July 12, 2007
Kids get into action
Placentia’s Action Kids Fitness Center keeps children moving in a positive direction.
By LOU PONSI STAFF WRITER
They frolic in every way imaginable.
They run, jump, peddle, push, pull, kick, dance, lift and climb their way into fitness.
That’s the routine at Action Kids Fitness Center in Placentia, where children get healthy through a variety of games and exercises.
One game, which keeps the children moving, for example, is jail break. The object of which is to maneuver around obstacles while dodging sponge balls being tossed at you from “guards.”
Among the equipment are stationary bicycles, in which riders peddle while navigating a course on a video screen in front of them.
Action Kids offers memberships, as well as summer-camp style programs though the cities of Brea, Placentia and Yorba Linda.
“We started noticing there wasn’t much for kids fitness wise,” said co-owner Sonya Rikhy, 39. “Everybody was focused on personal training for adults but it’s not a concept that people think of for their kids.”
Rikhy, along with co-owner Steve Ewing, 34, are changing that.
Both have extensive backgrounds in personal training. Ewing is professional dancer and martial artist.
Trainer Cameron Heath, a martial artist, dancer and Child Development major at Cal State Fullerton, also conducts many of the programs at the facility.
Action Fitness also aims to address the issue of childhood obesity.
“We are really focused on lifestyle changes,” Ewing said. “We want them to have fun and enjoy physical fitness.
“The intention is to get the whole family involved.”
Action Kids Fitness Center
The all-inclusive gym for children ages 6 to 1 3 has scaled-down weight machines, video-exercise bikes, a rock-climbing wall and trampolines among their equipment.
Action Kids also offers classes in martial arts, kick boxing, hip hop and yoga, as well as classes for adults. Children are also taught proper nutrition. Programs: Options include getting monthly memberships for Action Kids or enrolling in specific classes. Parents can also sign up for programs which run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday for two weeks. Information: Contact Action Kids directly at: (7 1 4) 528-1 000 or www.actionkidsfitnesscenter.com. Action Kids programs are also offered through the cities of Brea, 7 1 4-990-7 1 00; Yorba Linda, 7 1 4-961 -7 1 60; and Placentia, 7 1 4-993-8232. There is also an Action Kids facility in Irvine.