| Fitness
Can Be Kids Play, by
Peter Churchill C.S.C.S. |
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Summary:
There exists a need for creative and engaging
fitness programming for the “youth”
market. The currant-programming vacuum in the
marketplace creates a unique career opportunity
for enterprising fitness professionals. The days
of school based physical education classes answering
the needs |
a nd demands of young Canadians is unfortunately ancient
history. Some individuals have already seized the opportunity
to jump to the forefront of the next fitness wave. The
following article is designed to encourage and perhaps
guide fitness Pro’s and parents to take action or
at least consider the there options and to understand
what the options that are or should be available for their
children.
Adult Only? There is a growing awareness
that children are not physically fit. What happened in
the past twenty years that has led to a plethora of adult
fitness innovations, programs and an explosion of fitness
club membership by adults? The seniors market is beginning
to be explored as baby boomers turn the corner on their
fifth decade. The children of the boomer generation have
been largely forgotten, except by the fast food and electronic
games industry. Enter the “Fat Zone”. Super-size
is now moving from its fast food origin to a descriptive
of many of today’s youth. Better nutritional choices
are just as critical as an active lifestyle.
Where does the buck stop? Part of the problem might
lie with the fact that most school systems have marginalized
the P.E. content of their curriculums. Part of the problem
should be shouldered by parents who focus on their own
fitness, but neglect to encourage their children to
participate in an active lifestyle. The industry might
also examine the attention given to “Kids”,
with many clubs being adult only, sometimes even almost
hostile toward families. The reality is that with the
maturation of the average club membership base, the
family is gaining greater importance in respect to long-term
membership adhearance.
Parents have a huge influence! A role model and “Cheer-Leader”
are two of the hats that a parent must wear in order
for their child to develop a healthy outlook on exercise.
Supporting and encouraging behaviors must be consistent.
 Not
just little adults! Just like any other special
population, the youth market requires special training,
programming and a specific focus. Individual fitness
pro’s who enjoy working with children should make
the effort to learn how to hone their “Kid specific”
skills, and either develop their own program or offer
their services to their local fitness center. Equipment
found in most Gym’s is oversized for the youth
participant and there are few facilities that are inclined
to purchase a line of youth sized strength-training
machines. There are however many interesting and more
economical program options. Some interesting options
can include any of the following; Dance based activity,
strength exercise, Yoga for kids, Sport specific training
(Hockey, Soccer, Skiing, Sport Aerobics, Basketball,
Track & Field). Game based activities that have
a game theme that requires physical exertion to participate.
At our facility, Studio A, in Beaconsfield, which is
only 5000 sq ft, we currently have over 1200 students.
We’ve have had great success teaching Hip Hop
dance and Sport Aerobics. In fact two of our performance
dance troupes won gold medals at the 2003 World Hip
Hop Dance Championship in Miami and two of our dance
troupes will be opening the Canada Day celebrations
on Parliament hill in Ottawa on July 1st. The key is
to have something for everyone and a clear progression
for participants to follow. Of the 100 or so classes
we run each week there are multiple class levels in
each age category. Programs that have been great compliments
to our core activities include group exercise classes
like KidzBo™ a Boxercise class and KidzPump™
a strength training class. Dance classes run for a session
of 27 weeks and fitness classes follow a 10 week long
session. Finding what type of schedule matches the family
and school schedules in your area is of utmost importance.
Who you gonna call? Define the group
you wish to address by age and activity, by gender and
by location. The matching of personal style, interest,
skills and motivation to the audience is as important
as any other niche groups. Not everyone can create a
magic atmosphere of a playful environment for 3-4 year
olds. Not everyone has the empathy to train over-weight
teens. Not everyone feels the same way the kids do about
“their” favorite music. Figuring where you
fit in, requires some introspection. How would kids
see you as their trainer and what criteria do they use
to judge you when choosing whether or not they will
join your program?
Promoting the program you wish to focus on is best done
through live demonstration. When they view an actual
demonstration kids who feel impressed, feel also that
it is for their benefit and they get very excited. Having
the related registration materials on hand for kids
to bring home to their parents is critical. Explain
the details and have a contact number for parents who
have additional questions about who you are and what
you’re doing. Parents need to ask questions about
the program in question. Supervision, safety, format
instructional philosophies are all important to have
the answers to.
Professional options? Personal Trainers
and Group Exercise Instructors can both present their
services to the youth market. There are not enough teachers
and coaches to go around. The days of extra-curricular
activities at school dried up long ago, thus creating
a unique opportunity for enterprising individuals to
pick up the slack and find their own new niche to scratch.
Lunchtime programs, after school activities and weekend
are all prime time for the youth market. Imagine how
excited a parent is to find for their child an activity
that offers an alternative to T.V., the Internet or
the mall.
Aside from the fact that working with kids is a great
career and business opportunity, it’s fun, refreshing,
challenging and most of all rewarding. If parents, personal
trainers or group exercise instructors are interested
in learning more about children’s fitness, they
are welcome to contact Peter at Studio A (514) 694-1411
or by e-mail at corpwel@allstream.net
__________________
Peter Churchill
B.Ed. P.E. McGill, C.S.C.S., A.C.E. is the father of
two boys age 9 months and four years and is a certified
Personal Trainer and co-owner of Studio A in Montreal,
The home of the Danse Aerobikidz™ program and
The Canadian National Sport Aerobic Championship™.
Peter has over twenty years experience in the fitness
industry as a trainer and manager and is the NSCA director
for Quebec.
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