kids’ fitness


11- to 13-year-olds to introduce kids to gym-based exercise, and the ‘Start Up’ programme for 14- to 17-year-olds. Three induction sessions teach the kids appropriate exercises on appropriate equipment, as well as covering gym etiquette to ensure that satisfaction is not compromised for adult members. This inclusive message is also


apparent in the DLL FIT group exercise timetable. As well as having specially adapted classes just for young people – such as dance, Zumba and conditioning – any other classes that do not include heavy weights or other inappropriate movements have been opened up to families who want to work out with their children. “Parents often want to co-ordinate


their kids’ activities with their own workouts,” observes SLM’s Bletso. “A well thought-out kids’ programme can add value to an adult membership and give people more flexibility when fitting exercise into their busy schedules.” Sarah Hobbs, head of sports, health


and fitness at DLL, adds: “It’s really important for kids to grow up with the right techniques to exercise safely and effectively, and these guidelines are a sign that the industry is heading in the right direction. Although it’s not appropriate for children to participate in all the adult exercise activities on offer, we have learnt not to patronise or dumb anything down in terms of activity content or marketing.”


safety checks Freedom Leisure is surpassing the safeguarding standard set out in the guidelines by having fully CRB-checked activity staff and bringing in qualified youth workers to support its Friday Night Project at K2 Crawley. Richard Bagwell, group sports development manager at Freedom


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Leisure, says: “It’s paramount to guarantee a safe and age-appropriate environment at all times, so the new guidelines will be a welcome aid to operators developing programmes for children. Freedom Leisure has had suitable policies in place for a long time, and we are proud to go above and beyond the industry recommendations.” The Friday Night Project is a weekly


session at the Freedom Leisure- operated K2 Crawley, partnering with local sports clubs and other


With child obesity rife, we


would encourage operators to promote a


healthy lifestyle to this age group


organisations that run kids’ activities. Created in conjunction with Crawley Borough Council and the Sussex Police Authority, it allows kids to try up to five different activities, including trampolining, basketball and street dance. There is also a specially adapted small group exercise class with a professional DJ. Activities change from week to week, working with groups such as the Sussex Cricket Board’s Street20 Cricket. The kids get to choose which activities


they want to do and there is a team of eight activity staff (three of whom are youth workers) to run the sessions. The Project runs for two hours each Friday,


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Fit for Sport’s scheme trains instructors in kids’ fitness (above left); and K2’s Friday Night Project (above right)


attracting up to 150 young people (average attendance is around 80).


operator opportunities Providing the right activity programmes for 11- to 15-year-olds can access a target market that is currently under- provisioned. And done well, sharing facilities between different demographics need not mean marginalising one group in favour of the other – rather it can help operators become more inclusive and add value for existing customers. By assisting with parents’ child management options, for example, people are more likely to use the facilities as they need not worry about childcare. This could market your club to parents who had ruled out gym membership due to family commitments. With a range of successful schemes


already in operation, accredited training courses and qualifications available – as well as the new official FIA guidelines – there has never been a better time for operators to grow an 11- to 15-year- old user base and pursue opportunities for more customers. “It’s ultimately up to an individual gym


or leisure centre to decide if they allow members of the public who are under the age of 18 to use their facility,” says Stalker. “However, at a time when child obesity is rife, we would encourage them to promote a healthy lifestyle to this age group by opening their doors to children and using the new guidelines to ensure that a safe and healthy environment is provided.”


healthclub@leisuremedia.com dawn tuckwell


february 2012 © cybertrek 2012


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