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October 2014 | Quarterly | Vol. 1 | No. 2
FEATURE
Physical activity improves
performance of the brain;
helps in treatment of
neurological disorders p 36
SPECIAL
FOCUS
How will lifestyle and technology
impact training in gyms in the
future?
p 18
3 DAY TRADE EXHIBITION
BUSINESS
BUZZ
Studio training for children is
a win-win proposition for the
client, trainer and the gym
owner
p 28
IFAA CONVENTION & CONGRESS
B2B MEETINGS
India’s first comprehensive
international B2B trade fair
for the fitness community
p6
body LIFE 2 I 2014
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2
I body LIFE
2 I 2014
FROM THE EDITOR
Proof of the
pudding...
at IFW Expo!
Dhananjay Sardeshpande
Welcome to the second issue of the Indian edition
of ‘bodyLIFE’ magazine. (In case you missed out on
the first one, you can download it from the ‘Archive’
section at www.bodylifeindia.com). We launched
the magazine at a special function in Mumbai. In
attendance were the who’s-who of the fitness industry:
gym owners & managers, trainers & motivational
speakers, equipment suppliers and sports nutrition
distributors. Thank you all!
We hope the wave of support for a venture such
as ‘bodyLIFE’ will continue to grow in number and
in geographies as we go along. This is important
because the printed magazine, its website – and other
media properties that we will launch in the future – are
a platform for the Indian fitness, wellness and sports
nutrition industry to grow, by way of sharing, informing,
educating, learning from and inspiring each other!
A lot of water has flown since, and we are on the
doorstep of India’s first truly international B2B trade
show, the India Fitness & Wellness (IFW) Expo,
scheduled to be held at the Bombay Convention
and Exhibition Centre in Goregaon (Mumbai), from
October 9 to 11, 2014. bodyLIFE-India, which is
organising the Expo, welcomes you all to the three-day
event of product displays, educative lectures and B2B
meetings between exhibitors and potential clients.
Alongside it will be an equally exciting Convention for
gym owners and managers, and an action-packed
Congress of trainers of all techniques and concepts!
It will mark the India launch of the Germany-based
International Fitness and Aerobics Academy (IFAA).
It aims to bring its three-decade-long experience
and expertise to India’s shores: not only training and
education, but also management and marketing
related to fitness and wellness.
We have posed in this issue a matter of increasing
importance: in the face of a deluge of mobile apps and
virtual programmes online, what is the future of the
gym business and the prospects of real-life trainers?
The answers, dear reader, are interesting and give
an insight into the psycho-social pulls and pushes
that govern the behaviour of human beings! In the
concluding part of his interview, body-builder-turnedfitness-enthusiast Arnold Schwarzenegger speaks his
mind about ageing; and another article in a separate
section of the magazine deals with exactly that: how
to train seniors!
We also asked experts in the field to write on busting
myths about training for children; about how trainers
need to be more relevant to their business; about
programmed physical exertion being good for the
brain... Well, like they say, the proof of the pudding
is in the eating! Don’t forget to send in comments,
suggestions, ideas, articles and corrections to editor@
bodylifeindia.com.
Happy reading... Until we meet at the IFW Expo!
body LIFE 2 I 2014
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CONTENTS
15
18
| Cover Story:
Martin Klein, head of IFAA-India, throws
light on the ‘extertainment’ industry
| FocusBusiness and Best
Practices:
Training in the future:
blend of lifestyles &
technology
36
| Feature:
Physical training helps fight
neurological disorders
COVER STORY
06 India’s first B2B, three-day trade show for the
fitness & wellness community, bodyLIFE IFW
Expo 2014, begins in Mumbai on 9th October
10 IFAA set to take off in India with business
Convention & trainer’s Congress at IFW Expo
15 Martin Klein, head of IFAA-India, throws light on
the ‘extertainment’ industry
FOCUS:
BUSINESS & BEST PRACTICES
18 Training in the future: blend of lifestyles &
technology
22 Apps for client retention, boosting business
24 Can virtual programmes replace trainers in the
gym?
34 Trainers must learn to stay relevant to the
business
FEATURES
36 Physical training helps fight neurological
disorders
40 Arnold Schwarzenegger, on the battle with
ageing
EDUCATION
41 The coming boom in health and fitness
employment
PRODUCTS & CONCEPTS
42 Elevation Series cardio line from Life Fitness
44 Unbeaten convenience of Matrix trainers
46 Star Trac’s 1-2 punch for total body conditioning
BUSINESS & BEST PRACTICES
28 Fitness training for children is a win-win
proposition
32 Successful integration of personal training
concept in gyms
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2 I 2014
48 Official Tour de France training bike from Stag
International
50 Harmonic work out from Focus Fitness
52 Precor: connecting users with technology
54 Physique India brings science in motion
46 | Products & Concepts:
Star Trac’s 1-2 punch for total
body conditioning
Publisher PDA-HaB Media & Tradefairs Pvt. Ltd.
32/2 Spencer Road, Frazer Town,
Bangalore - 560005, India
www.bodylifeindia.com
Directors Georg von Griesheim
Email: georg.vongriesheim@health-andbeauty.com
Pradeep Devaiah
Email: pradeep@pdatradefairs.com
Srinivasan S.
Email: srinivasan@pdatradefairs.com
Editor-in-Chief Max Barth
Tel.: +49-721-165-112
Mobile: +49-1713-101-583
Email: max.barth@health-and-beauty.com
Chief Editor (Indian Edition) Dhananjay Sardeshpande
Tel.: +91-80-4250-5035
Mobile: +91-9008-290-066
Email: dhananjay@bodylifeindia.com
76
| Training:
Silver lining: seniors can work
out too
Vice President - Publications Binesh Viswanath
Tel.: +91-80-4250-5059
Mobile: +91-9986-014-770
Email: binesh@bodylifeindia.com
57 Apple Watch unveiled: hype or help?
58 Power generating equipment from Grand Slam
60 Technogym adds panache to fitness regime
62 Indoor cycling and the Nutella principle
64 World-class kettlebells, made in India
TRAINING
67 An insight into post-surgery fitness
Sales Enquiries (India)M.V.Praveena
Tel.: +91-80- 4250-5066
Mobile: +91-8050822696/ 8105663809
Email: praveena@pdatrademedia.com
Art and Production
GM - Design Infant Vikas
Tel.: +91-80-4250-5055
Mobile: +91-9886-044-338
Email: vikas@pdatrademedia.com
Layout Wageeshwari Tuljapurkar
Email: wageeshwari@pdatrademedia.com
Govindaraju S
Email: govind@pdatradefairs.com
66 Wholesome fitness with kettlebells
Copy Editor Suraj Uprety
Tel.: +91-80-4250-5044
Mobile: +91-9986-512-463
Email: suraj@bodylifeindia.com
Subscription Karthik K
Tel: +91-9986-600-036
Email: subscribe@bodylifeindia.com
International Sales Team
Spain Laia Cachinero
Tel: +34-933-238-028
Email: laia.cachinero@health-and-beauty.es
70 BMXStrength: An alternative form of exercise
72 Steady correction with Functional Movement
Screening
Switzerland Bernd Schuster Tel: +41-414-170-770
E-mail: bernd.schuster@health-and-beauty.ch
Poland Malgorzata Szulc Tel: +48-228-587-955
E-mail: malgorzata.szulc@health-and-beauty.
com
75 Achieving lower body fat loss for women
76 Silver lining: seniors can work out too
BENELUX Jordey de Joode
Tel: +31-243-738-505
Email: jordey@vanmunstermedia.nl
Printed in India at Repromen Offset Printers Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore, India.
bodyLIFE Indian Edition is published by PDA-HaB Media & Tradefairs Pvt. Ltd.
The publisher and its staff cannot be held liable for the contents of this magazine
and statements and/ or its advertisements do not necessarily reflect its editorial
views.
Greatest care is given to the accuracy of information given in this publication
and verified wherever possible. However, the publisher and the editors explicitly
contest any liability for any inaccuracy and insufficiency of the information
provided.
body LIFE 2 I 2014
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COVER STORY
IFW EXPO 2014
Small step for India,
big leap for fitness
India’s first international B2B trade show for the fitness
business community opens in Mumbai on 9th October
I
ndia’s first international trade fair
on fitness training equipment,
wellness and sports nutrition,
bodyLIFE-IFW Expo 2014, is all set
to open at the Bombay Convention
and Exhibition Centre, Goregaon
(Mumbai), between 9-11 October.
It is being organised by PDA-HaB
Media and Tradefairs Pvt. Ltd., a
joint venture company of PDA Trade
Fairs (Bangalore, India) and Health
and Beauty Group (Karlsruhe,
Germany).
The unorganised,
unregulated and
unrecognised
these very concerns
burgeoning industry.
for
this
A trade show of this nature and
scope is the need of the hour:
a fitness and wellness industry
exposition that will not only act as
a catalyst to the health-conscious
movement, but also provide a
platform to foster partnerships in
the sector and convert potential to
commerce.
Gym and health club owners, fitness
facility managers and trainers
are expected to visit India’s first
international B2B trade fair on
fitness, to see the latest changes in
the fitness industry’s ecosystem.
Explore Opportunities
The expo is supported and
endorsed by such leading fitness
chains as Talwalkars and Snap
Fitness, along with several renowned
individual gyms and health clubs. It
also has tremendous support from
leading industry bodies.
fitness
and wellness
industry in India is at a
crossroads: as it prepares for
the anticipated boom of gyms
and wellness centres across
the country, it will have to
address issues like awareness
and education, quality and
standardisation,
competition
and accountability.
bodyLIFE-IFW Expo aims at
providing a platform to address
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2 I 2014
It is being steered by an advisory
committee comprising of leading
names in the fitness industry.
The committee provides industryspecific inputs, knowledge and
guidance in framing the topics for
the workshops and steering the
event in line with the industry’s
requirements.
Importantly, the Expo will catalyse
employment
opportunities
among the youth and offer
them a platform to choose
from, and train for, a variety
of professional opportunities:
designing
content
and
implementing
training
concepts; maintenance and
management
of
fitness
facilities;
physical
rehabilitation
and
sports science; along with sales,
marketing and branding of fitness
facilities.
The Expo will also provide visitors
direct access to manufacturers
and distributors of the latest
fitness equipment, technologies
and services. This attitude will
also provide the right stimulus for
adjunct sectors – health care, media,
gaming, hospitality and education
– to generate additional revenue
streams and generate employment
by offering products and services.
Next edition of bodyLIFE Expo
in September 2015, New Delhi
The second edition of bodyLIFE
Expo will be held in New Delhi/
NCR in September 2015. This was
announced by PDA-HAB Media &
Tradefairs Pvt. Ltd., the organisers
and publishers of bodyLIFE Indian
edition.
After Mumbai, the international B2B
trade fair for the fitness business
community in the country is
expected to reach out to the National
Capital Region and facilitate easier
participation from its vast hinterland:
from Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab,
to West Bengal and the ‘Seven
Sisters’ of North-East India.
“Without doubt it will continue to
be a pan-India show,” clarifies Mr.
S. Srinivasan, Director of PDA-HAB
Media and Tradefairs, a Bangalorebased Indo-German joint venture.
“Organising the next show in Delhi
will give out exactly that message:
that it is a trade show for the fitness,
wellness and sports nutrition industry
across geographies in India,” he
added.
Watch out for details in bodyLIFE
India edition and at
www.bodylifeindia.com over the
coming months.
body LIFE 2 I 2014
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COVER STORY
IFW EXPO 2014
Top exhibitors
at the Expo
Cardio Fitness
Cardio Fitness was established in
1995 with the objective of promoting
and enhancing the quality of fitness,
leisure and sports market in India
and the subcontinent. It has become
the trailblazer in spreading the
mantra of fitness and heralded a
‘fitness revolution’ in India.
It was instrumental in bringing
Life Fitness, USA, the undisputed
world leader in fitness and health
club equipment, to India. It is the
authorized dealer for consumer
and commercial fitness and spa
equipment,
representing
Life
Fitness, Celebrate Life, Hammer
Strength, Fit Vibe, Trautwein,
Living Earth Crafts, Helo & Amerec,
Beachcomber, Ivanko, Pavigym,
Power Block, Body Craft, First
Degree and Everlast.
Proline Fitness
Proline Fitness is a division of
Cravatex Limited, a Batra Group
company. Cravatex was incorporated
in 1951 and is currently traded
on the Bombay Stock Exchange.
It distributes both home and
professional fitness equipment with
a retail footprint of over 50 stores
across India.
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I body LIFE
sales partner of Star Trac in India,
for cardiovascular and strength
training, and has pioneered several
new health related technologies in
the Indian and West Asian markets.
Stag International
Since its inception in 1922, the
company has spread its wings to
148 countries worldwide, exporting
sports and fitness equipment for
three generations. It is still the only
India-made table tennis table to be
approved by the International Table
Tennis Federation.
An
ISO-9001:2008
company,
it manufactures and exports
equipment for ball games and
athletics, and supplies them for
international sporting events. It
has also ventured into imports and
supply of commercial and home
gym equipment.
Focus Fitness
Focus Fitness (Pvt. Ltd.), established
in August 2013, is primarily
focused on developing successful
partnerships in the fitness & wellness
market across India. Promoted
by experienced and committed
professionals, it has sales & service
teams across the country to ensure
long-standing commitment to best
products, prices and services.
Among its fitness & spa products
are the Freemotion, Viva Fitness,
Lifestar, Concept2, Paramount
Fitness and Real Ryder brands.
It also has leading brands under
its umbrella dealing with flooring
solutions, lockers and storage, skin
& beauty products, outdoor fitness,
artificial grass, and provides facility
management & project execution
services.
Precor
Precor designs premium fitness
equipments for effective workouts
that feel smooth and natural. Its
equipment is chosen by hotels,
spas, health clubs, and individuals
all over the world. For over three
decades, it has driven fitness
forward using proven science and
superior engineering.
It
has
represented
Johnson
Health Tech Company (Taiwan)
as the exclusive distributors for
the subcontinent for close to
two decades. As an ISO certified
company it strives to provide the
best product range and customer
service to all its customers.
Its products include, Experience
Series cardio line that gives
operators the proven, reliable
performance they count on. The
Strength Discovery Series combines
all functional performance elements
demanded from a strength line,
but with a focus on ease of use. It
is represented in India by Gympac
Fitness Pvt. Ltd.
Trinity Healthtech
GDYNS Health Care
Trinity Healthtech is India’s
leading integrated health solutions
company with a focus on commercial
fitness equipment. It is the exclusive
GDYNS Health Care (Pvt. Ltd.) is
a leader in the sports nutrition
market and has consistently fulfilled
the needs of sports nutrition and
2 I 2014
Focus Fitness will introduce the
FreeMotion F-708 LiveAxis Rotary at the
Expo
IFW EXPO 2014
always developed quality with new
technology and research.
GDYNS Health Protein Plus
is
basically
a
combination
of hydrolysates, isolate and
concentrated whey protein, which is
completely sugar-free. Whey protein
powders contain 50 gm of 100%
ion exchange whey protein isolate.
All impurities typically found in
most sugar-free whey proteins are
removed to provide consumers with
a great tasting, lactose-free, fat-free,
glutamine enriched carbohydratefree protein supplement.
Physique India
Physique India (Pvt. Ltd.) is one
of India’s largest importers and
distributors of home and commercial
fitness equipment. A multinational
company and the only joint
venture in the industry, Physique
India is promoted by Physique
Training Equipment Ltd., UK, and
is an associate of one of the largest
fitness equipment manufacturers
in Taiwan. The company’s Indian
promoters have over three decades
of industry experience.
It distributes an extensive range of
equipments through a pan-India
network of dealers and exclusive
franchise stores that are branded
Home Fitness Direct. The company
also
distributes
Momentum
Commercial, Body-Solid Strength
and Reebok Retail equipment. They
include treadmills, elliptical cross
trainers, exercise bikes, rowing
machines, home & commercial
gyms,
benches,
free
weight
equipment & accessories.
Sachdev Overseas Fitness
Sachdev Overseas Fitness (Pvt.
Ltd.) has a history going back to
1929, when its founder set shop in
Hyderabad to become a leading
sports material supplier in Andhra
Pradesh. The third generation of the
family business set up the Aerofit
brand in October 2004, expanding to
a dealer network of 100 in more than
200 Aerofit stores across India.
Catering to the home segment,
commercial gyms, hotels, society
gyms and government supplies has
resulted in more than a million
satisfied customers and over
10,000 set-ups in the commercial
space, making Aerofit a leading
brand in health, fitness and sports
equipment.
Fit & Spa Solutions
Fit & Spa Solutions (Pvt. Ltd.) was
started nine years ago with the
solitary goal of providing worldclass equipment and professional
service to the fitness industry. The
company is now well recognized
in the market for its ability to
provide high quality, yet extremely
cost-effective, products for use in
commercial facilities and at home.
Its
products
include
cardio
equipment, strength equipment,
fitness accessories, rope training
equipment, group cycling spin
bikes, home gyms, gym flooring and
free weights.
Omtex Healthwear
Omtex Healthwear (Pvt. Ltd.)
produces
health
wear
and
accessories of quality standards,
matching those of the best in the
world. Starting with jockstraps and
body supporters, the company
expanded its product range to
include an array of sportswear
and accessories. Omtex is now a
leading manufacturer and supplier
of sportswear in India.
It manufactures a variety of health
supports that aid recovery and
prevent injury. It is also an exclusive
distributor for many international
training equipment brands in
India, serving the Indian national
& IPL cricket teams, clubs, schools,
colleges and cricket academies
across India.
Premier Rubbers
Premier Rubbers is a renowned
manufacturer and supplier of body
building & gym equipment, aerobic
steppers, Olympic decline benches,
gym machine weight plates, cable
cross overs, weight lifting plates,
dumbbells, chest presses, yoga
mats, medicine balls, tennis balls
and many more products.
Sprint Healthcare India
Sprint Healthcare India of Mumbai
is a leading manufacturer of the
COVER STORY
complete range of cardio fitness
equipment. Its products include
treadmills, elliptical cross trainers,
spinning & recumbent cycles and
staircase trainer.
Surfset Fitness India
Surfset Fitness India is a master
franchise of Surfset Fitness USA for
India, creators and sole distributors
of the Surfset Board, the world’s first
total body surf trainer designed to
mimic the movements of surfing
without the ocean. The board is
engineered for group fitness, with
adjustable levels of instability and
resistance.
Its products include the Surfset
Workout, a fitness programme
inspired by the sport of surfing. It
combines elements of aerobic fat
burning, lean muscle build, and
balance & core training, in one
45-minute routine, burning up to
900 calories.
Influx Healthcare
Influx Healthcare is a manufacturer
of nutritional supplements.
Hardcore Fitness
Hardcore Fitness was established
in 2003, manufacturing strength
training equipment across India.
In 10 years it has set up a team
of experts who work hard on the
mechanisms of the machines, so
that trainers gets the perfectly
desired functional satisfaction.
Fitnessngyms.com
This is a user-friendly and easy-tobrowse informative web platform
enabling fitness enthusiasts to
connect with gymnasiums, fitness
experts and professionals from
across the globe.
SBS Spa & Fitness
Established in 1987, the company
manufactures and exports a wide
range of spa and fitness equipment.
It was the first in India to introduce
fully automatic spa equipment like
steam, sauna, chilled shower units,
jacuzzis and building swimming
pools.
body LIFE 2 I 2014
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COVER STORY
CONCURRENT EVENT
IFAA all set to
take off in India
T
he International Fitness and
Aerobics Academy (IFAA)
is a well-known academy
for personal trainers, instructors,
gym managers, business owners
and fitness enthusiasts, based in
Germany.
With more than 30 years’ experience
in fitness, aerobics and management
solutions and certification across
Europe, it is making its debut as
IFAA-India, through its three-day
Convention and Congress alongside
bodyLIFE-IFW Expo.
Beginning 2015, IFAA-India will
offer regularly congresses and
conventions and large education
and training programmes for
aspirants and working professionals
– trainers, business owners, facility
managers and potential investors
– in the burgeoning Indian fitness
industry.
It will organise practical, useful
and relevant programmes in facility
management,
sales,
customer
acquisition and retention, product
innovation and branding. Its
qualifications and international
certification will assist people in
making successful careers in the
fitness industry, anywhere in the
world.
At the IFW Expo, where IFAAIndia will officially launch its India
operations, there will be abundant
networking
possibilities
and
opportunities to take a look at its
90-odd programmes, already tried
and tested in Europe.
Kezban Klein, Director, IFAA-India
It will begin operations in January with
day-long workshops and 6-month
courses in A, B & C Trainer, Group
Fitness and aerobics certification
that is globally recognised. There
will be qualification workshops in
kettlebell, suspension training, FMS,
core and functional training.
Other
courses
pertain
to
qualifications in nutrition, Labocca,
Pilates, Pilardio and indoor cycling.
IFAA’s Master Trainers at IFW Expo
attend IFAA’s first convention in
Mumbai?
It is a great opportunity for trainers
to know what they can learn, and
interact with master trainers whom
they can trust on future courses.
Kiran Kumar
What does IFAA mean to you
personally?
IFAA is a international brand which
will help improve the standards of
training in the fitness industry in
India. Fitness is a vast world, with
loads to learn on the go. I expect
IFAA to keep me updated on new
inventions in the market.
What are your expectations from
IFAA-India?
I would expect IFAA to provide
cutting edge knowledge, which
trainers lack in India.
Why is it important for a trainer to
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I body LIFE
2 I 2014
How will s/he benefit from IFAA’s
certification at the convention?
IFAA certification is not just theory,
it’s a blend of practical and theory
knowledge, which will help trainers
understand and implement in their
training programs.
What would you recommend to a
trainer in India?
I would recommend trainers
to attend IFAA courses as it is
convenient. At the same time you
will be certified internationally.
What special health advice or tip do
you have for your customer?
There is one life to lead. If health
and fitness is your priority, then
train with the best and be the best!
Jasmin
Waldmann
personally?
My Pilardio team and I know IFAA
already from Germany. We’re in
close contact with in connection
with education, training and trainer
conventions. Now IFAA is going to
operate in India too. I can’t wait to
be more involved in changing the
world of fitness in India.
IFAA-India?
I want to see IFAA as a international
brand name in India, and I want to
be a big part of it! The demand here
is very high and it is important to
body LIFE 2 I 2014
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COVER STORY
CONCURRENT EVENT
give professional and market-proven
education and performance. With
international certification, trainers
can be easily spotted for their high
standard of education.
attend IFAA’s first Convention in
Mumbai?
The world is changing: what was
right yesterday is today even better!
Quality and knowledge makes the
difference. The best ideas can rub
off on you at a convention of this
kind. One even knows and feels the
difference.
Meet IFAA’s
ambassadors in India
Why is Fitness important to you?
Fitness is about being independent. It
improves the quality of life, confidence and Wanitha
self-image. Most importantly it prevents, cures Ashok
and controls lifestyle diseases and it is antiTrained instructor & owner of Moving
aging.
Yes, just like I never forget to brush my teeth each day. Being an aerobics
instructor I get to exercise with my students. I take three classes a day,
focusing on cardio, weight training and flexibility segments.
Soon the market (gyms and end
customers) will be more aware of
what makes a great trainer. Old
knowledge will soon be obsolete.
That’s why trainers and instructors
have to see what the West is doing
about fitness content and training.
At the IFAA Convention in Mumbai,
this will be possible.
Why did you agree to become an ambassador for IFAA?
How will one benefit from IFAA’s
certification at the Convention?
From childhood, I have been interested in
sports. I was quite active in Indian karate,
and held the title of state champion. I used
to participate in state and national-level
Kumite. In 1984, I suffered a spinal injury
and ligament tear of the knees while playing
cricket and badminton. I had to give up all
my sports activities. That is when I started
swimming and weight training to keep myself
fit.
Trainers must watch the latest
trends. They have to keep themselves
updated with new techniques. Since
we trainers are very communicative
people, we need to connect and
exchange ideas. That way we grow
together!
What would you recommend to
trainers in India?
Never stop learning and be curious.
Question
yourself
and
your
knowledge from time to time, to
keep you updated. Communicate
and discuss with other trainers and
your teachers/ mentors. Learn from
the best: do not compromise on
education and knowledge.
It’s my honour to have been appointed as an ambassador for IFAA. It is a
continuation of the responsibility which I have taken upon myself to promote
fitness. IFAA now gives me a bigger platform to reach out to more people.
What are your expectations from IFAA-India?
A lot depends on trainers: well being of society, offering injury-free training,
getting people strong and fit, making them return to exercise everyday. I
expect IFAA to offer the right knowledge, guidance and cutting edge training.
Ha-Ha, so many! We can begin
with being honest with ourselves,
try to understand our bodies and
minds; then figure out our personal
needs and desires, along with our
limitations.
We then set proper goals and work
towards them. We should divide our
big target into small ones, so that
they become easier to achieve. We
should also get out of our comfort
zones and strive that much more.
