Family fitness

Being active isn't just about feeling stronger, fitter, more energetic and sleeping better. It's all about having fun too! Why not have fun and be active together by making health and fitness not just a solo pursuit, but a family pursuit?

Getting the kids moving has never been more important. Sport England research shows that just 47% of children in England were achieving an average of 60 minutes of physical activity each day. The pandemic only made the situation worse, and that figure now stands at less than 45%, with nearly one in three children doing less than 30 minutes of activity a day.

But, with all the barriers that were in place during lockdown now far removed – why are the numbers still so low? In our own research of our members, amongst the many barriers our parents have told us about – screen time, availability of their chosen activity – one of the largest barriers for our families is cost of structured activity. This is where we can help.

Bring your children to the gym

At our centres across the country, we’re trying to help families by making memberships as value driven as possible. So, if you love to go swimming every week – bring the kids and share your love of swimming with them! Equally, if you’re a gym junkie bring your tween/teen and let them flex their muscles! You’ll be modelling health and fitness routines at an early age as well as creating a bond that can, undoubtedly, last a lifetime.

When your children see you showing good behaviour and positive, healthy lifestyle choices, your child is more likely to choose the same behaviours. Plus, scheduling physically based activities reinforces the messaging to our children that these behaviours are fun and positive for everyone. When adults make their health a priority, kids will learn to as well.

Staying active with your family not only helps to keep everyone involved, but it can also help keep your family close and help to form a family bond. Carving out time with your family and prioritising health and activity demonstrates that you value your time with them. You can have fun together, create moments they will cherish, and stay healthy all while forming a family bond that will last a lifetime. We call that a win-win for the whole family!

Guidelines around children's fitness

NHS guidelines state that kids need to be active for at least 60 minutes a day, with 30 minutes of this outside of school. This should include three sessions a week of activity that strengthens muscles and bones, so it’s crucial to mix it up – and bringing the kids to your local centre provides the perfect opportunity to vary activities.

And it's not just physically that kids benefit, being active also helps with mental health. Evidence shows that children and young people who are more active have more confidence, higher self-esteem, less anxiety and stress, and better social skills – attributes that can help them deal with the challenges they face in daily life.

No matter the weather this winter, our fitness playground is always open, so bring the kids along and enjoy being active together! Find out more by checking out our membership options and finding a centre below.

Join today