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Posted: Saturday, February 25, 2012 12:00 am | Updated: 8:25 am, Sat Feb 25, 2012.

Every Thursday for the last few weeks, more than 40 kids have run around the gym at Linden Elementary School — stopping only to do jumping jacks, push-ups, sit-ups and other exercises — until they're sweaty and red in the face.

Then they take a break to drink some water.

And then they run some more. And do some more exercises. And lift weights.

And the kids have loved (almost) every minute of their fitness boot camp.

Boot camp leader Beth Gray said she's inspired by how "into it" the kids are: "They're all focused. They're doing exactly what they should be doing."

The boot camp is one of several winter after-school programs the Doylestown elementary school offers for students, and one of the most popular. Linden Elementary School Principal Sue Klimpl said the 40-plus kids who participate account for about 10 percent of the elementary school's population.

Klimpl said about half of the kids in the school participate in Linden's Let's Run program — an after-school running club — and she thinks that program "got the kids really interested in fitness and health."

Gray started the boot camp this year, with support from the Linden Home and School Association. She said she wanted to do something to help kids get in shape and stay in shape during the winter months when there might not be many sports for them to play.

"It's important for them to physically get in shape — to stay healthy and if they need to lose some weight, lose some weight," Gray said. "They need to see that fitness is fun. You put on some great music and you just do it. You have a great time. And you feel good when you're done."

Klimpl agreed, noting that there are numerous news reports of kids suffering from diabetes and respiratory illnesses as a result of their weight or lack of exercise.

"We have seen more significant health issues across the board at younger and younger ages," Klimpl said.

Klimpl said something like the boot camp is great because it gets kids in shape and shows them that they can have fun while working hard. It teaches them a work ethic.

Klimpl said she thought only older children would sign up for the boot camp, and she was amazed to see kids from all grades lifting weights, doing crunches, doing jumping jacks and having fun.

The boot camp continues for a few more weeks, and then many of the kids will run some more in the Let's Run program.

Christina Kristofic: 215-345-3079; email, ckristofic@phillyburbs.com; Twitter, @CKristofic

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Kids find exercise is fun

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