Physical fitness is a key ingredient for a healthy lifestyle at every age. No matter your age or fitness level, there are exercise programs designed just for you all over the Chattanooga Region. From young children to seniors, there are programs that will fit your lifestyle and allow you to live well, be well and age well. Some of these programs are described below.
Children and Teens
Exercise is crucial for children. In fact, the American Heart Association recommends that children and adolescents participate in at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity every day, since physical inactivity is a major risk factor for developing heart disease and inactive children are likely to become inactive adults.
The Little Gym, 7540 East Brainerd Road (423-296-9001) offers developmental gymnastics, which is the heart of its motor skill development program. Developmental gymnastics helps children ages 4 months through 12 years build physical, mental, emotional and social skills. The program is divided into three primary categories, beginning with parent/child classes for infants and toddlers 4 months to 3 years; pre-k level classes for kids 3 to 6 years, and progressing into advanced gymnastics for grade school children ages 6 - 12.
Kids have a great time progressing through friendly and non-competitive classes designed to provide increased skill development as they mature. The Little Gym also offers karate for children ages 4 to 12, sports skills development for children ages 3 to 8, and dance classes for children ages 3 to 12.
A fun way to make sure that your preschooler is active is to take a class at TAG (Tennessee Academy of Gymnastics). TAG, located at 2501 Riverside Drive (423-697-1TAG), offers gymnastic programs for children aged 18 months to 18 years. Movement education classes (Zoolympics) are available for toddlers beginning at 18 months through kindergarten age. These classes help develop gross motor skills, balance, and eye-hand coordination for the very young child. Recreational gymnastic education classes are offered for children beginning at age 5 and going through the teen years. Competitive gymnastic classes are also provided.
Another great place to find children’s exercise programs is the North River Family YMCA, 4138 Hixson Pike (423-877-3517). North River offers Kids Gym for children ages 2 through 5. Younger children (ages 2 and 3) play in the gym in a somewhat structured manner with tumbling and other age-appropriate activities. Older children (aged 4 and 5) have more structured games. Youth Fitness Classes for are available in the evenings for ages 5 through 11. Boys and girls aged 5 through 15 can participate in indoor soccer or basketball, and Youth Strength Training is offered for ages 12 through 15. The North River Family YMCA also offers Physical Education classes for home school students aged 5 through 17.
The Chattanooga Parks and Recreation Department (425-6311) also offers many programs for children and teens. There is sure to be a program to interest your child or teen and one of the great things about these programs is that they are very affordable or free! The “OutVenture” Division, which is based at Greenway Farms (842-6629), offers classes, outings, overnight trips, camps, and special events in kayaking, canoeing, mountain biking, hiking, wilderness preparation and rock climbing. The Chattown Skate Park (757-2076) is a lighted outdoor arena for skateboarding, in-line skating, bmx biking, and roller hockey. Disc Golf and Ultimate Frisbee events are also sponsored through the Parks and Recreation Department. There are intramural sports programs at the City’s recreation centers in soccer, flag football and basketball for free, or for a nominal fee. These programs include instruction, team building and transportation.
Specialized Training for Aspiring Athletes
Fitness Master, a full service gym located at 4200 North Access Road (423-870-1200), offers a program called “Building Better Athletes” which is a sport specific training class for kids aged 8 through 18. This program is designed to help kids excel in the sport of their choice, such as swimming, football, basketball, baseball, softball or wrestling, by developing endurance and strength.
Fitness for Women
Physical exercise helps control weight. The website of the National Women’s Health Information Center for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health, states that a growing number of women are overweight or obese and that being overweight or obese increases your risk for a number of health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, osteoarthritis, and some cancers. Being physically active provides numerous benefits in addition to weight loss, such as reducing anxiety and depression and helping you handle stress.
There are many programs designed specifically and exclusively for women. Curves, with many franchises located though out the Chattanooga area (visit www.curves.com for a location near you), is a circuit training program that can be enjoyed any time, making it easy to fit into your schedule. It combines aerobic and strength training in a 30 minute workout.
Fusion Fitness and Tanning, 5241 Highway 153 (423-870-8266), offers personal training, Life Fitness exercise machines and several classes throughout the week for Pilates, Hip Hop (dance exercise), Yoga and PiYo (a combination of Pilates and Yoga) just for women. The North River YMCA offers a Women’s Weight Training clinic.
David Duford, owner of Quick Fit Personal Training has launched Signal Mountain Boot Camp. The program is for women and offers a 100% guarantee for weight loss or your money back. Mr. Duford and one of his clients are currently tracking and posting the weight loss results from his program on www.getfitchattanooga.blogspot.com. Blogs and video are currently being posted. Each two - to three-minute video focuses on exercise routines with voiceovers about results achieved by his client.
Fitness for Special Needs
If you have a special need there is a program for you. The Arthritis Foundation YMCA Aquatic Program is offered for those suffering from arthritis. This program is designed specifically to decrease joint pain and stiffness through improved joint flexibility, muscle strength, balance and coordination.
The Therapeutic Recreation Division of the Chattanooga Parks and Recreation Department has a wide range of opportunities for youth and adults with disabilities to participate in sports and fitness programs. Soccer, including wheelchair soccer, golf, wheelchair tennis, adaptive cycling, basketball and cheerleading are offered by the City as a free service to those with disabilities. Call 634-1345 for more information.
The Chattanooga Fitness Center at Warner Park (697-1320) also offers programs for people of all ages and of all fitness levels. For those with limited physical ability, chair exercise is offered on an ongoing basis and is appropriate for anyone, no matter how restricted in activity.
Fitness for Older Adults
The YMCA offers an Active Older Adults water exercise class, designed to target the older adult’s cardiovascular fitness, flexibility, muscular strength and endurance and improve the ability to perform activities of daily living. Other classes include Aquafit and Hydrojog, low impact cardiovascular workouts offered in differing levels of difficulty, and Water Walking, which is for all levels and very low impact, with emphasis on flexibility, balance and building endurance.
Age Well With Regular Exercise
Physical activity is a key ingredient for aging well and improving your quality of life. Research has shown that regular exercise helps to improve brain function and the ability to fight age-related disease. Regular exercise increases metabolism and energy levels. It strengthens bones and helps to control weight. (See “Living Longer: Exercise,” by Susan Crandell, AARP Magazine, September and October 2006.)
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Fortunately, there are fitness programs designed for each gender and almost any age group, as well as for special needs. So exercise regularly. Take advantage of the professional expertise and special fitness programs offered throughout the Chattanooga area. … Live well, age well.
Joanne Beckman is a native Chattanoogan. She is a graduate of the University of the South where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, majoring in natural resources. She also attended the University of Tennessee where she earned a J.D. and an MBA. Joanne and her husband have two children and currently live on Signal Mountain.