Parents are frustrated and confused when it comes to how to control their children's weight problem. The latest statistics from the American Obesity Association show 30% of our youth is overweight, and another 15% are obese.

Parents are frustrated at confused when it comes to how to control their children’s weight problem.  The latest statistics from the American Obesity Association show 30% of our youth is overweight, and another 15% are obese.  Children are overweight for many reasons; overeating, inactivity, poor food choices and genetics.  It is because of this situation, better stated, this crisis, that parents are turning to Personal Trainers to get their children in shape.  This trend is quickly growing and only time will tell if the intervention by fitness professionals will help stop and reverse the weight gain trend.

Many parents are looking to hire help with their children for several reasons.  I have trained many pre-teens and teens and one reason I know parents hire me is because I can get their children to do what they (the parents) cannot.  They respect me as a professional and as someone who they don’t feel they can say “no” to.  In addition, parents hire trainers because they do not know what exercise is best or age appropriate for their child.  Childhood obesity is the best predictor of adult obesity and the onset of disease to those who are obese is well documented.  A trainer can provide direction, structure, and strategies that help create a habit of healthy living that can have a tremendous impact.

Another reason parents hire trainers for their children include sports skill training or instruction and, of course, performance improvement.  This generation of children is the generation being raised with the most adult supervised sports activities and because of this, parents want their kids to excel and are willing to pay trainers to teach them how to train and play the sport they are involved in.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children as young as 8 years old can benefit from low-resistance exercise with small weights and actually grow stronger with little risk of injury.

A Personal Trainer might be a good choice for your child if:

• Your child is overweight and needs motivation
• Your child doesn't like organized sports
• Your child is self-conscious playing sports or trying new activities
• Your child has some health issues and you prefer supervised exercise sessions
• Your child expresses interest in personal training

When you start to look for a Trainer for your child there are some key things you want to look for – remember, just because someone is great with adults does not mean they are great with children.

• The trainer should have a nationally recognized certification (NSCA, ACSM, AFAA, NCSF, NASM, etc.)
• The trainer should have experience training children
• The trainer should have a sense of humor, patience and good references
• The trainer should be able to create workouts that are fun for the age of the child and  be able to take input from the child
• The trainer should utilize key concepts from functional, flexibility, balance, cardio, core and strength type exercises
• The trainer should foster a lifelong commitment to fitness and wellness so that he child adopts the behaviors for life

You want to spend some time with the trainer you select and ask what their philosophies are, how they train, what they expect from your child, what their goals are, etc.  Finally, stick around for the first few sessions and ask your child how they feel about the workouts.

To make real changes and improve motor skills, speed, and coordination, children need to work with a trainer once or twice a week for three to four months before they develop a habit of exercise and be motivated to stay active on their own. Adopting new behaviors takes time, and the goals of you, your child and the personal trainer need to be realistic.  As always, start with a visit to your child’s pediatrician and get the “all clear” before starting a new program.

By Christina Leon, Staff Writer