Merritt Clubs Blog

Most kids stay active throughout the summer, as the sun is out and the weather is warm. When the winter months come around, many kids tend to get lazy and are not as active. This can result in some serious health issues. With flu season among us, it is important to stay healthy and encourage fitness year round. Read on for some tips on how to keep your kids active in the winter.

Public schools started last week, and classes are now in full swing. Time to focus on improving students’ performance in the classroom. Most people agree that physical activity is essential for healthy growth and development of the body. But did you know physical activity also has positive effects on the brain and on school performance?

While kids should be eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, all too often getting them to consume healthy foods can be a chore. But it's important: obesity is the #1 childhood health problem in the U.S.

When it comes to kids and fitness, fun is the key. It's the key to motivate them to move and to get away from the video screens. It's the key to a healthy lifestyle and healthy habits that last a lifetime.

Summer break is upon us, and we know it is important to you that your children stay active. Kids fitness is the best kind of fitness, because it is all fun and games! Using only two common items, you can create a "toy" that can be used all summer long to keep your children's bodies, and brains, moving. 

Nowadays, many kids spend more time looking at a screen than they do playing actively. Although technology can be a great thing, this decreased activity can really have a negative impact on kids' fitness and can contribute to them being overweight or obese. Encouraging your child to be more active might be tough, but it's important. Luckily, there are a few ways that you can do so.

Family time and kids fitness are two major concerns for modern parents. A new study confirms that Americans are spending barely eight hours a week with their children. A health club membership may be just what you need to reverse the trend and get everyone in shape.

If you feel like you barely see your kids during the week, you’re not alone. The study conducted by Virgin Holidays and Universal Orlando Resort discovered that the daily average is just 36 minutes for the time families spend together. Weekends are a little better with over 2 hours of family time each day, but many people say they mostly count on holidays to reconnect.

Going to the gym as a family is a great way to meet up more often and boost your fitness. There are several ways to get around the most common obstacles:

Meals: Eating quickly doesn’t have to mean fast food. Prepare dishes you can cook ahead of time on weekends and freeze the leftovers. Chili and lasagna are two old favorites. Pack a cooler full of cut vegetables, pita bread and hummus, and stick it in your car for healthy dining on the go. Turn a salad into a balanced meal with leftover fish or chicken.

Homework: Kids usually need a break between school and homework. Hit the gym on the way home from work and school. If you need to schedule visits for later in the evening, present your health club visits as a reward for completing their studies.

Bed Times: Of course, rest is essential too. After your workout, arrange quiet time before retiring. Read books or take a warm bath. Shut off TVs, phones and other devices.

Merritt Athletic Club is committed to keeping Baltimore families healthy. Check out our pool, gymnastics, dance and other programs for kids. Contact us to learn more.

 As many parents out there know, obesity is a very real physical ailment that many cope with on a daily basis. Obesity is not only capable of decreasing people's self-esteem, but obesity can also cause other physical problems as well, such as: type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, and quite a few other life threatening health problems. Fortunately for any parents out there who have any worries about their kids experiencing childhood obesity, obesity is a physical condition that can be prevented and even treated.

A recent study found that children as young as 8 years old are already expressing dissatisfaction with their bodies. Kids fitness programs may be one solution if you’re concerned about the implications of children having a negative body image so early in life.

Great times await you and other families that sign up for a Merritt Athletic Clubs’ membership this year. That’s a given. What you might not be so sure about is how to make the most of our heated pool with the kids. After all, the little ones do tend to get restless rather quickly. So we’ve compiled a few pool-rific, kids' fitness ideas that you might want to take under advisement. They’re geared towards kids 8 years of age and younger and are useful in a variety of watery settings: