Innovations - IHRSA

Total-Body
Works Out!
Climbing, however it’s done, engages members
from top to bottom
Climbing enthusiasts are a tough lot. They demand total-body
strength with a purpose, not building a few muscles here and
there. They train for enduring the challenging ascent.
While climbing fans make use of the same total-body equipment
that other members do, they likely derive even more benefit from
climbing-specific machines. In addition to its Experience Series 776i
Climber, Precor, Inc., offers the Adaptive Motion Trainer (AMT), which
adapts to users’ movements, facilitating a range of different motions,
such as climbing, walking (short strides), and running (long strides).
“The variety it offers reduces boredom, giving members, including
climbers, the motivation to train for extended periods,” says Jennifer
Davis, marketing coordinator at Precor, in Woodinville, Washington.
“It’s also a great tool for improving endurance and aerobic capacity,
as it combines both lower- and upper-body movements. The AMT
works all the muscles of the legs, but is particularly good for working
the glutes, hip flexors, and calves.”
For those seeking a “vertical” training experience, HeartRate, Inc.,
offers the VersaClimber. “Rock climbers, mountain climbers, hikers,
etc., have always gravitated toward equipment like the VersaClimber
because the exercise movement is vertical, not horizontal; it’s vertical
body movement fighting the pull of gravity,” states Brett Collins, sales
and marketing manager at the Costa Mesa, California, company. “Our
climbing machines mimic the natural body motion of climbing—
stepping, reaching, pulling, and pushing against gravity. Some
climbers even use the ‘back side’ of the unit, which creates an inverted
or ‘hangover’ climbing scenario. This approach provides the serious
user with an enhanced, hanging-on-while-stepping-reaching-andpulling
workout.”
While climbing machines accommodate specific training needs,
climbing walls provide a taste of realism indoors. As they’ve become
more prevalent in the club environment, these walls have grown
ever-more sophisticated in their ability to emulate a “real” climb.
Nicros, Inc., Climbing Walls’ surfaces, for example, are available in a
variety of textures and designs. “Our A.R.T. Wall and Nicrolite ‘realistic
rock’ designs mimic outdoor climbing features with pockets, cracks,
and face holds,” notes Kimberly Prager, who heads marketing and
handhold sales at the St. Paul, Minnesota, company. “We’ve even
created closed-cell foam wall surfaces, on which climbers can use ice
axes and crampons to simulate ice climbing.”
The total-body and climbing options featured in this installment of
F.I.T. Extra are sure to elevate members’ fitness levels! —|
- Jon Feld, jfeld@inc.com
| Innovations | FIT Extra Climbers
CLIMBERS
CYBEX INTERNATIoNAL, INC.
SEE OUR AD ON THE INSIDE FRONT COVER
& PAGE 1
Cyclone-S
The CYBEX Cyclone-S is equipped with
Cyclone family displays, 21 resistance
levels, and a variety of programming,
including an adjustable heart-rate control
program and fitness test. The stepper
comes with contact and Polar-compatible
heart-rate monitoring, and an optional
AV mount for television screens. The
handlebars facilitate superior ergonomics
in an upright stepping position or a more
traditional stepping posture, and the
stepper is available in five standard frame
colors and unlimited custom colors.
Manufacturer’s list price: $3,395.00
FIRST DEGREE FITNESS,
NoRTh AMERICA
SEE OUR AD ON PAGE 78
Aspen Stepmill
The Aspen Stepmill delivers a mountain
of a workout without taking up the space
of a stair climber. Aspen works the body
the way individuals climb naturally on
full-sized steps, and exercisers supply
the power for workouts; the machine is
eco-friendly with no motor, and, instead,
uses an effective electromagnetic braking
system. It delivers a whole-body climbing
experience and is well suited to light
commercial applications.
www.ihrsa.org | APRIL 2010 | Club Business International 47