FITBENCH® believes in superior quality fitness tools reinvented to make training more efficient. It’s where function meets fitness. Leading the industry with its neatly designed structure, the FITBENCH comes in three different models to choose from…the ONE, STUDIO, and FLEX models. Each offers various pieces of functional fitness equipment, 360-degree movement, and locking wheel.
At Opti-Fit, we are a proud distributor of Matrix Fitness equipment. They offer diverse and comprehensive lines of strength, cardio, group training, and fitness accessories equipment. Here, you’ll find their complete line of Strength equipment and all specifications. For assistance with selecting the appropriate equipment, please Contact Us at Opti-Fit to determine the equipment that’s right for you.
Gyms, fitness centers, and health clubs have varieties of cardio, free weights, and weight-training equipment to enable users to pursue their fitness goals. However, in the wake of the recent coronavirus pandemic, people can no longer visit these fitness facilities.
Home gyms are now a go-to option for people who want to remain fit. Setting up a home gym seems expensive for many people, but it’s not entirely true; it all depends on your particular fitness goals and preferred exercises. Here are some viable home gym solutions:
Buying Fitness Equipment
Your fitness routines and preferences should help you choose the ideal gym equipment. For some, it would help to look for manufacturers offering all-in-one fitness gym bundles. The packages comprise readymade solutions for a home gym, ranging in price. Bundles allow you to make a single purchase and get access to many different pieces of equipment and exercise options.
If a bundle package isn’t right for you, here are some additional home gym equipment options to consider:
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Gym Equipment for Cardio Exercises
If cardio is your primary fitness source, you may consider an investment in a single piece of equipment such as a treadmill, elliptical, spin cycle, stairclimber, etc. Treadmills are often a popular choice. With a treadmill, you can perform basic cardio workouts like jogging, running, or walking, but if you’re looking for high-intensity interval training equipment, consider a piece of speciality cardio equipment that could be more effective for you.
For those that prefer step-based exercises, there are many options available. Climbmills, stairsteppers, and vertical climbers can occupy minimal space and are suitable for HIIT workouts or other aerobic conditioning. Mix in some jump ropes, resistant bands, and a yoga mat to increase variety to your cardio regimen.
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Strength Training Equipment
Your home gym is not complete without strength training equipment. Strength training exercises target specific muscle groups to improve muscular fitness. Many prefer free weights and equipment like the barbells, dumbbells, medicine balls, and kettlebells – all available in different sizes, shapes, and weights. Others prefer weight machines such as functional trainers, multi-station units, or selectorized equipment. Whichever your preference, including strength training equipment to your home gym can round out any fitness routine.
Leverage At-Home Workout Videos and Apps
Looking for prescribed workouts or a fitness professional to help guide you through? There are more free workout apps and videos available than ever. Prerecorded instructor videos can last from 5-45 minutes, and provide a full workout session for many home fitness routines. These apps and videos help you perform a range of exercises, including high-intensity interval training, boxing, barre, pilates exercises, etc.
In today’s environment, set up a gym at home by looking for compact exercise equipment that is easy to use and store. And, select an instructional workout video or app that suits your particular workout style.
Commercial fitness facilities are becoming more high tech in an attempt to improve the user experience and meet the demands of more tech savvy clients. By adding new technology solutions and benefits, facility owners are hoping to increase new client acquisition and retention. From the user’s perspective, many professional clients like the fact that they have easy access to their work or to media outlets so they can get a start on or finish their day without deviating from their regular routines. Other clients simply enjoy the improved user interfaces and staying current on social sites.
User-Friendly Consoles
User-friendly consoles not only offer charging ports, they also provide clients with an option to record their workouts through Bluetooth connection or Wi-Fi. This allows the user to keep track of their progress and save the information on their phone, laptop, or other electronic device. In return, for all the benefits these state-of-the-art consoles offer clients, they also provide the gym owner with an accurate record of how often the equipment is used and when specific components may need to be replaced or repaired.
