Source: Escape Fitness
Cincinnati, OHIO, May 18, 2016— Since launching, the new Escape Fitness STEP and RISER have met with rave reviews, which was the desired effect when the development team spent more than 12 months in serious R&D to create a two-product platform system capable of performing independently and together to make the fitness world rethink step-based workouts.
To launch the most advanced platform system on the market, global functional fitness solution leader Escape Fitness worked with Progressive Sports on engineering, design and versatility.
The yearlong process included a broad review of specific products in category as well as products far and wide to gain insight. In fact, the advanced locking and tilt mechanisms of the STEP and RISER were inspired by quick releases on military parts, where a quick location and lock with one plane of free motion is required. This feature allowed individual STEP and RISER units to lock together to create raised platforms for workouts to quickly transition from stepping to plyometrics and back again. Further, the unique design also means one or more RISERs can securely stack under the STEP to create an incline/decline platform for extra versatility. And, resistance tubes can also be incorporated into workouts using specially designed channels located on the bottom of each STEP and RISER.
The process also included early prototyping and multiple party involvement. Step master trainer Steve Barrett worked with the Escape/Progressive team on riser form and size, spending hours stepping on the various sizes to find the solution that delivered enhanced performance for multiple exercise possibilities from traditional step classes to bootcamp-style workouts.
Ultimately, it took 30 different prototypes and variations of parts to arrive at the Escape Fitness STEP and RISER products that debuted January 2016 in Zumba® Step classes on the famed Caribbean Zumba Cruise, which was the start of a partnership between Escape and Zumba.
The multiple advantages of the new STEP and RISER include:
- Rubber stabilizing blocks that prevent platform slippage on polished floors and offer cushion for a more comfortable workout.
- Locking system that creates firm, solid connections when STEPs and RISERs are stacked.
- Top mats that provide excellent grip with textures that vary across the surface and bright green anatomical targets for correct foot and hand placement so instructors can create specific exercise patterns.
- Top surfaces on the STEP that are extra wide with a usable width of 34.5cm (13 ½ inches), which Escape believes is at least an inch wider than other step products. The RISER has a 33cm (13 inches) stepping surface.
- Intelligent storage design so that units sit neatly within each other when stacked which reduces the footprint for clubs where space is at a premium.
Escape Fitness officially launched the new STEP and RISER to the fitness industry during the March 2016 IHRSA (International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association) Show in Orlando, Florida.
About Escape Fitness
Founded in 1998, Escape Fitness has built a reputation for product innovation, quality and design while growing and competing through great partnerships in challenging markets worldwide. We have helped improve the bottom lines of over 1,000 fitness clubs and key distributors in 80 countries. Committed to functional training since our inception, we work with clubs that invest in functional training spaces that will deliver the best possible exercise experiences; and we encourage fitness professionals and their clients to ‘Escape Their Limits’. A mentality that is the foundation of our every offering. We are pleased to work with industry leading brands worldwide, including Equinox, Fitness First, Virgin Active, UFC Gyms, Crunch, Nuffield Health, David Lloyd, 1Rebel, 24 Hour Fitness, Marriott, Life Time Fitness, Jatomi and many more. For information:http://www.escapefitness.com
About Progressive Sports
Pioneering developer of sports concepts, Progressive Sports is based in the world leading Sports Technology Institute at Loughborough University. Progressive provides a comprehensive range of research-led product development services to major global sports brands. For more information, visit http://www.progressivesports.co.uk.
