A personal trainer for kids- is this a thing?

[Anonymous]

I swear this list isn’t as obnoxious as it sounds.

My 6 yo DS has a prominent speech delay and physically he’s slightly delayed too. We do ALL the therapies, speech, physical, occupational. He’s also in a ton of activities- karate, gymnastics, soccer, swim. He loves activities and in general is a super happy and sweet child. Even with smaller classes due to Covid though, I am wondering if I should roll up the roughly $500 on activities monthly and hire...an athletic person who is good with kids who could work with him on some basic athletic skills? Here are examples of things I see him struggle with- he can’t climb on those ropes at the playground and can’t keep up with the other kids. In gymnastics all the kids are working on a skill and he’s far behind on the skill. Hopeless with ball skills. I am not athletic but I do help him with karate bc is used to do it. I also homeschool, take him to playground and activities. DH is naturally athletic but does not do these things with DS unfortunately. I’m not trying to propel my 6 yo into elite athletics. I just want him to be able to do the things he already enjoys. I was thinking of maybe a parkour gym as something that might...consolidate some of these activities. He does get some of it at physical therapy but I’d like to help him to have more personal help on skills, something more personalized than the group classes.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely a thing in the DMV. Maybe not common, but definitely available.

[Anonymous]

An athletic college student or sports coach looking to make some extra $ may be just as helpful for what you are looking for, and cheaper than a personal trainer.

We have a personal trainer for my 11 1/2 year old who plays travel soccer and wants to gain more muscle, but 6 seems a little young.

[Anonymous]

How do you find a personal trainer for your kid? I have a middle schooler who could use this.

[Anonymous]

Just get a female personal trainer. They probably aren’t a child molester. Personal trainers are always looking for clients.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just get a female personal trainer. They probably aren’t a child molester. Personal trainers are always looking for clients.

Not OP, but I am also interested in finding an athletic college student/sport coach for my 5 year old boy. Is it true that normally parents find a female one over male because of concerns of molestation because kid will be left alone with that person? I feel like many adults that my son deal with are almost females, from teachers to instructors, and he is quite a mama boy. I am concerned about molestation, but I want him to be more boyish.

And, what is the going rate per hour if I need 2-3 hours every weekend to train a kid has no sport gene at all to kick soccer, swim, ride bicycle, karate, and gymnastic something like that? The main purpose is to have fun and make him exercise. We are in Montgomery county if that matters.

[Anonymous]

The St. James in Springfield probably offers this.

[Anonymous]

Just let him play as often as possible outside with other kids. With Karate, swimming and so on he does the right things. A personal trainer for a 6 year old kid seems completely unreasonable. Grass does not grow faster when you pull on it.

[Anonymous]

It would seem as though you would be losing out on the social aspect of the activities if you are going to a trainer mode. Also, for $500 a month, if you are looking for someone other than a babysitter (someone who has specialized training or is a coach in a particular sport vs. a HS or college kid who would throw a ball around with your kid), you are looking at maybe twice a week for an hour. Cost for what you are looking for is at least $50 an hour and probably more in the DMV. That might be all you're looking for.

I think you could find what you are looking for. Most gymnastics gyms have personal coaches. A few years back, we were paying $70 an hour for private time, but it was available. I've also seen tae kwon do studios give private lessons.

[Anonymous]

Teachers are often tutors. If you would hire an elem. school teacher to help your kid with reading, writing, math—why not look for a PE teacher that is willing to tutor?

[Anonymous]

Yep totally a thing, I saw a family with six kids hire an instructor for outside yoga during the lockdown. Also if you found someone that could get him excited on keeping moving his body it might be good for him. My mother has CP and I have seen up close and personal on how staying it shape makes all the difference in her life.

[Anonymous]

It is definitely a thing! If you see potential high level or even the opposite, find your child have weakness in general in physical activity put them in Neural Movement training. Trainers are great!

[Anonymous]

Not arguing for or against, OP, but I would hesitate to take him out of group activities, especially if he's happy. Also, 6 sounds a bit young and he needs his peers more.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like he may need physical therapy have you looked into that? You may get some insurance coverage.

[Anonymous]

My mom is a personal trainer and works with a lot of young kids on things like balance and proprioception. I think your kid would really benefit! She is on the west coast but would probably tell you to look for someone not at a gym (eg you want your own studio, higher bar for quality), a degree like a CSCS, and who focuses on natural movement vs what you might think of like strength training. She’d set up lots of games ... like put a rubber band around your ankles and walk like a crab to the shell house. Look for someone who works with kids and who maybe coaches part time (my mom coached x country).