Next time you hit the gym, don’t be surprised if the person on the treadmill next to you is a pipsqueak. With the “poor nutrition habits of our young folk” contributing to our sprawling obesity problem, says Cedric Bryant, the American Council on Exercise’s chief science officer, fitness centers are marketing themselves increasingly to parents and children. According to the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, 1.3 million kids ages 6 to 11 were members of an IHRSA fitness center last year.

Before kids attend a class, it’s important that parents make such programs offer “good supervision by people who are appropriately trained,” Bryant says. “Kids aren’t miniature little adults, so you have use an interval approach, make it fun and engaging ... as opposed to more structured exercise.”

There are a variety of programs available, including kiddie yoga, basketball and conditioning programs coupled with agility and speed training.