Consider these facts...

• One in four children are heavier than their ideal body weight.
• Overweight adolescents have a 70% chance of becoming overweight or obese as adults.
• 43% of adolescents watch more than 2 hours of television a day.
• Type II diabetes, previously considered an adult disease, has increased dramatically in children and adolescents.
• While genetics play a role in overweight and obesity, the family environment has the greatest impact on the child’s ability to maintain a healthy weight or to lose weight and keep it off.
• For more information, see The Surgeon General’s Call To Action To Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity and click on “Overweight in Children and Adolescents.”

Kinetik Kidz

Exercise is an important part of your child’s life. It has a tremendous impact on physical, intellectual, and emotional development. As adults, we have a responsibility to be role models for our children, sharing with them the pleasures and benefits of a physically active lifestyle. Developing the habit of regular physical activity as a child will be the foundation for a long, healthy life.

Building active lifestyles today for healthy lives tomorrow.

We want you to have the opportunity to give your child this wonderful gift—one of health, high self-esteem, and a feeling of accomplishment. This is why Kinetik Kidz was developed. Kinetik Kidz is our Youth Fitness program that promotes healthy lifestyle habits to prevent childhood obesity. By teaching children healthy living with a hands-on approach, they will develop the tools to help them learn and maintain healthy habits into their adult lives.

The Kinetik Kidz program is designed to fit both the physical and emotional readiness of each child who participates. The program is designed for children of all levels ages 6-12. Classes include warm-up, stretching, strength exercises, and aerobic games. Minimum class attendance is 5 and maximum is 14. Classes last 1 hour.

Kinetik Kidz Program Components

• Instruction and supervision to ensure the safety of all participants
• Fitness assessments and testing specific to youth
• High-energy group activities
• Hours that coordinate with school schedules and group fitness classes for parents

Benefits Of Physical Activity

• Stronger heart, lungs, muscles, and bones
• Increased confidence and self-esteem
• Prevention of Type II diabetes
• Improved motor skills
• Increased immune function
• Prevention of childhood obesity

Hours

Spring Session Monday, March 24-Wednesday, May 7

When Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:15-5:15pm

Price (for the first child) Member: $112  Nonmember: $140

Each additional child per family that enrolls is half price.

Parents are welcome to purchase a group fitness punch card to use the facility and attend group fitness classes during the Kinetik Kidz class time.

For more information, please contact Michelle Mermelstein at 217.356.6543 or michelle.mermelstein@mettlercenter.com.

Homeschool P.E.

Homeschool families can come to Mettler Athletic for PE requirements! Registration is required.  

Additional Youth Activities

Kids Cook
Children are bombarded by an overwhelming number of options that challenge their ability to make wise decisions in choosing food. The Kids Cook program is designed to teach children to take healthy eating into their own hands. It also gives children the skills and experiences to make better, more informed choices for their health, including maintaining or growing into their own weight and eating with the goal of acquiring a strong, healthy and high energy body. Classes are $15 per child for members and $20 per child for nonmembers. For a schedule of this month's Kids Cook classes, visit our Mettler University calendar.

"Fit and Fun" Birthday Parties

Have your cake and eat it, too, with a Mettler birthday party! Children are guided by a birthday leader in mixing their own personal birthday cakes. While cakes are baking and cooling, the children enjoy fun games and exercises with Fit Force personnel. When finished, each child has their own cake ready to decorate and EAT! The birthday child then opens presents. Total time: 2 hours. Parties are typically held on Saturday mornings or afternoons. If a different day and time are requested, we will do our best to accommodate the party based on staff and room availability. There is a 6 child minimum and 12 child maximum, including the birthday boy or girl. Cost is $135 for 6-8 participants, and $10 for each additional child.

The following items are provided by Mettler:

• Individual cakes and cake decorations
• Individual paper chef hats to decorate
• Candles for birthday child’s cake
• All paperware (plates, napkin, cups, and utensils)
• Drink (each child gets a juice box of 100% Juice)
• Decorations (in the form of balloons)
• Mettler Birthday Party invitations

Tot Spot
Tot Spot allows parents and older children to exercise with the knowledge that the little ones are in good hands. Children crawling through age eight share a weekly health and fitness theme by taking part in simple group activities through art and movement. For more information visit our Childcare page.

FAQ

Can I work out at the same time as my child?

Yes, parents are welcome to use our adult-sized facility by purchasing a group fitness punch card to use the facility and attend group fitness classes while their children exercise in Kinetik Kidz.

Is strength training safe for my child?

Yes! Not only is strength training safe, research has shown that it may actually prevent injuries sustained during other physical activities, such as sports. Other benefits include stronger bones, muscles and tendons, increased immune function, and increased coordination, confidence and self-esteem. Flexibility exercises are also important and will be included for program balance.

How old does my child have to be to participate in the Kinetik Kidz Fitness Center?

The program is designed for kids age 6-12 years.

What will my child do while in the fitness center?

Your child will participate in structured fitness classes including supervised strength training, aerobic conditioning, flexibility, coordination, group games, and nutritional guidance. Each class takes participants thru a warm-up period, strength circuit, games and cardiovascular training, and a cool-down period.

What will my child do for cardiovascular (aerobic) exercise?

Cardiovascular exercise is an important component of physical fitness. It has been linked to a decreased risk of cancer, heart disease, and stroke. It is recommended that kids accumulate 60 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week. In our program, kids will be introduced to structured activities and games involving running, jumping, cycling, and creative movement.

Will my child learn about nutrition?

Yes. Developing good nutritional habits early on is paramount to your child’s health in adolescence and adulthood. The Kinetik Kidz program involves nutrition education designed to foster healthy snacking and meal choices, as well as counteract the negative effects of media advertisements. Parents are welcome to attend these educational sessions designed to help the whole family put nutritional information in to practice.

Is personal training available?

Yes. Personal training is available and encouraged.

Can I drop my child off and leave?

We encourage parents to stay with their children within the facility.

How can I know my child will be safe?

We have fully-trained professionals working alongside the children.

How will I know if my child is making improvements?

We will conduct fitness assessments and testing specific to youth during the first and last weeks of the program. The results will be shared with participants and parents to show the benefit of our Kinetik Kidz program.

What if my child is extremely overweight?

We recommend careful observation while your child is part of this program.