Ellipticals & Lateral Trainers Are Offering More Than Ever

When it comes to ongoing innovation, the cardiovascular equipment category outpaces all others. In order to continue attracting, engaging, and inspiring club members, manufacturers fine-tune, upgrade, and reinvent virtually nonstop with respect to design, programming, and customization.

"The trend with respect to change in cardio products continues to center on technology and programming—introducing more options to accommodate individual preferences, so the user is in control of the workout,” says Brody Jackson, the director of sales for the North America/Direct Division at TRUE Fitness.

F.I.T. 2019, distributed with the November issue of CBI, included new elliptical entries from Intenza Fitness, Movement, and Precor Inc., and noted other companies’ growing portfolios: Octane Fitness and Precor now offer three ellipticals, and TRUE Fitness has four.

Octane, TRUE, the Helix Company, and SportsArt all have new models and/or features to tempt consumers.

SportsArt Highlights Sustainable Products

SportsArt has completely revamped its classic elliptical with an elegant new design, and recently unveiled a 3-in-1 Cross Trainer that combines elliptical, stepper, and cycle motion paths. Both units come in several models: ECO-POWR (energy-producing), ECO-Natural (self-powered), and SENZA (with touchscreen).

“We believe that more clubs will embrace sustainable practices, utilizing equipment that, while it produces results for users, also makes them feel as though they’re contributing to environmental well-being,” says Matt Thorsen, the product manager at SportsArt.

Helix, TRUE, and Octane Offer Unique Experiences

Helix offers a novel workout with its recumbent lateral trainer, a seated, total-body unit that’s gaining fans both in the U.S. and internationally. “Because its motion is unique, this trainer really is an experiential product,” says Scott Logan, the firm’s vice president of marketing.

TRUE spotlighted all four of its units—its C200, C400, and C900 ellipticals, and its Spectrum traverse lateral trainer—in F.I.T. 2019. The Cardio 360 program on the units serves as a built-in personal trainer.

TRUE and Octane both offer side steps on their ellipticals, which allow exercisers to periodically isolate the upper body. And, for the lower body, Octane’s SmartStride interactive ergonomics analyze a user’s pace and automatically adjust the stride length accordingly.

Octane’s Cross Circuit program combines cardio intervals on the equipment with strength exercises on the floor, permitting users to target specific areas. “It’s a great way to hit both cardio and strength, attract interest to these machines, and generate a buzz on the cardio floor,” says Ryan Simat, the vice president and general manager of commercial and specialty products for Octane.