Can a kid Use An Elliptical Trainer?
🧒 At what age can a kid ride an elliptical trainer?
Involving the arms, shoulders, back and legs, the elliptical trainer is a complete physical activity, which has many virtues. It often attracts children, who, seeing it working with a parent, want to try it. If this has happened in your home and tends to continue, you may be wondering if it is not a bad idea to let your offspring continue to do a few sessions a week. At what age can you start using elliptical trainers? And under what conditions should this physical activity take place?
Contents
❓ Is there a minimum age for elliptical trainers?
Contrary to what you might think, it is not the cardio pulmonary function that your youngster will lack. Children’s hearts are very malleable, and can easily adapt to the physical variations required.
Their heart rate rises higher and faster than that of an adult, and also regulates itself more quickly when they stop exercising. The lungs, more elastic than those of an adult, are also not very limiting.
However, you should be vigilant if your child tends to develop asthma or if the training conditions are difficult (extreme heat). In this case, it is imperative that you consult your doctor.
Muscles and joints are also very resilient. From the age of 6 years, children have muscles similar to those of an adult: progressive training will help them to develop harmoniously.
Finally, the limiting point linked to age will be your youngster’s motivation. As the elliptical trainer is usually practiced alone, in a room, without excessive stimulation, it can quickly become boring when faced with another sport activity that allows you to meet other people, that favors games or challenges.
It remains to be seen whether your child will remain sufficiently motivated to train regularly on the device, following a defined program. However, avoid high-intensity cycling sessions so that the sporting activity always remains a pleasure!
⚠️ Before letting your son or daughter start any kind of elliptical trainer workout, read the user’s manual thoroughly
This is the most important section of this article: if your kid asks if he can use your elliptical, please go through the machine’s user manual, and see if there is any kind of information about the minimum age required to use the elliptical. There are many ellipticals that have a minimum usage age requirement of 12 years. This should be respected and if you want your kid to be a healthy individual, it is better to find other kind of elliptical.
How do children get started with the elliptical trainer?
It is however recommended starting this activity very gradually with children. Start by setting the device to the minimum possible difficulty, and plan very short sessions at the beginning. The idea is to offer 1 to 2 easy sessions per week, which will be progressively lengthened and/or made more intensive as progress is made.
⏰ How long is a child’s session?
- Between 6 and 8 years old, you can start with a 5 to 10 minute session;
- Between 8 and 10 years old, the session can directly be from 10 to 15 minutes … and beyond, 15 to 20 minutes.
Do not hesitate to vary the content of the session and to propose a motivating element at the same time or at the end of the session (mini-challenge, presence of a radio or TV, games…).
What kind of ellipticals can a child use?
There shouldn’t be any difference from standard trainers in the kind of elliptical that a child can use. If the child feels good on the elliptical there shouldn’t be any problem. This being said, there are ellipticals specifically build for kids.
⭐ Kids Elliptical Trainer (Elementary Size) by KidsFit ⭐
The Kids Elliptical Trainer (Elementary Size) by KidsFit is a perfect example of an elliptical made only for kids. It has all the features that most standard elliptical have, mainly:
✔️ Full Body Workouts
✔️ No Impact training
✔️ Upper and lower Gliders
✔️ Ability to track heart rate, speed, time and distance
Let’s take a look at the specifications for this elliptical machine for kids:
Has a maximum weight limit of 250 lbs
A variable stride length of 12 to 14 inches
Dimensions: 50″ x 24″ x 58″
Best Fits Children Height: 42-59″
Recommended age: 9 years old and over
The price, at a range of $2500 to $3000 may be a little steep for some buyers.
Take a look at this elliptical in action below:
📈 Conclusion
As you can see, children can use some elliptical trainers, but not all. It is recommended that if you do let your child work out on your elliptical, after you read the elliptical user’s manual in depth and the age of your sibling is in accordance with the elliptical’s minimum age, you stay beside her all the time and see if him/her feels comfortable. Also, in the beginning, keep the sessions at no more than 15 t0 20 minutes each time. This will allow your kid to see how he/she feels and gain physical and cardiac endurance over time.
