Fitness Equipment: Page 95

What's Old Is New Again

Thinking of buying remanufactured equipment? Here's what you should know. That's why many fitness center owners purchase remanufactured equipment. With a savings of about 70 percent compared to the cost of new equipment, purchasing remanufactured equipment can free up funds for other parts of the facility. It can also allow fitness centers to replace older, favorite pieces that may not be manufactured anymore.If reworked properly, remanufactured equipment is as dependable and wears as well as the equipment was when new. Says Mark Clayton, president of Fitness Equipment Source, Concord, Ont., Canada, "Anyone can hang their shingle out and say they remanufacture equipment, but that doesn't mean they'll do it correctly. Those who don't do it legitimately give those who do a bad name." Fitness Equipment Source equips approximately five start-up fitness centers each month with flooring and strength and cardio equipment. It, and companies like it, canoutfit an entire fitness facility, or sell just a single piece of equipment. They can provide the equipment you want in the color and upholstery you request (even if the product did not originally come in that color), and they provide an extended warranty and service their products.Types of equipmentTotal remanufacture. This means stripping the machine down, sand blasting, powder finishing, testing all moving parts, etc. This saves buyers about 35 percent off of the price of new equipment. It gives a longer life to the equipment, and has the same warranty as when the equipment was new. The company also "zeros out" a treadmill's total mileage.Serviced. Serviced means that the machine was cleaned, had some minor touch-ups and is 100 percent operational. Customers get a three-month parts warranty, but it saves them 45 to 50 percent on the cost of the machine.It's important to note that while "serviced" may sound like you'll get a machine with a short lifespan, you may actually get a newer machine that just didn't need as much fixing up.Provided the product was remanufactured by a reputable company, the equipment should not look old. "The most expensive thing on a new piece of equipment such as a treadmill is the steel frame," says Clayton. But, the frame doesn't go bad, just the wear parts. Companies that really remanufacture equipment will take the entire piece apart, and get each component independently tested. If the piece doesn't meet or exceed the manufacturer's requirements as new, they replace it. They sandblast the frame and put the original type of coating back on it.Ask questions1. Does the company have a solid reputation, with dated references? You'll want to talk to people who have had a relationship with the company for many years, not just someone who bought one piece of equipment.3. Does the company use certified technicians? Consider ensuring that technicians are certified by equipment manufacturers.5. Will the company provide you with an owner's manual so you know when equipment service intervals are and what should be done at each?7. How long does it takes someone to answer the phone at the company? If you end up in an endless string of automated messages, you may be dealing with a company that will be difficult to contact after you purchase equipment and need help or have questions.Where does it come from?The same replacement strategy holds true for strength equipment. "The fitness manufacturers are using chrome colors now that you see on cars -- titanium and silver -- and people want that look," says Clayton. So, they purchase new pieces. But don't forget that remanufacturing companies can paint refurbished equipment in these newer colors.Those in the knowWhen buying a piece of equipment, Feldkamp tells her dealer what she wants, either the actual piece of equipment or the features for which she's looking. Most of her equipment is about two to three years old when she gets it, and members can't tell the difference.Much like the auto industry, your equipment depreciates about 20 percent when it enters your facility. So, it may make sense to consider remanufactured equipment for your next expansion or replacement. Provided you do your homework and choose a reputable company, you can be just as happy with refurbished equipment as you can with new equipment -- and still have money left over.

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Best Foot Forward

Cardiovascular fitness equipment manufacturers strive to advance technology while simplifying the user experience.

