During the winter season, kids often find themselves bored with not being able to go outside and play. “As we know, Colorado is a very active state with lots to do,” said Bridget Wagoner, a Fitness Trainer at Functional Conditioning, “But we often struggle with ideas for our children during this time. Instead of staying inside playing video games or going to the movies, let’s introduce some ideas that are fun and promote healthy lifestyles that kids and parents can both enjoy.”
Ice Centre at the Promenade
10710 Westminster Blvd.
Westminster, CO 80020
(303) 469-2100
www.icecentre.com
“You don’t have to be a pro at ice skating to enjoy time on the ice,” explains Wagoner, “Ice skating can be fun and very challenging at the same time. Cardio is very important for strengthening your heart and this is a great way to get your children active.” Ice skating plays a big role in balance which is also crucial to everyday activity, even with adults. The amount of calories burned during physical activity is dependent on the activity you do, your body weight and the amount of time spent performing that activity, therefore each individual is different. “An example of the amount of calories an 85-pound child burns during 30 minutes of ice skating is about 95 calories. The Ice Centre at The Promenade is a great way to introduce leg strength, as well as balance, while doing something positive for your health,” Wagoner suggests.
Jumpstreet (credit: CBS)
JumpStreet
14500 W. Colfax Ave.
Lakewood, CO 80123
(303) 590-1580
www.gotjump.com
“If you are looking for a fun, safe environment for your kids to play and be active, JumpStreet is a dream come true for those children and adults who love trampolines,” says Wagoner, “JumpStreet consists of wall-to-wall trampolines, trampoline dodge ball, obstacle races and much more. You can get the whole gang together and enjoy daytime, nighttime or anytime fun, and it’s a great place to be very active including an amazing cardio workout without feeling like a workout.” Flexibility is very important for the growth of an individual and increasing muscle temperature through dynamic activity also helps with everyday performance. Obstacle courses play a great part in coordination and mental stimulation.
Carroll Butts Athletic Park
4201 W. 94th Ave.
Westminster, CO 80031
(303) 650-7672
www.cbathleticpark.com
Carrol Butts Athletic Park is an indoor soccer facility but also provides indoor flag football and box lacrosse. “This facility also provides birthday party rental, team building events and club training rental,” says Wagoner, “There are also many more athletic events offered through the program website to start your children off to a healthy lifestyle. Group activities are important for socialization and setting boundaries amongst each other.”
(credit: ROCK’n & JAM’n on Facebook)
Rock’n & Jam’n-Indoor Climbing
9499 Washington St. (Unit C)
Thornton, CO 80229
(303) 254-4344
www.rocknandjamn.com
Why not enjoy the outdoors year round? Rock’n & Jam’n-Indoor Climbing was established in Thornton and is an indoor rock climbing facility considered to have the tallest and steepest indoor walls in the Rocky Mountain Region. “Kids and adults can play and have fun by also strengthening arms, legs and core, contributing to a full body workout,” explains Wagoner, “For example, shoulders are usually a very weak region on most people and rock climbing contributes to shoulder strength which is very important for overhead reaching. Not only is this a wonderful activity, but also a mind challenging event. Challenging the mind is as important as challenging the body.”
Functional Conditioning
8120 Sheridan Blvd.
Building B, Suite 101
Westminster, CO 80003
(303) 467-7954
www.functionalconditioning.com
Whether your child is looking to get in shape, become a better athlete or learn healthy habits, Functional Conditioning is a great place to start. “Functional Conditioning is a private studio that works with all age groups and teaches proper lifting techniques, strengthening exercises, nutrition or whatever the focus of the individual’s needs are,” says Wagoner, “Metabolic testing, flexibility testing, and fat testing are important in program design to ensure specific individual results are also offered. This is a wonderful environment with professional trainers who design specific programs that are fun while teaching good habits and skills.” Building a strong foundation through proper technique and design has a tremendous impact on performance whether it’s sports performance or everyday living, and Wagoner is just the fitness coach to help you and your family attain healthy lifestyle goals throughout the winter and beyond.
Chad Chisholm is an avid globetrotter and brings the best of travel secrets and expert insights to his readership. A Denver-based travel writer and photographer, Chad’s travels have taken him to five of the seven continents in a passionate love affair with the world of travel and the outdoors. His work can be found at Examiner.com.
