Keeping teens happy and healthy

A focus on health is important for all of us but physical activity during the teen years is especially important to ensure a healthy transition into adulthood.

Here’s a look at the benefits of keeping teens active.

1. Physical Benefits
   Exercise can have a number of both the short and long term physical benefits. Regular physical activity reduces the likelihood of obesity and other weight-related problems including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, chronic illnesses and even some types of cancers. Weight bearing exercises- such as jumping or running – can also decrease the risk of osteoporosis in older age, by assisting in stronger bone development during the adolescent growth period. Additional physical benefits include improvements in flexibility, posture and coordination, while most importantly the promotion of regular physical activity helps establish healthy habits for later on in life.
2. Mental Health Benefits:
   A healthy body often equals a healthy mind. During exercise, the body produces hormones known as endorphins which promote happiness and good feelings - so by keeping physically active, teens are also improving their mental health. Many studies have shown that regular exercise can help improve symptoms of anxiety, depression and other mental health issues. Learning new skills and keeping fit can also improve concentration and memory, often leading to better performance in the classroom. Being physically fit also helps maintain confidence and a positive body image, which is especially important for teens who may struggle with self-confidence.
3. Social Benefits
   Engaging in regular sporting activities can encourage a healthy social life by creating and maintaining relationships with friends. Young people who are keeping busy through physical activities are also more likely to adopt other healthy social behaviours, such as avoidance of smoking, drugs and alcohol. Working out in groups or with a team encourages social interaction and, in turn, helps to build confidence in a fun and social environment. Friends are also great motivators for teens to participate in sporting activities and so group activities are a great way to get them involved.

As teenagers move through adolescence they experience many changes with their bodies including growth in height, weight gain and emotional changes. At the same time participation in physical activity has been shown to decrease as children grow older with only 1 in 10 (8%) young people aged 13-17 meeting the 60 minutes of daily recommended exercise.

Understanding the benefits of physical activity to teens is a great reason to keep them moving!

Teen Fitness at HBF Arena

HBF Arena has one the best gyms in Joondalup, providing a friendly facility for people of all ages, sizes and ability. The Fit Club program offers a gym membership for teens aged 12-15 years giving them managed access to health and fitness services and a head start to establishing a healthy, active routine for life. The non-competitive environment provides a safe place for teens to come work out with over 50 group fitness classes a week to choose from. HBF Arena also provides one of the only teen group fitness programs in Perth which is specifically targeted at teen fitness.