Express Workouts

How to capitalize on the popularity of express workout circuits in your fitness center.Back in the '80s, express workouts (or circuit training) were often held on the weight room floor. Resistance machines were lined up and an automated voice announced when it was time to change stations. Sometimes, cardiovascular training was included in the form of jump ropes or jumping jacks in between each strength station. Classes were often held before work and at lunch. Evening classes were longer in length, and music was professionally made, with songs lasting just as long as the workout at each station.EquipmentToday's express workouts are similar in set-up, but with newer machinery. For instance, Curves, the fastest-growing franchise in the world, is known for its express workouts that cater to women. It offers hydraulic strength machines and trampolines in between. Hydraulic strength training uses pedals to take air in and let air out, making the resistance more or less intense. This way, the person who follows does not have to change weight.Women-onlyExpress workouts within fitness centersFor Xpress Zone, exercisers perform a five- to10-minute warm-up, followed by 30 seconds on each of eight strength machines. Members adjust the weight so that they can complete 15 repetitions in that 30-second time frame. The exceptions are abdominal crunches, which members perform prior to strength training (for 60 seconds), and the Prone Cobra, which members perform for 60 seconds after strength training.Bedgood says that 24 Hour Fitness feels a separate area for theXpress Zone program is important because it prevents those not involved in the workout from using machines that are part of the circuit.Marketing to special populationsEach class has a different format and focus. Says Detwiler, "Some classes are set up alternating cardio and strength training, and some are set up to focus on the upper body, then lower body, core and cardio." Each instructor writes in a class binder what exercises were performed for each class and how it was set up so that the next instructor will not duplicate the previous workout.Another L&T-managed site, Navy Federal Credit Union Headquarters, Vienna, Va.,makes use of down-time in the fitness center by offering a circuit workout. Members alternate between strength machines and cardio machines, and an instructor monitors not only circuit time, but form and intensity.Get in the express circuit!Offer plenty of stations, so that participants aren't going around and around the same circle. Also, use some creativity to keep it fun. Add in partner exercises, if appropriate to your population. Have them toss each other a medicine ball, have two members hold the ends of a band while a third person shifts side to side underneath it. Barrett also suggests taking your workout outside. Boot camps are a great format for outdoor settings where there is plenty of room.

Prevent Defense

A forward-thinking, comprehensive approach to equipment maintenance can help protect a club's most prized possession: its positive image.

Photo of man lifting weights

Marines Enjoy New Facility

The Semper Fit Paige Fieldhouse is definitely a welcome addition to Camp Pendleton Marine Corp Base.The facility is almost 60,000 square feet, and was designed to have easily supervised program space. "Staff members from the front desk can see the entire weight room, the entrances to the group exercise room, the multi-purpose room, all four racquetball courts and the two gymnasiums," Onthank explains.What is unique about this fitness center is that it is free to Marines and their families. Says Onthank, "The programs in this facility are entirely free -- no memberships, and no fees for any services or classes. Our program is one of the benefits active duty military enjoy, and it is mission-essential for Marines.""Something extra fun and unique," says Onthank, "are Special PTs, which happen when a Marine unit comes in for a group exercise class. There could be up to 300 Marines and sailors doing kickboxing in the gym." Or, she continues, "we'll have a group of instructors and break the group down into smaller sections and set up different stations and run drills with them. It offers the unit a different workout and develops unit cohesion."

Profiting from Functional Fitness

The physical benefits of functional training are many, and fitness centers can profit from this growing fitness trend.Training for real lifeTo receive the "real life" benefits of resistance training, exercisers should use multiple muscle groups in an integrated fashion. This runs counter to the idea behind machine-based weight training, which was developed to allow bodybuilders to isolate single muscle groups. The muscles get stronger using machines and free weights, which is an essential component of any fitness program, but the all-important synergy of the body will not be accomplished. By contrast, functional training, such as SAQ (speed, agility and quickness), Pilates and yoga,challenges the body to work as a whole, firing up the muscles in a sequential pattern.In putting together each workout, trainers can choose from thousands of exercises, including more than 25 ways to perform a simple forward lunge. Mixing it up helps mitigate boredom and the exercise dropout factor that so often follows. It may be more difficult to choreograph and perform, but it will be more fun and beneficial to the member.To maximize human performance, trainers must have a good understanding of what affects performance. The factors that play the greatest role in performance are power (strength and speed), agility (flexibility, mobility, stability), cardiovascular and respiratory conditioning, sports skills (neuromuscular coordination and efficiency) and genetic potential.Metabolism. A major fraction of total daily energy demand arises from resting metabolism, and it is, thus, important to document the resting metabolism of clients. Metabolism decreases by about 10 percent per decade after the third decade of life. One reason is the loss of metabolically active muscle mass, and a parallel increase in metabolically inert fat deposits.As age increases, there may also be some overall reduction in cellular metabolism. Food intake must be correspondingly adjusted if body fat is not to increase further.Loss of strength progressively impedes everyday living. Muscle strength can be greatly improved by as little as eight weeks of resistance/functional training. Stronger muscles further enhance function by stabilizing joints, reducing the risks of falls, and improving balance and coordination.Exercise training cannot restore tissue that has already been destroyed, but it can protect exercisers against a number of chronic diseases. More importantly, it maximizes residual function. In some instances, biological age is reduced by as much as 20 years. Life expectancy is increased, partial and total disability is delayed, and there are major gains in quality-adjusted life expectancy. Exercise is, thus, an important component of healthy living.The recommended equipment for functional training will vary from that used in traditional strength training. Recent findings in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning show that machine-based strength training has limited carryover in helping perform activities of daily living. There are many better equipment options for functional strength training that minimize equipment needs. These include the following:Body weight. Combined with jump ropes or exercise balls, body weight is often challenging on its own, especially during lunges and push-ups.Exercise balls. Exercise balls offer a fun way to combine balance work with other exercises.Fitness center revenueAppropriate testing will ensure optimal outcomes, and instill confidence in participants. Justifiably, this comes at a premium price. Revenue generation comes from the following:* Functional training sessions, for which you can charge $65 per session, or $85 for a group of four.* Sports-specific training.* Pilates (prevailing rates within geographic location), including individual reformer, group reformer and mat classes.Lifestyle and lifetime changes

