Many local gyms are working to aid the growing issue of childhood obesity.

“It’s a huge issue,” said Ray Binkowski, owner of Wright Athletic Club (WAC), 2686 DeKalb Ave.

WAC is working to develop programs to encourage children to be more active.

“We are bringing industry-leading adolescent training to DeKalb County,” he said.

One main focus of Binkowski’s program, which has yet to go public, is to involve children while their parents work out.

“Kids will not come to our gym and sit around,” Binkowski said. “It’s the wrong message to send to kids.”

Haish Gym, 303 S. Ninth St., will also offer more activities geared toward getting kids to be more active. The program called “One Step at a Time” will be available this winter for youth ages five to 12.

“The idea was born from a state grant through the Illinois Association of Park Districts,” said Colleen Belmont, DeKalb Park District program director. She added the idea of the program was also born from one of their hip-hop instructors.

“We could have just offered one component of health, nutrition or fitness, but we decided to offer a program with all three components,” Belmont said.

“One Step at a Time” will be the first program scheduled that deals with childhood obesity and healthier lifestyles.

Haish Gym currently offers a number of sports-oriented programs and leagues for children that deal with fitness through large motor skill activity.

Amanda Salacinski, assistant professor of kinesiology and physical education, said it’s important for kids to learn behavior modifications early to keep up through life. It’s also important for kids to be active and build bone and muscle strength when they are younger, she said.

“Whatever you build through puberty is what you have to work with,” she said.

Salacinski stressed that kids should get the recommended 60 minutes or more of aerobic activity at least three times a week.

“It should be something that’s fun, where they don’t feel like they’re doing physical activity,” she said, adding that some examples would be activities that have kids up and moving large muscle groups such as running, hopping, swimming or dancing.