As childhood obesity continues to be a major health issue, more health and fitness experts are taking steps to fight back.
Endorphin Fitness of Richmond recently established a new training program at Eagle Lake Park in Harbour View. The group strives to develop all age groups but in Hampton Roads its initial focus will be on training, coaching and preparing children for triathlon events.
"All kids can learn to swim, bike and run; they love doing it," said Kim Frost, a USA Triathlon fitness coach. "We want to encourage kids to focus on multisports training. We want to encourage lifelong fitness."
Frost operated DiG Multisport of Suffolk for three years before partnering with Endorphin Fitness this year. The organization is ranked among the largest youth triathlon training programs in the country, she said.
Youth participants will be members of a newly-formed Hampton Roads Recreation Triathlon Team, Frost said. Kids ages 6 to 15 are provided three-day weekly triathlon training at 10-week intervals through summer. Modified training schedules will be offered in fall and winter.
Running and cycling training is offered Tuesdays and Thursdays at the North Suffolk location. Swim training is Wednesdays at the Girls Inc. Center for Youth Aquatics in Portsmouth.
Frost said children will be prepared to compete in triathlon events based on age groups.
Children ages 6 to 8 will be trained to compete in a 50-meter swim, two-mile bike race and quarter-mile run. Ages 9 to 11 will compete in a 150-meter swim, bike four miles and run one mile. Youth ages 12 through 15 will compete in a 300-meter swim, eight-mile bike race and two-mile run.
All youth will receive medals at completion of the training program.
Most of the competitions will take place in the Richmond area, Frost said. However, an "Ironkids Alpharetta" competition is planned in Alpharetta, Ga., on Sept. 14.
Several youth-junior elite cup national competitions are scheduled in August as well. Participants must be top finishers at other events to qualify for elite cup events.
"Fitness training is great 'cause it builds character and confidence," Frost said. "Athletics is a great way to do that."
In addition to fitness training, youth are provided educational material on nutrition, muscle groups and healthy lifestyles, Frost said.
Enrollment costs start at $325 for a two-day, 10-week interval and $375 for three-day intervals.
Visit www.EndorphinFitness.com for group start dates and registration.
James Thomas Jr., ttomas205@aol.com