Summer fitness program planned for area youngsters

Main Street Fitness in Jackson is offering summer programs to get children off the couch and into the gym.

Programs begin Wednesday for children from 1 to 13 years old, with classes tailored to their interests and ages.

"With the increase in obesity and child diabetes, kids' fitness has been a goal of ours for several years," said Main Street Fitness assistant manager Scott Givens. "Kids who don't attend summer camps need something that will give them the idea about fitness."

Programs range from Tots in Charge, during which children ages 1 to 2 years old energetically play with parents or guardians, to Yoga for Youth, where children ages 9 to 13 learn basic poses, teaching them to relax, focus and stretch.

A cooking class, Kids Kitchen for ages 6 through 12, teaches them the differences in proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Participants also learn how grapes compare to candy bars as snacks.

"We'll be making sandwiches with faces on them," Givens said. "We get creative with the kids, letting them know we can have junk food a little bit, but we get in trouble if we eat it all day long."

Children ranging from fit to obese can thrive in the programs, Givens said. They should wear comfortable clothing and athletic or comfortable shoes.

Other offerings include: Way to Go Kids weight control and fitness education class for ages 6 through 12, KidStep class for ages 6 to 13, Weight Training for Youth for ages 8 through 13, Kids Kick for ages 6 through 13, Yoga Kids for ages 5 through 8 and Peewee Playtime Day Camp for ages 2 through 5.

For more information and costs, call 243-2211.