A perennial health club favorite, the treadmill is probably the one piece of equipment in your club (with the exception of the elliptical) that will see the most mileage from your members (pun intended). Which is why you should try to make their experience on the treadmill as worthwhile as possible. A perfect machine for exercisers both beginner and advanced, today's treadmill comes with a variety of features and options to optimize the user's workout experience. From heart rate readout to programmable workouts on user-friendly consoles, to more joint-friendly tread decks and a greater variety of speeds, today's treadmills offer your clients maximum workout and maximum ease of use. The following companies offer some of the best quality treadmills on the market.
CYBEX
The Cybex Pro is a new treadmill which combines an innovative, sleek design with basic functionality to satisfy any member and minimize facility maintenance, states the company. Drive belt edges are securely covered to prevent fray, dirt build-up and the potential for shoe laces or other items getting caught in the belt. The integrated I/O port allows for quick and easy download of maintenance logs and upload of software upgrades. Key safety features are also built in, including a safety lanyard and Cybex' Safety Sentry automatic shut-off. User-friendly features include a large intuitive display to simplify programming and operation. The Quick Start mode lets users enter the Manual Program with a single touch, while a live keyboard permits program changes without restarting. A special decline feature adds functional variety to workouts.
Cybex International Inc., 10 Trotter Drive, Medway, MA 02053; (508) 533-4300; fax: (508) 533-5500; [email protected]; www.ecybex.com
Circle Service Reader No. 125
LANDICE
The Landice L9 Club Series treadmill features a 3-HP continuous duty motor; 20-inch-by-63-inch four-ply treadbelt; 3-1/2-inch diameter, 22-pound steel rollers; and 500-pound user weight capacity. A reading rack comes standard with the machine. The L7 Club Series features a 3-HP continuous duty motor; 20-inch-by-54-inch four-ply treadbelt; 2-1/2-inch diameter rollers; 400-lb. weight capacity. A reading rack is optional. All models feature 0.5 to 12.0 m.p.h. speed range, 15 percent grade electric elevation, a VFX shock absorption system, and rust-free aluminum frame.
Landice, 111 Canfield Ave., Randolph, NJ 07869; (800) LANDICE; fax: (973) 927-0630; www.landice.com; [email protected]
Circle Service Reader No. 126
LIFE FITNESS
Life Fitness' NexTread+ treadmills offer users optimal cardiovascular training options. All feature the patented FlexDeck shock absorption system, which reduces impact to the knees, back and joints nearly 30 percent. For greater motivation, try the five new interactive programs, including Heart Rate Hill, Heart Rate Interval, Extreme Heart Rate, 5K and 10K Sport Training and Military Physical Readiness Test Protocols.
Life Fitness, 10601 W. Belmont Ave., Franklin Park, IL 60131; (800) 634-8637; www.lifefitness.com
Circle Service Reader No. 127
MAGNUM FITNESS SYSTEMS
The T111CH programmable treadmill is the newest addition to Magnum's all new cardio line. The T111CH features Magnum's unique Maximum Torque Drive, Dura-Deck/Belt combination and Polymer Suspension System. The T100 series treadmills produce torque levels that allow 400lb. users to move at speeds of only 0.1 m.p.h. The Dura-Deck/Belt design means no waxing, flipping or reversing of the deck, while the Polymer Suspension System cushions impact.
Magnum Fitness Systems, 2201 12th Ave., South Milwaukee, WI 53172; (414) 764-4068; (800) 372-0554; fax: (414) 768-7047; www.magnumfitness.com; [email protected]
Circle Service Reader No. 128
MATRIX FITNESS SYSTEMS
The MX-T5 treadmill features an Ergo-Pulse remote contact heart rate, allowing users to walk or run naturally while monitoring pulse. Larger, 5-inch precision-crowned steel rollers provide an extra measure of durability and enhance belt life. Maximum weight capacity is 450 pounds and dimensions are 82-inches by 37-inches by 67-inches. The Matrix line of treadmills has a distinct sculptural design developed through a customer-centric mindset, states the company. The MX-T5 is C-safe compatible and features entertainment-ready consoles with control buttons for Cardio Theater and Broadcast Vision systems within easy reach. These ergonomic sleek machines are also available with Matrix proprietary e-port, which provides both cable and power and will accommodate flat screens for viewing movies.
