Getbig.com: American Bodybuilding, Fitness and Figure
Getbig Main Boards => Gossip & Opinions => Topic started by: Lift Studios on December 04, 2006, 11:57:32 AM
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Onlyme must have been doing some consulting with McDonald's. WTF? ;D
McDonald's tries to shape up health image with high-tech mini-gyms
By Bruce Horovitz, USA TODAY
Hold the fries. Pass the basketball.
McDonald's, often blamed for childhood obesity, is testing high-tech mini-gyms for kids at seven stores in California, Illinois, Colorado and Oklahoma. The gyms have gizmos for kids ages 4 to 12, from stationary bikes with kid-friendly video screens to hoops courts that electronically cheer players.
If R Gyms — named for Ronald McDonald, of course — are a hit, McDonald's could roll out "a significant number" over the next year, says William Whitman, a McDonald's spokesman. The mini-gyms would replace PlayPlaces — of which there are 5,500 nationwide.
Not everyone is a fan of the new R Gyms. Critics say they're just an image-bolstering bid by Mickey D's — or an attempt to dodge obesity lawsuits or legislation.
Parents may overestimate the benefit of R Gyms and presume kids can eat more junk food, says Kelly Brownell of the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity at Yale University. "A kid can burn 20 calories from the exercise but take in 200 calories from a milkshake."
The move by McDonald's is "from a defensive position," says Sherri Daye Scott, editor of QSR, a fast-food industry trade magazine. "This is McDonald's trying to say: 'See, we're good for America.' "
Whitman says McDonald's is doing the right thing. "Those who criticize McDonald's and the sincerity of our efforts have not been paying attention," he says. Improvements in its menu and nutritional information are "compelling evidence that McDonald's is serious."
The mini-gyms reward kids with flashy videos and electronic messages — but only while kids exercise.
Some typical R Gym gear:
• Video bikes. The stationary bikes are hooked to video games kids can only play while peddling.
• Electronic hoops. T he mini-basketball court gives electronic feedback like cheers and broadcasts "Great Shot!" when a kid makes a basket.
• Climbing equipment. Think rocks of molded plastic. Monkey bars. And some have climbing ropes.
• Video dance pads. Kids dance on electronic pads that signal video screens to show the moves.
The most popular are the R Hoops and bikes, says Richard Ruby, who owns 11 McDonald's in Southern California, including one in Whittier with a gym.
He won't say what the gyms cost. Since the gym opened six months ago, business at his Whittier store is up considerably more than most McDonald's in Southern California, he says. That's why he's planning to install an R Gym in another one of his stores.
"My gut reaction is, this is a good thing," says Philip Haberstro, executive director at the National Association for Health and Fitness. "I'm happy to see it."
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That is great - now we can eat our Big Mac's while working! Can you grunt at least at McDonalds???
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Well I guess this is good news it brought Shadow and his soon wife to be together...
Hookin it up in the ball play pen
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That is great - now we can eat our Big Mac's while working! Can you grunt at least at McDonalds???
people still eat mcdonalds in california? way better junk food options available IMO... Go fatburger!
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the only thing good at McDonalds are the double cheeseburgers and fries.
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I think adding brothels to their restaurants would be a better business model.
Special "Small Business Advisor" Ed
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Yes you all can thank me for this innovation. I figured why not eat and workout at the same time. And there are free refills on shakes. Am I great or what
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Blasphemer! In-N-Out reigns supreme... ;D
yeah i like them too...
last time i was in cali carl's jr had a special burger that had chicken breast, bacon, cheese, cuacamole and some other unhealthy tasty stuff... yum
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Didn't they bring back the Mcrib!!!! :P :P :P
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What'd really be great is if they held McNuggets on a string in front of the bikes so the fat little bastards would pedal harder... ;D
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Sooooooooooo..........I can burn off 100 cals, after taking in about 1,800+? ::)
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You know you want it.
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Blasphemer! In-N-Out reigns supreme... ;D
In-N-Out tastes just like BK. Good as fast food but hardly the advertised difference, plus it takes longer to fill orders because it's supposedly a "premier" product. :-\
Johnny Rockets.. ;D
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It's good to be the king.
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Fuck me sideways :o :o
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It's good to be the king.
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plenty jacked up dudes eat mcdonalds
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I'll take an order of fries instead, thanks.
;D we all know you take it up the pooper ;)
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Well I guess this is good news it brought Shadow and his soon wife to be together...
Hookin it up in the ball play pen
When I went to India I saw they have the "Maharadja Mac" there. I did not try it
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i've got one word for you.........Fuddruckers.
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That is great - now we can eat our Big Mac's while working! Can you grunt at least at McDonalds???
You have to, working out or not. :-X
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When I went to India I saw they have the "Maharadja Mac" there. I did not try it
I went to India and demanded beef big macs.
Indian correctional facilities aint that bad, I should be able to enter Indian borders again in about 15yrs
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i've got one word for you.........Fuddruckers.
Never knew, now the only two in NYC are gone.