Sportwall - Entering a New Era of
Youth Fitness
August 2007, SB Fitness - Over
the last decade, the rate of childhood obesity in America
has grown drastically. While some reasons for this epidemic
may include genetics or poor diets, the rise of technology
and computer games has greatly contributed to a growing
number of inactive adolescents. The lack of adequate
youth exercise has affected not just the physical health
of growing children, but attitude and test scores as
well. Luckily, Sportwall, located in Carpinteria, has
developed an innovative way of using modern technology
to improve, rather than inhibit, physical health for
people around the world. Who knew that computer games
could make you fit? Well, now they can. Through their
"XerGames" that are now making their way into
hundreds of schools, fitness centers, and family programs
around the world, Sportwall has found a way to improve
hand-eye coordination, raise enthusiasm for exercise,
and bring teamwork skills to everyone involved.
So what exactly are XerGames? Some may
include the ExerStation where kids can play conventional
Xbox programs..only here the hand controller is modified
so that the players must move their bodies in order
to move the characters on screen, incorporating isometrics
into popular video games. Or how about the Performance-PT
wall that lights up when player jump, squat and pivot
to hit targets. Sounds fun? It is, even for the seemingly
shy or unathletic participant. According to Tom Flynn,
District Vice President of the YMCA of South Hampton
Roads, "Sportwall has provided us with a variety
of opportunities to serve all ages and abilities in
a fun, non-intimidating environment."
Tom West, Vice President of Sales, explains
that the idea of Sportwall is to achieve an interactive
fitness center that sparks enthusiasm for exercise,
leading people of all ages to want to workout, rather
than feel as though they have to. To say the least,
the results have been truly groundbreaking. "It's
amazing to see the transformation kids undergo from
standing idly off to the side to leading the relay team
or outscoring their active peers," West explains,
"My long term goal is to have these XerGames in
as many fitness centers around the world to rid the
high obesity rate." As the Sportwall business continues
to grow, we can count on seeing a happier and healthier
generation of young adults in both our community and
around the world.
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