Today’s youth are facing an epidemic. It should come as no surprise that the current generation of kids will not outlive their parents. A sad but true fact based on statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Kids are experiencing health problems such as high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes and elevated blood cholesterol levels that at one time were reserved only for adults. Obesity may be getting all the news headlines, but obesity is not the problem – it’s a symptom. It’s a symptom of physical inactivity and a diet laden with processed foods. And not only is inactivity harming our kids’ physical health, but their mental health as well.
The education system may have dropped the ball when it comes to physical education, recess and daily physical activity, but all is not lost. Health club owners and operators can play a huge role in making a difference in the lives of children by offering quality fitness programs geared specifically towards kids.
Many make the mistake of offering adult-style classes for kids or at best, a watered-down version of adult programming. Neither is appropriate for kids. A quality youth fitness program is one that focuses specifically on the unique growth and development needs of kids. With kids, everything works and will help them improve, but what is optimal? A successful youth fitness program should be:
- Focused on long-term healthy, active living.
- Simple, progressive, fun and playful.
- Age and stage appropriate with opportunity for guided discovery.
- Inclusive of all abilities.
- Provided in a safe and dynamic environment.
- Game-based with allowance for co-creation.
A youth fitness program that includes the six principles above will benefit kids by:
- Developing a foundation of fundamental movement skills.
- Enhancing physical literacy.
- Increasing injury resistance.
- Improving mental health and well-being.
- Increasing levels of self-confidence and self-esteem.
- Improving sports performance.
A dynamic and appropriate youth fitness program will provide kids with opportunities to engage in various body weight activities that include sprinting, skipping, jumping, hopping, climbing, pulling, pushing, rolling, tumbling, chasing, fleeing, dodging, throwing, catching, hitting, etc. Instead of thinking in terms of exercises, sets and reps, think of games like red light-green light, Simon Says and the unlimited variations of tag, to name but a few. Through movement, games and play a foundation of fitness will be created.
When the aforementioned movements are utilized and delivered as games and game-like activities, kids will experience what they want most: fun. Kids learn best when they’re having fun and it’s fun that will keep them coming back for more.
Below is a sampling of what to include in your youth fitness toolbox:
- Pool noodles.
- Balls of all various sizes and textures, from tennis balls to stability balls.
- Ropes of various sizes from five feet to fifty feet.
- Agility dots.
- Cones/pylons.
- Frisbees.
- Clothes pins.
- Mini hurdles.
- Sandbells.
The key to a successful youth fitness program is to make the sessions fun, engaging and intrinsically enriching for each child. It’s important to remember that kids are not miniature adults. Meet them where they’re at and challenge them accordingly. Take advantage of the opportunity to weave in teambuilding and communication into their sessions and you’ll be setting kids up for a lifetime of healthy, active living.
David Kittner, aka the Youth Fitness Guy conducts athletic training and development programs, workshops and clinics for youth athletes, youth sports teams, parents, teachers and coaches, and internationally presents at Fitness, Coaching and Physical Education conferences. For more information and to contact David please visit his web site at www.YouthFitnessGuy.com, call 647.504.7638 or e-mail david@youthfitnessguy.com.
