During May’s Paralympic World Cup in Manchester, Instyle Fitness was the only training equipment provider to receive an official invitation, enabling both competitors and visitors to see how future Olympians could train for world class events.

Bikes, rowers, racing wheelchairs and even a Dogfight (a recumbent bike that thinks it is a plane with missiles and machine guns) were connected to a virtual world where users could race each other in whatever location their hearts desired. Racing options included cycling in dogfight 1an authentic Olympic velodrome, soaring the skies of a jaw-dropping cityscape or kayaking on the famous Carnegie course.

It is likely that in the future such sophisticated technology will become part of training for the country’s top athletes. Duncan Lawson, MD of Instyle Fitness, explains,

"The main advantage of this high tech equipment is that it keeps the athlete mentally engaged in their training, meaning that motivation doesn’t wane. The technology combines what is essentially a game with a physically challenging workout for a completely unique interactive experience."

"It was a great honour for us to be invited to the Paralympic World Cup again this year (Instyle Fitness was also invited to the 2009 event). It is our ambition that the virtual reality equipment will become part of athletes’ training sessions from as soon as 2012 to help the GB team prepare for the London Olympics."

Included in the Instyle Fitness equipment range was the new, never seen before, Amada Sport bike and the incredible Dogfight.

Alison Armstrong Sports Development Manager and Netball South Regional Competitions Chair, trialled the multi functional T-Bow with an under 15 regional squad at the East Grinstead Sports centre.

Core strength, balance and speed are key factors in a netball team and one of the ways to increase your core strength and balance in any ball player to perform the basic skills in an unbalanced environment.

To kick the session off we used the t-bow as base for a number of aerobic moves to music to get the group fully warmed up, this not only warmed them up but got them used to using the t-bow and demonstrated the many functions of the T-bow.

The regional squad performed a number of drills to work on
• Shooting Skills
• Passing skills
• Balance (defence and attack)
• Speed

The object being to keep drills varied but working in the same area to make it fun and mentally stimulating.

Passing, working on balance and core strength: Solo or tandem work cross on longitudinal balance.

Pass variation and defence: The defender is given a slight height advantage; but passing must be worked on not only over , but round and under the defender. Stretching to pass or receive the ball while balancing really works the core muscles.

This shows the balance of the player receiving the ball and how she uses her body and core muscles to ensure she does not fall forward or backwards.

Shooting skills: Use your walls to practice your shooting technique and work the t-bow length and cross ways to improve your balance and core stability. Stand a defender on a static T-bow to create additional height and encourage the shooter to lift the ball higher and over the defender.

We ended the session with passing and speed work with an individual set to race round the group to see if the group could pass the ball down the line faster than the runner. By changing the angle and distance of the pass we worked our middle body and core stability as well as working on our passing techniques. The three second rule is challenged in this to ensure receiving and passing is quick and focused. The player running against the clock then incorporates aerobic exercise into the drill.

The T-Bow offers unique points for any sports centre:
1. It covers a vast array of other equipment and offers a challenge for every person, instead of carrying many pieces of equipment you only need to have one single item.
2. It is tough and can be used on indoor surfaces and outdoor surfaces.
3. It stacks in a single pile that can be easily transported or stored in little space.

If you like computer games and find the gym a bit boring by comparison, you should take a look at Simultrainer. Game People did and they liked it!

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PRESS RELEASE / FILMING & PHOTO OPPORTUNITY 25^th – 31^st May 2010
Event: BT Paralympics World Cup
Location: City of Manchester Stadium, running track  

For immediate release 

Manchester school children test Paralympics training equipment of the future

From 25th to 31st May pupils from Manchester schools will be given the exclusive opportunity to road test futuristic fitness equipment which may soon be used to train top Olympians.

Young people from all over the city have been invited to attend the annual BT Paralympic World Cup taking place at Manchester Stadium. As part of their visit the youngsters will be able to try out high tech WebRacing™ equipment and Amada Sport machines which may soon be used by Olympians and Paralympians as part of their training.

These specialised machines (a bike, rower and Nordic skier) allow the user to view themselves as an avatar taking part in some of the most famous races the world has to offer with cheering crowds and lifelike scenery for ultimate authenticity.   This is all made possible via an internet connection and clever virtual reality technology.

It is likely that in the future such sophisticated technology will become part of the training programme followed by the country’s top Olympians.  Duncan Lawson, MD of Instyle Fitness who developed WebRacing™ explains more,

“WebRacing™ combines a challenging physical workout with gaming, providing the athlete with a totally interactive experience to increases motivation and perseverance.  As the athlete is kept mentally engaged in the training, they are likely to achieve a more effective workout and improved muscle tone than with a less inspiring training session.

“It’s a real honour for us at the WebRacing™ team to be invited to the BT Paralympic World Cup 2010” continues Duncan.  “It is our ambition that WebRacing™ will be integrated into athletes’ training programmes as soon as 2012 to help them prepare the GB team for the London Olympics.”

In the meantime, however, it will be the children of Manchester who will have access to this revolutionary equipment to get a taste of what it would be like to compete in the Olympic and Paralympic Games.  No doubt the experience will inspire some to become GB’s sporting stars of the future.

View the Nordic ski machine in action here: http://www.instylefitness.co.uk/-simultrainer-crosstrainer.html or Amada Sport at http://www.amadasport.com/en/pages/01/index.shtml.

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Notes to editor: If you would like to attend the BT Paralympic World Cup between 25^th and 31^st May to view the children testing WebRacing™ and Amada Sport or even try out the equipment yourself, please reply to this email or call 07780 645446.