latest fit tech news
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Products & Services: Product innovation
Lauren Heath-Jones rounds up the latest product launches in health and fitness
Physical Company has now launched its Surge® Storm hydro-inertia training system – an updated version of its Surge® system.
The Surge® Storm is designed to destabilise users in order to maximise their training, increase motor skills and optimise movement. It’s capable of holding up to 65 lbs (29.4 kg) of water and offers users more training options than the previous model. Users can also create customisable workouts by adjusting the water levels. It features a number of restructured handles so the user can target different muscle groups by performing a range of different exercises, including grip overhead lifts, single arm farmer carries and battering rams.
The Surge® Storm boasts a sleek, angular appearance and is available in two colours.
John Halls, managing director at Physical Company, says: “Surge® Storm incorporates innovative design updates that offer new challenges in hydro-inertia training.
“Surge is a bestseller for us. People love the challenge of attempting to resist and control the water as it crashes from end to end. Surge® Storm takes this to the next level and gives greater scope of movement to bring fresh challenges.”
fitness-kit.net keyword: PHYSICAL COMPANY
Legend Club Management Systems has partnered with 10 Squared to develop the new Legend Fast Track/Fast Payment Kiosk for health and fitness clubs and leisure facilities.
The kiosk, which has already been installed by Greenwich Leisure Ltd (GLL), lets customers book and pay for classes, activities, courts and other services in a single, contactless transaction.
Legend worked closely with retail display engineering firm 10 Squared to create the kiosk’s design to combine form with function. The self-service unit is the first solution to offer contactless payment in the UK leisure industry.
The unit can be programmed to work in two different modes: Fast Track or Fast Payment, and operators can switch between the two as needed. It also offers an interchangeable set of modular functions, which are fully customisable.
Sean Maguire, managing director at Legend Club Management Systems, says: "We’re very proud to be able to introduce another advancement in self-service technology to help clients further improve their competitiveness."
He adds: "Our new solution offers a whole new dimension to the self-service kiosk proposition."
fitness-kit.net keyword:Legend
Pavigym has revealed a new programming concept for families, incorporating its innovative Prama solution.
Slated as an industry first, and billed as ‘fitness disguised as fun’, the Pavigym’s Kids & Families programme offers mixed sessions for children and parents, and kids-only sessions.
The classes combine circuit training and gamification with Prama, a multi-sensory flooring solution featuring lights and music, and have been designed to get more children active by creating a fun and competitive environment.
"Incorporating functional movements that are natural for adults and children encourages the family to be active and healthy, as well as teaching children that exercise can be fitness disguised as fun," says Pavigym master trainer and programme creator Daniel Gonzalez.
Adding:"Our programme focuses on games and interactive exercises, with a bit of a twist with some friendly competition. It provides 45 minutes of fun and fitness."
fitness-kit.net keyword: PAVIGYM
SportsArt has developed a new range of environmentally-friendly fitness equipment that could dramatically reduce a fitness facility’s carbon footprint, as well as contributing to lower operational costs.
Named as Best Facility Innovation at the 2018 Elevate Product Innovation awards, Eco-Powr is a range of sustainable cardio fitness machines, including treadmills, bikes and elliptical machines, that feature a built-in inverter. This harnesses the wattage produced by exercisers during their workouts and converts it into AC Power, before feeding it back into the grid.
The company claims that clubs with an average of 30 pieces of cardio equipment operating for eight hours a day could potentially save more than £15,000 in utility costs by switching over to Eco-Powr.
"Every fitness club has the potential to be a mini power plant capable of creating clean power – enough to reduce the world’s carbon emissions and energy usage significantly," says SportsArt founder Paul Kuo.
"If all the people who visit the gym each day worked out on Eco-Powr equipment – up to 74 per cent of energy spent exercising would be converted into utility-grade electricity and fed back into the power grid."
fitness-kit.net keyword: SPORTSART
Technogym has launched BIOCIRCUIT™, a new circuit training solution and method providing a personalised workout to help users achieve their goals in a short amount of time.
The guided programme delivers an engaging experience that requires no adjustments or wait time, as exercises, workload and work:rest ratio and pace have been defined and integrated into the programme.
Based on revolutionary aerospace technology, BIODRIVE is a motor controller that delivers a tailored workout. This patented technology is only found in the BIOSTRENGTH LINE. Different needs require different programmes. Only BIODRIVE can balance all phases of movement, both concentric and eccentric, to provide each user with a personal programme.
BIODRIVE guarantees the ability to define different intensity profiles to meet the needs of people requiring isotonic resistance, needing to reduce inertia or willing to use viscous resistance.
