14th Street Y recently added Ultimate Fitness to its class schedule. Ultimate Fitness is an exercise class for children with special needs in NYC. The class teaches children how to exercise in a fun and safe way.
Students help set up an obstacle course that will teach
them strategy, organization, critical thinking, and teamwork skills.
In the fall, the 14th Street Y added Ultimate Fitness to its roster of classes for children with special needs. The class, for ages 10-14, is part of the Y’s Kol Program, which targets kids on the high-functioning end of the autism spectrum as well as children with communication and language delays.
Held on Fridays and Saturdays, the class teaches young students how to exercise in a fun and safe way. “Ultimate Fitness is a great opportunity for students with special needs to develop friendships and practice learning on their feet in a social environment,” says Rob Noone, founder of Train2Be, the private fitness training company behind the class. “We want our students to experience how fun and rewarding it is to play sports and exercise with other students their age.”
Each session targets skills such as spatial awareness, communication with teammates, and physical skills like jumping, dribbling, passing, and balance. During games played in class, students engage in creative and stimulating activities that incorporate strategy, organization, critical thinking, and teamwork.
“We make sure our directions are clear and direct so students understand each task and don’t feel overwhelmed,” Noone says. “We always compliment effort and good teamwork. We work patiently with each student and offer individual attention when needed.”
For more information on the class, which begins its an eight-week spring session on March 1, visit 14streety.org. To receive an application, email amanda_kayam@14streety.org or call 646-395-4339.
