When I was a kid I couldn’t quite get the hang of the hula hoop.

But I enjoyed Frisbee.  And even though I was a boy I liked playing jump rope during recess.  A pogo stick was lots of fun, too.  I even learned to ride a skateboard a little – no fancy tricks, though.

What ever happened to having fun?

You could design an entire fitness program based on these children’s games and activities:

• Hula hooping burns calories like crazy, and it limbers the spine and strengthens the abdominals.   There’s still time to learn.
• A pogo stick is a great tool to strengthen the quads and prevent knee problems.
• Jumping rope is one of the best cardio workouts around.
• And a skateboard trains balance – that’s one of the most important movement skills to develop and maintain as we age to prevent falling.

Maybe we’ll include the Frisbee in there too, if only for old times’ sake.

What are you waiting for?  Forget about “exercising” like an adult.  Go out and play like a kid.  It’s better for you.

Dr. Lavine has been an innovator in the use of movement and touch to promote health since 1981. He practices in New York City and Princeton, NJ.