Come try a total-body workout in Elgin
It's described as Dance Dance Revolution for your entire body.
Or, a really large version of the arcade game Whack-A-Mole.
Whatever the impression, the NEOS was stimulating sweat glands and raising heart rates Friday at the Centre of Elgin.
"Don't let anybody say that's not a workout," said Elgin City Councilman Mike Powers after spending a few minutes pushing lighted buttons with his hands and kicking them with his feet.
The $30,000 machine will debut in Elgin today for Healthy Kids Day at the Centre.
From today through April 20, Elgin officials want as much feedback as possible to see if it's worth buying.
"We want to try and get as many people in here to try it out and see what they think," said Paul Bednar, Elgin's parks development coordinator, who noted NEOS can be moved from location to location if needed for a festival or just a park activity.
Mrs. Illinois Laurie Faith Gibson-Aiello, whose platform is prevention of childhood obesity, said NEOS can be a fun, competitive outlet for all. The Elgin resident tried it out Friday with her son Jimmy.
"You really have to run the gamut," she said. "It tricks you into running and dashing and diving."