Amy Ross can't wait to get off work, pick up her kids and head to the gym.
Ross, along with her husband Shawn, daughter Abby, 6, and son Jeffrey, 9, is a member of the A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA on Carwood Avenue in Kitchener.
The Y has just bought 22 pieces of cardio equipment specially designed for kids aged five to 12.
"My kids loved the new purple-yellow equipment, and it's their size," said Ross, who works with Manulife Financial.
The Y purchased the gear with a $60,000 grant from Weston & Wonder. The grant was under the Wonder Play, Dream, Grow program.
Weston Foods (Canada) Inc. is one of North America's leading food processing and distribution companies.
The new, smaller-sized equipment lets kids work out alongside their parents, said Virginia McLeod, general manager of the Kitchener Y.
Nine cardio machines have been placed next to similar adult equipment in the new family fitness zone. They include steppers, rowing machines and elliptical trainers.
"Childhood obesity is a concern today," said McLeod, who believes it's important for parents to set an example for their kids to be healthy and active.
"By working out together, they can do that," McLeod added.
At the Kaufman Y, more than 60 per cent of members have family memberships.
McLeod believes the new additions will help more families adopt a fitness routine.
Besides the new equipment for the family fitness zone, the Weston & Wonder grant has also helped the YMCA buy 10 spinning bikes and install a traversing wall for children aged three to 16.
The additions were introduced to the community at an open house on Saturday. The response was positive, McLeod said.
"Kids and their parents were very excited," she said of the turnout.
Children were especially thrilled with the play space outside and the basketball hoops installed at a low height, said James Howe, director of communications at YMCA.
Ross loves the new equipment for the smaller size but more so because her family will be able to exercise together.
"My husband and I take the kids with us every time we go there and they always do something else," Ross said.
"Now, we will be able to keep an eye on them. We'll know where they are."
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