Aerobic instructor Marci Engler gave the cue and 40 energetic bodies charged across the mirrored workout room, some giggling, most smiling, all enthusiastic. Then they circled around the room, fast, slower, stopping to do- si-do with a partner and then to fetch a workout bench for a conditioning routine.
”It`s good and it`s tiring and I like it,” said 7-year-old Emily Jancik at the conclusion of two hours of fitness activities. The session was designed to take the boredom out of more holiday vacation than many young revelers can handle without going a little bit stir crazy.
Jo Ann Jancik, Emily`s mother and an aerobics coordinator at the Central Park Athletic Club in Lisle, said the Kidfitt program, which offers exercise classes to 5- to 12-year-olds during school breaks, has proven popular.
”The biggest thing we shoot for is they have a good time and get increased cardiovascular fitness, coordination and flexibility,” Jancik said. ”Even the little bit they do, they really change their fitness level. Their coordination improves.”
”It`s great for the kids who have been home for the holidays,” said Deborah Goddard of Naperville, relaxing in the club`s lounge while son Ricky, 5, worked out with hand-held free weights.
”They`re used to going to school every day. For them to sit around at home, you want to pull your hair out,” said a composed Judy Curly of Naperville, who waited with Goddard while 5-year-old daughter Samantha put some of her boundless energy into a series of push-ups and leg lifts.
The workout started with relays, games and basketball before the group moved on to aerobics, floor exercise and, finally, some cool-down stretches followed by a story read by Engler.
At the end of the story, 8-year-old Jennifer Taylor rose from her floor mat and said she was definitely interested in coming to the next Kidfitt session. ”I like doing push-ups,” she said.
