Fitness Facts Blog

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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

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

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!