Mojo Memo
Last month, Leighann and I attended the annual IHRSA (Int'l Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Assoc.) fitness convention in San Diego - a three-day "cram course" featuring the latest in club trends, fitness philosophies and equipment offerings. One seminar told us that women-only clubs were a strong niche market (we kind of already knew that); personal training within clubs was growing in importance (we began seeing this in 2007); and technology continues to make inroads into the design and functionality of exercise equipment.
For us (or at least what we initially had agreed), our equipment objectives in going to the show were: 1) purchase two additional Star Trac treadmills to expand our Tread Training classes to 7 members; and 2) take a look at the new Keiser cycling bikes. Well, we sort of accomplished both goals, and by the beginning of the second day, Leighann had added a third. Here's what happened... One evening we attended "Augie's Bash", an ALS fundraiser organized by Life Fitness founder Augie Nieto, who now suffers with the ALS disease. By coincidence or fate, the exact two Star Trac treadmills we were looking to purchase were being offered as one of the featured Silent Auction items. Needless to say, there was no way we weren't going to win these - we stood by the auction sheet, outbid two other attendees who dared to top our original bid, and won! Not bad. the two treadmills we wanted and a healthy donation to the ALS Association.
The next day we concentrated on the cycling bikes. The new Keisers were sleek, but did not appear to be as sturdy as the ones we currently have. We then were attracted to the new Greg LeMond cycling bikes offered by Life Fitness. The clincher (although Leighann named many other reasons) was the optional Pilot meter, mounted on the handle bar, which displayed a rider's RPM, caloric burn and heart rate (recall the comment on the inroads of technology on equipment). 26 of the bikes with the Pilot meters are due here sometime in May.
Finally, the hottest new item at the show was the AMT machine by Precor, and of course, Leighann had to have at least two! She characterizes it as a treadmill running motion without your feet leaving the ground, thus eliminating the 'pounding' on hips, knees, etc. I saw it as a variable-stride, total-body elliptical. When they come in, you can decide for yourself who is more right, or perhaps offer a third opinion.
All in all, it was a productive trip, and like most shopping trips with my daughter, it cost me much more than I had originally planned!