A new club for teens aims to turn around the recent rise in obesity in young people.

The new Fit Club at Bracebridge Sportsplex is a joint venture between the town and Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes Secondary School.

Organizers hope the new club will inspire young people to take up lifelong healthy habits.

“Our culture has changed; we’ve gone from hunter-gathers to grocery cart-gathers,” said Fyonna Vanderwerf, fitness and rock climbing programmer at the sportsplex. “The most important thing about this is we are trying to combat obesity.”

Vanderwerf, who is helping with the Fit Club, is concerned about young people getting weight-related diseases like heart problems and diabetes.

“In order to live, you have to move,” she added.

The Fit Club will introduce students from Grade 9 and up to a variety of activities at the sportsplex. They will also learn about nutrition in the context of Canada’s Food Guide.

Vanderwerf said too many people look for the quickest possible meals, which aren’t always healthy choices.

The name Fit Club was chosen from the popular Brad Pitt movie, Fight Club.

The club will start in the weight room but the students will be given instruction on the climbing wall, indoor track and in the group fitness studio.

Retired teacher and fitness buff George Manolakos came up with the idea for the program.

Vanderwerf said Manolakos is a very active person and well liked by young people.

“If he’s not cycling, he’s hiking, if he’s not hiking, he’s a wall climbing instructor,” she said.

While BMLSS has a variety of after-school programs, the Fit Club will be one more option for students who may not be involved in sports, said school principal Dave Golden.

“Here’s another opportunity for students to get involved (in healthy activities),” Golden said, adding he likes the idea of students getting healthy and active.

The Fit Club is designed to be accessible for all interested students. The cost is $5 for the school year. The club is scheduled after school, so some students can take the late bus home, depending on their route.

There is also good variety in the program so students won’t get bored.

Vanderwerf said the activities will be taught in a safe and effective manner.

She hopes teens will head off to college or university with a good knowledge of nutrition and physical fitness.

Program assistant Jaelyn Allen agrees.

“We want to get them on the right track,” said Allen.

They also hope participating youth will take their healthy lifestyle home to their parents, who may also want to try something new.