To nudge your kids off the couch, lead the way. That’s how New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada and his wife, Laura, help their kids stay active.

See the gallery of activities here

Bicycling
There’s nothing like gearing up the whole clan for a bike ride—the wind in your faces, the scenic routes to enjoy. As a general rule, if you can bike it, start peddling. Ride to school, to the park, wherever. It works the core, lower body and heart; it places your family in touch with nature. It’s the environmental way to travel—you go green while you go lean.

Basketball
This is a very active sport everyone can play: Little ones can keep moving by dribbling the ball, while older kids can work on sinking a basket or blocking Mom’s or Dad’s shot. Everyone learns the importance of staying on your toes, being vigilant, improving quickness and collaborating and synchronizing with others.

Jumping Rope
This exercise is one that most anybody can do alone and families can do in pairs or as a group (think double Dutch). It’s one-stop shopping, combining mastery of rhythm, stamina, endurance and balance—plus, it can be done anywhere. Jumping rope is simply one of the best cardiovascular
workouts you can do.

Seventh-Inning Stretch
A wonderful habit to instill in children while they’re young (and more flexible), stretching is the healthy, safe and correct way to approach physical fitness. as they stretch their legs, arms and torso, remind your kids:

• Breathe deeply while you stretch to help move blood to sore muscles.
   
• Ease your body into the stretch until you feel a mild pull. A stretch should never hurt. Hold a stretch for 30 seconds or more. Wait at least 15 seconds before you stretch the next group of muscles.
   
• Don’t bounce, and don’t force yourself into an uncomfortable position.
   
• Stretch before and after exercise as part of your warm-up and cooldown.

From Fit Home Team: The Posada Family Guide to Health, Exercise, and Nutrition the Inexpensive and Simple Way.  Reprinted by permission of Atria Books.

GOOD SPORT
Teach your children to be gracious, not to brag, to always shake hands and to understand that it’s all in good fun. Kids’ egos are delicate, so it’s great to get them to let go of theirs—exactly what good sportsmanship is about—from an early age. Help them accept the reality of losing and to understand that by enjoying the game they are already champions—regardless of the scoreboard.