Iplaygrounds' Energi Jnr Range helps strength, improving speed and flexibility

The Energi Jnr Range of outdoor gym equipment has been scientifically proven to be effective in building strength, improving speed & flexibility in teenagers and young people.

Manufactured by Playworld Systems, the range provides a gym-like, personal training experience with seven stations and 84 exercises and is proving popular with councils and governments around Australia.

A recent study of Energi Jnr use by school students twice a week for three weeks for 30 minutes from September through October 2012, at middle school in the USA, showed marked improvements in key areas and overall fitness levels.

Playworld Systems Research Manager Ian Proud explains "with growing obesity rates plaguing pre-teens and teens throughout the country, we are proud to offer a fitness product for middle school students that can get them outdoors and active, improving their overall health.

"This study demonstrates the importance of equipment developed for this age group. Within a timeframe much shorter than most fitness studies, middle school students reaped the benefits afforded by Energi Jnr."

The study participants, which included 16 female students and 15 male students, improved their:

• Upper body strength on average by 51%. Upper body strength was determined by push-ups and horizontal pull-ups, plus their ability to hold their chin at a bar to complete the static hang challenge;

• Lower body strength by an average of 44% across three tests;

• Dynamic agility by an average of 19%, as measured by a Hexagon Test*;

• Abdominal strength by an average of 12%, as measured by a sit-up test;

• Flexibility by an average of 19%, as measured by a sit-and-reach test, with the average user increasing their flexibility by an inch over the course of the study;

• Fitness testing occurred among the participants immediately before and after the usage period. The pre- and post-testing took place in an indoor environment while monitored by adults.

*Hexagon Test: Using athletic tape, a hexagon is marked on the floor. The subject starts with both feet together in the middle of the hexagon facing the front line. The subject jumps ahead across the line, then back over the same line into the middle of the hexagon. Then, continuing to face forward with feet together, jump over the next side and back into the hexagon. Continue this pattern for three full revolutions. Perform the test both clockwise and counterclockwise. The athlete's score is the time taken to complete three full revolutions. The best score from two trials is recorded.

Each Energi Jnr station includes easy-to-understand instructional signs featuring 2D Codes that can be scanned by smart phone or tablet PC to allow viewing of instructional videos. The equipment and free programming guide provide enough activity for a workout regimen of up to 45 minutes per day.

The Energi Jnr fitness equipment system fully compliant to the Australian Safety Standard AS4685.

For more information contact iPlaygrounds Australian representative PlayRope on 1800 767 529, http://iplaygrounds.com.au