ping pong table: Despite camp's success, its future is uncertain

Monday, Aug 7, 2006

By David Dellecese
ddellecese@utica.gannett.com

NEW HARTFORD — The X-Zone Fitness Arcade is helping get kids to leave their video games and couches behind to exercise by playing video games.

Through the use of Playstation and Xbox technology, the X-Zone, which opened in February, features video games that will only get you as far as your feet will take you. The video game systems are wired to exercise bikes that push the speed or power of your game forward the faster the player pedals.

A similar setup hooked up to a floor pad guides the user through progressively faster and more difficult footsteps, resulting in a rigorous workout of dance to popular tunes.

The dance program, called Dance, Dance, Revolution, has become such a hit that it keeps some kids busy for hours, as well as helping them stay in shape.

"It's a little bit of both," said Anastasia Docherty, 13, of Utica. "Fun and exercise."

Hoops, trampolines

The fitness arcade also features a basketball court; Sportwall, a series of wall machines with light-up targets to increase hand-eye coordination and accuracy; a ping-pong table; Foosball; and Aeroball, two enclosed trampolines on which kids jump while they attempt to shoot basketballs into their opponent's basket.

"My favorites are Aeroball and Dance, Dance, Revolution," said Marianna Maliani, 12, of Utica. "Aeroball is so unique and really fun. This is the only place I can do it."

The X-Zone Fitness Arcade was started by Sheila Shaheen and caters to kids ages 4 to 18. Organizers hope to gear up children for physical fitness in a safe and family environment.

"She knew there was a need for kids to exercise while having something fun to do," said George Shaheen, manager of the facility. "She saw a lot of kids playing video games; just sitting at home on the couch."

Grant Calogero, 13, of Utica spent half an hour recently trying the Sportwall before signing up for a membership.

"It's just pure fun," Calogero said.

Getting children started early with a regular routine of exercise can provide entertainment and better fitness habits now, along with creating habits that carry over in the future.

"Children that are active when they're younger carry on later in life," said Philip Haberstro, executive director of the National Association for Health and Fitness.

Targeting youths

Haberstro said that the numbers of overweight and obese children are startling enough to cause a reaction in the marketplace, resulting in more fitness centers with a slant toward younger audiences.

X-Zone serves as one way to take the technology that some see as an enemy to fitness and make it work in tandem with physical education rather than be seen as at odds with it.

The fitness arcade has around 300 members, thanks, in part, to word of mouth and members bringing in friends as guests who end up signing up as members themselves.

"The response has been incredible," George Shaheen said. "Parents are very enthused about it. Unlike an arcade, kids aren't dumping quarters into mindless machinery. Plus, they understand the health benefits."

The facility has two to three birthday parties every weekend, and staying true to the theme of fitness, only serves bottled water and Gatorade, and snacks such as fruit and vegetables.

"It was amazing when I first saw it," said Thomas Pfisterer, 10, of New Hartford. "They have a huge selection of things to do."

Pfisterer was keeping busy on the Dance, Dance, Revolution, machines, joined for a short period of time by his mother, Gina, who was thrilled at the way her kids are keeping up regular exercise through the arcade.

"You get them in here ... they're having fun, and they don't realize they're exercising," Gina Pfisterer said.