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Health: They're the 'Fit' Family Robinson ; WHY A LITTLE EXERCISE CAN MAKE A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE

Posted on: Wednesday, 29 December 2004, 06:00 CST

AMIDLANDS family has earned the title of the fittest in the country.

The Robinsons - Dave, his wife Pat and children Charlie, Amy and Matt - were chosen by Sport England as their Champion Family because every one of them enjoys exercise.

Charlie, a 25-year-old fundraiser for Rainbow House, and Amy, a 24-year old sales rep, play hockey and tennis, while 16-year-old Matt, a Chase Terrace High School pupil, plays cricket and squash. Their parents enjoy walking and cycling.

It may sound like a gruelling regime but 51year-old Dave, a garden designer, says any family can follow their example.

'We are not fitness freaks who are doing sports all the time, we are just an ordinary family who fit activity into a busy lifestyle,' he says.

'People seem to have this idea that you need to be very fit and be going to the gym all the time, but it is just a case of doing some exercise on a regular basis.

'For instance, I like to play a game of squash with Matt - it is low level squash as I am past 50 now but we still enjoy it. On a nice sunny day we like to take the bikes and cycle as a family - this is not super fitness it is just enjoying doing something together.'

Dave and 53-year-old Pat, who works as a special needs teacher at Spring Hill Primary School in Cannock, also make an effort to includewalking in their daily routine.

'It isn't difficult to walk a bit each day - say, for instance, we go to the supermarket, we park in the furthest possible car parking space. It's all exercise,' says Dave.

'If you are going into town, get off the bus a stop early and walk the rest of the way. If you are going out for a meal then park the car a little further away and walk.

'If we are going shopping in Birmingham we may park at the top of Broad Street ratherthan right in the city centre and walk down. It is a lovely walk through town and along the canal.

'People say they can't afford fitness but neither can we. It is not as if we are paying pounds 70 a month gym membership. I go to the local health centre which costs me pounds 20 a year and a game of squash costs about pounds 2.30, which is not expensive. 'Saying you can't afford it is really just an excuse.'

Since being chosen as the Champion Family, the Robinsons, of Burntwood in Staffordshire, have been visiting schools promoting healthy living.

'We are going into the playground with children aged seven to 11 and teaching them games such as tig and hopscotch - games which they don't seem to play any more. I think the way to reach families is through the children. Pester power can achieve a lot.'

Now Dave is urging Birmingham families to follow their example and make it a New Year's resolution to include more exercise in their lives.

'I am throwing down the gauntlet to all the readers,' he says. 'Over Christmas and New Year there will be a time when the family is bored and looking for something to do. 'Go out as a family, take your brothers and sisters, your aunts and uncles and your children, and go for a walk. I guarantee that you will come back having enjoyed it and saying you should do it again.'

Source: Evening Mail; Birmingham (UK)

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