Is the app suitable for children?

[Virginia60]

Is the Couch to 5K suitable for a young girl aged 11 or is it aimed primarily at adults 18+?

[Marble_bar]

I don't think it was specifically designed for children, but I can't imagine it would be difficult for her to follow as it's designed to build up stamina gradually so she can just go at her own pace.

[Elfe5 Graduate]

I’m not a doctor or a scientist and don’t know the official answer to your question.

However, as a retired primary school teacher, I think an 11-year-old could begin by doing the first few weeks of the program and then review how it is working for them. (Many primary schools have been encouraging children to walk/run a mile either a day or a week in school time for over a year now.)

I think the biggest challenge might be to get a child to run (jog)slowly enough – children often have an instinct to run as fast as possible!!

My youngest daughter is a keen runner, she did her first 10 K at the age of 14 with a bit of her own random training for a couple of weeks beforehand! I would have been happy for her to do this program at the age of 11. 😄

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

In the guide to the plan healthunlocked.com/couchto5... we state that it is the parent's responsibility to make sure that it is suitable for their child.

We have had many 11 year olds do this alongside parents and as long as they are fit and they follow the instructions, especially about pace, have good shoes and are running in a safe, preferably supervised place then there are unlikely to be any issues.

[Virginia60 Graduate]

Thank you all for your comments I will pass them on.