Issue link: http://www.wacmagazine.com/i/303138
24 | Washington Athletic Club Magazine | MAY 2014 T hrough the years, I've had the opportunity to work with many children and teenagers who at a young age are already prioritizing fitness in their lives. One thing I've noticed during that time is the importance of peer support and encouragement, even if it sometimes comes with a rough edge. Like the time a boy in class was slow to get moving and asked, "How come I have to get so sweaty?" Just as I was about to answer, another boy stopped what he was doing and replied, "Excuse me, I don't think you're getting any exercise." During the past decade, many school-aged children have found themselves in a battle with modern culture. As our society grows more dependent on technology, many kids find it difficult to stay physically active. A major change in many schools' approach to physical education has also led children away from physical activity. Some obesity statistics show recent improvement—fewer overweight children—but obesity is not a barometer of physical fitness. Instead, we need to focus on getting kids excited about physical activity and developing lifelong passions for staying fit. It begins with adults and the choices we make. By focusing on the importance of exercise in our own lives, we plant the seed for future generations and help normalize something that for many kids seems foreign, especially in light of their constant exposure to technology. is isn't to say we should delete the importance of technological knowledge. Instead, we must balance that with critical perspective about the benefits of a physically active lifestyle. One way to bolster these efforts is to develop programs in schools, after school, and in our communities. In doing so, however, we must make sure that we aren't just serving the "elite athletes" but also encouraging all kids. A focus on the development of the human body on a structural level—including a basic fitness understanding of motor development—can also solidify the value of maintaining a body that is healthy and able to perform the activities of daily living. By nurturing our own balance between work and play, technology and physical activity, we can set the stage for the next generation to achieve even greater success. —Reach WAC Personal Trainer Will Hicks at whicks@wac.net. For information about his Junior Fit classes, see page 51. Regaining our youth Planting the seed for a physically fit future Getting Fit By Will Hicks, WAC Personal Trainer L U K E R U TA N SELF–MOTIVATION Non-sport-specific activities that allow youth to challenge themselves and improve their personal bests can help motivate a commitment to physical fitness. Such activities include: Stair-climbing Swimming Running a mile