XerDance
2 June 2008
Fun new way to Get Activ8d
The new “XerDance” arcade-style dance mat has just arrived for people in East Hampshire to use. The Dance Mats can be used in PE Lessons within schools, leisure centres, and village halls as a fun alternative to more conventional exercise.
“These dance platforms have become something of a phenomenon in arcades across the world, so the fact that we can now offer our residents and especially our younger ones, the chance to work out on them is a fantastic coup for East Hampshire District Council“ says Active Lifestyles Portfolio Holder Cllr Mrs Jennifer Gray.
Whilst dance mats have proven particularly attractive to young people, it can also be used by families and older people as it features a variety of fitness workouts and uses current chart songs to engage all age ranges and music tastes. The dance equipment can even sense each users dance level and adjusts the difficulty rating to suit each player during the game.
”When trying to get kids to exercise, we are competing against games consoles, TV's and DVD's, so what we offer needs to be appealing and entertaining,” says Kirsty Cope, Community Project worker for Sport and Play. “The Dance Mats are a great new way to get adults and kids off the sofa and into physical activity”.
East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) has used a grant from Play Lottery Funding to buy 12 ‘ZigZag XerDance’ dance mats and dance machine.
The hi-tech wireless platforms can be packed away and transported easily from venue to venue. Dance steps are projected onto a blank wall or displayed on television screens, which the dancers can then follow. They can take part individually or even compete against each other to see who is best. It can run all 12 platforms at any one time.
The mats will be offered to local schools during term time and youth clubs and groups to try out. It will be part of the “Get Activ8ed” programme of activities through the summer holidays.
ENDS
Contact: Kirsty Cope on 01730 234396 or email kirsty.cope@easthants.gov.uk
Added on: 04/06/08. Views: 186
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