| Innovations | FIT Extra Treadmills
Treadmills Hit Their Stride
From basic to sophisticated, these ubiquitous units offer something for everyone
At clubs worldwide, newcomers and longtime members alike gravitate toward the tried-and-true workhorses of the cardio floor: treadmills. For newbies, they offer instant access to exercise; for veteran exercisers, they’re like a reliable friend—one who’s constantly being upgraded with ever more innovative features.
Among the most prevalent innovations is a greater emphasis on sophisticated technology. Many treadmills now come equipped with iPod docks, USB ports, LCD screens, and workout tracking—all of which help to motivate members, increasing exercise adherence and, importantly, member retention. Another trend that continues to emerge is “green” treadmills.
“Our engineers are finding new ways to make our treadmills super- efficient, creating self-generating equipment that feeds power back into the grid,” reports Amber Maechler, the marketing and communications director at SportsArt Fitness. SportsArt’s ECO-POWR is a 5-HP maintenance-free system that
uses up to 32% less electricity than standard AC and DC motors— which can save an average club, running 12 treadmills a day, an estimated $3,000 per year. Woodway and Technogym, among others, also produce energy-
efficient treadmills. Another innovative advance is offered by the AlterG Anti-Gravity
Treadmill, which takes technological advances to a new level—a new altitude, actually—giving the user the sensation of “running on air.” It employs differential air pressure technology to minimize impact by “unweighting” exercisers to as little as 20% of their body weight. “Originally used for rehabilitation, the AlterG suits fitness facilities
because it allows many more people to use a treadmill who wouldn’t otherwise be able to,” contends Gabriel Griego, the vice president of marketing at AlterG, Inc. But, for club operators and members who want to keep it simple,
there are still plenty of attractive options. “Many people just want to get on a treadmill and press start,” observes Dean Sbragia, CEO of Med-Fit Systems, Inc., which manufactures Nautilus. Take, for instance, Woodway’s new Curve treadmill, a non-motorized
unit that recently appeared on NBC-TV’s The Biggest Loser: Couples. “The Curve delivers a dynamic workout with the user in control of the speed,” explains Michael Frank, Woodway’s associate marketing communications manager. For more, check out the following pages of F.I.T. Extra!—|
www.
ihrsa.org |
BH Fitness T8 Pro, BH Fitness T9 (shown)
The BH Fitness T8 Pro is a high-power solution for light commercial facilities that need high-quality, affordable fitness equipment. It features advanced elec- tronics, a powerful 3.5-HP motor, 12 mph top speed, 15% elevation, a 22" x 60" running surface, and five red alphanumeric LED displays, with a blue backlit LCD program profile display. Its warranty is lifetime on the frame, 10 years on the motor, five years on parts, and one year on labor. The BH Fitness T9 features an embedded cable-ready 15" touch-screen LCD television with built-in speakers, headphone jack, and MP3 capabilities.
Manufacturer’s list price: BH Fitness T8 Pro, $3.299.99; BH Fitness T9, $4,599.00
BH Fitness SK6900
The BH Fitness SK6900 is an uncompro- mising commercial treadmill that bal- ances both style and function. It features a powerful 4-HP AC motor, 12 mph top speed, 15% elevation, a 22" x 63" running surface, five Alpha-Numeric LED displays for statistical information, and a large red LED matrix window.
Manufacturer’s list price: $6,699.00
TREADMILLS BH NORTH AMERICA
JULY 2011 | Club Business Internat ional 67
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