Way Beyond is a new science-based children’s gym in La Jolla offering such a fun workout children won’t even realize they are exercising. “Kids don’t want to workout; they want to have fun,” said Brian Blacher, one of two owners of Way Beyond, 4485 La Jolla Village Drive, Unit K-1. Blacher said kids today need a place like Way Beyond because they do not get regular exercise playing outside these days. “We wrap our kids in cotton balls and they become soft,” Blacher said of the physical condition of many children. Young patrons might feel as though they have stepped into the updated version of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory when they first see the establishment. The floor-to-ceiling equipment, which resembles amusement park rides, as well as the colorful balls and kid-friendly climbing walls are sure to entice any child to play. The children sign up for a class with a trainer, who takes the children around to the various stations, where they do repetitions like an adult might do at a traditional gym. Participants gain core strength and neuromuscular development while having fun, instead of thinking about balance, coordination and muscle groups. A child can expect to hear a trainer say something similar to “jump, jump, dunk the ball with your left hand.” Then, the child will act out the motion and feel like they are playing a game, Blacher said. Blacher and his team track each child’s progress and parents have access to all the statistics and information. “There’s a lesson plan for every workout,” Blacher said. “I needed to put the science behind the game.” He and his partner, Dean Simon, the architect behind the entire structural design, had an interactive Wii concept in mind for Way Beyond. The gym equipment was designed and built in South Africa, where the two business partners are from, and where Simon currently resides. The duo shipped the structures to the United States, where they arrived in seven 40-foot containers, along with a precise plan for construction. “This is a first of its kind,” said Blacher. Blacher has been working in children’s sports development for 25 years. He has owned other gyms for both children and adults. However, he said that he prefers working with children. He and Simon plan to franchise the gym, with the first franchise already slated for Carlsbad. They have also received interest from Boca Raton, Fla. and international locations. It was no easy road, though. Simon came to Blacher with the design in December 2007, and the premier location in La Jolla didn’t open until June of this year. Blacher acknowledges that kids can get hurt, but he utilizes a low trainer-to-child ratio to mitigate the risk. Each piece of equipment was built for six children to use at once, and everything about the facility, from the equipment to chairs to railings, was designed with deliberate intention by Simon. “We have little open play,” Blacher said. Blacher takes pride in the fact that he has hired top people in each field — like pediatric cardiologists and physical therapists — who act as advisors at the facility. Way Beyond is also equipped to work with children who have special needs. Blacher foresees the space being rented out for corporate events as well, especially since he has noticed that during many birthday parties held at Way Beyond, dads are having fun too. Way Beyond also has a café serving teas, coffees and treats such as gluten- free brownies. Reservations are required for participants. For more information, call Way Beyond at (858) 441-4161, or visit www.waybeyond.com.