Fitness is a family affair.

That's the simple but effective philosophy of Stacie and Doug Staniszewski of West Gardiner, an attitude they teach by example to their 6-year-old daughter Sophie.

The Staniszewskis were raised to be exercise conscious as kids, they said, and now their daughter naturally follows in their active, fast-stepping footsteps.

"Basically, we're wanting to stay healthy. Sophie is young; we set the values for her at a young age. We don't want her to stay in and watch TV all day," said Stacie Staniszewski, 36, who works part-time as a family advocate at Winthrop Head Start.

Married for eight years, the Staniszewskis are signed up for a $59 per month family membership at the Kennebec Valley YMCA. The fee covers two adults and their children under age 18, according to fitness instructor Julie Riley.

Members can access both campuses in Augusta and Manchester, the pool and gym at the Augusta campus, and the fitness centers and fitness classes at both campuses.

"I started swimming laps more than a year ago," said Doug Staniszewski, a property appraiser.

Sophie is a first grader at Helen Thompson Elementary School in West Gardiner. On Sundays, she and her parents head to the pool at the YMCA's Augusta campus.

"It brings us together. Sophie loves the pool. She can swim underwater and doggie paddles around," her dad said.

"She likes the warmer, kiddie pool. One of us swims with her; the other does laps. We take turns. She can float on her back in the pool. She is so proud of herself," her mom said.

To the Staniszewskis, fitness is fun -- an attitude they want to become a lifelong habit for their daughter.

"During April vacation, me and Sophie and my husband walked the (Kennebec Valley) rail trail that goes from Gardiner to Augusta. Sophie did eight miles with us over three days, two miles each day. She bikes and we walk behind her. She is a happy and excited child," she said.

She often takes her daughter with her to weekly, "Masterblast" Saturday exercise classes taught from 8 - 9:30 a.m. at the Manchester YMCA, by senior program director Trish Hanley Goodwin.

The hour-and-a-half, full-service, total body effort class includes aerobic, freestyle-combo workouts that gets participants to work up a sweat and burn off calories.

"Sophie will come and join me," Staniszewski said. "I'll also bring coloring books, and sometimes, she will sit and color. We also use the Child Watch, child drop-in service at both Ys," she said, of child-care rooms that provide toys and supervision.

Her husband remembers the community recreation center where he grew up with his three brothers in Brook Park, Ohio, a town located outside Cleveland.

"Our parents took us to the rec center programs or to sports, like baseball and basketball. It was a great way to keep busy. I've used exercise equipment since high school. I was a lifeguard at the rec center indoor pool," he said.

Now, he does hourly workouts at the Augusta YMCA campus about five or six times a week.

"I definitely know when I don't do it. I look forward to it. Everybody has to work; it's good to take time out for yourself," he said.

Stacie Staniszewski graduated from Messalonskee High School in Oakland, in 1990, and from the University of Maine at Orono in 1997. She also was raised by exercise-conscious parents.

"Both my parents, Roger and Nancy Belanger of Oakland, walk the track at Colby College in Waterville, every morning. They've even taken Sophie around the track," she said.

Other activities the Staniszewskis share with their daughter are hiking at the Vaughan Woods in Hallowell and the Rockland Maiden Cliff Trail, a two-mile hike in Camden. And, they go snowshoeing in winter.

"Sophie loves to do things together as a family. It makes her a much happier child. She likes trying new things," her mom said.

Lynn Ascrizzi -- 861-9245

lascrizzi@centralmaine.com