CLIPBOARD : My Gym
“OK! Do you all remember our yell? Everyone put your hand right here on top of mine,” said instructor Rick Altman, stretching his hand out toward the kids. They huddled around excitedly and placed their hands on top of Altman’s. At the signal, they yelled, “I am terrific!”
At My Gym, a fitness center for children, the emphasis is self-esteem and independence, not just physical performance. The center, which opened this month, conducts fitness classes for infants and children from ages 3 months to 7 years. Karate classes are available for ages 4 1/2 to 10 years.
Classes are matched to the abilities of each age group. Those just learning to walk are given the opportunity to climb and explore in a safe, supervised environment, and older children are taught basic tumbling and gymnastics.
“There’s not a whole lot the infants can do, obviously,” said Altman. “So with infants, the emphasis is on parent-child interaction. We acquaint parents with their child’s physical capacities and teach them to play together in a way that’s encouraging to the child.”
Altman and his partner, Bill Caplin, opened the first My Gym in Santa Monica in 1983. The concept appealed to fitness-minded parents, hoping to give their children a positive start. There are now five independently owned locations, including the Newport Beach gym, which is operated by Altman and Caplin.
The two have designed a system of encouraging children to develop their physical capacities through a series eight-week sessions. The classes are designed to improve agility, coordination and flexibility. “But the most important thing is to encourage the kids to try new things in a new environment,” said Caplin. “Not all children are bold and adventurous. Some are (reluctant) and can be encouraged to explore.”
The gym includes forts, rope ladders, slides, tumbling and gymnastics equipment. A system of cables, ropes, rings and hooks supports a number of rides that Altman and Caplin devised to develop upper-body strength, provide variation and just plain fun.
Brittany Jacobson, 3, adores the Space Ride, a hand-gripped swing that allows her to fly across the room with the help of an instructor. Brittany’s older sister, Julie, a gymnast, watched proudly from the sidelines while Brittany executed a cherry drop on a set of kid-sized gymnastics bars. “I teach her a lot of stuff at home,” said Julie.
Even though Altman and Caplin have spent years devising a new approach to games and fitness for kids, one of the most popular activities is still hide-and-seek. “We play it often. We don’t adhere to a rigid class structure. It’s a very playful atmosphere,” said Altman.
Hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Address: 4533 MacArthur Blvd., Newport Beach
Telephone: (714) 261-5252
Miscellaneous Information:
* Classes for children ages 3 months to 3 years last 45 minutes, and parents are required to participate. Older children may be dropped off and picked up after class, but parents are encouraged to stay and watch.
* Fees: $105 to $115 per eight-week session. Introductory lessons are free. There are discounts for families with more than one child enrolled. My Gym is available for birthday parties for up to 30 children. For a $250 fee, Altman and Caplin will decorate and provide fun and games specially designed for the child’s age group.