We must live our lives for ourselves,
not for others.
I body LIFE
2 I 2014
Irshad
Ahmed
President, Irshad’s Property Matters,
Bangalore
Fitness is important in our lives: being
healthy and fit gives us a positive frame of mind to deal with all challenges
in life, be it work, in sports or in business. I’m glad IFAA has come to India
under your leadership. IFAA can bring awareness of the importance of fitness
among people who need guidance and training.
One of the main reasons I have
become a part of the fitness industry
is to educate everyone on how easy
it is to remain fit; on how dieting
means eating, not starving!
you have for your customers?
12
Body aerobics studio in Bangalore
Do you exercise?
Sandeep
Sachdev
personally?
Till a few years ago, I never knew
what fitness meant. Then the Big
Happening
Moment:
winning
the ‘Biggest Loser’ challenge on
reality TV! It changed my life to
such an extent that to me fitness
is like breathing; it is my form of
meditation.
IFAA is taking me closer to that
dream of educating people and
trainers, which would add a special
dimension to their knowledge on
fitness. Losing weight was a dream
come real; but now it is a reality I am
living!
IFAA-India?
In the years to come I see myself
as one of the best motivational
speakers across the world. IFAAIndia would surely add big value by
giving me international exposure.
Getting certification from IFAA
body LIFE 2 I 2014
I 13
COVER STORY
CONCURRENT EVENT
would be the highlight of my fitness
CV.
attend IFAA’s first Convention in
Mumbai?
Fitness conventions have just been
introduced in India in the last year
or so. Earlier, one would have to
invest in going abroad. IFAA coming
to India would give a chance to all
trainers: especially those who want
to educate themselves, but don’t
have the financial muscle to travel
abroad.
IFAA is now bringing the best Master
Trainers from across the globe! From
a trainer’s point of view, attending
the Mumbai Convention would be a
very small but smart investment to
seek market-recognized education.
In this industry, learning leads to
more earning.
How will s/he benefit from IFAA’s
certification at the Convention?
Anything new is always welcome, and
if you want to be in the race you have
to be a part of it. You have to keep
yourself updated with knowledge
and trends on what’s happening and
what’s working constantly, not only
for your clients but even for yourself.
Personally, I love to learn more,
and that’s the biggest benefit from
IFAA’s certification.
What would you recommend to a
trainer in India?
It is very important to stick to the
basics of fitness. Unfortunately,
trainers tend to focus on advanced
forms of training and learning
techniques but ignore the basics.
That in turn confuses their clients.
The word BMR (basal metabolic
rate) and it’s understanding vis-avis nutrition and exercise changed
my life. I can make a hundred
presentations to a hundred people
in a day, and I will talk about it with
the same passion, because BMR is
the only way to fitness.
Whether you are a beginner or at the
highest stage of fitness, make sure
you know what BMR is, and how it
applies to your fitness. Whenever
you start your journey in fitness,
understand the concept of BMR. It
will change your life forever!
(10th to 11th Oct 2014)
CONVENTION PROGRAMME
for Trainer, Instructors and fitness enthusiasts
DAY 1
DAY 1
Dance Aerobic
DAY 1
Dance Aerobic
1000 - 1100 hrs
1130 - 1230 hrs
1300 - 1400 hrs
1430 - 1530 hrs
1600 - 1700 hrs
1730 - 1830 hrs
1900 - 2000 hrs
Latin Explosion
Zumba®
Dance Aerobics
LABOOCA®
Pilates
Step’n’Shape
REEBOK EASYTONESTEP
1000 - 1100 hrs
1130 - 1230 hrs
1300 - 1400 hrs
1430 - 1530 hrs
1600 - 1700 hrs
1730 - 1830 hrs
1900 - 2000 hrs
Latin Explosion
Zumba®
Dance Aerobics
LABOOCA®
Pilates
Step’n’Shape
REEBOK EASYTONESTEP
DAY 1
Functional Training
DAY 1
Functional Training
1000 - 1100 hrs
1130 - 1230 hrs
1300 - 1400 hrs
1430 - 1530 hrs
1600 - 1700 hrs
1730 - 1830 hrs
1900 - 2000 hrs
Functional Training
Metabolic Conditioning
Minibands
Core Training
Assisted Stretching
Myofascial Training
MOVE & PREP Advanced
1000 - 1100 hrs
1130 - 1230 hrs
1300 - 1400 hrs
1430 - 1530 hrs
1600 - 1700 hrs
1730 - 1830 hrs
1900 - 2000 hrs
Functional Training
Metabolic Conditioning
Minibands
Core Training
Assisted Stretching
Myofascial Training
MOVE & PREP Advanced
DAY 1
Workout
DAY 1
Workout
1000 - 1100 hrs
1130 - 1230 hrs
1300 - 1400 hrs
1430 - 1530 hrs
1600 - 1700 hrs
1730 - 1830 hrs
1900 - 2000 hrs
REEBOK KETTLEBELL
Back & Spine
Nutrition 1
Stretching
Functional Workout
REEBOK KETTLEBELL
Bio-Mechanics in
Resistance Training
1000 - 1100 hrs
1130 - 1230 hrs
1300 - 1400 hrs
1430 - 1530 hrs
1600 - 1700 hrs
1730 - 1830 hrs
1900 - 2000 hrs
REEBOK KETTLEBELL
Back & Spine
Nutrition 1
Stretching
Functional Workout
REEBOK KETTLEBELL
Bio-Mechanics in
Resistance Training
Attendee assembly
Welcome by IFAA
Generating revenue through networked fitness by PRECOR
Break
Branch of EXERTAINMENT – A new look at the fitness
business by IFAA
Lunch
Keys of success by IFAA
Q&A (Question and Answeres)
Break
Set-Up, Pre-Sales, Marketing for Commercial Gyms / Health
Clubs by K11
DAY 2
1000 - 1015 hrs Welcome by IFAA
1015 - 1115 hrs Increasing secondary revenue through networked fitness by
PRECOR
1115 - 1130 hrs Break
1130 - 1300 hrs Aspects of MEMBER GROWTH, Member Growth is more
than ‘sales” by IFAA
1300 - 1345 hrs Lunch
1345 - 1515 hrs Sales Process by IFAA
1530 - 1630 hrs Boosting Revenue with Personal Cardio Training b y
STAR TRAC
1630 - 1645 hrs Break
1745 - 1900 hrs Set-Up, Pre-Sales, Marketing for Commercial Gyms / Health
Clubs by K11
1900 - 1200 hrs Panel discussion with IFAA BOARD, PDA, K11
A trainer must know...
I body LIFE
you have for your customer?
(9th to 10th Oct 2014)
CONGRESS PROGRAMME
for Club-Owners, Club-Managers, Head of Departments
0930 - 1000 hrs
1000 - 1030 hrs
1030 - 1130 hrs
1130 - 1200 hrs
1200 - 1300 hrs
1300 - 1400 hrs
1400 - 1600 hrs
1600 - 1630 hrs
1630 - 1700 hrs
1700 - 1900 hrs
14
A good trainer is one who can make
his/her clients learn the basics
of fitness and always act as their
biggest motivational tool.
Myofascial Training : The concept of Myofascial release is to increase flexibility
by the general decrease of muscular adhesions (knots). This increases athletic
performance and helps prevent athletic injury.
Assisted Stretch : The fastest and most effective way known to increase muscle
flexibility, combining passive and isometric stretching. Check out just how highly
effective it is!
Move & Prep : ‘Movement Prep’ exercise come from performance training expert
Mark Verstegen. It challenges the core to get strong and the joints to open up with
more functional mobility. Designed as a “dynamic” warm-up, it prepares your
clients to move better.
Manual Resistance : It allows you to have productive training sessions without
2 I 2014
having to rely on any equipment. Performed properly, it can maximally stimulate
improvements in muscular strength and endurance. It will be the most intense
training you have done, if you are willing to push yourself to and beyond your limits!
Plyometrics : Also known as jump training, it is a training technique designed
to increase explosive muscular power. Fast movements require high-level
coordination, reactivity and agility to produce power when the time comes.
MetCon : Metabolic conditioning refers to exercises intended to increase storage
and delivery of energy for any activity. An added benefit is the increase of resting
metabolism and caloric burn for a few hours after the workout, because of
increased EPOC (excess post-exercise oxygen consumption).
Pilardio : Pilates meets Cardio! All Pilardio exercises are done standing, supported
by fantastic rhythms. Posture, fun, body tension, peace of mind and movement are
in the foreground.
CONCURRENT EVENT
COVER STORY
It’s ‘extertainment’
folks!
Fitness is all about
expectations, experiences and
about entertainment, combined
with physical knowledge
An avid fitness enthusiast and proponent,
Mr. Martin Klein is the Director of IFAA-India. A member
of the German rowing team in his college days, a sports
teacher and a regular marathoner even now, he tells
bodyLIFE what brings IFAA to India:
As a founder and shareholder of
IFAA-India, can you tell us what
IFAA is all about?
A: IFAA-India was founded just some
months ago. I wanted to get one of
the best brands in terms of fitness
education, and so I tied up with the
mother company, IFAA-Germany,
which is amazingly popular in
Europe and which is operating in
the European fitness market for
more than 30 years now.
On the one hand IFAA-India aims
to inspire fitness enthusiasts,
professionals and instructors with
relevant and energetic fitness
conventions. On the other hand, we
will also support business owners
and managers at all levels of the
fitness industry with education and
consultancy.
Both events are happening for the
first time in India at the bodyLIFE
IFW Expo (9-11 October) in Mumbai.
Let us not forget the main business
of IFAA: we are an internationally
recognised academy. Our main
business is our education system,
which has been customized to the
Indian market, and which covers all
aspects and needs of stakeholders
in the industry. We cover training for
beginners, we deliver qualifications
for already advanced professionals,
and we have plenty of opportunities
for business owners, sales personnel
and gym managers to excel in their
respective fields.
How did you choose to come to the
Indian market?
A: I worked in India for 4 years with
various fitness businesses in your
lovely country. I was also the COO
and a shareholder in Zela Luxury
Health Club in Bangalore. I realised
Fitness and health clubs
are looking at certification;
businesses want to know
what the market needs; and
investors want to know what
makes the difference.
that in India the fitness and wellness
industry is booming. It also has
tremendous potential to improve
on quality and development of its
resources in the highly competitive
market.
Above all, I noticed that Indian
businesses are eager for new
technology and concepts. The
people here have a great attitude:
they are hungry for knowledge and
are open to adopting tried-andtested knowledge and skills of the
highest quality.
But India already has quite a few
fitness training acadamies...
A: That’s correct, but there are still
no international standards in the
market. Fitness and health clubs are
looking at different certifications;
businesses want to know what the
market really needs; and investors
want to know what makes the
difference!
IFAA-India will work with gyms
and support them to educate their
trainers to international standards
body LIFE 2 I 2014
I 15
CONCURRENT EVENT
and processes. It will be a winwin deal for the gym because their
members will be happy. Trainers will
be able to consistently increase their
knowledge and skills, and will stand
to earn more of both, monetary
remuneration
and
customer
satisfaction!
Of the thousands of gyms in the
market, how many really care for
their existing customers? How many
gyms adopt strategies to reduce
membership attrition? How many
fitness centres set targets to retain
members or renew subscriptions?
Do sales teams have realistic targets
and the resources to attract new
customers?
IFAA comes to India with solutions
to these and many other related
problems. We will educate trainers,
instructors, club managers, service
and sales teams. That is the
difference we expect to bring to the
Indian market!
You seem quite passionate
about what you’re planning to do
here. What gives you so much
confidence?
A: With the convention in Mumbai,
and finally the launch of IFAA-India,
a personal dream comes true! I was
a former competitive athlete and
continue to be a fitness and sport
enthusiast. At heart I am still a sports
teacher: I insist on the right mixture
of quality and professionalism,
along with inspiration and fun!
What goals have you set for IFAAIndia and for yourself?
A: I have three big goals for the
IFAA-India:
1) To give the end customer the best
www.ifaa-india.com
International Fitness &
Aerobic Academy
Zumba® with
ZES Sucheta Pal &
Shwetambari Shetty
Workshop For
Trainers &
Gym Owners
Concurrent Convention
by IFAA at:
Bombay Exhibition & Convention Centre, Off Western Express Highway,
Goregaon (East), Mumbai - 400 063
9-11 October, 2014
Partners:
16
I body LIFE
2 I 2014
MASTER TRAINERS & PRESENTERS
COVER STORY
quality training;
2) Give trainers and instructors the
best education and options to be
successful;
3) Help mangers and business
owners to avoid the mistakes the
industry has been repeating for
years.
Any message to the fitness business
and enthusiasts in India?
A: Let us not forget that we
are in (what I would call) the
“extertainment” industry. It is all
about expectations, experiences
and about entertainment, combined
with physical knowledge. We are all
working in the incredible business of
inspiring and helping people live a
healthier life. Let us together raise
the standards of that “happy life!”
www.ifaa-india.com
Barbara Spritzendorfer
Austria
Jasmin Waldmann
Germany
Certified IFAA Master Trainer,
International Master
Instructor and educator for
SpeedballSM Fitness, MAX(R)
and many more.
Certified IFAA Master and the inventor
of Pilardio®. An international
presenter and a mental coach, she
comes from Germany but made India
her new home.
Marlon Connor
The Netherlands
Ritesh Shaiwal
India
Certified IFAA Master Trainer, highly
experienced sports and fitness
instructor, aqua specialist and physical
therapist, and creator of LABOOCA®
program.
Rising Star | TRX | FMS |
Kettlebells | VipR | Les Mills
Instructor
Sameer Sheikh
USA
Swetha Subbiah
India
Certified IFAA Master Trainer from New
York City is a highly qualified fitness
professional and has been in the industry
for more than 15 years and a current
trainer for many American celebrities.
Certified IFAA Master Trainer and
a highly qualified Personal
Trainer having certifications
from leading fitness institutes in
the UK.
Kiran Kumar
India
Shwetambari Shetty
India
Certified IFAA Master Trainer
and India's first athletes
performance trainer
(Phase 4)
ZES - Zumba Education Specialist
II co-founder of Tribe Fitness
Dorota Rozko
Poland
Fabiano da Ros
Australia
Certified IFAA Master Trainer
and certified Personal Trainer,
Pilates coach, Zumba, NTC,
Speedo, Profi Fitness and
many more.
Fabiano is a very well-known
Personal Trainer with
certifications from various
leading academies in Europe.
Sandeep Sachdev
India
Vera Leite
Portugal
Motivational speaker, celebrity
nutritionist, Personal Training
ambassador, winner of India's 'Biggest
Loser Challenge' (2007) & Fitness First
India (2008-2011).
Passionate about fitness, dance and
wellness. She loves Zumba® Fitness
and shares her love for dance and
workouts, also with kids.
Sucheta Pal
India
Devrath Vijay
India
Sucheta Pal is an international Zumba
Education Specialist and the selected few
Master Trainers for Zumba in the world. She
is currently leading India after undergoing
her fitness training from the United States.
A CSCS, Strength and
Conditioning coach, a dancer
and kick-boxer, a gym manager
at a Namma Crossfitter.
body LIFE 2 I 2014
I 17
BUSINESS & BEST PRACTICE
FOCUS
Foto: Syda Productions/shutterstock.com
How will
we be
trained in
future?
18
I body LIFE
2 I 2014
FOCUS
The effects of lifestyle and technologies
on the fitness sector
In recent years, fitness studios have noticeably changed their cliché image as
“muscle factory” and have developed into multi-faceted service landscapes for
wellness and physical performance enhancement. This evolution is already a
big step forward and can be seen as a sign of changing customer needs. That
is because for very long, muscle building and physical performance optimisation
had been the main goal of gym users. But today they ask for much more.
W
e live in an age where
individuals are more
concerned with their
needs that can no longer be predetermined. Rules are there to be
broken! YOLO (you only live once)
has become the dominant guiding
principle of an ever-diversifying
society. And, not least because of
this, it will undergo substantial
transformation.
The demographical transformation
of global society into an aging
population is another big issue
which, in coming years, will have
even more powerful impact on
lifestyle issues, and eventually
also on the fitness sector. This is
because, the generation of the “new
olds” does not feel old, and does not
want to be treated as such.
Furthermore, this ever-growing
consumer group is very critical and
well-informed because of its wealth
of experience. Above all, it is not
ridden by old thinking and is open to
new ways. Members of this group do
not fear technological innovations,
but see them as meaningful
supplement to traditional methods
and products.
Also, the 50+ generation is not new
to the Internet and are personally
and professionally well-connected.
Ultimately, however, health and
fitness are the core issues for this
target group, which turn out to be
long-term trends of paramount
importance.
All in all, the present scenario
already shows which issues of the
fitness sector will significantly
influence the future. Mega-trends,
like health, the demographic change
and the individualisation of society,
are the global issues with regional
nuances and reverberations.
Digital Solutions
Already today there is a general
awareness about the positive effect
of the fitness movement on mental
health. It is this awareness that is
creating more and more strategies
towards
holistic
solutions,
which find their roots in both
traditional health solutions as
well as totally new, technologically
driven approaches – yet both are
essentially effective and efficient for
the individual user.
For those who have been so far
health-conscious
and
inclined
towards good looks, particularly
those in the young age segment
(20s to late 30s), are joining in
considerable numbers the older who
wish to conserve and improve their
health. Even teenagers, because of
the rising health-consciousness,
will play an even greater role
in the fitness industry-related
demographics in the years to come.
One possible way to cater to this
target group is to offer them services
of health check-up and digital
monitoring of blood sugar, blood
pressure and bone density. This
trend will surely be consolidated in
the future, both by well-trained staff
in the gym and by the introduction
of new digital solutions – such as
special apps and development of
gadgets like ‘fitness bands’.
Internet of Things
At this year’s edition of CES
(Consumer Electronics Show in
Las Vegas), it was clearly perceived
that the field of fitness would
increasingly provide an impetus for
future technology developments.
And this does not refer to only
classical fitness armbands. On the
contrary!
According to latest reports Fitbit,
one of the pioneers in this area
for the time being, had withdrawn
from the market its high-end
product, ‘Fitbit Force’, because of
material defects. More recently,
Nike discontinued the advance
development and production of its
Fuelbands.
The subject of pure fitness tracking
by trendy wrist-bands or other socalled “wearables” seems to have
not met the taste of the users in the
long run. The reason for this could
be that the broad class of consumers
wants a lot more than to get only
an overview of their daily physical
activity level and pulse rate.
Moreover, the market for the
classical fitness armbands has
become as incomprehensible as it
was for MP3 players. In view of the
rising need for digital connectivity,
probably the classical fitness tracker
market will also meet the same
fate, because the future indicates
constantly expanding digitisation
and networking. The “Internet of
body LIFE 2 I 2014
I 19
FOCUS
Things” will turn into a key issue for
successful product innovation for
the fitness sector also.
This concept symbolises the
connection between identifiable
physical objects with a virtual
representation.
Products
are
increasingly becoming intelligent
and supporting humans in their
activities. Miniaturised computers
in wearables – such as armbands
and in future further miniaturisation
of garments – are being equipped
with different sensors.
These sensors will be able to track
various parameters, send them to a
cloud for assimilation and analyses,
and also carry out advance functions
beneficial for the health (measuring
blood counts, fatigue and stress
levels), as well as counteract to
prevent injuries.
One example of this is the Sensoria
fitness socks from Heapsylon.
It helps the user receive usual
running-related data like heart rate
and running distance. This is done
through integrated sensors and an
additional Bluetooth instep ribbon
(ankle band).
Advance runners can additionally
use it to analyse their individual
running rhythm, the way it suits
their footstep as well as weightbearing of the foot while running.
In case the runner veers towards a
motion sequence that is generally
associated with the risk of injury, the
socks send a signal to the included
Smartphone app.
Range of Products
We can clearly see from this example
what the future holds in store.
Existing, market-proven products
are being extended and combined
with add-ons, instead of reinventing
new device with limited scope of
services. The value-addition of the
product is exhibited not merely by
manufacturing quantity but by a
greater variety of performance.
The user will always have an option
to choose the extent of service
individually required by him/her
and bundled with the appropriate
20
I body LIFE
2 I 2014
software and components. In
future, this decision will be left
to every individual. Choice and
individualisation are the highlights
of the future.
This poses a difficult task,
particularly for fitness studios. This
“arms race” for the best devices is
neither efficient nor cost-effective.
Nevertheless, even here the concept
of ‘Internet of Things’ brings new
prospects for studio owners and
user.
As a pioneer, Technogym is already
demonstrating this in its showroom
in Fitness Valley near Bologna:
its devices are equipped with the
latest hardware as well as their own
specially developed software. A kind
of USB stick, called “Wellness Key”,
acts as a connecting element to the
user.
It is fed on user data based on
a sound analysis carried out by
a trained instructor. It plays a
key role in effective and efficient
training process. Well connected
with various other studio devices,
it precisely shows the user which
exercise s/he should carry out, with
what intensity, speed and at what
intervals, in order to achieve the
best results.
Similar to an iPad, all the devices are
directly connected to the “Wellness
Cloud” through a magnificent colour
display. So, at any time the user has
access to all relevant data and can
simultaneously post his training
status on social networks and
compare it with others.
Comparison of training performance
with
contemporaries
and
competition alike will, in future, be
a widely used field that would create
playful incentives, and hence a true
added value.
This will ensure compatibility
between key online portals such as
the “Fitness Cloud” and other tracking
systems of various other brands
like Withings, Fitbit RunKeeper or
Mapmyfitness. Moreover, along
with the smartphone, other native
devices like one’s own cycle, the
home trainer or even the gaming
console (thanks to Kinect) could
also be included in the training plan.
Extensive Networking
The concept of Technogym’s Fitness
Cloud is only an example of the
development towards extensive
networking, as well as in field of
data compilation and data-sharing.
Software continuously “learn” more
about user and his/her individual
requirements through the steady
feed of new values.
In future, by means of complex
algorithms, it is not only possible to
predict threatening overloading and
unusual straining, but also (so-far
immeasurable) training inhibitors –
such as classical boredom resulting
from one-sided training – can be
averted.
However, since the subject of
data-mining (the compilation and
evaluation of user data) is currently
a weighty issue, it remains to be
seen how the user adopts this
development. But it is clear how
traditional fitness sector progresses
ever more in the direction of
consumer electronics and holistic
experience.
This is of some concern, not only to
those working in the fitness sector
but all the more so for creative
agencies specialising in holistic
interaction concepts. Strategists,
product
designers,
usability
specialists and interface designers
will all develop even more products
in future which will seamlessly
merge with the traditional product
categories
and
be
naturally
integrated into everyday life.
– Nina Saller
Nina Saller is a specialist in
anthropological, socio-cultural
and global scale design
research. After many years
of experience as a consultant
in the field of fashion, cosmetics and
interior design, she now leads the areas of
Research and Colour & Material design at
Design Affairs Ltd., Munich (Germany). Nina
is also a speaker at numerous professional
events.
You told us what you wanted
in a treadmill. Now it's here.
Our new Experience Series treadmills is designed and built to last extensive research and
development with produced. It's also the quietest and most stable running experience we've over
delivered. So, you enjoy a premium ownership experience, and your members enjoy their run.
body LIFE 2 I 2014
I 21
FOCUS
Customer
retention
and
additional
business
Apps can be an investment for your
future viability
As if the competition with each other was not tough enough,
gyms now have a new, powerful, trendy and electronic
competitor: the App. Are smart phones the new gyms of the
future? They need not be...
Foto: Alexey Boldin/shutterstock.com
the man stays at home and spends
an hour in his home gym, working
out with dumbbells and kettelbells
-- under the directions of his app,
all without a real trainer, without
a gym, without having to drive and
without paying!
Quantified Man
A
man is jogging in the woods,
his attention focussed on
instructions
emanating
from his ear-plugs. No, he is not
listening to music; he is listening to
his fitness trainer! This trainer from
the app keeps him in the aerobic
zone (thanks to networking) with the
help of heart rate monitor and body
sensors.
The app indicates to him the phases
of his current training schedule and,
on reaching his destination, gives
him an account of calories burnt
and the amount of anticipated
super compensation effect through
various parameters. The next day
22
I body LIFE
2 I 2014
The movement behind many of
these apps is called Quantified Self
or Self-Tracking. Millions of people
around the world have already
had themselves physiologically
measured and train virtually. In
the market we have apps like
Runtastic, MiCoach, Nike Training
Club, MyFitnessPal, Jawbone Up,
RunKeeper, Nexercise, Yoga2Go,
AOK Plus Fitness manager, ShapeUp
Club -- the app offers are rapidly
growing.
Fitness-conscious smart phone
users across the globe now have
access to about 97,000 incredible
apps. And every month about 1,000
such apps are hitting the market.
Calling it a new fitness movement
would be an understatement: it is a
mass phenomenon!
