Les Mills investigating childrens group exercise program

Australasian Leisure Management has learned that Les Mills International (LMI), the world's largest provider of choreographed group fitness classes, is exploring a group exercise program aimed at children.

An LMI spokesperson explains "kids programming is an exciting opportunity for LMI, and we're passionate about the possibility of changing the state of kids' fitness, and ultimately their health, through innovative group exercise programs.

"Because we haven't developed programming for this market sector before, and the opportunities are so diverse, we have been running a trial to get feedback on: the different business models we could use to license the program, the choreography and training content, and to explore any additional opportunities.

"The trial has been limited to a few markets, and we have learnt a lot so far and we're excited about the possibilities kids programming offers."

In recognition of its export success, LMI recently received the the supreme award at the recent Westpac Auckland Central Business Awards for its innovative approach to exporting group fitness programs to 14,500 gyms and clubs in 80 countries around the world.

While any LMI group exercise program for children would likely be offered around the world, a recent Sport New Zealand report indicated high levels of sporting and recreational activity among children in New Zealand.

The study saw 17,000 New Zealand school children interviewed on their sporting and activity preferences.

Key findings included:

• Around 99% of boys and girls of all ages had taken part in one or more sport and recreation activities at least once 'this year'.

• Swimming is one of the top activities for boys and girls of all ages, ranking first or second in all the top 20s when sports/activities are ranked by the percentage of young people taking part.

• Well-established sports and recreation activities are in the top 10s for boys and girls

Six sports/activities are in the top 10s that boys of all ages do (although the ranking is different):

• Swimming, athletics, rugby, football, running/jogging/cross-country and cycling/biking.
• Gymnastics, tramping and skateboarding are in the top 10s of younger boys (5 to 10-year-olds), along with fishing, which is in the top 10 for 11 to 14-year-olds too.
• Basketball, touch and table tennis are in the top 10s for boys 11 to 18 years old.
• Badminton makes up the top 10 for 15 to 18-year-old boys.

Seven sports/activities are in the top 10s that girls of all ages do (although the ranking is different):

• Swimming, athletics, netball, football, running/jogging/cross-country, cycling/biking and dance.
• Gymnastics, tramping and Maori activities are in the top 10s of younger girls (5 to 10-year-olds).
• Basketball and walking are in the top 10s for girls 11 to 18 years old.
• Touch makes up the top 10 for 11 to 14-year-olds and badminton the top 10 for 15 to 18-year-olds.

For more information on the Sport NZ study 'Sport and Recreation in the lives of Young New Zealanders' go to www.sportnz.org.nz/en-nz/young-people/SPARC-Young-Peoples-Survey-2011/Key-findings/

13th March 2012 - KIWI CHILDREN DEPRIVED OF CRUCIAL PLAY TIME

5th April 2011 - LES MILLS TO LAUNCH SH’BAM DANCE WORKOUT

15th January 2010 - LES MILLS RELEASES ‘FUTURE OF FITNESS’ RESEARCH