The number of South African children suffering from obesity doubled in six years, according to recent reports. Children today are also at greater risk from poor nutrition and more sedentary lifestyles, but also lack suitable safe environments to play or get active unsupervised.
The Kids Gym, now open at the centrally located and upmarket Cedar Square in northern Johannesburg, offers an ideal venue for parents who want to take their children to a non-competitive space that nurtures a love for physical activity, regardless of their ability.
Fun activities
Replicating the model of a typical adults-only gym, but without the weights, The Kids Gym provides children from 18 months to 15 years with the opportunity to exercise and develop skills when it suits them in a fun, activity-oriented venue supported by state-of-the-art technology and equipment.
The Kids Gym aims to teach children how to best utilise and control their own body weight through fun-filled, life-enhancing physical activities, all in a completely non-judgemental environment.
“Exercise and physical activity has the power to transform lives. As a national gymnastics coach and father of a daughter with a physical disability, I‘ve seen the transformation both emotionally and physically for children that exercise regularly,” says Glenn Joselowitz, co-owner of The Kids Gym and father to eight-year-old Emily, who serves as inspiration behind the idea.
Supervised activity
“No one works out alone at The Kids Gym. We have our own bespoke curriculum, which our trainers facilitate in a fun and safe way,” says Janet Mitchell, a trained physical educator and The Kids Gym co-owner.
“Not only do the trainers ensure that activities are done correctly for maximum health benefit and to avoid injury, but they also act as positive role models, ensuring that the children remain excited, motivated and, most importantly, safe.”
The Kids Gym offers a variety of programmes, including general fitness, sports conditioning and weight management. It also offers training for special needs children, as well as members-only tumbling classes and the popular Ninja Zone, a thrilling fusion of obstacle training, gymnastics, martial arts and freestyle movements that builds the strength, agility, stealth and mental prowess of trained ninjas!
Kids and their parents can also enjoy the health-oriented Ninja Bean Café with its health-orientated drinks and organic and low-GI snacks, as well as activity-filled and fun-fuelled ninja or Olympics-themed birthday parties. Visit thekidsgym.co.za for more info, or find The Kids Gym on Facebook and Instagram.
Author: Pedro van Gaalen
When he’s not writing about sport or health and fitness, Pedro is probably out training for his next marathon or ultra-marathon. He’s worked as a fitness professional and as a marketing and comms expert. He now combines his passions in his role as managing editor at Fitness magazine.
Leave a Reply