Keeping Fitness Current

At Lake Country Racquet & Athletic Club, keeping up with current trends is important.For owners John and Trudy Gebhard, keeping up with current trends is important. This includes new developments for staffing and education. Continuing education is a high priority for them, and all tennis professionals, group fitness instructors, massage therapists and personal trainers receive continuing education.In keeping with this family atmosphere, the managers of every department work together to help members reach their goals. Tennis professionals encourage their clients to strength train; group fitness instructors encourage class participants to use other parts of the facility to prevent boredom; etc. Also, for personal training, clients have the option to work out in small groups (up to four people). Members can also choose one-on-one, sports-specific, post rehab or functional training. There is a separate area of the facility where these training programs take place.To make sure all of these programs are working for members, the facility has an office that is dedicated to fitness assessments. It offers free fitness evaluations for all members, including a printed version of their personal fitness profile. "This office is also used by our certified and registered dietician, where members can work either one-on-one or for family improvements on their nutritional needs," says Walter.

Group Profits

More important than the variety of your classes, it's the instructors who teach the classes that make your facility successful.

Choosing the Right Cardio Equipment for Your Facility

Before buying cardio equipment for your facility, know your potential users, and research all of your options. According to IHRSA's (International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association) 2003 Profiles of Success, the median amount spent by IHRSA member fitness centers on new equipment in 2003 was $34,478. If even 25 percent ($8,619.50) of this was spent on cardio equipment, the significance is obvious. According to the National Sporting Goods Association, American consumers spend more than $1.49 billion on treadmills, $189 million on stationary cycles and $83 million on elliptical machines. With so much money being spent, it makes sense to research your options before you buy. Here are some considerations when selecting cardio equipment for your facility.Equipment choices can vary based on facility users. For instance, older adults may be more comfortable on traditional cardiovascular equipment, such as stationary cycles, while young adults may prefer the latest machines, such as ellipticals. Consider the age trends in your facility when buying cardio equipment. *Are youth under age 16 allowed to use the facility?When judging potential users of your facility, it is wise to consider the needs of members with disabilities. The Americans With Disabilities Act led to guidelines on the accessibility of health and wellness centers. These guidelines suggest that one of each type of equipment be made accessible to wheelchairs (including clearing floor space).Another important consideration is the amount of usage your center receives. Traffic will depend on the size and demographics of the membership, as well as the facility's hours of operation. A good rule of thumb is to expect that approximately 20 to 35 percent of the active membership will take advantage of the facility consistently. To help estimate usage, survey the members about their interest in using cardio equipment. Find out their primary intended use, and what features are important to them. Including members in the decision process can enhance retention.Although facility operatorsmay not outwardly admit it, fewer staff members reduces the payroll and increases overall profits. Equipment manufacturers have recognized this fact, and have capitalized on it with their advertising. "Beware the wolf in sheep's clothing" is appropriate to anyone who tells you that their equipment will reduce the necessity for trained staff or overall staff requirements. The presence or absence of a staff person may affect usage. Facilities that are staffed tend to be used more for several reasons:Types of cardio equipmentTreadmills. Treadmills are a staple in any fitness center because they simulate walking and running and have virtually no learning curve. Beginning exercisers can walk on a treadmill at a comfortable pace, and elite athletes can use this modality for speed, hill or interval training. From a caloric expenditure viewpoint, treadmills will burn the most calories per minute per kilogram of body weight.* Number of hours of use and maintenance schedule.Stationary cycles. Stationary cyclesare usually the least expensive and most space-efficient. With the renewed interest in cycling (thanks to Lance Armstrong's fifth win in the Tour de France), stationary cycles may be more popular than once thought. Also, many stationary cycles are self-powered, allowing flexibility in the overall floor plan.Stairclimbers. Stairclimbers are available in two types, based on the stepping motion. Independent stairclimbers have pedals that respond specifically to the exercisers' pressure. When an exerciser stands on the pedals, they both sink to the ground until the user begins climbing. With dependent stairclimbers, the pedals are linked together. When the exerciser steps down on one pedal and pushes it down, the other one goes up. Personal preferences vary; more serious exercisers may prefer the independent action that requires a bit more