Gym Seeks to Attract Non-Athlete Teens

The realization that many teens don't get enough exercise gave Daisha Enos an idea.

The 38-year-old mother would use her experience as an athletic trainer and Turbo Kick instructor to create a space just for teenagers to participate in group fitness classes to show them they can exercise and have fun at the same time.

"I saw teenagers didn't have a lot of exercise options. They were either athletes or they were not," Enos said. "The athletes got plenty of exercise during season but the other kids didn't have an outlet. And I thought what if they had their own facility because that's the thing with teenagers. They like to do things with their friends and stuff."

So, with the help of her husband, Aron, she opened TeenFit Studio earlier this month with a lineup of nine classes, which include Pound Fitness, Strong by Zumba and Insanity Live, specifically for high school students.

On the first visit, parents have to come in with their child to sign a waiver, unless the child is 18 years old. After that, teens are free to show up on their own.

There are no pricey memberships or obligations required to attend. Instead, teens can either drop in for $10 a class or save a little and buy a Class Pass.

The more classes purchased, the less expensive it will be. For example, a pass for 10 classes costs $80, which is a savings of 20 percent from the drop-in rate. The only caveat is you have to use them within a certain time frame.

While people tend to think of group exercise classes as a girl thing, Enos is trying to make it clear that, no, it isn't just for girls.

"It's for everybody. As long as you're a high school teenager, we've got routines for you," Enos said. "Yes, your boys might want to come to P90x or Insanity (both are offered there) because it's hard-core and lifting weights, but boys can also benefit from Pilates and yoga type classes where we can increase flexibility, which decreases their chance of injury."

THE TOTAL PACKAGE

In addition to improving their physical health, gym-goers will have a chance to better the community through the studio's TeenFit Club.

"We'll get together several times a year and see what we can do to help out in Tucson, not only to get word out about the studio, but also to give back to the community," Enos said. "I'm a big proponent of that. I've always done volunteer work in my personal time, so I wanted that to be a mainstay here. But, I don't want it to just be Daisha's thing. I want the teenagers to help, so they'll help decide what charities and organizations we help out."

All in all, Enos hopes to build a community and give teenagers the foundation for a healthy lifestyle at her bright east-side studio.

"If they come here and it helps them physically and mentally, all the other things fall into place," Enos said.

"I think that's what's important about maintaining a healthy lifestyle. You find something you love and you keep doing it ... It's not gonna be something you dread or something you have to do. It's something you believe from within is good for you and that's why you'll maintain it. ... So, I'm trying to hit all the aspects of a teenager and not just say, 'Hey come exercise for an hour and then leave.' I want them to understand why they're doing it."

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