Unfortunately, most kids today spend their playtime sitting — playing video games, watching TV, Web surfing, or texting — with bags of empty-calorie junk food at their side. These days, few students walk or ride their bicycles to school. It’s no surprise to learn that more boys and girls today are out of shape than ever before in America’s history — that includes competitive young athletes, along with shy bookworms, and budding techno-geeks. It’s understandable then, that for many parents, their children’s health and fitness is a constant concern and a frustrating problem, compounded by conflicting, erroneous, and potentially dangerous information flooding the market regarding childhood nutrition and fitness.
Renowned exercise trainer Fredrick Hahn, author of The Slow BurnTM Fitness Revolution, has created a scientifically sound, safe, and extremely effective solution to the increasing problems of childhood obesity, childhood type 2 diabetes, and improving athletic performance. In his newest book, STRONG KIDS, HEALTHY KIDS: The Revolutionary Program for Increasing Your Child’s Fitness in 30 Minutes a Week, Hahn reveals how slow speed strength training can benefit young bodies – and their minds and spirits as well. What’s more, Hahn offers parents a guide to becoming their child’s personal trainer, adept at gently encouraging him or her to exercise using the proper technique, right weight, and optimum pace.
In STRONG KIDS, HEALTHY KIDS Hahn assures every parent eager to help their child excel in sports, improve flexibility and co-ordination, bolster resistance to illness and injury, or gain confidence and self-esteem by presenting the essential information and excellent guidelines for safely, effectively, and efficiently achieving these most desirable goals. Hahn firmly believes that, “This book is your short, simple, and safe answer to improving your child’s life in ways that no other type of exercise or eating plan can achieve.”
Backed by, and packed with, potent medical evidence, STRONG KIDS, HEALTHY KIDS begins by debunking common myths about the dangers of strength training for children (no, weight training will not damage a child’s still-developing musculoskeletal system or bone growth plates). After overcoming parents’ fears, Hahn explains why a slower take on strength training is not just safer, but better for building young muscles. Then, he sums up the science behind why kids with more lean muscle reap lots of healthy rewards, from a revved up resting metabolism to vital boosts in all the cardiovascular functions.
STRONG KIDS, HEALTHY KIDS presents a child-friendly, strength training regimen that busy parents can easily work and live with. Because slower is more effective, two 15- to 20-minute training sessions a week is all any kid needs to receive the abundant, ongoing benefits. To help parents and kids get and stick with the program, the book provides:
- Easy-to-follow instructions for teaching and mastering the slow speed strength training method, with guidelines on counts, reps, and choosing the correct weight resistance for the child’s size and shape.
- Three different strength training routines – two home-based and one geared for the gym – with illustrated demonstrations of specific exercises, tips on buying and improvising equipment, and variations to make moves more and/or less challenging.
- Advice on feeding kids for fitness – lean protein, vegetables and fruits, and lots of water – while cracking down on sugar; with a variety of simple, quick, kid- appealing recipes to get you started.
- Inspiring case studies of real kids whose bodies, outlooks, and lives have been changed, wonderfully and dramatically, by following Hahn’s slow speed strength training program.
- Resources for parents, including exercise equipment specialists, recommended cookbooks, and suggested scientific studies for further reading.
The father of two young daughters, Fredrick Hahn has been working with kids in his Mighty Tykes and Teens ProgramTM for the past seven years. He has seen the results enjoyed by children across a span of activity levels and ages, including his own daughter, who got started when she was 6 years old. He invites parents to visit his websites at www.strongkidshealthykids.com and www.seriousstrength.com.
Fact Resources:
Material in this edition of A Closer Look is taken exclusively from the book STRONG KIDS, HEALTHY KIDS: The Revolutionary Program for Increasing Your Child’s Fitness in 30 Minutes a Week by Frederick Hahn.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Fredrick Hahn is the head of a highly acclaimed fitness center, Serious Strength, Inc., in New York City, which he founded in 1998. Certified by the American Council on Exercise, he is also cofounder and president of The National Council for Exercise Standards. He is the author of two books, The Slow BurnTM Fitness Revolution (Bantam Books, Dec. 2002; Copyright ©2003 by Fredrick Hahn and Creative Paradox, LLC.) and STRONG KIDS, HEALTHY KIDS: The Revolutionary Program for Increasing Your Child’s Fitness in 30 Minutes a Week. To learn more, visit his websites: www.strongkidshealthykids.com and
Note: Before beginning any new health regimen, it is important to consult your family physician or health care professional first. The information given in this Fact Sheet is for your consideration. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Before starting or stopping any nutritional supplementation or medical treatment, please consult your family physician or health care professional about any contraindications that would make doing so inadvisable.