It is important that for kids to stay healthy they should get at least one hour of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day. However, studies show that less than 10% of our youth today get their daily hour of exercise. A regular fitness program can help kids and teens reduce anxiety and stress, boost academic performance, improve self-esteem, and most important establish lifelong healthy habits.

Active kids also have stronger muscles and bones, less risk of becoming overweight, and lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. While research provides significant evidence that all physical activity positively contributes to overall health and well-being, kids need to focus more on regular exercise. Otherwise, they are at risk of becoming a sport spectator and may end up living an inactive lifestyle.

Why Kids Need Healthy Exercise Habits

We are big believers that any kind of physical activity is good for our youth especially since the latest study in Preventive Medicine shows that most kids today are as sedentary as 60 year olds. The fact is that our human body was designed to move! And for thousands of years, that is exactly what we did.

However, rapid technological advances in the last 50 years (computers, television, the internet, cars, phones, etc.) has made us increasingly sedentary. The “sitting disease,” is a term used by our scientific community to describe individuals that engage in prolonged periods of sitting or overall inactivity.

Even though sitting down all day may seem harmless, it has a negative impact on our health and it is literally making us sick. This is why sitting is now considered the new smoking and too much sitting increases your risk of chronic health problems including heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers.

We need to teach kids early in life that working out is a habit smart people use to practice self-discipline and perseverance, the same two skills required to create happiness and prosperity. People who approach exercise this way do it longer and outlive those who see working out as a chore.

How Regular Exercise Transforms Lives

The benefits of working out are too great to ignore since regular exercise prevents weight gain, increases energy and stamina, enhances sleep, and reduces the risk of stroke, type 2 diabetes, and even depression. Working out also has many mental benefits since it gives kids the confidence and grit (mental toughness) they need to pursue their dreams and to reach their full potential.

Our program was designed for kids and was developed by us over a decade ago. In 2003, we built the first teen fitness and weight loss program in our nation, Lean Teen Program, and rebuilt it again in 2014. Over the past 16 years our program has helped over 1,000 kids and teens transform their lives.

By combining personalized nutrition, group support, and unlimited exercise classes, our program makes getting fit as easy as 1-2-3. It provides a complete solution that gives kids and teens (ages 8-18) all the tools they need to transform their lives and build healthy habits that will last a lifetime.