New Fitness System Turns
Couch Potatoes Into Armchair Troopers
(Science Daily)
The
University of Warwick is promoting healthier lifestyles for even the most
deconditioned by increasing awareness of a unique fitness system designed to
combat couch potato culture.
The Exten Fitness System uses state of the art motorised chairs to give
users a safe all-body workout and help those who are unfit or overweight get
in shape. The unique technology offers an alternative to the exercise
machines currently found in gyms or rehabilitation centres and provides a
new way of achieving a healthier lifestyle.
The idea of the Fitness System was developed by Birmingham based Exten
Fitness Systems. However, it was when the company approached the University
of Warwick's Innovation Direct service, a free consultancy service for West
Midlands based SMEs that the equipment's real potential was explored.
University of Warwick researchers helped Exten Fitness Systems identify the
benefits to machine users, their product's key markets and market the
no-sweat work out that is set to help counter the UK''s ''couch potato''
culture.
A total of 23 exercises from a 10 chair system means that users can complete
a workout in 30 minutes. The benefits of the system include increased muscle
tone and mobility, improved circulation and coordination, and noticeable
inch loss.
Those who are unfit, especially females over 40, feel uncomfortable or are
unfamiliar with using exercise equipment, and may be reluctant to utilise
traditional exercise machines. Also, often those who are deconditioned,
overweight, or aging are not exercisers by nature and the thought of working
out in a health facility intimidates them.
Don
Rickard from Warwick University's Innovation-Direct, said: "Until now health
clubs have not been particularly successful in bringing the deconditioned
population into fitness facilities. However, the Exten is breaking the mould
and helping people with other priorities than looking good in the gym, to
exercise."
Cliff Johnson, Director of Exten Fitness Systems, said, "The Exten Fitness
System makes exercise attractive to those who are unfit. It offers seniors,
overweight people and those undergoing physiotherapy the chance to exercise
safely. The collaboration with Innovation Direct has successfully helped us
attract people to workout and promote the system to health clubs and health
professionals. Following trials it is now being used by physiotherapists,
Local Authorities and private gyms throughout the UK."
This story has been
adapted from a news release issued by University Of Warwick, UK.
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