Is your child getting enough daily exercise?  If you're not sure, here are a few shocking facts that should make you consider tracking your child's daily activities. Fact #1 - 64% of children have at least one risk factor for heart disease!! 

Fact #2 - 70% of girls and 40% of boys ages 6 - 12 can not perform just 1 pull-up!!

Fact #3 ­- 30% - 60 % of elementary school children are obese!!

Fact #4 - 40% - 50%  of our youth do not get adequate exercise to build cardiovascular

               endurance!!

Fact #5 - According to the Amateur Athletics Union (AAU) Youth Fitness Study, there have been declines in satisfactory performances in strength, flexibility and endurance of the prepubescent population.

One of the main reasons for this poor performance is definitely related to the reduction or elimination (in most cases) of physical education programs in the public schools.  In grades   5 - 12 only 36.3% of children get physical education on a daily basis.

The Harro East Athletic Club has several areas in the club that focuses on youth fitness. We feel the youth of today need to be taught a education on fitness and should be given an opportunity to experience a variety of activities that can contribute to their fitness level.

One of the ways we do this is through "Family Days".  This is an activity we offer on the first Sunday of every month.  Members can bring their children into the club to participate in the exciting activities of the day.  We organize activities such as karate and fencing demonstrations, breakfast with Santa, open swimming, gym games, lessons in racquetball and squash and many more activities design with our youth in mind.

We also have a personal training service available - The Personal Health Approach (TPHA) -  that specializes in youth fitness. They not only specialize in youth fitness, they also can teach your child an education about exercising and how to lead a healthy life.  Your child can learn how important being healthy is which will carry on into their lifestyle.

With the increased awareness of the importance of a healthy lifestyle, we encourage you to monitor your child's daily activities.  In most cases, this will fall short of the level of activity needed to ensure that your child is healthy and will be able continue their health into the adult years.

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