Kids like to move it at NeverStopMoving 365 Jrs.

Kids like to move it at NeverStopMoving 365 Jrs.: Whether your son or daughter wants to get an edge up on their peers in a specific sport, get faster, stronger OR you just simply want them to put down their iPhone and MOVE a little more, NeverStopMoving 365 Juniors offers a solution.

“We like to think of it as tutoring for fitness,” NeverStopMoving 365 (NSM 365) owner Christina Collins told us. “Kids are used to one-on-one training and parents are used to providing it for their children –from SAT test prep to essay writing. Our “tutors” teach kids how to enjoy exercise and maintain a healthy lifestyle throughout their lives.”

Christina, a Bedford Corners resident, is a New York State Certified Health & Physical Education teacher and a track and cross-country coach in the Westchester County school system. A marathon runner, tri-athlete, rock climber and SUP certified paddle boarder, she teaches fitness classes at Equinox and is a personal trainer, life coach and nutritional consultant to private clients. But her NSM 365 Juniors program is her biggest passion and the fastest growing part of her business.

A team of High School Phys Ed Teachers and a hose man…

“A lot of schools in Westchester County are cutting movement opportunities for kids during the school day. Minutes traveling to and from class are counted in class time. When we started getting requests from our adult clients for a program for their kids, we responded with our Never Stop Moving 365 Juniors Program,” Christina told us.

Christina now has a team of six personal trainers providing individualized workouts, one-on-one, to kids in their home, yard, local park or location of their choice. They all have collegiate athletic backgrounds (basketball, volleyball, lacrosse, football, softball, field hockey) and are Physical Education teachers in the state of New York except one, Tim Collins, a nationally certified personal trainer and a career firefighter. He is in high demand with young children as he often integrates elements of firehouse hose training and tire flipping into his workouts.

This is not Exercise Boot Camp From Hell!

NSM 365’s junior clients range from competitive athletes to children suffering from eating dis-orders and pre-diabetes. Other candidates, as many parents can relate to, are kids with sedentary lifestyles who may spend too much time on their smart phones, playing Fortnite or who just aren’t sports enthusiasts. “This is not Exercise Boot Camp from Hell!” Christina told us. “We try to make fitness fun with work-outs tailored to the interests and fitness and health goals of each child. And because we are NY school certified physical education teachers, we’re trained in how to communicate positive messages to kids.”

NSM 365 offers private sessions but accommodates pre-formed groups when there are budgetary constraints or when kids have a supportive group of friends they are comfortable working out with. “Studies show that children see increased benefits in exercise and physical training in one-on-one settings when they don’t have the fear of peers judging them,” Christina explained. “Junior clients who are not stand-out athletes in their gym classes may have negative associations with exercise and fitness. In private settings they don’t feel like they are on display in front of their friends.”

“The important thing is they moved their bodies and felt good doing it.”

For some kids, who may have had negative group experiences on teams or gym classes, that can mean re-introducing the whole concept of working out. Christina’s team develops “lifestyle” training sessions for these children and for children who don’t have a favorite sport. They design playful circuits that incorporate traditional calisthenics like burpees and pushups with volleying a balloon up and down on one foot for balance and coordination. And then holding a tree pose to introduce Yoga into their workouts.

Later they may incorporate traditional sports skills, like kicking a ball through a goal. “If they miss they’re not mortified because they’re not in front of the whole team or gym class. The important thing is they moved their bodies and they felt good doing it. The positive associations they develop about movement will maintain their interest in health and fitness through every stage of their life.”

Middle School Athletes & the kids who are hanging up their spikes

The middle school years brings a variety of young athletes with a range of fitness needs and challenges to NSM365. Sixth grade is a big market for them because there are no after school sports. Athletes looking to compete at a high level in high school or to play college sports need workouts that mix sports skill with core fitness training. But the neediest middle schoolers, when it comes to fitness and health training, may be the young athletes who get cut from their school teams.

“When kids get cut from a school team they tell themselves the story that they’re not athletic. They no longer identify as an athlete or as somebody who works out,” Christina explained. “So now what do they do for physical activity? For these children we stress that this is something all athletes face sooner or later. Learning to enjoy less sports specific training is important for teens because few people play lacrosse when they’re 35 and have kids.”

For the young athlete who is phasing out of team sports but still has a passion for them, Christina’s team develops training sessions that mixes in their favorite sports drills with speedwork, agility, strength and flexibility exercises. “It’s still important that young athletes feel like they are getting stronger and faster because it builds confidence. But these sessions focus more on health and wellness as opposed to reaction time that will help in competitive sports.”

Whether your child wants to meet their personal trainer on the basketball court, soccer field, or home gym, Christina’s team at NSM 365 can teach your child how to shoot, kick or how to use mom’s Peloton bike so they’re prepared for gym memberships someday. “The important thing for children of any age is to find ways to have fun while they keep their body moving and to develop expectations for a healthy and fit life. And that can be done with any child no matter their fitness level or issues they may have about exercise.”

You can contact Christina Collins at (914) 497-2691 or jot her a note here.

For more articles like this click here.