Functional training is a popular exercise style that many fitness facilities are still working to effectively accommodate. This particular type of training involves exercises designed to ready and strengthen the body for everyday tasks and natural movements. When it comes to buying the right equipment, you want to ensure you find the right solutions for your gym or fitness center. We have put together a complete functional training equipment buyer's guide with 9 considerations you need to make informed decisions.
The hospitality industry has changed rapidly in the last decade with the rise of Airbnb and other rental marketplaces. One primary advantage hotels have maintained is the on-site fitness facility. However, if your hospitality business is missing a fitness center or your equipment is outdated, you could lose this edge. You might wonder, "Should I update my hotel gym? Are hospitality fitness centers important?" We have the answers you are looking for.
Advantage Sport & Fitness (ASF), a leading provider of high-quality commercial fitness facility design and equipment solutions, is excited to announce its expansion to serve the Mid-Atlantic Region, encompassing New Jersey (NJ), Delaware (DE), Maryland (MD), Washington, D.C. (DC), and Virginia (VA). This strategic expansion with vendor partners such as Precor, Escape Fitness and Power Lift, marks a significant milestone in the company's growth and dedication to designing innovative, customized fitness spaces for clients.
A new or updated fitness amenity can be a major draw for potential residents looking for multifamily housing, but why does this particular amenity carry so much weight?
If you own or operate a gym or fitness space, you already know that exercise is an essential part of a well-balanced lifestyle. It can also be a great way to connect with other people. Interactive fitness equipment allows users to try new things, whether it’s classes, games, or competitions, while getting their favorite workout in.
YMCAs aim to strengthen communities and promote healthy lifestyles and as a non-profit organization, they rely on financial support to achieve these goals. Expresso’s fourth annual Rally for the Y fundraising challenge is in full swing in YMCAs across America and riders are breaking a sweat and gathering pledge supporters for their local Ys.
Virginia Tech, who installed a large custom X3 500 Open Format Queenax unit in 2018, has added another premium feature to their primary student recreation facility, McComas Hall. While this unit is primarily used for small group and personal training, the unit is open to the general student body. Working with Precor and Advantage to produce and apply custom graphics, the unit boasts school spirit and high-energy!
Most fitness center operators have begun to move beyond simply wanting ways in which to better monitor their fitness equipment — many clubs and recreation centers are looking to set themselves up for the future. Operators are asking the questions about how they can further engage their clientele through content and on-demand workouts, and how they can integrate their equipment and member-management systems.
2018 was a rewarding year all around, as we got the opportunity to work on many great facilities. From converted racquetball courts, to corporate wellness centers, to expansive student recreation facilities, we did it all this year! Check out this list of our most impressive installs from 2018!
Hackley School is a private preparatory school focused on academic excellence and building a strong community among students, faculty, and staff. The new Walter C. Johnson Center for Health & Wellness is a 115,00 square foot facility featuring sunlit common areas, a healthy café, three basketball courts, wrestling and fencing facilities, two fitness rooms, and much more. Hackley worked with Advantage Sport & Fitness to design an impressive Precor-filled fitness center and a state-of-the-art strength and functional training room.
The Atlantic Apartments on Avenue of the Arts in Center City Philadelphia put a heavy emphasis on the design of their luxury fitness center. From the light box windows to marble columns, not a detail was spared on the interior - especially in the equipment. The black & white aesthetic carried through, with the latest Precor Black Pearl colorway p82 cardio pieces to the Discovery Line selectorized and plate loaded Precor strength equipment.
Marist College created a brand-new fitness center as part of a four-building housing expansion on the north end of campus. This fitness center came about as a multi-step effort to relieve the pressure on the campus’ only gym, the James A. McCann Recreation Center, and increase fitness opportunities for students.
This new facility features tile floors, floor-to-ceiling windows, a dance and group exercise studio, and a mix of 37 cardio machines. Thirteen treadmills, ten ellipticals, and four AMT’s with Precor’s best-in-class P82 touchscreens allow for networked goal-tracking throughout the facility. To round out the cardio selection, ten interactive Expresso Go Bikes line the wall.
Olympus Corporation conducted a survey to determine how their employees wanted to use unoccupied space at their U.S. headquarters in Center Valley, PA. Their response was clear: a workplace fitness center. Now officially named “Mount Olympus,” the fitness center celebrated its grand opening in May 2018. The fitness center features Precor 800 Line cardio equipment, Precor Power Racks, functional training area, a WellBeats room, and Expresso Go Bikes.
Demand for energizing and exciting group classes means big changes for many in the fitness industry. Court Jester Athletic Club embraced the trend and transformed their old racquetball courts into impressive functional fitness training rooms.
Ready to upgrade your fitness center or weight room? Our article on 3 Keys to Designing A Great Fitness Facility is a perfect place to start.
For the thirteenth year running, the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has released their predictions of the top fitness trends for 2019. This annual list provides vital information for health and fitness professionals as they make decisions to meet the ever-changing demands of the industry.
This year’s top trend is wearable technology. Wearable technology includes fitness trackers, smart watches, heart rate monitors, and GPS tracking devices. Examples include fitness and activity trackers like those made by Fitbit®, Misfit®, Garmin®, and Apple®. These devices can track heart rate, calories, sitting time, and much more. Wearable technology first appeared as a fitness trend in 2016. It was the #1 trend in 2016 and 2017 before dropping to #3 for 2018. Last year, it was High-Intensity Interval Training that took the #1 position, now predicted to come in at number 3 for 2019.
Other trends that made it to the top ten include group training, bodyweight training, yoga, and functional fitness training. These are trends that have been gaining traction over the past few years as boutique fitness has become more popular than ever before. One of our outstanding facilities, Court Jester Athletic Club, readily embraced the upward trending of boutique fitness and converted two of their under-utilized racquetball courts into group training and functional fitness areas. Utilizing Escape Fitness’ “Business in a Box” programming, Court Jester has all the tools needed to transform and meet industry trends, from the equipment and training to business plans that maximize ROI.
The top 10 fitness trends for 2019 are:
Wearable Technology
Group Training
High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
Fitness Programs for Older Adults
Bodyweight Training
Employing Certified Fitness Professionals
Yoga
Personal Training
Functional Fitness Training
Exercise is Medicine
Is your facility ready for 2019? We can help you meet these trends for a successful and healthy new year! Our article on 3 Keys to Designing A Great Fitness Facility is a perfect place to start.
Check out our articles on previous years’ trends:
The bold, sleek design of the Discovery™ Smith Machine features high head clearance and a clean, walk through design. The 11 degree angle and innovative Smith Bar design produces a smooth, natural feel and an exceptional user experience.
Customizing your fitness experience will involve more than painting walls and purchasing equipment. It means developing a continuous expression of your brand, from equipment and flooring to lighting and interior design. Here are a few ways that you can customize and custom-brand your fitness center, with inspiration photos!
The Atlantic Apartments on Avenue of the Arts in Center City Philadelphia accounted for every detail when designing their black and white luxury fitness center. Along a window-lined wall draped with cove-lit sheer curtains runs a row of 17 cardio stations, including Precor’s top-of-the-line P82 pieces in the latest black pearl colorway.
Demand for energizing and exciting group classes means big changes for many in the fitness industry. Court Jester Athletic Club embraced the trend and transformed their old racquetball courts into impressive functional fitness training rooms.
Our 2018 fitness expos have officially come to a close and we are excited and grateful that so many people came out to learn about some of the best equipment in the industry and engage with our team one-on-one.
