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May 05 2009

YMCA video games focus on kids’ fitness

Published by Chris under News

From Tuscaloosa News:

ymca_light_pad This scene isn’t out of a science fiction novel — it happened Saturday afternoon at the YMCA of Tuscaloosa County, where Jones and a host of other children got their first look at “Lightspace,” a game in the center’s new Kids Zone.

After taking the stairs directly ahead of the front desk, the room of red, yellow and blue-painted walls opens up and is filled with video games that kids play with their bodies, not hand-held controllers.

Byron Langdon, YMCA sports director, said the YMCA needed a place that kids between the ages of 6 and 14 could hang out, since they are too big for day care and too young to use the facility’s fitness center.

Langdon said the idea for the new area came from a Chicago YMCA that recently added the same program to their facility with the help of Motion Fitness, a company that sells and installs the games.

After touring the Chicago YMCA, Langdon said he knew it would be the perfect addition to the new Kids Zone. With the help of the YMCA Men’s Club, the idea became a reality.

“Motion Fitness came in the first part of April and installed the games and we played with them for a few weeks to make sure everything was working,” he said.

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Mar 10 2009

New video games for children provide workouts in disguise

Published by Chris under News

From heraldtribune.com:

igym The YMCA in Alexandria, Va., is piloting an "I-gym" — a workout room filled with about a dozen pieces of equipment that marry video games and fitness. Think of it as Nintendo’s Wii on steroids.

In Silver Spring, Md., Woodlin Elementary School has tried out a NEOS, a giant orange play structure with flashing lights, colors and "whoop whoop" sounds.

"Kids are going to exercise if they want to and have fun doing it," said Janice Williams, senior vice president for special projects at the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington. "So many kids are tech savvy, and video games are a draw to them, so why not have them use a video game that requires them to use movement?"

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Jan 27 2009

Jordan YMCA hosts grand opening for new teen center

Published by Chris under News

From indystar.com:

xrkade Teens on the northwest side of Indianapolis will have an innovative way to stay in shape, thanks to the opening of the new XRKade Teen Center at the Jordan YMCA. The YMCA of Greater Indianapolis will open its second XRKade Teen Center during its grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Jordan YMCA, 8400 Westfield Blvd., Indianapolis.

The XRKade, developed by iTech, offers interactive video games that promote physical activity through an immersive experience driven by the popular Nintendo Wii video games. Middle school and high school teens from Washington Township Schools will be in attendance to help celebrate the grand opening.
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The new XRKade, will offer youth, ages 10 to 18, a variety of games that promote physical activity. Children and teens can choose from games that include tennis, golf, biking, snow boarding, motocross racing and a tread wall. The Jordan YMCA will have a total of 12 game stations available for youth.

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Jan 07 2009

Digital equipment takes exercise to new level

Published by Chris under News

From timesdaily.com:

exercise New digital equipment makes it possible to hike through the Swiss Alps and take personalized spin classes any time.

Such interactive workouts offer animation and scenery to distract exercisers from their activities and entertain.

Exercise in 2009 will follow a "computerized philosophy of creating a scene," said Sybil Wilson, a commercial sales representative for Commercial Fitness in Florence.

Even stationary equipment transports its users.

Star Trac’s Stepper allows users to scale the Eiffel Tower and the Empire State Building through its Famous Steps screen.

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Dec 05 2008

Fun and exercise find good balance in YMCA fit zone

Published by Chris under News

From marshallnews.com:

1184789-H Lisa McComas started as the YMCA’s Wellness Director in May, and she lost no time in implementing her pet project, the Kids Fit Zone, which has been open since September.

With a Buckner Foundation grant and additional funding from ConAgra, the YMCA was able to create a special room with workout equipment just the right size for kids. Adjacent to the room of brightly colored machines is a place for virtual exercise, equipped with two Nintendo Wii Fit game systems.

“Childhood obesity is on the rise,” McComas said, and her goal is to “try to get kids more active, teach them healthy lifestyles.”

About 20 children use the room every day it’s open (Monday through Thursday 3 to 7 p.m.), McComas said. Sometimes kids even have to share the Wiis.

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Nov 11 2008

Y gets $25K for teen fitness center

Published by Chris under News

From republicanherald.com:

ymca, games, fitness, equipment, sports

The center, called The Virtual Edge, will be on the balcony overlooking the gymnasium. It will feature video fitness equipment and sports games designed to encourage healthy lifestyles and physical fitness in local youth, Seamon said.
The grant was presented to the agency by Lowe’s company officials last week.

“The Virtual Edge will be a state-of-the-art video fitness center where youth can work out while mimicking video arcade games, such as riding dirt bikes, skateboarding, dancing, boxing and other activities,” Seamon said. “The system will feature big-screen televisions, flashing lights and actual equipment that simulates arcade games, while targeting muscle groups vital to healthy growth and overall fitness of young adults.”

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