Gym offers free fitness classes for children

Xercise4Less launched the new initiative this week, offering four free gym classes each week to children aged between three and five.

Xercise4Kids aims to encourage physical activity among children and their parents to help tackle the childhood obesity problem in the UK.

This new exercise model was developed by Xercise4Kids co-ordinator Sarah Philp who wanted to provide parents and children with the opportunity to enjoy exercise together.

The classes are 45 minutes in length and take children and parents on a story telling journey through four different themes; The Underwater Kingdom, Deserted Lands, Jump Around Jungle and The Exceptional Circus.

Each class incorporates four to five different activities that keep the heart rate high and challenge the major muscle groups, providing an extensive, but fun workout.

Every eight weeks the theme of the class changes to keep the children and parents engaged. At the end of each eight week programme, the children are presented with a certificate to document their progression.

Tim Weir, general manager at the Burnley branch, added: “Childhood obesity levels have been an issue that our team has been passionate about for a number of years now.

“In the UK we currently have children that have a shorter life expectancy than their parents, mainly because of a basic lack of activity. By providing free exercise classes to every child aged three to five we will tackle childhood obesity head on by educating families to the benefits of a healthier, happier lifestyle.

“This is also an opportunity for us to ensure that we leave a working legacy from the success we have enjoyed, to say thank you to the communities we serve whilst helping their children to embrace a better lifestyle.”