Canadian Company Joins Fitness With Video Games

February 17th, 2007, 20:40 Posted By: wraggster

via marketnews

Marketnews isn't really the place you’d expect to read about the latest fitness centre, but the Bulldog Interactive facility for youths is a perfect example of the growing trend toward electronics in fitness. The facilities combine video games with getting in shape by using exercise equipment that’s fed through gaming systems, like Sony’s PlayStation 2.

Founded in February 2005 by Halifax, NS resident Holly Bond, Bulldog Interactive Fitness, Inc.’s mandate is to help combat childhood obesity, and the general lack of activity displayed by youth today. Kids these days are more apt to stay indoors and conquer the latest video game with their friends, or surf the ‘net, than to engage in outdoor sports activites.

"I know what happens when you run out of tricks: TV, Internet, snacks, MP3 players, cell phones, cameras... it's tough getting kids active and there aren't many options out there," explained Lisa Franschman, owner of a new, 5,000 sq. ft. franchise location that will celebrate its grand opening this weekend in Thornhill, ON. "Parents can just drop their kids off and go do their errands. They can rest assured that when they leave their children at our facility, we will cater to every child and make him feel special."

Members at any of the four locations can get fit while having fun on a video dance machine, cycle live against Bulldog members in other facilities, or race against friends (or the computer) using bikes connected to Sony PlayStation 2 consoles and games: their pedaling activates their virtual car in the game, while the handlebars allow them to steer! Both Toronto locations (two others are in Nova Scotia) are also equipped with the new Nintendo Wii gaming consoles. Other technology-related activities are available. For example, a wall that illuminates in random spots, prompting the child to swat a tennis ball in its direction. The gyms are designed exclusively for youth aged from three up to teens, and certified youth trainers are on hand, supervising at all times.

“Parents are encouraged to just drop their kids off,” Bond told Marketnews. “The kids tend to be better behaved when the parents aren’t there!”

“We [also] work on [kids’] self-esteem, and a by-product of this is that they lose weight if they need to, develop muscle tone, and their school grades go up: the list of benefits is long,” enthused Bond.

For more information, visit www.bulldoginteractivefitness.com.

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