Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on April 2014

Tokyo babies can jump on the path to lifelong health and fitness from just 6 weeks old with a host of programs offered citywide.

A good starting point for parents seeking an active lifestyle for their youngsters is children’s fitness center My Gym, which has six locations across the metropolis and offers nine age-determined class levels. Its Little Bundles class, catering to infants from 6 weeks  to 6 months old, uses a combination of song, dance, rides, swings and early gymnastics to engage the little ones. Up to age 3, all My Gym classes require parent participation.

My Gym’s older charges are enrolled in Cardio Kids classes for ages 8 to 13. These involve circuit training, relays and exercises to enhance strength and flexibility. Program fees are rather hefty, but they also include members-only access to free-play My Gym sessions known as Jungle Time. Branches in Futakotamagawa, Hiroo, Kichijoji, Yokohama, Minato Mirai & Tsujido. www.mygym.jp

Elsewhere in the urban jungle, Motoazabu’s holistic Club 360 offers three types of junior classes with karate, Kid Fit and boxing. Club manager Sam Gilbert—or “Sensei Sam” as he’s known by his following of young martial artists—is a third-dan black belt in the shinkyokushin style of karate and teaches three kids’ classes a week. One class is just for 3- and 4-year-olds, and Gilbert says that in his approach, “There’s a lot of games, but I make sure to include the traditions and get them familiar with basic techniques.” A separate class also exists for older children, while Kid Fit, for ages 5 to 10, is a combination of agility games, structured exercise and timed challenges.Nearest stn: Roppongi. www.club360.jp

Also worth considering—but best suited to Japanese speakers—is local fitness giant Tipness, which has a dedicated Tipness Kids program at dozens of its branches across town that includes swimming, gymnastics, dance, karate, wrestling, aikido, tennis, squash and golf. At the Tipness Kids branch at Sendagaya’s Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, babies can hop in the pool from just 4 months old and gymnastics begins at age 3. Dance offerings include hula and ballet, with a minimum age of 4. Branches across Tokyo. http://kids.tipness.co.jp

Another port of call should be your local ward office, though information in English may be limited.