The million dollar question now is:
will they wipe out fitness studios? If
yes, then why? Why are an increasing
number of people preferring apps
over commercial gyms?
The secret of the rising popularity
of health apps lies in the craze for
the trend: it is suddenly the “in
thing”! It’s cool! Yet, it is not fair to
associate the popularity of the apps
only with its trendiness.
Such apps fulfil an age-old need
of humans: the quantitative selfreflection. We all practice in some
from or the other: some maintain
personal diaries, others resort
to FaceBook updates or Twitter!
Orientation and inner security,
among the basic needs of humans,
are what app-users seek. So, it is
not merely a fad; it is the ultimate
motive!
Addicted to Apps
The three primordial needs of
the human beings are Security
(safety), Stimulation and Sense of
belonging (relatedness). They are
perfectly observed in small children:
when they do not constantly get
FOCUS
something new to play (stimulation),
they whine. When they get hurt, they
stop crying as soon as an adult picks
them up (security).
And when they find themselves
lost in a zoo, they calm down
when father or mother reach them
through announcement (affiliation).
Needless to say, for any smart
phone user health apps provide
stimulation. Ditto affiliation. S/he
feels connected with the enormous,
world-wide community of selftrackers, since many such apps
allow networking and interaction
with other app-users.
For this reason people went to
the gym earlier, where they were
by themselves, had a sense of
belonging, and met many likeminded people. With the basic
needs satisfied, all are happy:
members as well as gym owners. It
is exactly this sense of fulfilment of
need that is now being stolen from
the gyms by health apps. Do we
want to let it happen?
Trainers (often) discuss the case of
the young endurance athlete who
was constantly fiddling with his cellphone between his three dumbbell
workout rounds in the studio. One of
the elderly members asked him if he
was perhaps a stand-by stockbroker
or doctor as he was constantly
fiddling with his phone between the
rounds.
The young man laughed and said:
“I am documenting and analysing
my work-out over app. It’s more
convenient and clear than noting it
on paper.” The elderly member was
impressed by that. He asked: “Can
my phone also do that? What should
I do for it?”
What is wrong in this scene? A
very crucial point: wrong contact
person. Why should it be explained
by a member to another? Why
the trainer did not discuss this
with the member without the app
long back? Not helped him with
download? Introduced him to the
use of the app? And thus help him
connect with the right community?
As Confucius would say: “When you
cannot defeat your opponent, team
up with him!”
Foto: Toocan images
Let Apps Work
Even fitness studios can have
side-business over apps
Some studios come up with their
own apps. With a little software
programming savvy anyone can
design such an app. It is not even
an expensive affair. There are user
programs that cost the studio
owners less than 100 Euros per
month; for free-of-charge use for his/
her gym members.
This is the obvious solution: before
the app becomes your competitor,
have your own app in place! The
other solution is to not exclude
the existing apps of your members
altogether. Instead, integrate at once
all those members that already have
an app. It is all about the basic need
for affiliation. Your clients will not
need to connect with a community
outside the gym, where some day
this very connectivity would give rise
to competition.
So, as a goal-oriented thinking
gym-owner, you only integrate the
apps into your customer retention
strategy. For example, your trainers
may advise the members on what
apps are used as an aid to their
training, which in turn can help
them achieve more success. One
good tip (for example) would be
using Runtastic for an outdoor
cardio session. As long as gyms
openly discuss about apps, their
members will feel connected with
the fitness centre -- that is the secret
of affiliation!
Additional Business
Those familiar with FaceBook or
WhatsApp also know the so-called
“push notifications”: suddenly a
message flashes on the cell phone
display. Why not also from your
gym? The best thing about this
new advertising medium is instant
advertising control. Every wellinformed gym owner can instantly
check what the app is bringing
in and accordingly optimise his
marketing scheme in the next push
notification.
But are we really doing it? As gym
owners, many feel they cannot be
running after such “fancy stuff“.
But then apps are not fancy stuff.
They are the future of the health
management and fitness industry.
In another couple of years 90% of
smart phones will have at least one
pre-loaded health app.
These apps are not a fad, but an
investment in your future viability,
competence, an aid in safeguarding
your livelihood and strategic
marketing management. And for
this no gym operator needs to take a
class in software programming!
Nowadays anyone using the Internet
and some common computer
programs can set up an app with a
relevant provider. It is very similar
to websites: earlier it was real
coding work, but today all it takes is
convenient combining and clicking.
However,
if
someone
has
apprehensions about it, s/he may
look out for a suitable software
programmer to design and maintain
the app. S/he could do it out of
sheer interest or to earn recognition.
It should not come as a surprise if,
among your own gym members, you
find one such “techie” to help you
out
– Dr. Rixa Kroehl
Dr. Rixa Kroehl is a project
manager at the Institute of
Futurology and Knowledge
Management. She supervises
research projects with German
economic enterprises and the federal
ministries of education and research. She
also has an ‘A’ license in fitness and yoga
and is a successful teacher in many fitness
studios for many years.
body LIFE 2 I 2014
I 23
FOCUS
Mobile training
control
Can apps replace the trainer in the gym?
Everyone is familiar with apps and many already use them. By now,
they are an integral part of our lives, just like food and sleep. The mobile
application programs for smart phones and Tablet-PCs are reigning the
sport and fitness scene also, promising a healthy and fit body with little
training effort. Is going to the gym still worthwhile?
A
drian has had a long day at
work. This project manager
from Darmstadt now only
has to wear on his gym apparel and
work out. But his road leads him
home. Like many others, Adrian
works out with the help of a fitness
app that he has downloaded on his
smart phone just two months back.
He has opted for ‘Freeletics’, a 15week program that promises “the
form of your life. Guaranteed”! The
website of Freeletics entices with
toughened bodies, high-intensity
workouts that only last a maximum
of 45 minutes and can be customized
to the trainee.
Video animations show the correct
execution of the exercises, detailed
descriptions are to avoid bad
24
I body LIFE
2 I 2014
posture. The app promises quick
visible results in a short time for
little to no money.
Who Wants to Pay?
For many, the time factor plays
an important role. They bank on
the apps because they hope to
build muscles, lose weight or get
individual training in minimum
possible time. Moreover, many of
them do not want to be bound by
the contracts and opening hours of
gyms.
For male users the technical aspect
involved makes it all the more
interesting. A statistical study by
research2guidance was conducted
to find out the user share of
health and fitness apps based on
categories. The most used app
category in 2013 in Germany was the
paid training apps. Even in fitness
tracking, more paid apps (13%) than
free apps (12%) were downloaded!
But after four weeks, Adrian has
no motivation to work out with the
app. His smart phone does not
provide him the stimulus anymore,
and he is missing the interaction
with other sport enthusiasts. A few
app developers have recognised
this problem and offer the option
to subsequently publish their
own work-out achievements on
Facebook, Twitter or any other social
network.
Some apps also have the option
of allowing the user to compete
with other app-users of the same
body LIFE 2 I 2014
I 25
FOCUS
training programme. The fun factor
was back in work-out sessions with
the app when Adrian found a workout partner in his friend. Together
they completed the Freeletics
programme; either at home or in
the neighbouring park in pleasant
weather conditions.
Personal experiences of the appusers widen the circle and triggers
proper fitness enthusiasm in the
friends circle: starting with two, there
were eventually eight participants.
Health Orientation
Apps like Freeletics require the body
to be in good condition. Beginners
often lack the pre-requisites
and the necessary knowledge to
complete such programmes. That
is why exercise, if not carried out
correctly, may lead to injuries. Some
application program
providers
insist on getting a preventive health
examination prior using their apps.
I body LIFE
exercises.”
Some of the programmes offer
special courses for beginners,
advanced users and professional
users. This way the experienced
sportsman avoids being underexerted, and beginners bypass
over-exertion. In parallel, a visit to
the gym can help you understand
whether you feel at home there.
Many studios are already responding
to the new training behaviour and
striving to care for even those
app-users on their premises. The
fitness chain McFIT has entered a
partnership with the fitness platform
Loox. Since then, McFit’s members
have the option of training with the
help of a specially developed app
that has a ready stock of over 300
goal-oriented training plans.
– Selina Knufer
Runtastic
7 Min Workout
N u m e r o u s
movements
and
covered
tracks
are illustrated via
GPS, including the
related
duration
and speed. Irrespective of chosen
type of endurance sport, precise
training goals can be defined. With
the provided chest straps, you can
complete special endurance
or
interval training. It’s for Android, but
compatible with iPhone, iPad and
iPod touch. Plus its free!
Training
experts
have selected 12
exercises,
each
of the 30-secondlong
exercises
are carried out
with a 10-second pause. This
highly intensive training results in
increased daily metabolism and is
equivalent of an hour-long training
session and yet rarely exceeds 7
minutes. Compatible with iPhone,
iPad and iPod touch. Priced at Euro
179.
You Are Your Own Gym
MiCoach
Full Fitness
Fitness expert Mark
Lauren conducts
the training and
gives
precise
instructions
for
each
exercise
with elaborate texts and complete
figures. Be it Tabatas, Supersets,
Stappers, Interval Sets or Ladders,
virtual Mark Lauren is technically
correct. For Android, compatible
with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch.
Priced at Euro 229.
The app registers
the
movement
units, and in turn
functions as a
personal
trainer.
After a 12-minute
grading test, the app calculates the
current fitness status and defines
various pulse areas. It issues the
instructions with a Bluetoothenabled heart frequency calculator.
For Android, compatible with
iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Free!
The
App
not
only
provides
instructions
for
100
exercises
but
also
sorts
them
according
to body parts, target muscle and
the necessary devices. Individual
training plans are designed with
the help of user-friendly program.
Compatible with iPhone, iPad and
iPod touch. Priced at Euro 179.
Latest
training
apps
26
Members of a gym, on the other
hand, have the advantage of meeting
a real trainer to guide them. Thus,
the mistakes of wrong execution
of exercises can be avoided. Yet,
professional sports scientists advise
a mandatory medical check-up
before the first visit to the gym.
For an experienced sportsman like
Adrian and his gym-mates, fitness
apps are the ideal aid, in addition
to training in the gym. However, he
does not want to miss out on the
conversation in the studio and works
out there on the devices. In return,
the trainer offers the beginners a
thorough basis for further training
sessions -- also with a training app.
Fabian Schneider of appgefahren
Ltd. from Bochum, Germany,
advises users to do their homework
before beginning to use fitness apps:
“Every smart phone user should first
download the free-of-charge version
of the required app and try out the
2 I 2014
body LIFE 2 I 2014
I 27
TRAINING FOR CHILDREN
Understanding
children:
no kidding!
Aryan (8) and Khushi (7) on the monkey bar. Both children, offspring of the authors, have been training since they were 4 years old.
Fitness training for the young is a win-win proposition for the client,
trainer and the gym owner. Prevail over myths, examine scientific data,
educate yourself, and tap into this booming market!
T
hink
of
Lionel
Messi,
Christiano Ronaldo, Roger
Federer or Michael Phelps.
What do you hear about them? That
they have been training for sport and
fitness since the age of 6. Sportsmen
are the epitomes of fitness. They are
our markers of excellence and we
can take away many values from
them.
Not everyone can or will be a Federer
or Messi; but the point is that fitness
as a concept and practice must start
at an early age. In the past, childhood
was the most active time in people’s
lives. Today, however, many children
are choosing to spend most of their
leisure time engaged in sedentary
hobbies.
We are all aware that in most
developed nations of the world –
India is no exception – childhood
obesity is developing at alarming
rates. Yet, parents of overweight
children usually think that they need
to increase their cardio vascular
activity: make them go jogging,
swimming or bike riding.
The likelihood that an overweight,
unfit child will sustain 30 minutes
of boring endurance activity is very
slim, regardless of how beneficial
it may be portrayed to be for him/
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I body LIFE
2 I 2014
her. Children resort to natural play:
they prefer to play hard with a stopstart pattern (30-60 seconds with 1-2
minutes of rest).
Almost all sports, including
basketball, football or tennis,
usually follow this start-stop
pattern: get down, run a little bit,
jump up – never continuous jogging,
same-paced movements.
Break Monotony
Basketball, tennis and football
involve sprinting, falling, tackling,
jumping, running and sprinting
in any direction: non-continuous
movements in any direction using
all body planes. This is essentially
how resistance training is done:
alternating brief bouts of vigorous
exercise with longer rest and
recovery periods.
We have been lucky to have children
training with us, athletes who
started very young and who are now
representing India at the national
level in various sports. Everything
usually starts at nano level; so let us
take away something from that.
The maximum body development
–
musculoskeletal,
hormonal,
physiological, everything! – takes
place between the ages of 5 and 18.
That is the time when maximum
bone mass is building up. It is very
important to engage in resistance
training during these years.
Just like for athletes, if a similar
structured training program can
be designed and delivered for
overweight
and/or
underactive
children, it can work wonders in
improving their musculoskeletal
system.
Bust Myths
Traditionally, fitness studios and
parents alike have been deterred by
several myths that revolve around
gym training for children. Let us
examine each to see how scientific
research has proven them wrong!
Safety: Weight training is safer than
crossing the road or flying in an
aeroplane. Children have a lot more
energy and full movement capacity
than adults. They are naturally
stronger, and are able to show
improvements at a much faster pace
than adults. If strength training has
benefits for the old, the fragile and
for all adults, it is even better for
healthy young children.
Injury: Weight training for children
is never done maximally – even
adults do it rarely. It is always done
for muscular endurance, not for
maximal muscular strength. If done
with good technique, the risk of
injury is low
To be honest, the highest risk of
injury is in gymnastics, because
Care and Conditioning is secret to children’s training
Assuming that the child’s nutrition is in order, the emphasis
should be on metabolic (cardio-vascular) conditioning, but in
short, start-stop spurts, exactly the way sports is played.
Focus should be on core agility and balance. Core training is
not about training abs and back alone, and not implied here.
Priority should be on throwing movements: forceful, sudden
bursts of extreme strength. Madison training for children,
involving strength and speed in hip thrusting, is very good in
this respect.
In weight training emphasis and time should be on correct
technique. Use light dumbbells and bars for muscular
endurance, not maximal strength.
In strength training even for teenagers, the emphasis must be
on correct technique, nothing maximal.
A combination of these, done in a proper order, will lead to
better physical development and sporting excellence.
This is equally applicable to overweight children as for sporty
kids.
Trying to get the exercise mechanics right does not replace
unstructured free play. Rather, it complements it!
Ideally it should be done in groups of up to three children,
especially if they are into weight training.
it is maximal; but parents and
teachers don’t think twice about
recommending
gymnastics
for
children as part of the school’s
physical education curriculum. If
we let children learn gymnastics,
why do we think twice about weight
training?
The next highest risk of injury is
in contact sports such as rugby,
football and basketball. Research
Headstands, dead-lifts and squats are part of a
suitable strength training programme for children.
SPORT
WEIGHTLIFTING &
THROWING
AGILITY & BALANCE
METABOLIC CONDITIONING
NUTRITION
This pyramid outlines the order of priority when designing a
children’s training programme. The base of optimal nutrition is not
optional! The pyramid is equally important for children not pursuing
a sporting career.
has proved, time and again,
that a structured weight training
programme helps children get
stronger, withstand the toughness
of contact sports, and recover faster
in case of injury.
As far back as in 1993, the American
College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
determined that 50% of preadolescent sports injuries could
be prevented by enrolling children
in youth strength and conditioning
programmes.
Stunted growth: Human bones do
not fully fuse until we are in our late
teens or early 20s. Instead of a fully
fused bone, children have growth
plates at both ends of their long
bones. This is made up of growing
tissue as opposed to strong, solid
bone.
There is widespread, but misplaced,
concern that the softness of the
growth plate can place children
at risk of injury. What is common
between Arnold Schwarzenegger
and Shack O’Neal? They are both
taller than 6 feet, and both started
weight training at the age of 12
years!
Research proves that weightbearing exercises such as pull-ups
and push-ups – in which children
carry their own bodyweight – have
a positive impact on a child’s bone
development.
For overweight children that are not
ready for callisthenic movements,
the use of plyometric and resistance
training equipment can impart them
the same benefit of stronger bone
development.
Growing tall: It is also a myth to say
that exercise can increase the height
of a child. We have so many parents
walk into our fitness centres wanting
their children to start a training
programme, simply to increase their
height!
The benefits of weight training are
reaped in increased bone mass,
not increased bone length. The
biggest benefit of throws and weight
training is the positive effect on
bone mass development. Height is
mainly to do with genetics. In some
rare cases, and with some disorders,
this results in stunted growth or
extreme height gain.
Viability in Gyms
Culturally we may be not ready to
accept children training in gyms in
India; but we need to look at the
rest of the world. All athletes start
weight training from a very young
age. None of them have any lack of
development or suffer from stunted
growth, debilitating injuries or poor
bone development. On the contrary,
they grow up to be our role models.
From a commercial point of view,
it is well worth the time and effort
spent by gym owners to train their
instructors in delivering proper
training programmes for children.
body LIFE 2 I 2014
I 29
Madison training is particularly effective for children as it
involves power and speed
they grow up to be adult clients and,
if treated well, ensure long-term
loyalty to our business. Children
who exercise regularly eventually
rope in their friends, and even
parents, at some stage or the other!
Let’s be honest – a very small
percentage of Indian children will
pursue sporting excellence. The
majority of them are struggling with
the same issues that we struggle
with as adults: balancing a lifestyle
of adequate physical activity with
the academic pressures of school
and studies.
But the fitness industry has the tools
to help them improve all areas of
their life by improving their physical
development.
The success or failure in training
children mainly depends on the
education and skill levels of the
instructor, because it is not an
easy task. The instructor needs to
understand their needs well.
If, for any reason, there is discomfort
with the training, the adult client
will understand; the parent of the
child will not. We are much more
wary and scared of something going
wrong with children.
So it is of primary importance that
the skill levels of the trainer are high
in delivering a programme according
to children’s needs. Poorly skilled
trainers risk making mistakes and
deepening the myths associated
with training children, which we
have already elaborated earlier in
this article.
Keeping delivery standards high,
having sound training principles and
not compromising on technique will
ensure that we contribute towards a
new generation of fitter, more active
Indian youth.
– Sunil & Madhuri Kudva
Sunil and Madhuri Kudva
run Elite Fitness studios in
Gamdevi and Worli (Mumbai),
since 2007 with “health by
design” in mind. The couple
has impeccable education and credentials
from their experience in running gyms in
Australia and now in India.
(www.elitefitness.in).
SNIPPETS
Parag eyes third gold in kettlebells
Parag Mhetre, founder of Energy
Kettlebell Fitness Academy (EKFA)
in Pune, is all set to represent
India at the Asian Open Kettlebell
Championship
in
Bangkok
(Thailand) in October.
A qualified Master Trainer in
kettlebell, Parag is no new-comer
to competitions. He is a winner
and holds the record in the cleanand-jerk (long cycle) in the 2x24 kg,
lifting 62 times in the regulation
10 minutes. He achieved this
feat at the Asia-Pacific Kettlebell
Championship in Jakarta (Indonesia)
in March this year.
Parag is also preparing to participate
in the Open World Kettlebell
Championship
in
Hamburg
(Germany) in Germany, where
participants from more than 30
countries vie for top honours each
year.
30
I body LIFE
2 I 2014
Parag is the first person to introduce
a full-fledged kettlebell training
academy in India after his training
in the US, Russia and Indonesia.
He trained under well known
American Steve Cotter, 16 times
World Champion Sergie Merkulin of
Russia, and Russian athlete Valery
Federenko.
EKFA conducted India’s first
kettlebell
championship
in
association with Body Power in
Mumbai, which saw participation
of 31 athletes. He plans to have
international athletes competing in
India again, in March 2015.
Parag Mhetre on his way to gold
at the Asia-Pacific Kettlebell
Championship in Jakarta, Indonesia.
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I 31
PERSONAL TRAINING
Premium Services
Requirements for successful integration of personal training
concept in gyms
Why many personal training
concepts fail in fitness and
health clubs? Why is the dropout rate for personal trainers
so high? Why is there so much
dissatisfaction from all sides?
What actually is personal
training?
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I body LIFE
2 I 2014
P
ersonal training is in vogue
and no longer limited only
to well-heeled customers.
Yet, unfortunately, the interested
person goes hunting in a completely
obscure territory. Regulations do
not exist, and so (unfortunately)
a multitude of dubious offers are
running scot-free in the market.
From the “black work” on small
group training to potentially
hazardous exercises, everything is
represented and sold as personal
training. Therefore, the personal
trainer industry and gym/ studio
owners should join forces and work
to provide high minimum standards.
This should be significantly above
the first aid course, basic training
and beyond professional liability.
Currently
in
Germany,
such
standards are defined by the
Federation of Personal Training,
together with the TUV and the
Premium Personal Trainer Club. So,
you may well ask, what is Personal
Training?
For potential clients, the task is to
find a competent and truly dedicated
trainer. In this I see a great challenge
for gym owners to offer these to
their members and customers. I
was shocked by the testimony of an
operator that his personal trainer
felt “compelled to offer personal
training”.
The major problem is that
“personal training” is offered in
both open market and in gyms/
fitness studio, but often under the
title “individualized healthcare”.
Personal Training is far more than
just individual fitness care. In no
other job description can it be found
that someone dedicates so much
attention, empathy, time, peace
and appreciation to another human
being.
Service quality is paramount
and personal training is to be
understood always as an individual,
holistic health care. Moreover, it is
always 1:1. Unfortunately, however,
it is very rarely considered to be so.
It generally quickly degenerates
to “small group training”, where
imparting training happens in
parallel to multiple people. It is
here that personal training must
differentiate itself from usual studio
support.
Start Smart
More in-depth questions must and
should be asked at check-ups. It is
not only important to know about
the client’s pre-existing conditions,
but also his/her lifestyle, nutrition,
life situations, goals, desires, fears
and values. The trainer should not
be just concerned about posture
analysis.
Muscle function testing, joint
diagnostics,
appropriate
determination of individual body
parameters such as weight, blood
pressure and heart rate variability
should also be standardized. With
such an extensive medical checkup, which sometimes can last about
90 minutes, you can demonstrate
what is so special about personal
training.
Thus, when the start is successful,
PERSONAL TRAINING
the bonding between the trainer and
the client begins. Here extraordinary
long-term commitment, attention
and effectiveness are required. Often
it is the little things that lead to
success: a freshly-squeezed orange
juice after the training session, or
a birthday SMS, or a hand-written
greeting card.
Also, your client will be thrilled
when you fix up an appointment
with a doctor, or have a perfect
physiotherapist consult him/her,
or help him/her buy a new pair of
running shoes.
The ideal condition is when you will
be able to say, “we do everything for
you”. You will surely be successful
and your clients will appreciate your
service. If you ask, “how is it suppose
to work out?” then I would like to
create an awareness, particularly
for this purpose, by a structural
process. Of course, these services
must reflect in the fee calculation.
Learn Fast
It should always be an honour to
be allowed to work as a personal
trainer. Your trainer in the studio
must appreciate that you, as a
club owner, have trusted him as a
personal trainer to look after the
members. As a personal trainer, s/he
carries more responsibility for the
clients than as a “normal” trainer.
Personal training service may create a
sense of win-win situation; for you, as a
studio-owner, your personal trainer and for
your clients.
The achievement of goal and
well-being of customers are an
absolute priority. It should always
be associated with a much higher
efficiency than if the member were
to train alone. This calls for a very
good professional competence,
and especially above-average social
skills.
In my opinion, it is at this point that
many personal training concepts
fail. Not every good trainer is
guaranteed to be a good personal
trainer. A personal trainer should
have the absolute will to work with
people. He should also have an
above-average understanding of
service.
Gym owners may need to train
their trainers and give them an
understanding of service quality.
Furthermore, the personal trainer
should have exceptional skills in the
areas of communication, rhetoric
and psychology. Yet, these issues
are hardly taken into account in the
education and training in gyms.
Every gym/ fitness studio can reach
ambitious and rejoice in their
business if the area of personal
training is better developed. The
past few years have shown that
personal trainers possess a high
degree of empathy, good selfconfidence and experience.
They convince and inspire their
clients and bond with them better.
That is exactly what counts: your
member, who hires you as a personal
trainer, must not stop after 3, 5 or
10 hours of training, but ideally
continue to make use of this service.
The subject of “trainer personality”
will thus play a significant role in the
future and will determine success
and failure.
Master Communication
Any form of contact with the client
is communication. Watch how your
personal trainer behaves. How does
your personal trainer greet his/her
client? How is s/he dressed? How
does s/he talk to the client? Does s/
he have his/her cell phone in his/her
pocket? Is it possibly turned on?
Is s/he and the training area prepared
for personal training? Does s/he
laugh? Does s/he exude motivation,
passion and enthusiasm? Is s/he
pretending or is really interested in
his/her client? Is s/he close enough
to the client while talking and does
s/he correct him?
