- Evidence from ukactive and Sport England shows growing motivation among Generation Alpha to improve health and wellbeing through physical activity
- ukactive releases new guidance to support fitness and leisure facilities to meet growing demand from children and young people.
- ukactive releases new guidance to support fitness and leisure facilities to meet growing demand from children and young people.
- ukactive calls on the Government to recognise and support the role of ukactive’s members
in driving the physical activity levels of the next generation.
Generation Alpha is driving demand for fitness and health services according to figures released by ukactive today (12 November). It publishes new guidance to support fitness and leisure facilities engaging children and young people.
A survey* of more than 1,000 children aged seven to 14 found that nearly half (49%) of children and young people want to be fit and healthy as they grow into adulthood. This demonstrates a mature awareness of personal health and wellbeing.
Conducted with kids and family insight agency Beano Brain, the poll also found that 48% of children believe it is “important to keep physically active to be healthy”. This signals early recognition of its importance.
Separate figures from Sport England’s Active Lives Survey show that the number of children and young people getting active in gyms and fitness facilities is growing. There has been a 12% rise in those taking part in gym and fitness compared to six years ago.
It means almost a quarter of children and young people (23%) are engaging in gym sessions. This equates to a population total estimate of 1,697,900 and places gym and fitness in the top 10 activities that children and young people are now taking part in.
New guidance from ukactive, titled, ‘Children and Young People in Gym and Group Exercise
Facilities’, is published today and forms part of ukactive’s ‘Next Generation strategy’ for
investing in the future of children and young people’s health and happiness by getting a million more active by 2030.
The guidance document has been developed and approved by ukactive’s Standards and Legislation Committee. It was also approved by legal experts, sector representatives, and partners specialising in physical activity for children and young people.
It will help operators to support and welcome children and young people over the age of eight into fitness and leisure facilities. It contains recommendations specifically relating to the gym area and group exercise sessions.
It is designed to promote the safe and optimal use of fitness and leisure facilities. Furthermore, it includes recommendations for suitable activities, supervision of children and young people in facilities. Also, it provides advice on appropriate ages for gym and group exercise activities.
It also includes practical examples and real-life case studies from leading operators and suppliers. For example, Everyone Active, Lifestyle Fitness, Les Mills, Nuffield Health, and Oldham Active are mentioned. These are designed to help others to establish or refine their strategies for engaging children and young people.
The guidance is published as ukactive calls on the Government to recognise and support the role of ukactive’s members in driving physical activity levels among children and young people.
Just under half of all children and young people (47.8% or 3.5 million) meet the recommended average of 60 minutes of activity per day. However, the Government has the opportunity to work in partnership with the physical activity sector. This could ensure all children and young people have access to facilities.
ukactive is calling on the Government to make physical activity a core part of its National Youth Strategy. Moreover, the organisation aims to harness the power of the sector in both this and its new PE and School Sport Partnership Network.
ukactive is working with partners across the industry on initiatives and programmes that can help drive change for children and young people. This includes a new partnership with the Greater
London Authority which aims to strengthen the connections with schools and fitness and leisure providers.
Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, said: “The demand and need for gym and fitness activities among children and young people have never been greater. We know that children value being active in safe, supportive, and accessible settings such as leisure centres and gyms.
“Our members are driving the activity levels of the next generation in ways that are fun and engaging. This is vital for positive and sustained physical and mental health going forward.
“We want the Government to work with us to go even further by ensuring our sector’s facilities and services can reach every community. This will help create a generation of happy, healthy, and more active children.
“This guidance will help our members to engage the target of one million more children and young people across the UK by 2030.”
To access the guidance, ‘Children and Young People in Gym and Group Exercise Facilities’, click here. To hear more about the guidance, register here for the ukactive Member Webinar on Thursday 27 November.
