SHERMAN OAKS, CA--(Marketwire - Sep 1, 2011) - September is National Fruits and Veggies Month, and the timing for this campaign is perfect, says children's fitness center franchisor My Gym. It's the start of the new school year, when many children are caught up in a whirlwind of studies, homework, after school activities and sports. To help keep children alert, healthy and fueled up for their busy days, My Gym children's fitness centers nationwide are highlighting The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) "National Fruits & Veggies -- More Matters" campaign. In partnership with The National Fruit and Vegetable Alliance, the CDC's campaign encourages families to plan meals and snacks that include lots of fresh and colorful fruits and vegetables.
"At My Gym, we believe fitness includes physical exercise -- and much more," said Chief Marketing & Entertainment Officer for My Gym Enterprises, Matthew Hendison. "When we talk to children and their families about fitness, we talk about what they eat and when, how many hours a day they spend watching TV or playing video games, how long they sleep each night -- as well as how important it is get and stay active. Fitness is a lifestyle. Exercise plays an important part in fitness, but it's not the whole story."
My Gym centers offer programs for children ranging in age from 6 weeks to 13 years. Through non-competitive, age-appropriate activities, in state-of-the-art facilities, children learn to work and play in a group while they gain strength, balance, coordination, fine and gross motor proficiency, agility, flexibility and social skills. These skills help develop the self-confidence that children need to become healthy young adults.
Hendison says that My Gym wants to highlight the CDC's "National Fruits & Veggies -- More Matters" campaign because it helps parents plan healthy, low-cost and appealing meals that contribute to a fitness lifestyle for their whole family. The campaign's guidelines, tips, interactive tools and tasty recipes support the U.S. government's new "My Plate" approach to meal planning. The "My Plate" icon replaces the familiar "Food Pyramid" and helps people visualize a healthy mix of fruits, vegetables, protein, grains and dairy for each meal.
"When the school year starts, it can seem like there aren't enough hours in the day to worry about healthy eating and exercise habits. But, back-to-school time is actually the perfect time for families to re-commit to a fitness lifestyle," said Hendison. "Families can use the structure that the school year imposes as a framework for scheduling meals, family time and fitness activities, like ones offered at My Gym, as part of each day's routine. This approach helps children develop lifestyle habits to help support a lifetime of good health."
My Gym locations are in neighborhoods from coast to coast -- all staffed by caring and nurturing fitness experts -- to bring the message of fitness and fun to children everywhere. For information on My Gym Children's Fitness Centers, please visit www.mygym.com.
About MY GYM Enterprises:
Established in 1983, My Gym is a proud advocate of The President's Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition and the #1-ranking fitness center destination for children with over 200 locations worldwide, including such international locations as Hong Kong, France and Brazil among others. More than 30 additional locations are planned to open worldwide in next 12 months. For more than two decades, My Gym has combined innovative, early physical education/pre-gymnastics classes with state-of-the-art facilities to empower children -- ages 6 weeks to 13 years -- by helping them acquire the skills, confidence and positive self-image needed to become healthy young adults. My Gym's award winning, structured, noncompetitive and age-appropriate classes enhance children's overall physical development through games, music, exercise, sports, gymnastics, puppets, special rides and fun! The children gain strength, balance, coordination, fine and gross motor proficiency, agility, flexibility and social skills. Mymo's Adventures earned the 2006 iParenting Award for Outstanding Children's DVD. The My Gym television show, My Gym At Home, airs on BabyFirstTV, a 24/7 commercial-free channel focusing on children's development. My Gym is located on the Web at www.mygym.com. My Gym is also the home of The Activators, an entertainment troupe comprised of actual My Gym teachers designed to encourage children with messages of fun and fitness. The Activators is located on the Web at www.theactivators.net.