Does your personal trainer strive to
make the clients achieve their goals,
or is the client’s goal known to him/
her? Is your trainer aware what is
right for the client and where the
client should be involved? Is your
trainer interesting or interested?
As a gym operator, you have a
great responsibility to determine
whether your personal training
will be successful or not. My
recommendation at this point is to
test the personal trainer yourself.
If s/he meets your high standards,
then s/he is good.
Are you using all communication
channels available in your studio
to make clients aware of personal
training? It means that you should
try to explain to you clients how
your personal training is different
from all other normal training that is
offered. The special features should
be handed out on flyers and also
delivered by post.
At the entrance and in the training
area, there should be attractive
display boards highlighting the
individual
personal
trainers
with their strengths and core
competencies. Sale begins at the
reception. The staff working there
needs to know and understand
personal training and should be able
to clearly communicate a tangible
proposition.
Personal training is an exclusive
service that provides people
with
absolutely
tailor-made
requirements. It is about offering
undivided attention without having
to bother yourself about other club
members. Personal training should
always be a premium service and
should be charged handsomely.
Request a fee corresponding
to the service, and train the
trainer accordingly in sales and
communication. Create a win-win
situation for your gym, your personal
trainer and for your clients.
– Eginhard Kiess
Eginhard Kiess is one of the
most experienced personal
trainers in Germany and, as
the founder of the Federal
Association
of
Personal
Training, has been a consultant to
companies, fitness studios, hotels and spas.
(www.eginhard-kiess.de).
body LIFE 2 I 2014
I 33
CAREER PROSPECTS FOR TRAINERS
Staying
relevant
to the business
T
he fitness industry has always
been about members: getting
them and keeping them. Since
the industry tends to focus more on
sales than on retention – although
attracting members never seems
to be a piece of cake for even the
smartest operator in the business
– holding on to them is becoming
pretty big challenge.
Building up a good retention
strategy in the gym business starts
with
understanding
members’
motives for joining the club and their
reasons for dropping out, or staying.
The key factors to be identified with
members are:
• Attendance: how often the
member visits the facility to train.
• Consistency: how well the
member follows the prescribed
training programme.
• Dropouts: members that stop
attending, even when they have a
valid membership.
These factors can be key indicators to
identify if the member perceives that
s/he is getting good returns on his/
her membership investment. If the
member establishes an appreciative
value to the membership, s/he will
continue to make the investment of
time and effort to attend the club.
The difficulty is in achieving
member’s consistency and plugging
drop-out rate, a challenge that can
only be countered by trainers and
operators working in sync. Trainers
have to understand their role in the
business: their key performance in a
fitness facility is to provide services
to retain members.
34
I body LIFE
2 I 2014
They have to understand the key
factors, motivate the members to
invest their time and effort, and
prevent drop outs. They have to
create adherence to programmes
by being an expert and taking on
the role of a facilitator. They have
to create appropriate relationships
with members, so that the latter
find it comfortable to resume
(membership or training regimes)
even if they have dropped out due to
some reason.
Career Path
Once fitness trainers understand
that their growth is always parallel
and correlated to the club’s growth,
they find understand the challenges
and rewards of the fitness industry
and map out a career path for
themselves, based on their selfperformance and skill sets.
The future is bright for those willing
to go through training and become
educated; but it might not be
easy for those without a degree in
exercise science or a related field.
Carefully assess why you want to
pursue a career in fitness before
even getting into it. Being a fitness
trainer takes a lot of passion and
patience to provide result-oriented
service.
As fitness trainers you will work
with people on their most valuable
asset, their body, so you should
have
appropriate
knowledge.
Educational
opportunities
are
available in India through a variety
of academic settings, colleges of
physical education, and professional
organizations. Choosing the right
education will help you get started
on your path to serve as a successful
trainer.
When ruminating on various facets
of a career, keep in mind the
following aspects of your education:
introduction to the fitness industry,
its guidelines and career prospects;
anatomy and physiology of the
human body; exercise physiology
and psychology; nutrition and
supplements; special population
health assessment and fitness
programming; fitness testing and
instruction; and fitness workout
designing.
The educational course should
provide you with the information
and tools that you need to work with
any client – older adults, individuals
with weight loss goals, or perhaps
athletes. They will prepare you to
work with anyone, no matter where
they currently fall on the health
fitness/ performance continuum.
Gain Experience
Beyond degrees and certifications,
however,
don’t
forget
the
importance of practical experience
and clinical skills. Fitness is more
than a certification; it is being able
to understand the client’s needs.
The education provider should
be able to arrange an organized
internship at the completion of
the course. If this is not available,
develop a relationship with local
gyms, working fitness professionals
and other trainers to learn what they
do.
CAREER PROSPECTS FOR TRAINERS
Additional Responsibilities
Consulting and motivation
Gyms and fitness facilities usually
have new prospects walking into
the premises to have a view. Their
interest level is generally high when
they visit the club facility; but if they
postpone their decision to buy
membership, their interest level
declines over time.
This is a loss, but it can be
prevented with proper counseling
by a good fitness trainer. S/he will
be able to better understand the
prospect’s needs and challenges,
can resolve doubts and encourage
the prospect to make a prompt
decision to become a member.
Retaining active members
To achieve healthy membership
retention you have to focus on
the client’s membership use
and monitor his/her progress
towards achieving pre-determined
goals. For this the trainer has to
understand the client’s needs and
challenges; remember the client’s
motivation to join the club; play the
role of a facilitator to set realistic
goals; and implement the training
regimen to get results.
Getting new members
If you are providing good service
to you clients, they will definitely
be glad to give you as many
references as possible. Consider it
as a token of appreciation for being
a good fitness trainer.
Promoting add-on services
Everybody appreciates a bit of
variety now and then. Therefore,
the gym’s facilities generally has
some add-ons to sell, such as
group classes, personal training,
nutrition or sports gear. Actively
participate to promote them.
The goal is to evaluate, understand
clients’ needs, document sessions
and communicate outcomes with
other providers, all within the
allotted time. Learn these skills by
working in fitness business model,
even if it means less payback for few
months.
Once you get an opportunity to
work as professional fitness trainer,
your immediate focus should be
on implementing your knowledge
and skill set to the benefit of the
organization. Generally it is done
by generating revenue through your
services to the active members.
In order to succeed as a fitness
professional, you must develop your
communication skills to generate
positive word of mouth, a referral
base and a steady flow of income.
Once you achieve the performance
targets required by the facility, don’t
limit yourself to the role of fitness
trainer. Explore other possibilities
to become a group class instructor,
personal trainer, or maybe a manager
with the company. Opportunities in
the fitness industry for personal and
professional success are endless –
just prepare to be a part of it.
Owner’s Onus
Proprietors and managers of gyms/
fitness facilities should hire certified
trainers, have a clear expectation
about goals, and set up simple
procedure to follow. Gym operators/
managers should follow some basic
protocol to bridge the expectation
and performance gaps between
the management and the fitness
trainers.
• Hire educated fitness trainers;
if not invest in a qualified and
experienced manager with a
training background: exercise
techniques and soft skills.
• Set up your club’s standard
operating
system
and
consistently train your instructors
to deliver on those standards.
• Set a clear understanding of
expectations on deliverables
from the trainers at the time of
hiring.
• Set up simple and clear systems
for trainers to identify gaps in
their services.
• Set up avenues and procedures
to be followed by trainers to fill
those gaps.
• Monitor their performance on
daily basis.
• Link performance with reward,
non-performance with extra
hours of training session with the
manager.
• Impart regular updates and
training through professionals in
fitness education, sales, personal
relations
management
and
networking.
• Provide your best performing
trainers with opportunities of
growth. Promote them to sell
personal training, group classes,
etc.
• Last but not the least…keep your
trainers motivated and engaged!
– Rajesh Kumar
A former IT professional,
Rajesh Kumar reverted to
his passion for fitness. After
re-educating himself and
successful stints as a personal
trainer in West Asia and India, he is now
Assistant Business Development Manager
at Fitlink-India, a branch of Fitlink Australia,
which specialises in education for fitness
specialists for the industry.
(www.fitlink.co.in).
About Fitlink-India
Fitlink specializes in personal training courses and
exercise instructor courses for people who are
already working or thinking of starting in the fitness
industry. Established in Australia in1985, Fitlink is
a renowned international academy in Australia and
New Zealand, with more than 25 years’ experience.
In India, Fitlink is forging revolutionary improvements
in course delivery through online education. It
has designed courses to equip students with the
knowledge and practical skills needed to give them
the edge in their field. Based in New Delhi, it offers
courses in gym training, personal training, group
exercise, programming and fitness management,
and club ownership management. (www.fitlink.co.in)
body LIFE 2 I 2014
I 35
HEALTH AND RESEARCH IN NEUROLOGY
FEATURE
Foto: Dim Dimich/shutterstock.com
Individual fitness training
helps in treatment of
neurological disorders
When nerve cells
change in old age
Irrespective of age, physical activity has a special significance in the working and
performance of our brain. It plays a vital role in prevention as well as rehabilitation
of neurological disorders. The science of neurology deals with the structure,
function and pathological changes of our nervous system.
T
he brain as our control centre
is the most complex, and yet
one of the most fascinating,
organs of our body. It is a creation
that has resulted after millions of
years of evolution. It is responsible
for many cognitive processes like
thinking, perceiving, feeling and
remembering.
The human brain weighs only 1.5
kg, but consists of approximately
100-billion highly specialised nerve
cells which record, store, process
and forward information. In the
last century numerous studies
have shown that, along with our
metabolism, musculature or the
cardio vascular system, our brain
adapts also to physical training.
Contrary to the earlier widespread
conception that, in adulthood, the
brain is fully-matured and cannot
form new nerve cells, it is now known
(based on improved diagnostic
36
I body LIFE
2 I 2014
analyses) that the network of our
brain’s nerve cells can change
irrespective of age. It can be proved
that, through constant building and
reconstruction processes, the brain
adapts to physical stress and mental
exercises, thereby enhancing its
performance.
This ability of the nervous system to
adapt its function and structure to
the current environment conditions
is referred to as brain plasticity.
Physical activities, as in the case of
all other neurological disorders, play
a pivotal role in both prevention
and rehabilitation of disorders like
dementia and stroke.
Brain Adaptations
Physical activities help maintain the
physical and cognitive functioning
even in old age. A few of the
most important training-induced
adaptations of brain metabolism are:
Regeneration:
Aerobic
exercises
stimulate the formation of new nerve
cells (neuron genesis) from neural
stem cells in the brain. This could
be proved from animal experiments
in the hippocampus, the region
in the brain that is particularly
important for learning and memory
(Kempermann et al., 2002).
As compared to the older nerve
cells, these new nerve cells are more
efficient, through which the learning
and remembering processes are
improved.
Vascularisation: Aerobic endurance
training results in augmented
cerebral blood flow, because of
which the density of blood vessels
in the brain increases over the
long term. Thus the risk of blood
circulation disorders in the brain is
reduced (Kleim et al. 2002).
Growth: Increased blood circulation
in the brain leads to higher secretion
FEATURE
of growth factors (BDNF, VGF,
IGF proteins) in the blood, which
stimulate the regeneration of nerve
cells via plasticity genes (Cotman
et.al. 2007).
Data exchange: The transfer of
information from nerve cell to
nerve cell occurs at the synapses of
nerve cells. With the help of aerobic
endurance training and coordinative
tasks, the communication between
nerve cells becomes more efficient
and faster (Hollmann/ Struder,
2004).
Reconstruction:
Physical
activity
induces structural changes in
the nerve cell, such as synapse
formation and growth of dendrites
and feathering on the nerve cell
(Eadie, et al. 2005).
Psyche: The hormone and neurotransmitter,
Serotonin,
is
a
“happiness messenger” of the
organism. In various research, it has
been proven that aerobic training
results in surged levels of amino
acids, tryptophan, in the blood from
which the serotonin is generated
in the limbic system of the brain
(Struder/ Hollmann, 1997).
Performance: Aerobic endurance
training
leads
to
enhanced
cognitive performance in healthy
adults beyond the age of 65 years
(Colcombe/ Kramer et al., 2009).
From the latest scientific studies it
is apparent that aerobic endurance
training may be responsible for
nerve cell regeneration, whereas
mental activity is responsible
for preservation of the nerve
cells (Kempermann 2012). The
combination of physical and mental
activity thus seems to represent the
optimal behaviour for “brain health”.
Fitness in Therapy
These days a rapid rise in neurological
disorders is seen in our aging
society. Not only is the number of
patients with known diagnoses such
as stroke, Parkinson’s and multiple
sclerosis on the rise, but also cases
of mental illnesses such as burnout,
depression and dementia are on the
increase.
Fitness training can play an
important role in the lives of
those affected for prevention and
disease management. The training
sustainably enhances both, the
psychological and the physical
performance.
The important aspect of engagement
in sports with peers, and thus the
removal from an isolated disease
environment, must also be taken
into account. Personal trainers
should adapt to this development
and to the new target groups in
medium term. In the coming years,
more and more people, under
training and also non-trained, will
be affected by these disorders.
The biological need of physical
activity for the functioning and
efficiency of the human brain and
neuronal processes are again
summarized in two citations from
renowned brain researcher:
“Regular physical activity is the
best way for prevention of brain
disorders. It works better than
medication, and is better than
healthy nourishment.” says Prof. R.
Petersen of the Alzheimer’s Disease
Research Center at Mayo Clinic.
“Movement and physical activity
are the simple, literally side-effectfree methods against memory loss
in old age, which we should adopt
more intensively,” advises brain
researcher Prof. Kempermann.
Before the beginning of training,
it should be extensively checked
if there are any pre-requisites.
Personal training is ideal, especially
for those affected. But when
planning the training for treatment
of neurological diseases, the trainer
must always watch out for current
fitness level and symptoms of
individual patients.
From a spectrum of complex
neurological
disorders
(like
epilepsy, paraplegia, neuromuscular
disorders and polyneuropathy) a
select number of disorders with their
general training recommendations
are briefly introduced here.
Cerebral Stroke
Seizure, apoplexy or stroke is the
third most common cause of death.
In about 85% cases it occurs due to
vascular occlusion of the cerebral
arteries and in 15% due to rupture
of vessel along with bleeding. The
main cause of a vascular occlusion
is arteriosclerotic vessel changes
of the cerebral arteries that are the
result of an unhealthy lifestyle.
For dementia, newly developed training
programmes are suitable. These help in
simultaneous building of both cognitive
and physical performance
The consequences, for the person
affected by a stroke, depend on
the non-perfused area in the brain,
because each area of the brain is
responsible for different functional
areas. Paralysis, muscle weakness,
impairment of speech, vision and
balance, loss of consciousness and
nausea are some symptoms that
may occur during a stroke. Studies
show that, through physical activity,
about a quarter of all strokes could
have been prevented.
Training: Regaining independence
and reduction of risk factors (obesity,
high blood pressure, stress, smoking
and inactive lifestyle) are the
foremost goals of the training. The
trainer should align the selection
of exercises to the deficits and risk
factors of the patient and plan the
training intensity according to
methodological principles with a
progressive increase in load.
For specification of intensity
for endurance training, proper
medication must be taken into
account and the heart rate and
blood pressure must be checked
regularly during exercise. Beginners
should first start with the interval
method.
In strength training exercises,
static exercises should be avoided
and correct execution of exercises
should be ensured to avoid loadinduced increase in blood pressure.
body LIFE 2 I 2014
I 37
Coordination and proprioceptive
exercises should be included in the
training plan to improve individual
coordination and remove balance
impairment.
Multiple Sclerosis
MS is a chronic disorder of the
central nervous-system that affects
millions in India too. The age of
onset is generally between 20 and
40 years. Women are twice more
likely to be affected than men. Due
to the very individual nature of the
course of progression, it is called
the “disease of a thousand faces”.
MS is an auto-immune disorder in
which inflammation of the nerve
fibres in the brain and spinal
cord occurs in a localised form. It
attacks the myelin, consisting of
isolating layers of the nerve fibres,
which degrades or suspends the
forwarding of information.
Depending on the localisation of
the inflammation areas, it may
result in physical impairment or
breakdown, including locomotion
and vision impairment. With 90% of
the patients, initial progression of
the disorder is relapsing in nature,
but it can later take on a chronic
progressive course.
Training: In an acute attack, exercise
must be strictly avoided. The trainer
should be aware that MS patients
are often very tired and sensitive to
temperature. They reach their load
limits more quickly than a normal
athlete. High intensity exercises
must be strictly regulated to avoid
exhaustion and burdening of the
immune system.
Each training plan includes exercises
for improving endurance, strength,
coordination, agility and balance. In
addition, it must be customised to
individual disability levels, such as
different proprioceptive exercises
for balance problems.
For many patients with MS, a
workout in the morning makes more
sense, since fatigue increases as
the day progresses. Especially with
poorly performing patients, the
interval method should be used.
Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a slow
progressing, degenerative disease of
basal ganglia in which, in a particular
38
I body LIFE
2 I 2014
FEATURE
cerebral area, the substantial nigra
(special
dopamine
producing
nerve cells) die out for reasons still
unknown. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, which is responsible for
passage of signals from the nerve
cells to other cells.
This lack of dopamine leads to
disturbances in the control of our
movements as well as the cognitive
processes. Patients also suffer
more from depression (40%) and
dementia which develops in later
age (60%). Men are 1.5 times more
likely to be affected than women.
Typical symptoms of this disorder
are retardation of movements,
muscle freezing, tremors and
balance impairment.
Training: Exercises with risk of
falling should be avoided. Walking is
a very important part of the training
plan to improve gait. Poor posture
should be corrected by targeted
strength
endurance
training.
Exercises to improve limited
mobility and lack of coordination
skills are further contents of the
training plan.
The lack of balancing ability is often
responsible for falls, and this should
be demonstrated by an equilibrium
or proprioceptive training. Due to
the reduced cognitive capability of
the patients and poor endurance
capacity, treatment should be
accompanied by endurance training
to activate the neuro-neogenesis
by augmented cerebral blood
circulation and, at the same time, to
reduce cardio-vascular risks.
Dementia
Dementia, an old-age disease,
affects millions around the world,
and India’s growing population of
ageing people. With increasing age,
the risk of disease increases. About
two-thirds of dementia cases can be
attributed to Alzheimer’s disease.
The affected patients should be kept
under watch for decline in cognitive
capability
and
independence.
They show deficits in memory,
orientation, alertness, mood and
thinking. In addition, it results
in loss of motor and functional
performance and increased risk of
falling.
Next to cerebral strokes, dementia
is the only neurological disorder
Foto: Ocskay Bence/shutterstock.com
The world over, millions of people are
affected by the old age disease, dementia
in which it could be demonstrated
that a preventive endurance training
may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s
disease by 37% and mild cognitive
deficits may be reduced by as much
as 46% (Reimers et al., 2013).
Training: Endurance training is the
most important part since aerobic
endurance training raises the
cognitive capability, because of the
more efficient information exchange
between the newly formed and
old nerve cells. The loss of motor
function and routine mobility are
counteracted by strength endurance
and weight training.
Here, exercises from everyday
life should be integrated in the
training plan. The reduction in risk
of falling is expected to happen
through proprioceptive exercises
and by means of a gait therapy.
Newly developed programmes train
cognitive and physical performance,
and seem to have a high health
benefit for the affected population.
– Dr. Thorsten Kreutz
Dr. Thorsten Kreutz
is a
professor of Fitness and
Health at the IST College of
Management. He is a sports
scientist and sports therapist
for neurology, orthopaedics and internal
diseases and has 25 years of practical
experience. At the Institute for Cellular and
Molecular Medicine of the German Sports
University Cologne, he holds a PhD on
the influence of endurance and strength
training on metabolism.
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body LIFE 2 I 2014
I 39
BODYLIFE EXCLUSIVE
FEATURE
Arnie’s workout BOXCDLYULSIFIVEE
E
ammunition:
Still going strong!
Arnold Schwarzenegger, the man who represents bodybuilding and
fitness like no other, spoke exclusively to bodyLIFE about his career
and how fitness is a part of it: from the early days of bodybuilding to the
Olympics, then an international Hollywood star and politician. Now 66
years old, he must be aware that age is not passing by without leaving its
mark. “Ageing sucks!” he laughs. Excerpts:
F
or a man once hailed as
the perfect physical human
specimen, routinely bench
pressing 525, it must be hard to
accept he isn’t quite as young and
agile as he once was.
“All of a sudden you see this
body not looking anymore like in
its heyday, and not having that
strength anymore, and not having
the endurance the way you used to
have,” he admits.
“Everyone goes through the drama
of, ‘Jesus, man. I am really sore today
and it didn’t happen before!’ But I
think being fit gives you perspective:
on yourself, and everything around
you. Ageing is a slow process really,
and that makes it easier to accept.”
As the years go by, Arnie insists an
integral aspect of any fitness regime
is endurance. “These days I love to
cycle – long rides. I swim sometimes
for half an hour, and then I train
with weights every day. I still get
that buzz... the adrenaline… it never
leaves you!”
Defeat into Victory
It’s Arnie’s competitive sporting
background that propels him to
persevere. After all, working out
always comprises an element of
failure.
“There are always injuries, the
shoulders, the elbows, the knees,”
he shrugs. “You go with them and
you fall and you get up. That’s what
it’s all about. You have victories, you
have defeats, and hopefully have
more victories than defeats.”
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I body LIFE
2 I 2014
Arnie’s everyday ‘victories’ put men
half his age to shame, and it looks
like his acting renaissance may have
him pumping yet more iron as he
resolves to perform his own stunts
for the upcoming fifth instalment of
the Terminator franchise.
In new release Sabotage, he’s
destructively brilliant, a gun-toting
hard man back to his best in his first
all-action adventure for some time.
It all serves to mirror the actor’s ‘can
do’ mentality, something he says
should be considered a part of the
workout effort itself.
“It’s really important that we train
the body, and it’s very important
that we train the mind. I mean, why
would you limit yourself to one or
the other? And I would say spiritually
you should develop yourself and
work on that, so I think you can do
all this at the same time. And one
benefits from the other. It’s not like
they are separate,” he notes.
Body, Mind, Spirit
“They are now saying that the more
people exercise, the more the brain
is stimulated, the better the effect it
has on memory, and you feel active.
So I think all of that is intertwined,
working together.”
Since this man mountain’s early
introduction to the world of
bodybuilding, an entire industry
has evolved around the concept
that working out can lead to a better
self. From stone-lifting champion
to Olympic athlete, he is walking,
talking evidence that sheer strength
When Arnold visited Chennai on 16
September, he landed (from the US)
at 3.30 am, had breakfast at 5.30 am,
then hit the gym for an incredible 6
hours! – Times of India, Bangalore
and athleticism can open doors.
Bodybuilder, film star and man of
political office: there’s no arguing
that
Arnold
Schwarzenegger’s
name is built upon quad, bicep and
pectoral muscle. With some 40 years
spent harnessing his body for all its
worth, the “Austrian Oak” remains
the epitome of bodybuilding. It’s a
line worth putting to him.
“Am I? That’s nice,” he smiles. “I did
it for me, but if it encourages others,
I should welcome that.”
“Bodybuilding and fitness is now
clean and respectable, and I’m
happy for that. It wasn’t always
that way. People had motives, and
the reputation was not too good at
times,” he recalls.
“But you now have men, women
and even older people keen to keep
themselves toned and powerful.
And it comes down to health. Why
should we not celebrate that?”
– Richard Aldhous
(The first part of the interview appeared in
bodyLIFE Indian Edition in its inaugural
issue in June, 2014. To read it online, visit
www.bodylifeindia.com/archive).
PREMIER GLOBAL
Going places
B
y year 2025 it is estimated
that a quarter of the global
workforce will come from
India. Obviously, that’s a statistic
that says a lot about the economic
potential of the country as a whole.
More specifically, it also hints at the
sheer demand for vocational skills in
the country.
Across virtually all employment
sectors,
demand
is
fuelling
demand, and this has created
huge opportunities for people
to get skilled up and working; to
demonstrate the entrepreneurial
spirit with which India has become
associated.
One sector in particular stands
out: health and fitness. It is also
the sector I have worked in for
over 20 years, albeit in the UK. The
Indian health and fitness sector is
currently worth $780 million, but
it is relatively undeveloped as a
vocational pathway in comparison
with countries such as the UK and
the US.
However, with India’s fast gaining
wealth, the industry is expected to
grow at an annual compounded rate
of 25%, topping $2.4 billion by 2015.
Clearly, these figures demonstrate
the scale of the opportunity for
those looking to enter the industry
– and hopefully they will initiate
a change of perception as to the
notion of fitness being a lucrative
career choice in the country.
Tapping Talent
After all, the reality is that in India,
the idea that one can make a living
from working in fitness, either in a
gym or as a personal trainer, is still
a new one – and naturally new ideas
take time to embed themselves
into a national psyche. However, it
seems to me that this is beginning
to happen – particularly with major
international gym chains beginning
to focus significant resource into
the rich commercial potential of the
sector.
