Children empowered to feel good and stay healthy
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

BILL SPARKES/Acorn Newspapers FUN WORKOUT- Haley Begun, 8, of Thousand Oaks enjoys exercising at The Empowered Place, a new facility in Westlake Village offering fitness and nutrition programs for young people.

Kids need to be taught healthy habits, and Aly Covington wants to be the one to do it. Covington and her partners recently opened a children's gym in Westlake Village called The Empowered Place.

The facility features exercise equipment, and nutrition and fitness classes all designed for young people from age 2 and up. The goal is to prevent childhood obesity and related diseases such as diabetes, according to Covington.

"You don't realize how many kids are unhealthy and get sad. There's no reason you can't start early and get them to learn," Covington said. "Parents are busy and teachers don't have the resources. I feel I can make a difference."

Instead of pins and plates, the weight machines feature double hydraulic systems that require pulling and pushing. Kids can use the chest press, shoulder press, bicep curl, tricep extension and a power sport wall that involves running and touching flashing lights.

Classes promote strength and conditioning, and talks may focus on such topics as sunscreen awareness and tips on choosing the best beverages for hydration. Mini-hurdle and ladder drills and nutrition bingo are among other activities offered.

"We want kids to have fun so that they don't realize they're learning," Covington said. To help them toward success, her goal is to involve the entire family through fitness events and nutrition lectures.

"We want it to be a comprehensive program so that it becomes a way of life for families," Covington said. The program is geared toward kids who don't exercise and aren't involved in organized sports.

The Begun siblings, Hayley, 8, and Joshua, 5, visit the gym two to three times a week. The Thousand Oaks children are participating in the strength and conditioning classes to prepare for soccer and softball.

"I really like the concept of a gym that's child-friendly with equipment that's appropriate for them," said their mother, Karen Begun.

Covington wants to reach as many people as possible. At the recent San Diego IDEA World Fitness Conference, an organization of fitness professionals, Covington heard about a new initiative to fight childhood obesity. The purpose is to increase physical activity opportunities in communities nationwide, including group exercise classes in schools. Covington hopes to reach out to local schools to offer fitness programs and services.

"The goal is to eliminate childhood obesity by 2010," Covington said. "We want to inspire all young people in the United States to develop healthy habits and lifestyle choices."

A triathlete, Covington is also a certified personal and athletic trainer and holds advanced certification in children's fitness. A graduate of Cal State Northridge, she has a bachelor's degree in kinesiology and a master's degree in health administration. She helps lead a private fitness training studio called Future Physique Westlake. Her partners in The Empowered Place include Carolyn Preston, a certified personal trainer, and Lisa Statner, a registered dietician who is certified as a diabetes educator and in pediatric and adolescent weight management.

Adjacent to a park, the site allows the gym to offer outdoor activities as well. Birthday parties with healthy food options can also be held at the facility.

A "Back to School Boot Camp" will be held at the gym from 9 to 11 a.m. Sun., Sept. 9. Obstacle courses, relay races, agility, balance, coordination and strength, nutrition education and games are among the programs and events scheduled. The program is free to families, but donations will be accepted to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

For more information, call (818) 991-KIDS (5437) or visit www.theempoweredplace.com.