YOUNGSTERS are set to be offered free fitness classes at a Brierley Hill gym in a bid to tackle childhood obesity.

Children between the ages of three and five will be entitled to four free classes a week after High Street chain Xercise4Less announced its Xercise4Kids scheme.

The new concept, which launches today (March 8), aims to encourage physical activity among children and their parents to help tackle the childhood obesity problem.

Sarah Philp, Xercise4Kids coordinator, said: “I am delighted to be able to finally reveal the concept we have been working on for the last year.

“Xercise4Kids was inspired by the lack of inter-generational activity available for both parent and child. It eliminates the childcare barrier and also encourages interaction between parent and child as opposed to the current child movement classes offered.”

Classes are 45 minutes long and will take both the children and parents on a story telling journey through four different themes, with each class incorporating different activities for a fun workout.

Every eight weeks the theme of the class changes and at the end of each eight week programme, the children are presented with a certificate to track their progression.

Joanna Baker, the Brierley Hill gym’s general manager, said: “This is an opportunity for us to ensure that we leave a working legacy from the success we have enjoyed, to say thank you to the community we serve, while helping their children to embrace a better lifestyle.”

For more information visit www.xercise4less.co.uk/xercise4kids