Wi-Fi Access
Commercial fitness facilities offer Wi-Fi access to their regular members, so they are able to connect with fitness or music/media programs on their phone while they are working out. This also allows the user to connect with the machines they are using and share data. If a client has a specific workout recorded or saved on their phone, it can be sent to the machine they are using. Data is easily passed back and forth so the client has an accurate record of their performance.
RFID Access
Radio-frequency identification is also being used to identify users as they enter and leave the facility. This makes a 24-hour facility much easier to manage and safer for the clients who prefer to use the gym after normal business hours. Convenience is key and keeps payroll under control so that the facility does not require 24-hour staffing.
Charging Capabilities
By having charging stations close or on the fitness equipment, clients can use their wireless headsets or earbuds and connect with the machines they are using without having to keep their phones on them. They can plug in their phone and go on with their workout without having to worry about dropping their phone or letting the battery go dead. Many pieces of equipment now offer wireless charging capabilities as well.
Electronic Training Programs
Clients can choose from electronic training programs that have been designed specifically for them by a personal trainer or they can choose from an online program they like. Using electronic programs reduces the need for having a personal trainer on hand 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Personal trainers can record training programs using a video or audio format, depending on the preference of the client. This allows them to work out when it is most convenient for them and forcing the trainer to meet their scheduling demands. Additionally, many manufacturers include technology that’s suited for group training classes and can give the instructor visual queues of client performance to aid in coaching effectiveness.
Video Tutorials for Strength and Cardio Training
For individuals who are not familiar with specific cardio or strength training exercises, a video tutorial can be used to teach them the proper mechanics of an exercise to ensure the user is doing it properly. Tutorials can be used for almost any type of activity when it comes to exercise and fitness. A video can be set up to teach an entire class if the students already have a good understanding of what exercises or forms are going to be used in the video.
By upgrading to a more technologically-advanced facility, commercial fitness centers can meet the needs of their clients while still meeting their bottom line. Providing user-friendly tools in an electronically-supported environment is a win-win for everyone involved.
The health and fitness club industry is seeing exponential growth across all areas- from the number of fitness facilities to the revenue generated and consumer growth. In a report published by Statistica, the global health and fitness club industry was worth over $ 87 billion in 2017, up from $67 billion in 2009. Similarly, the number of fitness center memberships will continue rising. This upward trajectory is set to carry on as more consumers place value on their well-being, which means fitness investments will keep booming. However, facilities designed with the user in mind will enjoy a larger market share and client satisfaction and retention.
Investing in a professional design before setting up your fitness facility is one of the most effective ways to ensure high usage and efficient traffic flow. Read ahead to learn exactly how a great design contributes to the success of your fitness facility.
Visualize your project in 2D and 3D
Creating an ideal fitness training space requires you to work with professionals who can turn your vision into reality. It all starts with creating top-down 2D and 3D designs that simulate your complete project. This allows you to visualize how the facility will look like before embarking on the actual construction and equipment ordering. At this stage, you can redesign or make changes to the existing layout until it meets your requirements. With high-quality 2D and 3D designs in place, you’ll have an easier time executing your plan.
Use space efficiently and improve client flow
It is vital for fitness facilities to maintain a clear, well-structured, and organized space. Professional design ensures proper use of space such that users are comfortable and have plenty of room for training. In an ideal design, all unnecessary items such as cupboards are moved to provide more floor space. The available space is then creatively used for essentials such as storage and wipes, water coolers, weight racks, and other vital accessories and equipment.
Good designs also take into account how typical workout routines function. With this in mind, you can arrange training equipment and accessories in a way that facilitates most activities, thus making it easier for users to move through their workout sessions. The bottom line is setting up the facility in a way that feels less cluttered so that users can freely move around while avoiding lines forming at certain equipment.
