As December approaches, family diaries can fill quickly. School events, festive plans and last-minute errands make it easy for exercise to slide down the list. And when every family member has a different club or gym, fitting it all in can feel like another job.
There is another way to make movement part of family life: choose a regular activity you can enjoy together. At Kane Academy in Huddersfield, Saturday’s Teenager & Family Kickboxing class offers a shared training time, alongside junior classes earlier in the morning.
It is more than a practical way to organise a weekend. When your children see you learning, moving and making time for your wellbeing, they see those values in action. You do not have to wait for a New Year’s resolution. You can start building the habit before Christmas.
Children notice what you make time for
You can encourage your child to be active, but your example matters too. Research reviews have found a positive association between parents’ and children’s physical activity. The findings suggest that role-modelling activity can help, and that support and shared participation matter as well. A systematic review of parent-child activity explores this relationship.
That does not mean you need to be a fitness expert, or that one class will transform a family overnight. It means your child gets to see you try, practise and keep going. You are showing them that healthy living is something your family does, not just something adults ask children to do.
A family class creates room for that example to be shared. You can work on fitness and technique together, encourage one another and celebrate progress at every level. For children, seeing a parent learn something new can also make it feel more natural to be a beginner themselves.
Turn Saturday into one family trip
A regular class can be easier to keep when it fits into a routine you already have. At Kane Academy, Saturday’s junior classes lead into the Teenager & Family Kickboxing session:
- Tiny Tigers: 9:00–10:00am, for ages 4–7
- Ninja Kids: 10:00–11:30am, for ages 7–12
- Teenager & Family Kickboxing: 12:15–1:00pm
That can make Saturday a simple family plan: come in for the junior classes your children attend, then finish the morning with the mixed family session. Rather than separate trips to different gyms, clubs and activities, you have a chance to build movement into one shared outing.
The family class is listed for teenagers and families. If you are unsure which sessions suit your child’s age or your family, ask the academy before booking a trial. You can check the full Kane Academy timetable for the latest class information.
Make the habit small enough to repeat
The run-up to Christmas is not the time to demand a perfect routine from yourself. Aim for a regular hour in the family diary, and let consistency matter more than an ambitious plan you cannot maintain.
Try these simple steps:
- Choose your weekly time. Put the class in the calendar and treat it as a family commitment. A predictable slot makes planning easier.
- Prepare the night before. Set out what you need, so Saturday morning has fewer decisions and less rushing.
- Focus on showing up. You do not need to arrive already fit or confident. Being willing to take part is a meaningful start.
- Notice progress together. Celebrate small wins, such as remembering a movement, trying a new drill or coming back for another session.
- Keep expectations kind. Everyone learns at a different pace. Encourage effort, patience and respect rather than comparing family members.
These steps echo what habit research often emphasises: repeating an activity in a familiar context can help it become part of a routine. A weekly class gives your family a clear time and place to return to.
More than a workout
Kickboxing can offer a lively way to practise coordination, fitness and new skills. But the value of training at Kane Academy goes beyond the movements themselves. Personal development sits at the centre of the academy’s approach, with an emphasis on healthy living, kindness, resilience, inclusivity and continuous growth.
That makes the training relevant whether you are a child learning to follow instructions, a teenager building confidence, or an adult returning to exercise. You can arrive at your own starting point and work towards progress one class at a time.
Research on martial arts programmes for children has reported positive effects across areas such as fitness and movement skills, although outcomes vary and studies do not prove that every programme will produce the same results. A systematic review of martial arts research involving children offers a useful overview. The practical takeaway is straightforward: choose a supportive, well-supervised environment, and let learning and enjoyment lead.
Train with guidance, whatever your starting point
You do not need previous experience to try a class. Kane Academy welcomes new members and offers trial sessions, so you can experience the atmosphere and ask questions before deciding what is right for you.
If you want a structured introduction, there are two entry routes:
- 4-week starter programme: £49.99
- 6-week beginner course: £199, including uniform, gloves and gradings
These options give you a way to begin with support and a clear next step. If you are considering training with your child, ask the team which route and class combination best fits your family.
Instruction is led by Rebecca Kane, a world champion whose teaching brings experience and encouragement to the mat. You will be supported to focus on your own development, while being part of a community where people of different ages and experience levels can train with respect.
Start the family habit before the festive rush
For families in Marsh, Lindley, Salendine Nook, Oakes, Fixby, Greenhead and across Huddersfield, a shared Saturday session can be a practical way to make activity part of the week. You do not need to wait until January, or find the perfect routine before you begin. Choose a first session, turn up together and take the next step from there.
Children notice when you make time to learn, move and keep going. This Christmas, give them that example, and give your family a regular moment to build confidence, resilience and connection together.
Explore the full timetable and contact Kane Academy to ask about a trial session. Your first step does not have to be big. It just has to be one you take together.