7 Benefits of Gymnastic Rings For Kids

Looking after a child today is not an easy gig! With technological advances competing to steal their attention each day, finding an activity away from screens that can stimulate your child's creativity and challenge their body physically is not easy.

Here at Atomic Iron we have designed a set of gymnastic rings, with fun rainbow straps, specifically for children. The new design can provide the missing piece every parent needs to fully engage their child each day.

We know it's recommended that children engage in approx. 60 minutes of physical activity each day, such as jumping, running, twisting, turning, pushing, pulling and overall muscle-building activities. 60-minutes on the rings each day will give your child all the exercise they need (unless they have dreams of being an Olympic gymnast or CrossFit champion), they can easily burn 5-10 minutes of energy multiple times a day playing on their rings set right from the get go.

 Check out the full list of benefits that kids can get out of gym rings below:

1. Made For One

Although gym rings can be easily shared between children of similar ages, they are essentially made for one child at a time. Compared to a football or cricket set, which needs multiple people to play, Kids Gymnastic Rings are designed for each child to compete against themselves.

If you have an only child, or their siblings are sometimes pre-occupied, or even if there is an age gap between children, a set of gym rings will keep your child entertained when they don’t have company.

2. Builds Self-Esteem And Body Image

There is literally nothing like incorporating the daily habit of exercise into a child’s routine to build positive body image and self-esteem.

That ‘feel-good’ feeling from learning something new, conquering the challenge of each exercise, all while building new muscles is something that cannot be felt from any video game.

3. Builds A Fitness Base

Unfortunately, the digital age we are living through has resulted in record low activity levels for children. Coupled with greater food options consisting of sugar and high-fructose corn syrup, it’s no wonder obesity levels have never been this high.

This is why it’s imperative to begin the fitness habits early that will pay dividends both in the short and long term. Gym rings are part of the sport of gymnastics, which gets its name from the ancient Greek word for ‘disciplinary exercises’. The sport, especially rings, combines physical skills, such as body control, coordination, dexterity, gracefulness, and strength, with tumbling and acrobatic skills, all performed in an artistic manner.

Performing controlled body-weight exercises on rings, even though standard ‘fun and play’, can build a tremendous fitness base with increased strength, stamina, and muscular endurance.

4. Increases Mental Capacity

The cognitive benefits of gym rings for kids, and all exercise in general, is that it boosts thinking and memory, whilst reducing stress, depression, and anxiety. Which means that not only are children exercising their bodies on gym rings, but also their brains.

This increased mental performance can then translate into positive outcomes in other areas of a child’s life, such as school work and socialising with others. Studying for a test, or forming a strong bond with a friend all become easier with the regular physical exertion required on gym rings.

5. Creates Smiles, Laughter And Happiness

Another mental benefit of exercising creatively on kid’s gym rings is that they experience a noticeable increase in mood. In short, they are happier. When kids are involved in physical activity, their brains release endorphins that act to increase feelings of pleasure and well-being and give the body a feeling of joy.

That feeling also becomes contagious to their parents who can see the real life benefits of gym rings come to life before their eyes. 

6. They Translate To Other Sports

For the majority of children who play on gymnastic rings, an on-going career in gymnastics is not necessarily the goal. Gymnastic rings can be used in combination with other sporting endeavours so that they complement one another.

Fundamental skills such as balance, co-ordination and flexibility are all imperative in almost every other sport, such as Basketball, Football, Netball or Cricket. Learning these skills at an early age and developing them quicker than normal will allow a child to have a competitive advantage.

7. There Is No Wrong Way To Use Them

Once a safe area to hang the straps has been found, allowing for adequate room of movement, parents can set up their kid's gym rings in under 30 seconds.

From there, it’s time to let children get familiar with the rings, exploring the different ways their body can interact with the equipment. From simple hangs and swings, to flips and twists, each child will develop their own relationship with rings as they begin a fitness journey that will last a lifetime. 

We recommend that until a child has developed a comfortable level of skill using the rings, they remain under adult supervision at all times.

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