For the fifth consecutive year, Cherry Hill Health & Racquet Club (CHHRC ) in Cherry Hill, N.J., has made teen fitness a top priority.
A family-oriented club, CHHRC opened its doors to teens this summer as part of its annual Teen Fitness Connection program. Teens between the ages of 12 and 17 were offered a complimentary membership, and with their parent’s permission, could make use of the club’s fitness equipment and group exercise classes during designated hours.
This year, 184 local teens participated in the program, and 40 percent of participants averaged one club visit per week or more.
“We just want to get kids active and off the couch over the summer,” explained Brian Kosa, the general manager of CHHRC .
Teen Fitness Connection is designed to combat childhood obesity. This year, CHHRC reached out to local schools in order to increase the program’s reach. For every child who enrolled and visited the club a minimum of 16 times over the course of the summer, CHHRC donated $20 to the corresponding school’s physical education department, on behalf of each child. The school with the most kids meeting those criteria received a $250 grand prize.
This year’s grand prize winner was Cherry Hill High School West — 22 of its students enrolled in Teen Fitness Connection.
In order to limit liability, CHHRC required parents and teens to sign a “Teen Fitness Agreement Form,” which acknowledged parents had given permission for their child to use the club. In addition, teens went through an orientation program, which showed them how to use fitness equipment both safely and effectively.
Next year, Kosa hopes even more teens will participate in Teen Fitness Connection. “We will continue to do it every summer, and we’ve already set goals to get more schools and kids involved,” he said.
By Rachel Zabonick
