Playing for fitness

Burlingame brothers 8-year-old Mason and 6-year-old Luke didn't mind doing research for their parents' new business.

Their long days visiting playgrounds laid the ground work for Safari Run -- where kids can party like animals. The new site offers a huge indoor play structure, lots of games and healthy snacks. The fun cloaks the real goal -- a healthier living style for children.

Jodi Hamilton-Eichensehr, 39, began teaching fitness 16 years ago while in college. The lifestyle stuck. When her children got older, Hamilton-Eichensehr heard more about childhood obesity. She and her husband Rob Eichensehr wanted to create an atmosphere that allowed kids to exercise without realizing it.

"The kids come out of here and they're red, and sweating and they don't even know they were exercising," she said. "That's the best part."

Hamilton-Eichensehr began Fitness for Future two years ago, teaching teen fitness camps. She got a large response, but wasn't reaching everyone she could. It did introduce her to incorporating fun into fitness, that's when she turned her efforts to younger children.

Safari Run plans to offer a party place for children, an after-school enrichment program, various fitness classes and Friday night dropoff -- for parents who want a night out. The large safari play structure sits behind six sprinting lanes with a tropical theme. Children unknowingly choose one of three obstacle courses when they begin to play. There are ropes, slides, uphill climbs and punching bags.

"The heart [of the program] is still on changing the lives for children. Can you imagine having 15 extra pounds at 10? Having different guidelines and fun activities can change that," said Hamilton-Eichensehr.

Currently, Safari Run is offering three-hour party packages ranging from $350 to $490 for 20 children. Up to three parties can take place at one time, as there are three different rooms party goers get to experience. Children spend one hour on the play structure, 40 minutes in the party room and 50 minutes in the arcade. The team takes care of everything, allowing parents to have fun and enjoy the festivities.

The after-school programs kick off in January with special workouts children can take including obstacle course training, balance disks, stability balls, hurdles, agility ladders, cones, jump ropes, steps, free weights, medicine balls, tubes, ankle tubes, weighted body bars, power endurance exercises and plyometric exercises.

Students will have the option to use time for homework, various skill building activities and nutrition experiments. Classes range from $58 to $384 per month, depending on the number of classes a child participates in per week.

The snack menu, designed by a dietitian, includes many chicken dishes including wraps, sandwiches, burritos and salads. Even the pizza offered is lower in sodium; featuring fresh produce.

For more information visit www.safarirun.com or call 342-1977.

Heather Murtagh can be reached by e-mail: heather@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 105. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.