LEWISBURG, PA--(Marketwire - September 10, 2010) - Playworld Systems, a leading manufacturer of imaginative playground equipment, today announced that its newest innovations, ENERGI™, an outdoor, total body fitness system designed for ages 13 and up, and LifeTrail® Advanced Wellness System, an outdoor wellness system designed specifically for older adults, will be on display at the American Society of Landscape Architects' (ASLA) annual convention in Washington, D.C., September 10 - 14, 2010.
"We consider the incorporation of fitness-forward systems into public spaces a heroic endeavor," said Ian Proud, research manager for Playworld Systems. "By creating public spaces that facilitate regular physical activity, landscape architects become vital allies on the front line in the fight against obesity in this country. We're proud to offer the equipment options landscape architects need to make a real difference in the health of communities."
The products allow landscape architects to realize healthy community design visions through the incorporation of outdoor fitness systems targeted to a variety of age groups. The equipment improves strength and flexibility among young adults, adults and seniors through fun exercise regimens based on state-of-the-art physical fitness guidelines.
ENERGI: A fun, fresh-air fitness regimen for the entire community
ENERGI uses the latest fitness theories and was designed in accordance with the FITT principle -- frequency, intensity, time and type -- which is endorsed by the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Council on Exercise:
- Frequency: the ENERGI system includes five stations, offering a total of 120 exercises, enough for a healthy, three-day-a-week workout regimen
- Intensity: each ENERGI station features three different skill levels (beginner, intermediate and advanced) allowing users of varying fitness levels to complete a progressive workout routine at their own pace
- Time: step-by-step instructions on each weather-proof fiberglass panel make it easy for users to build a 15- to 60-minute workout routine
- Type: ENERGI promotes four key types of fitness: cardiovascular fitness, muscular fitness, flexibility and body composition (total body mass)
Research shows that Playworld Systems' ENERGI™ total body fitness system significantly improves strength, speed and flexibility in as little as five weeks.
"The combination of ENERGI's low cost and full support for people of any ability is unique in the marketplace," said Proud. "ENERGI provides a gym-like, personal training experience for a variety of age groups. The self-contained fitness regimen allows the entire community to engage in exercise with friends and family while connecting with nature."
LifeTrail: An outdoor workout for older, active adults
Attendees at the ASLA annual convention will also have the opportunity to experience LifeTrail Advanced Wellness System, which is an expanded version of the original LifeTrail product launched in 2003. The new system is based on the functional fitness principles patterned after the movements of everyday life. Functional fitness can be a key component in helping users maintain independence and rehabilitate after an injury. Designed specifically to maintain and improve the health of people over 50 years old, the advanced outdoor workout system now includes 21 activity panels and 159 exercises.
Using real-life body positioning and movements, the LifeTrail Advanced system focuses on building the strength and energy required to accomplish routine activities. Tests conducted in the fall of 2009 in partnership with a senior housing community showed that LifeTrail Advanced helped to increase strength and dynamic balance among adults and seniors. Within a five-week period, the test group increased their upper body strength by 49 percent, lower body strength by 31 percent and their agility and dynamic balance by 14 percent.
A commitment to healthy communities
In terms of environmental impact, landscape architects can feel confident when working with Playworld Systems' products. The company eliminated 99.99 percent of PVCs thanks to Eco-Armor®, Playworld's alternative to PVC coatings.
In addition, Playworld Systems' products are tested for compliance with American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and EN standards and can be configured to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
"Both the ENERGI and LifeTrail Advanced products are true reflections of our company's commitment to enhancing fitness through play for every person of any age or physical ability," said Matt Miller, chief executive officer of Playworld Systems. "We share landscape architects' desire to build healthy communities and foster connections with nature while remaining environmentally conscious."
Samples of both the ENERGI and LifeTrail Advanced Systems will be onsite at the ASLA convention and expo in the Playworld Systems booth (#2031). Staff will be on hand to guide visitors through the exercises and discuss the functionality of each system.
About Playworld Systems, Inc.
Playworld Systems, a third-generation family-owned company headquartered in Lewisburg, Pa., has been a leader in imaginatively designed and customized commercial recreation and playground equipment for more than 30 years. With the belief that The World Needs Play®, Playworld Systems creates equipment that brings the joy of play to people of every age through such innovative product lines as ENERGI®, LifeTrail® Advanced, Playworld™ PlayDesigns®, and NatureForms™. Playworld Systems has invested significant resources to measurably reduce its carbon footprint, from eliminating PVCs to enhancing its waste management and recycling programs. In fact, Playworld Systems is the first major U.S. playground manufacturer to remove 99.999 percent of PVC from its products.
The company has received numerous awards throughout the years, including two International Industrial Design Excellence Awards, a gold medal from International Design magazine, two News Directors' Choice Awards on Early Childhood, and the Pennsylvania Governors' Award for Safety Excellence. Along with these awards, Playworld Systems was a consultant to the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board). For more information, visit www.PlayworldSystems.com.