It’s hard to believe that more than 80 per cent of Australian school children are not meeting the minimum physical activity guidelines, ranking Australian children as some of the least active in the world. In a nation that credits sport as an integral part of its national identity, why are our kids becoming less active? While participation in organised sport still ranks highly, it’s the rise of more sedentary pursuits that is putting our kids at risk of too little activity.
Thankfully, kids’ fitness programs have now gone beyond the confines of organised sport and school physical education classes in the realisation that kids need to be educated about healthy habits from an early age. Here are a few kids’ programs that promise to teach not only age specific skills, get them moving but most importantly of all, to prove how much fun fitness (for life!) can be.
BORN TO MOVE™
www.lesmills.com.au
Adding another feather to their very full cap, global experts in movement and motivation, Les Mills, has cornered another market – kids. The BORN TO MOVE™ series of programs targets 2 to 16-year-olds with an aim to not only get them moving but also have them falling in love with fitness. All classes are set to catchy tunes delivered in a fun and motivating group environment and are refreshed, Les Mills style, three times a year to maintain interest. The key here is that ‘engagement experts’ rather than your traditional Les Mills instructor that’s trained to motivate adults, run the classes and are equipped with kids coaching skills. The programs are designed with fun in mind but also to build confidence and develop skills using simple moves, role-playing, stories, games, team building, performance, problem solving and the magic of music. But whatever the age group, it’s an opportunity to spend time with friends or make new ones.
The programs:
• 2 to 3 years: A 45-minute class designed for a parent or caregiver to take part in. The music is specially written for the class with lyrics acting as sung instructions that lead children through simple moves to build body awareness and balance.
• 4 to 5 years: Using music, lyrics and simple choreography to ignite vivid imaginations, the 45-55 minute class takes kids on a journey of action and song. The class develops self-awareness, balance, weight transfer and concentration skills while interpreting music and moving to a beat.
• 6 to 7 years: Classes are run in either a 30, 45 or 55-minute format with a focus on fundamental movement skills in a fun rather than formal context. The action-packed class emphasises foundation and games while kids can sing along to their favourite tracks.
• 6 to 7 years (dance): Fundamentally the same as the above class but with a focus on dance and the added option of a performance at the end of the program.
• 8 to 12 years: This 30 or 45-minute class incorporates a combination of moves from dance, martial arts and yoga. It includes great music and games to keep things interesting while developing skills such as strength, speed and agility.
• 13 to 16 years: A typical class is 30 or 45 minutes long and is a mish-mash of the coolest bits of martial arts, hip-hop, sports conditioning, plyometrics, dance and yoga. The easy to follow moves are really fitness in disguise and are designed to instill a strong sense of achievement.
Zumba® for Kids
www.zumba.com
You’ve got to hand it to the Zumba® revolution, every age group or skill level is covered. As the saying goes ‘you’re never too old’, but in Zumba® it’s more like ‘you’re never too young’ to start jamming. Bambinos can start shaking their nappy clad booty as soon as their Zumba® crazed parent or caregiver feels like introducing them to the hip-swinging craze. Divided in to three age groups from 0 to 11 years, these programs are not only designed to enhance a child’s creativity, confidence, coordination and memory, but teaches teamwork and cultural awareness. For the two older age groups, it’s a sure-fire way of helping children develop the concept of a healthy and active lifestyle.
The programs:
Zumba®Kids Jr: This program gets 4 to 6-year-olds rocking. The high-energy dance party theme is packed with kid-friendly routines that are broken down step-by-step. The class structure also has games and cultural exploration elements integrated in to the program.
Zumba® Kids: Designed for the 7 to 11-year age group, this program features kid-friendly routines based on the original Zumba® choreography. Incorporating the same elements and class structure as the Kids Jr program, this one sets them up to join mum or dad in a Zumba® class when they hit high school.
Fitness First Kids
www.fitnessfirst.com.au
Fitness First has recently opened its doors to its newest members, the 3 to 12 year olds. Developed in consultation with the Sports Science Education Institute, the 45-minute interactive classes are a blend of cardio fun, strength, dance, balance, stability, speed, relaxation and stretching, all to age-specific tunes. Fitness First Kids Program Director Jack East says that the classes provide a non-competitive environment where children of all fitness levels are encouraged to participate and have fun with fitness. Each class has been created to channel energy with fun moves to the latest music and is a great mix of self-expression and coordinated moves. Currently classes are being rolled out in six Sydney Fitness First clubs.
The programs:
• 3 to 5 years: With a focus on creativity and coordination, the program is created for little kids to have fun and delve deeper in to their creative imaginations. Kids get to roar and stomp, crouch and growl, while moving with the music.
• 6 to 8 years: Designed with energy and focus
in mind, as kids are encouraged to dance, express themselves and learn to put moves in to a sequence.
• 9 to 12 years: The program is a combination of explosive movements that focus on strength, agility and coordination and endeavours to boost confidence.
FITKIDS Australia
www.fitkidsaustralia.com
Led by a nationwide team of professional personal trainers, FITKIDS Australia provides schools with fun fitness programs, teacher training, nutrition programs, health seminars and presentations as well as canteen overhauls. The revolutionary programs aim to empower all children with the knowledge, skills and habits to enable them to grow up to be healthy and active adults. The programs ensure that all children are included in every activity so that they develop a positive association with physical activity. Programs are designed for primary and high school students, offering suitable fitness and nutrition solutions across the age groups. Their Active After School Community (AASC) Programs offer sports specific packages run by specialised coaches that aim to develop specific skills for a wide variety of sports.
The programs:
• Kids Only Boot Camp: Is exactly that, a boot camp designed for kids. Each session has boxing, strength training, boot camp style fitness games and fun high intensity cardio activities.
• Extreme Dodgeball: Games are played each week and follow the official rules from the National Amateur Dodgeball Association (NADA).
• Splashtastic Fun: For kids who don’t mind getting wet. The water based fitness games are played on the school oval and are a great summer activity.
• Gladiators: Suitable for all ages and genders. Fans of the TV show will love this as kids go into battle every session against their mates.
• Treasure Quest Fitness: A fun combination of fitness games and hidden clues to find treasure.
Registered Training Organisations:
Want to gain an accreditation in Kids Fitness? If you have a Cert III or a Cert IV in Fitness check out these courses:
• Mini Moves Instructor – www.fiafitnation.com.au/kids-older-adults/mini-moves-accreditation-course
• Kids Fitness Course – www.fitness.edu.au/kidsfitnesscourse
• BORN TO MOVE™ – www.lesmills.com.au/borntomove/get
• Zumba® – www.zumba.com
• FITKIDS Trainer – www.fitkidsaustralia.com
Ref:1 Active Healthy Kids Australia, 2014