Following the launch of the Les Mills SMARTBAR™ weights system, the Les Mills SMART TECH line has delivered the SMARTSTEP™ — an advanced version of the classic step that increases safety, efficiency and results in workouts, and saves clubs up to 20 percent in storage space requirements.
Designed to maximize the effectiveness of any step-based workout, the SMARTSTEP™ features include:
- Unique riser “lock-in” system that increases stability and makes for fast, seamless transitions.
- Multi-direction non-slip surface providing both improved grip and soft support for the back and hands (making push-ups and bench work much more comfortable).
- Visual guides on the SMARTSTEP™ surface to aid foot strike.
The user benefits have been proven by Penn State University research. “Using the SMARTSTEP™ increases the activity of propulsion muscles, which significantly improves the workout,” said Bryce Hastings, the Les Mills Group Fitness Research and Operations Manager. “It also reduces the impact of ground reaction forces and lowers the potential for injury.”
Made with wear and tear in mind, the sturdy yet stylish SMARTSTEP™ has undergone rigorous testing based on typical step usage at some of the busiest group fitness studios in the world and is proven to withstand at least 2.4 million step ups (that’s the equivalent of 436 BODYSTEP™ classes).
“Our SMART TECH philosophy is to solve problems with serious innovation,” said Vaughan Schwass, the CEO of Les Mills Enterprises. “We considered all the standard complaints with step products — wobbly platforms, slow transitions, lack of intuitive design, cumbersome and intrusive storage, and dealt to each issue step by step.”
The ergonomic handles on the SMARTBAR™ plates allow users to work their target muscles harder, for longer, before reaching fatigue. Plate handles allow users to hold two plates in one hand, so they can increase weight sooner and in smaller steps to get stronger, faster. The ergonomic design of the weight plates also allows them to be used like dumbbells or kettlebells, ensuring the SMARTBAR™ is a multi-functional piece of fitness training equipment.
For more information on the Les Mills SMARTSTEP™ visit www.lesmills.com/smartstep.
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Rachel Zabonick-Chonko is the editor-in-chief of Club Solutions Magazine. She can be reached at rachel@peakemedia.com.
