Christchurch Schools jump aboard the Fitness Trail

Christchurch's Aranui High School and Linwood College have launched fitness trails as part of New Zealand's national fitness trail initiative being rolled out by Youthtown to encourage physical exercise and health for New Zealand youth.

Funded by the Youthtown Foundation, the openings follow on from the successful launch of six fitness trails throughout New Zealand last year with an additional 10 trails planned to launch in 2012.

The trails comprise eight stationary workout stations including: a tyre run, chin up bars, push up bars, balance beam, step up, hanging bars, jump beam and parallel bars.

The equipment has been specifically designed to suit the fitness requirements of Kiwi youth and was developed in conjunction with fitness guru and personal trainer, Graeme Ahern.

They were also created thanks to timber donated by McVicar Timber Group, concrete from Canterbury Concrete, equipment from Hirequip and Fonterra's help in installing the equipment at the schools. This support meant Youthtown was able to deliver the fitness trails in a timely and cost effective manner.

Youthtown Chief Executive, Keith Thorpe, says "we are delighted to add to our long-term investment in Christchurch with these two new fitness trails. Given the uncertainty youth in these areas have been faced with over the past 18 months, we hope these trails will help these students gain a sense of achievement and accomplishment.

"They also tie in perfectly with the holiday and Term programmes we have on offer for 13-18 year-olds in the city which we hope will promote togetherness, health and wellbeing."

Aranui High School Principal, John Rohs, added "we are hugely grateful to Youthtown for its ongoing support and generous contribution.

"Given everything our students and the community has lost, the fitness trail is a welcome addition to our school and we know it will be extremely well received by the students and encourage them to engage in physical activity in a fun and exciting new way."

Youthtown is a non-profit organisation set up to enrich the lives of young New Zealanders by providing them with opportunities for fulfilling physical, social and creative experiences.

The organisation turns 80 this year and since first opening its doors as Boys Town in 1932 it has evolved into one of New Zealand's leading youth organisations.

Youthtown currently has branches in Auckland, Upper Hutt, Oamaru, Taupo and Christchurch.

For more information or to learn more about Youthtown go to www.youthtown.org.nz

Image included for illustrative purposes only.