June 15, 2004

By: Sean Thissen
Website: http://www.1st-in-fitness.com

New gym sets and trampolines reach heightened plateaus of fun with safety

Backyard playtime takes on a new meaning with Hedstrom’s 2004 line of outdoor fun products. An innovative new gym ride blasts playful bubbles, while the latest wooden gyms are built to last, and a new trampoline combo stresses safety.

Our outdoor fun products feature a variety of enhanced safety qualities without compromising the fun value, said Glenn Kilbride, vice president, marketing, Hedstrom. This allows consumers to trust us with their most precious commodity–their children.

Gym Sets Get Bigger and Rides Get Bubblier Hedstrom sets a new standard in outdoor fun with the Hybrid Tower Metal Gym with Large Play Deck. Boasting a 16-square-foot tower with a UV protected canopy, plus a variety of rides and swings, this exciting gym is everything kids and their safety-conscious parents are seeking.

A true hybrid of materials, the 16- and 18-gauge metal frame supports injection-molded rides created with colored resins, and the floor of the tower incorporates pressure-treated Pine Wood for added aesthetic value, withstanding the most active play both children and Mother Nature can dish out. Magic Mist paint technology coats the metal gym for a colorful finish. This combination of components creates a visually and physically appealing play area for children and their parents.

The Hybrid Tower Metal Gym comes equipped with the two passenger Rocket Rider, two Sling swings with Safe-T Touch Swing Chains, a Ring Swing trapeze and a 6 ½ foot Race ‘n’ Ride slide. A large sandbox that holds up to 250 pounds of sand fits beneath the oversized tower. The Hybrid Tower Metal Gym with Large Play Deck is available Spring 2004. The tower will also be available on Hedstrom’s Fortress Gym later this year.

Hedstrom’s new Bubble Blaster combines the fun of a gym ride with the amusement of bubble play, adding to the 2004 Metal Gym line. Side-by-side seating safely supports up to two children, who assist in producing the fun bubbles by swinging back and forth, producing air pressure on the ride. The air pressure in the lower area of the swing creates multi-sized bubbles, which float out of the handles. Constructed of durable steel and composites, the Bubble Blaster is kid-friendly for ages 2 and older, or up to a maximum of 160 pounds and is easy to hop on and off of. Later this year, the Bubble Blaster will be part of the Scottsdale gym set.

Wood Gyms Redesigned

Hedstrom completely revamped its line of wood gym sets with eight brand new units. Each unit is loaded with enhanced safety features, a variety of play features and are easy to assemble. Parents will appreciate Hedstrom’s new EverLok hardware, a color-coded system that takes the guesswork out of backyard gym assembly.

Washers are permanently attached to each part, reducing the amount of hardware by 25 percent. Pictorial directions are also included, which give parents easy, step-by-step assembly instructions. EverKote-wrapped 4x4 fort posts are maintenance- and splinter-free, and are a new feature in 2004.

These durable gym sets include a variety of exciting characteristics like upscale striped canopies, new blue and green slides, spiral slides, rock-climbing walls, two-passenger Rocket Riders and swinging airballs.

Four models are constructed out of cedar, while the other four include arsenic-free pine, and all eight gyms have Western Red Cedar fort deck floor and wallboards. Each unit also comes complete with a 12-year limited warranty. The new wood units are available March 2004.

New Trampoline and Enclosure Combo and Packaging Hedstrom is springing into 2004 with a new product value-add and entertaining packaging for its line of trampoline products.

Consumers asked for it, and Hedstrom answered by creating the 8-foot Trampoline and Enclosure Combo. The small-sized trampoline and enclosure is perfect for parents who want to safely introduce their children to trampoline fun.

Durable galvanized steel frames support jumpers of up to 120 pounds, while the 360 degree polypropylene mesh enclosure with support pole padding keeps them from falling. The UV-treated jumping mat and Sure-Grip safety pads are protected to resist fading, and a strong zipper allows easy entry and exit from the enclosure.

The new packaging on Hedstrom’s line of trampolines and enclosures is sure to catch the eye of kids and parents alike. Colorful photos of family fun illustrate quality playtime the trampolines provide, while actual product images appropriately communicate the elements inside. Key product features and benefits are highlighted using call-out icons, effectively alerting consumers of the best choice for backyard fun.

Hedstrom Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, Ill., is one of the nation's premier manufacturers and marketers of children's toy, leisure and outdoor recreation products and a category leader in each of its major product lines. Visit www.hedstrom.com to learn about its diverse selection of brands that promote family fun.

Author Notes:

Sean Thissen contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.1st-in-fitness.com.  A source of information and helpful tips on various types of fitness equipment.