Greetings! This is the first posting of XRtainment Zone's blog. This blog (a "blog" is a "web log" or online journal) will provide updates on XRtainment Zone and the field of exertainment/exergaming. Since this is a field in it's infancy, especially when it comes to the application in healthcare, we will strive to be the trusted resource center for anything pertaining to exertainment.
For those who don't know me, I'm Dr. Ernie Medina, Jr., and currrently in my 12th year (since 1993) at Beaver Medical Group (www.beavermedicalgroup.com) as a preventive care specialist. What's that? Think fitness/nutritionist/behaviourist all rolled into a DrPH who focuses on lifestyle-related diseases and intervention.
Since 1998, when I saw my first exertainmment demonstration--a Trazer at the Celebration Center's medical fitness center--I've been dreaming of opening such a facility. I would go to conference, trade shows, and exhibits researching and networking on anything to do with exertainment. At meetings on pediatric obesity, when I would raise the question on how video games can help increase physical activity, I would always receive bewildered looks from the expert speakers or panel (though a few brave souls would come up to me afterwards and ask more questions). All this has led us to where we're at today.
I'd also like to take this first blog to introduce to you the other managing partner of XRtainment Zone, Joel Peterson.
Joel, as a business person and an attorney, oversees all the business aspects of XRtainment Zone, while my focus is on the clinical and research side of the business. Joel is the main reason why, after 7 years of dreaming, this idea of mine has finally seen the light of day!
Dr. Kim Knowlton is the General Manager of this Redland's flagship facility. She is a part-time preventive care specialist at Beaver Medical Group, and has extensive experience working with obese adults and kids. She has been running our Kid Fit program at BMG for the last few years, and will be applying her skills over to our Family Fit Zone class at XRtainment Zone.
We are currently set up at Redlands Mall, in between the former B.Dalton's and Hallmark stores (both replaced by other stores). We currently have 2 Gamebikes, a Xavis system with Jackie Chan Fitness Studio game and the Boxing game (my arms are still sore from last night's matches!), and the Eye Toy (learning Kinetic and playing Play 2). The picture inluded here is when we first set up with the DDR back during the Thanksgiving week, but we decided to rotate some other games around and feature the Eye Toy. It's also giving us a chance to learn the latest Eye Toy game that just came out, Kinetic. It's a great workout and fun!If you're in the area, be sure to stop by and visit, and definitely try the games! If you're not sure about what exertainment is all about, you'll get it when you try it. We've had people stopping by for the first time and after playing the games, are intereested in becoming investors! LOL! (Maybe for the growth of our chain and franchisees....)
If you have any questions you'd like to direct to any of us, you can e-mail us at the following: ernie@xrtainmentzone.com, joel@xrtainmentzone.com, or kim@xrtainmentzone.com. Or leave your comments here--we would appreciate getting your feedback!
Thanks for your time, and we look forward to opening our flagship facility in Feb. of 2006!
Ernie Medina, Jr., DrPH
