LC: 48. GET-OUT RULES
A. Members over the age of 18 must have regular and sufficient exercise as well as fresh air, weather permitting, not less than four times per week, unless too ill to do so.
1. The type, amount and intensity of exercise and physical activity depends on the age, health and physical condition of the individual, so each member's get-out should be appropriate to the individual's needs and capabilities.
Those over 18 need to have regular get-out time in the fresh air not less than four times per week in order to qualify as having sufficient exercise. Of course, the ideal is that everyone has a vigorous get-out every single day, but in many cases that just is not realistic or practical, so if it were required, nearly everyone would be a rule-breaker. We believe that four times a week is a realistic minimum.
If the weather is such that you can't do your get-out outdoors, you can still have vigorous exercise indoors.--And if you open a window you'll get fresh air as well.
Different people have different needs regarding the level of activity that they can, or should, do on get-out. For some older adults, taking a walk may be vigorous get-out, but the same walk may not be sufficient for a YA or teen. They might need something much more vigorous. So an adult should not expect that a walk or a leisurely bike ride is always enough get-out for a JETT or teen. Also, a witnesser who gets plenty of exercise and fresh air while out, may not need to have an official get-out on witnessing days, but would need get-out on other days. Be aware that different people have different needs, and try to accommodate them as much as possible.
For God's sake, get out and flush out your lungs in the fresh air and your blood with a little exercise, and get some sunshine that'll kill the rest of the germs--it's important! You can't just go out and do it once a week (ML #1031:64).
B. Members under the age of 18 must have regular and sufficient exercise, as well as fresh air, weather permitting, of at least one hour (preferably 90 minutes), not less than five times per week, unless too ill to do so.
1. Get-out activities must be age-appropriate. For example, a teen might be allowed to engage in activities that a younger child may not be able to.
Those under the age of 18 must have get-out a minimum of five times per week, but daily is recommended. Children will also benefit from short periods of recess or play time outdoors throughout the day, in addition to their minimum daily get-out time.
The activities that our teens and children engage in need to be age-appropriate. For example, you wouldn't let a young child climb a tree because it is not safe, but you might allow a prayerful and careful JETT or teen to do so, because for them it might be safe.
The point is that some of the things that you wouldn't allow young children to do, you could let JETTs or young teens do. There are even some activities like climbing trees and roller blading which Mama said our kids shouldn't do, that she now considers may be allowed if age-appropriate. Although it wouldn't be wise to allow young children to do some of these activities, it might be perfectly okay for older ones. If it's an appropriate activity for an older teen, then they can be allowed to do it, whereas a younger child or even a younger teen might not be able to do it.
You will also notice there is no list of activities that people cannot do. This means that if someone feels an activity is okay and they pray, look to the Letters, and get the agreement of their Home about it, then they may do it.
For example, body building: We don't think body building for the sake of building huge muscles is good, because it can be a pride trip. However, we're not specifically outlawing all exercise using weights. Lifting weights, when done for the purpose of vigorous exercise could be beneficial, especially in places where the weather is poor and it is difficult to have regular outdoor get-out.
C. As many sports are competitive, a certain amount of competition is to be expected. However, being overly or aggressively competitive or causing harm to oneself or others is not allowed.
Generally, most sports have a certain amount of competitiveness. For example, in playing a game of birdie or tennis, there is a measure of competitiveness, but it's the spirit and degree of the competitiveness that makes the difference. If someone is aggressively competitive and their serve is so hard and fast that you would have to be a professional player to even return the serve, then that's being overly aggressive! Or when playing basketball, football or other such games, hogging the ball and having excessive body contact would also fall into the same category. The purpose of playing a game of tennis or a game of birdie or any other game is for exercise and enjoyment. The mild competitiveness is what makes the game fun, but if people get so involved that they get into the wrong spirit and hurt others, either by injuring them or making them feel bad through overly competitive or aggressive actions or unkind and unloving words, then it's not good. If it has reached the degree of competitiveness that it comes close to portraying the spirit of war, as Dad explains in "Are You a Good Sport" (ML #179A), then it's out of line. But a little competition mixed with good sportsmanship isn't necessarily a bad thing in itself.
The main thing to remember in doing get-out is to pray.--And play it safe! Remember, the Law of Love also applies to get-out! Love is more important than winning, and many times greater joy and lessons come out of being a levelheaded and safe player, or even a good loser.
There's nothing wrong with kids playing games. They need too once in a while. It provides fresh air, exercise, relaxation of mind, opportunity for learning to get along with others, etc. (ML #2526:42).
I think maybe some of you forget that you're not out there to go to the extreme just to try to win, you're out there for exercise and for enjoyment, health, fresh air and sunshine (ML #2082:7).
Copyright (c) 1998 by The Family