These changes are not only
bringing
more
internationally
recognised career training courses
and accreditation to the country
(as has happened with Talwalkars’
partnership with Premier Training
International), but they are directly
increasing the demand for those
trained instructors.
But for gyms to successfully meet
that demand, and attract the talented
recruits needed, it is important
that potential fitness professionals
have the insight to know what to
expect from the profession – the
commitments, demands, perks,
challenges and pathways.
Perhaps the first thing to make
clear is that the health and fitness
sector is one where you really reap
what you sow. Therefore, those with
passion, vision and ambition will be
the candidates who thrive. This is
the case right across the globe, but
in India it is even more of that case.
It’s also worth saying that, though
a range of providers will offer what
the training candidate might need,
it pays to learn with a provider that
is suited to an individual’s personal
plans; either the one that offers a
slant towards a specific sector career
direction, or one that provides a
broad base from which all options
are open.
Work Avenues
As for the lifestyle of either a gymbased trainer or an independent
personal trainer, it can be extremely
varied. There is no set way of
working, and it very much depends
on the arrangement between the
individual trainer and employer.
For example, trainers may well be
able to develop their own client
base within an employer’s gym, on
the proviso that the trainer gives a
certain amount of time (or even a
share of the earnings) back to the
gym. Alternately, a trainer could be a
complete freelancer, renting the use
of gym equipment, if necessary, and
working out hours on a client-byclient basis, or indeed fully salaried
with regular hours.
The fact that there is so much
variation is one of the most exciting
things about the profession – you
can make it work to your specific
requirements! Of course, if you
choose to become a freelance
personal trainer, in the long
EDUCATION
The fact that there is so much variation
is one of the most exciting things
about the profession... You can make
it work to your specific requirements!
It pays to learn with a provider that is suited to an
individual’s personal plans.
established tradition of Indian
entrepreneurship, you will be
effectively running your own
business – something that requires
knowledge and wisdom beyond
the understanding of health and
physiology.
As a result, a proportion of a good
trainer’s time will be devoted
away from actually working with
clients, and ensuring that you have
sufficient clients to work with. In
short, marketing your services via
any means you can. Naturally wordof-mouth remains the best form of
recommendation, but social media
is close behind and a brilliant way
to demonstrate your credentials
directly to your target market.
Ultimately, at this moment in India’s
economic development, for those
looking to get into health and fitness
industry, India (and the world!)
is their oyster. With investment,
overseas expertise and commercial
partnerships becoming more and
more prevalent, and laying down
ever more expansive employment
infrastructure, health and fitness is
clearly an area to watch.
– Debra Stuart
Debra Stuart is CEO of
Premier Global, UK, which has
built a first class reputation in
delivering quality vocational
education since 1992. It has
some of the strongest sports scientists and
industry experts helping shape syllabuses
and training delivery. (www.premierglobal.
co.uk).
body LIFE 2 I 2014
I 41
PRODUCTS & CONCEPTS
CARDIO FITNESS
Elevation Series
cardio
line
from
Life Fitness
L
ife Fitness introduces the next generation of the
Elevation Series treadmills, cross-trainers and
Lifecyle exercise bikes with new Discover tablet
consoles that deliver the personalized technology
today’s plugged-in exercisers demand. The new
Discover SE and Discover SI tablet consoles are the first
to sync with the Android operating system, in addition
to Apple’s iOS platform, and feature an ultra-responsive
touch screen with swipe technology for superior
navigation.
These products are available for B2B segment like
hotels, fitness centers and health clubs, as well as for
HNI fitness enthusiasts. The new Elevation Series open
platform products include:
• Discover SE treadmill (19-inch LCD touch screen)
• Discover SE cross-trainers and Bikes (16-inch LCD
touch screen)
• Discover SI treadmills, cross-trainers and bikes (10inch LCD touch screen)
Insignia Series
Life Fitness sets
a new standard
for
selectorspecific strength
equipment with
Insignia
Series,
a
premium
line of strength
training products
that
combines
best-in-class
biomechanics with
a sleek, modern
design. It includes
21
selectorized
strength
training
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I body LIFE
2 I 2014
products designed with form and function in mind, to
offer customizable options for facility owners.
Machines feature independent movements to ensure
both the left and right sides of the body perform equal
amounts of work. The line includes 15 frame colour
options, 30 upholstery choices and six shroud inlays,
giving gyms the flexibility to
differentiate and refresh their
space.
FlexStrider
Life Fitness poured its
biomechanics expertise into
the company’s first-ever
variable-stride
trainer,
resulting in a machine
with a free-motion path,
allowing exercisers to
emulate true walking,
jogging and running
motions. FlexStrider’s
stride length ranges
up to 36 inches and
lets exercisers vary
their length on
the fly.
Hammer
Strength Select
Hammer Strength has announced new offerings with
the launch of Select, the rugged, reliable strength
equipment that allows exercisers to focus on enhanced
performance and movement. It features a 22-piece
line of selectorized equipment built to strengthen
movements for the whole body, and focuses on function
to help exercisers meet their strength goals.
These solid, reliable machines are built to stand up to the
CARDIO FITNESS
most intense training
environments. A
customizable
work
arm
colour
is
a
unique
offering in
selectorized
machines,
providing an
opportunity
for facilities
to create an
eye-catching
look in the
strength layout.
Synrgy 360
The Synrgy 360 concept is to provide inspirational
fitness experiences to an increasingly diverse audience
of exercisers. From customizable, multi-purpose
PRODUCTS & CONCEPTS
equipment, built-in storage, accessories and flooring,
to dynamic training resources, Synrgy 360 is about
more than just working out.
This revolutionary concept provides limitless
opportunities to train smarter, better and more
effectively. It is available in configurations such as
the Synrgy 360 XL (eight unique training spaces that
incorporate 10-rung monkey bars and dedicated area
for TRX suspension training), the Synrgy 360 M (six
training spaces incorporating seven rung monkey bars)
and the Synrgy 360 S (five training spaces).
PowerMill
PowerMill is the first-ever step climber
introduced by Life Fitness, and
is available in the popular
Elevation Series line, as
well as in Integrity Series.
It comes with an AC
motor that provides
the widest interval
training
range
available in a step
climber -- from 12
steps per minute on
the low end up to
185 steps per minute
at highest speed. Its
patented
MaxBlox
system eliminates
toe-pinch and offers
a stable platform for
starting and ending
workouts.
Life Fitness is represented in India by
www.cardiofitness.com.
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PRODUCTS & CONCEPTS
MATRIX
Unbeaten
convenience
of MSFT-300
functional trainer
I
nnovation does not begin in a lab, at a factory or
on a computer monitor. At Matrix, the biggest and
best ideas start with people. Matrix believes the first
step in innovation is not to act, but to listen. It asks
questions and reflects on the answers in order to get to
the crux of the issue at hand. This feedback is translated
into product enhancements or prototypes.
Matrix has built its reputation with industry-leading
cardio and strength products, and also provides
solutions tailored to its customers. It partners with the
best, most innovative fitness companies in the world in
an effort to provide the fullest suite of products to fit
any facility or budget.
The MSFT-300 functional trainer weighs in at 601 kg and
comes with a 2x 131-kg functional weight stack in 1:4
ratio. The weight pins are magnetic and tethered. The
self-lubricating weight stack bushings are solid coldrolled steel plate, with Teflon inner bushings.
Its 3-point suspension design and guards and pulleys
covers come in a total dimension of 169.2 x 130.2 x 234.4
cm. It also has instructional placards, colour-coded
pivots and adjusts, bottle and towel holders.
The over-sized frame tubing is finished polarized
titanium colour, in Matrix’s proprietary two-coat powder
process.
Features and Benefits
• Multi-grip position pull-up handles with unique rock
climbing attachment
• Available with 131-kg functional weight stacks
• 1:4 ratio for low starting resistance and high-speed
movements
• Swiveling accessory station accommodates more
training handles and attachments
• Integrated foldaway step for easy access.
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MATRIX
PRODUCTS & CONCEPTS
Self-powered A5X
ascent trainer
T
he Matrix A5X is a self-powered (100-240 V AC)
ascent trainer that measures 178x 74x 174 cm,
weighs 201 kg and has a maximum user weight
of 182 kg. Its 51-61-cm adjustable stride length lends
itself to a wide range of motion, and its 20-33-cm stepover height engages the glutes, hamstrings and core
stabilizer muscle groups.
Its constant rate of acceleration and patented
suspension design delivers a perpetually smooth
motion free of wheels and tracks. Its contra-lateral
action with tapered, dual-action handlebars mimics the
body’s true movement and proper fit.
Features and Benefits
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
FEATURES
Stride Length
51 - 61 cm
Incline Range
24% - 54% (15° range)
Step-on height
24 cm
Contact & Telemetric HR Yes
Footpad Insert Type
Yes, premium
Pedal Spacing
6.4 cm
Handlebar Design
Multi-position dual action /
premium ergo-bend
stationary
Remote Buttons
Yes
Ethernet Port
Yes
•
•
Intuitive LED console display
Compatible with iPod for charging
Integrated 3-speed personal fan
Wi-Fi enabled for use with asset management system
Adjustable incline and resistance for greater workout
variety
Low (24-cm) step-on height for easy accessibility
Ergo Form grips with integrated incline and resistance
controls enhances comfort and accessibility to key
functions
Removable disk for easy serviceability
Self-powered system provides cost savings and
freedom of placement within facility
CONSOLE
Display type
Display feedback
User-defined
multi-language display
Resistance range
Workouts
CSAFE Ready-FitLinxx
certified
Netpulse compatible
One-button start
On-the-fly programme
change
FITCONNEXION Ready
Wi-Fi
iPod® Compatible
Asset management
compatible:
Pause Function
Resistance System
Dot-matrix LED with profile display
Speed, Level, RPM, Incline, Heart Rate, Time Elapsed,
Time Remaining, Time of Day, Total Program Time,
Distance (km & miles), Calories, Watts, METs,
Workout Profile
Yes - English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch,
Portuguese, Japanese, Swedish, Finnish
1-25
Manual, Rolling Hills, Target HR, Interval Training,
Constant Watts, Fat Burn, Fitness Test, Glute Training
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes - charging Only
Yes
Yes
Brushless generator
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PRODUCTS & CONCEPTS
TRINITY HEALTHTECH
BoxMaster’s
1-2 punch
for total body
conditioning
B
eing
revolutionary
sometimes
requires
reinventing the wheel, or
in this case, the focus mitt. The
BoxMaster by Star Trac takes
everything fitness enthusiasts love
about boxing – total body work,
high energy cardio exertion, and allround fun – and makes it better.
“This is one of the most interesting
and popular pieces of equipment
I have experienced in my 20-plus
years as a fitness pro,” explains
Sonja Friend-Uhl, Star Trac Master
Instructor, personal trainer and
health club owner and executive.
“Created by champion boxer Rai
Fazio, its strategic design caters to
both the competitive fighter and the
fitness enthusiast who has never
worn a glove, but is longing for a
fun change from his/her current
regimen.”
Popular Workout
There is no denying the benefits
of boxing. It is a full-body, cardiopumping, calorie-killing way to stay
fit while having fun. But boxing in
a gym setting has always been a
two-person job, with one person
donning the gloves and the other
person holding the focus mitts to
absorb the punches. (Occasionally,
one might also find a heavy bag
buried deep in the back of the gym
as an option for a boxing workout.)
Boxing can also be a bit intimidating
for those not familiar with the sport,
without a personal trainer to help
introduce the nuances of each
move. The chance for injury to either
the boxer throwing punches or
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I body LIFE
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trainer absorbing them can be high,
causing some facilities to eliminate
boxing as an option in their club.
Enter the revolutionary BoxMaster.
With a set of 12 strategically placed
pads on a secure stand, exercisers
can replicate a different style
of punch per pad, allowing the
participant to throw any punch, or
a series of punches, at any time for
a completely customized workout
experience.
Each pad houses a spring system
that replicates the “give” a boxer
would get on impact, throwing
punches at a focus mitt. Because
they are punching into a sturdy pad,
the boxer’s aim remains consistent,
reducing the risk of injury without
minimizing the workout.
BoxMaster pads can be adjusted
to meet the height of almost
any user and they are set up to
cater to both left and right-hand
dominant exercisers at the same
time, meaning there is no need to
overreach or twist the body in an
unnatural, injury-inducing way.
Punch to the Gym
Boxing is a great workout, and always
has been. And with the BoxMaster,
it is now an approachable workout
option for anyone in a club,
regardless of age, height, or ability.
In fact, gyms with at least one
BoxMaster in place noted that
55% of their users are women,
meaning this workout is truly more
approachable to a wider audience
than ever before.
BoxMaster is a great new workout
option, but how does a club
introduce it and where does it go on
the fitness floor?
A12-pad BoxMaster piece only
requires a 4x5-metre space, so it can
fit wherever there’s room in a gym.
It can go near the strength area, in
a corner near a functional training
space, or in a group exercise studio.
There are no moving pieces, so it’s
not limited to a confined space as a
heavy bag would be.
It is ideal as a stand-alone product
or it can be incorporated into a
high energy, high impact small
group training session. In just 30
minutes, exercisers can go through
a warm up, active punching reps,
active recovery, and a cool down
designed to maximize the product
and challenge the stamina of any
exerciser.
And it’s built to last. After more than
600 classes, BoxMaster pads and
springs are still going strong with no
signs of replacement on the horizon.
Star Trac has created a support
package to help introduce the
programme
quickly,
efficiently
and profitably. The package
includes access to online videos;
programmes designed for various
skill levels and targeted muscle
groups; customizable promotional
piece templates; tips for revenue
and return on investment; set up
instructions; and details about live
training (for an additional fee).
Star Trac’s support package offers the
guidance to turn a one-time product
investment into a dependable profit
centre that differentiates any gym
from the competition.
For more information visit www.
startrac.com. Star Trac is represented
in India by Trinity Healthtech (www.
trinityht.com).
TRINITY HEALTHTECH
PRODUCTS & CONCEPTS
Walking towards a
cardio revolution
A
sk any gym operator and s/he
will tell you that the highest
demand cardio pieces are
the treadmill and elliptical. During
peak times, there are lines of people
waiting to work out, or time limits
set to ensure that everyone can work
out on the equipment they prefer.
While various makes and models
might get more use than others,
there is no denying that these two
products dominate cardio decks in
gyms of every size. With treads and
ellipticals dominating and all other
pieces struggling to maintain, much
less grow, it’s time for something to
take the cardio category by storm.
So why not combine the best
features of the most popular
products into one new modality that
can be to cardio what the functional
training trend was to strength and
group exercise?
Introducing
the
TreadClimber
by Star Trac, a low impact cardio
workout that offers up to twice the
calorie burn of a traditional cardio
session in the same amount of time.
While the strength and group
exercise categories have embraced
trends like functional training and
efficient, cross-discipline workouts
like high intensity interval training
(HIIT) and CrossFit, cardio hasn’t
had a universally accepted and
truly unique modality since the
introduction of the elliptical. It’s
time for a true game-changing
cardio revolution.
Defining the Motion
Why do people like these pieces
more than others? Treadmills cater
to a large segment of the population.
Not only is walking the number one
fitness activity worldwide,
but it’s also a great way for
people to get started on a
fitness routine. Walkers can build
up to running for improved results
and an added challenge.
The elliptical offers an equally
inviting, yet less customizable
experience than the treadmill.
With a fixed path and comfortable,
oversized foot pads, ellipticals are
a low-to-no-impact workout that
motivates many to workout longer
or harder than they can on
other cardio pieces.
By understanding the pros and
cons of each unit, Star Trac found
a simple solution. The TreadClimber
would feature dual, user-defined
treadles (ramping decks) that
provide a low impact, incline-to-flat
step pattern. The new modality also
targets the glutes and thighs like a
stepper, making it a three-in-one
solution.
Sponsored research conducted
at the University of Wisconsin
confirmed that walking on the
TreadClimber at the same speed
as a flat treadmill produced almost
twice the calorie burn in the same
amount of time. And, walking on the
TreadClimber at 5 kmph burns the
same amount of calories as running
on a flat treadmill at 10 kmph.
This is revolutionary for many
exercisers – from the avid runner
in peak form to the unconditioned
or first-time gym user. The
TreadClimber can open up greater
avenues of health and wellness for
those rehabbing from an injury or
illness by allowing them to burn
calories and increase their heart
rate without ever going faster than a
walking pace.
But having a new product that offers
a unique modality and an overall
rewarding
workout
experience
means nothing if users don’t
embrace it. So Star Trac incorporated
it into the family of cardio products
that offer high quality, user-focused
features like an easily accessible
HotBar with one-finger speed and
elevation
controls;
integrated
personal viewing screens; and
adjustable personal fans.
The TreadClimber has a familiar look
and feel, so users can start working
out quickly. Plus it looks just like the
other Star Trac cardio pieces, fitting
seamlessly onto any cardio deck in
the same footprint as a treadmill.
Star Trac is represented in India by
Trinity Healthtech (www.trinityht.
com).
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PRODUCTS & CONCEPTS
STAG INTERNATIONAL
ProForm,
the official
Tour de France
training bike
C
limb to a striking summit
finish with the strength of
rigorous cross training. No
matter the route, no matter the
terrain, the Tour de France indoor
cycle automatically adjusts the
incline and decline to simulate the
actual landscape. With impressive
20% incline and decline capability,
your members can fully train all year
for any course in the world. What is
more, it is iFit-enabled with Google
Maps!
With iFit interactive technology,
users can bike anywhere in the
world. They can choose from 24
pre-mapped courses, or create their
own. Tapping into Google Maps,
this exclusive ProForm indoor cycle
automatically simulates every hill
and dip. Plus, the gym/ fitness
centre can track users’ progress
automatically, compete with their
friends, and customize their workout
to match their goals!
Users can also go from ‘spectator’
to ‘participant’ when they ride key
sections of the tour. By logging on to
iFit they can draw their own cycling
route, anywhere in the world.
Wind resistance
The Tour de France indoor
cycle presents ‘intelligent wind
resistance’, a smart technology that
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adjusts the resistance of the bike
based on a user’s personalized wind
profile. By calculating unique key
measurements, the indoor cycle
applies the same natural resistance
a user would feel on the road.
Electronic gears
Icon Heath and Fitness takes training
seriously. The Tour de France indoor
cycle features customizable gear
ratios to match users’ personal road
bikes. With a triple front chain-ring
and seven back derailleurs, a user
can smoothly move through 21
gears down the valleys and over the
summits of their personal records.
Colour display
Users can stay in control of their
workout with the 3.5-inch full-colour
display. They can navigate through
workout stats and options easily.
Or quickly view their speed, time,
distance, calories burnt, heart rate,
and incline/decline on the easy-toread display.
Music port
Rock your workout to your favorite
music. Simply plug your iPod into
the Intermix Acoustics 2.0 Sound
System and listen to incredible
sound through two 2-inch speakers.
Others
This bike can be easily moved
around the exercise area with the
built-in transport wheels. Designed
to keep users’ feet in place, the
pedals are built with adjustable toe
straps to increase stability.
Smooth, steady pedal strokes with
the flywheel, and a faster gear ratio
and effective weight placement
deliver a more natural striding
experience.
About ProForm
Elite athletes train for the top
percentile. They work day in
and day out to beat yesterday’s
time,
yesterday’s
mistakes,
and yesterday’s score. They are
committed. They are determined.
And they are champions.
ProForm is more than a brand: it is a
trainer, a competitor, an engineer, a
fan, and a teammate. With a serious
commitment to that top percentile,
Icon Health and Fitness works to
produce equipment and technology
that can take business owners and
clients across the finish line, place
them on the podium, and push them
beyond yesterday’s ideal.
Icon bikes are represented in India
by Stag International (www.stag.in).
STAG INTERNATIONAL
PRODUCTS & CONCEPTS
Soleus GO
is a quintessential
activity tracker
A
wearable fitness and lifestyle
sensor gadget from the
hills of Austin, Texas. After
Australia, Japan and Canada, Stage
International now brings Soleus to
India. ‘Keep Going’ is our motto to
making users’ running experiences
simpler. Unlike any gadget, Soleus
GO is considered a companion to
users’ everyday lifestyle, allowing
them to set goals and track their
progress throughout the day.
Soleus GO keeps track of sleep
patterns, as much as exercise
routines, and has come to become
a fitness coach when paired with
a companion mobile app or web
account! Its real-time sharp OLED
readout also incorporates a caller
ID and text message notifications.
For this, Soleus GO has made an
application available for both iOS
and Android users that helps them
configure and visually experience
the attributes of their activities:
exercise activity, personalized data,
total time, average pace, gender,
age, height, weight, distance,
calories burned; goal setting: daily
activity level, how much calorie they
want to burn; summary details on
daily, weekly & monthly basis.
Measure it all
The Soleus GO app allows users to
wirelessly sync all daily activities
directly to their smart phones. Its
activity features allow daily activity
tracking, fitness goal tracking, steps
taken, calories burned, move time
notification. The exercise activity
mode records distance travelled
(miles/km), average pace and speed.
It auto-scrolls through current total
of calories burned for the day and
current percentage of hitting daily
burn goal; accumulated distance for
the day; displays current weather
and temperature; displays number
of incoming calls with access to call
info (call date, time and caller ID);
and displays number of incoming
text messages with access to text
info (text date, time, ID & message).
Apart from tracking sleep pattern,
auto & manual sleep timer, silent
wake-up alarm, it keeps the time
& date, incorporates vibration
alerts, data memory, silicon strap,
rechargeable battery via USB, and
displays battery power.
It stores 30 days of daily activity, 30
files of exercise data, and 10 days
of sleep data. It comes in black-onblack, black-on-white, and black-onpink colours.
(www.soleusrunning.com).
With the world’s attention centered
on India as the next big economy,
the health and fitness industry
is waiting for the big boom, but
international players like Precor
have already started creating
events which not only help in
brand promotions but also provide
awareness and education to the
fitness industry. The second Precor
Innovation experience in Bangalore
was held in June. It was divided into
two sessions: one for more than
150 trainers and another for fitness
experts from all over South India.
The speaker at the event was Mr.
Jason Lawrence, an eminent orator
with extensive knowledge about
running fitness facilities in Australia.
He spoke on personal trainers
having their own brand and all the
attributes needed to achieve it. The
lucky winner of a Precor patented
stretch trainer was Mr. Shiva Sundar
from Gold’s Gym.
“This event was organized not
to promote our products, but to
create a platform where all fitness
experts can come together, network,
inspire, be inspired and also have a
great time,” said Mr. Mohan Gupta,
Managing Director of Gympac, the
Indian partner for Precor.
Precor designs and builds premium
fitness equipment for effective
workouts that feel smooth and
natural. It has such breakthrough
product categories as the EFX
elliptical, adaptive motion trainer
(AMT) and Preva networked fitness.
SNIPPETS
Precor holds
‘Innovation
Experience’
in Bangalore
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PRODUCTS & CONCEPTS
FOCUS FITNESS
Working
out on
harmonic
waves
P
ower Plate is the global leader
in whole-body vibration.
Installing Power Plate in a
gym/ fitness facility is an indication
of its commitment, offering the best
ways to train. Gyms will find new
members, keep existing ones, and
unlock the growth opportunities in
personal and small group training.
Engineered to apply the science
behind a body’s natural response
to destabilisation, Power Plate
technology
uses
a
vibrating
platform to amplify the effects of
any exercise performed. It creates a
safe, consistent, controlled level of
vibration (referred to as harmonic
wave) that moves the platform up
and down, forward and back and left
to right.
The platform produces 25 to 50
vibrations per second, at precisely
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controlled
amplitudes,
which
triggers reflexive contractions in
the muscles, the body’s natural
response to the destabilisation.
With a wide range of commercial
and home use models, flagship
products include the Power Plate
Pro7 and the Power Plate My7, which
boast integrated touch screens
with hundreds of customised
programmes to take clients through
every step of their Power Plate
session, and embedded proMotion
multi-directional cables offering
multiple levels of challenge.
Certified by the Medical Device
Directive (MDD), Power Plate has
numerous health and wellness
benefits:
• Strength: It improves muscle
tone, builds power and endurance
• Flexibility: Increases range of
motion, coordination, balance
and stability
• Circulation:
Improves
and
increases
blood
flow
to
strengthen the cardiovascular
system
• Weight loss: Reduces body fat
and enhances metabolism
• Cellulite reduction: Diminishes
the appearance of cellulite
• Anti-ageing: Stimulates antiaging hormones, benefitting skin,
bone, and internal systems
• Alleviate pain: Promotes faster
recovery of damaged muscles
and tendons, decreases pain and
improves joint function.
Power Plate is represented in India
by Focus Fitness(www.focusfitness.
com).
