Ringling Bros.® CircusFit® and HOPSports Join Forces to Combat Childhood Obesity and Inactivity

VIENNA, Va. and VALENCIA, Calif., Jan. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Ringling Bros. CircusFit and HOPSports announce new partnership that will allow children around the world to get physically fit while having fun.  CircusFit will be powered by the HOPSports Training System combining circus skills with state of the art technology to encourage youth to stay active and healthy.

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To kick-off the partnership, Ringling Bros. and HOPSports invited one hundred elementary school children in Mooresville, NC to get CircusFit. The students were the first in the world to participate in the newly created CircusFit content featured on the HOPSports Training System.

In 2005, Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® launched CircusFit, an innovative national youth fitness program that is designed to teach kids fun ways to stay active, physically fit, and healthy. Kids learn the fundamentals of fitness through age appropriate activities that incorporate basic circus skills and lessons covering topics such as proper nutrition, hydration, stretching, and exercise.

"For 141 years, families and kids of all ages have been coming to The Greatest Show On Earth to witness some of the world's greatest athletes perform acts of incredible skill," said Kenneth Feld, chairman and CEO of Feld Entertainment which producers of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey.  

"Our inspiring Ringling Bros. performers are in peak physical condition and perfect role models to encourage and teach America's youth fun-filled ways to stay fit and active."

HOPSports is an award-winning educational media network, content library and production company. It developed a K-12 platform designed to restore and revitalize physical education and movement programs while delivering accelerated learning in schools and after-school programs. Currently in 900 locations in 45 states and 6 countries, HOPSports serves an estimated 3.5 million youth a week around the globe.

"American kids are more inactive than ever," said Cindy Sisson Hensley, president of HOPSports. "Our system features professional athletes, Olympians, stuntmen, dancers, great music and fun educational messaging that keep kids engaged and having fun while they get active. With the addition of CircusFit, we are excited to be showcasing Ringling Bros. amazing acrobats and hilarious clowns"

For more information on CircusFit, visit www.CircusFit.com and for HOPSports go to www.hopsports.com.

Related Links

CircusFit Web site

HOPSports Web site

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Web site

SOURCE Ringling Bros. and HOPSports