|
Childhood obesity is a growing health crisis in the United States. According to the American Obesity Association approximately 30 percent of children ages 6 to 19 are overweight and around 15 percent are obese. Sedentary lifestyles are a well-known contributing factor to obesity in children, and there are clear connections between obesity in children leading to obesity in adulthood.
My Gym, founded in 1983 in southern California, is working to turn those numbers around with innovative programs designed to teach children skills they need to develop physically, as well as cognitively and emotionally. My Gym’s corporate mission is to “create facilities, programs and services that empower youngsters by helping them acquire the skills, confidence and positive self-image needed to become healthy young adults.”
“It’s just a great place for children to learn to be fit,” said Angie Emerson, owner of the new My Gym franchise in Silverdale. The Silverdale facility celebrated its grand opening at the end of March and began offering classes at the beginning of April.
Emerson got involved with My Gym after relocating to Kitsap County from southern California several years ago.
“I have three children under five,” she said. “Because of the climate, it was often hard to find anything to do with them outside.”
Emerson was familiar with My Gym and thought that it might provide the perfect solution. It appealed to her in part, she said, because of the long history the company had and because of the training it offered to franchisees.
“Everything is tried and true,” said Emerson.
The My Gym environment is a positive one for kids. Although the programs are all focused on being fit and healthy, there’s no competitive attitude, so it provides a safe, welcoming place for kids to learn new things.
“Everything children do here at My Gym is an accomplishment,” said Constance Hansen, director of the Silverdale facility.
My Gym offers age-specific programs taught in eight-week sessions for children ranging in age from 3 months to 13 years. Classes for babies and toddlers — such as Tiny Tykes for babies 3 to 11 months and Terrific Tots for 2 ? to 3 ? year olds — require parental participation. Classes for older children include Whiz Kids, for 4/12 to 5 1/2 year olds, and Cardio Kids, for 8 to 13 year olds.
The gym space includes a rock wall for climbing, a custom swing set-up that can be re-configured for each class, ladders, slides, balance beams and a myriad of other equipment — all arranged in a colorful, kid friendly space dominated by a bright, jungle-themed mural.
My Gym is more than just a workout center for children, but a focus on healthy lifestyles and exercise is certainly its core. As children learn exercises, My Gym staff teach them about the muscles that they are using. Drinking lots of water and eating healthily are emphasized. And at the end of each class, children are given homework assignments that may include practicing what they’ve learned in class or simply going outside to play each day with their siblings.
“We’re trying to instill the idea that being active is a good thing,” said Emerson.
In addition to its classes, the company issues a regular newsletter addressing fitness and health-related topics designed to help franchisees educate children and their parents about being healthy.
“It really starts with the parents,” said Emerson.
My Gym also offers private, fitness-oriented birthday parties on weekends for groups of 20 to 30 kids. My Gym staff handle all arrangements and supervise the activities so that parents can enjoy the parties as much as the children.
“All the parents have to do is bring the cake,” said Hansen.
Although the classes offered by My Gym are typically more popular for younger children than for the 11 to 12 year old set, Hansen noted that children who start with My Gym when they are young often stay with the program as long as possible. And even if they don’t, she said, it’s clear that they’ve incorporated fitness into their lives.
“Older children may leave the program, but they play sports, they take dance lessons,” she said. “Kids who’ve grown up in the program are very active and fit.”. | 
