For some years now fitness equipment manufacturers have placed more and more emphasis on the design application of free-weight equipment. These changes in equipment designs have since changed the way we work out. From converging motion to isolateral arm movements to 360-degree pivoting handles, free-weight equipment has never been able to offer so much to its users. New free-weight innovations don’t present themselves every day but are slowly added as they make their way to gyms across America.
The Self-Spotting Dumbbell Machine
The newest innovation in free-weight design has been brought to light in the form of a self-spotting dumbbell
machine. Many times users of big dumbbells don’t have the luxury of a spotter to help them work out, so they try to do all the work by themselves. The user will often exert a lot of energy by swinging each dumbbell up into position to perform his or her workout. By then, they are usually so tired that they have a hard time controlling the dumbbell when trying to get it back into the rack, or they simply let the dumbbell slam to the floor. Similar to the function of today’s Smith machine, the unique dumbbell self-spotting machine allows its user to lock each of the dumbbells into separate cradles that are attached to individual linear shafts which glide up and down both vertically and horizontally. Although both dumbbells are locked in place, the unit still allows the user a 360-degree pattern of movement with a feeling of free motion. Another unique feature of this dumbbell self-spotting machine is the entire weight of the locking mechanisms and linear shafts that travel with each dumbbell are counter-balanced to weigh nothing. It simply allows the user to go from dumbbell to dumbbell without confusion of the weights they are actually lifting. After the user is finished working out, the unit allows the user to rest each dumbbell on its shaft for a safe exit from the machine. As an added amenity to any free-weight area, a self-spotting dumbbell machine certainly makes dumbbell training a fun, safe, and more controlled atmosphere.
Sports-Specific Training Equipment
Sports-Specific Training (SST) and the right equipment have proven to help athletes around the world to run faster, jump farther, and tackle harder. Now, with a strong demand for these resources, school administrators and gym owners alike have taken a second look at the ultimate benefits of such programs and have begun to re-consider initial set-up costs once thought of as too high.
An example of sports-specific training equipment that can be added to almost any gym includes:
1. A Power Cage. A heavy-duty power cage with safety spotters and adjustable bar hooks that allow the user to change bar hook height adjustments easily (versions with pop-pins are easiest).
2. A Chin-Up Station. The power cage should also have a standard chin-up station attached. Optional over-sized grip chin-up bars are provided by various manufacturers.
3. A Platform. Proper dead lifts will require the use of a wooden platform with rubber encasements attached to the power cage to make it fully functional and self-contained. The standard size for a dead-lift platform is 6 feet long by 8 feet wide.
4. A Half Rack. As another feature, a gym owner or school administration may want to add a half rack to the mix. Because it is half the size of a power cage, a half rack usually takes up a lot less room and goes up against a wall; yet it is still versatile. A standard-sized platform for the half rack is optional. This type of rack also uses adjustable bar hooks and may have a chin-up station, too.
5. A Multi-Purpose Bench. A half rack is often utilized with an attached, linear action, multi-purpose bench. The bench should provide the user with decline, incline, flat and vertical positions.
6. Olympic Training Bars and Bumper Plates. To round out a specialty sportsspecific training area, Olympic training bars and rubber bumper plates are very important and will be needed.
7. Optional Equipment Features. Other optional equipment features may include: company or school logos added to platforms, technique trays, spotter attachments, surgical stretch bands, and hanging abdominal straps and lengthening chains.
8. A Trainer or Coach. Finally, a specialized trainer or a good strength and conditioning coach will be important to help in creating a sports-specific training program suited for your guests or athletes.
All being said, there is now a growing amount of gym and health club owners as well as schools that would like to add sports-specific training equipment and training as an amenity to their normal gym offerings. Gyms and health clubs that already offer sports-specific training services and equipment to their customers have obviously been listening to the pulse of the fitness industry and the needs of their clients.
Lyon K. Alizna is the Commercial Sales Director for Tuff Stuff Fitness Equipment, Inc. He can be contacted at 877.249.4317, or by email at lalizna@tuffstuff.net, or visit www.tuffstuff.net.
