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kids’
fi tness
Wigan Leisure Trust launched Fitclub classes for kids – bespoke kids’ programming distributed by Fitpro – in November 2009
Says FIA executive director David
CASE STUDY – FITCLUB
Stalker: “Fitness is key. As a nation we
must assess how fi t – ie healthy – our
F
itclub features four group In 2009, Core Life Fitness in Newton children are, implement a tailored
exercise classes: teamenergy Abbott worked with local schools to programme and measure its impact
(general fitness, 5–10 years), introduce teamenergy. Sixty-fi ve per against a benchmark to assess how
teamcombat (martial arts, 6–16 years), cent of participants did no exercise effective the programme can be. How
teamjam (dance, 8–16 years) and prior to starting the programme and else can we assess what works and what
teampower (resistance-based, 11–16 50 per cent were classed as disaffected doesn’t, and if we made a difference to
years). Programme design by traditional school PE. However, our children’s lives?”
concentrates on skill-related fitness, 85 per cent of all children reported If the industry is to monitor its
including agility, speed, reaction time becoming more active as a result of contribution, however, the impetus
and balance, and introduces logistics the programme, while 98 per cent said for guidance on such benchmarks may
not necessary in adult classes, such as a it was fun and enjoyable – 60 per cent have to come from within. We already
‘time-out’ zone within the studio area. saying this was because it made them have a pretty good idea of what makes
FitPro product development manager feel fi t and healthy. for enjoyable kids’ programming, but
Vicky Mahony says: “It’s diffi cult Wigan Leisure Trust implemented we’re also well-placed to consult on
enough getting adults to adhere to its own fi tness benchmarking and what effective programming looks like,
gym-based exercise if programming tracking methods on launching with proven systems of measuring this
isn’t stimulating, interactive or creative Fitclub: certifi cates of attendance, already in place in adult fi tness.
enough. That diffi culty is multiplied the development of sponsorship The measurements may be as simple
when working with children.” opportunities to reward kids as they as logging improvements in heart
Long-term retention and motivation progressed through the scheme, rates, but whatever they may be,
is therefore built into Fitclub with pre-screening with adaptations for ultimately fi tness professionals – with
children in mind: three programme deconditioned users/those with their knowledge of what “being fi t” at
updates a year, choreograph options existing health conditions, and the any age actually looks like – should
to cater for all abilities, and use of the provision of exit routes to ensure play a key role both in developing
latest chart music to ensure relevance. long-term habit formation. these benchmarks, and in creating and
monitoring successful programming.
40 Read Health Club Management online february 2010 © cybertrek 2010
healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital
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