The latest craze in exercise
– fitness for children – is catching on in the South Valley
n By Kelly Savio Staff Writer
The strain shows on the boy’s face. Sebastian Van Deren struggles to complete the pull-up but he manages, and his expression is one of pure triumph. He turns to his mother, Andrea, who is clapping in appreciation for her son’s achievement. Certainly, one pull-up is a big deal to an 18-month-old boy.
Around them, in a room decorated in bright, primary colors, other children are tumbling, flipping on the uneven bars, and even slam-dunking balls into a basketball hoop – with the help of mothers, of course.
They are all part of the latest craze in exercise: fitness clubs for kids.
“Basically, our goal is to further (the children’s) physical, emotional and social development,” said Carol Kromer, who, along with her husband, owns the Morgan Hill branch of The Little Gym, the fitness club where Sebastian goes to “work out.”
“We truly believe making physical fitness fun and enjoyable leads to a lifetime of success,” she said. “The kids’ self-esteem will grow, they’ll develop self-confidence and they build a can-do attitude.”
Andrea, a Gilroy resident, said after just one trial class, Sebastian loved The Little Gym.
“It teaches him how to socialize, he learns to share, it keeps him active and it gets him to take a nap in the afternoon,” Andrea said, smiling.
Cori Coetzee, whose 13-month-old daughter, Lola, is enrolled in the same class as Sebastian, said going to the gym was one of the best decisions she’s made.
“The class has really made Lola come out of her shell – there’s a dramatic difference,” Cori said. “Plus, I can see her balance improving, along with her climbing skills and coordination.”
At USA Sports in Hollister, 4-year-old Mia Martinez practices flipping upside down from a low bar and doing somersaults on a large, inclined pad. Mia said she thought most kids would like to come and play at places like USA Sports, which is also a fitness club for kids.
“I like to play,” Mia said. “I like to go on the bars a lot. My favorite thing is the wiggly bridge.”
Mia’s mom, Lisa, said after her daughter did the Diaper Dasher and Tini Tot classes at USA Sports, she tried to enroll Mia in dance and soccer classes elsewhere.
“We tried the other classes, but Mia kept asking to come back here,” Lisa said. “She loves the gymnastics, and so we came back here. She has such a great time and it’s really good for her.”
As the children in Mia’s class take turns on the bars, nursery rhymes and show tunes coming from a large stereo system fill the gym.
“We work on helping the kids recognize color, we work on balance and coordination, as well as physical fitness,” said Hal Lawrence, whose son and daughter-in-law own the business. “For example, when the kids are on the bars, they’re building up their strength. They start by just hanging from the bar, then they work on pulling their feet up to the bar, and eventually, they can do a flip on the bar.”
Marlene Hartman, whose 4-year-old daughter, Jenna, is in Mia’s class, said she enrolled her daughter so she could have social time with other children as well as a chance to get exercise.
“I did gymnastics as a child, and I loved it,” Marlene said. “Jenna is having a really good time in the class, and I’m happy we decided to enroll her.”
Contact a gym for your child
n USA Sports, 864 Industrial Drive, Hollister
(831) 635-0872; www.usasportshollister.com
Offers classes for children ages 12 months to 18 years, including dance, gymnastics, rock climbing and others.
Contact a gym for your child
– The Little Gym, 15750 Vineyard Blvd., Suite 190, Morgan Hill, (408) 776-8125; www.tlgmorganhillca.com
Offers classes for children ages 4 months to 12 years, including gymnastics, tumbling, with dance and karate classes planned for the future.
– Gilroy Health and Fitness, 8540 Church St., Gilroy
(408) 848-1234; http://www.gilroyfitness.com/
Offers children’s swimming lessons and pool time.
– Rovella’s Gym & Health Spa, 854 Industrial Drive, Hollister, (831) 636-8500
Offers children’s swimming lessons and swim teams.
– Ultimate Cardio, 7560 Monterey Highway, Gilroy
(408) 847-7171; www.ultimatecardio.com
Offers programs for parents to work out with their children, and other children’s programs are planned.
