Many a health club offers personal training for adults but the YMCA in San Mateo additionally offers a personal training program for kids ages 8 to 14. Known as Kidz Zone, over 600 youngsters have participated in the program since its opening in 2007.
"We wanted to reach a part of the population which often gets overlooked," said Kelly Venezia, Family Fitness Director for the San Mateo facility. "There is definitely a need to reach our youth with obesity hitting such a young age. It's really a health and self-esteem issue as well."
The designated fitness area houses 12 pieces of circuit machines and kids work with a trainer for a one-hour session to go over proper form while using the equipment. "We wanted to give them a space where they didn't feel like they had to compete or win," Venezia, a mother of two explained. "We do challenges but they don't compete against others. Instead, we teach the kids personal goal setting as opposed to winning and losing to someone else."
Many who have attended have gained strength, both physically and emotionally.
"It is challenging and fun," said Grace, 9, who joined Kidz Zone because she was being bullied at school. "I love the staff. They are nice to me and they never rush me. I feel reborn since I've been to Kidz Zone."
A special Kidz Zone trainer is available from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Kidz Zone is free for any child whose family has a membership to the "Y" in San Mateo.
Last fall, Venezia and crew were able to give 13 kids and their families a three-month membership, where the kids can use the pool and basketball courts in addition to Kidz Zone.
"We did our first outreach with State Farm Insurance," Venezia explained. "Members were on a 'Biggest Loser' type of challenge."
Similar to a walkathon, funds were collected and the money went to a program called Shapedown with the San Mateo County Hospital.
For more information about this awesome program, contact Kelly Venezia at 650/294-2612 or KVenezia@ymcasf.org
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