FOCUS FITNESS
PRODUCTS & CONCEPTS
RealRyder ushers new
era in indoor cycling
“I
can never go back to a stationary
bike”. It is something one often
hears from some of the millions
of RealRyder owners, instructors and
outdoor cyclists who train on the
bike. RealRyder can’t go back either:
it firmly believes the traditional,
rigid stationary bike is dead.
Rather than decorate a static indoor
bike with gadgets and gizmos that
take people out of their cycling
experience, the mission behind the
RealRyder Bike was to create the
best indoor bike on the planet – one
that is not only built to last, but also
incorporates the fun and freedom
that a real bike offers.
Invented by a competitive cyclist
who was seeking a more effective way
to train indoors, the RealRyder Bike
now has indoor riders completely
addicted in 50 countries around the
globe.
The RealRyder ABF8 Indoor Cycle has
evolved the traditional indoor cycle
from a one-dimensional pedalling
contraption to a fluid, multidimensional indoor riding machine.
Offering superior biomechanical,
physiological
and
emotional
benefits to the rider, the world’s
first and only functional indoor
cycle is also the most durable
indoor bike on the market.
The patented articulating
bike frame and operational
headset exclusive to the
RealRyder Indoor Cycle allows
users to lean, turn, steer and
balance through three essential
planes of motion, becoming fully
engaged with the bike, and overall
riding experience.
Whether the user is a cycling nut
or a functional training junkie,
the RealRyder Bike offers superior
biomechanical, physiological and
emotional benefits over everyday
stationary bikes.
Key Benefits:
• Increases core strength and
stability
• Challenges balance, full-body
coordination and proprioceptive
skills
• Recruits more muscles during
learning and steering movements
• Burns
approximately
20%
more calories compared to a
conventional stationary bike
• Improves endurance, speed and
agility for sport
• Identifies and helps correct
muscle and joint imbalances
• Benefits from greater joint
mobility (especially, hips, back
and knees)
• Bike moves with the body’s
natural pedalling motion
Shipping Carton Dimensions
• 140cm x 89cm x 43 cm
• Net weight: 102.97 kg (bike only)
• Total carton weight: 114.53 kg
RealRyder is represented in India by
Focus Fitness.
(www.focusfitness.com).
PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS
Assembled Bike Weight
Flywheel Weight
Colour
Water Bottle Holders
Diameter
150cm x 80cm x 105cm
102.97 kg
30 kg
Black frame & shrouding, polished flywheel
Two, integrated
3/16-inch rated to 907 kg.
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PRODUCTS & CONCEPTS
PRECOR
‘One size fits all’
makes sense now!
P
recor’s new adaptive motion
trainer, the AMT-885 with
Open Stride, creates a whole
new feeling during a workout. Savvy
operators immediately see the
benefits of a machine that enables
exercisers of all levels to personalize
their workouts and keep them
engaged, challenged and loyal.
The AMT has already proven that it
burns calories at a higher rate than
other cardio equipment. And it
doesn’t hurt that the AMT-885 takes
pressure off your other equipment
by delivering a range of motions
similar to what they offer. The AMT885 from Precor will be the hardest
working piece of cardio equipment
in your facility, and the easiest, most
enjoyable to use.
Open Stride sets users free to adjust
their stride height at will (17-25 cm).
Combine this with the AMT’s ability
to dynamically adapt the exercisers’
stride length (0-91 cm).
variety of motion paths. Go vertical
and it’s becomes a stepper. Increase
resistance and it is a climber. Then
go more horizontal and walk, jog or
sprint with a stride length that goes
up to 91 cm.
For once, one-size-fits-all is not a
compromise in performance! The
engineered flexibility built into the
new AMT means that no exerciser
has to spend time adjusting the
equipment or settling for a machine
that doesn’t quite fit.
• The new look is tighter, lighter
and leaner.
• New right and left grips with three
distinct positions accommodate
smaller hands.
• Rodeo grip provides stability
when focusing on lower body
workout.
This AMT with Open Stride fits
virtually every exerciser, regardless
of size and fitness level, while
providing an infinite range of motion
paths that will deliver the workout
they want. Every little thing adds up
to an amazing experience.
Highlights
• An all-new platform that delivers
improved motion and feel.
• Support tubes curve out for easy
access.
This enables an infinite range of
motion paths and the capability to
duplicate the workout of treadmills,
ellipticals and bikes. Open Stride
can deliver similar workouts.
• Open Stride provides adjustable
stride height to create a
personalized fit, greater workout
variety for exercisers of all sizes
and levels of fitness.
• Storage zone is 500% larger.
Open Stride lets you not only
change the length of your stride but
also the height, providing an infinite
• Increases stride length from 6991 cm, to accommodate runners
and taller users.
• Handgrips with belt guards for
safety.
• New pedal and toe cap for greater
range; no pinching.
• Centre cover protects frame from
liquids and adds a finished look.
• Large
step-up
removable
platform is easier to position and
move.
Precor designs and builds premium
fitness equipment for effective
workouts that feel smooth and
natural. Over nearly three decades,
its equipment has been chosen
by health clubs, hotels, spas and
individuals all over the world. Its
hallmarks are ergonomic motion
and superior engineering, based on
proven science. (www.precor.com)
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PRECOR
PRODUCTS & CONCEPTS
Preva experience:
connecting users with
technology
T
housands
of
facilities
worldwide utilize Preva to
provide exercisers with a
personalized, goal-focused fitness
and media experience that has been
proven to increase facility visits and
retention.
Preva
on-console
software
differentiates by helping you
communicate
with
exercisers
right on the console, manage your
equipment in the cloud, and delight
your exercisers with access to
personal accounts and web-based
entertainment.
The Preva experience exemplifies
the Precor “fitness is foremost”
philosophy, designed to enhance
the workout experience without
distracting.
The strategically simple design of
the P80 console provides a headsup viewing angle, allowing for
proper biomechanics and posture
during the workout. Features, such
as the optional web browser, are
only accessible to exercisers during
workouts, ensuring your equipment
is always used for fitness.
With 22,000 networked units across
56 countries and more than 70
million workouts logged since
its launch in 2010, Preva is the
industry’s proven networked fitness
solution. It provides operators with
powerful communication and cardio
optimization tools.
Preva In-Touch and Feed Publisher
allow you to send in-workout
messages and custom content to
exercisers, while Preva Asset
Manager provides real-time
equipment
usage
insights,
trends and reports.
Preva keeps exercisers coming
back to your facility with a
personalized workout experience,
available through both networked
Precor cardio equipment and the
Preva mobile app. With their data
stored in the cloud, exercisers
are able to set and track progress
toward their fitness goals on your
equipment, or while away from the
facility with the Preva mobile app.
The Preva Token, an RFID-enabled
fob, gives them quick account access
to start their workouts faster.
improve equipment management,
increase retention and drive
revenue.
Preva features an integrated
software and hardware experience
that combines the touch-screen
technologies found in the latest
mobile phones and electronic
tablets with proprietary software to
provide a rich and inviting interface.
Many have tried to develop a
networked fitness solution that
connects operators, exercisers and
technology. Preva is the first to
deliver on the full promise.
Preva Mobile App
Made for iPhone and Android
Log all fitness activity, even when
walking completing a marathon
Get credit for activities outside
the gym that count towards your
weekly goals
Collect fun achievement badges,
and proudly share them on
Facebook and Twitter
Preva networked fitness is the
inspired connection of people and
the technology that empowers
their fitness journey. These same
technologies also help facility
operators better manage their
business with solutions that
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PRODUCTS & CONCEPTS
PHYSIQUE INDIA
G6B is beyond simple
pressing motions
I
f you love the feel of free weights,
you will want the consumers’
choice, Body-Solid G6B, rated a
Consumer Guide ‘Best Buy’ over all
the competition. Body-Solid has
advanced gym technology beyond
simple pressing motions.
Body-Solid’s patented bi-angular
press arm guides the users through
the optimal range of motion while
applying resistance from two
directions simultaneously. This
smooth, fluid, multi-directional
resistance
increases
muscle
interaction by 25% by eliminating
the ability to rest the chest muscles.
This helps to increase the exercise
intensity through a full range of safe,
convergent, multi-joint, multi-plane
movement patterns. Users can enjoy
the benefits of bi-angular technology
when doing chest presses, incline
presses and shoulder presses. It’s
like working out with free weights.
The high-pulley station enables
performance of lat pull downs,
triceps
press
downs,
cable
crossovers and many more exercises.
Adjustable hold-down pads stabilize
the body for lifts beyond the user’s
body weight. Unique versatility
allows users to increase the strength
and endurance of their back muscles.
To develop awesome abs and
terrific triceps quickly, the midpulley strength training station is
bio-mechanically engineered for
smooth, comfortable, full range of
motion crunching movement. It is
specifically designed for firming,
flattening and isolating the entire
abdominal area.
The perfect pec station is equipped
with swivel arms and designed
for both unilateral and bilateral
movements to give the maximum
stretch for deep muscle toning, and
the most incredible upper body
development possible.
The leg curl station is ready to help
meet users’ goals when they’re ready
to build muscular legs and stronger
knee joints. The leg developer’s
smooth glide bearing system,
combined with the self-aligning
leg cuffs, guide users through the
most demanding leg curls and leg
extensions.
The low-pulley station is essential
for well-developed backs. Seated
row exercises build depth in the
middle back and train hard to
reach lower lats. Low-pulley swivels
smoothly and fully to provide
accurate resistance for cable curls,
upright rows, shrugs, leg abduction,
leg adduction and much more.
The advanced 95-kg alloy weight
stack plates are machine-drilled
to exact specifications and employ
state of-the-art nylon bushings for
super-smooth and quiet operation.
Technical Details
• Patented bi-angular converging
press station replicates a free
weight dumbbell press and
produces 25% more muscle
interaction.
• Chest, incline, shoulder press
and leg developer stations
incorporate the friction-free
smooth glide bearing system.
• Self-aligning, contoured leg
extension cuffs automatically
adjust throughout the exercise
movement.
• Integrated leg developer CAM
prevents resistance drop-off at
the end of the exercise movement
and
provides
consistent
resistance throughout full range
of motion.
• 95-kg selectorised weight stack,
with optional 118-kg weight stack
available.
• High-density, top grade DuraFirm
pads with lumbar support provide
ultimate comfort and prevent
lower back strain.
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PHYSIQUE INDIA
• Telescoping, chrome-plated, gasassist adjustable seat post for
quick, smooth adjustment and
proper body positioning.
• Flip-up seated row foot brace
plate stabilizes your body when
using heavy resistance.
• 999-kg tension strength, military
spec, steel aircraft cables with
swiveling ends provide durability
and low maintenance.
• Pulleys are impact-resistant,
fiberglass-reinforced nylon with
precision machined steel ball
bearings.
• 11-gauge mainframe construction
assures maximum strength,
function and durability.
PRODUCTS & CONCEPTS
• Tough, durable, electrostatically
applied powder coat finish.
• Easy to use, space saving, nocable-change design.
• Includes revolving lat bar,
revolving straight bar, ankle
strap, abs/triceps strap, Total
Body Workout DVD, full-size
exercise chart and convenient
water bottle and towel
Body-Solid Inc. is a leading
manufacturer and distributor of
high quality fitness equipment for
home and commercial markets.
Its wide range is distributed in
India by Physique India Pvt. Ltd.
(www.physiqueindia.com).
DIMENSIONS
Floor Space
215cm x 127cm x 212cm
With Leg Press Option
15cm x 208cm x 212cm
Live Working Area
215cm x 213cm x 212cm
With Leg Press Option
215cm x 243cm x 212cm
SNIPPETS
Snap opens in Lucknow,
eyes 5 new centres in Delhi
With more than 50 clubs already
running in India, Snap Fitness is now
looking to offer residents of Lucknow
a fresh new way to approach fitness
and train differently. Having grown
in a bustling city with more jobs,
more people and busier lives, there
is less time to do what is of utmost
importance in today’s day and
age: exercise. With this foray Snap
Fitness is looking at changing this.
Snap Fitness’ Director for Marketing,
Srileka Reddy said, “We are very
excited to enter Lucknow. The
fitness market has immense
potential. In the last few months
we have received innumerable
franchise opportunities from the
market in Uttar Pradesh and with
the help of like-minded partners, we
look forward to further expand here.”
Snap Fitness has signed up 60+
more fitness centres in Bangalore,
Delhi NCR, Chennai, Hyderabad,
The brand-new facility in Lucknow, inaugurated in September.
Mumbai and Gurgaon. “We are
looking at opening five new clubs
in Delhi, in Vasant Kunj, Pitampura,
Vasundhara, Greater Kailash and
Vikas Marg, by mid-October. This
would bring up our count to eight in
Delhi NCR, with existing locations in
Janakpuri, Gujranwala and Gurgaon,”
she added.
Open 24 hours, the focus is on
providing members with the best
equipment, guidance, and valueadded services to help them achieve
their health and fitness goals.
Snap Fitness, headquartered in
Minneapolis, is a recognized global
leader in the fitness industry. Its
presence is spread across the US,
Canada, Mexico, Australia, New
Zealand, England, Egypt and India,
with more than 2,500 clubs in 1,450
locations.
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PRODUCTS & CONCEPTS
PHYSIQUE INDIA
ZR11
treadmill:
science in
motion
E
very time a runner’s foot
connects with the ground
during a run, a force similar -and in some cases greater -- than his/
her body weight is transmitted back
up his/her lower body. As a treadmill
user, it is extremely important to
have the necessary equipment to
support his/her fitness activities.
Inspired by Reebok ZigTech
technology, a cushioning and
energy return feature has been
incorporated that enhances the
workout. ZigTech reduces stress in
the flutes, hamstrings and shins by
harnessing the shock waves made
while running. The zig-shaped
treadmill cushioning absorbs the
impact of heel strike and sends a
shock wave along the length of the
running deck to disperse high levels
of energy, and ultimately assists
joints and muscles during exercise.
The Reebok ZR11 treadmill is
everything anybody would want
in a treadmill to enhance users’
overall fitness. A powerful 2.5-HP
continuous motor, coupled with the
more than ample 137x50cm running
range, provides the ideal platform
for a variety of different intensity
runs.
With a maximum speed of 18 kmph
and 15 different incline levels -- all
conveniently controlled through the
stylish LCD backlit display -- the
different combinations of workout
are almost endless!
To make sure your clients are on
the right track there are 24 pre-set
programmes, combining different
inclines and speeds for a surprisingly
varied workout. If a user wants to set
his/her own workout programme
there is space for this too, with userdefined functions!
As well as being a fantastic, popular
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piece of equipment for improving
overall
cardiovascular
health,
treadmill running can actually help
you tone and strengthen muscles.
With the varied incline levels on all
of Reebok’s treadmills, users can
work various muscle groups harder
than they normally would during an
outdoor run.
For that extra challenge Reebok
recommends integrating weights or
dumbbells into the user’s training,
which also helps tone his/her arms,
something often neglected during
running.
As with all of the ZR series
treadmills, innovative cushioning
inspired by Reebok ZigTech is at the
heart of this treadmill, with multipoint cushioning at the front and
middle of the running deck. The
benefit to this is that the impact of
every step is reduced to provide a
more comfortable run and reduce
injury.
Reebok fitness equipment carries a
comprehensive on-site warranty of 2
years, and the treadmill drive motor
carries a 3-year warranty.
Technical Details
• Dimension: 186cm x 90cm x
145cm.
• Folded: 110cm x 90cm x 159cm.
• Multi-point ZigTech cushioning
system
• Easy folding with soft drop
mechanism
• Quick speed/ incline and
handlebar controls
• 16 electronic incline levels
• 2.5-HP motor
• Speeds of 1-18 kmph
• LCD display with blue and yellow
backlight, cooling fan, MP3 input
plus speakers and separate
volume control.
• Speed/ time/ distance/ calories/
pulse/
incline/
programme
display/ chart profiles
• 24 preset programmes plus body
fat, 3 target programmes and 3
user-defined programmes
• Hand pulse sensors
• 137cm x 50cm running area
• Maximum user weight 130 kg.
Reebok
Fitness
Equipment
is the world’s leading fitness
brand, specializing in the design,
manufacture, marketing and sales
of a comprehensive range of fitness
equipment to both the commercial
and home markets. It is distributed
in South, West and Central
India by Physique India Pvt. Ltd
(www.reebokfitness.in).
APPLE
PRODUCTS & CONCEPTS
The Apple
of your eye?
Smart Watch promises
breakthrough in fitness
awareness, but only time will tell
it apart from the others
S
eptember 9 was not an
ordinary day in Cupertino,
California. Apple unveiled
its new model of iPhones – but
this time it was a new device that
stole the show. Apple’s expansion
into entirely new market of “smart
watches” had been anticipated for
a year, and Apple Watch was clearly
the most anticipated product of the
year.
Apple Watch is a wearable device
with computing power, which can
do amazing things: play music, make
and receive calls, text and audio
recordings, exchange heart beats
which can be felt, control Apple
TV and home devices, and make
payments at stores (with Apple Pay).
It can make a walkie-talkie call
with fellow users, track your caloric
expenditure while working out,
monitor your heart rate, help you
navigate on the road – tell the time,
of course! – and much more.
Apple Watch is made of stainless
steel, Apple Watch Sport of
aluminum and Apple Watch Edition
is made of gold, no less than
18 carat! The screen is made of
sapphire, which is second hardest
transparent material after diamond.
The touch screen is super-sensitive,
it detects touch and press differently,
the touch is to tap on something on
the screen, and a slightly harder
press is akin to right click on a
mouse.
The problem with smart watches is
that since they have smaller screens
compared to phones, the screens get
blocked from sight when we touch to
zoom or scroll. Apple comes with a
major breakthrough here: the Digital
Crown at the right edge (which can
come on the left side for left-handed
users). The button has functions like
access to home screen, scroll down,
zoom, and also access to Siri.
A button below the crown offers a
set of controls that don’t need the
screen touch. The user can draw an
emoji icon with his/her finger and
send it to a friend, record one’s
heart beat and send across to loved
one(s), or even send vibration “love
taps”.
What’s New
The major relevance of a smart
watch is as a fitness device, and
this is where Apple Watch claims to
beat them all. A majority of fitness
devices focus on power training for
athletes, but Apple changes the
landscape by combining everyday
wellness and training.
Apps can track daily activities like
movements, exercise and even
standing. When users sets a goal,
the watch reminds them to complete
tasks when they are trailing. It keeps
a track of daily progress and the
number of calories burned.
Workout, is a real-time motivator
and teacher app, suggesting the user
increase his/her goal when s/he has
completed one. It also keeps track
of the user’s pace, distance covered,
time and calories burned.
The accelerometer and gyroscope,
both introduced to the world of
personal devices by Apple, are
inbuilt in Apple Watch, to measure
How It Works
By necessity most smart watches
are ancillaries to their master smart
phones, and so is Apple Watch. It
works with iPhones 5, 5C, 5S, 6,
and 6-Plus
Through Bluetooth radio it
piggybacks off the Wi-Fi and the
GPS of the iPhone
It has a magnetic inductor
charging, but needs charging
overnight
Powered by a wholly new S-1
processor
Equipped with gyroscope and
accelerometer
speed and orientation. But the
jewel on the crown is the heart rate
monitor: four sapphire lenses on
the back of the watch that optically
measure pulses.
The monitor will be an all-day tracker,
keep the user aware every day of his/
her cardiac health. All iDevices are
known for their richness in apps. A
lot more apps for the watches are
expected, enhancing the wearable
experience, and a majority of them
should be for fitness.
The real test will come when the
watch is released in markets in early
2015. The Apple Watch comes in a
range of designs and straps to match
individual preferences. We will wait
to see how much of a ‘personal
trainer’ Apple Watch can be!
– Suraj Uprety
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PRODUCTS & CONCEPTS
GRAND SLAM FITNESS
SportsArt Fitness
ushers
Green System
H
elping people to get fit
while saving the planet is
the mission of SportsArt
Fitness. The company provides
self-powered or energy-creating
treadmills, cycles and elliptical
machines for its customers.
The new machines, part of SportsArt
Fitness’ Green System products,
attach to inverters that harness
human-generated
power
from
exercisers and then feed electricity
back into the power grid as useable
energy. One inverter is capable of
linking 10 green system products
and produces up to 2,000 Watthours of power.
“This means that the energy of the
person on the cardio machine is
actually producing positive energy
being used to light streets, listen
to the radio or charge their laptop,”
Marketing Head George Chang says.
“Every time someone works out,
they are actually helping provide
power to the gym, or even someone
else in your city.”
Although treadmills from SportsArt
Fitness use 32% less power than
traditional treadmills, it doesn’t
mean their quality is lower, adds
George Chang.
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“Many of our ellipticals are selfgenerating and some even create
power and perform just as well, or
better than any commercial cardio
product. Yet they provide unique
innovations that make people think
about the impact their actions have
on the environment,” he says.
Members at fitness clubs love
knowing that they’re helping save
the planet while exercising. And, the
machines are saving on electricity
costs. SportsArt’s passion for
going green also sets them apart
from other brands when it comes
to marketing and serving niche
populations.
“Imagine every small gym saving a
little bit of energy. But just imagine
how much energy we could save if
gyms all over the country started
using the equipment,” Chang points
out. “It would be amazing. As long as
the quality of products isn’t lower,
why wouldn’t anyone love these
machines?”
The machines not only display the
calories each user burns, but also
show how many Watts of power
they’ve put back on the grid, a number
that many members use as a way of
competing with one another.
“It’s just a really cool thing
to see what you are actually
contributing,”
Chang says.
Also
included
is
a
points
accumulation
system
for
energy created
by each user.
Exercisers can
then redeem
points
for
discounts
at the club.
And
those
points
can
lead to contests and
competitions with other members!
The system is fully integrated with
social media, includes accessible
personal workout data via the
user’s email address as the ID, and
includes iPhone applications.
SportsArt Fitness’ green machines
have only been on the market for
a short time but are selling very
well, Chang says. “We have a lot of
interest from American universities,
and that seems to be a big area for
growth with this product line. They
are early adopters of technology
and often lead facilities to better
solutions.”
Many universities are even able to
purchase the eco-friendly fitness
machines using their sustainability
budgets, even if they don’t currently
have a budget for new fitness
equipment. “It offers the opportunity
to teach students about energy and
provide them with a state-of-the-art
fitness machine,” Chang notes.
The company’s plan for growth is to
reach out to other business owners,
who have a sustainability mission
or simply want to give their users
the opportunity to put their energy
to good use. They are also targeting
clubs, universities, hotels and
corporate fitness centres that want
to make an investment in green
technology.
SportsArt is represented by Grand
Slam Fitness in India.
(www.grandslamfitness.co.in)
GRAND SLAM FITNESS
PRODUCTS & CONCEPTS
SportsArt’s S770
Pinnacle trainer:
Watts with
workouts!
H
itting the gym is about to
get a whole lot greener as
SportsArt Fitness recently
unveiled
an
energy-generating
exercise machine that produces
Watts as you work out! The
company’s new S770 Pinnacle
trainer features a kinetic energygenerating design that feeds excess
electricity back into the power grid.
The machine can generate up to
2,000 Watts during use and, for
multi-equipment gyms, potentially
save lakhs of rupees in electricity
bills each year.
The machine utilizes forwardbackward
and
medial-lateral
motion to improve core stability
and balance, and activates various
muscle groups for a complete
workout. It also has a monitor for
heart rate, and it is completely
powered by the kinetic energy
generated during a workout – all one
needs to do is start exercising!
“The power inverter attached to the
green system is about the size of
a stereo receiver and operates on
208-240 Volts AC power,” says Bob
Baumgartner, Product Manager
for SportsArt Fitness. “The product
feels and acts like any other cardio
product. But what happens behind
the scenes is not like any other
cardio product.”
This S770 is also a great option for
those who prefer to set up their own
home gym: it represents a good longterm monetary investment, and is a
huge step forward for environmental
sustainability.
Designed to be different, the S770
Pinnacle trainer uniquely combines
cardio and core training. Other
cardio fitness products employ the
large muscle groups associated with
forward motion. The S770
Pinnacle combines this forward
motion with sideways movement to
employ small muscle groups that
enhance core stability and balance.
Not only can exercisers on
this product improve users’
cardiovascular health and tone their
large muscle groups, but they can
also strengthen their core – a unique
combination in the realm of cardio
fitness products.
Results of a university study
confirm that the new S770 Pinnacle
provides similar heart rate and
caloric expenditures to those a user
would experience when running on
a treadmill at between 7-8 kmph.
Users also burned calories 30%
faster than they did when using
an elliptical machine at a similar
cadence.
Previous university testing has
indicated that the Pinnacle’s unique
motion is safe for joints and could
actually improve balance. This
study utilized male and female
participants between the ages of
20-24 years with average levels of
fitness. Heart rate and RPE were
recorded at the end of each minute
of the exercise test.
