Technology is proving to be both a blessing and a curse. While techno-geeks point to medical breakthroughs and myriad conveniences, what's often overlooked is the effect technology is having on the already inactive. Technological advances - by continuing to provide labor-saving devices at work, home and during leisure time - will maintain the downward pressure on daily energy expenditure.
With one-third of North Americans obese and 30% of women not engaged in any kind of physical activity, do we really need amenities like drive-through dry cleaners, banking, photo-developing and liquor stores? With escalating cuts in school physical education programs and 25% of adolescents considered overweight, does the Information Highway represent progress or peril for our children?
But many industry leaders are suggesting that technology may be what'll tempt sedentary people to initiate an exercise program. Exercise equipment can now offer the entertainment value which may just be enticing enough to get everyone off the couch. The Jet son-ion type exercise equipment may be on its way to a gym near you! Check out some of these exercise innovations:
- The Techno gym System, headquarters in Italy and a U.S. subsidiary in Seattle, Wash enables a client's customized program to be downloaded into a personal "Smart Key" that automates the user's interaction with all equipment in the manufacturer's line. Because of the biofeedback component, the equipment serves as a testing platform. As a result, the equipment can help direct, document and deliver adjustments from one workout to the next. The computer continually adjusts the workload to maintain the user's heart rate at the appropriate training level.
- Another product that provides exercisers with a customized workout and continual progress assessment is the Schwinn Fitness Advisor, a product of Schwinn Fitness in Boulder, Colorado. This computerized, interactive data network connects to most standard strength and cardiovascular equipment used in clubs.
On strength equipment, the information this network stores includes number of reps per set, weight used, range of motion and rep speed. On cardiovascular machines, feedback is stored on such factors as setup parameters, distance covered, length of workout, calorie expenditure and heart rate. Data is not only stored but also updated during every workout.
Introduced in 1997, the basic system - including an information kiosk, wireless workout station keyboards for 10 pieces of equipment, software, installation, training and system upgrades for the first 2 years - costs approximately $30 000. This product eliminates a variety of time-consuming administrative chores such as manually filling out workout cards and tracking attendance.
- Another tool is the FitLinxx Interactive Fitness Network, based in Stamford, Conn., which attaches to a club's existing equipment. It connects weight stack and cardiovascular machines to a central control system. The network encourages exercisers to work out properly and shows their progress in graphs and reports (which can be printed out).
The network is currently in more than 100 facilities across the U.S., linking an average of 25 pieces of equipment at each facility (the network can connect any pieces of equipment that are FitLinxx compatible, even if they are made by different manufacturers. FitLinxx-equipped facilities have averaged a 50% decline in membership dropout rates, while personal training revenues have doubled in the first 6-12 months following FitLinxx installation according to Keith Camhi, FitLinxx president. Dick Webster, executive director at the Mission Valley YMCA, a 34000 square foot, full service facility in San Diego, California, has used FitLinxx to connect more than 130 pieces of equipment to a single computer. He credits the system with bringing people into the club, keeping them there and adding variety to the facility's services.
- A new product, Netpulse Station can upgrade cardiovascular equipment by adding touch-screen color monitors featuring a high-speed connection to the Internet. With this connection, exercisers can surf the Web, watch their own personal TV, listen to CD's, track their workout results, access e-mail and electronic bulletin boards and even earn frequent flier miles and other freebies while they workout. Personal trainers and other facility personnel can review exercisers' workout data via the Internet and use email to communicate their recommendations back to clients.
- The Virtual Reality Recumbent Bike and Climber are also designed to help exercisers' time fly by. This equipment, introduced into the market in 1994 by Tectrix Fitness Equipment of Irvine, California, allows exercisers to explore a wide choice of virtual worlds as they pedal or climb. The visual effects are displayed on a 20-inch color monitor, with sound effects and music provided through a digital, 16-bit stereo system. Approximate prices for clubs today at $6795 for the bike and $6395 for the climber. Virtual reality apparatus, says Steven Stocks, marketing consultant for Tectrix Fitness Equipment, is the "drawing card that gets people into a facility and takes their minds off the day-to-day workout routine. The technology keeps people on the machines and before they know it, they've had a great workout.
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