptible to fatigue, lethargy, anaemia and possibly even severe disorders. Protein is still essential to repair muscle and gain optimum immune system function, you just don’t need as much as a body builder.

Taking a whey protein after your run can massively impact your recovery, so find a clean protein that will provide your body with the nutrients it needs.

Although protein can feel like a confusing supplement, if you’re putting your body through its paces you need to ensure you’re proving your body with the nutrition it needs.

Creating a healthier lifestyle takes time, it’s a personal path where small steps should be taken in order for you to live a longer, happier life.

Here are some simple steps you can follow to help you get on the right track.

1. Drink at least 2 litres of water a day

Water contains no calories, contains no sugar, is cheap and quenches thirst, preventing dehydration. Plain teas and coffee, that’s without the milk and sugar are also healthy and will keep you hydrated. If you just aren’t a fan of the taste of water why not try sparkling water or flavoured water, but watch out for the sugar contents in some flavoured waters. You could try just adding a slice of lemon or a lime into your water to add a little flavour without the sugar.

2. Never forget to eat breakfast

Breakfast is the most important meal of the entire day and should be your biggest, with meal sizes gradually reducing throughout the day.
Studies showed people who ate their largest meal at this time lost an average of 17.8 pounds over a period of three months compared to the 7.3 pounds lost by people eating their largest meal at dinner.

In fact studies have shown skipping breakfast has the possibility to increase a woman’s diabetes risk, and increase the risk of heart disease in men between the ages of 45 and 82, according to The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

3.Maintain a balanced diet

The key here is the word balanced. It’s not about cutting out chocolate and cake altogether and stuffing your face with fruit instead, it’s about eating each food type within moderation.

Eating foods in moderation can reduce the risk of obesity and malnutrition but also reduce the risk of diabetes and osteoporosis too. The eat well plate advises on plenty of starchy foods such as potatoes, pasta and rice, lots of fruit and vegetables, a little bit of meat, fish, eggs and dairy foods, and limited amount of food and drinks containing sugar and fat.

4. Quit bad habits

Giving up traditional smoking and turning to Electronic cigarettes is a great way to kick the habit, despite all the backlash over the use of the E-cig recently there have been significant findings to show its success such as the ASH report. Smoking is one of the biggest causes of deaths, not only from smoking yourself but from passive smoking too. Smoking typically causes lung cancers but also cancers of the mouth, throat and oesophagus too.

You’re much more likely to suffer from coronary heart disease, a heart attack or a stroke as the smoke damages your heart and your blood circulation.

5. Take up a sport or a hobby

Staying active can help you to live a longer healthier life and reduce many health conditions such as musculoskeletal conditions, strokes, obesity and mental health problems.
Physical activity can improve psychological health as when you exercise more serotonin is released, this is a chemical that is often found in antidepressants, effective for depression and anxiety.

You are not only getting fit, looking good, preventing illnesses but becoming more positive too!

6. Distance yourself from social media

Statistics show that 66% of people struggle to relax and sleep after spending time on social media. This is not only because of the blaring light from a phone or computer screen is blue light, much like the light emitted from the sun that wakes you up in the morning but also causes eye strain.

You are also becoming so wrapped up in other people’s lives and problems that you aren’t taking the time to relax and de-stress from your own.

7.Get more sleep

Sleep helps our body and mind to restore and also plays a critical role in immune function. A study of 150 people who got their sleeping habits monitored for two weeks were exposed to the cold virus, the findings were that the people who got seven hours or less hours sleep a night were more likely to develop a cold than those who got eight hours or more.

8. Maintain positive relationships

Human connections and positive relationships are essential for both emotional and physical health. The connections help people to thrive throughout their life, positive relationships can help people to feel they have a sense of purpose which enhances their wellbeing.

Relationships encourage people to grow and learn and these friendships can provide you with emotional support when needed most.

