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More and more parents are discovering the benefits of bringing their kids along to the gym, not just for the kids’ wellbeing, but for their own too. Far from being an adults-only environment, Sound Mind and Body is a place where families can bond, have fun and build healthy habits together. Here’s why we believe encouraging your children to join you in fitness activities can be one of the best decisions you make – for both of you.
1. Quality Time Together
Life can be busy, and finding meaningful time to spend with your kids isn’t always easy, especially during busy times at work and school. Going to the gym together is a brilliant way to connect without distractions. Whether it’s trying a class, having a PT session or simply stretching together, you’re creating moments of shared experience. Kids often value time over things, and your presence at the gym alongside them can mean more than you realise. You’re showing them they’re important, and that health and family can go together.
2. Making Fitness Fun
Children are far more likely to engage with exercise when it feels like play. The gym doesn’t need to be about repetitive routines or lifting heavy weights – it can be a fun and exciting environment. At Sound Mind and Body, we have a circuit class that runs twice a week led by Dominic, and children can be easily accommodated. We also have several trainers with experience training children who can create interesting and fun personal training sessions for them. When your children see fitness as enjoyable rather than a chore, they’re more likely to embrace it throughout their lives.
3. Building Confidence and Self-Esteem
Every child thrives on encouragement and achievement. Whether it’s mastering a new move in a class, running a little faster on the treadmill or simply realising they can do something they thought was too hard, the gym can give kids an incredible confidence boost. These small wins add up to greater resilience, determination and belief in their own abilities – qualities that help in school, friendships and beyond.
4. Teaching Safety and Responsibility
Some parents worry about safety, and rightly so. But one of the biggest benefits of bringing children into a supervised gym environment is that they learn how to use equipment properly and safely. Under the guidance of our experienced trainers, your children can develop a respect for fitness and understand the importance of form, technique and listening to their bodies. These lessons not only protect them from injury but also instil a sense of responsibility and awareness they can carry into other parts of life.
5. Developing Healthy Habits for Life
We all know how tough it can be to build new habits as adults. But for children, regular exercise, healthy eating and prioritising wellbeing can become second nature if introduced early. By bringing your kids to the gym, you’re showing them that fitness isn’t a quick fix or a punishment – it’s a natural part of everyday life. These healthy foundations can set them up for a lifetime of strength, balance, and wellbeing.
6. Positive Role Modelling
Kids learn more from what we do than from what we say. When they see you making time for exercise, staying active and having fun with it, they’re more likely to adopt the same attitude. The gym then becomes less about “having to exercise” and more about enjoying an active lifestyle together. This kind of positive role modelling is powerful, and it helps create a family routine where health and self-care are valued.
7. Benefits for Parents Too
It’s not just about the kids – you’ll feel the difference as well. Many parents struggle with guilt, either for taking time away from their children to work out or for not exercising at all. By bringing your kids with you, that barrier disappears. You can focus on your own fitness while knowing your child is active, safe and happy by your side. Plus, you’ll be surprised how motivating it can be to have your children cheering you on or even joining you in a set of squats or sprints!
8. How to Encourage Your Kids to Come Along
If you’d love to share gym time with your kids but they’re not convinced yet, here are some tips:
- Make it playful – Emphasise the fun side of fitness rather than making it about “working out.” Booking a session for you and your child with one of our experienced Personal Trainers can help you introduce your child to interesting and varied ways of working out, while you can enjoy a session structured for you.
- Let them choose – Give them options, such as picking between a class, swimming, a PT session or cardio machines. Varying the types of exercise you do not only keeps you interested but works different muscles in different ways.
- Set challenges together – Try a step count competition or see who can hold a plank the longest. An element of competition can be very motivating for the both of you!
- Be patient – Kids might take time to warm up to the idea. Keep it light and enjoyable, while remembering that the results will start to show soon.
Final Thoughts
At Sound Mind and Body, we see fitness as a lifelong journey – one that’s even better when shared with the people you love. Bringing your kids to the gym isn’t just about burning energy – it’s about bonding, building confidence and laying the foundation for a healthy, happy future. Together, you’ll laugh, sweat, encourage each other and create memories that last far beyond the workout.
So next time you’re thinking of coming by, why not invite your children along?
