New Zealand's First Youth Fitness Centre

North Shore Couple Open New Zealand’S First Youth Fitness Centre.

Calypso Sports & Fitness is New Zealand’s only dedicated youth fitness and training centre.

Gareth Ashton, Director of Calypso, says young people deserve quality coaching, support and guidance on developing their athletic potential.

“There has been a missing link in the transition from childhood play to adult-based training for too long” says Mr Ashton.

Mr Ashton is quick to make the distinction between traditional adult-based gyms and the centre “Calypso is not a gym, and there isn’t a machine in sight! Adult-based programming and machines have no place in the realm of youth fitness and training”.

“Our programmes focus on developing all-round athleticism, including speed and movement skills, strength and coordination plus fun games and challenges. Participants have a lot of fun, are taught correct exercise principals and shown a clear pathway for developing their talents,” says Mr Ashton.

Husband and wife duo Gareth and Leigh Ashton say they have recognised a huge gap in the fundamental motor skills and fitness foundations of young people in recent times, and Calypso has been launched in 2009 to meet a need they feel is absolutely necessary.

“There are numerous issues in youth sports and fitness at the moment – high injury rates, an emphasis on over competition and declining rates of physical activity, a centre dedicated to this population group is long overdue” says Mr Ashton.

The need for appropriate kids’ fitness programmes is highlighted by the recent release of Fitness New Zealand’s ‘Guidelines for Children in Exercise Facilities’ last month, of which Mrs Ashton (nee Stacey) was involved in writing.

“It is becoming more common for NZ children and teens to seek out complementary fitness activities, and it is vital that this population group receive the appropriate training activities and programming designed to meet their specific needs” she explains.

“There’s much more to it than simply going for a run around the block!”

Improved sports performance, more confidence, and a greater enjoyment of physical activity are just some of the benefits North Shore youngsters are promised from the programmes at Calypso.

The centre is located off Rosedale Rd in Albany and boasts a large training hall plus two studio rooms and spacious male and female changing rooms.

Programmes are designed to cater for high achieving athletes as well as less competitive participants.

Through our programming we hope to foster a belief system in every young athlete that they can achieve anything they want – on and off the field or court.

“Calypso is leading the way in youth fitness, and will be for many years to come”.

ENDS

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