Helping Your Teen Get Into Fitness At A Fitness Center
Many people find that joining a fitness center helps them be more habitual with their training and better maintain their overall fitness. This is true of teens as well as adults. However, if your teen is new to the idea of working out at a fitness center, you might need to help them navigate this endeavor. Here are some ways you can do that.
Help them choose a fitness center or gym
In most towns and cities, there are several gyms and fitness centers to choose from. It's important to find one where your teen will feel comfortable, and where they will also have the equipment they prefer to use. You should visit various fitness centers with them and take tours. While there, you can also get copies of the fitness centers' contracts. When you're back at home, look over the contracts, compare them, and talk with your teen about the gyms they liked best. Also, talk about your budget and the costs of membership at various gyms. See if you can decide, together, on the best gym for them to join.
Work out with them a few times
Many fitness centers allow members to bring a guest — at least a couple of times per month. So, it's a good idea to accompany your teen to the fitness center, at least the first time or two that they go. If they are pretty independent, you don't have to work out alongside them. You can go do your own thing, but let them know you'll be there if they need anything. This also allows you to guide them through etiquette guidelines like using the locker room, wiping down equipment after they use it, and so forth.
Encourage them to take a few classes
If your teen meets other teens who use the same gym, they are more likely to keep going. A good way for them to meet others is to take a few classes. Look over the fitness center's class list and decide on a few that look most appealing to your teen, and are also in line with their skill level. For instance, they might want to take a beginner's yoga class or an introduction to weight lifting class.
Following the tips above will help get your teen more acquainted with and more comfortable with using the fitness center. If they can make this a lifelong habit, they'll be better off.
Reach out to a local fitness center to learn more.