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Teenagers get active

Get your teenagers motivated and moving by encouraging them to get active with their friends.

For maximum health benefits, your teenagers need at least one hour of moderate intensity activity each day.

Moderate intensity activity makes you feel warm and breathe more heavily than usual, without making you puff. More vigorous activity is fine as long as you feel okay and are still able to talk while you are exercising.

"Teenagers can get active at home, at school, in the community or simply by spending more time doing things they already do," says Senior Community Programs Co-ordinator at Sport and Recreation Queensland, Brian Kerle.

"The most important thing to remember when encouraging your teenagers to get active is that they need to enjoy the activities they do and have fun," says Brian.

Getting teenagers moving can be as simple as:

setting a good example
encouraging them to take the stairs instead of the lift
joining neighbours and friends for a walk around the neighbourhood
choosing family leisure activities like bushwalking and going to the beach
encouraging them to ride a bike or go for a swim with friend
asking them to take the dog for a walk.

As well as being active everyday, your teenagers should have at least eight hours' sleep each night, eat plenty of fruit and vegetables and drink lots of water.

Join the club

Three teenagers on the beach playing cricket

Your teenagers don't have to play sport or be involved in a club to get active, but it is a great way to get fit and healthy, make new friends and have some fun!

There are clubs throughout Queensland offering a wide range of activities from archery to yachting, and everything in between.

As a parent or carer, there are many things to consider when choosing a club for your children.

What are the time and cost commitments each week?
Are the facilities safe?
Does the club provide a good service?

The Active Choices Parent and Carer Checklist developed by Sport and Recreation Queensland is a simple guide to help ensure your children have the best possible experience in their chosen sport or recreation activity.

Remember, winning isn't everything. By participating you are boosting your activity levels, improving your health and having fun with other people. And that's just as important as winning!

Further information

To discover more about the clubs in your community:

Telephone:: 1300 656 191
(cost of a local call)^†
Website:: www.sportrec.qld.gov.au

^†Calls from mobile phones are charged at applicable rates.

Last updated: 20 June 2008.