Determine where to place equipment
Getting the most out of your available space is all about considering how the facility’s design impacts user experience. For this reason, ease of use and accessibility should always be the hallmark when laying out the equipment. A good idea would be categorizing equipment by type – such that specific sections of the facility are dedicated to weightlifting, cardio exercising, group training, mobility/stretching, or any other kind of workout. It makes sense if all cardio machines are placed together or if dumbbells are kept close to the free weight machines. This demonstrates how investing in a professional design for your project can help create the ideal training environment- safe, comfortable, high-performing, and motivating.
Electrical and WiFi needs
Modern fitness facilities have now stepped up their game from the traditional “warehouse feel” to designing for user satisfaction. One such trend is the increased adoption of self-powered training equipment, which is great for the logistics and overall safety of the users. Despite these advancements, electrical needs are still required in most fitness centers. While most gym owners tend to overlook this point in their planning stage, a professional design will take into account all mechanical, electrical, and internetrequirements. This includes planning power outlets for your training equipment, WiFi, visuals, audio, and any other accessories that require power within the facility.
Is your equipment meeting ADA requirements?
A fundamental requirement for all fitness training centers is to remove all barriers that may limit accessibility by people with disabilities. ADA compliance in a fitness facility covers all structural domains like parking, exterior entrances, elevators, doors, bathrooms, locker rooms, customer service desk, accessibility around training equipment, and all building accessories. Professional designs take into account ADA guidelines and standards for fitness facilities pertaining to equipment set-up and installation. Adhering to these regulations is a way of helping safeguarding your facility against future liability.
Summing it up
Investing in a professional design will have much positive impact on your fitness facility. If people are satisfied with the space they are in, there’s a much better chance for them to stick to their exercise routines. This will lead to the advancement of the facility’s overall status and higher client retention, thus helping your business achieve continuous growth and success.
There’s no denying that the past decade has seen major developments in fitness. But we expect more innovation and new trends in the coming decade.
Rowing Workout
A rowing machine works out multiple muscles improving your overall health. It’s low impact therefore suitable for all fitness levels and ages. It’s a piece of equipment that mimics the motion of a rowing boat, hence giving you a full-body workout.
It’s perfect for muscle building and toning, weight loss, and increasing stamina. This machine works out major muscle groups on your upper and lower body. Using a rowing machine gives you an excellent aerobic workout, which is great for your heart and lungs.
More Virtual Fitness Equipment
The virtual concept is expected to develop and expand in the coming year. Fitness equipment manufacturers are expected to develop more and diverse equipment with in-built virtual training concepts. This includes indoor cycles, x-trainers, and treadmills.
Currently, equipment such as treadmills have incorporated virtual reality immersing users into a virtual running experience by allowing them to run alongside a partner. This avails an assisted approach for those who need more motivation to stay focused.
High Tech Fitness Boutiques
These studios are expected to continue growing in 2020. They offer the luxury of holding sessions for smaller groups. Fitness professionals also specialize in particular exercises, thus increasing the chances of success.
High-tech fitness equipment designed to improve the efficacy of your workouts is widely available in these studios. This may include electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) suits, other machines, and wearables.
Working out in a boutique ensures that you get individual attention. Workouts can be designed depending on your individual needs. You also perform better when you are in a small group.
More Kickboxing
If you hate the monotony of cardio workouts, you may want to consider kickboxing in 2020. This is a more high-energy and motivating routine. This is a workout that combines martial arts techniques and heart-pumping cardio.
Whether you’re fitness geek or newbie, undertaking a kickboxing workout can help you burn calories, reduce stress, improve coordination, boost your energy, and give you better posture.
High-Intensity Low Impact Training (HILIT)
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is still quite popular. However, high-intensity low impact training is expected to gain more popularity in the coming year. It is a variation of HIIT that still gives you an intense workout, but is more gentle to the body.
The benefits of HIIT workouts are well-known and include boosting metabolism, high-calorie burn, and improving heart health. However, HIIT is physically taxing hence not suitable for people at all fitness levels and for those with health problems. HILIT still avails to you the benefits of a HIIT workout, but in a low impact environment that lessens stress on your joints and other body parts.
