Programs & Equipment
Treadmill Walking Helps Parkinson’s Patients
People with Parkinson’s disease who are experiencing difficulty walking should engage in regular low-intensity practice on a treadmill, suggests a recent study. Sixty-seven participants were split into three groups: high-intensity treadmill (faster pace, shorter duration); low-
intensity treadmill (slower pace, longer duration); and stretching and resistance exercises that included leg presses, leg extensions and leg curls. Various gait and fitness assessments were taken pre- and post-intervention.
Turning Pools Into Profits
Fitness centers invest a significant amount of their budgets in maintaining the pool, but they do not necessarily receive an adequate return on this investment. In some cases, the pool is viewed as merely a value-added amenity to reinforce a positive member experience. Other than for occasional lap swimming and water classes for older adults, most gym pools are not being used to their full potential. It’s time to focus on the profit-generating power of the pool and increase pool usage.
Westin® Hotels to Lend Fitness Gear to Guests
Travelers, take note: if you forget to pack your workout clothes, Westin Hotels & Resorts have got you covered. The high-end hotel chain now offers a fitness gear lending program, according to an article published in the December 14 issue of The Wall Street Journal. Fitness-minded hotel guests may borrow New Balance–brand shoes, as well as apparel such as socks, shorts and shirts, at no cost. Apparel sizes range from small to extra large for women, medium to extra large for men. Shoes sizes are 6–101/2 for women, 81/2–13 for men.
TrekDesk Receives Honors
Each year, the oldest continuously published magazine in the United States, Scientific American, unveils its annual Gadget Guide. Among the less-known gadgets on the 2010 list was the TrekDesk Treadmill Desk. The TrekDesk, which can be affixed to any treadmill, is designed to help eradicate the effects of inactivity due to seated desk work. “Scientific American has been reporting on medical and technological innovations since 1845,” stated TrekDesk CEO Steve Bordley.
Exercising With Kettlebells
Have you heard about kettlebells? Fitness enthusiasts, ranging from young to not so young, nonathletes to superstars, are starting to find use for this cast-iron tool that has its roots in Russia. A kettlebell is a weight shaped like a giant cannonball with a single U-shaped handle. The kettlebell’s unique spherical shape provides the ability to work with curvilinear movements, centrifugal force and momentum.
The Ab Circle Pro®
Achieving six-pack abdominals is a goal for many exercisers. To address this desire, many companies have developed equipment to target this area. One such tool, the Ab Circle Pro, offers…
ROM Machine
In today’s time-strapped society, typical hourlong exercise bouts can be prohibitive to many potential exercisers. Schedule-conscious individuals interested in improving fitness levels with minimal time investment may have a solution. According to manufacturers of the ROM (range-of-motion) machine, 4 minutes is all that’s necessary to get into better shape. The 677-pound machine is equipped with an 85-pound flywheel that automatically adjusts resistance to the individual’s strength (cardiovascular and muscular) level.
Your Feet, Your Shoes, Your Choices
How often has a client or student approached you and asked, “What type of shoe would be best for this workout?” At the university where I teach, I am asked this question every quarter by several hundred students, all of whom have different needs, different feet and different histories.
The Hawaii Chair
Hula-Hoop enthusiasts take heart—it may now be possible to get
the same gyrational movements while sitting at your desk. The Hawaii Chair of infomercial fame promises users an opportunity to get fit while you work. According to the manufacturer’s website, the Hawaii Chair “combines the ancient art of the Hula of the Hawaiians with an easy-to-use, fun exercise machine.” Users’ hips gyrate as the seat rotates clockwise and counterclockwise at the desired speed.
Shake It Up With Shake Weight
A new device that has exploded onto the market is the Shake Weight™,
a 2.5-pound dumbbell-shaped apparatus that promises “strong, sexy, sculpted arms & shoulders” in just 6 minutes a day. The product was originally designed for arm-conscious women, but a male version has recently entered the market. Users grip the tool in one or two hands and then shake it vigorously back and forth with minimal—if any—changes in range of motion.
