Kids learning to get fit

About 15 children, age 6 to 10, participate in an outdoor activity as part of Mercy Health for Life's kids' "Fit Class" Wednesday evening. This activity required the kids to run about 10 meters, place their foreheads on a plastic bat and spin around three times before running back to "tag" their partner. (Angelique McNaughton/Tribune)

This spring, it won't be unusual to see about 20 kids jumping around on the east side lawn next to Mercy Health for Life on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Thanks in large part to additional funding, Mercy Health for Life is offering a kids "Fit Class" for the first time this spring.

Normally offered during the summer, Health for Life Manager Kirk Sharp said the class was made possible because of a recent $1,500 grant.

"We were able to do this only because we received funding from that grant," Sharp said.

Taught by Health for Life fitness tech Kelsey Demott and USD 234 substitute teacher Amanda Larson, the class promotes fitness and wellness and attempts to help children age 6 to 10 make healthier choices.

"The idea is to get the kids more involved and teach them there (are) more things to do in life aside from sitting in front of the TV, so to speak, and playing video games," Sharp said. "A lot of kids don't get physical fitness as much as they should."

During the 45-minute class, instructors lead the children in stretching exercises, while talking about engaging muscles and following up with different activities.

From jump rope to less traditional games that require kids to dash about 10 meters and spin around in circles, the idea is it to keep moving, instructors said.

"Do we sit down during fit class?" Demott asked the kids.

A firm "no" was her response.

Nine-year-old Natalie Chapman said she enjoys fit class because "it's fun."

"We learn about how to stay fit and I like it," Chapman said.

Larson said she's gotten mixed feedback from kids who attend.

"The older kids they like the competitiveness of it and the younger kids like the individual competitions," Larson said.

Health for Life has offered the program for about 10 years and it typically runs for three weeks. The class being offered now lasts for six weeks, ending on May 9.

Sharp said he is hoping to continue with the summer session and offer one in the fall as well.

"Ideally, if we had enough funding we'd like to do it all year round," he said.

The important thing, Sharp said, is for kids to have fun in a learning environment and realize they are being healthy.

For those who can't take their children, Sharp had this advice about promoting a healthy lifestyle:

"Don't just let them play video games and watch TV," he said. "Limit that and be a role model; try and turn that off and go outside and do anything to be active and not sedentary."

Cost for the class is $20 for Health For Life members and $25 for non-members. Class runs from 4:15-5 p.m.