Many gyms feature equipment that fall into two distinct categories: selectorized and hyper-functional cages. However, these pieces aren’t attractive to all consumers. How can you bridge the gap for members who want something in between?
Here, Mark DiBattista, the club manager at Beacon Hill Athletic Clubs, shares why he chose Total Gym for his equipment partner that bridges the gap between selectorized equipment and hyper-functional cages.
CS: How were you introduced to Total Gym, and why did you decide to partner with them?
MD: We were introduced to the Total Gym Elevate Circuit when we met Bonnie Lee at a conference through FISA. Being a smaller conference, we were able to spend some quality time there and not only were we impressed with the equipment, but also with Bonnie and how she described how the process would go.
CS: What are the benefits to your business as a result of the partnership?
MD: Total Gym has been incredibly easy to work with. They have consistently delivered on their word. The sale, equipment lead time, delivery and install went exactly as discussed and planned. As a club operator, I can’t tell you how refreshing that is.
CS: What are the benefits to your members as a result of the partnership?
MD: The members love the Total Gym Elevate Circuit. Adding the diversity of a “Bodyweight” training line has added a multitude of possibilities for different populations and for our trainers. I’ve personally used the line with a client who has severe anxiety and was not comfortable working out on traditional equipment. I’ve also used it with success on a self-anointed “powerlifter” (read that as a big guy who lifted heavy weights, but was severely overweight), who wanted to work toward doing pull ups.
We have also set up multiple circuits for the members to use. I downloaded the pre-made circuits given to us from Total Gym, and posted laminated copies on the wall. Now a member can get a full-body workout in using one round from each circuit, or do five rounds of one circuit each workout, and do a different circuit each time they come in.
CS: Have you been pleasantly surprised by working with Total Gym in any way?
MD: Absolutely. We have been pleasantly surprised. One of the biggest benefits was having Bonnie come out to our facility to do a staff training. The equipment is very easy to adjust and extremely easy to show your clients how to use. It’s probably for that very reason that I underestimated on the amount of exercises possible on the equipment. When we first received the Elevate line, my least favorite piece of the circuit was the Leg Trainer. When Bonnie showed me all the different exercises, variations and progressions, I was blown away. It has become one of my favorite pieces.
CS: What else can you tell other club owners about the benefits of working with Total Gym?
MD: Working with Total Gym has been a great decision for us. The Elevate Circuit is extremely easy to use and to adjust. The members have loved it and have been able to add in exercises they felt unable to do with traditional machines. From an operator side of things, they are extremely sturdy. We’ve only had the Elevate Circuit for about a year now, but I have not experienced a single squeak from the machines, never mind any malfunctions. We will definitely be using Total Gym in the future.
By the way, if you haven’t tried the Elevate Circuit’s Jump Trainer, you are missing out on one of the coolest single pieces of equipment I’ve seen in a long time.
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Rachel Zabonick-Chonko is the editor-in-chief of Club Solutions Magazine. She can be reached at rachel@peakemedia.com.
