Q: Is an athletic club able to rise above the “ordinary” and provide an unmet service to members to produce profits for their club?
A: “YES.”
There is a new piece of equipment that is designed to fill the void. This machine concept was started as a solution for downhill ski conditioning and has extended its focus to all types and levels of lower body fitness.
If the world were a checker board of fitness equipment with an empty square, you might consider filling it with an eccentric training machine! This particular machine has been viewed by some as the missing link in the fitness industry and may help riders to reach ultimate levels of conditioning. “Eccentric” training, using this machine; focuses on the quad as well as all the muscles on the lower-half of the body. The muscles are conditioned to absorb energy as they lengthen in the same way as when used in activities such as hiking downhill; skiing moguls, or the downward motion of jumping. Concentric activities that provide opposite use of the same muscles would be pushing off from a jump or hiking uphill while the muscles provide energy as they shorten. There are few ways to condition for eccentrically biased activities, and this machine accomplishes just that. The platform of the machine is powered and moves in a reverse ellipse while the rider’s legs rise and rotate up to a more bent position. The rider simply absorbs the energy in the platform by bending the legs and this allows them to move downward with an extension. This looks and sounds easy, but because it is “eccentric conditioning,” it creates fatigue to the muscle as well as CONDITONS QUICKLY! A typical first ride is very satisfying after less than a minute! Professional or extreme athletes such as Navy SEALS, NFL Teams, NBA and Olympic athletes, exercise up to 20 minutes or more, sometimes modifying a position. This exercise has NO bodily joint impact and therefore is easily moderated for senior citizens, and it is often used for rehabilitation for all age groups.
This dynamic, eccentric training machine requires a short duration of time, providing the user with the ultimate leg workout. Placing one or two machines in your club provides a new, exciting and beneficial way to differentiate your facility. The excitement helps to retain current members and attract new ones through offering the latest technology.
Terry Jacobs is the President & CEO of Cascade Fitness Technologies, Inc. He can be contacted 425.361.5102, or by email at info@quadmill.com, or visit www.quadmill.com.