The RECORD spoke to CrossFit Alberton 2.0 about children doing CrossFit and the benefits it holds for growing children.
CrossFit Alberton has three age groups of children exercising: the cubs between five and seven, the pandas between eight and 11 and the grizzlies who are teenagers aged between 12-16.
According to Angie Mitchell, one of the coaches at CrossFit Alberton 2.0, the benefits for children are considerable. “We make it fun so the children don’t even realise they are exercising,” said Angie.
According to her it is important for growing children to do physical exercise due to our lives no longer being as physical as it used to be. Cameron Mitchel, another coach, added it becomes especially necessary to have general physical strength when children become intensely involved in school sports later in their lives.
“As a society, our athletes aren’t correctly conditioned,” Cameron said.
Angie explained that the focus of the exercises, especially with the cubs, comes down to development. The exercises they do are functional and focused on coordination and neuro-muscular development.
At the youngest level all of the exercises take the form of games and as they move up in the age groups there is more focus placed on explaining the reasons behind the exercises.
“As they continue with CrossFit, you see them develop a lot more,” Angie said. “They get better at everyday things and their confidence levels increase.”
Another benefit of your children doing CrossFit is the opportunity to exercise yourself. Many of the children’s parents also take part in CrossFit, giving them both the opportunity to train simultaneously.
“We are one big community,” said Angie.