skill, and beginners may like the ease of use of the dependent stairclimber.Elliptical trainers have surged in popularity because they are easy to use and have minimal impact on the joints. Although exercisers may be working vigorously on an elliptical, they perceive less exertion than when performing a comparable exercise at the same intensity, such as running. Furthermore, with an upper-body option, users can perform a total-body workout that burns more calories than a lower-body-only exercise in the same amount of time.Other equipment such as rowers, cross-country skiers, and upper-body ergometers are options for consideration. Upper-body ergometers provide upper-body rotary exercise for cardio and strength training. Features such as bi-directional resistance and a variety of modes of exercise are important considerations with these machines. For a diverse membership, one of these machines is recommended.Ease of operation. The easier a piece of equipment is to use, the more use it will get.Continuous heart rate monitoring. A heart rate system that uses a transmitter rather than intermittent pulse is best.Workload control. Exercisers set watts, and the equipment maintains a constant workload independent of speed.A random profile. A random profile allows for an infinite number of workouts.Try before you buy

Profiting from Cardio Science

Use technology and specialized training programs to help your members reach their goals, and help your facility gain a profit. Technology can also be used in the fight against obesity.Statistics about adult and child obesity in the U.S. are astounding and frightening, but they can also be seen as a business opportunity. Fitness centers can establish comprehensive programs to address childhood and adult overweight and obesity in a profitable and efficient manner. These programs can contribute significant revenue to the bottom line, while contributing to the decrease in healthcare dollars spent (currently exceeding $117billion annually).Programming over and above regular fitness center offerings should be offered at an additional cost to members.These programs require a greater degree of expertise and equipment. Plus, customized training and nutrition programs can maximize results and safety.Everyone has a unique metabolic response to exercise. A simple metabolic test will determine resting metabolic rate and anaerobic threshold, allowing true individualized programming to occur.*How do you measure exercise intensity and safety for members?Oxygen is more critical to weight control than people realize. Metabolism involves the use of oxygen to create fuel. Metabolic testing is the individualized measurement of energy expenditure by evaluating the rate of oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide exhaled. Both glucose and fat, the primary fuels of the body, require oxygen for burning. The gas content of the breath reflects the metabolic exchanges that are occurring in the body.During exercise, the burn rate of oxygen (called VO2) is an indicator of the capacity of the lungs to provide the oxygen that muscles require. VO2, or the exercise burn rate, determines the intensity and duration of workouts to maximize either the calories used in a workout, or the workload required for maximum aerobic development of heart/lung fitness.Offering metabolic tests for your members can help them with weight management, and to individualize workouts.4. Adapt any diet plan to maintain lost weight.5. Improve heart/lung fitness.A sports-specific training program should be designed using a heart rate monitor. This system enables members to condition for sports or activities based on the results of exercise testing that determines individual oxygen use. The training program can then be tracked with each workout via the web or through existing software (several companies currently provide this type of software).An athlete is like a race car. Fuel in the body is stored in the muscles, blood stream and liver. Air containing oxygen is provided by the lungs. That's why athletes "feel winded" and a "burning" in their chest when they are low in oxygen and can't power the muscles. When using oxygen efficiently, athletes are in the best shape to generate a peak performance.The ability to use max burn rate is based on conditioning level. When the body is not conditioned, it is less efficient and "runs out of gas" quickly. Fatigue occurs faster and the individual is more apt to be out of breath -- trying to get more oxygen to the muscles. The burn rate of oxygen is the key to playing sports longer and harder without getting tired.VO2Max and the AT can be determinedby measuring the oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the breath. This can be accomplished with the use of gas exchange technology. Currently, technology is available to measure this at a reasonable cost, which can be passedon to the member (see Technology-Based Revenue).With training, the efficiency of the heart and lungs and the ability to supply oxygen to the muscles is dramatically improved. In addition, trained muscles learn to tolerate higher levels of lactic acid. These training effects improve efficiency, moving the AT closer to maximum (VO2Max).Retesting intervals. It is recommended that a training program be maintained for eight weeks to give the body a chance to respond to the demands of that program. Under time constraints, retesting may be considered after four weeks of training.Additional revenue can come from heart rate monitor sales, training packages, a "CompuTrainer" and more.

