Building Confident Kids, One Hour at a Time
Curious what a kids’ fitness class actually looks like? CrossFit 184’s coaches share how Kids & Pre-Teens Camps build confidence in Marysville, Ohio
Searching for kids fitness classes in Marysville, Ohio that build character, not just muscle? At CrossFit 184, our Kids & Pre-Teens Camps are designed to do exactly that, and on the latest episode of Built for Life, coaches Mandy and Judy break down how it works, class by class.
Why We Separate Kids and Pre-Teens
If you’ve ever watched a five-year-old and a twelve-year-old try to do the same workout, you already know why age matters here. Younger kids need short bursts of activity — new games and skills every 10 minutes or so — just to hold their attention. Pre-teens can handle longer, more technical sessions, which is exactly what they need heading into our Teens Grit program.
Pre-teens also start working with rePage_Downal equipment. Class begins with PVC pipes to nail down form, then moves to an empty barbell, then adds weight — but only when a coach sees the athlete is ready. Nobody’s rushed onto a heavier bar before they’ve earned it.
Kids, meanwhile, get a shorter dose of skill work followed by games built around that skill. They’re learning the movement the whole time — they just don’t realize it, because it looks like a game.
What Our Kids Fitness Classes Actually Look Like
A kids’ class starts with a quick warm-up game to get everyone moving right away, followed by a bit of settle-down time, a short skill focus, then stations or an obstacle course to keep the energy up. Pre-teens follow a similar arc but spend more time refining specific skills like pull-ups or barbell technique, since they’re building toward longer workouts and heavier loads.
Every class ends the same way for both groups: a quick reflection. Coaches ask kids what they’re proud of, or point out a moment — a fall that got shaken off, a first pull-up — worth celebrating out loud. It’s a small habit, but it’s where a lot of the real coaching happens.
The Confidence Piece Parents Actually Notice
Ask Mandy and Judy what they want a kid to walk away believing, and neither hesitates: that they can do hard things. Not just in class — in life.
That shows up in ways you wouldn’t expect. One coach described an athlete who came in frustrated because heavy lifts and new skills weren’t clicking right away. By the end of a five-week session, that same kid was proud to talk about what he’d learned and why. Another coach talked about a group of pre-teens who, without being told to, started cheering on a teammate struggling through sprints — and watching her visibly speed up because of it.
Parents notice, too. Coaches regularly hear from moms and dads whose kids suddenly nail a skill at gymnastics or another sport, and trace it straight back to something they built here.
Does My Kid Need to Be “Athletic” Already?
No — and that’s kind of the point. Some pre-teens walk in having already lifted before and are ready to add weight quickly. Others have never played a structured sport and just need space to move without feeling judged. Coaches meet each kid exactly where they are, with equipment (adjustable bars, lighter barbells, boxes) that lets everyone work at their own level in the same class.
For kids who already play another sport, this isn’t competition — it’s crossover. It’s common to see young athletes carry over strength and conditioning from CrossFit into everything from diving to competitive swim.
Nervous About the First Class?
It’s normal, and coaches expect it. New kids get paired with someone who’s already comfortable, get a small task to ease them in — holding equipment, walking through the course first — and are usually fully participating by the end of class.
Ready to See It for Yourself?
Our fall five-week camp is underway, with new sessions opening regularly for Kids & Pre-Teens Camps in Marysville and the surrounding area.
Visit Our Kids/Pre-Teens Page to find the right class for your child.
