Exercise Aimed At Girls Aged 15-16 - All Set To Go In Warrington, England

Main Category: Sports Medicine / Fitness
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 18 Nov 2008 - 2:00 PST

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The Fitness Industry Association (FIA) programme go, which is aimed at girls aged 15-16, launched last Friday 7 November at Warrington's David Lloyd health and fitness club. Local Labour MP for Warrington South, Helen Southworth, visited the school to help launch the initiative, which is designed to offer more girls the opportunity to participate in non-traditional sporting activities as well as develop a new approach to a healthier lifestyle.

Helen Southworth said "I am pleased to be able to support the Fitness Industry Association in their go programme. The programme, which is aimed at encouraging teenage girls to get involved in physical activities, is just one example of the way in which an innovative and fun approach to fitness and sports can encourage more young people to get active. I was pleased to see some go sports instructors in action at a sports centre in my constituency, and was incredibly impressed by their enthusiasm and commitment. I hope more girls in my local schools are able to get involved."

12 girls from Penketh High School took part in a gym session and a series of activities including spinning and boxercise. The scheme also offers the girls a discounted membership as well as the opportunity to work out with trained gym staff in and out of school hours. Altogether, 44 girls from the school took part in the programme.

Dave Stalker, Operations Director at the FIA says; "This programme links FIA member health clubs and leisure centres with the local secondary schools, offering teenage girls a fantastic opportunity to try out a range of activities at great facilities and tie together the idea that exercise can also be fun."

Zerritha Brown, Programmes Manager at the FIA says; "It has been fantastic working with Penketh High School and David Lloyd who together have founded a very successful programme. Through the go programme the school has seen an increase in participation in physical activity among their year 11 girls."

Studies have shown that girls prefer non-competitive sports such as aerobics, cycling and swimming and the six week go programme will offer a group of teenage girls the opportunity to work with an experienced instructor at their local gym who will also educate them on how to lead healthy lifestyles. It was designed in response to government research that identified teenage girls as a priority group as they participate in fewer activities than other groups of school children.

1. For more information or to take part in the go programme please contact Henry on 020 7420 8579 or email henry@fia.org.uk

2. For more information on the Fitness Industry Association please visit http://www.fia.org.uk

Fitness Industry Association