Health clubs start catering to kids

NEW YORK — Lori Robinson was excited when she learned that her health club had another gym catering to children — she thought it was an excellent idea for her two teenage daughters, who were slightly overweight.

"They are not overly involved in sports at school so this is a good way for them to get exercise," said Robinson, of Fairview, N.C.

Her daughter Brittany, 15, has become a fan of Cardio Kids, the gym where she takes kick boxing and step aerobic classes. Her sister Kayla has been sidelined by an operation, but hopes to get back to the gym, too.

"I had a weird feeling (at first) because I'd never done anything like this before," said Brittany, who has lost about 15 to 20 pounds since joining the gym. "You have fun when you lose weight."

The childhood obesity epidemic combined with cuts to schools' physical education budgets has inspired commercial gyms and health clubs to launch programs aimed at those under 18. The idea appeals to kids, and also to parents looking to help their children develop a healthy lifestyle or improve their chances of winning an athletic scholarship or a spot on a sports team.

The programs are a growing source of revenue for the health club business. The number of gym members under the age of 18 rose 29 percent to 4.5 million in the five years ended in 2003, according to the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association.

Kim Hreha started Cardio Kids in September 2003 because clients at her other gym, Ladies Workout Express, said their children weren't getting enough exercise at school, and the mothers also worried about the kids playing outside after school without supervision.

"We want to give kids a safe alternative (for exercise)," said Hreha, whose gyms are located in Asheville, N.C. "It is a relaxed atmosphere, and kids don't even know they are working out."

Health club executives say marketing to the young makes sense because hooking people on fitness early can create lifelong clients.

"We are in the membership business, and we've been going about this backwards," said Lori Lowell, National Group Fitness Director for Gold's Gym International Inc. and owner of two Gold's franchises. "We should cater to young people."

Lowell said all of Gold's 40 company-owned clubs and some of its 500 franchised gyms in the United States offer activities for kids. She is trying to develop children's programs that could be rolled out across the country.