Toddlers & Treadmills: Overkill or About Time?
Came across these products on Target's website. One's a working stationary bike for kids aged 4-7, and the other's a treadmill for kids that age.
Obviously they don't have all the bells and whistles of adult cardio equipment - but they're definitely not just toys either.
My feelings are mixed.
On the one hand, kids love to imitate what they see their parents do. I have a friend whose toddler would love to "work out" next to her on something like this while mom's on the big treadmill. How cool to create an exercise habit at such a young age!
Yet I also see a danger in taking the fun out of physical activity - something that PE classes have historically done all too well. Is free play better for kids at this age? Will they get bored once the novelty wears off? Worse yet, will it turn them off movement and activity later?
And I can't overlook the prevalence of very young, yet already seriously overweight kids that I see every day in my community, either. Would this help them?
(And I have to admit I'm wondering why adult fitness equipment is almost always white, black or gray, instead of cool colors like these...but that's another post!)
So I'm torn.
Thoughts?
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