Tell your teenager to put down the video game controller and head to the gym! A free program gives kids ages 12 to 17 access to Raleigh and Cary area Lifestyle Fitness Centers for the summer.

The Free Teen Summer Membership program runs from May 15 to August 15. Each teen is eligible for a two-month membership, which includes seven-day-a-week access to equipment and classes at any Lifestyle Center in the Triangle area. Teens may exercise unaccompanied, but are limited to daytime hours, which end at 5 p.m.

A parent or legal guardian is asked to accompany the teen for registration only.  The program is available only to first-time members.   Teens who participated last year are not eligible.

The Teen program is in its third year at Lifestyle locations in Florida, Ohio, Indiana and North Carolina. Lifestyle Fitness has four locations in the Triangle.

"Our goal is to get teenagers to learn to take care of themselves. Child obesity is a major problem and that's the real reason behind it," said Gary Chakoian, sales manager at the Apex location off Highway 55.

Related Links

1. To find locations, visit Lifestyle Fitness and look for the club locator at the bottom of the page.