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Fitness Fun Houses

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Dec 27, 2007 6:59 pm US/Eastern

Fitness Fun Houses

PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ― The coming New Year brings with it the popular resolution to lose a few pounds, but for parents it can be very difficult to get to the gym. CBS 3's Lisa Mischler reports there is a new trend that makes it much easier for family fitness. 
Imagine a babysitter that gets your child moving, running at the soccer field or even rock climbing!

Children are now part of a growing trend. 

"Families are looking for things for kids to do to develop themselves; physically, as well as socially and emotionally," said Chelsea Piers Field House General Manager Mollie Marcoux.

More gyms are turning old fashioned childcare rooms into fitness fun houses. 

"I bring them here, I go over to the gym; I get in a workout," parent Kelly Mateo said.

"Helping families move toward a physical lifestyle is so crucial and particularly with all the video games that are out there and TV shows," Marcoux said. 

Pediatricians say there is plenty of evidence to support that just a little activity can help put the brakes on obesity.

"If you can tip us back over the edge to where a child might be expending 150 calories in an activity, we will be preventing this obesity epidemic down the line," said Dr. Wendy Slusser of the Mattel Children's Hospital in Los Angeles. 

Some critics caution parents about having toddlers 'work out' saying repetition could hurt their growing bodies. But proponents say the programs are not boot camp.

"All our programs, particularly for the younger kids, the focus is on fun," Marcoux said. 

"They're learning spatial orientation; they're learning balance. These are things that are basically steps toward learning sports later in life," said Dr. Slusser.

Parents found their children are learning more than sports. 

"For his self esteem, we've seen a big difference," parent Gordon Ebanks said.

The cost for the programs vary and may be more expensive than average daycare. But many programs are competitive with prices for sporting programs you would enroll a child in for exercise.

(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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