A "UNIQUE" gym exclusively for children aged 13 has opened in Billericay to help stop children "sitting around and playing computer games".
Meera Khalfan, 26, is opening My Gym, an exercise and activity facility which caters for the younger generation.
The centre in Radford Way is the first UK franchise of a company that started 30 years ago in California.
Originally from Dubai, Miss Khalfan now lives in Billericay where her mother and grandparents are based.
She lives in Radford Way and since starting work on the plans last year, she is excited to be opening.
The former corporate banker said: "We want children to learn a healthy lifestyle at an early age – this is more important today with computer games and kids tend to just sit around.
"My Gym will be a great opportunity for them to get their energy out and have a safe environment in which to do so, especially with the rise in obesity and fast food.
"People are surprised when they hear it's a gym for children, but they're not going to be doing weights or running on the treadmill. It's much more of a combination of a kid's class and a gym.
"It combines elements of a gymnastics hall but also a sports centre."
Miss Khalfan said My Gym is a children's activity centre with structured classes for children aged six weeks to thirteen years.
She said: "The idea was developed by psychologists, physiotherapists and cognitive therapists.
"With the younger ones the classes involve singing, dancing and games and as they get older we incorporate more sport and things like relay races – the tasks progress as they get older.
"It's not just about fitness and develops their social skills and confidence and allows them to understand friendship and co-operation."
Miss Khalfan said the gym has lots of special equipment including a ball pit and zip line while the building itself is "colourfully decorated".
She added: "We have had lots of interest and a really good response. Lots of children have been signed up before we've opened."
There is already an up-and-running restaurant on site, The Pea Pod Café, which serves healthy food for children and adults.
Cafe manager Elaine Reilly, 53, said: "The centre will be good for Billericay as it's quite unique.
"We want to educate people, not scare them and make them realise that healthy food can be really nice.
"I don't think anywhere else caters for families like this.
"We hope to set up cookery classes in the near future too."
The gym will host a series of open days from tomorrow until May 5, which will give children the chance to try classes for free.
