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ENLARGE
Log on and work out.
It used to be that a quiet ride along a sunny country road on a Sunday afternoon was enough entertainment to satisfy the whole family. Now, it would be a trip paved with boredom, unless the car is strapped with DVD players, iPods, hand-held video games and of course the prized cell phone that is the go-anywhere social link.
Technology seems to drive today's world and seeps into virtually every aspect of life. From online banking to news podcasts, technology has found its place in just about every industry.
However, in many ways the fitness industry has been a little behind the trend, at least until recent years. With the Nintendo Wii phenomenon, physical education teachers and even some physical therapists have seen benefits of incorporating the video games into health programs.
Now, gyms and recreation centers are seeking out cutting edge fitness equipment that touts an elaborate virtual component.
Mike McDonnell, Fort Collins recreation manager for ice and aquatics, said city recreation facilities-including Epic, Mulberry Pool, The Senior Center and Northside Aztlan Community Center-recently added a total of eight cutting-edge virtual stationary bikes.
“It's the closest thing you can get to riding outside,” McDonnell said.
The bikes, made by Expresso Fitness, feature 17-inch color screens that, like a video game, show your progress along a digital route as if you were actually going somewhere instead of pedaling on a stationary bike. The bikes feature more than 30 virtual courses and the ability to connect to the Internet and record ride information such as course time, heart rate and RPM. By logging into the system, the program will save an individual's information, so that person can come back and race against their “ghost rider's” time. Riders can also race against someone on another bike.
“The only thing you can't do is coast, which is probably a good thing,” McDonnell said.
He said the Fort Collins recreation department added the new bikes after staff members saw them at Fort Collins Club. So far, the bikes have been quite a success.
Jeremy Herin, 29, of Fort Collins, tried out the Expresso bike for the first time last week. He said it was pretty easy to work and made cardio much more enjoyable, especially for people who usually hate it.
“It's pretty cool,” he said. “It's a good workout, that's for sure.”
McDonnell said the bikes are good for people of all ages and, like a more traditional stationary bike, can be adjusted to any height. They are particularly useful when the weather is grim outside.
There are even specific game options that make it seem more like a video game than a strenuous workout. But unlike the Wii, where kids may not realize they are exercising, the primary purpose of the Expresso bikes is fitness and supporting a healthy lifestyle.
“We see kids sit on the couch,” he said. “The Wii had been good, but this takes a step up.”
Aaron Maisch, fitness director at Fort Collins Club, said his club added eight Expresso bikes during an expansion in January, after staff had visited a trade show that had them on display. Around that same time, the club also added XRCADE, interactive fitness centers geared for kids.
“Technology is getting so crazy these days,” Maisch said. “Now it is migrating into the health and exercise industry. I can't say it's a bad thing. ... In my experience, anything that can motivate people is good. If technology works, then all the better.”
Even before gyms sought out interactive equipment like the Expresso bikes, people would rely on television, magazines or MP3 players to hold their interest during a workout.
Jeff Hulling, Expresso Fitness mountain region sales manager, said virtual technology is likely to become the future of the workout world. He said interest is growing steadily with 200 bikes sold within the Mountain States region alone. He said the manufacturer suggested retail price for the Expresso bike is about $5,000, but the company offers large discounts to clubs that order multiple bikes.
McDonnell said the Fort Collins recreation department purchased the bikes for about $3,500 each.
Already, there is a treadmill with similar characteristics on the market and more equipment is in the developmental stages.
“It's like when you take drugs for pain. Your body gets used to it, so you need a stronger prescription. I think there is some crossover with stimulation.”
He said that because people are so used to stimulation from entertainment and the media, when they enter a club, that is what is expected. The downside though, is often other visual activities—like watching TV—take the focus away from the physical activity. He said equipment that uses virtual technology pulls people in instead of providing them with a distraction.
Even with all the bells and whistles, the high-tech bikes won't likely win over the tougher skeptics. McDonnell acknowledged that the bikes aren't necessarily for everybody. Megan Greer, spokesperson for Northside Aztlan Community Center, said the new bikes do not interest her husband, an avid mountain biker. She said he would just rather ride outside. For some, nothing will ever replace good, old fashioned outdoor exercise.
