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New First Fitness(TM) Product Line Encourages Physical Activity in Young Children

Posted on: Tuesday, 2 October 2007, 09:00 CDT

Aqua-Leisure Industries, a leading player across many categories in the toy, sporting goods and seasonal good industries, announces the launch of an extensive new product line, First Fitness™. A complete exercise system designed especially for children ages four and up, the 31-SKU First Fitness collection is intended for in-home or outdoor use and is the first of its kind. It is available now at retailers across the United States and Canada, including Toys "R" Us and Toysrus.com.

"Physical activity is a crucial component in helping children maintain a healthy weight," said Steve Berenson, chief executive officer of Aqua-Leisure. "But children have to be motivated to exercise instead of doing sedentary activities like watching television. Aqua-Leisure is proud to introduce First Fitness, a product line that makes exercise fun and instills a love of physical activity in even the youngest children."

The First Fitness collection includes such varied products as a create-your-own obstacle course, kid-powered treadmill, exercise mat and stability ball, activity tumbler, play parachute, and exercise bench complete with safe, plastic "light-weights." Each product aims to deliver critical benefits in children's cardiovascular health, strength, agility, performance, flexibility and/or sports skills areas.

According to a 2004 research brief by the Washington, D.C.-based National Institute for Health Care Management Research and Educational Foundation, many overweight children in the United States already have liver disease, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. One-third of overweight preschool children in the U.S. will become overweight adults, presenting health risks such as diabetes, heart disease and some types of cancer. The brief also states that problems associated with obesity go beyond physical health issues: in children as young as kindergarten age, obesity can negatively impact school performance, and overweight girls show more behavior problems than their non-overweight counterparts. Anxiety, loneliness and low-self esteem in kindergarten-age girls are associated with obesity as well.

"The First Fitness product line is fun, affordable, and most importantly, necessary," Berenson said. "Playing tug-of-war, creating and completing an obstacle course, or practicing karate moves with First Fitness products are great ways for children to keep active, and early intervention in the form of physical activity and a healthy diet is critical in treating the country's childhood obesity epidemic."

For more information about First Fitness, visit www.aqualeisure.com.

About Aqua-Leisure Industries

Aqua-Leisure is a seasonal and recreational juvenile products manufacturer based in Avon, Mass. A leading player across many categories in the toy, sporting goods and seasonal good industries, Aqua-Leisure was the first to introduce such product concepts as Swimschool®, a three-level progressive learn-to-swim system, and Sunsmart™, a line of functional shade products that provide protection from the sun's harmful rays. The company's high-quality offerings have expanded beyond the swimming pool to include Uncle Bob's™ premium inflatable products for winter fun, Spray Zone backyard water activities and the First Fitness™ collection of fun, innovative juvenile fitness products. Aqua-Leisure products are available at major retailers nationwide. Visit the company's Web site at www.aqualeisure.com.

Source: Business Wire

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