9. Create time for yourself

Having a little you time is essential to maintain productivity and have much more energy. Not only have you benefited from this, thanks to all of your relaxation, others are going to benefit from your happy relaxed positive attitude too.

Take a break at least once a week where you can either book yourself into a spa or just have a few hours to yourself doing whatever you like.

10. Think positively

Recent studies have found that positive thinking is not just about trying to display happiness but can actually make a positive impact on your life. It will impact your work, life and health- positive thoughts such as “I can do this” are much more likely to get you through something compared to negative ones which will only cause you more stress.

Creating a healthy lifestyle will take time with lots of small steps, remember not to overwhelm yourself and change your lifestyle choices one by one, It will not be easy but it will be worth it!

There’s less than six weeks to go till the Unibet EuroHockey Championships in London and the question everyone is asking each other right now is can England upset the Deutsche and Dutch?

Since the 2012 Olympic games in London when the ladies won bronze our national hockey teams have been enjoying some great success with the ladies winning sliver in the 2014 commonwealth and the men winning bronze in the same competition.

So this years Euro Hockey Championship is sure to be worth watching, especially since there are still other countries such as Spain men and women, Ireland men and Belgium women trying to qualify for the upcoming Olympics in Rio for 2016.

So you can see just how important this Championship is.

Now I’ve been spending quite a bit of time in London of late and I’m actually going to back to London for a few days during the tournament which will give me the chance to watch England Ladies play Russia at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

COME ON GIRLS!

I’ll even get to cheer on my good friend and England Defender Sally Walton.

Now the last time I was in London I stayed at the HI Kensington Forum, which is located within South Kensington and just 2 minutes walk from Gloucester Road tube station. In fact it’s only a stone throw away from the Natural History Museum, Royal Albert Hall, Hyde Park and Kensington Palace, being totally honest it was great being located here as I was able to just jump on the tube and get to other main attractions within the city quick and very direct.

The EuroHockey 2015 will be a great family friendly environment and the perfect place to watch some world-class sport, so I’d recommend staying at the Holiday Inn Kensington Forum if you’re interested in watching it.

Naturally I’ll be supporting England but for the neutral amongst us here are the teams to watch out for;

The Netherlands women seem to be unstoppable right now but to be fair they are Olympic Champions and World Cup holders. Ellen Hoog is the FIH Player or the Year and their Goalkeeper Joyce Sombroek is Goalkeeper of the year!

The Spanish women are looking sharper and fitter than in pervious months and are more importantly looking to capitalise on recent matches after beating several higher ranked teams, as they are chasing that all important place for Rio in 2016.

On the men’s side the German men come into the tournament as current Olympic champions and winners of the Champions Trophy, however their neighbours Belgium are also strong contenders that could ruin the Germans party but don’t write off England Men either.

Interestingly enough Germany and the Netherlands have won the respective men’s and women’s events eight times apiece since 1970.

Other outside contenders in the men’s game are Ireland who after a fifth place finish at the Hockey World League Semi-Final would love to cause a major upset in London. Watch out for their goalkeeper Davey Harte who is their stand out world-class player.

So if you fancy watching some world-class sport over August get yourself and the family down to London to watch the 2015 EuroHockey Championships.

Whether you’re a weekend warrior or an avid health and fitness fanatic, as much as you take the precautions to avoid injury, unfortunately the most common sports injuries come from overuse.

You would think that exercise would be good for us, but if you’re not taking the time to warm-up and cool down, you can put your body at risk from not only a simple injury, but in rare cases life changing injuries that will need treatment for years after and cause you to have to change your fitness routine all together.

For the most part, many can be prevented with the appropriate care, but we often only have ourselves to blame as we push our bodies to the point of breaking.

Injuries are not only frustrating, but they can also take weeks and months of recovery time which can mean you’re out of action for longer than you may wish to be. Especially if you play for a team sport.

Despite taking precautions to avoid injuring yourself, there are some injuries which are more common than others. These are most often the areas of our bodies which are getting excessive overuse and may incur high pressure and strain when you’re performing fitness.

