A new children’s fitness programme has been launched at Llanishen Leisure Centre in Cardiff to tackle inactivity and obesity among 11- to 14-year-olds.

The leisure centre, owned by Cardiff County Council, is the first fitness facility to adopt Enerjetix, a new youth initiative devised by Precor which aims to promote a more physical lifestyle in young people.

The modular-based programme is designed to build physical confidence in children through a range of activities including catching, throwing, running, jumping, balance and co-ordination, incorporating fun, challenges and rewards in order to increase motivation.

Each module lasts eight weeks and is divided between gym-based sessions and general sport activity. Money Money Money, for example, focuses on using a variety of gym equipment to earn money in various currencies from around the world, while What A Racquet introduces the skills and principles used in racquet-based sports.

The programme starts with a thorough introduction to Llanishen’s gym, which was refurbished last year and includes a separate 15-station youth gym, equipped by Precor. Instructors then develop and deliver their own activity modules designed to suit the interests of the children in each group.

Sessions are held on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings. Classes currently accommodate 10 children to one instructor, though if demand is greater than this a second instructor will join the scheme.

Each eight-session course costs £18, or children can subscribe to a monthly All Action card which costs £15.75 and includes Enerjetix and use of some of the centre’s other facilities, such as the swimming pool.

Cardiff County Council’s recreation manager, Bronia Bendall, said: “To date, leisure centres within Cardiff have run a successful gym course for 14- to 16-year olds, however, we really needed to attract a much younger audience, where the problems of sedentary behaviour and obesity are more acute.”

Jex Whitling, Precor’s UK sales director, added: “This is an exciting project for Cardiff and one that Precor intends to roll out to other councils in order to fulfil the needs of schools and leisure centres throughout the UK.”

A team of researchers from Mid Glamorgan University will test the effectiveness of Enerjetix by evaluating attitude, behaviour and physiological changes in the participants. Study groups are currently being recruited and the results of the project are expected to be available at the end of April. Details: www.cardiff.gov.uk