How to Get Kids and Parents Excited About Your Youth Fitness Program

As many countries, states, and counties start to loosen restrictions and life gets back to “normal,” coaches and fitness professionals are going to see a huge influx of parents looking for programs to get their kids moving.

If you currently operate a youth fitness or sports performance program, this provides a huge opportunity to inspire more kids to become active and athletic for life.

 

SPIDERfit Kids now currently consults with many youth fitness businesses, helping them create opportunities to help more kids.  A common mistake amongst nearly ALL youth fitness businesses is that they fail to consider the EXPERIENCE they are creating for the kids and parents they work with.

 

 

As professionals, we often focus primarily on the tactics and techniques of different training methodologies to create a valuable and engaging experience.

While training methodologies are important to ensure a logical path to positive outcome, a great physical development program that fails to engage kids and create value for parents will fail on all fronts.

 

To solve this problem, we’ve created a simple checklist highlighting the distinct opportunities coaches and fitness professionals have to engage kids and create value for parents within their program.  These opportunities exist when kids Enter your program, when they Exercise, when they Exit, and when you Extend your influence.

 

We call these the “4 E’s of a Successful Youth Fitness Program”

 

This framework has proven to be so successful for so many coaches and business owners that we’ve made it part of our Youth Physical Literacy Specialist Certification.

 

With our business clients, we dive deep into each of these opportunities, outlining policies and procedures so that these critical aspects of value and engagement become an engrained part of their class or business model.

Today I want to provide you with the basic framework for the 4E’s in a checklist format so you can start to discover ways to improve value and engagement with your programs.

 

Take this opportunity and be willing to honestly audit the experience and value you are creating for kids and parents.

 

 

When Kids ENTER Your Program

When kids or parents show up to your program either daily, or for the first time, what is their experience? Even if parents don’t stay through an entire training session, they are often there at the beginning and end. These may be the ONLY aspects of your program they actually see.

Never be late. Parents value time, money, and energy. Don’t trivialize any of these. Ever. “On time” is late.

 

Set up prior to parents/kids arriving.

 

Have an independent activity kids can do when they show up. They’re coming off of couches, cars, and classrooms. Get them moving immediately.

 

Greet all children by their first name. Bad with names? Name tags. Name recognition is critical when working with humans.

 

Consider what kids and parents see and hear when they arrive. Does the area look safe, engaging, well lit, etc? If music is playing, is it appropriate for kids?

 

Is the registration for your programs organized and professional? This first interaction has the opportunity to create a large degree of value, or apprehension.

 

Consider what “non exercise” activities you can facilitate when a child enters your program. A firm handshake with coach? Thank you to Mom or Dad? Saying hello to at least 3 different people? This helps kids develop life skills and it has a huge value to parents.

 

 

When Kids EXERCISE

When you are actually “doing the work” with kids, this is where tactics and techniques are important. That being said, it’s still important to deliver these in a way that keeps kids engaged and creates value to parents.

 

It goes without saying, but have a plan. Understand the foundational skills kids need to develop and carry out a logical plan to develop them.

 

Constantly evaluate your body language. Folding your arms, leaning against equipment, or otherwise appearing fatigued or disengaged makes your program astronomically less engaging and valuable.

 

Actively coach! Combine “rah-rah” cheerleading with specific corrective feedback mixed with specific positive feedback. That being said, don’t forget it’s OK to let them “play” with a movement for a while without being over-coached.

 

Keep them moving. Even if they’re “resting,” excessive standing around between sets or exercises disengages kids and depletes your program’s value to parents.

 

Create opportunities for parents to see their kids training. Most parents are either disengaged (phones) or absent while their child is working with you. Make sure to capture video, pictures, or other ways to show them their child’s progress.

 

 

When Kids EXIT

When your class or program is over and it’s time for kids to leave, this is another time that parents are going to be there. Once again, parents develop value for what they see.

 

Create an exit ritual. Similar to the different “non exercise” life skills you can reinforce when kids enter, what can you reinforce when they leave?

 

Whenever possible, walk children to their parents. In big groups, make sure to have this interaction at least once per week.

 

Use this as an opportunity to communicate with parents as to their child’s progress. Be specific and brief. Communicate at least 1 time per week with parents. Frequent and effective parent communication is one of the most important things you can do for your business.

 

 

When You EXTEND Your Positive Influence

Kids will do things for a coach or teacher that they won’t do for their parents. Consider how you can use your positive influence to create positive habits outside of the gym.

 

Assign kids “at home” behaviors like cleaning their room, eating vegetables, or other activities their parents would like to see them do, but struggle to make them do it. Keep it simple and create accountability and recognition.

 

Attend games and other events the kids you work with are involved in. This shows support and highlights your visibility within your community.

 

 

Consider the 4 E’s within your class or program. What do you do for each to create a unique, engaging, and valuable experience for parents and kids?

 

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