Children's sports complex for home: 9 tips for choosing a children's sports corner

Natalia | 16.04.2018 | Furniture for children | 9,610 views | no comments

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Probably, it will be superfluous to talk about how movement and sports development are useful for a growing child's body. Parents know all this without us. You can organize a branch of a full-fledged sports ground in any city apartment, even if its area is minimal. This became possible with the advent of children's sports corners, which amaze with their diversity and give kids a lot of joy and benefit. Let's try to figure out how to choose the right children's sports complex for the house, what to look for when buying and what to do if there is very little space in the apartment.

No. 1. The benefits of children's sports corners

Kids are distinguished by the need for active games. They can rush around the apartment for hours, jump with windowsill and hang on the lockers. All this is not very safe, so wise parents try to equip their home with a special area where the child could hang and crawl and climb to the very ceiling. To place a sports corner, of course, is better in a children's room, but if there is not much space, then its location in the hallway or living room is allowed.

Children's sports complex allows you to solve several problems at once and different mass of advantages:

he accustoms children to sports and an active lifestyle;
allows muscles and an ever-growing musculoskeletal system to get stronger faster;
a sports corner trains coordination, dexterity, endurance, a vestibular apparatus and even imagination;
constant active games in the sports zone are not only fun and joy for the baby, but also prevention of scoliosis and flat feet;
studies of doctors show that occupations at home alone without visiting sports sections allow the child to better cope with stressful situations;
a sports corner will become a place for training and active games, and the rest of the apartment will not suffer from the injustice of the kids, and the child himself will be safe, unless of course the corner has been selected, installed and equipped correctly.

Many refuse the idea to organize a sports corner in the apartment, pointing to insufficient space. Let this problem not stop you - there are complexes that barely occupy 0.5 m², and this space can certainly be found. As for the pricing policy, that is, as quite budgetary corners that everyone can afford, as well as complexes the size of a whole room and equipped with all possible equipment.

Keep in mind that as a baby grows up, the equipment of the complex should change. There are universal options for sale that are perfect for children from 4 years of age and older, but if the child is from one to three years old, then you will have to take a specific model, and then change it to a more adult one.

No. 2. Material of execution

There are few options - children's sports walls made of wood or metal. Each material has a number of advantages and features:

wooden complex differs in environmental friendliness. The material is pleasant to the touch, quite elastic and not slippery.In addition, wooden complexes weigh less than metal (we get a lower load on the floor), they are cheaper and almost always more universal. Such corners are easier to fit into the interior of the apartment, they can be repainted. On the other hand, wood is inferior to metal in terms of durability. Over time, some elements may become cracked and the joints weaken. The wood is inferior in strength to metal, but the load that the corner can withstand is highly dependent on the type of wood. Beech, for example, is one and a half times stronger than pine. When buying, pay attention to how well the elements are processed - all parts must be perfectly smooth, without knots;
metal complex It is characterized by high strength, durability and the ability to withstand decent loads. Such a corner can be safely operated not only by children, but also by adults. The most critical elements in such complexes can be additionally covered with plastic. This is done to reduce slipping and reduce the risk of injury.

It is impossible to say unequivocally which children's sports complex is best suited for an apartment: it all depends on how many children are in the family and how old they are. If the loads are serious, it is better not to save and buy a metal corner, and for the smallest and lightest wooden complex is perfect.

No. 3. Size and shape of a children's sports corner

The size of a children's sports corner should directly depend on area of the apartment and the amount of free space that is allocated for the organization of the gym. On sale you can find very compact models designed for area no more than 0.5 m²and sometimes less. The largest and most functional complexes can occupy 6 m² and more. Before going to the store, accurately measure the parameters of the site that is allocated for the sports corner.

Equally important is room height. Corners are produced that are designed for operation in rooms with a height of 2.4 to 2.9 m. If we take into account suspended models that are attached only to the ceiling, then we can assume that even for the most low room it will be possible to find a suitable option.

The shape of sports corners can be divided into the following types:

those that are in the same plane. These are the Swedish walls familiar to many of us, which fit even in the smallest spaces. Of course, the functionality of this type of sports equipment is very limited, but you can perform exercises of a different nature on it;
L-shaped complexes - This is the same Swedish wall, but with a horizontal bar in the upper part. It can be used both for pull-ups and for fastening rings, crossbars, rope, trapezoid and other additional elements. Such a design does not take up much more space than the Swedish wall itself, but at the same time it has a wider functionality;
T-shaped complexes suggest the removal of the upper part on both sides of the stairs. The second horizontal bar can be used to organize a swing or adapted to other needs. A similar complex can be called full sports ground, but it does not fit in every apartment;
U-shaped corners open up even greater opportunities, can be supplemented by a rope ladder, a rope, a climbing net and a guide. Such a corner is perfect if in a family two or more children;
there is also non-standard models. Often they are executed in a mobile form, i.e. Do not attach to walls, ceiling and floor.

