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 that 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 this week with a lineup of nine fun classes, which include Pound Fitness, Strong by Zumba, Insanity Live and more, specifically for teenagers in grades 9-12.
Parents do have to come in person the first time to sign a waiver, unless their child is a senior and is 18 years old. After that, teens are free to show up on their own.
Group classes are good for girls AND boys
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 hardcore 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. So there are classes for everybody."
No membership necessary
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.
"I didn't want to do a membership thing because it kinda holds them to it," Enos said. "I want them to be able to try it out...You want them be be able to drop in, take the class and say 'oh I really like that' and then if they know they're gonna come on a regular basis, just buy a class pass."
It's also a way to make it easier, financially, on parents.
"We know parents are gonna be footing the bill for most of this, so if that's the case we want it to be made affordable and not have to pay a monthly membership, especially if their kid doesn't wind up taking advantage of it," Enos said.
These are your best friends in Pound Fitness.
Extras
As an added incentive, the studio has a FitTeen of the Month program in which the teen who shows the most enthusiasm for getting fit and living healthy while having fun will win a $20 gift card and be eligible for the FitTeen of the Year award which, if the winner is a senior, is a $100 scholarship for college.
Attendees will also be able to get involved with helping 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."
Teens who are seniors can be a part of the Seniors' Series, which is a set of four to five workshops for those who are interested in a job or career in fitness upon graduation.
"Once you turn 18, you could become a fitness instructor," Enos said. "So, it's to meet with any seniors that are coming that may be interested in becoming a fitness instructor. It's to let them know what are the ins and outs, requirements, certifications and costs involved...It's a pretty fun and easy way to make some money."
As a thank you to parents (and any other curious adults), TeenFit Studio will offer a free class for adults on the second Saturday of every month.
All in all, Enos hopes to build a community and give teenagers the foundation for a healthy lifestyle at her bright, eastside 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."
Studio details
What: TeenFit Studio
Where: 7407 E. 22nd Street
Hours: 4:30 to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday
Contact: Call 751-6305 or email info@teenfitstudio.com
Social media: Click here
App: Download GloFox, which is available for Android and Apple. Once you open that, type in TeenFit Studio. Voila!
