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children at play in the music garden children at play in the music garden

Train Like a Superhero

Summer is a great time to get fit as a family, and your library has resources that can make it easier.

  • Want to try out a new piece of equipment?  From kettlebells to ab balls to speed jump roping, we have fitness kits that you can check out and take home.
  • Need to keep tabs on your health stats?  There's a blood pressure machine and scale in a nice private alcove in the West Wing here at your library.
  • Need scientifically sound, research-based health information that won't scare you unnecessarily?  Our Health Information Librarian, Lissa Staley, recommends Kids Health and Medline Plus as great places to start.
  • Too hot to exercise outside?  Get instant access to a variety of fitness videos on Hoopla with your library card.

Featured Digital Item

Family Yoga / Yoga makes a great low-impact, inside activity on a hot day.  Family Yoga has a fun, playful program for younger children and one for older children, depending on the needs of your family.  Log in to Hoopla for instant streaming and enjoy a family workout.

SUPERHERO TRAINING TIPS

We've been collecting Superhero Training Tips from a variety of community partners all summer long.  Here they are in case you've missed them, and keep your eye out for more as summer goes on!

Discover Adventure @ the Kansas Children's Discovery Center

children at play in the music garden

Children at play in the Discovery Center's music garden

This tip is from Margaret Hennessey-Springe of the Kansas Children's Discovery Center.  Did you know you can now check out a passport at the Red Carpet Desk and use it to visit the Discovery Center?

boys swimming in stream

"Are you ready to blast off into space, dig for dinos, storm the castle and discover why sharks are "King" of the ocean? Discovery Center classes are a perfect way to spend a summer afternoon! Don't have time for a class? Exercise your brain and muscles in the 4.5 acre Outdoor Adventure area. There is always something new at the Kansas Children's Discovery Center!"

Hydrate Like a Hero:  Pass on Pop

This tip is from Hilary Gee of Kansas Action for Children, a non-profit, non-partisan organization that shapes policy that puts kids first.

How Does Soda Affect the Body?  Cavities and tooth decay, Heart disease and high blood pressure, Type 2 Diabetes, Obesity, Increased risk of kidney stones, Lower bone density.  Drinking more water and avoiding sugar-sweetened beverages once a week is a simple step Kansans can take to maintain healthier lifestyles.

“Sugary drinks, like soda, sap your strength.  Try skipping sweet drinks one day a week, and you’ll see even mere mortals can make the switch.  Fuel your body with water or low-fat milk instead.”

Leap Tall Buildings in a Single Bound

Two girls running

This Superhero Training tip is from Girls on the Run.  Girls on the Run inspires girls to be joyful, healthy and confident using a fun, experience-based curriculum which creatively integrates running.

“These are two of our favorite warm ups:

Bounding (Muscles Worked: Quadriceps, Hamstrings, Gluteals)

Time: 30 Seconds

• Bounding is an explosive skipping movement.

• Start with feet together. Move one leg forward, as if to skip.

• During the hopping phase of the skip, jump as high up and forward as possible and tuck your non-jumping knee into your chest.

• Repeat with the other leg.

Squat Jumps (Muscles Worked: Quadriceps, Hamstrings, Gluteus maximus, Gluteus medius)

Time: 30 Seconds OR 10 Repetitions

• Squat down and touch your fingers to the floor.

• Jump Up!

• Repeat for 30 seconds.

Proper Squat: When doing a squat, pretend there is a book balanced on your head that you do not want to fall off. When going down into the squat to touch the floor, you lead down with your bottom – not your shoulders. Your weight is on the heels of your feet – not your toes. While doing a squat, you can see who or what is in front of you the entire squat.

Runnners at raceWe also love to help the girls set physical activity and life goals! We ask them to share their lap goals with a teammate or coach and have them track those goals on their own personal goal sheet after running so they can keep track of their individual goals and accomplishments throughout the season. We are always reminding the girls that a goal is something that should be challenging to reach. If they do not reach their goal, they can try again next time.”

Each Girls on the Run season culminates in a fun, family-friendly 5K.  Start training now for the fall 5K on November 15- there’s nothing quite like trying to outrun a third-grader for motivation!

Be a Superhelper

This week’s tip is from Chris Omni of MAKIN’ MOVES.  Makin’ Moves offers free, fun, family-friendly fitness opportunities throughout Topeka.Kids dance

“It’s a boy!  It’s a girl!  No…..it’s a Superhelper!!!  Superhelpers can improve the health of our community one family at a time.   This Superhelper is super strong because of taking the trash out, lifting canned goods, and other common household chores.  Not only is this Superhelper super strong, he/she is super fast!  Moving around the house,  running in the backyard, and walking with their families are all simple ways to get super fast.

A Superhelper has a sneaky enemy named Lazy Larry!  Larry likes to convince Superhelpers that it’s OK to sit and watch TV, to play video games all day, and to not be active!  But, all good Superhelpers have a special power that can defeat this evil enemy……FAMILY!

The Superhelper’s power is doubled for every member of the family they recruit to be active…… even the dog.  Live to fight another day as Superhelper and start MAKIN’ MOVES! “

Get active this summer.  Your library can help you become the hero your kids think you are!

 
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