What's a kid to do if he's not a team player?

One of the first signs of spring in the suburbs: the flyers that kids bring home from school promoting baseball leagues. But not every child jumps for joy at the thought of playing Little League, or in other seasons, basketball, football or soccer.

Take my son. I'll never be a soccer mom because he just isn't interested in participating in team sports -- unless being a color commentator for professional ball games counts. But being active is an important life lesson I want to teach him.

The good news is that there are numerous options in and around Seattle that can engage a child and promote physical fitness, but which don't involve teams.

Michael Schauble, owner and trainer at Redmond-based ZenRock Fitness, says kids can work with one of their experts to develop a solo fitness program that meets their physical fitness needs while still taking into account their growing bodies.

"We would want to include weight-bearing exercise," Schauble says, "but not anything using static weights." That means things that use the child's own body weight are fine, but weight lifting is off-limits, since repeatedly lifting heavy weights can inhibit bone growth.

ZenRock Fitness offers training in martial arts, self-defense, hiking and other "fun activities that promote heart health and muscle strength," says Schauble. While generally kids under 9 aren't part of the client mix, a younger child with specific needs or desires might be appropriate. "It depends on the child," he says.

Training costs $50 to $80 per hour. Creating an individualized program takes two to three one-hour sessions, including a fitness evaluation and a couple of training classes. Group rates are available, so if a child has some friends who are also interested in training, they can share costs, or the family can participate together as a group. There are discounts for packages and for Microsoft employees, too.

If your child enjoys riding a bike, why not take it up a notch with spinning classes? Many health clubs offer spinning, although whether or not children can participate depends on the club. There are also spinning studios, like Go Legs in Magnolia, owned and operated by Karen Moyer, the wife of former Seattle Mariners pitcher Jamie Moyer and the founder of the charitable foundation that bears the family name.

Many of Moyer's seven kids go to the studio as part of their fitness routine, be it as part of their training for baseball or softball, or for cycling's own sake. Any child who can reach the pedals -- usually by about 12 for most kids, says Moyer -- is welcome to attend a class. Moyer has also started some after-school spinning sessions just for teens.

"Indoor cycling is so fun for kids who don't like to do a team sport," Moyer says. "Motivated by music, a kid can have fun while working on cardio to build a good mind, body and soul -- real fun while breaking a sweat and building a strong heart."

Membership is from $109 per month per household for unlimited rides. There are also punch cards available, and nonmembers can drop in for $15 per class.

Got a kid who needs to release a lot of tension and burn off a lot of energy? Try boxing. Cappy's Boxing Gym in the Central District has lessons for children 6 to 17 every Tuesday and Thursday from 4 to 5 p.m., and for teens 13 to 17 Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 4 to 5 p.m.

Gym owner Cappy Kotz has trained national-level competition boxers and believes that boxing helps kids learn discipline and mental focus. Along with boxing, the children have "homework" assignments as part of the gym's Everyday Fitness Program, which encourages kids to engage in other fitness activities outside the gym.

The first class costs just $5, and a 10-class pass is $115. There are also programs that allow members to attend unlimited classes. If you have more than one child interested in boxing, the additional kids in the family can box for half price, and if an adult wants to box and the child is also interested, then the child gets the half-off discount.

If you have one of those kids who at 2 was finding his way to the top of the fridge, maybe rock climbing would appeal. Stone Gardens in Ballard has programs for kids 5 and up. The junior climbing program limits classes to 12 students and costs $60 a month for members and $80 a month for nonmembers.

Kids Climb has just five students for every instructor and is open to kids from 6 to 16. The cost for a 90-minute session is $15 for members and $20 for nonmembers. As kids advance in ability, they can register for more difficult classes. There are also summer camps available.

Kids can also learn to climb at Vertical World, which has gyms in Seattle, Everett, Bremerton and Redmond. Vertical world not only offers classes but also has a climbing team for kids who excel. Among the course offerings: Little Rockers, for kids 6 to 9, and the Junior Program, for ages 10 to 17. Costs and times vary depending on which gym you go to. Vertical World also offers summer camps.

There are some children, like my own, for whom fitness is a good idea but finding something fun to do is hard. If you belong to a health club, you can always do what we did: Make one day a week family fitness day and jump on a treadmill or an elliptical as a group. Check with your gym, though: They may have age limits and require an orientation.

If you don't belong to a gym, try downloading some of the trail maps from King County Parks. A pair of walking shoes, some water and a snack, and fitness is yours for free.

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