These Are Still My Favorite Fitness Programs for Teens

I shared a bunch of workouts for teens last September and still love these programs. So I am highlighting my favorites again.

First up, Aerial Yoga at Purenergy in Paoli:

Aerial yoga or yoga in the “silks” is a more acrobatic yoga class that uses a silk hammock that is suspended from the ceiling to support your body weight. Aerial yoga looks beautiful with all of the different colored silks. It feels cool and freeing when you are moving while suspended in the air.

But there are some real benefits from suspension that floor and mat work cannot accomplish in the same way. For one, stretching is different in the silks. There is more space to move when you are suspended in the air. It’s easier to get into deeper stretches than with floor stretches. Aerial yoga increases balance and body awareness. It strengthens the core muscles that allow you to stand and drop in the silks, and flip and spin.

Purenergy in Paoli offers Aerial Yoga to adults and kids in their designated studio. There are only 10 hammocks in the room so it’s always a small group for very individualized attention. Kids (ages 9-12) can take aerial yoga class every Friday at 4:30 pm. On Sunday, there is family yoga at 11:00 am (children as young as 7 can take the class with an adult). There are also a few adult aerial yoga classes on the schedule. Purenergy also books private one-on-one sessions, semi-private sessions and private group sessions, including children’s birthday parties.

The kids are always eager to swing right into the tricks in the silks— the handstands and flips. But, the knowledgeable instructors at Purenergy ease the kids into their aerial yoga practice. Class usually starts with instruction on how to stand and sit in the silks, as well as some basic yoga poses. When it’s time for the tricks, the instructor walks the kids through the moves one step at a time and offers assistance and support. The class ends with the best Shavasana, floating above the ground with glowing star stickers overhead. The kids come for the tricks but leave class feeling more relaxed and focused.

CrossFit Main Line Teen Program in Wayne, Ardmore and Plymouth Meeting:

CrossFit Main Line has a very strong and supportive teen community, which is not at all surprising since CrossFit Main Line is built around their community. From the moment that I first emailed with teen coach, Wendi Wilson, her passion and commitment towards her kids was apparent. Sure, she could train the adults. But, coaching the kids and watching them hit milestones is why she does it. Wendi is also a school teacher and an avid Cross Fitter herself so it would seem that her background is just right for her to lead the teen and kid classes that are offered at CrossFit Main Line. She has been a CrossFit coach since 2014 and has been working with the CrossFit teens and kids since 2016.

“My main philosophy for teens and kids is to create an environment where they come to love the exercise, gain confidence in, not only their ability, but also body confidence. I want them to want to keep coming back and eventually to want to challenge themselves, as well. The idea is to instill in them the love for movement - the want to learn to do it correctly and efficiently - and have fun along the way.”

The goal of the teen program at CrossFit is to build a strong and solid foundation, which includes learning proper lift technique, building stamina and capacity, and learning certain skills that are part of the CrossFit program (such as toes to bar, pull-ups, rope climbs, etc.). Mastering proper form happens before any weights ever come into play. Instruction and practice is the focus, not just working out.

So, what can the kids really do at CrossFit? Wendi says “everything is adaptable to all fitness, skill and motivation levels.” The class runs much like an adult CrossFit class and includes a series of exercises that the group is working on that day. Each exercise begins with a demonstration and then a chance to work on that skill at varying levels based on the individual’s abilities.

CrossFit is for everyone. Yes, it may seem intimidating but the community at CrossFit ML is one of the most supportive environments that I have seen. The focus is on positivity, movement, community and working out to be healthy. Some kids come in to get in shape. Others to gain strength or speed for their sport. But many don’t play a team sport and come into CrossFit to be active and part of this team.

Check out the schedule for Crossfit Kids at all three locations here. The first class is always free.

C4 Performance in La Maison in Wayne:

C4 Performance in La Maison in Wayne teaches middle and high school aged children the fundamentals of exercise and fitness to properly, safely and effectively train to achieve their various fitness-related goals.

Some students use C4 to train during pre-season to prepare for the upcoming season, a tryout or a tournament. Others use C4 to recover and stay fit during the off season. Still other kids come in simply to exercise or satisfy phys ed requirements.

Coach Mike McGee runs all of the youth training and fitness programs at C4. Mike has 29 years of experience coaching and training children and teens. You can easily see the connection Mike has with the kids. They really enjoy being there. It’s a fun, supportive environment at C4. Mike just wants to see the kids be active and achieve their own personal goals, whatever those goals may be.

At C4, middle school kids focus on training fundamentals, speed and agility, and learn weight room basics and etiquette. High school kids get a mix of it all. Mike gives the older kids the foundation they need to “leave the nest” and workout in a big gym like LifeTime. These kids go away from C4 with the knowledge of what to do in a gym and how to properly and safely do it.

Mike coaches the kids every weekday after school, starting at 2:30 pm, as well as Saturday mornings. Check out the full schedule here.

The walls of the C4 training rooms, which are nestled in the back of La Maison, are covered with lists of athletes’ records and the infamous signature wall (above), making it clear that personal goals are celebrated and every kid has a place here.

And just like that September is over and Back to School month on the blog concludes. See you all in Chicago next weekend!!