Home Lifestyle Parenting

The fitness craze set to combat teen obesity

F45 now has a workout program for adolescents.
Loading the player...

Did you know approximately 28% of Australian children and adolescents are classified as overweight?

The stats might come as a surprise, but in a world where fast food is too readily available and kids are guilty of too much screen time, there’s now a training program designed specifically for 11 to 17 year olds.

F45 Training’s newest model, Prodigy has been developed to combat weight gain and the associated health implications. The high intensity interval training (HIIT) has been identified as a safe form of physical activity for children and adolescents.

Olympic athlete Matt Shirvington is an ambassador for Prodigy.

(Credit: Image supplied by F45)

F45 Chief Sports Science Officer, Lee Wallace says F45 Prodigy’s workouts provide adolescents the opportunity to develop both physically and mentally – in a motivating, community environment.

“We’ve specifically designed workouts to mimic the nature of children’s day-to-day movements making it more appealing, engaging and enjoyable for kids, compared to other fitness structures. It’s encouraging a lifelong participation in physical exercise,” he says.

The workout program is fun for kids and all inclusive, whatever your fitness ability.

(Credit: Image supplied by F45)

Father of three and one of Australia’s most prominent track and field athletes, Matt Shirvington is a Prodigy ambassador and he is passionate about the growing problem of childhood obesity.

“As a father, it is important for me to know there is a program out there that offers teenagers the opportunity to engage in regular physical activity in a friendly environment,” he says.

“Coming from a fitness background, I understand both the physical and mental benefits from participating in physical exercise and I am so proud of this program. It’s fun for kids and it’s all inclusive. You don’t need to be able to swing a bat or kick a ball or even be able to jump or run, anyone can come and do it.”

Current guidelines from the Department of Health recommend that adolescents should participate in 60 minutes of moderate-to-high intensity physical activity every day and also include muscle and bone strengthening exercises at least three times per week.

The Prodigy fitness program is in selected F45 Training studios now.

WATCH: Healthy foods to eat if you’re craving sugar:

Loading the player...

Related stories