How unfit has your child become this summer?

Children lose 80 per cent of their fitness during school summer holidays. This is the worrying finding of research coming out of the UK.

The research, conducted by UK fitness association ukactive, measured 400 pupils before and after the summer holidays. It found that, after the summer break, the children were able to run a significantly shorter distance before stopping with exhaustion than was the case before the holidays.

Of course, that 80 per cent figure may vary by country, but – with many parents out at work all day, and with daily entertainment and trips throughout the long school holidays not financially viable for most people – children will inevitably spend a lot of their summer being inactive at home.

This month’s return to school therefore marks a welcome return to activity, and with it the beginnings of a slow regaining of fitness. But why not give your child a helping hand in the shape of an Aspria Academy membership?

A: With a wide range of activities available for all age groups – from toddlers to teens – there’s something to appeal to every child at the Aspria Academy. Whether your child is interested in dance or swimming, martial arts or team sports, theatre skills or arts and craft, it’s all here at the Academy. A Tennis Academy is also available at all family clubs with tennis courts.

We run holiday camps throughout the school holidays too, which now include interactive club challenges: children in the different Aspria clubs across Europe compete against each other in fun competitions. This adds an extra buzz of excitement, as well as giving children the chance to meet new friends, building their social skills and their confidence through sport, activity and wellbeing.

We can even organise and host your child’s birthday party for you, with a fantastic range of party packages on offer.

A: Every parent wants their child to be safe in the water, learning a vital life skill as well as having fun. That’s why we created the Aspria Swimming Academy.

The Aspria Swimming Academy offers an extensive swimming programme that’s aligned to national standards, with courses catering for all ages and existing skill levels. All lessons are delivered by qualified swimming instructors, with group and individual lessons all structured so children can develop through the different levels of the Aspria Swimming Academy.

Some of our clubs also have Swim Squads, which compete in national competitions; the Swim Squad at Aspria Brussels Royal La Rasante recently returned from one competition with a haul of over 20 medals!

A: We’ve recently launched Family Friday in all our family clubs. Once a month, we keep the Academy running from 18:30–21:30, with activities on offer for junior members aged three to 12 years; we also extend gym access to 14- to 16-year-olds during this time.

It gives parents a lovely opportunity to spend an evening together, whether that’s dinner in our restaurant or a chance to relax in the spa.

A: While there are plenty of opportunities for adult members to enjoy some ‘me time’, safe in the knowledge their children are being looked after at the Academy, Aspria is also a wonderful place to spend some quality family time together.

Family has always been at the heart of Aspria, so the whole club is designed to welcome you and your children – from the pools to the restaurant to the social spaces.

Find out more about Aspria Academy membership here.