Whether users just want to complete their reps, define their routine or be guided in a routine based on their needs, BIODRIVE ensures that the workload is constantly controlled. The equipment can also provide assistance if the user needs help completing a workout – if support is needed, BIODRIVE immediately activates the spotter function to relieve the user.
There is no need for multiple logins or time wasted setting up the equipment – after the initial login and set-up, the programme directs the user to the first station, where the equipment is already adjusted to their specific preferences. Results are automatically tracked with mywellness cloud.
The BIOCIRCUIT format includes equipment with automatic setting after the first user login; consoles that display the programme to the users on each machine; flooring with markings to guide users to the next station; a dedicated UNITY SELF pedestal that synchronises all equipment and shows where users start and finish their BIOCIRCUIT training; and an external screen connected to the UNITY SELF which provides an engaging experience, with visuals for the group.
Nerio Alessandri, founder and president of Technogym, says: “Personalisation is becoming more and more important. Our new BIOCIRCUIT™ has been carefully developed to provide an effective and engaging experience that is tailored for all users, whatever their goals or needs.”
fitness-kit.net keyword: TECHNOGYM
Reaxing has developed the ReaxChain, a new type of free weight that uses ‘Sudden Dynamic Impulse’ technology to destabilise its users.
Part of a new product range that features Reaxing’s patented ‘Sudden Dynamic Impulse’ technology, the ReaxChain is billed as an ‘unpredictable and multi-purpose’ tool that combines the features of standard free weights with the softness and flexibility of a rope.
Designed to offer endless training options, as well as improved coordination, balance, strength, reactivity, power and proprioception, the ReaxChain has adjustable flexibility and intensity that – when combined with inertia, dynamics and centrifugal force – transforms free weight training into highly intensive neuromuscular training.
A multi-purpose functional tool, it can act as a kettlebell, dumbbell, barbells, battle rope or Bulgarian bag, depending on the grip that is used, and is available in several different weights and sizes, as well as one-, two- or five-ring versions.
"ReaxChain is the first free weight that’s dynamically unpredictable," says Gionata D’Alesio, chief executive officer at Reaxing.
"It’s progressive, flexible and soft, with patented technology to create a series of highly intensive neuromuscular workouts."
fitness-kit.net keyword: REAXING
Founded by former Goldman Sachs banker, Anta Pattabiraman, Auro is a subscription-based personal training app that offers audio PT sessions delivered by a number of well-known PTs, including Omar Mansour and Jane Wake.
Billed as an ‘impactful, smart and bespoke fitness experience’, Auro is designed to make personal training accessible to everyone, not just those who can afford it.
Combining PT-created audio programming with data-driven analysis, the app adapts fitness programmes to the needs of the individual, as with a real PT. By creating a connected and motivational experience, it aims to inspire people to attend the gym regularly.
"I wanted to build a product that would provide personalised instruction at scale and at an affordable price," says Pattabiraman.
"When you add all the elements a PT brings, including proven programming, curated music playlists, data-driven personalisation and a vibrant fitness community you can be a part of, you have an engaging, personalised fitness solution in an app.
"We’re focusing on personalising workouts to suit every individual, using technology. We’re also building a platform for the future, where the intensity and duration of the classes will be adapted to the user in just the same way as a great PT would adapt fitness programmes for their client."
fitness-kit.net keyword: AURO
Les Mills has re-engineered its range of SMART TECH fitness equipment. Les Mills SMARTBAR™ and weight set uses cutting-edge technology to ensure smooth transitions.
Enhancing form, results and enjoyment for members, SMARTBAR™ has helped operators increase attendance in their BodyPump classes by 81 per cent. The storage system can accommodate 20 per cent more weight plates than standard, allowing for multiple weight configurations to suit different facilities.
Les Mills SMARTSTEP™ allows users to jump confidently and adjust intensity with ease. It’s designed to nest in separate pieces, allowing safe stacking of up to 20 units without a rack, saving studio floor space.
The SMART TECH range also includes the MBX™ Mat and SMART BAND™, both engineered to deliver optimal workout performance and a more comfortable exercise experience.
Matt Adey, customer experience director at Les Mills UK, comments: “We know that over 70 per cent of members feel the quality of fitness equipment impacts the effectiveness of their workout. Fifty per cent will also be influenced on whether to continue their membership based on the equipment provided for weight-based training classes, like BodyPump.
"When clubs offer innovative equipment like the Les Mills SMART TECH range, they can see a real benefit to their bottom line."
fitness-kit.net keyword:LES MILLS
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