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Boot Camp Basics
A Kid-Friendly Marine
Corps Workout
Corps Workout
By Kristen C. Teubner
The men and women of the United States Marine Corps must stay at peak levels of health and fitness in preparation for potential combat. The rigorous training Marines endure in boot camp elevates their bodies to a higher level of fitness, and they aim to maintain this level of health throughout their service in the Marine Corps.
Marines are so committed to active, healthy lifestyles that each October they host 20,000 runners in the Marine Corps Marathon. The 26.2-mile run begins at the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Va., and runs past all the monuments and memorials in Washington, D.C.
Marathoning as a form of exercise isn't recommended for children younger than the age of 14. For those not yet of marathon age, the Marines host the Healthy Kids Fun Run, a one-mile run that is accompanied by a fitness warm-up alongside the Marines.
- Jumping Jacks
- Sit-ups
- Push-ups
- Pull-ups
- Arm circles
For sit-ups, push-ups and pull-ups, children should start off doing a few repetitions. They can gradually increase this number as their muscles become stronger. Remember to warm up with exercises like jumping jacks and arm circles before playing sports or running, and cool down with stretching to avoid injury. Challenge kids to a Jumping Jack Challenge to see who can go the longest before getting out of breath.
Exercise is fun and important and can be done during outside play time and even while inside watching TV. The National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) has recently increased the recommended amount of daily exercise to at least 60 minutes, and up to several hours of physical activity per day. The Marines' exercises are fun and simple enough for children to do. Best of all, the young athletes enjoy imitating strong, tough Marines.