70,000 Canadian teens are setting a healthy example for their families

GoodLife Fitness' free Teen Fitness Program offers teens a chance to get a healthy head start for school year

LONDON, ON, July 29, 2015 /CNW/ - 70,000 Canadian teens have currently registered for GoodLife Fitness' Free Teen Fitness Program – a free summer-long Program that encourages teens to get active at GoodLife clubs across the country. In its sixth year, the Teen Fitness Program is seeing higher than average registration rates, up from an average 65,000, as more teens are using the opportunity to take control of their health.

According to ParticipACTION, 68 per cent of Canadian youth, between ages 12 to 17 are sedentary for 50 per cent of their waking hours. Additionally, only 53 per cent of grade nine students reported that their parents are very supportive of them being physically active. With statistics like these in mind, GoodLife created the Teen Fitness Program to allow teens the option to pursue their own healthy lifestyle with access to cardio and strength training equipment as well as a variety of fitness classes, for free.  

"The remarkable aspect of the Teen Fitness Program that we see each year is how teens are becoming role models for their family and friends," says David 'Patch' Patchell-Evans, Founder and CEO of GoodLife Fitness. "Often times we hear that it's the parents' responsibility to instill these values in their kids. However, even though a parent may be helping their teen sign up, the teens are the ones who show the initiative and desire to continue coming back all summer—and often times it's with their family members in tow."  

One the best examples of Teen Fitness bringing families together occurred in Pitt Meadows, BC, when Kim Harvey, Group Fitness Manager for Greater Vancouver Region, noticed three participants in her fitness class that had more in common than an affinity for fitness classes.

"There were three generations in my class today—a new teen fitness member, her mom and grandma," says Harvey. "This is one of the reasons we do what we do," she exclaims.

These three generations were long-time member Colleen along with her mother Ardyth and her daughter Maydsen, who had recently just started with the Teen Fitness Program.

"I love that in the classes there are options that allows people of different fitness levels or experience to attend," explains Colleen. "For example in Newbody there are low impact options which are great for my mom and for new members to the gym like my daughter. There also has more challenging options for someone like myself who's been a member for nine years," she continues. "I think it's wonderful that GoodLife gives teens the opportunity to be active and gain confidence through this program."

The GoodLife Fitness Teen Fitness Program takes place each summer from the beginning of July to the end of August. For more information on the program visit www.teenfitness.ca or www.goodlifefitness.com  

About GoodLife Fitness
Proudly Canadian since 1979, GoodLife Fitness is the largest fitness club chain in Canada and the fourth largest overall in the world. With over 350 clubs from coast-to-coast, including GoodLife Fitness, Énergie Cardio, Fit4Less and ÉconoFitness Clubs, approximately 14,400 employees and more than 1.2 million Members, GoodLife is helping to transform the health and wellness of 1 in 30 Canadians every day.

Media and Photo Opportunities
Local interview, photo and video opportunities are available upon request.

SOURCE GoodLife Fitness

Image with caption: "Colleen (right), poses with her daughter Madysen (middle) and her mother Ardyth (left) after a class at the Pitt Meadows BC GoodLife club. Madysen is one of 70,000 teens to have registered for GoodLife's nation-wide free Teen Fitness Program. (CNW Group/GoodLife Fitness)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150729_C1063_PHOTO_EN_463110.jpg

For further information: Media Contact: Adam Roberts, Public Relations Specialist, GoodLife Fitness, C: 226-377-1815, O: 1-800-790-9269 ext. 424, [email protected]