HALIFAX – Just as quickly as childhood obesity rates are climbing, fitness levels are rapidly dropping.
A Nova Scotia parent saw the trend and recognized the need to do something about it, taking an innovative approach to the old school fitness regime.
Funky Fitness is an afterschool program at Sacred Heart School in Halifax.
It’s the brainchild of Alan Bampton, a parent of a student at the school who is using his military, martial arts and security background to get kids into shape.
“Funky Fitness started in Chester many years ago in direct response to the active, healthy kids report card, which is an assessment that comes out every year,” Bampton explains.
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For the last six years that he’s been running the program, N.S. has been getting an “F” in fitness.
In N.S., figures show one-third of the province’s children and teens are either overweight or obese.
“So this is an attempt to get those marks up, make our kids stronger and fitter,” he says.
Veronica Lawen says her children are so into the program they’re constantly training at home and “wanting to do push-ups and go for a run.”
But there’s much more to it than that, she says.
“It’s just not only physical, but (it) also helps with their mental state. It’s about building their self-esteem and confidence,” Lawen says.
Part of that training is the self-defence lessons Bampton incorporates.
“In case you were ever in a bad situation you would know what to do and what’s the best thing to do,” says Bampton’s daughter Ava, who takes the class as well.
“It gets you more fit, to get you aware,” she says.
The overall goal of the Funky Fitness class is to help kids become leaders and teach other young people about the importance of fitness.
Students eventually take a two-hour fitness test, known as the Grinder.
The ones that pass get a special T-shirt, something the youngsters wear with pride.
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