---
title: "Preteen Exercise | Sutter Health"
description: "Fitness comes in all shapes and sizes. It’s not important what you do to stay fit, it’s important that you do it regularly. Get ideas to get moving."
url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/exercise"
---

1.  [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) /
2.  [Health and wellness](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health) /
3.  Exercise

# All About Exercise

Learn how—and why—to work regular exercise into your life.

* * *

September 27, 2024Medically reviewed by Katie Ransohoff - High School Student WriterDerek Chan - College Student Writer

Are there athletes or kids at your school who seem like they’re in top shape? To you, they might be the textbook version of mean, lean machines – with toned muscles and physiques. Do you sometimes wish that you could be just like them?

If so, you’re not alone. A lot of other kids out there are thinking, “Gosh, I wish I were in better shape.”

You may think fitness means going to the gym every day after school. However, fitness comes in all shapes and sizes. You don’t have to be just like the popular athletes at your school to be fit. Maybe someone else’s definition of being “fit” doesn’t seem right for you, and it could be the same the other way around.

Remember: It’s not important what you do to stay fit, it’s important that you do it regularly.

## Fitness has Many Benefits

Fitness doesn’t just mean strong muscles. When you exercise, you get:

-   A healthier heart
-   Healthier muscles, bones and joints
-   Less stress
-   More energy
-   Better sleep
-   Reduced depression and anxiety
-   Ability to think more clearly

Fitness also helps lower your risk for certain medical problems. Some bad things that being fit can help prevent include:

-   Strokes
-   Heart attacks
-   Diabetes
-   High blood pressure
-   Obesity
-   Low back pain
-   Depression

## Possible Activities for You

Research shows that people feel much better emotionally, mentally and physically when they exercise. There are many opportunities for you to get moving. Finding activities that you like to do can make exercising fun!

-   Join a sports team.
-   Exercise with your parents (exercising with a friend or parent is a great way to get motivated).
-   Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
-   Schedule a daily time for exercise – and stick with it!

**Youth reviewer:** Sarahjeet Dosanjh

**Reviewed by:** Saranjit Dosanjh, RN

**Last reviewed:** August 2019

## Explore related topics

[Preteen's health](https://www.sutterhealth.org/health/articles?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_healthTopics.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Preteen%27s+health%22%5D%7D%2C%7B%22i%22%3A%22builtin.entityType%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Sutter+Health+Page%22%5D%7D%5D&limit=10&verticalKey=health-and-wellness)

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