“The Pinnacle trainer offers fitness
enthusiasts all the benefits of a
high-intensity workout on a machine
that won’t pound your joints and,
in turn, is less likely to aggravate
injuries,” Amber Maechler, Director
of Marketing for SportsArt Fitness
said. “The overall muscle activation
and calorie burn provided by this
machine is unparalleled in the
fitness industry. You won’t get this
kind of workout on other low-impact
machines.”
S770 Highlights
• Ideal for sports conditioning:
users can simulate all forms of
climb, plus have the option to
perform short stride intervals in
wider positions
• Stride length is user defined to
promote a variety of goals and
training modalities
• Two
footplate
adjustments
provide greater comfort when
exercising for longer periods, or
more aggressive positioning for
training at higher intensities
• Comes with lifetime warranty
(frame) on high-use 24x7
facilities; 5 years on parts.
FEATURES AND
SPECIFICATIONS
Feedback:
Calories/calories per hour,
Distance, Time, Speed, Mets, Watts,
Heart rate (actual and target), Steps,
Resistance levels
Workout programmes:
Manual, Mountain, Plateau, Interval,
Cardio weight loss and custom
HRC, Fat burn, Fit test
Accessories:
• USB power port
• CSAFE compatible
• CardioActive Entertainment
Station option
• iPod connectivity optional
SportsArt is represented by Grand
Slam Fitness in India.
(www.grandslamfitness.co.in)
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PRODUCTS & CONCEPTS
TECHNOGYM
Adding
panache
to fitness
regime
W
ant to enjoy a movie, play
an exciting game, send
an urgent email or make
a presentation to meet a deadline
while you work out? Staying fit has
become a necessity, and fitness
equipments with just the health
benefits are passé. High-heeled
consumers are now looking for
equipment that not only take care of
their health but also entertain and
pamper them, making the workout
pleasant and interesting.
Technogym, the world leader in the
design of fitness equipment, has
launched Run Personal, the firstof-its-kind treadmill which has the
perfect synthesis of cutting-edge
technology, unbeatable design, and
supremely innovative materials.
It’s an ideal unit for homes, hotels,
spas, and any other wellness
environment.
Says Mr. Pankaj Arora, MD,
GeoSpafitness India, “Run Personal
is the state-of-the-art treadmill for
people looking for professional
cardio training experience, together
with highly engaging multimedia
entertainment. What make Run
Personal so unique are its highly
innovative features, marked by
the selection of precious, elegant
materials, never used before in
training equipment.”
Run Personal is designed with
exceptional inbuilt features: softtouch materials such as tempered
glass and aluminium, integrated
TV, iPod & iPhone connections, and
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large 19-inch screens. It also has a
Visio digital platform for managing
workout and entertainment options,
USB connectivity for personal
multimedia content, games and
visual guides to train your mind
while exercising and is compatible
with Wellness System .
This product is indicated for training
the
cardio-respiratory
system,
losing or maintaining weight,
strengthening and toning the
lower body, fighting stress, training
mind and body, and is suitable for
beginners and professionals.
Premium Offering
With innovations in technology
catching up fast globally, there has
been a revolution in the fitness
regime. The latest innovations in
this concept have been developed
by Technogym and introduced in
Cross Personal, taking fitness to
higher level of imagination. It is
the ideal training experience to
beginners and the sportive ones.
The elliptical movement trajectory
offers a smooth and impact-free
feeling. At the same time the upper
and lower limbs’ coordinated
action ensures maximum caloric
expenditure. Cross Personal is the
first cross-trainer connected to
the Web, thanks to the integrated
VisioWeb display.
It also has the Wellness Atelier
concept introduced by Technogym
to provide a truly bespoke wellness
experience, adding unprecedented
product customization options. It
combines premium leather, expert
craftsmanship and attention to
detail (nine palette variations,
contrast-stitching,
upholstered
accents) to give a unique look to
your designer workout equipment.
TECHNOGYM
PRODUCTS & CONCEPTS
200 exercises
The ultimate in designer furnishing
for home fitness or wellness spaces
is Kinesis Personal. It returns you
to the origins of human movement,
freeing you to re-discover four
fundamental physical abilities:
endurance, balance, strength and
flexibility.
The revolutionary feature is the
patented
‘Fullgravity’
design,
inspired by nature and science
to allow unrestricted, enjoyable
movement. Kinesis Personal helps
you build strength, flexibility,
resistance, coordination, posture
control and breathing control. Easy
to use, the multipurpose machine
with three handgrips in the Alpha,
Beta and Gamma positions allow for
more than 200 different exercises.
Kinesis Personal returns the human
being to the centre of the picture
and technology takes second
place. The resistance applied is
regulated by a sophisticated and
technologically patented innovation
whereby a revolutionary system
of force gradually increases the
resistance quietly, smoothly and in
total safety. Its full-gravity feature
has the pivoting pulley system
which provides smooth movement
in all dimensions.
Ergonomic Bike
The new exercise bike that marries
Technogym’s expertise in designing
skills and modern technology is the
Recline Personal, which lets you
connect to the Internet, thanks to
the integrated VisioWeb display. An
intuitive touch screen with simple
visual applications allows you to
check your email, or relax and have
fun online by catching up with your
favourite websites or TV. It can also
be used to watch TV, access your
iPhone and a wide range of training
programmes.
It is specially designed for a
comfortable cardio exercise along
with toning the legs, without
stressing the back. From an
ergonomics point of view the
Recline Personal seat is extremely
innovative: both the seat and the
backrest have been designed to
produce the style and performance
to the best.
Italy’s Technogym SpA is represented
in India by www.geospafitness.com.
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PRODUCTS & CONCEPTS
SPINNING
SPINNING
Indoor cycling
and the Nutella principle
In 1979, Italian confectionery maker Michele
Ferrero launched a catchy and appealing
slogan: “If Nutella is in it, it must say so”. At
the time there was much more to the slogan
than just a moral claim. Here brand awareness
was being skilfully created and conveyed
across the world. Today, every child knows
that Nutella chocolate cream comes from a
particular supplier, not from anyone else.
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B
ut what does a sandwich
spread brand have to do
with cycling? Conceptually,
a whole lot: because there are
pioneers in every industry setting
the trends. Jonathan Goldberg, aka
“Johnny G”, is one such name in the
world of indoor cycling.
In the early 1990s, this cycling
professional developed a totally new
kind of integrated group training
programme on a stationary fitness
cycle. During his wife’s pregnancy,
Johnny could not go on long cycle
tours and so could not optimally
prepare for the ‘Race of America’.
Just to stay close to his wife, without
further ado, he shifted his training
sessions indoors and installed
a stationary cycle in his garage
which was equipped with a special
flywheel. He then invited his friends
and neighbours to participate in
this self-developed indoor training
regimen.
This laid the foundation of one of
the most successful group training
programmes of all time. To boost
the motivation to work out, Johnny
chose appropriate rhythmic music
for its indoor training sessions.
The result was a complete novel
exercising approach where cycling
enthusiasts,
in
a
45-minute
session under a specially trained
coach, could finish an imaginary
route (plains and mountains) on
a cycle with an appropriate tonal
background.
Concept to Brand
Together with John Baudhuin,
current CEO of the company, Johnny
founded the first fitness company,
Mad Dogg Athletics Inc. (MDA), in
Venice, California. The founders
chose Spinning as the brand name
for their fitness training, under which
their indoor cycling programme and
the associated stationary cycles
called Spinner Bikes became worldfamous.
SPINNING
Cycling in groups on stationary
fitness cycles fast gained tremendous
popularity. In mid 1990s, because of
the well-developed bike technique
based on Johnny G’s methods,
this new group training drew more
crowds and was a runaway hit
among fitness enthusiasts. It also
proved to be a successful group
fitness programme world-wide.
The joint sales company MDA had
the name Spinning registered for
the first time in 1994. around the
same time, the training programme
‘Spinning
Instructor
Certified
Programme’ was also developed.
Here fitness trainers were specially
trained to teach Spinning courses
in fitness studios so as to offer
indoor training in more places and
countries.
In a very short period, the Spinning
wave surged through North America
and all over Europe. Since its
inception, MDA has certified over
2,20,000 Spinning instructors across
the globe.
Today, more than 85,000 spinning
instructors, who have been trained
by MDA and its license agreement
partners, teach the programme
in Europe. The umbrella brands
Spinning and Spinner are now
protected in more than 75 countries
around the world.
Trademark Rights
The success of the original Spinning
indoor cycling training programme
attracted a lot of competitors who
brought their own products and
programmes in the market. Some of
the well-known competitors of MDA
are Keiser, Les Mills, Tomahawk and
Precor, who have marketed their
PRODUCTS & CONCEPTS
At fitness conventions, Spinning enjoys great popularity.
own indoor cycling programmes
and products, either under the
free generic name ‘indoor cycling’
or under varied brand names like
‘Schwinn Cycling’ or ‘Body Bike’.
After the brand name Spinning was
offered full protection in favour
of MDA (trademark protection
includes fitness devices, stationary
fitness cycle, fitness training, fitness
lectures, fitness consultations,
apparel,
shoes
and
sound
recordings), the free generic name
‘indoor cycling’ has established itself
in the fitness world as the sport of
group cycling on a stationary cycle
in the gym.
Because of the existing trademark
rights, only licensed gyms can
use the symbol Spinning in the
external representation and on their
course plans. The same applies
to the use of the symbol Spinning
for the sale of indoor bikes, sports
apparel, shoes, CDs and DVDs. Only
authorized fitness studios that are
equipped with the original indoor
bikes, and in which the courses are
conducted by certified instructors,
can be recognized by MDA as an
official Spinning centre.
As in the Nutella principle, a product
or a service can be characterized or
promoted with Spinning only if it
is based on the Spinning training
method. All other products and
services that have nothing to do with
MDA or its authorized distributors
can be referred to and advertised as
“indoor cycling products” or “indoor
cycling workout” or, of course, with
respective manufacturers’
own
brand, such as Tomahawk or Precor.
Facing the Music
What the brands Spinning and
Nutella have in common is that they
convey a high-quality advertising
message and indicate the origin
from a particular manufacturing
plant. Whoever intrudes the
“function of origin” by promoting an
unauthorised foreign product under
the well-known brand name or
conducts a fitness course under the
name of well-known brand without
licensing, commits a trademark
infringement and must face the
consequences.
Normally the “infringers” have to
pay up a penalty-based declaration
of omission and obligation,
information,
compensation
of
damages and warning costs, the
distribution of labelled goods to
some extent the destruction thereof.
The term ‘indoor cycling’ is devoid
of third-party rights and can be used
by anyone without any risk. But the
widespread notion that Spinning
is synonymous with indoor cycling
is totally wrong. ‘Indoor cycling’
is the name of a sporting activity,
whereas Spinning is a proprietary,
trademarked work-out on special
training equipment under the
guidance of a certified instructor.
– Jens H. Steinberg
Jens H. Steinberg is a
managing partner of the
Berlin office of Grey Hills
Lawyers, an international
trademark law specialist
firm.
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PRODUCTS & CONCEPTS
EKFA
World-class kettlebells,
made in India
K
ettlebells manufactured by
the Energy Kettlebell Fitness
Academy (EKFA) in Pune,
Maharashtra, are largest selling
kettlebells in India, with over 10,000
kg already sold to clients from Leh
(Jammu & Kashmir) to Sri Lanka.
EKFA kettlebells come in two
different
types:
casting
and
competition bells. Casting bells
are solid kettlebells (6kg to 12kg),
made from high-grade cast iron.
These are given an epoxy coating or
enamel coating, along with lacquer
to increase the life of its colour.
The cannonball size and diameter of
the handle increases as the size and
weight of the kettlebell increases,
which makes for a cumbersome grip
to lift. That is the main disadvantage
of casting solid kettlebells.
Competition bells, on the other
hand, are made up of cast steel
and are hollow. Irrespective of the
weight of the kettlebells, the outer
diameter does not change: it is only
the internal core that varies. This
makes the competition kettlebells
most effective and easy to use for
fitness centre members or athletes.
Thin handles with superb finish
and with internationally-approved
colour coding for different weights
of kettlebells (yellow is 16 kg, green
is 24 kg and red 32 kg) gives an
additional advantage over casting
kettlebells.
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Competition
kettlebells
are
expensive, as compared to casting
kettlebells, but the advantages of
the former far outweigh those of cast
iron kettlebells.
Words of Caution
Rubber-coated casting kettlebells
must be strictly avoided for two
reasons: first, rubber produces
heat during repetitive exercise
movements (clean and
jerk) and result in painful
bruises on shoulders.
The rubber on the handle
causes a “step” on the
kettlebells, which places
additional load on the
wrists during “cleans”
and leads to painful
bruises to the wrists.
Steel handle kettlebells
are smooth and lack
good grip. They are
also not recognised
as standard exercise
equipment.
Plastic kettlebells are
also
non-standard
equipment:
their
design
is
absurd,
handle diameter varies,
and plastic does not
absorb sweat. These
three types of kettlebells
should not be used, even for
practice, as their use can cause
injuries.
For more information email:
info@energy24x7.com.
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TRAINING
KETTLEBELLS
Kettle or bell?
It’s wholesome
fitness!
B
efore
understanding
kettlebells, let us understand
fitness. Be it yoga, dance,
lifting weights, running or something
similar, everyone takes the easiest
way to achieving it. We need to
understand that it is the wholesome
way, not just any single activity, that
leads to fitness and wellness.
Throughout prehistoric times, man’s
quest for fitness has been driven by
a desire to survive through hunting
and gathering. Today, though
no longer driven by subsistence
requirements,
fitness
remains
paramount to good health and wellbeing.
A kettlebell looks like a solid castiron kettle without a spout. It started
in rural Russia as a counterbalance
for weighing grains. Russian
peasants picked it up and
swung it around for a bit
of convenient weight
training.
Over time, the Russian
military understood its
potential and started
to use it. They were
followed by Russian
strongmen,
weightlifters
a
n
d
wrestlers.
Today it is
regarded
by
fitness
experts as the
ultimate training
tool for all-round
fitness and physical
development.
Kettlebells are easy
to use, but it is
recommended to
learn it under an
expert initially.
W a t c h i n g
YouTube videos
Celebrity trainer Abbas Ali swears by kettlebell training.
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and executing the drills cannot help
understand kettlebells and related
exercises. If done scientifically,
workouts like swing, clean and press,
or jerk cover endurance and strength
training simultaneously, in a ratio of
70:30 (endurance: strength).
Russian Roots
Kettlebells are known as Girya in
Russia, and athletes lifting them
are called Gireviks. Girevoy sport is
a traditional Russian weight-lifting
sport, where maximal repetitions,
rather than maximal weight,
determines who is champion.
In Russia the standard weight for
measuring grain was a pood (16
kg). This weight measure is set as
the competition weight for Girevoy
sport that we know today.
Through 1870 to 1880, Doctor
V. Kraevsky from St. Petersburg
gathered all sort of information
about physical culture and the
development of sports through his
travels across Europe. His goal was
to improve health and wellbeing for
the masses through physical culture.
He introduced exercises with
kettlebells and barbells to the
Russian athletic circles in 1885 by
opening the first weight training
facility in Russia. By the early 1900s,
circus performers, physical culturists
and strongmen from around the
world trained with kettlebells. But
while kettlebells slowly disappeared
in the West in the second half of
the century, they flourished in the
former Soviet Union: everyone, from
common people, to the military,
to Olympic athletes, trained with
kettlebells.
It didn’t take too long for the
Russian military and government
to realize the potential benefits of
the humble kettlebell and spread
their use across the nation. In 1981,
an official commission enforced
mandatory kettlebell training for
the masses, relying on them as
an effective and yet simple tool to
increase productivity and decrease
health care costs.
During Soviet times, Girevoy sport
spread rapidly in rural areas, in
factories, among students, and in
the army and navy. In 1948, the first
kettlebell competition was attended
by 2,00,000 people. From then on,
kettlebells went from being used for
general physical conditioning to a
sport of its own.
The needs for specific sport
specialization led to modern
kettlebell competitions, making
their appearance in the 1960s. Those
bells are hollow and made of steel,
and have the advantage of coming in
one standard size, regardless of the
weight.
Advantages
• Great functional aspect to
training involving the entire body
as a single unit, which also helps
burn more calories for a given
time when compared to other
fitness tools.
• It is safe for any age, shape or size
of person.
• It also significantly increases
mental strength.
• Optimum level of conditioning
which gives a crossover effect
in any sport, like bodybuilding,
marathon, tennis, wrestling,
boxing, squash or other sports.
• Easy to carry anywhere you travel,
requires less space, also can be
stored in any corner of the house.
• Excellent tool to learn for
personal trainers for home
training.
• Strengthens lower back region
and puts less stress on the knees.
• Very effective for fat loss
programmes, as it involves multijoint compound movements.
• The American Council of
Exercises states that kettlebells
double the results in half the
time you spend in a gym.
– Parag Mhetre
Parag Mhetre is a qualified
Master Trainer and Founder
of Energy Kettlebell Fitness
Academy (EKFA) in Pune. He
has been imparting education
to hundreds of gyms across
the Indian sub-continent and Sri Lanka,
and winning in international competitive
kettlebell competitions.
POST-SURGERY TRAINING
MEDICAL FITNESS
Impactful intensity
despite wound healing
As a rule, an attempt is made to configure the exercises in the health
of the body’s performance capacity.
To therapists and trainers, this
poses the challenge of ensuring a
routine-life-oriented “gentle-on-thestomach” training with impactful
intensity, but without structural
overtaxing of the abdominal scar.
and performance-oriented fitness training to be as functional, holistic and
effective as possible. Fitness trends, such as TRX Suspension Training
or Flowing Friction Training, are known to encourage classic training of
larger muscle groups with further co-activation of the local joints as well
as of the trunk. This makes the exercises effective and addresses inter-
Understanding Physiology
muscular cooperation while simultaneously reducing overload and injury
risks caused by heavy weights and high intensity workouts.
states of healing and size, depending
on the scale of the operation (Fig.1).
Thus, at least in the initial period,
the focus remains on two most
important lines of treatment that are
(seemingly) diametrically opposed
to each other.
On the one hand is the optimal and
complication-less treatment of the
surgical wound, and on the other
hand the best possible enhancement
Foto: Andy Dean Photography/shutterstock.com
T
here are situations where these
effects are undesirable. After
surgery of the gastro-intestinal
tract and inner organs – resulting
from chronic, oncological or acute
conditions – almost all patients
suffer from muscle weakness,
decreased body functioning and
reduced cardio-pulmonary capacity.
Also coming along with such surgery
are abdominal scars in different
According to the findings of a
survey, medical specialists and
surgeons give varying instructions
about where the limits on loading
must be placed and which activities
and movements are allowed in
which phase of the rehabilitation.
The general consensus is that the
abdominal wall opened during
surgery has to be relieved within the
wound-healing phase (from 6 weeks
to 3 months), depending on the
severity, in order to ensure optimal
wound closure/healing and in order
to avoid any complications.
Immediately after healing, the
strength of the tissue drops down
by nearly half; even a year later,
it still has only 90% of its original
strength. Further, it is also expected
that the opened skin tissue should
fast become more resilient than the
bruised muscle tissue underneath.
With laparoscopic surgery great
progress has been made in the field
of medical and surgery technology.
Using this technology, where it
is practical, operations can be
performed with small incisions,
thereby minimising damage to
tissue. Ideally this results in faster
wound healing, lower pain and rapid
patient recovery.
If the abdominal wall is subjected
to strain too early it may delay the
wound and scar healing, as well as
result in ripping of deep scar tissue.
It may even pose the risk of reduced
mechanical
stability.
Further
complications include incision
hernias, infections and more pain
for the patient.
Apart from mechanical pressure and
tensile loading through abdominal
muscle activity, intra-abdominal
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MEDICAL FITNESS
Basics of gentle
‘tummy-training’
Functional training for improvement
of balance, co-ordination and gait
Weight machines in upright sitting
position (chest presses, rowing
machine) are suitable
Exercises on wire-rope/ dumbbells
in sitting posture have very low
intensity
instruction.
It is possible to relieve the load on the
scar with the help of an abdominal
belt and simultaneously stabilise
the trunk with light pressure.
Patients find it subjectively most
pleasant. Generally it is compulsory
to wear the stabilising abdominal
belt as a part of the post-operative
treatment plan.
Reduce range of motion in the pain
and tension-free area
Training Therapy
Avoid press breathing/ Valsalva
manoeuvre
Dynamic exercises are preferred
No direct training of the trunk
muscles
Strength exercises for the lower
extremities, rather on stable base
(lower co-activation)
Many strength exercises, as
described earlier, cause stabilising
co-activation of the trunk muscles,
which is difficult to avoid. This
mechanism, necessary for body
posture and stability, is generally
desirable in overall strength training
and is deliberately sought in most of
Fig 1: Various incisions after visceral surgery. Wound healing takes top priority.
pressure and abdominal wall
tension are the other important
parameters influencing abdominal
wall protection. The abdominal
scars after visceral operations (Fig.
1) give an idea of the importance
of stress-free treatment for wound
healing.
In everyday life, some situations
arise
inevitably
that
cause
high degree of straining of the
abdominal scar. This calls for a good
training of the patient for self-care
and educating him/her on how to
deal with such situations. Medical
precautions must be taken to
facilitate the patient’s compliance
with guidelines.
The blockage or obstruction of the
prostate may lead to compression
manoeuvres during visits to the
toilet, which massively increases
the tension in the abdominal wall.
Coughing, sneezing and laughing
are other actions which are very
difficult for the patient to control
and require good information and
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the cases. In case of a post-operative
situation, this mechanism, because
it is difficult to control, should be
minimised as far as possible.
In a pilot study conducted by Zurich
Hohenklinik, Davos, the abdominal
muscle activity of the test persons
was compared based on the
measured values of the everyday
activities during diverse strength
exercises. Using this data, a matrix
of suitable and unsuitable exercises
was created to support the selection
of exercises.
The chart clearly shows that classical
training devices such as the rowing
machine and the chest/leg press can
be performed with medium to high
intensities without any risk. Even at
moderate intensity, free exercises in
the field of strength endurance (with
dumbbells or the cable) significantly
exceed all the stresses of daily life.
In a seated position, numerous
exercises (wire-rope hoist or free
weights) are linked to a much lower
co-activation of trunk muscles. The
box below summarizes the basics of
post-operative training in the first
few weeks:
Endurance Training
Aerobic cardio-pulmonary training
undisputedly
adds
value
by
stabilising
the
cardio-vascular
system, activating musculature
and metabolism, improving body
awareness and self-esteem. Here
too the intensity, extent and choice
of device are self-determinant. The
subjective sensation of the patient
is of paramount importance. Pains
and overtraining must be strictly
avoided.
A seating ergo-meter with backrest
provides a great way to get started
with endurance training. It shortens
the pedal radius, the hip angle when
pedalling becomes much smaller,
and the associated movement
(“unrest”) in the abdominal cavity is
lowered significantly.
At first sight this effect seems
trivial, but in practice it is seen that
especially for obese patients or for
patients with artificial anus, training
without shortening of pedal radius
would be subjectively unpleasant or
painful, and thus contra-indicated.
An alternative could be gait training
on the treadmill, possibly with light
elevation.
Other devices like rowing machine
ergo-meter, upper body ergo-meter
or cross-trainer should be avoided
in the first month.
Rehab to Fitness
Even after the patient is discharged
from
hospital
and
his/her
subsequent outpatient therapeutic
care is long over, abdominal wall
protection is still indicated. Thus,
other entities within the scope of a
Seating ergo-meter with backrest with
short pedal radius provides a great way to
get started with endurance training.
Safety and Comfort
Sneezing: in an upright position,
turn head to one side or bend with
light pressure on the scar
Coughing: press a pillow on the
scar with light pressure from the
outside
Toilet: do not press; in case of
problems slightly sway the upper
body back and forth
Tying shoe-lace: place one foot on
a chair or on a step
Lying/ standing: from lying on the
back, turn to your side and then
stand up. When standing, sit on the
bed, lie down slowly on one side,
then roll over on the back
Lifting loads: no lifting of weights
over 5 kg. When lifting, stay upright
and keep weight close to the body;
avoid forced rotation
medical fitness training programme
still have an important role to play.
After the wound has completely
healed, it is important to
progressively load the trunk muscles
(relieved in the “honeymoon
period”) again to prevent persistent
imbalances and muscle weakness.
This information should not be
withheld from the patients, so that
s/he can gain confidence in his/her
body and win back capability again.
It is expected to work particularly on
the body posture and straightening
of the upper body at an early stage
of convalescence in order to correct
the pain-relieving postures and
breathing, observed frequently
in the initial period. The pace of
development is solely dependent on
the person, his/her capacity, as well
as coordination and his/her own
body awareness.
Isometric stretching of trunk and
pelvic floor are the first steps in
gradual
performance building
of the abdominal wall and trunk
musculature. Then come exercises
for trunk stabilisation in all axes
of the spine on wire-rope hoist or
with small free weights. Parallel to
all the phases what is happening is
MEDICAL FITNESS
raising of intensity and extent of the
restoration training of all the muscle
groups.
