SHERMAN OAKS, CA--(Marketwire - Jun 2, 2011) - June marks the start of summer -- and that means school vacations and planning free-time activities for children. A well-known children's fitness franchise suggests that parents looking for an active and engaging program for their children consider their local My Gym Children's Fitness Center. My Gym's programs create indoor fun with an outdoor feeling in a cool, air-conditioned environment that helps keep kids moving and having fun in any weather.
My Gym centers offer a full slate of summer fitness classes, camps, special programs and unique birthday party ideas designed by childhood fitness experts. In addition to getting kids moving, these programs offer the added benefit of teaching children to work and play in a group while they experience physical activity in a fun and supportive environment.
"Our state-of-the-art children's fitness center allows us to keep kids moving and active even on the hottest summer days," said Matthew Hendison, Chief Marketing & Entertainment Officer for My Gym Enterprises. "We balance outdoor-style sports and games with 'refreshing' indoor activities that let kids cool off and stay engaged. As a proud advocate of The President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition, My Gym designs its programs to make physical activity both challenging and fun. That helps build self-confidence while it lays the groundwork for a life-long commitment to fitness and good health."
Hendison has some suggestions for family fun as well, saying that June offers some great opportunities for parents to foster a positive attitude toward fitness and a healthy, outdoor lifestyle in their children. "For example, each year the President of the Unites States proclaims June as Great Outdoors Month, and a variety of federal agencies join in to promote America's parks and open spaces. And June brings other opportunities, like the ones below, for families to plan and share healthy outdoor activities, right in their own backyards."
- June 11th is the fourth annual National Get Outdoors Day (GO Day), a joint initiative of various federal agencies, nonprofit organizations and the recreation industry designed to encourage healthy, active outdoor fun at sites across the nation. "Even if you don't live close enough to join the fun on June 11th at one of the 88 National GO Day locations nationwide, you and your family can still celebrate by planning a fun day of outdoor activities or organizing an event in your community to raise awareness of the benefits of spending active time outdoors," says Hendison.
- June 25th is the Great American Backyard Campout, sponsored by the National Wildlife Foundation (NWF). On that night, thousands of people gather in groups large and small, in backyards, parks and neighborhood open spaces, to sleep under the stars while raising money to support NWF programs focused on making outdoor time a priority to protect children's health. Families can learn how to form or join a team at www.backyardcampout.org.
"With a little planning, parents can take advantage of some great resources close to home to create family memories that will last a lifetime," said Hendison. "And, by sharing these fun fitness experiences with their children, parents can demonstrate their own commitment to living a healthy, outdoor lifestyle. When you choose an active program for your children's summer months and take advantage of opportunities to involve the whole family in fun, outdoor adventures, you are setting an example for your children that will encourage them to form healthy habits that will benefit them throughout their lives."
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 a proud advocate of The President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition and the #1-ranking fitness center destination for children with over 200 locations worldwide, including such international locations as Hong Kong, France and Brazil among others. More than 30 additional locations are planned to open worldwide in the next 12 months. For more than two decades, My Gym has combined 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. Mymo's Adventures earned the 2006 iParenting Award for Outstanding Children's DVD. The My Gym television show, My Gym At Home airs on BabyFirstTV, a 24/7 commercial-free channel focusing on children's development. My Gym is located on the Web at www.mygym.com. My Gym is also the home of The Activators, an entertainment troupe comprised of actual My Gym teachers designed to encourage children with messages of fun and fitness. The Activators is located on the Web at www.theactivators.net.