Chelsea Smith, 10, works out during Family BodyJam at American Family Fitness as her parents, Marc and Tammie Smith, ham it up. photos by ben fredman/THE FREE LANCE-STAR View More Images from this story Visit the Photo Place

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Fitness is family affair

Local families are part of a trend--they're getting fit together

BY KIM BAER

Date published: 12/16/2008

BY KIM BAER

About a year ago, Marc and Tammie Smith came to a rather uncomfortable assessment: They were unhealthy.

The Smiths decided to change that.

The Stafford County family joined a gym and got their three girls, Chelsea, 10, Darby, 12, and London, 13, playing soccer.

This month, they started their own "family fitness boot camp," challenging one another to try new activities at their gym.

These activities have included a family cardio dance class, family cycling and Wallyball, a version of volleyball.

"It's tiring, but a lot of fun," London said. "I'm not really thinking I'm exercising."

The Smiths are not alone.

Across the country, families are working out in unison to get healthy and spend time together.

Since 1987, the number of children 6 to 17 who are members of health clubs has gone from 1.3 million to 3.9 million, according to a study by the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association.

Twenty-four percent of clubs now have children's exercise programs, according to the 2007 IHRSA survey.

Family exercise programs are becoming more common, according to IHRSA spokeswoman Kara Thompson, but the association hasn't yet tracked the number of clubs adding them.

In larger cities, some gyms are specializing only in family fitness.

For instance, Volt Fitness in Hackensack, N.J., caters to families with kid-size fitness equipment and offers pay-per-session workouts for families, according to an Associated Press article.

In Bethesda, Md., Funfit offers parent and toddler exercise classes and kid-safe circuit training equipment that parents can use too, said Celia Kibler, company president. The family fitness club opened 21 years ago and now offers classes across the metro Washington area, Kibler said, as well as Louisiana, Colorado and New York.

"We think it is important for parents to exercise with their kids," Kibler said. "When parents do things with their children, it means so much more."

WHAT'S AVAILABLE HERE?

Fredericksburg-area parents can find family classes at a variety of spots in the region. Here is a sampling:

At American Family Fitness in Spotsylvania County, family classes are offered for everything from cycling to aerobics.

Parents can exercise and learn self-defense techniques with their children at martial arts studios such as Seong's Martial Arts Academy in Spotsylvania.

Here are some other ways to encourage family fitness: Schedule a regular time to be active as a family. Why not have an "outdoor activity" night? Plan activities everyone can do together such as hiking, biking or swimming. Play! Go outside and play tag, kick a soccer ball, or throw a ball. Encourage unplanned activities such as racing to the house after being outdoors or playing chase! Have your child's birthday party at a climbing wall, skating rink, pool or other activity-centered place. Learn a new activity with your child. Take a canoeing course, learn to rock climb, take a swim lesson, go cross-country skiing or learn to play tennis. Your child will be more likely to try new activities if you try them with him. Go for an evening walk before or after dinner. Children love to spend special time with their parents. Use this as an opportunity to catch up on your day. When it is rainy outside, be creative! You can set up an indoor obstacle course, play hide and seek, or even dance. Cold weather means bundling up and heading outside to make leaf piles to jump in, build giant snowmen and sled when it is snowing. Or find indoor games such as tennis, basketball or swimming. Limit television and video-game time to no more than 2 hours per day on the weekends and 1e hour during the week. --Action for Healthy Kids

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Date published: 12/16/2008