Light
dynamic
strengthening
exercises of abdominal and back
musculature
finally
end
the
construction method and are
integrated in the training programme
only about 4 to 6 months after the
complete healing of the wound. Till
such time as the scar and tissue
have gained sufficient stability and
the trunk muscles have achieved
enough strength, all exercises are
to be administered and monitored
systematically, sequentially and
progressively.
– Silvio Catuogno
Silvio Catuogno is a graduate
in Sports Science and
professional
director
of
Therapy Zurich Hohenklinik,
Davos. www.zhd.ch.
SNIPPETS
Cardio Fitness opens new showroom in Delhi
Cardio Fitness India, the country’s
largest
and
most
reputable
company for fitness and wellness
equipment, opened its flagship
store, Life Fitness-Celebrate Life
(The Wellness Store) at The Gallery
on MG (Mehrauli-Gurgaon Road,
New Delhi), on August 30.
Hosted by its Chairman and
managing Director, Mr. Deepak
Dewan, the glittering evening
had a high-profile attendance.
The 5,000-square-foot store was
inaugurated by Mr. Gene Harper,
Managing Director, Life Fitness
Asia-Pacific, who had flown down
from Hong Kong for the occasion.
The piece de resistance of the event
was the unveiling of some of the
most sophisticated fitness products
from
Life
Fitness,
including
the Synrgy 360 (see page xx), a
functional training solution that
offers countless exercise options
and can handle up to 16 exercisers
at a time. Each piece was unveiled
by Mr. Steve Holtz, Business
Development Manager, Life Fitness
Cardio Fitness’ new 5,000-square-foot showroom opened in New Delhi
(The Gallery on MG) on August 30.
Asia-Pacific.
In the cardiovascular range, Life
Fitness treadmills were launched
in black onyx, diamond white and
titanium, along with cross-trainer
and bikes in the recumbent and
upright range. All cardio products
were launched with Discover
technology, which offers truly
customized workout experience
with dynamic, interactive exercise
technology, complete access to
personal files and fitness content,
internet browsing, and on-demand
videos.
Equipment from the Insignia
Strength series was also launched,
including the chest press, shoulder
press and row. The showroom also
represents brands like Hammer
Strength, Gym 80, First Degree,
Tomahawk, Body Craft, Ecore
Everlast, Pavi Gym, Fitvibe, Living
Earth Crafts, Ivanko and Airex.
body LIFE 2 I 2014
I 69
TRAINING TECHNIQUES
BMXSTRENTH
An alternative
B
MXStrength (bio-mechanic
exercise technique) is a
method
of
performing
physical
exercise
where
the
movements are friendly with the
joints and the centrally balanced
posture leads to reduction in body
fatigue and maximizes results on
the working muscles.
Whatever equipments we use in
old fashioned strength training we
can use the same in BMXStrength
training needs the same equipment
– barbells, plates, dumbbells, etc. –
as that used in most gyms. But the
emphasis is on the understanding
of joint-friendly moves, taking care
not to over-strain the connective
tissue (ligaments and tendons), and
correct exercise techniques.
It is important to understand
and control the ability
to target muscles for
working and relaxing. So
the energy consumed
is very less, but the
muscle target is
four times. The
body becomes
stronger
and more
flexible
without
undue
strain,
sprain or
injury.
One needs to
understand that
the body should
be
relaxed
while
performing the exercise
(relaxed
contraction),
so that the energy which is
stored for the exercise can be
used economically, followed by
enhancing the performance.
Movement
and
breathing
techniques play an important role,
as in all exercises.
In BMXStrength the main muscle
which we are exercising is used to
the full, whereas the supporting
muscles are not unduly put under
70
I body LIFE
2 I 2014
strain. This can be achieved through
relaxed contraction, correct body
posture and right breathing system.
As unique individuals, we have
different body types in terms of
size, shape and genetic makeup;
but BMXStrength works well across
these individual differences. Properly
applied, it benefits sportspersons,
women, general fitness enthusiasts
and senior citizens alike, and works
best in the rehabilitation of any
injury or stiffness in the body.
BMXStrength
concentrates
on
muscle balance. It is not right to
do the same exercise for the same
body day after day. To prevent
asymmetrical body development,
it is important that for every major
muscle worked, the opposing
muscle should also be worked.
Its joint-friendly nature ensures
prevention of frequent muscle and
ligament injuries, and vastly assists
in recovery and rehabilitation.
BMXStrength is four times faster
than old systems, exercising 80% of
main muscles and 20% of supporting
muscles at a time. This enables
use of concentric and eccentric
contraction to their maximum, and a
better range of motion of the joints.
The tempo of the exercises is slow
and controlled, enabling maximum
safety with maximum results.
BMXStrength was introduced 15
years ago in India, benefitting more
than 13,000 trainers and over 200,000
gym clients across the country.
This training is now registered as a
trademark and is in the process of
getting a patent.
– Neeraj Mehta
Neeraj Mehta is a PhD in
Alternative Medicine and
Human Biomechanics, an
international fitness expert
and nutritionist, and Director
of GFFI Fitness Academy, New Delhi. He
writes for several newspapers in the country.
(www.gffi-fitness.org).
BMXSTRENTH
TRAINING TECHNIQUES
form of exercise
Key points of technique
For all three exercises keep in mind the following rules:
• The weight you are choosing should be up to your strength levels
• The right posture, breathing and movements play an important role
Bench Press
Dumbbell Curls
Lat Pull-Down
• Lie down on a bench and grip
the barbell in such a way that
your joints do not experience any
strain.
• When pressing the barbell down
towards the chest, all your joints
(shoulder, elbow and wrist)
should be in the same line.
• The barbell should touch the line
where your chest ends (under the
chest).
• Bring the barbell down in a slow
and controlled manner.
• When lifting the weights your
elbow ‘end edge’ should be in
line with the ‘front edge’ of your
shoulder, for elbow flexion.
• When lifting weights, all the
joints (shoulders, elbows and
wrists) should be in the same
line.
where your chest ends.
• While pulling the weight, you
should lean backward and not
touch the bar/ pulley to your
upper chest muscles.
• When you are lifting the weights,
all your joints (shoulders, elbows
and wrists) should be in the same
line.
where your chest ends.
body LIFE 2 I 2014
I 71
FUNCTIONAL TRAINING
CORRECTIVE EXERCISE STRATEGIES
A steady
correction
Andrew Bassett/shutterstock.com
For people who wish to engage in sports, or who are already active
in sports, possible injury risks can be determined with the help of a
Functional Movement Screen. Once these limitations are ascertained,
they can be overcome through corrective exercise strategies.
T
he Functional Movement
Screen (FMS) is a reliable
check-up for determination of
the injury risks of those who want
to be actively involved in sports,
or who already are so involved.
Possibly
existing
asymmetries
and dysfunction in fundamental
movement patterns, as well as pain,
are filtered out in the screening
process.
With the acquired results, these
limitations can subsequently be
overcome through a systematic and
structured approach through various
corrective exercise strategies (CES).
Through proper integration and
dosage of the corrective exercises in
the training plan, functional status of
every individual can be purposefully
increased, goals of training achieved
faster and risks of injury reduced.
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I body LIFE
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Everyone Wants It
More and more people feel the
urge to break out of inactivity and
do something proactively for their
health. Many feel unhappy about
their bodies: they rush to gyms,
yoga, cross-fit and health centres,
register themselves in associations
or start searching for new trends.
However, latest studies show
that nearly 70% of the population
struggles with chronic problems
in the neck and back. Based on
results of a public study of health in
Pomerania (Germany), it is assumed
that 30% of the population is not
functionally fit; and there exists a
greater risk of injury during sports
activities. Therefore, the use of
movement screening is even more
important to prevent unnecessary
injuries and to keep the menacing
signs of exhaustion as low as
possible.
The history and origin of the concept
of CES dates back to the mid-20th
century and evolved from empirical
knowledge based on international
interactions of exercise experts,
therapists and doctors. The first
attempts and strategies originated
from the methods of treatment of
structural problems of the posture
and musculoskeletal system or
treatment of the central nervous
system.
The perspective of anatomical
functioning was expanded through
neurological approach and was
used back then, like today, as a
precautionary method. Josef Pilates,
Moshe
Feldenkrais,
Frederick
Alexander, Vladimir Janda, Berta
and Karel Bobath, Vaclav Vojta,
B.K.S. Iyengar are among the wellknown people from diverse fields
who led the way.
They recognised that structural,
neurological or physical problems
were linked with movement
patterns. The exercises resulting
from that helped the patients or
persons undergoing training to
change their movement, posture
and body awareness.
Natural Movement
Unfortunately, and like never before,
modern lifestyles force humans to
remain in rigid and often stooped
posture, be it sitting or standing.
Natural movements, – pushing,
pulling, lifting, carrying, throwing,
climbing, running, sprinting and so
on – do not occur frequently with
adolescents as well as adults.
In many cases the consequences
of ‘no use’ or also ‘wrong use’
are motor impoverishment and
functional restrictions with regard to
mobility and stability in the human
musculoskeletal system. Most of
the times it leads to compensation
by way of incorrect physiological
posture, disturbing the natural
joints mechanism and leading to
micro-trauma.
Many trainers and therapists still use
the concept of CES indiscriminately
and without any discernible system
– comparable to a multi-vitamin
supplement with broad-spectrum
activity, which is used in the hope
that one of the many vitamins so
administered will cure the defect
somehow!
Screening should be properly carried
out. The very first step should be the
correct identification of the “weakest
link” in the movement pattern with
Corrective Exercises for
Improvement of Shoulder
Movement
Note: None of the following exercise
should be carried out when the pain in
the shoulder persists or the exercise
causes pain. Watch out for equally
important abdominal breathing and
execution of movements.
BWS Rotation with ‘Rib-gripper’
Objective: Self-mobilisation of
thoracic spine for the improvement
of movement radius; improved
mobility in shoulder and pelvic
girdle
Implementation:
• In lateral position, bend the
upper leg in knee and hips to 90
degrees and support with a foam
roller (do not touch the feet to
the ground)
One and the same
corrective exercise can
produce different results
for two clients with the
same ‘weak link’
the help of FMS. If the screening
is not done correctly, or wrong
conclusions are drawn, then the
process of correction, rehabilitation
and training slows down.
FMS shows up much more than
a weakness. Signs of pain during
movement must be taken seriously
and should be separately medically
evaluated. If the client or athlete
shows mobility dysfunction or
asymmetries on FMS, they should
be corrected first before proceeding
to correction of stability or greater
functional pattern.
If the mobility is restricted in one or
more joints then this restricted extent
of movement provides inadequate
feedback for the joints-centring and
control. Poor joints movement and
restricted movement are results of
immobility. It negatively affects the
targeted strength training and leads
to further complications through the
body’s compensation mechanisms.
It must be borne in mind that every
person responds differently to
correcting exercises. This is primarily
because of the motor cortex and how
the client or athlete has processed
the movement, its learning and
• Lay a pillow under the head; HWS
neutral position
• Hold the ribs from under with
upper hand and hold yourself in
that position
• With exhalation rotate the upper
shoulder backwards and towards
the floor
• Throughout the exercise contact
between knee and foam roller
should be retained
• Raise the ribs and rotate the
whole shoulder girdle and ribcage
• While inhaling return to the
neutral initial position
FUNCTIONAL TRAINING
awareness, and stored it over the
course of the development process.
But the good news is: our body
tells and shows us directly which
of the corrective exercises work and
which do not. FMS makes it easier
to measure and in doing so it serves
as a higher supervising body for the
client and the trainer during the
programme. A corrective movement
pattern has, in many cases, farreaching consequences for the rest
of the body.
Once Isn’t Enough
FMS should be revised regularly.
The first screen can change over
the course of a chosen CES. Before
beginning the corrective exercises,
one chooses a weakness to work
on. Once this is rectified, screening
is carried out once again and the
results of the new status give further
directions.
Little-by-little this should result in
improved muscle balance, joints
movement, reduced injury risk and
increased ability to regenerate.
Thus, an individual and wellmeasured corrective programme
creates the basis and pre-condition
for good training adaptations.
This way, the concept of CES fills
the gaps between rehabilitation and
scientific training, and is one of the
most important building blocks of
functional movement and functional
training.
• Continue with breathing and
rotation
• Repeat the exercise seven times
on each side
BWS Rotation in quadripedal
posture
Objective: Self-mobilisation for the
improvement of movement radius
in BWS while at the same time
stabilisation of the opposite side
Implementation:
• Hold the quadripedal position
by holding the shoulders on the
hands and hips on the knees
body LIFE 2 I 2014
I 73
FUNCTIONAL TRAINING
• Keep the spine in neutral position
• The hip is pushed a few
centimetres behind the hip-knee
axis; the WS-neutral position is
maintained
• One hand be placed on the back;
palm facing outward
(Important: this position should
be comfortable and should not
cause any pain)
• During exhalation via the open
side, the rotation is initiated
around the eyes; follow the head
and trunk
• The bottom hand is forcefully
pushed to the ground, as if you
want to push away from the floor
• While inhaling return to the
neutral initial position
• Continue with breathing and
rotation
• Repeat the exercise seven times
on each side
Wall sitting with both arms
stretching
Objective: Self-mobilisation and
stretch for improvement of shoulder
and hip mobility
Implementation:
• Seats increased, coccyx, lumbar
spine, shoulder blades and head
in contact with the wall
• The soles of the feet are placed
together, knees and hips are
flexed
• Support your knee to reduce the
tension in the hips
• Place a stick on the head and
bend 90 degrees at shoulder and
elbow
• Route the rod over the head
while you stretch out your arms
along the wall
(Important:
throughout
the
exercise with coccyx, lumbar
spine and the shoulder blades,
retain contact with the wall)
• While inhaling, return to the
initial position
• Continue
breathing
and
stretching
• Repeat this exercise seven times
– Eberhard Schlommer
Eberhard Schlommer is a
graduate in Sport Science,
FMS expert and official trainer
in Europe for FMS.
SNIPPETS
Godinho to hold demo at IFW Expo
Regarded in India as one of the
country’s foremost authorities on
Aikido and the Ketsugo systems,
Soke Sensei Leonard V. Godinho,
will talk at the IFW Expo (9-11
October) in Mumbai, to explain
various techniques with some
demonstrations. He will be available
at Stall No. A101 (Hardcore Fitness).
A Black Belt (6th Dan), Godinho
was born in Mumbai, where he
was an active practitioner of the
martial arts for over 43 years. He
has now settled in the US. He is
also a highly respected, experienced
and registered yoga teacher and
SNIPPETS
FROM THE EDITOR
Talwalkars offer online
EMIs
Talwalkars Better Value Fitness Ltd.
has rolled out an attractive new
scheme for fitness enthusiasts. The
hesitation of shelling out a big sum
of money may have prevented many
from fulfilling their dream of joining
a health club. The new EMI scheme
from Talwalkars offers membership
fee payment in 3, 6, 9 and 12
months, easing the financial burden
to gym users. With just a swipe of a
credit/debit card, or online (http://
talwalkars.net/) people can become
74
I body LIFE
2 I 2014
a member of the International
Association of Yoga Therapists.
He is also conducting a LVG coach
programme (a combination of
martial arts and yoga to achieve
fitness, safety and wellness) in
Mumbai. For more information
email diana.dias@5angels.co.in.
a member. The facility is available
with all major banks of the country.
Seen as a boon to health
enthusiasts, the facility also offers
related services like nutrition
counseling and massages, and
Talwalkars products such as NuForm
and Reduce. Talwalkars also offers
seasonal discounts to newcomers
and existing members, making the
membership even less expensive.
The aim is to motivate more people
to invest in health.
Correction
There was a mistake in bodyLIFE
Indian Edition (June 2014; Page
24). Mr. Frank van de Veen is
President of Life Fitness, and Mr.
Chris Clawson its Vice-President.
Their photographs were also
exchanged. The error was
unintentional, and we regret it.
- Chief Editor
SHEDDING FAT
TRAINING
Fat loss for women
from the lower body
As a personal trainer working
with female clients, I know that
the hardest area to lean out is
the thighs and buttocks. Every
woman is very different, storing
fat in different areas. But storing
fat on the thighs, or what is often
called oestrogen dominance, is a
very common thing.
M
odern life has many
oestrogen
mimickers:
plastic,
tap
water,
chemicals, even body lotions and
shower gels, that can increase
oestrogen in men and women. This
can be especially frustrating when
you, as a trainer, and make good
food choices, but the fat around
your client’s buttocks and on her
thighs just won’t go.
When the client’s waist is getting
small and her belly is starting to
look good, you may notice that
her legs are still letting her down.
Exercising and eating well will help,
but first she needs to stop storing
fat in that area, or it will be a neverending cycle.
Here are some things I’ve gathered
and tried myself and on my clients,
which will hopefully help you break
through those oestrogen-specific
lower body fat loss plateaus that
your client has been struggling with
for so long.
Decrease exposure to all oestrogenrelated factors in the diet and
environment. Help the body deal
with excess oestrogen through
natural detoxification. This is
done through increased intake
of pure green tea and cruciferous
vegetables, which have excellent
potential to help rid the body of bad
estrogens.
Examples are broccoli, spinach,
cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts,
and
cauliflower.
Broccoli,
especially, contains compounds
known as indoles which have very
potent anti-breast cancer fighting
properties, as well as improving
the liver’s oestrogen detoxification
abilities, increased fibre, tailored
supplementation, and decreased
dairy and grains.
• Decrease insulin and cortisol
effects by decreasing most grains
and starches
• Replace these with fruits and
vegetables
• Drink plenty of water (not out of
plastic) and green tea
• Skip coffee and other sugary
beverages
• Try pure Omega-3 fish oils or
flaxseed oil
• Avoid processed carbohydrates,
pasteurized dairy and all products
containing corn, vegetable oils
and trans-fats (anything listed as
hydrogenated on the label)
• The liver needs B vitamins,
particularly B6, to detoxify excess
estrogens
• Your client should get plenty
of sleep and hydration: she can
improve her recovery and sleep
with pure zinc, magnesium and
B6 supplement.
• Allow her to lift weights a
minimum of 3x times per week.
Workouts involving the major
muscles and multi-joint exercises
will force the body to lose the fat
reserves and increase muscle mass.
Some of my favourite total body
strength training exercises includes
Olympic lifts, squats, multidirectional lunges, dead lifts, pullups, push-ups and step-ups.
But before the workout ensure that
your client has consumed foods
rich in choline and tyrosine (nuts,
seeds, avocado or blueberries),
to encourage precursors to the
neurotransmitters that will increase
neural drive. Consider pre-workout
and post-workout nutrition packages
to further enhance her workouts and
recovery.
Try performance prime pre-workout
and post-workout; try pure whey
protein isolate 95 or pure whey
protein concentrate 80 – white
chocolate is my favourite!
I know, it sounds like terribly many
things to do, but trust me, you will
see results fast!
– Justin Wright
Justin Wright is a Master
Trainer for Star Trac. He is
currently lecturing in India,
organising awareness and
conducting training sessions
for Trinity Healthtech.
body LIFE 2 I 2014
I 75
TRAINING
WORKOUTS WITH SENIORS
Worn out and Rigid?
No way!
I
n absence of adequate movement,
body functioning slows down,
muscles weaken, joints stiffen
and balance tends to reduce. Our
body is a minimalist: it continues
with only those functions that are
used and necessary in everyday life.
Therefore, motivation for workout
primarily plays a vital role for
seniors. Workout should be fun for
them, so that they do not stop it. In
fact, like young people, seniors also
want to have an active social life and
stay independent for long.
Unfortunately, they cannot have
such a life because of immobility.
Staying active in old age means
living the sunset years of life on your
own terms.
The client group of 60+ will further
gain importance in the fitness
and health industry because of
demographic changes. The “baby
boomer” generation will slowly yet
76
I body LIFE
2 I 2014
certainly retire. The often wealthy
and time-wise flexible elders can
lead a healthy public life and also
fill the personal trainer’s calendar!
Suitable Small Devices
Togu Brasils: small, handy and
effective they train the musculature
and can be used as a normal
dumbbell, while their dimpled
surface stimulates receptors
Winshape Belt: helps maintain
correct posture
Togu Topanga: natural motion
sequences work on muscle groups
of hips, arms and shoulders.
Health Check First
A training session with seniors,
particularly with those who are new
to the world of sports, will not be
easy. A few things must be borne
in mind. What are the health risks
associated? What are the existing
body complaints? Hence, it is
advisable that
• Before starting training, carry out
a health check-up by a doctor
• Do not impose excessive loads
• Restore mobility so that daily
routines (like wearing socks) can
be easily managed
• Mobility of the spine, shoulder,
fingers, hip, knees and ankles is
of special importance.
In every workout, the social aspect
also plays an important role. Seniors
are often alone at home; so they
like to talk about their problems
and want to have a listener. In this
respect, training sessions for and
with seniors, in small groups of two
to three members, is a good option.
It also helps them make new contacts
and keeps the fun factor alive. By
training them in small batches the
trainer reaps rich benefits from the
‘Silver Agers’.
WORKOUTS WITH SENIORS
Have fun while exercising
Manage social contacts
Get rid of the fear of falling
Improve walking stability
Relieve pain
Maintain/ restore mobility
Prevent Falls
When it comes to a fall, seniors try to
avoid such a situation. That means
they further limit their routine
activities. Fall prevention through
fitness regimen with special training
is an excellent option.
In practice, core muscles must be
activated and strengthened. Without
preliminary work and collaboration
of the core musculature, the
mobilizers cannot develop their
strength fully. Cooperation of the
various muscle layers finally enables
our coordination.
Through
repetitive
movement,
stimuli and associated care, the
musculature simultaneously learns
the coordinative ability of the core
layers and tensing. But this results
in rapid wear and tear of joints and
increases the risk of injury.
Most commonly, the activation of
the deep muscle layers is achieved
by training the sensorimotor. The
sensorimotor system is the direct
interaction of the nervous system
and muscles. It is responsible for
the uptake and dissemination of
information to the central nervous
system.
The ability to quickly perceive and
process sensations and impulses
decreases over the course of a
lifetime – however, training is still
possible! There are many ways to
address our sensory channels:
• Tactile (touch & feel) • Kinaesthetic (movement
perception)
• Vestibular (balance ability)
• Proprioceptive (perception of
motion).
Foto: StockLite/shutterstock.com
Aims of 60+ Workouts
TRAINING
– Gabi Fastner
Gabi Fastner Staatl is a
certified gymnastic trainer,
author and lecturer. She has
been teaching since 1997
in her own fitness studio, is
well-known for many television shows and
training videos on YouTube.
Silver lining: Seniors can opt for workout sessions with a
personal trainer in the day, when not many clients work
out at the studio.
SNIPPETS
Barcelona beckons!
With more than 25 first-class
providers of fitness as well as
wellness and healthcare industry
and 60 invited buyers, the annual
European Fitness Summit (EFS)
is a top event with an exclusive
character.
From October 8 to 10, key players
are coming together at the industry
summit for the 7th time. EFS is
organised by Reed Exhibitions
(Germany) and bodyLIFE, Europe’s
leading business publication in
fitness and health.
Owners, managers and decisionmakers of fitness studios and
wellness and spa facilities from
Germany, Austria, Switzerland,
England, Poland, Italy, Spain and
Scandinavia come to Barcelona
every year to establish strategic
partnerships and close business
deals. Buyers meet suppliers, whose
offers are of special interest to them.
This is the key feature of the event.
Suppliers from the fields of training
devices, equipment, financing,
nutrition, wellness, training and
functional training are represented.
The organisers plan in advance
individual meetings between the
participants, who wish to engage
themselves in such direct effective
conversation. Typically around 350
such meetings take place at each
EFS.
Among the registered suppliers
for EFS 2014 are Milon, Life
Fitness, Johnson Health, Escape
Fitness, Five-Concept, Technogym,
Body+Soul, Aerobis and Precor.
Along with the meetings, the
The European Fitness Summit features
various topics and serves as a platform
to facilitate knowledge transfer and
networking.
programme also features many
themes to facilitate knowledge
transfer, networking and discussion
platforms. The introductory keynote
will be on ‘What opportunities the
fitness industry has to offer in the
field of e-commerce’.
(www.bodylife.com/partner/efseuropean-fitness-summit/home.
html)
body LIFE 2 I 2014
I 77
Put your business in front of
a highly targeted fitness audience by placing a
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Index:
Company Names Page No.
Anayan Software
78
Bharat Fitness System
78
bodyLIFE IFW Expo-2015
65
Body Recharge
78
Cardio Fitness
2
Cravatex31
EKFA71
Focus Fitness
7
Gympac Fitness
21
India Sports Expo-2014
79
Physique India
11
S&T Welcare
13
Stag International
27
Technogym80
Trinity Healthtech
25, 39
Yolo Brands
17
78
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