Wednesday, December 14, 2005

XRtainment Zone's own blog!



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

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

XRtainment is an absolutely awesome and inspired idea come to fruition. Not only is the concept brilliant, but also the team you have put together with Dr. Ernie Medina, Dr. Kim Knowlton, and Joel Peterson, is literally the dream team. As the owner of Hogi Yogi for the last 12 years, here in Redlands, I have witnessed an ever-increasing problem in childhood obesity. It is refreshing to have a place where children,(and big children,lol)can go and have fun while they exercise. Keep up the great work and I will be telling everyone about XRtainment!
Sincerely,
Lenny Evans

Dr. Ernie "PA Evangelist" Medina, Jr. said...

Thanks Lenny! We appreciate your support. Hope life is treating you well in Utah! We'll be heading there in March to Brianhead. ;-)

Take care!

Ernie

Anonymous said...

Great Idea! I only wish that we had something like this on the East Coast!!

Dr. Ernie "PA Evangelist" Medina, Jr. said...

Hey Anonymous,

There is one place I know of on the East Coast called Energy Factory in NJ. It just opened up and not sure how it's going.

We have gotten requests for franchising already, so who knows, maybe we'll be on the East Coast someday!

Ernie

Anonymous said...

Hey Ern,
This project/business looks great. I wish I could be there to play the games and Mosh with you guys. Do you have pictures of all the games that will be in flagship gym? Can I call it a gym? One day the family and I will make it out to CA and see your place. By the way, do family members get discounts?:-)

Bro to Ernie and Kim

Anonymous said...

This is a great idea and business.
As an avid Exergamer myself, I've often dreamed of a gym like this.
In my home, I have a cateye gamebike, and a Kilowatt Pro which I use every day.

If you will be franchising this concept in the future, please let me know. I am in Seattle, Washington, and thnk that a gym like this would be very successful.

I will contact you by email.


Frank
Seattle, WA