By Julie Samaras
GYM class has come a long way since I was at high school in the 1970s: straight-legged sit-ups, stretching and touching toes with no bent knees allowed; lines of girls playing “ballgames” – leader ball, tunnel ball, captain ball – decked out in our red gabardine tunics and matching bloomers (Lycra had not yet made it to Toowoomba). While not unheard of, childhood obesity was rare.
Fast forward to 2008. Canberra secondary schools are being offered free group fitness classes in the Fitness First/MBF Adopt a School program designed to get more kids, more active, more often.
Forming part of the sports/PE syllabus, students attend one to two group fitness sessions (one hour per session) each week, choosing from a range of options – circuits, body pump, body combat, cycle, body jam and yoga.
Fitness First Canberra City and Deakin offer the free program to Canberra high schools and colleges, providing students with exclusive group classes run during school hours by qualified instructors.
Fitness First and MBF funds the AAS program so there is no cost to students, parents or the schools.
At the Canberra City centre, a group of Year 9 and 10 students from Campbell High School walk 15 minutes to the gym and back every Tuesday morning to participate in various group classes, including body pump, RPM and combat.
The gym sessions form one component of the students’ PE course in strength and conditioning that also includes a theory class covering nutrition and technique.
PE teacher Ashley Carter says Campbell High has been taking advantage of the AAS program since 2006, with students enjoying the facilities and equipment on offer, as well as the enthusiasm and skill of the instructors.
“It’s a totally different type of fitness and is quite open-ended. It gives athletically gifted kids the chance to extend themselves and other kids the chance to learn new skills,” Ashley said.
AAS program co-ordinator Kristen Cantrill says Fitness First and MBF are concerned with the increasing number of overweight teenagers in Australia.
“Inactivity and poor nutrition are the main factors contributing to Australia’s rising levels of obesity which affects both adults and children,” Kristen says.
“We want to show students that being active can be fun, plus exercise actually gives them more energy and confidence so they feel good about themselves.”

For more information about the AAS program, visit http://www.fitnessfirst.com.au or email .