Beyond Day Camps: Discovering the Full Range of Austin Youth Fitness Programs
When parents think of Austin Youth Fitness, they might immediately picture energetic summer day camps filled with bike rides and running adventures. But as we kick off the school year, we wanted to highlight that this beloved Austin institution offers so much more than seasonal programming. We sat down with the Austin Youth Fitness team to uncover the depth of their year-round offerings that have been keeping Austin kids active and confident since 2009.
How and when did Austin Youth Fitness get started, and what was the original vision?
Austin Youth Fitness launched in 2009 with our first running club at Casis Elementary. We had a simple mission: to teach kids that “fitness is fun!” We’ve grown quite a bit over the years, expanding our running clubs to campuses all over the city, adding biking programming, and yoga clubs too.
What started as a way to get kids moving and teach them healthy lifestyle practices, has evolved into Austin’s premier youth fitness organization, earning recognition as Austin Family Magazine’s “Best of Austin” winner in both 2023 and 2024, and Austin Fit Magazine’s “Best Youth Fitness Program” in 2024. The founders understood something crucial: when fitness is fun, kids develop a natural love for movement that carries into adulthood.
Many parents know you for your amazing day camps, but what other programs do you offer throughout the year?
While our camps are certainly popular, we’re proud to offer comprehensive year-round programming that fits into busy family schedules. Our after-school programs are available at elementary schools all over Austin. We have “Fit n’ Fun Running Clubs,” in which kids learn proper running form, pacing, endurance, running drills, functional fitness, and how to “make fitness fun.” Our play-based curriculum includes fun activities and every session ends with games! In our “Biking Clubs” and “Cycle the City” programs, kids go on a new adventure each week, and learn different routes through their school neighborhoods, with the rides progressing gradually from 2-6 miles over the 6-week session.
We also offer personal training and coaching services for families seeking more individualized attention. Whether your child wants to learn to ride, build biking skills, enhance their running form, explore yoga, build strength and conditioning, or work on sport-specific training, we’ve got highly experienced coaches ready to help. This includes those crucial first bike-riding lessons for kids who prefer learning one-on-one rather than in a group setting.
Can you tell us more about your after-school programs and how they work for working parents?
Our after-school programs are designed with busy families in mind. We partner with schools throughout Austin and offer our programs on the school campuses. From Brentwood and Bryker Woods, to Cedar Creek and St. Francis, you can find a full list of schools and programs here, and we’re constantly expanding our school partnerships to serve more neighborhoods.
The structure combines skill-building with pure fun. AYF athletes will likely see improvements in self-image, confidence, attitude, social-interpersonal-relationship-skills, as well as an increased ability to focus on tasks and schoolwork. It’s not just about physical fitness – we’re helping kids develop focus and social skills that translate directly into better academic performance.
What makes your approach to youth fitness different from other programs in Austin?
Grounded in child development principles and evidence-based physical education practices, our programs emphasize children’s holistic health – physical, mental, emotional, and social. Each week we introduce a new “Fitness FUNdamental,” and kids learn sport specific skills while developing “active-lifestyle” habits.
What really sets us apart is our commitment to making fitness enjoyable rather than competitive or pressure-filled. Most importantly, participants learn that FITNESS IS FUN, and having fun is vitally important to your health too! We believe that when kids discover the joy in movement, they naturally want to continue being active throughout their lives.
For biking specifically, we focus on real-world skills. Bikers will become familiar with bicycle safety, learn the rules of the road, learn to utilize their gears, and will gain strength in their biking ability. Biking is an important developmental skill, as well as a LIFE skill, and our goal is to help kids discover the JOY that biking brings, as they work to improve.
What do parents consistently tell you they love most about Austin Youth Fitness?
The parent feedback has been incredibly heartwarming and tells the real story of our impact. One parent shared: “Such a fantastic camp, where kids get to be kids, freedom in a safe environment, responsibility and they get to explore their city. So wonderful that I wish they had one for adults.”
But what parents mention most is the long-term relationship we build with families. As Teresa noted: “My kids have been participating in AYF biking and running classes and camps for years. We love that it gets them more comfortable on their bikes and teaches them both good running form and a love of running…I think the coaches we have now have been with the program as long as we have so clearly love what they do. We love AYF!”
Perhaps most telling is when Megan said: “Thanks for offering something that is so fun and welcoming and accessible for all kids! My son is so proud when he tells people about ‘bike camp.'” When kids are proud to talk about fitness and movement, we know we’re doing something right.
Ready to explore what Austin Youth Fitness can offer your family? They offer free trials for all their programs. Email info@austinyouthfitness.com to get started, whether you’re interested in after-school programs, personal bike lessons, or planning ahead for summer camps. With programs running year-round and coaches who genuinely love what they do, AYF might just be the perfect fit for your active kiddo.
