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Mums and daughters - families can exercise together in the same class

THEY say the family that plays together stays together.

That's the philosophy behind Yuko Warwick-Yamamoto's latest class, although it's probably more a case of the family that plays together, gets in shape together.

Yuko, who runs Genki Studios, Leigh, has introduced a Fitness Cheerleading session for mums and daughters. Encouraging the two generations to have fun and get fit together.

"As a mother of two young girls, one aged eight and one aged five, I'm always thinking of ways to get them active and for us to enjoy exercise together," explains Yuko.

"I was looking for something like this class for us, and while there are a lot of children's classes out there, they mostly involve them sitting on the side to watch or chat," she says.

"It also occurred to me that most mums are very busy, so I thought this would be a good way for both mums and daughters to be able to exercise together."

The classes are a combination of cheerleading moves, complete with pom poms, and body conditioning.

"The girls have so much energy and really enjoy themselves, plus they burn a lot of calories and increase their fitness levels. For mums, or it can be nans, aunties or big sisters too, they burn fat and lose weight without realising and feel much better. I think for the girls it's important for them to see their mums as good role models in terms of promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Curious to see all this for myself, I joined in with one of Yuko's classes, together with Maria Wood and her daughter Tierney, nine, and Lin Marshall-Smith and daughter Lucy, nine.

Yuko has an infectious enthusiasm that can't fail to lift your spirits. No matter how bad I feared my co-ordination was going to be, I knew it wouldn't matter. This type of cheerleading wasn't about flinging yourself into the air, or spelling out the alphabet with your arms as fast as humanly possible. As Yuko kept telling us it was all about the "Shake, shake, shake."

With my pink pom poms in hand, I started the challenging task of moving my arms and feet in some sort of synchronised fashion.

The pom poms are a brilliant addition, to what is in essence an aerobics class. We spelt out letters, jumped up in the air, spun round in circles and shook, shook, shook like our lives depended on it.

The second half of the class was then spent concentrating on toning up different muscle groups. The mums were set harder targets than their daughters, but seeing their mums doing it, meant the girls tried that little bit harder too.

The classes have been running for two months now and Maria, Tierney, Lin and Lucy have become dedicated regulars.

"It's great," says Maria, of Lymington Avenue, Leigh. "We have a laugh and it's time out for us two. There aren't many classes you can go to with your daughter, and the girls love using the pom poms."

Lin, of Highlands Boulevard, Leigh, says it's also a great learning experience for her daughter.

"Lucy and I do no exercise together so this was a chance to put that right. It's also good for Lucy to learn how to do exercises and how to stretch properly."

For instructor Yuko, the most important thing is for members of her class to have a smile on their face.

"What's the point of doing exercise if we are not enjoying it or clock watching? I want all of the girls to enjoy the exercise and increase their fitness level for life without having to put in a lot of effort."

Classes are held on a Friday at 6pm and Saturday at 11.30am at the Genki Studio, Maple Avenue, Leigh. Children need to be aged eight and over. For more information visit www.genkiaerodance.com or call 07786 585800.

11:54am Monday 7th April 2008

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