Customized Fitness Programs and Products
We have different bodies and are at different fitness levels; therefore fitness isn’t one-size-fits-all. You may love boxing, but Pilates may be a more effective option for you. This is why we expect more customization in fitness programs and products in the coming year.
Tailored fitness programs and products may cost you more but are more effective. This is quite beneficial for people with specific fitness needs since it would help them reach their fitness and health goals more easily.
Functional Training Rigs
Growing demand for functional training rigs such as climbing frames will make them more accessible in the coming year. With improved designs and availability in a range of sizes, functional training rigs allow users to have multiple workouts. You can lift weights, stretch, and climb in one space.
From fitness routines by the beach to sophisticated gizmos, we have witnessed some interesting trends and changes in the last decade. Join me as we review the last decade of fitness.
The decade started on a high. We saw a shift from the brick and mortar style of fitness as boot camps and workout classes gained popularity. In 2010, people traded their gym memberships for dance therapies. Zumba, Afro-Cuban, Bollywood, and ballroom dances gripped the masses.
We saw fitness instructors seeking training in the “new” trend to deliver the services more efficiently. Gone are the days when hiring a personal trainer was a thing for the rich. Common folk sought the assistance of personal trainers at the dawn of the decade.
The fitness industry had a sudden growth spat between 2011 to 2013. We saw the new gyms and fitness centers popping up indiscriminately in the United States.
The fitness age demographic broadened dramatically. There were fitness programs that target adults and older children. The obesity epidemic drove many parents to seek solutions from fitness experts.
During this period, we saw the incorporation of different strategies. There was a focus on nutrition. Intermittent fasting was a trend between 2011 to 2013. There was also attention to calorie intake. Many people traded their high carbohydrate diets for the gluten-free lifestyle.
We saw the intermarriage of tech and fitness during this period. Through your smartphone, you could measure the intensity of your workout. Some apps could measure the number of calories that you burnt during a particular run.
The technology interest wasn’t only in the software. We saw updates in the hardware with the development of wireless headsets and smartwatches. You could strap your phone on your arm, queue your favorite tracks, and work out. Alternatively, a smartwatch on your wrist was all you needed.
From 2013 to 2016, we saw the rise of functional and movement-based workout. We saw the traditional gym equipment share their space with battle ropes, monster truck tires, and kettlebells.
We saw a crucial moment in the evolution of fitness centers. The gym that immersed a large number of people into a program that incorporates aerobics with high-intensity strength activities.
By 2016, gym instruction and personal training had caught on. More clients were looking for one-on-one engagements with personal trainers. Trends such as cross-fit and functional training lured more and more people.
We also saw the introduction and growth of 24/7 gym chains. Busy schedules and crowded gyms was no longer an excuse to skip leg day. You can swing by the gym before the break of dawn or in the middle of the night.
In the mid-2010s, we saw the evolution of fitness technology. Fitness trackers and apps could offer more. Fitness apps could give you information on your heart rate in real-time. Your phone could hand you a report on your sleep patterns.
Gym equipment also got smarter. Treadmills came with social media capabilities, and your stationary bike could connect you to a personal trainer.
Moving forward to the 2020s, we are looking forward to what the decade has instore for us. Will we see a resurgence of some old trends with a new twist? For now, only time will tell.
We could witness a focus on client wellness, along with traditional health and fitness activities. We may see an interest in the mental and social wellbeing of the client.
Dynamic injury rehabilitation, the provision of wellness interventions, and functional movement could be a trend in 2020 and beyond. I look forward to seeing what the next decade will bring.
For more information on fitness centers, contact your local Opti-fit representative in California and Nevada.
Personal training is always evolving, and a recent survey indicates that in-person personal training is declining. On the other hand, virtual training is rising rapidly. In fact, by the year 2022, the virtual fitness market is expected to reach $329 billion.
Virtual fitness is a blend of exercise with technology, and these workouts are just the same workouts that you know or love. However, they are designed for convenience to suit your schedule. Typically, these workouts are played on big screens in the gym. Some clubs have prescheduled these workouts, which enable members to engage in these activities whenever they want.
