Clubs Encourage Youth Fitness

An article written by USA Today gave tips for parents to get their kids more active. The article suggested ideas such as replacing chairs at the kitchen table with exercise balls or encouraging kids to run or hop to the bus stop in the morning. Thankfully, the health and fitness industry has started combating this on the front end with many clubs hosting kid fitness zones and classes.

Clubs such as Club One Petaluma in Petaluma, Calif. have kid areas where they can play and socialize while parents exercise. The kids have their own locker rooms and can be dropped off without the parent worrying about the child’s safety. Taking children to the club not only helps fight childhood obesity, but it also encourages parents to get in better shape.

In the summer, getting kids in shape can be easy and worry free. However, it’s through the winter months that youth exercise gets complicated. As soon as pools open, getting kids in water is a great way for them to burn calories and have fun at the same time. Some clubs with pools have summer camps that can let kids play and exercise throughout the day. In the winter, some clubs continue pool programs with their indoor facilities.

Clubs could advertise more kid programs and host indoor pool parties. At the front desk, clubs could red flag members with families so the desk attendant knows to mention youth events to parents as they enter the club.

In a recent study by Statistics Canada, they have found that the fitness levels of children have been declining significantly since 1981, regardless of age or sex. Fitness levels of adults have also declined, particularly among younger adults.

Among youth aged 15 to 19, the percentage whose waist circumference put them at an increased or high risk of health problems more than tripled.

Among adults, decreases in fitness levels over the same period were particularly pronounced for young adults ages 20 to 39. Within this group, the percentage with a waist circumference that placed them at a high risk for health problems more than quadrupled. The proportions went from 5 percent to 21 percent among men, and from 6 percent to 31 percent among women. Roughly 3 percent of the adult population had high blood pressure that was undiagnosed in 2009.

According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, children should fill 60 minutes of their day with aerobic activity. A lot of children receive necessary exercise while attending gym class in school and outdoor playground time. However, to ensure that children are in tip-top shape, try getting them to tag along to the local club. They can meet new friends and exercise simultaneously.