Fitness sessions aim to keep kids healthy with fun and exercise

MAKING new year's resolutions is easy: it's sticking to them that's the hard part. But if it was for the sake of your children, would you do it?

Pledging to get fit and eat more healthily as a family is an achievable goal this year thanks to Clifton Hill Sports Centre in Exeter.

In a bid to reduce childhood obesity and get kids active, the centre in Belmont Road has launched a junior fitness programme.

In addition to its already well-established teen gym sessions, youngsters can now go to circuit training, pilates and fight fit classes, and sign up for a programme aimed at helping overweight children manage their weight.

Fitness manager Graham Webber said: "We looked at junior obesity and fitness and saw there was a big gap in the market for this sort of thing. We figured as it works well for adults, we would bring in a junior version, and it's been good.

"There's nothing for children who don't want to play sport. It's nice for them to have something they can do after school and they make friends too."

For mother-of-two Gillian Fawcett, from Mount Pleasant, Exeter, the programme has made a big difference to her family.

The 47-year-old said: "I joined the gym in September to try to get a bit fitter and I saw the various things they do for children. My daughter, Sephi, who is 12, wanted to do something outside of school that was a bit more interesting and fun. She goes to fight fit, which is like boxing training with hand guards.

"It's something for boys and girls. My son, Xabier, 10, goes with her every week. Sephi also goes to the teen gym. I go with her."

Xabier said: "I go to get fit but it feels like having fun. At school I like PE, but it's completely different from what we do there."

This month, the MEND programme — Mind, Exercise, Nutrition… Do it! — resumes. It is part of a national initiative offering free healthy lifestyle courses for overweight eight to 13-year-olds and their families. This is the second time it has been on offer in Exeter.

The programme helps improve eating and exercise habits, fitness, physical activity levels, nutrition and self-esteem. Thanks to funding from the Big Lottery Fund, 12 places on the course, worth up to £400 per child, are being offered to families free of charge on a first come first served basis.

Graham said: "We offer a friendly relaxed atmosphere to encourage children to give new things a go and show parents how they can be supportive and involve the whole family in making healthier choices and following an active lifestyle."

Lynn Baker, from Exmouth, went with her son Liam, 12. She said: "He didn't do much exercise and his confidence was a concern. He didn't want to go to start off then he didn't want it to end. He has learned to make healthy eating options, and as he feels fitter he is becoming more interested in sport. He is looking at joining the school gym and playing badminton."

The MEND programme starts on Friday, January 16, and runs on Tuesdays and Fridays from 4pm to 6pm. It comprises two-hour sessions, twice a week for 10 weeks.

Teen gym sessions, for children aged 11 and over, are on Thursdays, from 7pm to 8pm, and Sundays, from 4pm to 5pm. On Thursdays children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Junior fight fit is held Mondays, junior circuits on Wednesdays and junior pilates on Thursdays. All run from 4.30pm to 5.15pm and are for 11 to 15-year-olds. Classes resume Monday, January 5, and cost £2.20, as does the gym. For further details call 01392 253353.