Sweat it out: The rise of family fitness

Bright and buzzy interactive classes, fun runs, accessible triathlons. The trend for families to exercise together is set to make us all fitter – and happier - David Lloyd/Prama
Bright and buzzy interactive classes, fun runs, accessible triathlons. The trend for families to exercise together is set to make us all fitter – and happier - David Lloyd/Prama

The lights are flashing, music is pounding and kids are going wild, hitting flashing screens on the wall and jumping on fluorescent floor panels, their sweat-drenched parents in tow. It may sound like a chaotic amusement arcade, but this scene isn’t unfolding at the end of a pier – it’s an exercise class at a Somerset sports centre. 

This is Prama (pictured above), a giant, colourful, interactive fitness room. For children, it feels like they are inside a favourite computer game, but it’s not only for young ones: it’s designed to be a cross-generational workout – for kids, parents, grandparents even. Families work in teams running relay races and jumping in sync on the lights as part of a high-energy dance routine.

The King Alfred Sports Centre in Highbridge, Somerset, was the first in the UK to offer such classes, but now Prama (created by Spanish firm Pavigym) is going beyond the West Country as the David Lloyd gym chain launches it at Harbour Club Kensington in London, followed by its Port Solent, Bushey and Milton Keynes studios this July, with plans to extend it to other branches nationwide. 

PRAMA KIDS from Pavigym on Vimeo.

According to Sinead Johnson, group family manager at David Lloyd Clubs, the launch is in response to the rising appetite for families to be more active together. 

‘We’ve noticed how more parents are encouraging their kids to exercise with them, because they know it leads to healthy habits. It’s probably a backlash to all that screen time,’ she says. ‘The goal with the Prama classes is to transform the fitness experience and inject fun into training sessions with an arcade-style environment.’

Technology is often blamed for creating a sedentary generation, as many youngsters prefer to control a character running in a video game than actually break a sweat themselves. Now an increasing number of parents are finding that if they want to prise their children away from their devices, they have to get them to do as they do, not just as they say.

Antonia’s far too fast for us in the pool now

It’s a trend that may go some way to tackling Britain’s rising childhood obesity figures. Latest Government research found one in three children in the final year of primary school in England is overweight or obese, which in March this year prompted NHS chief executive Simon Stevens to call for schools and parents to improve children’s diet and physical activity levels.

Despite the Government’s recommended guidelines for school-aged children to be spending 60 minutes a day on moderate to vigorous physical activity, a new YouGov poll found that a jaw-dropping 91 per cent of children are failing to reach that target. No wonder then that kids today have lower levels of cardiovascular fitness than previous generations – both here and worldwide. A study of more than 25 million children in 28 countries by the University of South Australia found, on average, children run a mile 90 seconds slower than they did 30 years ago.

It’s an issue with a strong gender bias,too. In the UK, by the age of eight, fewer girls are already taking part in sport than boys, and by 14 to 15 years old, boys are twice as active as girls. Women In Sport, which carried out the study with the Institute of Youth Sport Families, found lack of role models, social norms about femininity, lack of confidence and negative experiences in school PE lessons all played a part. It also found that the biggest influence of all on a child’s activity levels is their own family.

The Colour Run - Credit: Alamy
The Colour Run Credit: Alamy

Increasingly, it seems, parents are wising up to that fact, with family runs, swims and bike rides becoming more popular than ever. Nowadays, races such as the Great North Run also stage fun runs alongside the main race. And at 9am every Saturday, at 453 parks across the country, thousands of families take part in 5k runs organised by Parkrun.

The organisation also puts on 2k junior runs (for four- to 14-year-olds) in 167 locations across the UK on Sunday mornings. In all, Parkrun has seen over 128,054 mini marathoners cross its finish lines. Meanwhile, GO TRI events, approved by Triathlon England, aim to make it more affordable and accessible for families to run, cycle and swim together, while Reebok’s Spartan Race runs junior obstacle courses for three- to 14-year-olds. 

The Parkrun in their home town of St Albans has become a regular fixture for Christina Smith, her husband Mike, and their three children – Adam, 10, who has been taking part since he was five, Millie, eight, and Sadie, four, who has so far enjoyed the ride from a running buggy pushed by her mum or dad.

Get involved: | This summer’s best family exercise events
Get involved: | This summer’s best family exercise events

‘The kids love it – it’s boosted their confidence and they’ve made so many friends,’ says Christina, 41. ‘It’s also been really beneficial for me,’ she adds. ‘I used to love going to my local running club but making the evening sessions became difficult after having my third child. Now I can still feel like a runner.’

According to sports psychologist and writer Amanda Hills, if children enjoy exercise when they’re young it sets them up for life. ‘Children often end up associating exercise with PE classes, which they might not enjoy, so they need to be given opportunities to find a form of exercise they love,’ she says.

This has certainly been the case for the Jubb family from Hertfordshire. Antonia, now 12, was exposed to exercise from birth as her mum, Gill, and dad, Mike, trained for marathons and an Ironman triathlon respectively while she was young. Antonia would join their runs in a buggy, bike rides in a seat or trailer, and have swimming lessons while they did lengths of the pool. Not only is Antonia thoroughly sporty now, Gill says it has boosted her own desire to carry on exercising. ‘Antonia’s enthusiasm to train has kept me motivated to stay fit – I’d hate not to be able to go out with her if she asked me to,’ says Gill.

Gill, Antonia and Mike Jubb have exercised together since Antonia was a tiny baby
Gill, Antonia and Mike Jubb have exercised together since Antonia was a tiny baby

‘Working out together can also transform a family dynamic,’ says Hills. ‘As with adults, exercise puts children in a better mood because of the endorphins released. Kids will carry on their day in a happier frame of mind and feel better about themselves.’ Exercising together can also help the family bond and teach children useful lessons about working together, adds Amanda. 

There are some important sporting lessons for parents too – you might be number one at home, but not necessarily on the running track. It’s something Gill says she’s had to get used to. ‘Antonia’s far too fast for us in the pool now,’ she says, stifling a proud smile. ‘She’s always complaining that we keep her waiting.’