A Parent’s Role In Kids Exercise

Promoting exercise for kids or, increasing your kids exercise is perhaps one of the most important parental responsibilities. As a parent, you are the greatest example and a genuine role model of what is good and what isn’t.

Kids are monkey see, monkey do, so watching a parent engage in exercise is key for establishing a child’s desire to also be physically active.

Still, convincing kids to ‘exercise’ can be a hard task – and call me naïve, but I don’t think this is because children don’t understand the importance of exercise. They do. There are enough animated role models (cue picture of Homer Simpson) portraying the negative effects of poor eating habits and laziness.

So then, why is it sometimes still a struggle to get our kids moving? Well, one reason might be how our opportunities for exercise are framed.

We love all exercise here at Be Physiology, but when we’re talking kids, the afternoon run just doesn’t cut it.

Exercise for kids needs to be structured in a way that is fun, intriguing and exciting. So it doesn’t feel like or comes across as ‘exercise’. It just so happens to be a game that is physically active. So long as they’re moving, it’s working – use your creative flare!

Side note: any adults out there keen for a game of tiggy, hit us up. We’re not too mature for the greatest game of all time!

If you’re not feeling so creative though, here are a few games that you can play that will do just the trick:

  • Balloon Balance – Keep a balloon in the air using your hands and feet. Expert mode: No hands, no feet. Just your breath.
  • Dance – The most feel-good movement ever invented. Great for building your child’s confidence too. Here’s a tip – anything disco!
  • Races – The trick is to let them win here and there. Keep them competitive and feeling like they are on your level.
  • Tiggy – Similar to races, use your acting skills and prove how fast they are.
  • Sports – Pick what they like. Not what you like. They’ll do the rest.
  • Jump Rope – Can take some time to pick up but it’s all the more satisfying when kids pick up a new skill.
  • Red Rover – A Personal Favourite. But might need the whole neighbourhood to get this one going.
  • Stuck in the Mud – Another personal favourite, but again – power in numbers.

And if you can’t get your kids off their gaming console (don’t worry, we get it)… Wii Fit!

Why is exercise important for kids?
  • Improved Fitness and Strength
  • Improved Cognitive Function (Learning, Memory, Concentration)
  • Enhanced Bone Development
  • Improved Confidence and Self-Esteem
  • Provides More Opportunities to Socialize and Make Friends!
  • Less Stress
  • Encourages Healthy Growth and Development
  • Lazy kids can turn into lazy adults

Reach out if you have any questions or would like to learn more – hello@bephysiology.com.au. 

Be Physiology

Walter White

Manager of good vibes
Being active has taken on a whole new meaning and I am 100% here for it. I like to fink I’m pretty active, and I keep up de vibes during team meetings – just making sure everyone’s hands are always moving (across my butt) because I know dat any exercise is good exercise. I keep close to everyone, real close, just to keep dem on their toes when dey walk by too.
Fings are always better when I am der so if you need some good vibes, I will be der for you.
Brb just going to have a snooze.
Love and licks,
Wally

Ailish Rice

Exercise Physiologist
I have always imagined I would go into a career that combined my passion for exercise with the opportunity to help people, and I found my perfect match in Exercise Physiology!
My role has progressed over the last few years, from coaching gymnastics, to becoming a strength and conditioning coach, and now an Accredited Exercise Physiologist.
As Be Physiology, I can apply my knowledge and skills to support clients living with neurological conditions, chronic illnesses, pain or injuries.

As both a participant and an EP, I have a keen interest in CrossFit, clinical Pilates, women’s health, and all things exercise-related! Ultimately, I am eager to support a diverse range of clients through their rehabilitation and towards their individualised goals, using movement as medicine.
Eddie Carroll

Eddie Carroll

Exercise Physiologist

Growing up, sport and physical activity were simply a part of life and not much has changed since. These days you’ll find me in the gym, playing social volleyball, soccer, or out watching the footy. That lifelong love of movement is a big part of what drew me to Exercise Physiology, and it’s something I bring into every session.

I work primarily with neurological and neurodevelopmental populations, including NDIS participants, and I find this work genuinely rewarding. Seeing someone move better, feel more capable, or achieve a goal they weren’t sure was possible is what drives me as an exercise physiologist.

I’m not focused on a particular diagnosis; I’m focused on the person in front of me. We all have things we want to achieve, and sometimes that means overcoming daily frustrations that others might overlook. I believe in listening, then building a specific program for you.

Exercise is one of the most underutilised tools in healthcare, if you’re ready to use it, I’d like to help!

Benji Wilksch | Mobile Exercise Physiologist

Benji Wilksch

Exercise Physiologist

Hi, I’m Benji! 

I love being able to use my passion for health, fitness, and exercise to support people in moving and feeling their best. As an Exercise Physiologist, I’m lucky to do this every day. Sport and exercise have always played a big role in my life, with interests spanning cricket, athletics, and cross‑country running. These days, you’ll often find me strength training in the gym, running distances from 5km through to marathons, or taking on the occasional HYROX event.

Outside of work, I enjoy catching up with friends over a great coffee or unwinding by playing guitar.

Before joining Be Physiology, I worked as a strength and conditioning coach and group fitness coach. Since graduating university, I’ve stepped into my role as an Exercise Physiologist and strongly believe that movement is medicine — it has the power to make a real difference for a lot of people. I have a particular interest in neurological and musculoskeletal rehabilitation, but ultimately, I’m passionate about helping anyone improve their confidence, function, and quality of life. I’m excited for what the future holds at Be Physiology.

Brittney White

Co-founder / Operations manager
I’m NOT an exercise physiologist, but I do take my hat off to my team and get to admire the work they do each and every day. Be Physiology means that we’re able to apply our passion, and our experience, to make exercise physiology more accessible to the people who need it the most.
You might hear the team describe me as ‘the person who does everything else’, and that can be translated to ‘marketing and operations’. My background is marketing and business, which I’ve lived and breathed since 2011. I’ve worked in both the agency and corporate spaces, across many industries, with many amazing people and now with Be Physiology, I get to explore the health industry further and continue to meet the most incredible people who are the ones to define motivation.
If you’ve met Harry and our amazing exercise physiologists, you’d know that they don’t really need marketing – they’re genuine, have ridiculous amounts of charisma, knowledgeable, and extremely passionate about helping people to be a better version of themselves. But, sometimes getting an introduction is the hardest part and that’s where I come in.
If you want to chat, a coffee, a laugh, I’m always here to make one or all of them happen.
So call me and let’s keep sharing the love!

Harry White

Co-founder / supervisor
The longer you work as an Exercise Physiologist (EP), the more you understand just how amazing exercise is for everyone, without exception. You also get to meet and work with people who have completely changed their lives through their own consistency and determination, this is when you realise that this is more than a job. It saves lives.
My expertise is spinal cord injuries and neurological disorders and helping clients to achieve an improved quality of life through rehabilitation and functional training. Rehabilitation for spinal cord injuries and neurological disorders can be slow but incredibly rewarding for clients when results are achieved, no matter how small. Assisting people through learning useful skills and functional training is the most important role that an EP can play to help people lead a more fulfilled life.
My perspective is different now to when I started, now when I see all the EPs graduating every year and getting excited knowing that they too will get the opportunity to be a part of something special.
Our team is full of people that want to be amazing EPs and who are striving to be the best, there is no better culture than that!
Be Physiology