- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- iparenting fitness articles
- iparenting fitness q&a
- community & groups
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
From Our Sponsors
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Gym Rats
The Benefits of Teen Gym Memberships
By Lisa A. Goldstein
What should parents look for in a gym? Flexibility in membership is key. Many clubs offer a special teen or student rate, making a gym membership more affordable, says Crews. "Be careful not to get locked in a long-term membership, as teens' schedules and interests fluctuate and some periods may be more difficult for a teen to visit the gym than others," she says.
A wide variety of programming is also important for this age group. Begin by finding the types of classes that your teen is interested in. Try to find a gym with multiple classes and a rate structure that encourages different classes, like cross-training. "Teens might get bored or burned out if they are taking the same class over and over again, so variety would be an important factor," says Little. "If you make the gym and the concept of exercise fun and ever-changing, then your teen is more likely to stay involved and motivated."
To make sure you like the facilty, Crews recommends visiting the gym when your teen is likely to go. Note the atmosphere. "For example, if it's a gym full of competitive body builders and you have a teenaged boy, you might not want him exposed to the 'steroid scene,'" she says. Martins adds that the atmosphere should be positive, where people are coached, not criticized.