Fitness Facts Blog

2012 The Year of the Gecko

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 01:19:00 GMT

Wowee – What a Year!

2011 has been the most exiting year of my life. From 3 Gecko locations to 33, from 25 staff to 100, from dream to reality.

I would like to sincerely thank all of the parents, teachers, coaches, suppliers and Gecko staff for their hard work, support, feedback and friendship.

Most of all – I would like to thank and congratulate the thousands of children that we have worked with this year. Conscious of sounding like a cliché – there is something so refreshing about working with kids. Not yet tainted by our cynical world children provide us with inspiration, humour and a different life perspective on a daily basis.

Reflecting back on such a tiring but special year you begin to see the different influences that kids have had on your business and personal achievements.

The best thing to come from 2011 was the black and white reinforcement that Gecko works and is loved by kids and parents alike Australia wide. Bring on 2012!

2012 – The year of the Gecko - promises so much!

Opening 50 + new locations throughout Australia and New Zealand.
Exposing thousands of children to Gecko that don't know about us yet.
The official launch of our awesome new website. Thanks to Blick – You guys rock!
The release of Gecko documentary 1 (Shrinking Karlos)
The unveiling of The Gecko Foundation - raising money for selected children's charities.

And I'm sure this is the tip of the iceberg.

Merry Christmas to you all and we can't wait to GO Gecko in 2012.

Sam Wood (Gecko Founder)

Nature or Nurture Debate

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 03:28:00 GMT

When you work in the health and fitness industry the nature versus nurture debate raises its head continuously! Are we destined genetically for obesity? Or merely a product of our every day environment?

I am obviously being facetious as it is a combination of both. But the bigger contributor undoubtedly has to be our environment.

I had the classic away from Melbourne sporting road trip on Saturday. As it was getting late heading back Saturday night we decided to stop at a hotel for dinner. We entered a typical looking roadside restaurant only to find what could best be described as the buffet equivalent of 'From Dusk Till Dawn'. $19.95 all you can eat buffet which was a massacre of food occurring in front of your face. It was enough to give you nightmares.

This was the type of place that in 15 seconds, explained the worldwide obesity epidemic better than any television documentary or journal article you could ever find. While I sat there with friends eating dinner, I couldn't help but wonder why this gluttonous behaviour occurs. Is it the fact we feel compelled to get 'value for money' or the ridiculous 'I can have more servings than you' contest that breaks out amongst family members?

The part that shocked me so much was the fact (in the hotel I witnessed) the kids were at that age where they are directly influenced by the choices their parents make. They are being condition from the age of 4, that every Saturday night, the highlight of their week will be to eat as many plates of food as they can until they feel sick.

The majority of families had 2 kids with an average age of 7, and a combined 50kg overweight, with Mum and Dad at a conservative 120kg combined overweight. What chance do these kids have? School bullying is inevitable, low self esteem, comfort taking from eating, and the vicious cycle perpetuates itself so fiercely and quickly that the desitny of these children is a foregone conclusion before they are at an age where they can make their own choices.

I rarely harp on about the negativity and dire obesity crisis that exists, and please excuse my bluntness...but please let's take this as a wake up call that simply can't be ignored.

Prevention versus Cure

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 06:14:00 GMT

As a society we are reactive in health. We go to the doctor once we are sick, we join the gym once we are overweight and make big lifestyle changes once we find out that we are at risk of terminal illness.

The opportunity to make a change to our attitudes, starts with our children. Kids have a window where they can maximise development and co-ordination, adopt healthy lifestyle habits and attitudes and make sport and fitness a part of their lives.

As parents it is important to give our children choice and support.

Biggest Loser comes to Bendigo

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 06:12:00 GMT

The Biggest Loser team are up in Bendigo this Sunday the 29th of May with the guys at Lifestyle Fitness. The Gecko Crew will also be up there helping get the kids of Bendigo moving and shaking to hopefully kick start a healthier lifestyle.

A kid's gym... what the?!

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 06:24:00 GMT

What is a kid's gym? Well it's not treadmills, mirrors and big weight machines? As Gecko was a totally new concept we never really knew what to call ourselves in the early days. In fact we still don't. Kid's gym, children's fitness centre, play centre we get them all!

The reality is we are a gym but we for 4 year olds through to teenagers.

So how is it different?

Classes are always supervised by a coach (over 40 kids classes a week)
Classes are fun based with colours music and laughter everywhere.
It's cool
Kids are tested every term and get a new colour headband each time they pass
The workout is different every week
No GROWN UPS ALLOWED!

Kids are not little adults

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 06:27:00 GMT

Working in kid's fitness is not about following a program like a robot. It is about connecting with each and every individual child, finding out what makes them tick and ultimately creating a level of intrinsic motivation for that child.

As adults we go to the gym/exercise, (some of us!) as we have an understanding of the health benefits. Kids are different. They aren't interested in avoiding a stroke or reducing stress levels. They want to have fun, run faster, jump higher or just hang out with friends.

So what stimulates kids - music, colours, people, challenges and FUN.

Gecko is a 3 part process.

Creating an amazing atmosphere of sounds, intriguing kids equipment and colour
Creative programs with endless variety
Coaching personalities that bring it all to life!

As the Gecko parents say to us "Finally a place they can call their own!"

Confused about Kid's Health?

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 00:35:00 GMT

Children's Health, a new magazine as part of the "Men's Health" brand, will be released soon. A new and improved trend or more of the same fluff?

As parents or kids - how do you know what to believe when there is so much conflicting information out there? The answer unfortunately is you don't.

Trainers, teachers, coaches, nutritionists, psychologists, Mum, Dad, friends - everyone is a self proclaimed kids expert!

There are 3 tips however that will help:

Individualise - Every child is different so to get the right answer about your child you need to see a professional specifically about or even better with your child.
Keep it simple - Too much information or knowledge is just can be as damaging as complete ignorance.
Prioritise - Identify the most important 2 or 3 (max) things that your child needs to work on to improve their overall health and start there, (Lose weight, eat better, exercise more, run faster, improve posture, sharpen coordination whatever your child has the most trouble with should be their starting point.