Even though Ed Pinney got into the business of making children's exercise equipment because schools asked him to, it's still difficult getting schools to embrace physical education.

School officials are preoccupied with test scores and competing academically, said Pinney, executive director of International Youth Fitness of Mount Airy, Md.

"Funding for physical education continues to decline," he said.

Pinney made his comments just after he had delivered exercise equipment to be put on permanent display at the UPMC Sportsworks, the new wing of the Carnegie Science Center, Pittsburgh.

Sportsworks, which opens Aug. 4, will offer Pinney and Emil DeBonis, a partner in the company, their most prestigious pulpit to preach their gospel of kids' physical fitness.

"It's like a dream realized," said DeBonis, of Hermitage. "This is the largest hands-on exhibit in the world. It gives us credibility to be included here."

Sportsworks, which is across the street from the science center and the Pittsburgh Steelers' Heinz Field, is designed to teach kids the science of some of the activities they naturally gravitate to.

"We know that sports, especially in western Pennsylvania, is a very important subject," said Dennis Bateman, Sportsworks assistant director of exhibits and facilities." "In our mission to bring science to the forefront of life, sports seems like the ideal thing to do that."

Bateman, a Sharon native, said he hopes the next time a child throws a baseball he or she will remember the difference in rotations between a fastball, a curveball, a slider and a screwball, which is explained at Sportsworks.

Pinney and DeBonis' equipment -- a rowing machine, chest press, pull down press and elliptical walker -- will be housed in a section designed for kids ages 7 and under, along with a junior pitching cage, obstacle course and other activities.

Younger children will not be able to participate in some of the other exhibits, such as the 30-foot climbing wall and the pedal-drive NASCAR track.

"We wanted some things they can do," said Bateman, a 1979 Sharon High graduate.

In the age of computers and videocassette recorders, children spend less time playing tag and other physical activities than they used to, said DeBonis, whose fitness curriculum Emil's Kids covers nutrition, behavior assessment and basic social values, such as respect and discipline.

"Knowing that kids and exercise is so important because obesity is such a problem, we want to get kids exercising," Bateman said. "The message it sends is children who exercise will grow into adults who exercise."

The equipment, similar to what is in use at Farrell Area Elementary School, has no weights so there's no danger of children hurting themselves by trying to lift too much. Resistance is created by pneumatic cylinders.

"It's a self-accommodating device," said DeBonis, a personal trainer and strength and conditioning specialist. "The more the kids work the harder it is."

"We don't try to make junior Arnold Schwarzeneggars out of this," Pinney said. "We try to make it so every kid can be successful."

Bateman said the four pieces chosen target the major muscle groups. Placards, primarily aimed at parents, will be posted with the equipment explaining the muscle groups and how to use the equipment.

"We're excited about being here," Pinney said. "We're hoping this will open the eyes of school administration people. I think scores are important but balance also is important."