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<\/p>\n\n\n\nIf you ask any Mom her wish for her children, more than likely you\u2019d get the response: \u201cgood health and happiness.\u201d At the forefront of this notion is a growth mindset when it comes to fitness and healthy competition. Luckily, there are options to help kids cultivate a love for fitness, while having tons of fun along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hot Ground Gym is located in Arlington Heights, Illinois, just outside of Chicago, with additional locations in surrounding suburbs. The facility is run by military veterans, offering sports programs for ages 5-14. Their motto is to \u201cChallenge kids to master the physical and emotional skills they need to succeed in life.\u201d Hot Ground Gym\u2019s programming, which includes weekly classes, memberships, camps, and even birthday parties, does just this. I would even say it\u2019s one of the best places to visit with kids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Junior Boots\u2122 military-style obstacle course and team building class was created by veterans to teach kids valuable life skills through a powerful experience centered around physical, mental, and character development. Each fitness class is 45 minutes long – offering a structured, safe, accepting, and fun environment for kids to learn and to interact with one another, while developing core skills like collaboration, discipline, confidence, and creativity. The classes are divided into appropriate age groupings: Kindergarten -Second Grade, Third-Fifth Grade, and 6th to 8th Grade. The Junior Boots\u2122 program allows children to achieve \u201cranks\u201d similar to those of our military, which provide a sense of achievement, accomplishment, and leadership with every step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My children love the variety and exhilaration of The Junior Boots\u2122 classes. Some days, obstacles including ropes, medicine balls, or grappling may be encountered – other days, more adventure-themed problem-solving physical and mental challenges may be presented. Regardless of the tasks at hand, Hot Ground Gym does a tremendous job of enticing both the younger and the older kids into loving fitness and the adrenaline of a great workout. This place truly appeals to boys and girls alike. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Classes, camps and parties are meticulously planned, fast-paced and guided by positive reinforcement. No matter the type of fitness activity offered, Hot Ground Gym lives up to the hype – my children definitely work up a sweat and can\u2019t wait until their next visit. As a mom, I am continually impressed by the professionalism, dedication, and directives of the employees as well as the impeccable cleanliness of the facility. At various times of day, Hot Ground Gym hosts adults-only classes that house the same fitness goals. For kids, for adults – lots of laughs and sweat abound at the Hot Ground Gym!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bathrooms<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ample Parking<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kid Friendly Activities<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kid Friendly Approved by KFV<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kid Friendly Environment<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kid Friendly Fitness<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kid Friendly Options<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kid Friendly Safety<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kid Friendly Staff<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Meineke Park in Schaumburg, just a short drive from Hot Ground Gym, offers much of the same physical equipment, but at no cost to visitors. Dubbed \u201cNinja Warrior Park\u201d by locals, Meineke offers a variety of obstacles for kids ages 6-13, and is open during park district hours, year-round. The space is well-maintained and brightly lit during dusk. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The challenge course does not have any formal programming offered by an outdoor on-site staff member, so you can elect for an a la carte experience or follow the suggested course guide on the placard at the entrance of the facility. If you\u2019re feeling like you\u2019re up for the challenge, you can time yourself racing the kids with a 40-yard dash on turf, complete with a digital overhead stopwatch (my kids love hitting the giant red buzzer at the end!). The park includes opportunities for climbing, bounding, balancing, and reaching while increasing overall kid fitness with more than just a dash of laughter. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
My kids love visiting Meineke at various times of the year, typically at least once each season. We have found that keeping a record of our overall times in the dash as well as our complete course completion has provided a healthy family competition and a show of growth over the years in our physical and mental grit (even in this<\/em> Mom!). There are times when the park has had other families visiting, and times where we have been fortunate enough to have it all to ourselves – in the latter times, my kids and I create our own roadmap to follow and see if we can challenge ourselves to burn the most calories using our own fitness trackers. A little healthy competition goes a long way in our family. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This Kid-Friendly Venue is an excellent opportunity to get fresh air while being productive and proactive in making fitness more of a fun experience than simply a \u201cworkout\u201d. Children love watching each other try to beat their own \u201cpersonal best\u201d course times, and cheer each other on along the way. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Meineke Park is situated behind Meineke Recreation Center on Weathersfield Lane, where there is ample parking, however the outdoor facility does not have a dedicated bathroom. The park district staff do not mind if you pop indoors to use the restrooms, which are kept exceptionally clean. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Meineke brings out a Ninja Warrior in us all and is definitely a favorite kid-friendly venue for this family!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ample Parking<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kid Friendly Activities<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kid Friendly Fitness<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kid Friendly Approved by KFV<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kid Friendly Environment<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kid Friendly Options<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kid Friendly Safety<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kid Friendly Staff<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dana H<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" If you ask any Mom her wish for her children, more than likely you\u2019d get the response: \u201cgood health and happiness.\u201d At the forefront of this notion is a growth mindset when it comes to fitness and healthy competition. Luckily, there are options to help kids cultivate a love for fitness, while having tons of … <\/p>\nAmenities at Ninja Warriors Park<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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