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Playing with your children makes life-long memories, creates traditions, and it could help you burn a few extra calories at the end of the day. This is the story of Monster Hide in my household and how this calorie burning game stemmed from my childhood.

If I remotely move like I might chase my boys, they are ready to play Monster Hide! “Grrrrr…Raaar” is a sign too. I get them to run away from me long enough to sprint to the other side of the house and hide somewhere.

They come looking for me.

I jump out growling like a monster, chase them around the corner, and sprint to a new hiding spot. They turn around to find me instantaneously. There isn’t much of a breathing break.

We play often and it wears me out- physically! I am literally trying to breathe silently so they kids can’t find me. I started to wonder how many calories I was burning and how many steps I was taking. I wanted exercise data.

Indoor Play Gets The Ole Heart Rate Up

You are getting exercise without realizing It because it’s fun!

When it comes to aerobic activity, adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity a week, or a combination of moderate and vigorous activity according to the Mayo Clinic (2016).

Show Me Indoor Exercise Data For Monster Hide

I started wondering how much additional exercise I was getting by chasing the kids around. I know my heart rate is up because I’m breathing hard when I’m playing. Have you ever tried to talk while you are running? Try growling and running….same thing!

I conducted a little of my own research on Monster Hide; this is what I found:

Amount of Time We Played: 10 minutes

Steps taken: 500 (approximately ¼ mile)

Calories Burned: Not sure, but I pulled something in my knee!

Max heart rate: 162 BPM

Average Heart Rate: 125 BPM

Other Ways I Use My Children For Exercise

In addition to aerobic training, adults should also be partaking in strength training every week.

According to the Mayo Clinic (2016), adults should partake in strength training exercises for all major muscle groups at least two times a week. They suggest aiming to do a single set of each exercise, using a weight or resistance level heavy enough to tire your muscles after about 12 to 15 repetitions.

If I even think of sitting on the floor, I’m getting attacked. I have found additional ways of using my kids for exercise when they jump on me.

  • They climb on my back when I do planks. Weighted planks are pro level, right?
  • I can use them as a bar to bench press as I’m lying on the floor.
  • If I lie on my back, knees together in the air, and fold my lower legs at a 90 degree angle my children can sit near my feet facing me. I can bounce them with my legs while holding on to their arms.

Don’t Drop Your Gym Time For Play Time

Don’t drop your gym time and only work out 10-15 minutes per day in your house. Look at this quality play time with your children as a little bit extra that you can do in the realm of exercise. Burn a few more calories, track a few more steps. It won’t even feel like exercise because it’s so much fun. Who doesn’t love delighting their children and getting their heart rate up?

Conclusion

My children don’t care that Mommy is a bodybuilder, a teacher, a freelance writer. They aren’t old enough to see my hustle. The successes that make me proud of myself don’t mean a thing to my 4 and 6-year-old boys at this time in their little lives. What they care about is that they get adequate attention from me.

I care about making the most of my time and devoting plenty of that time to my children. Any time I can combine two things that I see value in, it’s an investment worth making. Playing with my kids plus exercise, life doesn’t get better than that!

How much do you want to bet that both my brother’s children and my children both carry on this tradition in their households one day!

Love your family! Make memories; play and exercise with your kids!

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