Fitness Is Fun
Program empowers children

The Ophelia Project of South Central Ohio (OP/SCO) developed a program to address weight issues and relational aggression in the lives of children ages 7 through 16. The program, Fitness 4 Fun 4 Kids, debuted in June 2007 and is now in its third session.

The program design was a collaborative effort between OP/SCO Director Jackie Clipner and local fitness center owner, Tina Rinehart, who realized a need in their community to teach children about healthy lifestyles and relational aggression.

Children interested in participating in the 12-week program must fill out an application and be interviewed. Family members are also interviewed. The children are weighed, measured and have their body mass index (BMI) taken. They also discuss eating and exercise habits and bullying experiences. Eventually, a small group of between eight and 10 children are chosen to participate.

Participants undergo a complete physical before the program begins and are weighed and measured monthly.  They meet twice a week at The Body Zone, the gym owned by Tina, and spend the first hour with personal trainers who lead stretching exercises followed by "boot" camp, calisthenics, weights or agility training and more. Each month, the children and their families meet with a dietician from Adena Health Systems, the local hospital, to learn more about eating habits, diet, new recipes, the fat content of foods and much more.

During the second hour of the program, Jackie helps the group explore many facets of their lives including bullying, relational aggression and cyber bullying. The participants share their experiences and develop skills to address all forms of non-violent peer aggression. 

After twelve weeks of a virtual physical fitness makeover, the program culminates in a celebration.  At the final class, each participant talks about how the program has changed their lives and what they have gained from it.  Their parents also share what impact the program has had on their children and the family.

So far, the lives of 25 children have been changed by this program. “The end is so emotional,” says Jackie. “The program is such a process for everyone.”