"I don't want to go'', are the words often heard by aerobic instructor Julia Snelling at the end of her classes.

Her four to five-year-old students are an unusual sight in local health clubs which run few classes for younger participants.

Every week, groups of children and their teachers from local schools and nurseries go to The Olympic Club for their activity classes.

These classes are run two to four times each week by " Mrs. Julia'', as she is called by her students, and her assistant Stephanie Luke-Decosta.

The classes, which will be taken over by Ms Luke-Decosta at the end of this month due to the expected arrival of Mrs. Snelling's second child at the end of March, are becoming increasingly popular.

"The demand for these classes is high but we have to work around peak club times,'' said Mrs. Snelling who took over teaching the classes more than three years ago.

"The focus is on kids' exercise now and there is always more and more new information available on the subject.'' She has attended several workshops and conferences on children's exercise programmes and stresses the most important element of her classes is for the chil dren to have fun so they do not even realise they are exercising.

Mrs. Snelling emphasised the importance of using a wide range of equipment including steps, balls, and beanbags and changing activities to keep the children's interest.

The classes, which last approximately 45 minutes, consist of a warm up, stretching and movement section. The children also learn about their bodies, fitness and nutrition in a fun way through songs and games.

"They don't realise what they're doing for their bodies at the same time as learning the songs,'' Lynn Norman, a teacher at Woodmont Nursery School, commented.

"The kids love it. Julia does a great job,'' her colleague Kay Gartner agreed. "A lot of other parents have wished that they could send their children to things like this.'' Photos by David Skinner No Sweat! Young students enjoy a good workout at the Olympic Club under the guidance of instructor Julia Snelling.

Stretching out: A youngster at an aerobics class at the Olympic Club reaches for the sky.