E-Fit center like a video game that's come to life

When the Wii became a national phenomenon as a way to promote strenuous indoor exercise, there were plenty of skeptics.

Even as families stood in line for hours and danced hysterically out of the store with their new prized possession, the doubters rolled their eyes.

"Just another game for the kids to work out their thumbs while eating Cheetos on the couch," they droned.

The naysayers are eating their words today. The Wii has revolutionized home entertainment and raised it to new heights by introducing an element of physical fitness to the video game experience.

The Fox Valley Park District is taking the Wii craze one step further. On Friday, June 12, the District will unveil its E-Fit Interactive Fitness Room at the Eola Community Center, where the energy level is expected to be so high that guests will be bouncing off the walls - literally.

"We're always looking for creative ways to combat childhood obesity, and an interactive fitness room like this provides great workout opportunities - not only for kids, but for people of all ages," said Jaime Ijams, E-Fit coordinator at Eola.

"It's a fun way to promote healthy lifestyles. This is the first public facility like this in the area, and everybody is excited about what's here."

The Office of the Surgeon General recommends children get at least one hour of physical activity each day and, given all there is to do in the interactive fitness arcade, that time will fly by.

"The kids, especially, are giddy when they're here," said Ijams, "and they're getting a great workout while having fun at the same time."

It's best described as a fitness center hybrid, combining the elements of a health club with playground features enhanced by technology - in many ways like a video game come to life.

With so many features, it's more than just exercise. A workout here increases speed, agility, coordination and cardiovascular health while also serving as a mental stimulus.

As they say, a healthy body makes for a healthy mind, and vice versa.

Some of the highlights include a Sportwall Training System, which can simulate drills used for baseball, football, tennis, golf and many other sports.

Not only does it help develop sport-specific motor skills, but it improves quickness, reaction time and overall strength. Better yet, Sportwall can accommodate upward of 30 people, making it great for camp groups and sports teams alike.

Xer Dance dance pads will put a hop in your step. It's the dance equivalent of Guitar Hero, requiring participants to keep pace with choreographed steps as they're flashed across the screen.

Music and fitness will go hand-in-hand as well. A 52-inch LCD television will feature Guitar Hero Aerosmith and World Tour Complete Band to rock your socks off - and maybe a few pounds at that.

The now-famous Wii is a prominent feature. E-Fit also includes an electronic playground and indoor climbing wall.

Though E-Fit has yet to open, it's already booking summer camp groups, birthday parties and team outings. Ijams said there will be plenty of "drop-in hours" each day for the public to participate on a per-visit basis. Hourly admission is $4 for residents and $5 for nonresidents.

The grand opening on Friday, June 12 will feature a free open house from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Eola Community Center, with an official ceremony at 4 p.m. Food and giveaways will be provided - with plenty of interactive opportunities to burn off those pesky calories.

It's going to be so much fun that it might render the term "workout" a misnomer.

• Jeff Long is the public relations manager for the Fox Valley Park District. Contact him at jlong@fvpd.net