Shin Splints

If you’re a regular runner you will no doubt have unfortunately suffered from shin splints at one time or another on your road to fitness.

As a common injury especially in those that training for marathons or half marathons, this can be caused by a number of varying factors such as irritated and swollen muscles from overuse, tiny stress fractures in the lower legs bones, and even ‘flat feet’.

In many cases shin splints may occur when you’ve tried to ramp up your workout and increase the intensity, or even changing the surface you run on, but they are completely avoidable.

When your shin splints first occur it’s essential that you rest to give your body time to heal.

It’s frustrating we know, but you’ll only prolong the injury and make it worse if you don’t allow enough time for your body to recover.

Ice your shin and take an anti-inflammatory, and if the problem persists visit a doctor to ensure there are no fractures that may be need to be investigated.

In many cases shin splints can be avoided with properly fitted running shoes.

If you’re a serious runner you’ll know that having the correct trainers will only help to avoid any injuries and enable you to run with comfort.

A Gait Analysis should be done before you purchase your running trainers, as this will help to access your running style and type of support your foot needs.

Many people see this as a cost they don’t need as properly fitted running shoes certainly don’t come cheap, but if want to avoid this awful pain it’s worth every penny.

Tennis Elbow

Unfortunately this injury isn’t just exclusive to those that play tennis. No matter your sport or chosen activity, Tennis elbow is caused by overuse of the arm, forearm and hand muscles. Whether an abrupt injury or a subtle niggling pain it will slowly increase around the outside of the elbow, which can be worsened when doing the most simplest of movements.

Surprisingly Tennis elbow affects 3% of the UK’s population overall, and as many as 50% of Tennis players during their careers.

It’s an unavoidable injury if you take part in a sport that involves repetitive movements, and if the issue does occur it’s best to seek the guidance of a physiotherapist who can advise you on stretching techniques and fit a splint.

Sprains

You can spend so much time trying to stay fit and unhealthy, but amongst the benefits there also comes the downfalls of being active as you ultimately put your body at more risk from sprains and strains.

From falling awkwardly during exercise to twisting in the wrong way, the pain caused by a sprain can be mild to severe depending on the area that you’ve damaged.

Quite often there’s a horrible sound to go along with your injury, so you’ll know if you’ve done something wrong.

For any sprain a consultation should be followed out by your doctors as soon as possible so that they can understand the severity of it and assign the best remedy. Swelling, bruising and being unable to walk are all signs that you’ve definitely done a good job.

In very rare cases of ligament damage you may need surgery, but the general method of care is to rest and compress with ice.

Although not completely preventable, potential sprains can be avoided with the correct supports, especially for ankles as this is the most commonly sprained area.

Hamstring Pull

Running really has a lot to answer for when it comes to fitness, as once again a hamstring pull is commonly found in runners.

When a muscle is overstretched from a variety of movements, the hamstring can pull and cause a whole host of pain, as well as making it difficult to move and even walk.

You may have even seen footballers get this agonising injury when on the pitch during a game, as with the intensity of their running it may sometimes involve a complete tear.

Ben Barker Physiotherapist at Total Health Clinics comments that, “After years of working with the premiership football league, the hamstring pull has to be one that I’ve had to help many footballers recover from. In most cases it is due to dehydration which leads to the muscles cramping, thereby increasing their risk of injury.”

Like with many injuries there is no fool proof way to completely avoid it, but the risks can be minimised by paying attention to a regular stretching programme, and ensuring the muscle is strong and flexible.

Lower Back Pain

As weight lifting has become a big trend in fitness for both men and women, the occurrence of lower back pain is increasing.

You may be a strong advocate of body building, but we all know that form is far more important than the amount of reps you can do, or how fast you can do them.

Lifting heavy weights with a bad form is making this injury one that can be more detrimental to an active lifestyle than sprains and pulled muscles, especially when you think of the weight that is behind the injury in the first place.

