Family Fitness A to Z

Keeping fit isn’t just good for your health, it can be loads of fun and a great way to bond as a family. Here are a few ideas on how to work fitness into your family’s summer routine.

A – Have you ever dreamed of running away with the circus? Now you can! Aerial arts is a fun new fitness craze that lets you and your young ones learn acrobatics – which is both fun and great for the body. TRY: Aerial Arts Rochester.

B – Bounce! Perfect for rainy days or when you want to escape the heat, indoor play areas will keep kids active for hours. TRY: Bounce-it-Out, Jump Club, or Kango Play Center.

C – Classes are a great way to get your muscles moving. Plus, with the help of an instructor and other class attendees, you’ll stay motivated. Check out classes at your local gym/fitness center or try a place that specializes in specific activities like a dance or yoga studio.

D – Host a dance party in your living room. Create a playlist of favorite tunes and get dancing!

E – Explore nature. The Rochester area boasts an exceptional variety of parks and hiking trails. Strap on your hiking boots and go for a walk. Engage kids buy creating a list of wildlife and plants to spot during your hike. TRY: Mendon Ponds Park, Corbett’s Glenn, Cumming Nature Center, or Durand Eastman Park.

F – Get festive! Rochester’s summers are filled with festivals. Spend the day wandering through the Corn Hill neighborhood at the Corn Hill Arts Festival (July 12 & 13) or enjoy an afternoon by the canal during the Spencerport Canal Days (July 26 & 27). A day’s worth of walking will help you burn off some of that delicious festival food.

G -Working in the garden is not only a rewarding experience, but it burns up calories too! If you haven’t had a chance to start your garden yet this season, try planting herbs which will grow quickly, letting you quickly reap the rewards of your hard work.

H -Go hunting! Create a scavenger hunt through your house, backyard, or neighborhood – it will keep kids active for hours.

I – Stay in. Does an overly hot or rainy day have you cooped up in the house? That doesn’t mean you should plop down on the couch and forget about fitness. Create an indoor obstacle course, do a fitness video, or design indoor games to stay active. PS: Cleaning and chores burn calories too – recruit the kids for a summer organizing, cleaning, or household DIY project.

J – Jump for joy. Indoor trampoline parks are loads of fun. TRY: Skyzone.

K – Whether you’re a pro at hitting the waters or a kayaking newbie, summer is the perfect time to paddle. Learn more about area kayaking Click Here

L – Leisure time exercise. Being active doesn’t have to mean sweating away for hours on the elliptical. Think about how your family can integrate fitness into leisure activities. For example, instead of going to the farm market one week, opt for a pick your own fruit farm. TRY: Brown’s Berry Patch, Green Acre Farm, or Whittier Fruit Farm. Going out for ice cream on a hot night? Include a stroll along the canal or around your neighborhood while you enjoy your treat.

M – Meet up. Need fitness motivation? Join an exercise group. Either find a group of like-minded friends to meet up for fitness a few times a week or join an established group. TRY: Mom’s in Motion or Fit4Mom.

N – Set up a net. Summer is perfect for backyard games. Set up a volleyball net, soccer goal, or badminton net for hours of backyard fun.

O – Outdoor play. Good old fashion playing can burn up calories quickly. Encourage kids to imagine, explore, and have fun. Create an obstacle course, build a fort, or invent imaginative games.

P – Play fetch. Fido needs exercise too! Toss a ball around the yard, run, and have fun.

Q – Quickie fitness. Have a few minutes so spare? Between work, chores, and errands take a few minutes for your health. Stretch, do sit-ups, or get in a few jumping jacks. Set an alert on your phone as a reminder to get up and get active.

R – Run (or walk) for a cause — not only will you have fun and be active, you’ll be supporting a good cause too. If you’ve never run a race before, now is the perfect time to start training. Check out Couch to 5K training programs online. TRY: Jungle Jog 5k and Seneca Park Mile on July 20th.

S – Slide, baby, slide. Rochester has a bevy of playgrounds. You likely have a family favorite, but try checking out a playground you’ve never visited before. TRY: Maplewood Park.

T – Take a tour. Rochester is full of history, why not walk and learn at the same time? Try a guided tour of Mount Hope Cemetery or a self-guided tour of the High Falls and Brown’s Race Historic District.

U – Use the stairs. When faced with the choice of an elevator/escalator versus stairs, opt for walking! You can also get a few extra steps in each day by parking further away from the entrance of the mall or grocery store.

V – Vacations are a great time to get active. When vacationing, try to work some health-minded activities into your trip such as a hike, city tour, or bike tour.

W – Walk around the block. Start your morning or end your evening with a stroll around the neighborhood.

X – Get extreme! You may not be ready to scale a mountain, but you can try your hand at rock climbing (safely and supervised) at Rock Ventures. Parents looking to spice up their fitness regime might enjoy trying an extreme fitness program like CrossFit.

Y – Yoga has health benefits for both kids and adults. Whether you’re looking to grow strong, relax, or get your body in balance, there’s something for all ages and abilities. TRY: PeaceFull Kids, Flower City Yoga, or Breathe Yoga.

Z – When all is said and done, don’t forget to catch your zzzz’s. Having a good night’s sleep is essential.

Jillian Melnyk is the Editor of Rochester & Genesee Valley Parent Magazine. Contact her at

Ed****@GV******.com