In the 90’s the fitness industry mainly involved one-on-one personal training, mainly because it meant that you were an important person. However, just like all other trends, this fitness trend changed. Over the last decade, there has been a boom in the fitness industry. Today, there are new technologies, fitness apps, and disruptive services, which can be customized to fit the commercial markets. Therefore, members can do the same workouts they enjoy at the club. Additionally, they can get access to classes that they cannot find online. The live-streamed classes allow them to interact with others.
The Future of Virtual Fitness
The Trip
This is an immersive workout that combines a cycling workout and a journey through a digitally-created world. This creates a cinema-like experience. Trip helps motivate and take the energy output to the next level.
This workout enables the commercial market to provide consumers with something unique and memorable. Additionally, most millennials and Gen Z members are always looking for such experiences in the club, not just working out. The Trip can also help members new to fitness to see results much faster without feeling like they’re overexerting their bodies.
Sprint
This is a 30-minutes workout using an indoor bike. This high-intensity workout is an effective way for club members to workout and see results. Each sprint workout uses the latest music and fitness training techniques to push members to workout hard. It also combines bursts of intensity with short breaks to rest and prepare for the next effort.
Spending 30 minutes doing a sprint workout will drive the body to burn calories. While it’s a challenging workout, it pays off eventually. This type of workout is ideal for those who enjoy RPM but seek a new challenge.
RPM
This world-leading cardio cycle workout simulates climbs and sprints to improve cardio fitness and also burn calories. In fact, this workout can burn nearly 700 calories in a session. There’s great music to pump the members, and they can spin as one. This helps one to reach their cardio peak and keep pace with the pack.
Bottom Line
There’s enough proof that the sensory experience brought along by modern technology can help. Through modern technology, commercial markets can deliver a world-class experience regardless of whether the client is in person.
For more information on virtual workouts in the your commercial facility contact Opti-fit.
A Healthy Thanksgiving Menu
What are you grateful for in 2019? Is it family, love, or life? How about health? This thanksgiving, you can demonstrate the appreciation of health by eating healthy.
“How?” you may ask, “A boring meal is the last thing that I want for Thanksgiving.”
Planning a healthy Thanksgiving menu does not mean that the food has to be boring or bland. My mission today is to prove to you that you can have a delicious but healthy meal this November.
I have created a healthy Thanksgiving menu that will keep your mouth watering, your belly full, and your waistline in check.
a. Nutritious Thanksgiving Appetizers
Appetizers should be light and delicious. Not to delicious to tempt your guests to fill their bellies before the main meal. Here are some ideas
i. Boiled Shrimp Dipped in Buttermilk Rémoulade
Rémoulade is a tangy French Mayonnaise-based sauce that complements fresh seafood. Mayo can be high in fat. For a healthier option, I suggest using fat-free buttermilk, Greek Yoghurt, and canola mayo as the base of your Rémoulade.
ii. Caramelized Leek and Spinach Dip
The classic spinach and cheese dip packs a tonne of calories. Instead of cheese, we use caramelized leek for flavor. For a creamy texture, you can supplement this appetizer with the protein-rich Greek yogurt.
For the greatest appeal, serve with carrots, radishes, and endive leaves. Homemade pita chips also work well.
Healthy Thanksgiving Stuffing
Yes, Thanksgiving stuffing can be healthy. Here are some ideas
i. The Classic Herb Stuffing
You will need some bread, carrots, celery, garlic, and onions. The whole bread ups the fiber while the veggies inject some flavor and nutrients to the stuffing.
ii. Pear, Sage, and Golden Rising Stuffing
For this stuffing, you will require some sourdough bread cubes, some pears, thick-cut bacon, fresh sage, and tart golden raisins. This aromatic stuffing is quite sophisticated.