Measuring Success One Heart at a Time

The Satilla Regional Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Center is a fitness center that caters to the needs of those recovering from recent cardiac-related events.The facility itself has three main exercise areas: two cardio areas (one for Phase II and one for Phase III/IV patients) and a newly expanded resistance-training room. There is also an exam room that has emergency medical and monitoring equipment, and two kitchens (located in each cardio room) that offer heart-healthy snacks and drinks, as well as a place for socializing.To complement the exercise sessions, educational classes are offered on a weekly basis. Topics include stress management, nutrition, understanding medications, coronary artery disease, cholesterol-level management and a diabetes class. Yoga and CPR classes for patients and family members are offered on an intermittent basis.Staff members provide entertainment in many forms, such as dressing up for Halloween and the Christmas season (as elves). The building is always adorned in some kind of theme: New Year's, Valentine's Day, the Fourth of July, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc. "And probably our most important theme," explains Tanner, "is the opening of college football, and our support for the Georgia Bulldogs."Staff interaction with patients is important, but probably equally important is patient interaction with each other. "Patients learn from being at rehab that they are not alone with their medical problem. They find there are others who experience the same problems that come with their conditions, like fear, depression, loneliness, etc.," Tanner explains.Success for this fitness center is different than that for a traditional facility. "To us, success is seeing patients getting back on their feet, and overcoming the problems associated with heart and pulmonary disease...," Tanner says. "Patients feel comfortable exercising in our facility knowing they are under the care of highly trained staff, capable of handling any emergency situation. These are amenities they would not have exercising at home or at the majority of most fitness centers." Most of the patients come into the center with a low functional status and, by program's end, "they have regained their independence and confidence," says Tanner. Now that's success.

How Audiovisual Systems Affect Member Retention

One fitness center designed a scientific study to determine whether entertaining its members kept them coming back. In August of 2003, the University of North Texas opened a 138,000-square-foot recreation facility with a large variety and supply of cardiovascular equipment. A majority of the equipment faced a row of 12 wall-mounted televisions, with a selection of six different stations playing at all times. Participants could insert their personal headphones into a receiver box and choose from six different cable channels and eight different digital music stations. The stations were selected by the facility staff, but chosen in hopes to accommodate various tastes. The cost for the equipment and installation was around $20,000, not including the cost of the TVs. The remaining cardio equipment was without a view of a television and was located along windows and on the second level beside an indoor track.The individual TVs were installed in the early part of the second semester in front of nearly all of the cardio equipment that was not facing the wall-mounted TVs. The individual TVs allowed users to select any station of their choice. The controller for each TV was located within hand's reach, and could be changed by the participant at any time. It was unclear, however, how individual TVs would change workout patterns.This unique situation opened up a wonderful opportunity to see first-hand if audiovisual equipment could really affect participation and preference of equipment. To determine the usage of each piece of equipment, hours recorded on each piece were retrieved from the outset of the fitness center's opening.During the first two months of the semester, the treadmills without TVs averaged 69 hours a month, and the treadmills with the wall-mounted TVs averaged about 93 hours a month. After the flat screen televisions were installed, those treadmills averaged about 146 hours a month, and the treadmills in front of the pre-existing wall-mounted TVs averaged about 61 hours a month. This difference in usage was statistically significant (p

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