From Buff Bodies to Creaky Knees, New Exercise Machines Adaptable

By Richard Seven, Seattle Times

May 22–Exercise equipment manufacturers have to change with the times or, more specifically, the needs, interests, ages and aches of their customers.

This spring, fitness equipment companies from across the world convened at the annual International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association trade show in Las Vegas. They unveiled machines that rev hearts and tax muscles, and pay particular attention to function and creaky-kneed Baby Boomers. At the same time manufacturers tend to the 76 million boomers and increasing aged market, they must also keep the younger generation happy with greater challenges and more gizmos.

Many of the machines on display at the ISHRA are for health clubs, but some are available for homes. Here’s a brief sample of what Northwest companies — or at least a Northwest presence — had to offer:

–Woodinville-based Precor’s AMT 100i (AMT stands for Adaptive Motion Trainer) represents a new form of low-impact cardio equipment that immediately adapts to a user’s choice of stride length, from jogging to a cross-country ski motion. A “stride dial” displays the length of gait and the specific muscle groups being exercised the most.

The motion is smooth, so the perceived exertion rate seems low, but the device is designed for users looking for low-impact yet intense fat-burning workouts. The model is working its way into gyms and is not yet ready for home purchase; www.precor.com.

–The Vectra VFT 100 Functional Trainer home gym is a simple-looking machine, but it’s versatile and compact and allows for a wide range of functional resistance movement.

Adjustable pulleys allow the user to start a movement anywhere from ankle-high to 6 feet high and swivel 540 degrees. The resistance machine allows the user to recruit stabilizer muscles and mimic natural movements, like throwing a ball, swinging a golf club or kicking a ball.

The machine is made in the company’s Kent headquarters and retails for about $3,200. Consumer’s Digest recently tapped it as the best buy in its “premium” category; www.vectrafitness.com.

–Bowflex SelectTech 1090 Dumbbells represent a smart space- saving take on good old-fashioned free weights.

By turning a dial, users can alter the weight from 10 pounds to 90 pounds or other levels with 5-pound increments in between.

The system, which retails for $599 and up, depending on extras, requires about 2 linear feet of floor space. In fact, Vancouver, Wash.-based Nautilus says the system replaces the equivalent of 34 dumbbells;www.nautilus.com.

–The nice thing about the TR33 Treadmill by SportsArt Fitness is that is allows users to electronically soften the cushion of the platform with the push of a button. It also sports a quick-start function that automatically places users into one of five programs, from “interval” to “hill.”

The machine also allows users to target and maintain a workout within a desired heart rate range and a “personal trainer” option that lets users define goals into weekly, monthly or quarterly parameters.

The running deck is an oversized 22 inches by 61 inches, and it retails for about $4,200;www.sportsartfitness.com.

–Technogym’s Cardio Wave represents another new take on the elliptical. It allows you to move not just up and back, but laterally, too.

The low-impact motion is reminiscent of speed skating, and the multi-planar movement incorporates extension, abduction and external rotation. The movement works core muscles, from glutes to quadriceps and hamstrings, and you can emphasize various body parts based on how you position yourself on the device.

So far, it is available only in gyms, including the Bellevue Club and Edmonds’ Harbor Square Athletic Club;www.technogymusa.com.

Richard Seven: 206-464-2241 or rseven@seattletimes.com

What and how to buy

Try it out. Wear gym clothes so you get a feel for it and can imagine it in your home. Ask questions, and walk away if you don’t understand or like the answer.

Make sure it will fit in a comfortable spot in your home. It might fit in the recesses of your basement, but you won’t be likely to use it there. Most Web sites have space-planning tools that will help you figure the machine’s footprint.

Decide how much you need. The pieces of equipment highlighted here are at the upper end. Quality lasts, but if you aren’t going to be a heavy or vigorous user, you should at least check out the less expensive options.

If you can, check out whether the machine you’re looking at is being used in health clubs and how popular it may be with the members.

Be honest. Does it fit your goals and capabilities? Are you going to use it faithfully? Is it something that will continue to challenge you? Or will it be an expensive and stylish clothes hanger?

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Copyright (c) 2007, Seattle Times

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