Number 4. Installation methods for a children's sports complex

When choosing a sports corner in an apartment, do not forget to take into account the nuances of finishing the room where the equipment will be located. If the room is installed stretch ceiling, then some types of complexes will be impossible to use. Note that it is necessary to mount the wall only along the load-bearing wall.

Depending on the mounting features children's sports complexes are:

spacer installed in the spacer between the ceiling and the floor. Often they have a L-shaped or T-shaped, but can also be non-standard. Such a complex is an excellent option for those who live in a rented apartment or plan to soon change their location, since there is no need to drill walls. In terms of sustainability, such corners are ideal, but there are limitations. In order for the complex to be fixed, the ceiling must be rigid and reliable, i.e. if the room has suspended or suspended ceilings, then a similar model of the complex will have to be abandoned. The exceptions are those cases when you have taken care of installing special mortgages in advance at the stage of finishing the ceiling;
wall complexes fastened with anchors or bolts to the wall. It must be durable and monolithic. It is best to mount to a load-bearing wall. Installation to plasterboard partitions. Such complexes, as a rule, take up a minimum of space, and are perfect in cases where a stretch ceiling is installed in the room;
hinged structures provide for mounting to the ceiling. A great option when square meters are very limited. This group includes ropes, horizontal bars, gymnastic rings, rope ladders, cribs, swings and other devices;
autonomous floor complexesare usually designed for babies up to 4 years old. The area occupied by such a corner may be different. The layout also differs. Many models are available folding, and when there is no need for them, they can be compactly stored in pantry. The most functional patterns can sometimes be turned over so that the child does not get bored on the same elements. The advantages of such complexes are obvious, but there is one drawback, but significant - this is a high price, especially when you consider that the corner is suitable only for kids up to 4-5 years old.

We hope that now everyone is convinced that the sports corner can be installed in any room. Now the time has come for the most interesting thing - the choice of a set of sports equipment.

No. 5. Complete set of children's sports corner

The set of elements that will be included in the sports complex, depends on many factors. This is the age and preferences of the child, the area of the room and the height of the ceilings, as well as the budget. The basic configuration is considered to consist of a Swedish wall, horizontal bar, rings and rope. You can combine various elements to your liking - manufacturers in this matter go towards the buyer.

In children's sports corners, as a rule, the following elements are used:

swedish wall fixed permanently to a vertical surface, designed for climbing and gymnastics. A similar element is suitable for children from 1 year, but, of course, in a simplified version with frequent crossbars of small diameter. For children from 4 years old, you can take a universal Swedish wall, and as a small person grows older, add new elements to it;
horizontal barAs a rule, it complements the Swedish wall, but can be mounted separately. Kids will be happy to hang on the horizontal bar, swing and stretch the spine, which is very useful. Adolescents and adults can use the horizontal bar to strengthen the muscles of the arms, back, and abs while doing pull-ups. The horizontal bar occupies a minimum of space, but about 1 m of free space should remain in front of it. If there is very little space in the apartment, the horizontal bar can be placed in some kind of doorway;
rope can be attached to the horizontal bar or to the ceiling. Climbing strengthens the muscles of the arms, legs, back and abs, bringing great pleasure to children. Rope can be equipped with sports walls for children from 2 years;
gymnastic rings on cables are also attached to the horizontal bar or ceiling, designed to stretch the spine and perform exercises such as coups. Children especially like this shell, they love to hang and swing on rings;
trapeze It is a horizontal bar suspended by two ropes. You can also ride and roll over on it, and some children use it as a swing;
gem - This is a ladder that is installed at a height horizontally or at an angle. Can be attached to the walls, ceiling or racks of the complex. It allows kids to train the muscles of the hands, because to move along the bars you will have to raise your own weight. Guides are often equipped with swings, rings, a rope, a pear and other elements;
incline bench attached to one of the crossbars of the Swedish wall and is designed to strengthen the press. This shell is more suitable for adolescents, although it can be used as a small slide for kids;
rope-ladder much better than the usual stationary one develops coordination and dexterity, and also massages the feet. Climbing and descending such stairs is not easy, but for children it is a special pleasure;
cable hole - This is a mesh of rope, which allows you to simulate a climbing wall at home;
bungee - This is a rope with a seat below, can be used for both skiing and climbing. It takes up little space, but for normal use there should be enough space around the projectile;
punching bag fastens to the ceiling, horizontal bar or girder and will help the little boxer work out the main blows;
basketball hoopas a rule, it is not included in the complexes, but can be installed separately, for example, on the front door, wall or end of the bed located on the second tier;
hammock and swing more suitable for games and recreation, they are equipped with fairly spacious complexes.

