by Share On Social!
In New York city, teens are getting fit with the help of the YMCA’s Y-MVP Teen Fitness Program. The program works to increase levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity by using an on-line incentive-based app and gamification to help teens get a full 60 minutes of daily physical activity.
According to a Carib news article, youth who participated in the program increased their physical activity at the Y by 36%.
In addition to receiving instruction from a trained coach, the Y-MVP program equips participants with the knowledge and skills they need to develop their own fitness routines. Every lesson is designed to be aligned with the state of New York’s standards on physical education. Participants meet as a small class and take on fitness “quests.” At the end of each class, they receive a new fitness “mission” which they are to complete before the next class.
A Social Fitness App For Teens
Upon arriving to the Y, participants scan their membership card at a Y-MVP iPad kiosk. They then log their workout to track their progress, in order to earn digital badges and accumulate points. After accumulating a certain amount of badges, teens earn incentives like t-shirts, water bottles, or access to another fitness class. With the success of this program and financial support from its partners, New York’s YMCA plans to expand the Y-MVP program to locations throughout the five boroughs of the city.
Learn more about New York’s Y-MVP program here.
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