Healthy Turkey Recipes
These recipes feature flavor inducing tips like brining, spatchcocking, and curing.
i. Honey-Bourbon Spatchcocked Turkey
Brine the turkey before roasting it to ensure that the meat is juicy and full of flavor. After the honey-bourbon brine, you spatchcock the turkey to remove its backbone. Roasting the turkey flat in the oven allows it to cook evenly while developing a crisp golden skin.
ii. Grill-Smoked Turkey
Here is another exciting alternative to spatchcocking a turkey. Cure your turkey in a spicy mixture of cummin and fresh sage. Lastly, let the bird soak in the smoke of a charcoal grill.
Finger Licking Thanksgiving Desserts
Conclude your thanksgiving dinner with these mind-blowing desserts.
i. White Chocolate-Raspberry Tart
Your guests will love this refreshing raspberry tart. The secret to its richness in flavor is the clever use of ingredients. With a shortcake-like crust, the freeze-dried raspberries and crackers blend well with creamy white chocolate and yogurt topping.
ii. Matcha Chocolate Crackle Cookies
Matcha powder is gluten-free and packed with antioxidants. Like regular cookies, match chocolate cookies are delicious. Unlike regular cookies, they are nutritious. Bake a batch for your guests and witness the magic.
Be Thankful for Health this Thanksgiving
You have prepared a delicious and healthy meal for your family and friends. You have enough food for the day, and you can feast on the leftovers on the days to come.
Remember that eating healthy doesn’t mean having a flavorless meal. With the clever use of ingredients, you can transform any meal into culinary excellence.
Influence someone to adopt a healthy lifestyle. Happy Thanksgiving
In days of yore, possibly around the early 2000s, hotel fitness centers weren’t much of a step up from what you might have found in your parents basement. There might be a treadmill, and probably a stationary bike along with a set of dumbbells and maybe a bench. Sure, the hotel listed “Fitness Center” amongst its amenities, but it certainly felt like an afterthought.
The Evolution of the Fitness Room
As a new age of fitness has dawned, however, so has the rebirth of the hotel fitness center. These days, a full 53 percent of hotel guests get their workout in while they are on the road, with 52 percent of those respondents stating that they rely on the hotel fitness center to get their workout in. With such a high percentage of potential customers now taking an interest in the quality of their facilities, the hotel industry has responded.
What used to be a small room that had just enough equipment to qualify as a “gym” have been replaced by fully furnished workout rooms. In 2012, over 84 percent of hotels had a fitness center up 63 percent from 2004. As a new decade begins to dawn, some hotel chains are offering in-room fitness equipment and workout gear to guests. At the Park Hyatt in Tokyo, the entire 47th floor is a workout facility.
The Present and Future of Hotel Fitness Center
As top-end hotel chains shift their fitness focus, the rest of the industry won’t be far behind. When Hilton decided to ask their customers what they wanted in terms of workout options, they relied on a study that stated while 46 percent of hotel guests were drawn in by the availability of a fitness center, only 22 percent actually utilized it. This lead Hilton to change their focus away from modern fitness centers instead to in-room options, which they call Five Feet to Fitness. For the fitness-minded individual, Hilton offers rooms that include upscale stationary bikes, Gym Rax stations, and a fitness kiosk that puts 200 fitness classes and tutorials at the guests finger tips. All without having to leave their room.
As the burgeoning fitness industry just continues to grow upwards of $600 billion a year, expect the trend of fitness-focused hotels to continue.
Hotel chains that are serious about catering to their customers have not just looked at investing in high-end workout equipment, they’ve also put dietitians on staff and looked at the room service offerings for their more fitness-minded guests. Some of the big players in the fitness industry, like Soul Cycle and Equinox, are even eying their own plays in the accommodations industry. Soul Cycle has opened a 2,600 square-foot facility in 1 Hotel South Beach. Equinox is set to make an even bigger play, debuting their own luxury hotel chain that will, of course, feature a state-of-the-art workout facility as the centerpiece.
For road warriors that seek out the path less traveled, the days of the afterthought hotel fitness facility has become a thing of the past.
For more information about hotel fitness centers in California and Nevada, contact Opti-fit fitness professionals at 888-601-4350.