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My Gym Urges Families to Find Time for Fitness

By: My Gym Children's Fitness Center |  1,018 Shares     124 Reads

Children's Fitness Experts Say National Awareness Campaign and Recent Study Results Highlight the Benefits of Regular Physical Activity for Kids

SHERMAN OAKS, CA--(Marketwire - Apr 11, 2012) - May is National Physical Education and Sports Month and My Gym Children's Fitness Centers, a franchise network with more than 200 locations worldwide, encourages families to take advantage of spring's longer days and extra hours of sunlight by finding ways to incorporate regular physical activity into their children's days.

According to Matthew Hendison, chief marketing and entertainment officer for My Gym Enterprises, the benefits of physical activity go way beyond meeting simple fitness goals. Recent research done by the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) in partnership with Nemours Health and Prevention Services (NPHS) showed that physically active and fit students in the study performed significantly better in both mathematics and reading. Less fit students not only scored lower academically but were more likely to display disciplinary problems like absenteeism and suspensions.

"There are a lot of options competing for children's spare time these days, like smart phones, tablet computers, e-readers and video game systems and, of course, television," said Hendison. "But the evidence continues to grow that there is one use of spare time that can actually help kids keep their grades high and their in-school behavior on track -- physical exercise. And My Gym programs can add fun, healthy physical activity to your child's day in a safe and supportive environment."

How much physical activity is enough? The DDOE has set a benchmark of 150 minutes a week, or 30 minutes a day, five days a week. First Lady Michele Obama's "Let's Move in School" initiative aimed for 60 minutes of movement per day. "The important thing is to make physical activity a priority, just like school time, homework time, meal time and family time," said Hendison.

To incorporate physical activity into busy schedules, many families turn to children's fitness centers like My Gym. My Gym programs combine fun and innovative physical and early learning/pre-gymnastic classes with state-of-the-art facilities to help children develop physical skills while they build important life skills like confidence and a positive self-image. With a dual focus on the importance of regular exercise and nutrition, My Gym Children's Fitness Centers help children develop healthy lifestyle habits that build a strong foundation for healthy teen and young adult years.

"At My Gym, we know that the key to keeping children active is to make it fun," said Hendison. "We're serious about fitness and nutrition, but we never lose the fun factor that keeps children moving toward healthy goals. When children learn to equate being fit with having fun, they are developing a lifestyle habit that will help them thrive physically and mentally wherever life takes them."

My Gym locations are in neighborhoods from coast to coast -- all staffed by caring and nurturing fitness experts -- to bring the message of fitness and fun to children everywhere. For information on My Gym Children's Fitness Centers, please visit www.mygym.com.

About My Gym Enterprises

Established in 1983, My Gym is the #1-ranking fitness center destination for children with 200 locations worldwide, including international locations in Hong Kong, France, and Brazil among others. More than 30 additional locations are planned to open worldwide in the next 12 months. My Gym combines innovative, early physical education/pre-gymnastics classes with state-of-the-art facilities to empower children -- ages 6 weeks to 13 years -- by helping them acquire the skills, confidence and positive self-image needed to become healthy young adults. My Gym's award winning, structured, noncompetitive, and age-appropriate classes enhance children's overall physical development through games, music, exercise, sports, gymnastics, puppets, special rides, and fun. The children gain strength, balance, coordination, fine and gross motor proficiency, agility, flexibility and social skills. The My Gym television show, "My Gym At Home" airs on BabyFirstTV, a 24/7 commercial-free channel focusing on children's development. For more information, please visit www.MyGym.com.

Contact:

Matthew Hendison
Chief Officer, Marketing & Entertainment
My Gym Enterprises
818-907-6966 x115
mhendison@mygym.com

 

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