The trauma of a bad lifting injury can remain with the body for months, and with only rest and the correct physical therapy will you be able to go back to the barbell.

Of course out of all the harm that you can do to yourself this is by far the most self-inflicted, as not only are you in charge of the weights you’re lifting, but you’re also the one picking them up.

Don’t try to be a macho man in the gym and lift more than you can handle, know your limits and lift with the correct form, using your legs rather than your back.

You may want to rush home once your activity is complete, but just take 10 minutes to cool down and stretch so that you can prevent injuries that will leave you sitting around for even longer!

Cycling requires a high level of endurance and stamina and while anyone can ride a bike, it takes a lot of time and dedication to become a hardy cyclist. While it’s true that you get out what you put in, dismounting and training could benefit you just as much.

If you’re new to cycling, coming back after a break, or find yourself lagging too quickly, track your progress with the Superbody app and try these 5 workouts.

Circuit Training

One of the key aspects to becoming a better cyclist is cardiovascular endurance – improving the health and performance of your heart. To strengthen this muscle, exercise until your heart rate is up, then sustain while doing 10-15 minutes of circuit training. This is one of the best forms of exercise for cardiovascular health, as it’s high impact and works a variety of muscles.

Interval Training

Similarly to circuit training, interval offers an intense physical workout. However, there’s one key difference – rest periods. This form of training works by performing short bursts of high-impact exercise, interspersed with shorter resting intervals. Used by athletes, interval training can burn fat as well as increase endurance, strength and speed. Great exercises include sprinting, stair climbing and rowing.

Cross Training

This may seem a little odd, as cross training involves exercising and becoming better at sports other than cycling. You’re saying “but I want to become better at cycling!” However, there are benefits to training in other areas, as you will train muscle groups not normally used by cyclists, increasing your strength and overall fitness. Choose from a range of activities such as running and rock climbing.

Strength Training

Using resistance to strengthen muscles, this form of training covers a wide range of exercises from pole dancing and Pilates to weightlifting and javelin. This type of workout has a number of health and functional benefits, such as healthier joints and increased muscle strength. Strength training can also help to lower your chance of injury, so it’s great to help you become a better cyclist.

Recover and Recuperation

When you’ve been cycling and pushed yourself a little too far, you know about it the next day. While you can take salt baths or eat foods that help muscles recover, there are also active recovery exercises to speed up the process. Try swimming, yoga or taking a slow and steady jog to increase blood flow to muscles, reduce pain and help you get back on your bike.

I hope this helps

Fitness

Of course, this is the most immediately obvious one, and probably the most important thing too. Lack of physical activity is one of the number one health risks for kids in developed countries, and just a few hours each week can have major benefits. You don’t need to put pressure on a child to really work out, because they’ll naturally do a good job of it themselves. There are some activities that you wouldn’t necessarily associate with fitness that actually do make really good choices. Skating for instance, whether on roller skates or a board, is often seen as a ‘cool’ activity, but it really does get the heart rate going. You can buy all the gear you need at Librance Skate Shop.

Self Esteem and Confidence

Many outdoor activities involve learning a new skill, which is something that can really help boost confidence in a child that is traditionally shy or nervous. Becoming good at a skill is very valuable indeed, and it’s something that will stay with the child. If you can teach yours to be good at something before they learn it in school, then they’ll have a head start on everyone else. Often this is something that will stick with them for a long time.

Networking

Team sports and even individual exercises can be a great way of meeting new people and making friends for kids of all ages. There are also huge benefits in doing outdoor activities with others, as children can encourage each other, and learn from one another. You might try looking in your local area for amateur sports teams or athletics groups where your child can meet others. Many will cater even to children who have no prior experience in the activity.

Getting kids outdoors and active is really very important. There are so many benefits to it that it is an essential part of childhood, and you should find new and exciting ways to get them out there and enjoying themselves.

Thanks,