Gyms Aren’t Just for Parents Anymore

Imagine jumping on a bike that’s connected to a fourscreen TV monitor at a gym. You’re competing against three other people in a game of video car racing and the faster you pedal, the more competitive your car is. Sound like a gym of the future? It’s part of a growing trend toward getting children off couches and into gyms.

While many mainstream gyms don’t offer children’s memberships, there’s a new move toward children-only gyms geared just for the under-18 set. Steven Panzik opened Power Ten Fitness Club in Port Washington six years ago as a gym for adults, but quickly recognized an additional need for children’s programs.

“There are facilities that have programs for mommy and me, and toddler programs,” he says. “And when children hit their teen years, they can go to the regular adult gym. But there was nothing for the elementary school aged kids.”

Panzik added classes for children ages 5 to 12 at Power Ten, and just recently moved the program into its own gym facility, called Power Ten KidsFit — with child-sized equipment, full supervision and an atmosphere of fun.

“There was such a great demand for something that wasn’t a little kiddy place, but also not too adult either. This age group was being missed,” he says. “And it gives the kids a sense of ownership, that they have their own gym to go to.”

The car racing program is just one of the ways children get motivated to exercise. “They get so into the competitive aspect of the game that they don’t realize they’ve ridden for six miles,” says Panzik.

National Trend

Gym membership is an increasing national trend among young people. According to the International Health, Racquet and Sports Club Association, children are the second fastest growing demographic of health club members. In fact, memberships for children between ages 6 and 17 grew from 3.2 million in 2000 to 5.1 million in 2005.

Experts say that increased use of gyms is good for children’s health and well-being. “It’s a great trend, given the rise in childhood obesity and cuts in school gym and sports,” says David VanDyke, director of Speed, Strength and Conditioning at Stony Brook University, a program for athletes.

With the growing concern about childhood obesity in this country, getting children excited about exercising is the first step in developing a lifelong habit of physical fitness. There was a time not so long ago when being a child was synonymous with exercise. Most children spent hours climbing trees, riding bikes and walking to school. But it’s much harder now for children to get exercise as part of their day-to-day lives — especially in suburbia, where they’re driven everywhere. And gone are the days when after-school hours and summer days were spent running outside in the backyard.

Self-Improvement

For some children, the reason to join a gym is to get some exercise into their lives, while for others it’s to improve their strength and endurance for other sports. Mina Scala has two sons, Christian, age five, and John, age nine. They’re both members of KidFit in Port Washington. “They love to go to the gym,” says Scala of Manhasset. “It’s fun for them. They keep track of their progress on their charts and see how they’re improving.”

And it has helped her older son to be a better athlete. “John plays ice hockey, but was getting frustrated because he just didn’t feel like he was good enough,” she explains. “Going to the gym has helped him become stronger and more confident. He’s a much better player now.” And there are other kids who are just not interested in playing team sports. It’s just as important for children who are not athleticallyinclined to get physical exercise. Panzik says a child should be taught that even if he’s not interested in joining a soccer or basketball league, there are many other ways to fit exercise into their lives.

“Yoga is a wonderful way to get physically fit,” says Gail Grossman, who owns Om Sweet Om, a yoga studio for children and adults in Port Washington. “And it provides stress release and flexibility training.”

Grossman says she has a range of children in her studio — from those who want to get some exercise to athletes who want a competitive edge.

Proper Training

But children shouldn’t be treated as mini-adults. They need child-sized equipment, proper instruction and supervision. In addition, the trainers themselves should understand the unique needs of children.

“There are certifications for athletic trainers, but not specifically for children,” says VanDyke. “It’s up to the trainer to educate himself on the needs of children.”

And it’s up to parents to speak to the potential trainer and ask about his specific training or education in terms of working with children. “Parents need to use their judgment to find a qualified trainer,” says VanDyke.

VanDyke advises parents to look for a trainer who will:

• Teach the child at the level of her ability.
• Focus on teaching proper exercise technique and not on weight loads.
• Understand the specific limitations of children — too much weight increases the risk of trauma to growth plates.
• Start with body weight exercises so he learns proper technique. For instance, teach a barbell or squatting technique with a broomstick.

Family Bonding

Some facilities offer opportunities for children and parents to work out alongside each other. “It’s a great way to bond,” says Carol Kur, co-founder of Personal Training Institute, which has 10 locations throughout Long Island. “You see them at the end of their workout, hugging, saying, ‘we did it!’”

Many of the YMCA fitness centers around Long Island have specific hours that are set aside for family fitness. For instance, 13 to 15 year olds might be able to come in with a parent during certain hours; other hours are set aside for that age group tocome unaccompanied by a parent. At age 16, there are usually no restrictions.

“It’s wonderful to watch parents working out with their kids — a mother helping a daughter or a father helping his son with the machines,” says Bob Petterson, associate executive director of the Great South Bay YMCA in Bayshore. “It’s a great way for children and parents to spend quality time together.”

It’s more than just a family activity. “It creates a lifelong habit for taking care of you,” says Grossman. “It teaches the importance of supporting each other and keeping healthy habits.”



Julie Vecchione DeSimone is a freelance writer. She lives in Centerport with her husband and two children.

A Sampling of Kid-Friendly Gyms: Personal Training Institute (PTI) 516-342-9064 10 Long Island locations Synergy Kidz Club 516-777-4374 Farmingdale Synergy Kidz Club 516-777-4374 Farmingdale Power Ten KidsFit 516-767-6773 Port Washington My Gym Children’s Fitness Center www.my-gym.com Locations throughout Long Island, including Babylon, Plainview, Huntington and Stony Brook