Youth fitness programs atlanta

Unfortunately, schools are not meeting their needs through physical education classes and recess, and many children and adolescents live in neighborhoods with limited space and options for safe, age-appropriate physical activity outside of school hours.

The chat focused on creating afterschool physical activity programs for youth, with strong participation from national and local health, fitness and recreation leaders who shared their insights around successful programs, challenges and available resources. ActiveKidsActiveFuture highlighted the role that exercise professionals can play in leading fitness programs that provide positive physical activity experiences which, in turn, will encourage lifelong adoption of healthy habits.

Exercise professionals in all communities need to get involved for these programs to make a significant impact in reducing the rising dual-epidemic of childhood inactivity and obesity. The attributes of physical literacy — ability, confidence and desire — are built through positive physical activity experiences that are diverse, fun, appropriate and safe.

Free play can provide these experiences, especially for younger participants, but societal changes have reduced the availability of these opportunities in schools, recreation centers and community parks. In this same USOC survey, athletes also reported that quality coaching was important to their development from a young age. Quality coaching is equally important for youth participating in recreational activities and leagues, and even more so for youth who are inactive and behind in their development of fundamental motor skills such as running, throwing, catching, kicking, balancing, twisting, jumping and landing.

Without these skills, inactive youth will continue to fall behind their peers, increasing their chances of becoming inactive adults. Exercise professionals can develop and lead programs that incorporate these skills into moderate-to-vigorous physical activity MVPA , helping youth to build toward the recommended 60 minutes of MVPA per day while increasing their self-efficacy for participation in a variety of activities.

Motor skills and MVPA are not enough to build a successful program. While it may seem obvious, programs will fail if youth participants do not enjoy them. Fun is at the heart of successful youth fitness programs. In recreational programs, fun should be the primary focus of each class with skill, strength, flexibility, balance and cardiorespiratory endurance activities sprinkled among the fun.

In competitive leagues, fun activities can be used as transitions from one challenging drill to the next or woven in as competitive games between small groups.

An important factor in building fun is variety, or the sampling of many different activities. Sampling is the opposite of specialization. Early specialization among young athletes has become more common, with leagues in many sports now offering multiple seasons throughout the year.

This early specialization can lead to overuse injuries from repetitive motions, a lack of development of other motor skills and burnout. Early sampling on the other hand provides youth with the chance to develop well-rounded motor skills while learning a variety of activities. This gives them the ability and confidence required to build physical literacy, providing them with self-efficacy required to try new activities. People of all ages, interests and skill levels can find the fitness classes, family activities and group interests they need to lead active, vibrant lives.

The Y also collaborates with community leaders to bring healthy living within reach of all people. Through community programs, local outreach and global engagement, we provide support and inspire action in our communities. YMCAs in the U. Our day and overnight camps empowered kids by building lifelong skills, confidence and friendships. We are committed to strengthening communities.

Learn more about our mission, vision and the core values that guide us each and every day. When you support the Y — the leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities — you give young people a chance at a better future, foster healthy lifestyles and help build vibrant communities right where you live. A pickup basketball game. An impromptu game of volleyball. Midtown offers dedicated spaces to play basketball, volleyball, floor hockey, and more. And better yet, with someone.

A healthy lifestyle starts when we are young. Our youth fitness programs are so much fun, your kids will never know they are building the foundation for a lifetime of health and wellness. All they will know is that they are having fun, making friends, and hanging with their family. Sweating loves company. Why not work out in a fun, motivating environment, surrounded by friends or with a certified coach who will take your training personally.

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