The Summit Area YMCA provides the building blocks for a healthy lifestyle and is doing all it can to give children and their parents the tools they need to live their to the fullest. The childhood obesity epidemic means getting kids started on the road to wellness as early as possible offering general exercise, stretching, sports & games, family fitness, and free nutrition lectures. The Child Care programs strive to establish good habits in the children who spend time at the Y—including healthy eating and the importance of daily physical activity. This general philosophy on wellness includes offering balanced meals, a combination of restful and bustling activities and a predictable schedule. Children learn about proper portions and are encouraged to try new foods. The earlier kids start to exercise and see the mental and physical benefits, the better the overall health and wellness will be. Such is the philosophy at the Berkeley Heights YMCA in Fitness Dynamics, a youth class for 12 year olds, and the Springfield Y’s Jazz and Dance classes. The Fitness Dynamics course consists of instruction on how to properly use the weight machines, an overview of functional anatomy (what muscles are being worked and how to avoid muscle imbalances and injury), keys to better flexibility, balance and core conditioning, introduction to the cardio machines and the importance of a good warm up and cool down. Preschool gym classes are designed for children ready to exercise but who are perhaps too young for a true sports class. The Y uses age-appropriate equipment as an introduction into many sports and games with an emphasis on the basic fundamentals of all sports skills—running, jumping, throwing, catching, hitting and climbing. In addition, the Y’s way is to incorporate the elements of spirit, mind and body into the mix. Kids learn about integrity, they learn rules and proper nutrition and they see firsthand, along with their parents, the joys and benefits of exercise. The Y is a not-for-profit 501C (3) organization. It also provides monetary support to anyone in need who wants to benefit from the Y’s programs or membership through the Y Cares Financial Assistance Program. For a full list of program and class offerings, visit: www.summitareaymca.org.