Matrix Fitness Systems, 8100 Wyoming Blvd., NE, M-4, No. 271, Albuquerque, NM 87113; (866) MXFITNESS; fax: (505) 242-4725; [email protected]; www.matrix-fitness.com.
Circle Service Reader No. 129
PRECOR
The C950 series low-impact treadmills were designed with advanced programs and features that help reduce injuries generally associated with running and walking. Both treadmills in the C950 series include Precor's exclusive Ground Effects impact-control system which helps absorb shock while walking and running. Other features include a touch-sensitive console, the QuickStart button and a proprietary bed and belt system that can be flipped to double its lifespan.
Precor Inc., 20031 142nd Ave. N.E., P.O. Box 7202, Woodinville, WA 98072-4002; (800) 786-8404; (425) 486-9292; fax: (425) 482-5654; [email protected]; www.precor.com
Circle Service Reader No. 130
SCIFIT
The DC1000 treadmill from SCIFIT features a simple to use, easy to read control panel. It offers one of the largest walking surfaces in the industry, according to the company, with a speed range from .5-10 m.p.h. Optional full side handrails are available. The DC1000 is powered by a 2.5 HP DC motor and is available in a 110v and 220v version.
SCIFIT, 5616A S.122nd E. Ave., Tulsa, OK 74143; (800) 278-3933; fax: (918) 254-4189; [email protected]; www.scifit.com
Circle Service Reader No. 131
SPORTSART
SportsArt's new 6310 club treadmill offers state-of-the-art performance features and breakthrough aesthetics, states the company. Of particular note is the unique Personal Cardio Advisor feature, which indicates what your heart rate should be for either fat burn or cardio training, as well as shows what your current heart rate is at all times. Other features include a 20-inch-by-60-inch deck, 0.1 to 12 m.p.h. speed range, a large tri-color dot matrix display and intuitive electronics.
Sports Art America:, 15500 Woodinville-Redmond Road, Building C, Suite 100, Woodinville, WA 98072; (800) 709 1400; (425) 481 9479; fax: (425) 488 8155; www.sportsartfitness.com
Circle Service Reader No. 132
STAR TRAC
The Star Trac TR4500 has a user-friendly Quick Start feature, 10 pre-set programs, patented Impact Absorption System, Personal Trainer Studio to create and save custom programs, and two easy-to-reach stop keys. The TR4500 also features the popular Sport Utility Display that provides holders for towels, water bottles, personal stereos and reading material.
Star Trac, 14410 Myford Road, Irvine, CA 92606; (714) 508-3378; FAX: (714) 508-3816; www.startrac.com
Circle Service Reader No. 133
TRUE FITNESS
True Fitness Technology debuted its new ZTX Model commercial treadmill series at the Club Industry Show in Chicago in November. The ZTX is the first treadmill ever to feature a brushless DC servomotor and controller drive system with similar technology to that found in machine tool applications, according to True founder Frank Trulaske.
True Fitness Technology Inc., 865 Hoff Road, O'Fallon, MO 63366; (800) 426-6570; [email protected]; www.truefitness.com
Circle Service Reader No. 134
VISION FITNESS
The T9700HRT corporate full-platform runner's treadmill features runner-specific programs with heart rate training written by Rod DeHaven, the 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon champion. The treadmill also features a unique User Log-In to track workouts while the Smart-Matrix LED consoles are easy to use, offering three categories of One-Touch Program Keys. Vision Fitness' eight variable durometer (softness) elastomers are strategically placed: the softest where the foot actually contacts the deck, and the firmest in the back to offer support. In addition, the large-frame 3.0 HP continuous-duty Baldor motor has an internal fan to keep the motor running cooler, thus lasting longer.
Vision Fitness, P.O. Box 280, 500 S. C.P. Ave., Lake Mills, WI 53551; (800) 335-4348; (920) 648-4090; fax: (920) 648-3373; www.visionfitness.com
Circle Service Reader No. 135