For most people, the idea of getting exercise conjures up a picture of sweating it out on a modern-day cardio machine or pressing iron with beads of sweat streaming down their face. But the truth is that any kind of physical activity can be classified as exercise and lead to a healthy body—not only that, but the human body was created to be an active "machine" and requires this to keep functioning properly.

With children it is no different. Rarely, if ever, will a child taken on a proactive program designed to make them more fit, but when it comes to kids, exercise is actually an easy endeavor. It simply takes fostering a life full of activity.

And the benefits for a child, or any human, are huge. A person who gets plenty of exercise develops a lean body and controls the accumulation of fat cells, meaning they are less likely to become obese and develop the risk of diabetes. Exercise makes their bones and their muscles strong and keeps cholesterol and blood pressure at normal rates.

Finally, scientists have proven that exercise is the number one way to contribute to a healthy emotional state, and being fit fosters confidence. For children, making healthy activity a normal part of their lives is that much more important because it sets the foundation for healthy habits as a lifelong endeavor. To top it all off, they get a better night's rest and are more prepared on all levels to handle the inevitable trials that life brings our way.

Physical fitness should on some level promote strength, flexibility, and endurance, and there are many activities that encourage this. Aerobic activity is a given and often a natural tendency for kids. Whether playing a game of tag, riding bikes with their friends, or going for a swim on a summer day, it's not hard to get a kid running around.

Strength training can come in the form of just roughhousing with their friends, climbing on outdoor playsets, or doing calisthenics, whether intentionally or as another way to play around and challenge themselves.

In fact, a light routine of calisthenics with your children in the morning can be a good way to get some exercise together and at the same time start building that lifelong habit of a fitness routine. Don't make it strenuous or push them too hard—make it fun.

This can also include some stretching if you want to encourage the development of flexibility at an early age, but you will often find children are naturally limber (ever see an infant chew it's big toe?) and get plenty of flexibility simply from being active a lot and constantly working through a full range of motions.