CYCLING CLASS FOR KIDS Little bikes by Carol Goodrow Devra on a bike by Jordan, age 8 November 29, 2003 It's 7:45 a.m. on Saturday. The music's playing. Peter, our ultimate cycling instructor, is on his bike, getting ready to give us, the grown-ups, an exercise experience that will challenge, burn calories, strengthen muscle, make us work, make us healthy, and turn a could-be-tedious workout into a non-stop fun experience. Jordan, the child, is sitting on the floor at our cycling class. She's happy to be here, watching her mom at exercise class. It's better than being left with a babysitter first thing in the morning. She's included by the instructor, whenever possible. She counts, calls out "freezes", and has brought her coloring book. She gladly draws the picture of "mom" on the bike that the instructor asks for. But what's wrong with this picture? KR would like to see health clubs provide exercise classes for kids. Of course before this happens the manufacturing companies would need to test, build, and market kid-safe and friendly exercise bikes, treadmills, etc. for our young people. Then the kids, like adults, could experience the camaraderie of exercise class, along with the fun of exercising to music, competing only with the equipment and yourself, and more opportunities, to stay lean, trim, and healthy...as our newspapers cry out for every day. If you agree, approach your local healthy club, write letters to the exercise equipment companies, and help find more ways to keep our young people active. PMC Art from HAPPY FEET HEALTHY FOOD, by Carol Goodrow available April 2004 from Breakaway Books. Healthy Snack Ultramarathon 2003 (Kids' names are changed, but this was our actual program, partway through. It shows the healthy snack food list.) Results Ultramarathon Healthy Snack Stand Healthy Snacks for an After School Community Program suggestions Classroom Program 2001 including resources, references, and links rwedit@rodale.com.