The Shake Weight website states
that strength benefits are derived from
a “new” technology dubbed “dynamic
Cybex Pink Treadmills a Success
In the January issue, it was reported that fitness equipment manufacturer CYBEX® had developed special pink treadmills to raise awareness and money for breast cancer research.
For each mile logged on the treadmills in October (National Breast Cancer Awareness Month), the organization would donate money
to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The program was a
success: 250,000 miles were logged, resulting in a $50,000 donation.
Equipment Purchasing in a Shaky Economy
As signs of recovery start to show in different sectors of the American economy, fitness facility and studio owners are still taking stock. Faced with tough economic times, some owners, directors and managers are still putting off or scaling back on new equipment, leasing rather than buying, or purchasing used or remanufactured equipment
Kettlebell Comeback
Despite the kettlebell’s rich history, dating back at least to the 1700s, there are many people who have not yet heard of this tool. Only recently has the product caught the attention of mainstream fitness folks. Fitness pros and enthusiasts, both men and women, ranging from young to not so young, nonathletes to superstars, are starting to find use for the cast-iron tool that has its roots in Russia. The kettlebell may not be a new product, but creative programming using the age-old device is certainly “swinging” into action.
Equipment Safety in the Fitness Setting
Stories of failed exercise equipment leading to injury have been making headlines. Recently the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced a voluntary
recall of 3 million fitness balls, for example. According to a press release, manufacturers received reports of balls bursting while in use. “Many of the injuries that occur with stability balls come from a poor-quality product [not made to handle] repetitive use in the gym,” states Abbie Appel, IDEA presenter and author, and Resist-A-Ball® master instructor.
Pink Treadmills Raise Funds for Breast Cancer Research
In recognition of breast cancer awareness month last October, gyms across the country plugged in special pink treadmills from CYBEX®. The equipment manufacturer’s goal was twofold—to raise awareness of the disease and to promote the importance of exercise as a preventive measure. CYBEX also donated funds to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) for every mile logged on the pink 750T treadmills during the month. “This is an example of wonderful corporate citizenship,” stated Myra J. Biblowit, president of the BCRF.
Fitness Equipment Purchase on the Decline
It seems that the economic slowdown has trickled into fitness equipment sales. Information from a Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA) press release states that sales dropped from $4.7 billion in 2007 to $4.2 billion in 2008. “The fitness industry was not immune to the side effects of the tough economy,” said SGMA president Tom Cove. “But because people are aware of the importance of a regular physical fitness regimen, we expect the fitness industry to regain strength as the economy heals.”
So Much Equipment, So Much Fun
Before you teach your next class, take a look around. Have you noticed how crowded the studios have become? Not so much with people, but with equipment! What are we supposed to do with all that stuff? The thought of incorporating even a few items can be overwhelming. Well, help has arrived at last! We’re going to look at integrating equipment into two popular class formats: strength training and interval-based workouts.
Personal Trainers Meet the Needs of Savvy, Cost-Conscious Consumers
9 Survey Data
2009 IDEA?Personal Training Programs & Equipment Trends
14 Training for Growth
Seasonal Change:
Autumn ColorPersonal training is still king of the hill in the fitness industry. Whether in an entrepreneurial or a facility setting, trainers are steadily filling sessions as a growing variety of clients are inspired to fitness and wellness through personal training leadership.
2009 IDEA Fitness Programs & Equipment Trends
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2009 IDEA Fitness Programs
& Equipment Trends
How to Read the Numbers
The percentage (%) reflects the
number of survey respondents who
answered yes to a given survey
question. All percentages have been
rounded up at 0.5 and down at 0.4.
Percentages do not necessarily total
100, because of multiple or missing
responses.
2009 IDEA Fitness Programs & Equipment Trends
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This year our 14th annual survey
went to club owners, fitness
directors and other fitness professionals
in the midst of a
financially unstable economy.While the
fitness market may not be booming, it
seems to be at least stable, which is great
news when businesses all around the
globe are faltering. The really encouraging
aspect of this year’s results is that the
diversity of classes, equipment and programs
offered has continued to increase.