Owner wants to reverse trend from inactive to interactive

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Mike Dawson spent more than 20 years as a fitness instructor in the Canadian armed forces and says statistics about today's children sadden him.

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Among the equipment at the the Bulldog Interactive Fitness Centre is a treadwalll, which combines fun and fitness.

Dawson has read that 25 per cent of Canadian children are obese while most are spending 47 hours a week in front of a television set, video game or computer screen and he's determined to reverse the trend.

With all of that in mind and a proven business plan, Dawson will soon open a Bulldog Interactive fitness centre at 1075 Mountain Road in Moncton, next to the Beaverbrook School in the former Colour Your World outlet.

Bulldog is a national chain of fitness centres designed for children only and the Moncton outlet will be the first of its kind in New Brunswick. It will serve children aged three to 10 and Dawson said it will combine fun and fitness.

"The kids are going to have a good time," he said during an interview earlier this week. "They're going to have so much fun that they won't realize they are working out. It's interactive and that's what the kids enjoy about it."

The fitness centre will offer dance-dance pads, active Wi games, rowing machines, an intermediate tread wall and several other games and activities.

"Every kid likes to play Play Station and we'll have that too, but with a bit of a change," Dawson said.

"Instead of working the controls with their thumbs and fingers, they will have to get up and move. They will work the controls with their feet and the games will be interactive. They'll get a good workout while playing a game they really enjoy."

The centre will also be well-equipped for after-school programs and weekend birthday parties.

Dawson expects to open the centre within a couple of weeks. Hours will be: Monday to Friday from 3-9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

Single day passes as well as six-month, one year and three year memberships will also be sold. Fees can be used as a federal tax credit and Bulldog also works with Canadian Tire's Jump Start program for children from lower income families.