Building healthy habits for life with NL Active Junior Gym

Helping young people feel confident, stay active and develop healthy habits can make a real difference to their health and wellbeing, both now and in the future. Our Junior Gym sessions give 11 to 16 year olds the opportunity to discover the benefits of exercise, learn how to use gym equipment safely and find activities they enjoy in a supportive supervised environment.  

Why being active matters

According to Sport England’s latest Active Lives Children and Young People Survey for 2024-25, 49.1% of children and young people in England are meeting the recommended activity levels, taking part in an average of at least 60 minutes of physical activity a day across the week. However, 28.4% are classed as less active, doing less than an average of 30 minutes a day.  

These figures highlight the importance of helping young people find enjoyable ways to move more and build activity into their everyday lives. 

Regular physical activity can support healthy growth and development, strengthen muscles and bones, improve cardiovascular fitness and help young people develop coordination and agility. It can also support mental wellbeing, helping to improve mood, relieve stress and provide a positive outlet away from the pressures of everyday life.  

But the benefits go beyond physical fitness. Sport England research found that children and young people who are more active report being happier, with an average score of 7.1 out of 10 and compared with 6.7 among those less active.  

Physical activity may also offer benefits beyond the gym, research suggests that being active can support children’s learning and academic performance, alongside their physical and mental wellbeing. Helping young people develop an enjoyable, sustainable approach to exercise can therefore be a valuable investment in their overall development. 

Just as importantly, introducing exercise at a young age can help establish healthy habits that continue onto adulthood. Giving young people the knowledge and confidence to exercise independently can help them feel more comfortable staying active as they get older. 

Building confidence, one session at a time

For some young people, stepping into a gym for the first time can feel daunting. Knowing how to use the equipment, which exercises to try and how to put a workout together can be a challenge, particularly without previous experience. 

That’s where NL Active Junior Gym can help! 

These sessions are designed for 11 to 16 year olds and are supervised by our Health & Fitness Assistants, who provide support and guidance while young people explore a range of gym exercises. With an emphasis on having fun and keeping fit, Junior Gym offers an opportunity to learn skills, build confidence and discover different ways to exercise.  

Learning how to use gym equipment correctly can also help young people understand the importance of exercising safely, developing good technique and working at a pace that suits them. 

Whether they want to improve their fitness, get stronger or simply try something new, Junior Gym helps young people take their first steps towards a more active lifestyle.  

Get started! Junior Gym Induction Course

All new Junior Gym customers must complete the four session induction course, led by our qualified fitness instructors before joining regular junior gym sessions. 

Each session introduces a different aspect of gym training, helping young people develop their skills and confidence progressively: 

• Session 1: Cardio machines – learn how to use treadmills, bikes and cross trainers and discover which activities they enjoy. 

• Session 2: Resistance machines: learn how to use strength training equipment safely and correctly.  

• Session 3: Functional training – try exercises using light weights, medicine balls and bodyweight movements. 

• Session 4: A personalised gym plan – bring everything together with a simple programme tailored to their interests and goals. 

Ready to get started? Our four week induction course costs £30, payable when you book. Call 01724 291900 or pop in to book your place. 

Once completed, young people can join regular supervised Junior Gym sessions for just £5 per session. Our Junior Gym sessions are available at all NL Active gyms, with places bookable online, by phone: 01724291900, or in person at your local centre.  

Upcoming Junior Gym induction courses

Give your young person the opportunity to build confidence, learn new skills and develop healthy habits. Upcoming induction courses are available at the following NL Active centres: 

• NL Active Ancholme: 9,10 November 2026 | 4 January 2027 

• NL Active Axholme North: 11 November 2026 | 6 January 2027 

• NL Active Baysgarth (Community Hub): 10 November 2026 | 5 January 2027 

• NL Active Epworth (Livewell Isle of Axholme): 9 November 2026 | 4 January 2027 

• NL Active The Pods: 16 November 2026 | 4 January 2027 

• NL Active Winterton: 10, 12 November 2026 | 5 January 2027 

References:  

Sport England (2025), Active Lives Children and Young People Survey – academic year 2024–25. https://www.sportengland.org/research-and-data/data/active-lives/active-lives-data-tables 

Muntaner-Mas, A. et al. (2024), Acute effect of physical activity on academic outcomes in school-aged youth: A systematic review and multivariate meta-analysis. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 34(1). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37632197/  

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