Toddlers get early start on fitness habits, active lifestyle
BY SHANNON MUCHMORE World Staff Writer
Saturday, January 12, 2013
1/12/13 at 7:39 AM
Marsha Pogue was looking for a way to encourage her young child to stay moving instead of spending all his time sitting down in front of a screen.
Pogue, a personal trainer, couldn't find any such programs for toddlers in the area, so she created one herself.
Now the weekly Wiggles and Giggles program is part of a larger group of activities designed for children at Sky Fitness & Well- being.
The older children can participate in KidFit, which might include yoga classes, dodgeball games or a boot camp designed for children.
The younger ones sing and dance to child-friendly tunes, chase bubbles and run a small obstacle course, among other activities.
"And of course some of it's just running around," she said. "Tag always works."
Every week is different, Pogue said.
The key is to make the activities fun for the children and not seem like a chore, she said.
"When I enter, they come running," she said. "They want to have the class."
Pogue also tries to talk to the children about living healthy by eating good foods and practicing good hygiene, she said.
The classes are free for children of Sky members.
Melissa Sutterfield has four children, and they enjoy the children's programs at Sky, she said.
A daughter who just turned 3 is in the Wiggles and Giggles class, Sutterfield said.
"My daughter just loves to go," she said. "It gives them a lot of exercise and keeps them from being bored."
Her older children have also done the yoga classes and were doing a class almost every day during the summer, Sutterfield said.
Staying active is important to her, and she tries to spread that attitude within the family, she said.
The children love the instructors, who make them eager to attend the next class, Sutterfield said.
"I'm just always very impressed by them," she said.
Original Print Headline: Not too young to learn
Shannon Muchmore 918-581-8378
shannon.muchmore@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
Emily Justice traverses an obstacle course Wednesday during a children's class at Sky Fitness and Wellbeing's gym at 101st Street and Sheridan Road. The classes are free to children of club members. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World
Kierce Walls (left) and Emily Justice run across the gym floor during a children's class Wednesday at Sky Fitness and Wellbeing at 101st Street and Sheridan Road. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World
Sloane Harris holds a beanbag on her head during a balance exercise Wednesday at Sky Fitness and Wellbeing in south Tulsa. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World
Instructor Marsha Pogue leads a group of youngsters, including Alex Day (Spider-Man jacket), during a children's class this week at Sky Fitness and Wellbeing. MATT BARNARD/Tulsa World
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