Treadmills and Toddlers..............Good idea??

In a recent article, Mini Treadmills: Anti-Obesity Tool or Death of Playtime? psychiatrists and exercise experts debated the wisdom of kids' workout equipment.

As parents, grandparents, or parents-to-be, what is your take on treadmills and elliptical machines for kids. Will these kill playtime or will they help keep kids in shape?

Tags: exercise, fitness, gym, kids, parents, playtime, toddlers, treadmills

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Permalink Reply by Lisa Nelson on September 25, 2008 at 9:22am

I think mini exercise equipment is a great idea. Not all that different from the little kitchen sets, vacuum cleaners, and toy cell phones. Kids learn by imitating mom and dad. What's better than seeing them imitate one of your good habits?!

Lisa Nelson, RD, LN
http://www.eNutritionServices.com

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Permalink Reply by Alyssa on September 25, 2008 at 9:24am

I think toddlers would get bored with this very quickly, and it will be yet another piece of clutter.
We need to provide places for kids to just play and be, well, kids.

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Permalink Reply by David on September 25, 2008 at 11:40am

I think b/c so much of this debate is from Psychiatrists, it's pretty obvious, at least to me, that this isn't the best idea. I think kids should grow up naturally, and not stuck on a treadmill as a substitute for the real world. Heck, most adults in the real world don't exercise.

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Permalink Reply by Chris Kolba's Fit to Live on September 25, 2008 at 6:16pm

I think it is a little crazy. Get the kids outside or to a park and let them play. I built a "playland in our back yard with climb wall, ladder, slide, swing, trapeze, monkey bar, balance beam and stepping stones. My daughter is constatntly playing. Beleive me im no handyman, but it was important to me to provide those opportunities for unorganized physical activity. I also think its important for the parents to role model and play/engage with the kids.
Just my thoughts.
Chris

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Permalink Reply by Mark Salinas on September 26, 2008 at 2:28pm

It might be a nice gadget to have next to mom or dad while they are on the treadmill....keep them preoccupied while staying active together. Although maybe playing outside isn't such a bad idea either. :)

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Permalink Reply by Yvonne Fitness Diva on November 19, 2008 at 3:18pm

Nooooo.... Not at all. This is once again the exercise gadget industry finding yet another angle to get people to part with their cash. Your kids do NOT need a treadmill. Engage them in basic physical activities and team sports. They learn more from doing those types of things, and interacting with others rather than just trodding along on a baby treadmill. Also, I think that this is a bit dangerous! They are just not as well coordinated as adults yet, and their attention spans can also be an issue with some.
I see opportunity for unnecessary injury.