For tweens and teens, the feeling of not fitting in can be distressing. Peer pressure and the adverse effects of social media—unrealistic comparisons to other teens and celebrities, fear of missing out and the well-documented addictiveness of social platforms—can compound the problem and undermine a young person’s mental health and well-being.
Depression, social anxiety and low self-esteem may stop young people from trying activities they might otherwise enjoy, like sports and other forms of exercise.
F.I.T. Club (Fun, Inclusive, Teen-Centered Training), created by CentraState child/adolescent psychiatrist Ankur Desai, MD, is designed to change that. The program helps adolescents ages 12 to 18 boost their self-esteem, self-efficacy and social interaction by learning healthy coping strategies through exercise and education—all while improving their fitness levels.
“We focus on creating a supportive environment where adolescents can have fun, feel included and fall in love with fitness, a natural mood booster,” says Dr. DeSai.
The Benefits of Exercise for Teens
There are many great reasons for young people to get and stay active, exercise helps:
- Build endurance, bone and muscle strength and cardiovascular fitness
- Sustain a healthy weight and improve sleep, both of which are critical as teens grow and develop
- Release mood-elevating endorphins and reduce the body’s production of stress hormones
- Bolster cognitive and memory skills
- Raise energy, lower the risk of depression and promote optimism
- Create a habit that stays with teens for life, helping them to become healthy, active adults
In F.I.T. Club, participants exercise twice a week in a small group setting at CentraState Fitness & Wellness Center, free from pressure or judgment. The program runs for two months, is repeatable and does not require a fitness center membership.
The program’s workouts combine cardiovascular exercise, plyometrics (jump training), medicine ball exercises, resistance training and speed & agility training.
Parents have been happy to see positive changes in their children, noting improvements in confidence, leadership and social skills. By keeping groups small, F.I.T. Club ensures that each participant receives personalized attention, making exercise accessible, enjoyable and empowering.
F.I.T. CLUB
Learn more about F.I.T. Club at the CentraState Fitness and Wellness Center.