Some advanced systems may include some other elements.

No. 6. We take into account the age and preference of the child

It is easy to understand that there is no and cannot be a universal sports corner - too much depends on the child’s hobbies, his age and preferences.

If you start from age, then you can form a number of recommendations:

for a child 1-2 years old a small swedish wall with a mat will do. You can also purchase an outdoor sports complex such as "Kid" or "Early start", but keep in mind that at a high price they have a limited lifespan - up to 4-5 years old baby. If the plans include a second / third child, then such a complex will be justified from a financial point of view;
for a child under 4 years old a Swedish wall with small crossbeams and a distance of 20-23 cm between them is suitable. You can use the horizontal bars, ring, rope, swing and trapezoid;
from 4 years You can use a universal Swedish wall with a standard distance between the crossbars (25-26 cm). You can supplement it with any of the above elements, because at this age the child is especially active;
for teenager complexes with horizontal bars, a press bench, a pear and rings will do.

If a child attends a sports section, this must be taken into account when choosing equipment for a sports complex. So, for example, for those involved in boxing and wrestling, a pear becomes an indispensable element, for athletes - a bench for a press, a horizontal bar, a rope and a Swedish wall, and for gymnasts and dancers - a trapezoid, a rope and a large mirror with a handrail along it (machine ) If a child is fond of basketball, then you can’t do without a basket, but you need to carefully consider its location and remove all fragile objects within a radius of several meters.

Do not forget that the sports complex should change as the child grows older. A teenager may already need exercise equipment, such as a treadmill or exercise bike. Parents of babies are advised to periodically change the configuration of the corner so that the child does not get bored. For example, you can hang a rope and rings on a horizontal bar, and then replace them with a trapezoid.

Number 7. What to do if there is very little room in the room?

The area of children's rooms rarely exceeds 10 m². On such an area, at least the whole main furniture post. What kind of sports corner is there? If you approach wisely, then 0.5-1 m² will be enough to organize a good home sports complex.

Here are some options for sports corners that occupy an area of not more than 0.5 m²:

Swedish wall with a horizontal bar and several elements suspended from it (trapezoid, rings, rope, pear, swing, etc.). If such a complex is installed in a corner, then it will not interfere with free movement at all;
the manual does not take useful square meters at all, since it is attached to the ceiling. On it you can install a rope ladder, a rope, rings and other equipment. When the child is not playing, the equipment can be compactly fixed under the handle, and the area under it can be used for other purposes;
a ladder, rings, a rope and other elements can be fixed directly to the ceiling, and if unnecessary - to hide;
a climbing wall can be mounted on a wall or even the end face of a bunk bed. Useful space such a projectile does not take away;
The basketball hoop can be attached to a door, wall or side of a bunk bed.

Another good option for small children's rooms is combined furniture. In a huge assortment of children's complexes are sold, which combine a berth, a work area and several sports equipment. Such products make it possible to use every square meter of area with maximum benefit.

If there are no problems with the area, then any complexes can be considered for purchase. Some of them resemble entire towns, such as those that are on playgrounds. Such a complex will be a great place for the games of the baby and his little guests.

Number 8. We take into account the features of the interior

It is desirable that the sports corner fit into interior children's room, because for the child is important not only physical form, but good taste. If the room is decorated in neutral shades and modern style, then almost any complex will do. If the room is made in a certain color, then the corner should be the same shade.

Universal are considered wooden complexes and metal, made in metallic color, as well as in white. If the room is tiny, it is better to choose a complex in the color of the walls - so the room will seem less cluttered.

Remember that a children's room is a space for bold experiments. There is no place for strictness and boredom, so the sports complex can be decorated in the form of a pirate ship, castle or a fabulous house. Of course, such a corner should be supported by other elements in the room.

No. 9. Security Watch

Any normal parent worries about his child and everywhere sees sources of danger. It's no secret that a sports corner can cause injuries. To minimize the risk of the latter, it is necessary to fulfill a number of conditions:

do not place a corner near the window and next to furniture containing many sharp corners;
complete the sports complex with mats that will cushion the fall and can be used as independent equipment;
bolts must be closed with plugs;
The crossbars should ideally be rubberized. Even better if they are embossed;
buy only from trusted manufacturers who can safely provide quality certificates. During a personal inspection, check the quality of the fasteners and coatings, and also evaluate if there is an unpleasant odor;
the installation of the complex is best entrusted to professionals, since self-assembly can not take into account the curvature of the walls, floor and ceiling, which in the end can lead to bad consequences.