Austin Youth Fitness Celebrates 15 Years Of Making Fitness Fun And Serving The Austin Community

Ask Alli Phillips and Larry Chauvin what principles guide their work at Austin Youth Fitness and they’ll enthusiastically answer that “play” is at the center of the organization.

“Fifteen years ago, when Larry started Austin Youth Fitness’ very first running club at Casis Elementary, his goal was simple: to make fitness fun for his students,” Phillips said.

“Over the years, as we’ve expanded our programming, we continue to focus on teaching kids how to care of their bodies and help them develop sports skills while fostering their natural love for movement and play. The common thread in all of our programming is ‘Making Fitness Fun!’”

Founded in 2009, this year marks Austin Youth Fitness’ 15th birthday.

The Origins Of Austin Youth Fitness

From its humble beginnings at Casis Elementary, Austin Youth Fitness has grown immensely and now serves over 700 students across the Austin Independent School District and Eanes ISD, with programs in numerous private and charter schools as well.

Additionally, through a partnership with the David Phillips Foundation – the organization’s non-profit arm – Austin Youth Fitness offers programs in nine Austin ISD Title 1 Schools, serving more than 300 additional children in low-income communities.

Chauvin, however, says he never set out to start a business.

“I just wanted to help support my students at Casis with a fun after-school running club and share my love for running and fitness with them,” he said. “With the tremendous growth of Austin Youth Fitness and with the changes in physical education in public schools, Alli and I are now even more passionate about providing ‘fitness and fun’ for kids and we have broadened our goal to ‘Make Fitness Fun For All’ kids. Our work with the David Phillips Foundation is how we set out to accomplish our ‘Fitness for All’ goal.”

Behind Austin Youth Fitness’ Programming

Austin Youth Fitness’ three core programs are its “Fit n’ Fun Running Clubs,” “Biking Clubs” and “Yoga Clubs.” Held on school campuses as after-school enrichment programs, many of the group leaders and coaches are teachers.

“One of our core values is community and Austin Youth Fitness helps build community at schools between teachers and their students and with the students’ families,” said Phillips, who writes the programs’ lesson plans and curricula.

Chauvin, an AISD elementary school teacher for 20 years, adds fun spins to the lessons, ensuring the curricula are play-based and always include fun games. Both Chauvin and Phillips are native Texans and graduates of the University of Texas.

For Chauvin, his work with Austin Youth Fitness is a natural extension of his gifts as a teacher.

Phillips, meanwhile, is a former professor of Kinesiology at UT. Before Austin Youth Fitness, she founded and ran her own personal training business, offering specialty training and classes for moms and their children.

Phillips’ five children were a part of Chauvin’s first running club at Casis.

“When my kids were in elementary school at Casis and I learned about Larry’s Running Club, I wanted them to be a part of it,” Phillips said. “I loved Larry’s approach to building skills and fitness through play. Not only did I want my kids to join, but I wanted in on the fun, too, so we teamed up!”

The Future Of Austin Youth Fitness

Fifteen years later, the Phillips’ kids now serve as program coaches. Her oldest, Laney, holding degrees in Community Health and Business, is Austin Youth Fitness’ Business Manager and Assistant Director of Programs.

Chauvin and Phillips have grown the business into a thriving ecosystem of fitness education for the greater Austin Metro.

Recently, Austin Youth Fitness formed a partnership with Woom Bikes, an Austin-based company specializing in kids bicycles, to bring a fleet of bikes to its programs.

“Our mission is to bring sports, recreation and fitness programs to low-income areas and remove barriers to play for children who wouldn’t otherwise have access. We want to level the playing field so all kids can join us and participate,” Phillips says.

For More Information On Austin Youth Fitness

Interested in registering your child for an Austin Youth Fitness after-school program or camp? Details and registration info can be found at austinyouthfitness.com. For program questions, or if you’re interested in bringing Austin Youth Fitness to your school or neighborhood park, email info@austinyouthfitness.com.

If you would like to learn more about Austin Youth Fitness’ free programs at Title 1 schools, email info@davidphillipsfoundation.org.