We’re getting so excited that Move U is moving to a new headquarters will open in mid-June. It’s an exciting growth opportunity designed with your child’s growth and development in mind. The gym will feature various sensory-rich opportunities with a CrossFit meets playground theme. We intend to create a space that’s comforting for a young child but also provides an inviting and fun atmosphere for the older child and teens. Following the Ayres Sensory Integration Fidelity Measure guidelines, the gym will provide opportunities for climbing, texture exploration, swings and other suspended equipment, a hideout or retreat space, and other gross and fine-motor elements. Each piece of equipment was handpicked keeping fun and function in mind. Here are a few highlights of some of our favorite equipment:
- Rainbow Area – This area was inspired by the time that I spent training at the STAR Institute for Sensory Processing in Colorado. It is built with layers of Lycra stretchy fabric which provides muscle work and pressure touch input to the body system. This helps to build body awareness, reduce sensitivity to touch, improve tolerance for unexpected tips and turns of body position, and can promote self-regulation and attention. Kids will be able to climb up and back down the layers while engaging in playful activities. I am beyond excited about this area.
- Climbing Wall and Spiderweb Climbing Net – These items are variations of a climbing activity but offer different benefits. A stable climbing wall offers a more rigid structure than a looser one that requires increased muscle work challenge. Of course, each of these can be used differently and in various ways engaging not only the muscle work system but also the visual system, two sides of the body, and the core or postural system.
- Ball Pit – The ball pit will initially house about 3,000 balls that will provide light touch as well as pressure touch to the body; however, it can be varied to offer exposure to other textured items as well such as foam, etc. Due to its construction, it will be able to move to different spaces of the gym offering an opportunity to change up the environment and keep it interesting for kids. Ball pits in general help to reduce touch sensitivity, improve body awareness, and the ability to discriminate the touch or texture of one item as compared to another without using vision to assist.
- Jumping Surface – Instead of a traditional trampoline, I’ve selected a Tumbl Trak Special Needs inflated jumping surface. This will allow for opportunities for dynamic movement, muscle work, and pressure touch safely and in variation. This equipment is also versatile and can be moved around the environment based on different themes or ideas that a season may bring.
- Suspended Equipment and Swings – A minimum of 3 swing hooks are required to align with the Ayres Sensory Integration Fidelity Measure. Move U’s new headquarters will have 18, yes, 18 swing hooks placed throughout the space! Swings offer a tremendous opportunity to move dynamically and in variation. The use of swings and suspended equipment is an integral part of treatment using a sensory processing and integration framework as the movement. Swings can promote regulation, reduce sensitivity, and improve attention, strength, posture control, coordination of the two sides of the body, visual skills, body awareness as well as motor planning and fluidity of movement.
Keep in mind that there are other items that will be added over time and have already been considered within the design process. Some of these items include a scooter board ramp, a fixed clubhouse structure, and more ninja-like climbing and motor planning materials to name a few. This place is going to be AMAZING, and I can’t wait for you to see it!
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