By Yvonne Mazzulo
In an effort to expand the way physical activity is delivered to millions of children and youth across the country, the Alliance for a Healthier Generation announced on Oct. 21 a national fitness campaign to get kids moving with BOKS, an initiative of Reebok, celebrity trainers Bob Harper, Tara Stiles, Billy Blanks, and global fitness brand Zumba Fitness along with the support of President Bill Clinton.
The “Fit for a Healthier Generation” campaign features pre-recorded, 3-5 minute physical activity breaks aimed at getting kids up, moving, and having fun throughout the day. The fitness breaks DVDs were produced by Watch It Now Entertainment, a leader in fitness production. The fitness program BOKS, an initiative of the Reebok Foundation, will sponsor the distribution of the more than 30,000 DVDs to communities all across the country.
President Bill Clinton will make the announcement at the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program Forum in Little Rock, Ark. The event recognizes the healthiest schools in the United States and this year will award 251 schools with national recognition. Bob Harper, Tara Stiles, Billy Blanks, and Zumba Education Specialist Kass Martin will debut “Fit for a Healthier Generation” physical activity breaks with live demonstrations for more than 350 education professionals from across the country.
“Less than 4 percent of elementary schools, 8 percent of middle schools, and 2 percent of high schools provide opportunities for daily physical education,” said President Clinton, founder of the William J. Clinton Foundation and co-founder of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, via release. “By bringing together some of the leading experts on physical activity in the country, we can show the benefits of living fit and help kids lead healthier lives.”
With these specially created 3-5 minute physical activity breaks, anyone will be able to get kids up and active during their day. The “Fit for Healthier Generation” physical activity breaks feature simple, classroom and program-appropriate movements to get kids’ heart rates up and have fun.
Schools can access the fitness breaks by joining the Alliance for a Healthier Generation’s Healthy Schools Program online. There is no cost to join the Healthy Schools Program, and members have access to hundreds of resources, including a variety of no-cost technical tools.