Exercise can be such a chore for adults, but new research suggests there’s a lot we can learn from young children.
Experts claim those wanting to drop dress-sizes would be better off skipping for 15 minutes than running, with other old school work-outs like star jumps, hopscotch and skipping also proven to burn more calories and use more muscles than traditional ways of working out.
Similarly, those that enjoy a brisk walk would only lose an average of 50 calories in quarter of an hour, but could expect to shed 135 calories by doing star-jumps for 15 minutes. And a few minutes of hopscotch will see Brits lose 88 calories, while an enjoyable game of tag would wave goodbye to 115 calories.
Kate Toland, Head of Marketing at Fitness First says: “The question is, are you as fit as a six year old?
“While it might sound like child’s play, this kind of exercise is not for the faint hearted. Functional training challenges your body in a new way every time, promising significant calorie burn – and its great fun!
“We applaud and encourage people to take any kind of exercise. But for those looking for the extra edge, we have brought this new school of thinking to life in our clubs which all boast giant playgrounds for adults called ‘Freestyle’ areas. Here you’ll see members doing everything from skipping and interval training, to using trampolines and throwing balls.”
Researchers found that bouncing on the trampoline with the children can see the average adult lose an incredible 100 calories in quarter of an hour. Even a game of catch, something which doesn’t seem particularly energetic during play, can help Brits shed 120 calories over the course of one hour.
And riding a bike – something enjoyed by youngsters from an early age – will mean adults can lose an impressive 190 calories in just 15 minutes, or 740 in one hour. Even A-list celebrities are going back to their school days by using playground games to keep fit – with Beyonce and Michelle Obama hoola-hooping to stay slim, while Kate Hudson and Justin Bieber regularly skip.
But Fitness First experts wanted to put the ‘playground games’ to the test by pitching a 6-year-old boy – Alec Apostu – against manager Andy McTaggart, 31 in a series of intense children’s exercises. Watch the full video below.
Playground games Calories burned in 15 minutes
Hopscotch 88
Skipping 215
Tag 115
Star jumps 135
Hoola hooping 83
Trampolining 100
Riding a bike 190
Catch 30