All Santa wants this Christmas is for kids to lose a few of those extra pounds.
It turns out the rising rate of childhood obesity isn't just worrisome for parents, it's also cause for concern for Santa's health.
So says Victor Nevada, a Calgarian who has played Mr. Claus for 23 years. He runs a four-day Santa School every year and has written a lengthy training manual for aspiring Santas.
The latest chapter of Nevada's book, a 535-page manual that is continually being added to, details what to do with children who are morbidly obese.
Nevada, 65, advises fellow Santas not to take such children on their knees for the sake of their own health.
"The best way is to bring them in close and establish a bond that way," he says.
Damaged backs or knees from heavy children are real concerns for Santas, many of whom are over the age of 60, says Nevada.
"I've been playing Santa for over 20 years, and last year I looked at the issue and saw a need for a chapter on it," he says.
Nevada, who has played St. Nick in TV commercials, attracts students from all across North America to his yearly Santa training courses.
He started writing his manual for Santa wannabes who could not attend his Santa school.
Other chapters in Nevada's book include information on everything from how to answer questions commonly asked by children to improvisation and comedic skills.
Nevada describes his Santa guide, which can be purchased from his website, www.santaschool.com, as the most comprehensive instruction manual on the market.
"Santas read it over and over because there's just that much material and information inside," he says.
Nevada, who estimates he'll attend more than 80 events as Santa Claus this holiday season, says most people don't realize how complicated being a Santa is.
"There's a lot more to it than just putting on a red suit, a fake beard and practising your 'Ho ho hos'," he says. "You're an actor and you have to be on all the time. It's a tough job."
Being a Santa is certainly not without its perks, though, says Nevada.
"In the space of 30 to 45 seconds, which is the average visit that Santa has with someone, I have the power to totally change their lives," says Nevada.
"I don't know anybody else that has that ability."
Showing posts with label Exergame Facility. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Exergame Facility. Show all posts
Virtual-Kade opens, involves art students - Murray, KY
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The newest addition to the strip mall on 12th Street is Virtual-Kade. This business encourages local youth to enjoy themselves somewhere other than outside the movie theatre.
Kimberly Sengenberger, chief financial officer of Virtual-Kade owns the establishment with her husband Scott and her mother, Toni Glass. Originally from Chicago, Ill., Sengenberger visited family in Murray for about 10 years before moving here. She said she quickly ran out of things for her children to do.
"We decided to do it for the kids," Sengenberger said. "I wanted somewhere for kids to hang out that's not the McDonald's parking lot."
She said the plan was in her head for years before it came to fruition. This new arcade is located at 660 N. 12th St., next to Office Depot. The arcade opened for business Oct. 29 and celebrated its grand opening Wednesday with the help of FROGGY 103.7.
Sengenberger said Virtual-Kade is a kid-friendly establishment without explicit music. According to the Web site, virtualkade.com, it is a facility for those ages "three to 103," with a little something for everyone. She said bad behavior and alcohol are not allowed in Virtual-Kade.
After reading The Murray State News article about the battered women's shelter, Sengenberger said she decided she wanted to host monthly fundraisers to support such causes.
Manager Joe Gilson, of Murray, started gaming about 13 years ago. He said he saw a help-wanted sign on the outside of the arcade before it opened, and applied. Gilson said Virtual-Kade is a new type of video game, very different from the original Nintendo on which he started.
"It's all based around exer-gaming, which is exercise and gaming together," Gilson said.
Virtual-Kade boasts enough stations to hold 30 to 35 people, and additional room in the back at the coin arcade. According to the Web site, the arcade contains a "lightspace floor featuring dodgeball, bug invasion, forcefield and more."
"Things will change all the time." Gilson said. "There will always be something new."
When Sengenberger decorated the arcade, she went to the Murray State art department for help. After responding to an e-mail from his art professor, David Honaker, sophomore from Paducah, Ky., took the job.
Honaker is an art major and though he has a history of working with spray paint, Honaker said he hasn't worked with it as much lately. Honaker said he and his girlfriend, Holly Taylor, sophomore from Newark, Ohio, would work a few hours each night for about three weeks. In total, they spent 40 hours crafting the colorful graphics.
Taylor said she did most of the characters and Honaker took care of the text-based graffiti.
"I was really used to doing murals of huge characters," Taylor said, "I was a cheerleader in high school and would do the run-through signs."
Each area came with a theme, Taylor explained. Near the boxing game, Taylor painted a ninja and boxing gloves. The overall theme of the art is graffiti. All of the art is spray-painted on the walls with colorful hues that react to the black light and laser show at night.
Taylor said she enjoyed her work there because it was fun, and though it was "messy and consuming," she said it was a great way to make some money on the side.
"Their whole idea is motion, it's more physical, it's generated to be more physical instead of just sitting," Taylor said. "It's a lot of unique stuff that I didn't know existed."
Virtual-Kade is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. The cost is $6 per hour, or $10 for two-hours. The cost covers all games in the general area, but not the traditional coin games in the back arcade.
Bec Feldhaus can be reached at rebecca.feldhaus@murraystate.edu.
