Alessi Fitness for Kids opens on Transit Road
by JESSICA L. FINCH Associate Editor

Derek Alessi, owner of Alessi Fitness for Kids, stands by the rock wall inside the gym, designed for youths ages 6-14.

While children may gain weight just as adults do, they don't lose it the same way.

In response to higher levels of childhood obesity, Derek Alessi recently opened Alessi Fitness for Kids, designed for children ages 6 to 14 to be active while having fun.

The gym is located at 6215 Transit Road next to Alessi Fitness.

"The key is, this is not a health club for kids. There are not little bikes or treadmills," Alessi said, adding that he doesn't recommend that type of linear exercise for a child.

He focuses on developing children's balance and coordination through an obstacle course. There are also balance balls and a 24-foot climbing wall.

Alessi Fitness for Kids also teaches proper diet. Children are asked to identify three good sources of protein, carbohydrates and fats from a basket of play food.

The gym teaches children to adopt a healthy lifestyle, not to "diet," he said.

"They have the rest of their life to enjoy; we help make this a lifestyle. They learn it's doable, not beyond their reach," Alessi said.

In a recent survey at Williamsville East High School, he found that only 11 percent of parents cook dinner. The other 89 percent of meals come from takeout and fast food.

"What we teach is habit, to exercise and eat well," he said. "Children are taught to brush their teeth every day, but they are never taught that routine with the rest of their body."

Just as a child would never be allowed to skip brushing his or her teeth, Alessi wants the same idea to surround exercise and eating healthy.

One of the main problems is that the youths who need to adopt a new lifestyle will never see the inside of a gym, he said. Alessi said their parents usually have poor habits themselves.

When asked how those parents could be reached, Alessi said at seminars he asks parents, "Do you want what's best for your children?" And they all raise their hands. He wants that to be the message to parents: do the best for your children and teach them healthy lifestyle habits.

Once a child is attending classes the goal is to teach them without them realizing it, he said.

The facility opened at the end of January and offers 5,000 square feet of space.

For information, call 635-0758 or visit, www.alessifit.com.