Suffolk
Follow us!


Kids, Teens Fitness Program Emphasizes Empowerment

Kids, Teens Fitness Program Emphasizes Empowerment


Fit 4 Long Island offers fitness programs for kids and teens in Suffolk County. Kids and teens learn about fitness and making healthy food choices, and build self-esteem.

child making food

Fit 4 Long Island also hosts free cooking workshops at Real Deal Fitness and UFC Gym.

Rachel Joffe started Fit 4 Long Island in November after running similar nutrition and fitness programs in various hospitals in New York City. She decided to branch out on her own to create a health program that sparks kids’ interest, she says.

“We try to reach the kids through games, activities, and team building,” Joffe says. “We want them to take the initiative.”

Joffe, a social worker who has successfully lost weight herself, uses empowerment and motivation in her nutrition and fitness classes. She tailors the program to participants’ needs to reach everyone in her classes. Joffe also designs fitness and nutrition programs for schools and camps.

Split into two programs, Joffe runs a kids program for ages 8-12 and a teen program for 13- to 18-year-olds. Her classes differ slightly for each age group, noting that teens prefer a more real life approach. Joffe says in the teen program she will look at a restaurant menu with class members and help each teen choose a 500-calorie meal, and then they will go to the restaurant to eat. In addition, she offers classes that focus on body image and other teen-related issues.

In the kids program, Joffe wants the kids to interact and become interested in what they are doing, she says. She gave an example of giving kids two vegetables and having the kids go on a scavenger hunt to decide which healthy toppings they liked best on the vegetables.

The programs are monthly, with weekly meetings for a minimum of 2 hours, Joffe says. Enrollment is currently open for the February program. 

 

More After-School Articles:

Great South Bay YMCA Debuts Boga Fit Classes

Great South Bay YMCA debuted its Boga Fit classses this October. Boga Fit is a combination of yoga, pilates, and conditioning that is conducted on Bog...


Latest News:

These Are the Best Places to Find Kids Exercise Videos

Here are some virtual gyms offering virtual fitness classes and kids exercise videos for at-home gym class.


Family Activities:



Have a Laugh:

Best Memes of the Week for Parents

Here are the funniest parenting memes from Instagram, Facebook, and Reddit this week.
Laura Brothers

Author:

Laura Brothers has been published in Business Insider and the Rochester Business Journal. She graduated from Ithaca College and currently lives in New York City. 

See More

Featured Listings:

BounceU Farmingdale

BounceU Farmingdale

Farmingdale, 101 Carolyn Blvd. Looking to plan a birthday party that your kids and their friends will always remember? Then BounceU of Farmingdale is the place to be!

Great Strides Long Island

Great Strides Long Island

Middle Island, New York Great Strides Long Island has been offering riding lessons, birthday parties and summer program activities built around our beautiful horses on our 15...

St. Patrick Youth Community

St. Patrick Youth Community

Smithtown, NY St. Patrick's is a wonderful place for children and young people to be together, have fun, to learn and grow. We are a community where there is someth...