Honaker is an art major and though he has a history of working with spray paint, Honaker said he hasn't worked with it as much lately. Honaker said he and his girlfriend, Holly Taylor, sophomore from Newark, Ohio, would work a few hours each night for about three weeks. In total, they spent 40 hours crafting the colorful graphics.
Taylor said she did most of the characters and Honaker took care of the text-based graffiti.
"I was really used to doing murals of huge characters," Taylor said, "I was a cheerleader in high school and would do the run-through signs."
Each area came with a theme, Taylor explained. Near the boxing game, Taylor painted a ninja and boxing gloves. The overall theme of the art is graffiti. All of the art is spray-painted on the walls with colorful hues that react to the black light and laser show at night.
Taylor said she enjoyed her work there because it was fun, and though it was "messy and consuming," she said it was a great way to make some money on the side.
"Their whole idea is motion, it's more physical, it's generated to be more physical instead of just sitting," Taylor said. "It's a lot of unique stuff that I didn't know existed."
Virtual-Kade is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. The cost is $6 per hour, or $10 for two-hours. The cost covers all games in the general area, but not the traditional coin games in the back arcade.
Bec Feldhaus can be reached at rebecca.feldhaus@murraystate.edu.
'Exergame' gym targets 30-minute workouts at the family - Exergame Fitness
Circuit Wellness features stations such as an exercise bike connected to an ATV-riding Sony Playstation game.
Who would have thought that working out could be so much fun?
Circuit Wellness, a new gym located at 6754 Cleveland Ave., is hoping their 30-minute workout concept as well as "exergames" -- video games that bring a workout for the gamer -- will appeal to the entire family.
Owner Polly Benson, who lives in Westerville with her husband and three children, said everyone except bodybuilders training for the Arnold Classic would be interested in their services.
"We're not here to bulk people up as much as to get them tone and in shape," she said.
The majority of Circuit Wellness is occupied by 24 adjustable stations that alternate between strength, cardio and recovery activities and are used for 30 seconds each. Benson said the system is similar to Curves, but designed for both sexes and uses more advanced machines.
Found along the perimeter of the 2,000 square foot room are six stations hosting exergames. Some, like the Nintendo Wii and Dance Dance Revolution, are well known to the public. Others include XaviX, which uses controllers shaped like sports equipment, the Makoto Sports Arena, a game that improves hand-eye coordination by hitting three lighted targets, Lightspace Play Floor, a large electronic mat that features a wide-variety of foot-moving games, and a Playstation ATV racing game that's connected to an exercise bike.
Benson said the games are unique not just to Westerville, but all of Ohio.
"We're the only approved exergame center in Ohio," Benson said.
Besides memberships, Benson said the space will also be available for classes, private rentals, corporate accounts and even birthday parties.
The idea to open an exercise facility came to Benson, she said, after seeing the obesity crisis firsthand. She used to work as an occupational therapist and her husband works in nutrition.
Benson said two-thirds of adults and one third of children in the United States are overweight. For the first time, children are not expected to outlive their parents.
Located in the shopping center anchored by Raisin Rack at the southeast corner of Schrock Road and Cleveland Avenue, Benson said the location is great because of its visibility along busy Cleveland Avenue just north of Interstate 270, and because the previous business in the space sold exercise equipment.
Competing against gyms that are much larger and significantly less expensive, Benson said clients will choose Circuit Wellness due to its unique services, personalized care, convenience and family-friendly environment.
"We're not for everyone, but there's a wide enough population out there that will appreciate our services," she said.
Due to competition Benson said she could not disclose full details on rates but said memberships for children start at $25 a month and families of four for $99. A grand opening special includes no enrollment fees and a two-week, no-obligation free trial.
Opening a new business during the economic uncertainty is difficult, but Benson said she believes people will pay to stay healthy.
"It's a little bit scary starting a business with the economy the way it is, but exercise is an investment in your future," Benson said. "If you're unhealthy you won't be able to enjoy any economy."
Circuit Wellness was launched in September 2008. President and CEO Polly Benson joined forces with her husband Brian, Exergame Fitness and friends, to create the Circuit Wellness fitness club concept. “There is a growing need for accessible, neighborhood, user-friendly fitness centers,” said Benson. “Partnering with Exergame Fitness who is known as the leader in the industry of Exergaming, on a new health club concept is a winning idea to help more Americans achieve their individual fitness goals.”
Tom Seilheimer VP of Exergame Fitness adds;
“Polly and Brian Benson’s hard work is very evident in their completed business model. From day one, they were focused on making a difference in the lives of kids in the central Ohio region. We were very pleased to work with Circuit Wellness on this amazing new facility that offers kids an alternative fitness solution while playing fitness based videogames. We have seen the success of many Exergaming facilities and this club houses some of the top products in the world that are fighting the raging epidemic of childhood obesity. Please stop in and see what this facility can offer your children, we guarantee it will make a difference in their lives”
The new Westerville Circuit Wellness location is open Monday through Friday from 6:30am to 8:30pm, Saturday from 8:00-2:00 for Circuit Workouts, and Saturday & Sunday, from 2:00 – 6 pm for birthday parties. For a tour of the fitness center, call 614-901-2348. For more information on the company, go to www.circuitwellness.com.
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For more information visit circuitwellness.com or call 614-901-BFIT.
