If your children are not currently enrolled in a gymnastics school:
Click here to find a club near you. Once you have found a club, make sure to call and ask if they are hosting the Tyson Fitness Challenge this year.
If your children already belong to a gymnastics club
Ask the owner, or your child's instructor, if they are hosting the Tyson Fitness Challenge. If they aren't, direct them to this Web site and encourage them to register their club for this program.
Although many people associate gymnastics solely with the Olympic Games, only a small percentage of gymnasts become Olympians every four years. Millions of children take recreational gymnastics classes for fun; to improve their physical fitness, including hand-eye coordination and muscle tone; and to learn social skills, such as sharing and working in a group. Children gain all of these health and behavioral benefits in a fun and safe environment.
Raising healthy children is more important than ever because of the alarming statistics on childhood health and the increase in diseases, such as diabetes and heart disease. Although parents may not think of it, gymnastics provides important fitness benefits to kids across the country and offers parents an alternative that their kids will enjoy. Many kids in gymnastics have no Olympic dreams but benefit physically and socially from their participation in the sport. Parents can find gym clubs throughout the nation, from the smallest of towns to the largest of cities.
One of the greatest things parents can do for their children is to begin teaching them at an early age about the benefits of active, healthy lifestyles. By focusing on four fundamentals of fitness (cardiovascular exercise, strength training, flexibility and nutrition), the Tyson Fitness Challenge is a great way for kids to learn about the importance of physical fitness and a well-balanced diet.
In addition to building lifelong habits, this program gives children an opportunity to discover the rewards of philanthropy. The second goal of the Tyson Fitness Challenge is raising monies to help children in need through Children’s Miracle Network. Since partnering in 2001, USA Gymnastics and its gym clubs across the country have raised more than $1 million for Children’s Miracle Network through a variety of activities. Click here to learn more about raising money for Children’s Miracle Network.