Maisch said he is excited about the advances in technology within the fitness industry, but that it will probably never fully replace outdoor activities.
“I think people should still go outside and enjoy the sunshine,” he said.
Technology seems to drive today's world and seeps into virtually every aspect of life. From online banking to news podcasts, technology has found its place in just about every industry.
However, in many ways the fitness industry has been a little behind the trend, at least until recent years. With the Nintendo Wii phenomenon, physical education teachers and even some physical therapists have seen benefits of incorporating the video games into health programs.
Now, gyms and recreation centers are seeking out cutting edge fitness equipment that touts an elaborate virtual component.
Mike McDonnell, Fort Collins recreation manager for ice and aquatics, said city recreation facilities-including Epic, Mulberry Pool, The Senior Center and Northside Aztlan Community Center-recently added a total of eight cutting-edge virtual stationary bikes.
“It's the closest thing you can get to riding outside,” McDonnell said.
The bikes, made by Expresso Fitness, feature 17-inch color screens that, like a video game, show your progress along a digital route as if you were actually going somewhere instead of pedaling on a stationary bike. The bikes feature more than 30 virtual courses and the ability to connect to the Internet and record ride information such as course time, heart rate and RPM. By logging into the system, the program will save an individual's information, so that person can come back and race against their “ghost rider's” time. Riders can also race against someone on another bike.
“The only thing you can't do is coast, which is probably a good thing,” McDonnell said.
He said the Fort Collins recreation department added the new bikes after staff members saw them at Fort Collins Club. So far, the bikes have been quite a success.
Jeremy Herin, 29, of Fort Collins, tried out the Expresso bike for the first time last week. He said it was pretty easy to work and made cardio much more enjoyable, especially for people who usually hate it.
“It's pretty cool,” he said. “It's a good workout, that's for sure.”
McDonnell said the bikes are good for people of all ages and, like a more traditional stationary bike, can be adjusted to any height. They are particularly useful when the weather is grim outside.
There are even specific game options that make it seem more like a video game than a strenuous workout. But unlike the Wii, where kids may not realize they are exercising, the primary purpose of the Expresso bikes is fitness and supporting a healthy lifestyle.
“We see kids sit on the couch,” he said. “The Wii had been good, but this takes a step up.”
Aaron Maisch, fitness director at Fort Collins Club, said his club added eight Expresso bikes during an expansion in January, after staff had visited a trade show that had them on display. Around that same time, the club also added XRCADE, interactive fitness centers geared for kids.
“Technology is getting so crazy these days,” Maisch said. “Now it is migrating into the health and exercise industry. I can't say it's a bad thing. ... In my experience, anything that can motivate people is good. If technology works, then all the better.”
Even before gyms sought out interactive equipment like the Expresso bikes, people would rely on television, magazines or MP3 players to hold their interest during a workout.
Jeff Hulling, Expresso Fitness mountain region sales manager, said virtual technology is likely to become the future of the workout world. He said interest is growing steadily with 200 bikes sold within the Mountain States region alone. He said the manufacturer suggested retail price for the Expresso bike is about $5,000, but the company offers large discounts to clubs that order multiple bikes.
McDonnell said the Fort Collins recreation department purchased the bikes for about $3,500 each.
Already, there is a treadmill with similar characteristics on the market and more equipment is in the developmental stages.
“It's like when you take drugs for pain. Your body gets used to it, so you need a stronger prescription. I think there is some crossover with stimulation.”
He said that because people are so used to stimulation from entertainment and the media, when they enter a club, that is what is expected. The downside though, is often other visual activities—like watching TV—take the focus away from the physical activity. He said equipment that uses virtual technology pulls people in instead of providing them with a distraction.
Even with all the bells and whistles, the high-tech bikes won't likely win over the tougher skeptics. McDonnell acknowledged that the bikes aren't necessarily for everybody. Megan Greer, spokesperson for Northside Aztlan Community Center, said the new bikes do not interest her husband, an avid mountain biker. She said he would just rather ride outside. For some, nothing will ever replace good, old fashioned outdoor exercise.
Maisch said he is excited about the advances in technology within the fitness industry, but that it will probably never fully replace outdoor activities.
“I think people should still go outside and enjoy the sunshine,” he said.
