Finding physical activities your teen enjoys is key to building lifelong healthy habits. The options extend far beyond traditional PE and team sports.
What is going on?
Many teens associate exercise with unpleasant PE lessons or competitive sports they do not enjoy. But physical activity comes in countless forms: dance, swimming, hiking, yoga, martial arts, climbing, skating, cycling, gym workouts, home exercise videos, walking with friends, or active video games. Finding what fits their personality, interests, and social preferences increases the chance of lasting engagement.
What is normal:
Key takeaways
- Interest in at least one form of movement
- Willingness to try new activities
- Enjoying physical activity sometimes
- Some regular movement in their routine
- Social connection through activity (optional)
- Activity fitting their personality and preferences
What is not normal (seek support):
- Complete refusal of all physical activity
- Only engaging in exercise for weight control
- Anxiety or distress around all physical activity
- Previous bad experiences preventing any movement
- Social anxiety preventing any group activities
- Physical limitations not being accommodated
Your teen’s perspective:
I hated netball and running, so I thought I hated exercise. But then I discovered yoga and hiking, and I actually love moving my body now. The key was finding something that suited me, not what everyone else was doing.
How to start the conversation:
- “There are so many ways to move your body, let us find what you actually enjoy.”
- “It does not have to be a sport or PE. What sounds fun to you?”
- “Would you prefer something solo, with friends, or in a class?”
- “What have you never tried but might be curious about?”
- “The best exercise is the one you will actually do.”
Do:
- Explore many different types of activity
- Consider personality (solo vs social, competitive vs non-competitive)
- Try classes or taster sessions before committing
- Support interests even if unconventional
- Make activity social if that motivates them
- Celebrate finding something they enjoy
Avoid:
- Forcing activities they dislike
- Dismissing interests as not real exercise
- Making it all about fitness outcomes
- Ignoring barriers (cost, access, social anxiety)
- Expecting immediate enthusiasm
- Comparing to siblings or peers who are more athletic
Watch for:
Notice what types of movement they gravitate toward naturally. Do they prefer being alone or with others? Indoors or outdoors? Competitive or collaborative?
When to seek help:
If your teen has significant anxiety about physical activity, physical limitations affecting movement, or a history of negative experiences with exercise, gradual, supportive approaches may help. For severe avoidance, professional guidance can identify barriers.
In the app:
Ladybird supports overall wellbeing including physical activity, helping teens track how different types of movement affect their mood and energy.
The best exercise is one your teen will actually do. Explore options beyond traditional sports to find activities that match their personality, interests, and social preferences.
Related articles
- healthy diet for teenage girls
- how much exercise should a teenage girl do?
- how can I be emotionally available and supportive without enabling my teen?
Understanding starts here.
Free to download. Free for every girl, always.