Les Mills launches ‘Born to Move’ childhood activity initiative

Les Mills has become the latest fitness brand to set its sights on tackling youth inactivity with the launch of its new children’s programme Born To Move.

There has been a flurry of childhood activity initiatives in recent months, with Places for People Leisure announcing a tie-up with popular IP Peppa Pig and Fit For Sport joining forces with the Power Rangers brand to extoll the virtues of regular exercise and a healthy diet.

Les Mills’ new programme comprises a series of activity and fitness classes for youngsters aged two to 16. It uses foundational movement skills such as dance, martial arts, plyometrics, core, yoga and sports training in a bid to develop a lifelong love of movement in children, as well as to build self-esteem and confidence. The classes have been developed with age-appropriate moves and music to appeal to children of all ages.

Childhood inactivity is a growing concern and many British GPs have urged the government to take urgent action to quell the epidemic. Approximately 33 per cent of 11-year-olds are now overweight or obese and among four and five-year-olds the figure stands at 22 per cent.

“These statistics are set to go in the same direction as the nation’s waistline – upward, unless something is done to curb this trend,” said Keith Burnet, CEO of Les Mills UK.

“Our Born To Move programme in partnership with operators such as Everyone Active looks to respond to the rapidly declining level of physical activity among children and young people.”

The new initiative recently made its debut when double Olympic gold medal winner Rebecca Adlington cheered on 500 schoolchildren taking part in the classes at the latest Legacy Games Day – organised by leisure operator Everyone Active and children’s activity provider Fit For Sport. Everyone Active is the first operator to provide Born To Move, initially offering the classes across 10 of its leisure centres.