Let your child see you WORKOUT! Bring them to the gym!
At first glance, bringing your kids to the gym might sound like a logistical nightmare—sippy cups rolling under squat racks, snack breaks mid-burpee, and the inevitable "Can we go yet?" But truth be told, it might just be the most powerful parenting and health strategy you can implement. Let’s break down why bringing your kids to the gym is good for them, good for you, and good for the future.
1. Kids Learn By Watching (Especially You!)
Children are sponges. You know this and you’ve likely seen this. If they see you prioritizing movement, consistency, and health, it becomes normal to them. They don’t just hear that exercise is important—they see it in action. Monkey see monkey do.
2. It Builds a Lifelong Love for Movement
Making the gym a familiar place to go to removes intimidation and creates positive associations with physical activity and even strength training. They will get used to the sound of weights hitting the floor, or the ever-so-popular “grunt”. It’s not punishment, it’s play. It’s not a chore, it’s community.
Bonus: It’s a sneaky way to limit screen time while encouraging real-world skill-building and coordination. iPads are cool, barbells are better!
3. It Strengthens the Parent-Child Bond
Shared experiences lead to stronger relationships. Whether it’s doing partner squats, racing on the rower, or just cheering each other on, the gym becomes more than just a place to work out—it becomes a place to connect. Who doesn’t want more connection with their kids?
They also see the kind of bonds that are created within the walls of your gym, no matter which one you belong to. They start to realize that you grow to become part of the people that you surround yourself with. With hope, this will lead to them surrounding themselves with peers who hold them accountable and also push/support them just like you and your gym bestie!
4. It Normalizes Healthy Bodies of All Shapes and Abilities
When kids see a variety of people working hard—sweating, struggling, modifying movements, and celebrating wins—they develop a better understanding of what strength, health, and resilience really look like. Like, TRULY look like.
They can get themselves out of the GQ magazine mindset and other photoshopped airbrushed photos of celebrities. They can understand that they can be comfortable in their own skin at all times and imperfections are awesome! I think this is the BIGGEST win we could facilitate for our kids.
5. It Teaches Discipline, Routine, and Grit
Kids pick up on consistency. Showing up when it's hard, finishing what you start, and setting goals—these aren’t just gym values, they’re life values. Tell me I’m wrong…I’ll wait…
Tips for Making It Work (Without Losing Your Mind)
Bring snacks, water, and quiet activities if they’re not working out. Please, no golfish, that stuff is messy…think bars.
Keep it short and sweet for younger kids (30-45 minutes max). The have the attention span of the above goldfish haha.
Have clear rules and boundaries.
Celebrate their efforts, even if it's just trying a new movement. They have no idea what they are doing…but then again, neither did you when you first walked through the door. Celebrate them just like we celebrate you!
Get them involved: Have them help load plates, count reps, or time your planks. They are helpers so let them help!!!
Final Thoughts: The Future of Fitness Is Family
Fitness isn’t something you do separately from your kids—it can be something you do with them. The benefits go far beyond physical health. You’re raising confident, capable, strong humans who view movement as medicine and exercise as joy. One of our members recently said, “I’m raising men, they are just currently trapped in a childs’s body” , and I felt that! (Thank you Troy!)
So next time you hesitate to bring your child along, remember: You’re not being "that parent" — you’re being a role model, a leader, and a generational game-changer.
Now go get that workout in—with your tiny gym partner in tow.
