"Every day I meet children with health problems, including obesity," said Ernie Medina, Jr., a preventive care specialist at Beaver Medical Group in Redlands, Calif. "For 14 years I've been urging them to eat better and get more exercise."

"But there are big obstacles," admitted Medina, who earned a doctorate in public health from Loma Linda University in 1993. "Kids are not safe to play outside in some neighborhoods. Playground bullies may take advantage of kids who aren't physically fit and beat them up. Fitness clubs generally don't allow children under 16. And, at home, many treadmills collect dust — they're boring!"

Meanwhile, video games have lured millions of children into a mind-numbing world of action-packed adventure. Unfortunately, all the action is for the eyes and fingers — not the body. Fortunately, a cutting-edge solution is on the horizon: "exertainment."

Exertainment

Instead of pushing little buttons, kids activate video games by peddling bikes, jumping up and down on mats, and swatting at lights and images. The faster they move, the faster their hearts beat and the more points they accumulate. They compete with themselves, the computer, a posted score or other players. Best of all, they get fit by having fun.

After years of dreaming about it, Medina and Joel D. Peterson, a lawyer with business skills, opened the XRtainmentZone in Redlands, Calif., in August 2006. Medina's sister, Kimberly Knowlton, is a physical therapist who also holds a doctorate in public health, and serves as general manager.

The center is unique. It closes Friday night and Sabbath, serves only healthy snacks, and features non-violent video games.

Unlike most fitness clubs, XRtainmentZone wants adults and children to exercise together. "Monthly family membership fees at the YMCA may be less than ours," Peterson explains. "But kids are not allowed in the workout rooms with their parents. They can go to the pool or play around, but they don't really work out."

Medina adds, "Our mission is to provide families and kids of all ages a fitness club of their own where working out is all play!"

Finally, the center is set up to acquire clinical data. Does this type of exercise reduce weight and cholesterol and fight diabetes? Medina and Knowlton are determined to find out. National media is taking notice. Medina has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, Fitness Magazine and Business Week and interviewed on TV (see www.exrtainmentzone.com for links).

What is the center like? At 8,000 square feet, it features high-tech bikes with TV screens, exercise rings and wall-games all linked to video games. A snack bar offers only nutritious fruit smoothies — fat free, no artificial ingredients, no added sugar.

A play circle with low, carpeted walls, keeps toddlers corralled. Curved decks in a wi-fi computer area attract parents who are waiting while kids sweat, swat and peddle.

Weight management courses, karate, yoga and group events are held in a separate classroom. Outfitted with a kitchen, it is also perfect for cooking classes and group events.

A Heart for Ministry

Medina is captivated by Adventist ideals. Reared in Berrien Springs, Mich., by physician parents, he is as committed to spiritual vitality as to physical health.

He and his wife, Keri, are long-time members of the Azure Hills church in Grand Terrace where they lead the largest Adventurer Club in the Southeastern California Conference. "Keri is the organizer; I'm the communicator," Medina says. "And we have an incredible team of parent volunteers and pastoral supporters." Five years ago there were 30 children; today membership tops 120, plus parents.

Along with Peterson, they also work with children's Sabbath school, sing on praise teams, and serve as church elders. Since 2001, Medina and Peterson have also led a prayer group at 6:30 a.m. on Sabbaths in Hulda Crooks Park in Loma Linda.

What's next? They'd like to open the XRtainmentZone on Sabbath afternoon as an outreach and fellowship center. With God's blessing, it seems possible that as the vision unfolds, its impact could ripple far and wide.