Here at Everyone Active, we believe that everybody has the right to stay fit and healthy. That’s why we offer junior fitness and gym memberships for kids aged 11-15. This allows kids to make use of our state-of-the-art gym facilities at centres across the country. As well as the gym, kids can also take advantage of our swim facilities, junior group fitness classes and make use of all the features their Everyone Active online profile has to offer.
Supervised Junior Gym Sessions
With a junior fitness and gym membership, kids have access to special supervised gym sessions at certain times during the day. There are two types of junior gym session, one where a parent has to stay in attendance with their child and another where an Everyone Active Fitness Motivator supervises the session. All Fitness Motivators that supervise these sessions, as well as the centre’s fitness manager have current DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) clearance.
All this allows kids aged between 11 and 15 to take advantage of the top-class fitness equipment at their local Everyone Active centre. Whether they want to enjoy a cardio workout on the treadmills, cycling machines cross trainers and rowing machines, a light resistance workout or give functional exercises a try, their local Everyone Active gym has everything they need to enjoy a thorough workout.
Junior Gym Restrictions
The majority of the equipment in the gym is available for use by everyone and is designed for everybody – including children aged from 11 and and up – to enjoy and benefit from. This includes almost all of the cardio machines, some resistance equipment, certain weighted items such as core bags and medicine balls, dumbbells up to a maximum of 5kg and core training equipment such as BOSU balls. The full list is as follows:
- Indoor Cycle
- Cross Trainer
- Stepper
- Rowing Machine
- Treadmill
- Ski Erg
- Air Bike
- Skill Mill
- Power Plate
- Dumbbells (5kg maximum)
- Resistance bands
- ViPR (4kg maximum)
- BOSU Balls
- Wobble boards
- Slam Balls (5kg maximum)
- Medicine Balls (5kg maximum)
- Core Bags (5kg maximum)
- Battle Ropes
- Suspension training
Gym Equipment All Aged 12+ Can Use
Once you reach the age of 12, your options widen a little bit. As well as all those mentioned above, you can also start to use the Watt Bike (as long as you are 4 ft 11 inches tall or above), as well as pin-loaded weights. These pieces of equipment require a high level of technique to compete correctly. At this age a juniors shoulders, neck and spin are more susceptible to serious injury if these exercises are done incorrectly.
Gym Equipment Only for use by those Aged 14+
Upon reaching 14, your options expand still further. As well as all those you’ll find above, you can also use the lat pull down machine, any cabled machines, as well as plyometric boxes and steps. Be sure only to jump onto these, however, and not off them. If you’re unsure, however, it’s important you always speak to an instructor for guidance on progression when exercising – and that counts for all age groups.
Cable machines refer to equipment that does not have a single fixed line of movement. Please see some examples of cable machines:
Gym Equipment not to be used by anyone Under 16
Although that is a fairly comprehensive list of equipment that anyone aged 11-15 can use, there are a few bits of kit that we do ask you not to use until you are 16 or over. This measure is only for your own safety as these pieces of equipment can often feature extremely heavy weights that may well injure you either when loading them onto the rack, or in the process of doing the workout itself.
Don’t forget that your body is still growing and developing, so you are more likely to hurt yourself between the ages of 11 and 15 compared with fully developed adults. The equipment we ask you not to use is as follows:
Plate Loaded Machines or Barbells
Tank/Sledge
Kettlebells
Bench Press
Smith Machine
Lifting Platforms & Half Racks
Boxing Equipment
Flexibility Equipment
Theragun
What to Wear and Bring
First of all, it’s important to be comfortable in the gym. Wear clothing that’s fairly loose (although not too loose) and breathable. Shorts and a t-shirt are a good place to start, although you can also try jogging bottoms or even a tracksuit or leggings. You’ll also need a good pair of trainers, some comfy socks and a towel. You’ll also need a pound coin or locker token for your locker in the changing room.
New to the Gym?
If you’re a newcomer to the gym, we realise it can be a rather intimidating place. That’s why we always have friendly and knowledgeable staff on hand to help with any queries you may have. It’s also important that, before you sign up, you speak to your doctor and make sure they give you the all-clear to take on extra exercise like this.
Inductions
Before you start, you’ll need to take an induction, where a member of staff will show you how to to safely use all the equipment you’re allowed to use and which equipment you shouldn’t be using. Once you’ve completed your session, your Junior Gym-qualified instructor will sign you off and you’re free to use the gym during the times assigned. Not only will this ensure you can use the gym safely, but it will help you get the most from your workouts too. Furthermore, there are always Everyone Active colleagues on hand to give you a hand if you’re struggling to work any of the kit out!
Swim Sessions
As well as use of the gym, junior fitness members will also be able to use the pool. Whether they want to use it for recreational or fitness purposes, there are specific sessions throughout the week for them to enjoy. If the rest of the family have memberships that include swimming, you can all enjoy family swim sessions too!
What to Wear
We’re pretty relaxed about what you wear while you’re swimming with us. As long as you’re comfortable and you can still move easily, you should be okay. For boys, things like trunks, swim shorts, Lycra leggings and close-fitting trunks are all fine, while for girls, there are bikinis, tankinis, swimming costumes, Lycra leggings and swim dresses as well as short- and long-sleeved t-shirts. We also recommend you wear goggles and a swim hat, while you’ll also need a towel, as well as a pound coin or a token for the lockers in the changing rooms. For full information on what you should and shouldn’t wear, check out our swimwear policy.
Junior Group Exercise Classes
Alongside the pool and gym there may be group exercise classes available within your membership. Please ask at your local centre to see if they offer any suitable classes.
What to Wear
Again, comfort is key here. It’s important you feel comfortable while you’re taking part in your group fitness class – whatever it may be. Whatever you wear, make sure you can move in it – that’s really important! You don’t want to find you can’t do one of the moves because your clothes won’t let you. That means stretchy fabrics are advisable and t-shirts, Lycra leggings, jogging bottoms or shorts are probably the best way forward.
As for your feet, for most group fitness classes, a good pair of trainers are all you’ll need, but for some sessions, such as Yoga and Pilates, you’ll be expected to go barefooted or in socks. For sessions such as these, you may also need items such as Yoga mats, straps and blocks.
New to Group Fitness Classes?
Don’t worry if you’re new to group fitness classes, we’re here to help you get settled in. Our colleagues in-centre and especially your class instructor (assuming your class is a live, rather than virtual session) are on-hand to answer any questions you may have. If you’re not sure what to wear, you can find advice on that above.
How to Book
You need to book yourself onto your favoured class each week. You can do this either via our mobile app, your profile on our website, or in-centre.
Knowledgeable Colleagues
Everyone Active’s colleagues pride themselves on being friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. Whatever your query or problem, if its with your adult fitness membership, or a piece of equipment, we’re here to help. Whether that’s the person behind reception, the lifeguard in the pool or the fitness motivator in the gym, they’ll do their best to help you in any way they can or find someone who can.
Meanwhile, there’s the Perks area on the app. It’s packed with deals and offers from hugely well-known brands.
The junior fitness and gym membership is a great way for your child to get involved with fitness. It will help make it a normal way of life for them, making them fitter, healthier and happier.