Family Life Fun Sports A Fun Playground Workout for Parents and Kids You may know it as a playground, but the simple structures found in most schoolyards can be used like equipment at a family-friendly gym. By Parents Editors Parents Editors The Parents Editors byline means there is an experienced group of editors and journalists behind the scenes of the article. Learn more about the Parents team, our core values, and editorial guidelines. our editorial guidelines Published on June 10, 2013 Share Tweet Pin Email 01 of 04 Work(out) and Play Photographs by Kinzie & Riehm You may know it as just your local playground, but the simple structures found in most schoolyards can be used like equipment at a family-friendly gym. We asked Sheila Dunn, certified personal trainer and family wellness director at the Meadowlands Area YMCA in Rutherford, New Jersey, to design a circuit of playground exercises guaranteed to help you and your kids get into the swing of staying fit. Hanging Crunches Grip an overhead bar or set of rings. Lift your knees and bring them as close to your chest as you can. Drop your legs and repeat five times to start, then work up to three sets of 10 to 15 repetitions. Good for: arms and core muscles 02 of 04 Swinging Cross Kicks Photographs by Kinzie & Riehm Sit on a swing and grasp the chains. Lift your legs so that they're parallel to the ground. Cross one leg over the other, then switch, maintaining your balance. Repeat 10 to 15 times, working up to three sets of 10 to 15 repetitions. Good for: core, hips, legs, and balance 03 of 04 Slide Climb Photographs by Kinzie & Riehm Try this exercise only when you have the slide to yourself! Hold on to the sides of the slide, scramble to the top as quickly as you can, then slide down. Repeat 5 to 15 times, as your stamina allows. Good for: arms and legs 04 of 04 Park Bench Dip Photographs by Kinzie & Riehm Sit and hold onto the edge of a bench with your legs slightly extended, knees bent, and feet flat on the ground. Keeping your shoulders back, slide off and lower your bottom until your elbows are bent 90 degrees. Hold the position for two seconds, then lift back up. Repeat 10 times, then work up to three sets of 10 to 15 repetitions. Good for: triceps Originally published in the June/July 2013 issue of FamilyFun Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit