FIBO USA FOCUS | June 15, 2020

FIBO USA • NOVEMBER 6-8, 2020 • MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA

PURE GOLD Lori Lowell brings a blend of yoga and fitness to her seven Gold’s Gym franchises. Page 6

Aktiv Solutions Embraces The Disruption ... Page 2 JUNE 15 2020 VOL. 2 NO. 8 WWW.FIBOUSA.COM

A REED EXHIBITIONS EVENT

FIBO FOCUS • June 15, 2020

FIBO USA FOCUS: AKTIV SOLUTIONS

EMBRACING THE

DISRUPTION FUNCTIONAL OCCUPANCY IS AT THE CORE OF FINDING THE FORMULA FOR

‘THE GYM OF THE FUTURE’ AND OF AKTIV SOLUTIONS’ DESIGN-FIRST PHILOSOPHY.

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hallenging times in the fitness industry have brought a disruption never felt before by health club owners and fitness amenity operators, many of whom are struggling with balancing the safety of their guests while still valiantly providing quite possibly the most essential of well-being resources in a postCOVID-19 era. These same daunting challenges may very well bring unique opportunities to define the future of a new fitness experience while attracting far more happy customers than simply those who operators stand to lose in the midst of the current environment.

One of those such optimists is Bryan Green, founder and CEO of Aktiv Solutions, the provider of gym concepts and design, who is actively pushing the health club and fitness industry to abandon the ways of the past in favor or taking this opportunity to not just safely, but successfully – and profitably – embrace the future.

And in this moment of social distancing and safety-first, Green shares that fundamentally it all starts with new thinking around the design of all types of commercial exercise space.

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Bryan Green is committed to designing the gym of the future.

“Operators are looking today at what equipment they have and doing their very best to space it out and manage hygiene and member distancing for reopening. The problem is that under the current constraints that they neither asked for or anticipated, the great majority are subjecting their model at best to a diluted version of its previous offering,” Green explains, pointing out that this is essentially protecting a gym of the past, not a focus on developing the advancement of a gym of the future.

“Customer expectations have changed, the entire landscape has changed,” he adds. “Unfortunately, facilities that don’t anticipate the long term and wait until things return to how they were prior to COVID may never find their way back..

“We’re all being disrupted and we should expect to continue to be disrupted, whether by another wave of pandemic or the competition,” he continues. “But the goal is to disrupt yourself first before someone or something else does it to you.”

Green realizes that there is an understandable but disproportionate focus on mitigating the short-term condition (just reopening www.fibousa.com

FIBO FOCUS • June 15, 2020

The concept of functional occupancy drives the health club design philosophy at Aktiv Solutions. somehow) and shares that looking further into the future is always difficult. But secular trends dictate that it is unlikely that a strong percentage of prior members will simply rejoin without not just new conditions, but additional value. Perhaps of even greater importance is that those coveted non-health clubs members (still approximately 80 percent of the population) will seek commercial health club solutions only to find that there may be little to be gained than working out from home.

This leads to what Green describes as three critical areas of gym design that Aktiv’s process uniquely solves for well before layering in equipment recommendations and brand experience attributes on top.

1. Spacing. Referring to the concept as “distancing” is a “fear-based label.” Green prefers the term “spacing.” In many facilities, the best practice of keeping six feet or more 3

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space is already largely in place as a requirement for free and unrestricted human movement during exercise.

“Most people would prefer not to share the sweat of another during an aggressive training session at the gym if it can be avoided,” he points out. Put another way, humans still want a communal training experience, but not that communal.

To support the now greater awareness around spacing concerns, facilities are turning to floor decals and guidance to visually cue these delineations — floor-based graphics can help guide members into the right spaces for safety and traffic flow during exercise to maximize functional occupancy, but clubs need to do more than place signage.

Bottom line: Establishing distancing while optimizing space to achieve ROI and deliver an exceptional workout experience for members comes with many challenges. The solution is

a design-driven one.

2. Hygiene Integration. Developing a Hygiene Protocol that is sustainable, efficient and visible to members has suddenly become a priority. However, most strong operators already have been thoughtful in varying degrees.

While this does require an investment in planning, supply and member culture, the benefits are immense.

There are several facets naturally to consider, the cleaning of surfaces and equipment pre- and post-workout sessions is fundamental. Another critical component is air sanitization.

Members can participate in surface hygiene via well-placed gym wipes, but effective air hygiene is the sole responsibility of the operator. There are proven ways to effect strong filtration and achieve safe air balance, most of which are relatively low in cost including medical grade HEPA filtration.

3. Equipment Sharing. This is the key www.fibousa.com

FIBO FOCUS • June 15, 2020

A “reimagination of space” driven by Pods is at the core of the design philosophy that will take the industry into the future. component of designing towards the club of the future, because while controlling traffic flow with floor markings and signage and spacing equipment is one step, it still leaves the issue of communal use of product to be addressed.

In order to adapt, operators must reimagine and redesign floorplans to essentially eliminate or significantly reduce the use of shared equipment during workout sessions.

“This is by far the most challenging of aspect of the process as today most clubs are designed for the communal use of equipment within the confines of a training session, such as single station strength units and free weights,” Green points out. “There are several smart ways to gain new 4

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floor planning efficiencies while eliminating the shared use of equipment during a given interval. Reserving space and predetermining its captive use are the starting point.”

The million-dollar question for operators in the current environment is how to achieve the highest functional occupancy while fostering an energetic and communal space and ensuring the workout experience is not compromised.

Achieving Functional Occupancy One such solution being implemented by Aktiv Solutions’ for select clients are designated functional training pods. — Members can be purposefully and safely positioned for

efficient individual workout sessions within a given space and with captive access to all the training equipment needed.

“This design directive essentially dictates foot traffic flow and distancing controls while accommodating the optimization of occupancy levels” Green explains. The pod design does not required enclosure with walls or plexiglass; rather these systems when spatially planned well demonstrate visual structure and personalization.

“Members can feel safe within these training spaces and not concerned that they might have to share equipment mid-session with others,” says Green, who stresses that Pods must be properly cleaned and offer www.fibousa.com

FIBO FOCUS • June 15, 2020

Put customers into a space, keep them there where they feel safe and give them a great workout experience ... the ability for individuals to also disinfect surfaces themselves to ensure peace of mind. Pods must contain all the right equipment to support multiple modalities and be positioned within proximity to instruction — digital or live.

“If smartly designed, this solution will actually offer more focused and robust mind/body workout experiences for members than ever before,” he says, while addressing distancing, hygiene and isolated equipment use at the same time.

Designing the Future Rebalancing the future floorplan of a gym requires a design-first approach, not simply an equipment 5

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modification, and that is the approach taken by Aktiv Solutions.

“We have been building designs specific to personal spaces within larger spaces since our inception,” Green says. “To us, this is the true definition of member experience.

We partner with operators to implement design-forward planning not simply to mitigate challenges, but to strengthen their competitive advantages.”

To help club owners understand the concept, Green asks them to visualize the typical restaurant experience and how it can be copied by the gym experience.

“The goal of a restaurant is to put customers in a space and keep them

there, where they feel safe, give them a great dining experience just like the people at the next table and then get them out so you can bring in the next customer. There’s a lot to be learned from that in the gym business.

“Apply that concept to training in a club — welcome people in, give them a great and focused training experience, and rotate them out as the next member arrives,” Green says.

Approaching this as an opportunity to design and build for the future is key, Green says. “If you just open up space with fewer pieces of equipment and fewer people, then you are just a lesser version of what you were. Clubs that reimagine and rebalance their space with a more holistic approach will win.” n www.fibousa.com

FIBO FOCUS • June 15, 2020

One-on-One With …

LORI LOWELL

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pon returning home from graduating college with a degree in Dance from the University of South Florida, Lori Lowell began to dance with some local D.C. area dance companies after working in her day job with

the lobbying group for Nike shoes on Capitol Hill. Coincidentally, it was a time when Nike was launching its fitness shoe and

clothing line and she was given the side job of distributing the brand’s clothing and shoes to the fitness studios and gyms in the DC metropolitan area. That was the beginning of her exposure to the world of fitness and here she tells FIBO Focus of her journey to becoming the owner of seven Gold’s Gym locations in northern Virginia and the founder of the Drishti Beats music concept.

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Please take us on your journey into the fitness business.

Entering into the fitness world working with Nike was really the moment of my absolute certainty that the fitness industry was my destiny. I never turned back. I soon became a group fitness instructor and director for a chain of clubs in the Northern Virginia area, followed by my husband, Jeremy, and I becoming a partner in one gym in 1995. In 1996 our partner decided to de-brand and become a licensee for Gold’s Gym. So that’s how the Gold’s Gym connection began?

My husband and I were quickly catapulted into the world of Gold’s Gym and it was an absolute amazing brand with phenomenal energy and passion by the licensors and our locations still have the same feeling as it did in 1996. It wasn’t long before I took on the role of National Group Fitness Director for Gold’s Gym International, continued to grow our own franchise clubs, became a Les Mills national trainer and presenter, and a speaker for the fitness industry focusing on programming. I immersed myself into the world of program development and club operations. www.fibousa.com

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That’s a full resume.

The journey has been and still is amazing. I feel strongly that I have the best partnership group in the world. We love our gyms and our communities and we continue to operate with passion even through COVID. We are steadfast in coming out of this stronger and better than before and we laugh with each other through thick and thin. My partnership group is smart and I’m proud to be a part of this esteemed group.

So what motivates you today?

I have the opportunity to constantly reinvent myself and move in various directions in the industry that keep me inspired and bring me joy.

What’s your favorite part of your job?

It is giving those that work with me the opportunity to find their passion and realize their potential. I love taking our group ideas and bringing them to fruition. I love the idea of doing something with our team that is collaborative and goal oriented. I love giving those I serve opportunities.

Lowell now co-owns seven Gold’s Gym locations in northern Virginia and is looking for a return to normalcy post-COVID.

How about your least favorite part of being in this business?

That is watching the industry atlarge devalue the fitness product and wonder how we allowed this to happen. It’s unnerving.

What do you look for in hiring the people who work with you?

When hiring people, I look for those that are willing to truly think and have creative ideas and are ready to jump in and give it a whirl. Most importantly I look for people that want to make a difference for the better with their co-workers and our members.

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Is it difficult finding that combination in people?

It’s simple. Our business is simple and if one is fortunate enough to find their space in fitness it is the most fabulous career in the world with great rewards on so many levels.

How about your own fitness routine these days.

My own fitness routine consists of yoga, weight training and indoor cycling, specifically our own developed product MOi Cycle, religiously every day. I love to exercise and I love to teach yoga.

THE DRISHTI BEATS GOES ON

Drishti Beats is Lori Lowell’s labor of love.

Having a strong musical and yoga background, in 2014 she and her husband, Jeremy, along with their daughter (vocalist) Ariel, son (producer, conscious rapper) Alec, and son (graphic designer) Ian decided to create a band with other musicians to produce music 8

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specifically for their yoga classes.

They quickly got on the festival circuit, released music on all music platforms (downtempo electronic chill, with live musical elements) and began teaching yoga classes with their band on stage at EDM style music festivals. They have traveled the world performing and teaching.

In addition, both Lori and Jeremy are E-RYT 500 yoga teachers and have developed the Drishti Beats Yoga Teacher Training RYT200 and RYT-300 hour yoga teacher training, both live and online.

Their Gold’s Gym locations provide them with the opportunity to build an entire yoga platform, train instructors who are on their schedule and facilitate trainings at its locations.

“It has been an amazing project and currently our online platform has trainees immersed in our training from all over the world,” Lowell says. “If we can make our yoga programs thrive in a Gold’s Gym, we can do it anywhere and our Drishti Beats Yoga classes are standingroom-only and really dive deep into true traditional Vinyasa Flow with wonderful contemporary vibes.”

She explains that Drishti Beats is becoming a lifestyle brand with music, yoga training, festivals combining to create a “beautiful and mindful brand.”

Interestingly, the COVID-19 pandemic has sped up the growth of the concept, thanks to the cooperation of Yoga Alliance accrediting Online Yoga Teacher Trainings. “We have so many trainees immersing themselves wholeheartedly in our Yoga Teacher Training,” Lowell says. “We are humbled.”

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FIBO FOCUS • June 15, 2020

On a topical note, how has the COVID-19 pandemic impacted business at your gyms and your interaction with your clients?

During the pandemic we have completely revamped our clubs with hard-working employees who have shown up every day making enhancements. We are so proud of the progress we have made, and we know that our members are excited to come back. I truly can’t wait to reopen on June 12th. We are ready.

What specific steps have you taken to prepare for reopening?

We have tried to do everything possible to ensure that when we do open we will have all precautions in place to provide as safe an environment as possible. I think if we stay focused and have our landlords work with us we can and will recover. We just need some time to get our business back up to the same operating revenue platform that we had before.

How do you do that?

We will simply dig in and fight the fight that we need to. Our life work for years has been put into these clubs; we need to recover. Our partners, specifically Joe Harrison and Sandy Hall and my husband Jeremy, have just done an amazing job with staying focused on reopening.

How would you characterize the state of the fitness business in the United States, both pre- and postCOVID-19? What is the industry going to need to do to recover from all of this?

The fitness industry was not as strong pre-COVID than what it appeared to have been. I’m surprised to see so much Chapter 11 happening with so many chains. The truth comes out, right? I don’t know, I just know something is wrong.

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Lori Lowell and her husband, Jeremy, make yoga and wellness the centerpiece of their lives as they operate their Gold’s Gym locations and Drishti Beats.

What is your solution?

My true feeling is that if we compete against ourselves, we win. But if we compete against the competition we lose. I just truly feel that way, so I am focusing on our members and our gyms.

How do you do that as the business struggles to reopen?

It’s so fun to be creative and have fun with our members and business. It’s amazing to still be a small company and truly immerse ourselves into creating experiences and sharing stories with our members. I am going to stick with why I entered into the business to begin with — passion, commitment, program development for success and partner collaboration. I have amazing colleagues and I truly do hope that we all can come back and get ahead on the backside of this.

What role do you see FIBO USA playing in the U.S. fitness business?

FIBO USA seems to be making its mark. It is young, fresh and liberal. I

love that. It is open for new creative ideas. It’s fun to see what they are doing.

What one piece of advice would you give to other club owners or trainers on how to be better – and make more money – in the fitness business?

One piece of advice or two — be creative and avoid getting stuck in the protocols of others.

And …

Be your own boss and celebrate the joy of fitness by helping people and making their lives better through fitness and community. Be adamant about creating the space and providing amazing experiences that are right for you and your vision.

That’s an exciting way to look at this business.

Big risk, big reward — big risk, big loss. Who knows? But “Give It All,” which just happens to be the name of our next Drishti Beats music track being released on International Yoga Day, June 21. n www.fibousa.com

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SPECIAL REPORT

The Health Club’s Guide to Protein

What health professionals need to know about protein for their clients.

BY JONATHAN MIKE, PHD FOR THE PERSONAL TRAINER AND fitness professional, or those individuals seeking to gain lean body mass, the quality of protein consumed is an important dietary factor. Protein’s value cannot be overstated due to its role in protein synthesis and increasing lean muscle mass in conjunction with resistance training. Not only is protein required for muscle hypertrophy, but also for repair and regeneration of damaged cells and tissues resulting from intense training and stress.

Strength athletes and physique competitors should obtain the majority of their protein from whole foods, but the convenience, simplicity and even cost-effectiveness of protein powders, drinks and protein bars can’t be ignored.

Whey and casein are both milk proteins and the A-listers of the protein powder world. Research has shown that when combined with resistance training, milk proteins have been linked to increases in protein synthesis and muscle strength.

Despite the fact that the digestibility and absorption of whey and casein differ, both types of protein have been reported to increase the 10

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anabolic response to exercise.

But the world of protein supplementation doesn’t end in the milk aisle. A number of protein products have popped up that are derived from various sources. Some are aimed at restricted populations, while others are trying to be the next whey.

Whey Protein Many refer to whey as a “fastacting” protein, which means that the body breaks it down and absorbs it relatively quickly. Whey is split into several forms via isolates,

Protein’s value cannot be overstated due to its role in protein synthesis and increasing lean muscle mass in conjunction with resistance training.

concentrates and hydrolysates. The differences lie within the processing method. Whey isolates are a very high-quality protein. They are quickly absorbed by the body and contain 90 percent or more protein by weight, very little fat and almost zero lactose. Whey isolates are considered more specific to the protein itself, compared to whey concentrates, which contain larger amounts of other materials. Whey concentrate contains between 25 percent and 89 percent protein by weight depending upon the product.

A well-known study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology showed that whey hydrolysate supplementation increased muscle protein synthesis to a greater extent than soy and casein — both during rest and after resistance training in healthy young subjects within the first three hours post-ingestion.

While at rest, whey protein was shown to be 93 percent and 18 percent more effective than casein and soy, and whey protein was 122 percent and 31 percent more effective than casein and soy post-exercise.

However, due to the large differences observed between whey and www.fibousa.com

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The quality of protein consumed is an important dietary factor for individuals seeking to safely gain lean body mass.

the other proteins, it’s likely that whey protein isolate (WPI) or whey protein concentrate (WPC) would have yielded similar results as the whey protein hydrolysate used in the experiment. Another study found that hydrolyzed whey isolate can increase actual gains in lean mass and strength over 10 weeks compared with casein. It seems that the various whey proteins are the superior choice post-workout for those seeking muscular gains.

Casein Protein Casein is composed of roughly 80 percent bovine milk protein and is known as a “slow-acting” protein. It takes slightly longer to digest as it 11

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gradually releases amino acids into the bloodstream. Interestingly, the ratio of protein in a glass of milk is about 20 percent whey to 80 percent casein. Casein also has a different amino acid profile compared to whey and contains 10 to 20 percent less essential amino acids per gram of protein, although it is especially high in glutamine.

Casein actually forms as a clot in the stomach and comprises casomorphin proteins, which act as natural opiates that decrease gastrointestinal activity. Casein has also been shown to provide elevated levels of amino acids that may be beneficial to ingest in the evening hours, specifically before

sleep considering the overnight fast.

Another advantage for those who are dieting is that it seems to be a better appetite suppressor compared to whey.

In a head-to-head muscle-building matchup with whey, casein appears to lose. Researchers from the Exercise Metabolism Unit, Center for Aging, Rehabilitation, Exercise and Sport in Australia showed that 13 recreational bodybuilders who supplemented with 1.5 grams of whey protein isolate per kilogram of body mass per day increased their muscle mass and strength more than participants consuming an equal amount of casein during a 10-week supervised strength-training program. www.fibousa.com

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Luckily, you’re not forced to choose one over the other, as a combination of the two is likely the best alternative. (Many supplements now contain both whey and casein protein in order to provide the body full advantage of their varying absorption rates.)

A study published in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research examined the effects of protein supplementation on 36 trained men who followed a four-day-a-week resistance-training program for 10 weeks. Each subject ingested either a carbohydrate placebo, 40 grams of whey protein plus eight grams of casein or 40 grams of whey protein plus three grams of BCAAs and five grams of glutamine per day.

At the end of the 10-week experiment, significant increases in strength were observed in all groups. However, the group that consumed whey plus casein experienced significantly greater increases in lean mass.

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Soy Protein Soy can be a confusing topic, as half of the world seems convinced that it’s a superfood blessed with curative powers. While soy may have some health-promoting benefits for many people, chances are you’re not one of them. A recent review revealed that soy foods and isoflavones can provide relief from menopausal symptoms and protect against breast cancer and heart disease, although the mechanisms

Soy can be a confusing topic, as half the world seems convinced that it’s a superfood blessed with curative powers.

of action are not completely understood.

When it comes to building muscle, soy protein’s performance is a bit clearer. Just like whey, soy protein has a few subcategories, including soy flour, soy concentrate and soy isolate, which has the greatest concentration of protein. The majority of strength athletes avoid soy products mainly due to the isoflavones linked with soybeans. These are also known as phytoestrogens and have the ability to bind to estrogen receptors, which can mimic the effects of estrogens in some tissues and even block the effects of estrogen in others.

Research indicates that there are some hormonal concerns regarding soy, as it does have a high potential for exhibiting estrogen-like effects, as well as a lower leucine content compared to whey protein.

Although soy is of similar protein quality to whey – based on Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS) – it does not increase muscle protein synthesis to the degree of whey protein. In a classic study published in 2009 in the Journal of Applied Physiology, whey stimulated muscle protein synthesis significantly better compared to soy protein post-workout. As such, soy protein is probably not the best option for those seeking strength and lean body mass gains. However, for individuals who eschew animal protein or who may be lactose intolerant, soy is an acceptable choice.

Beef Protein When it comes to building muscle, steak and its attendant nutrients (namely, creatine and carnosine) is an attractive protein source for athletes. Beef protein is currently on the market for its use as a protein powder (beef protein isolate) via dehydrated and processed beef.

At present, evidence does exist in www.fibousa.com

FIBO FOCUS • June 15, 2020

Egg protein is also a highquality protein and is highly recommended as a supplement for hypertrophy training. supporting the use of beef protein in powdered form but lack substantially in comparison with Whey and Casein.

Creatine content is a selling point for many beef protein products, although it is not known how much creatine is in each serving. By comparison, lean red meat provides two grams of creatine per 16-ounce portion, but a tablespoon of actual creatine monohydrate mixed with water provides about five grams.

Furthermore, there is a huge cost associated with dehydrating copious amounts of beef into powders.

There’s no debate about the benefits of beef as a whole food, however. Studies have indicated that diets consisting of meat resulted in greater gains in lean body mass compared to subjects on a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet.

Beef protein could be a valuable addition to those who want to improve body composition but who might be lactose intolerant and want to avoid soy. Athletes who follow an ancestral eating program like the Paleo diet and avoid milk products can utilize beef protein powder while remaining compliant.

Hemp Protein A member of the cannabis family, but without the psychoactive effects of its cousin, hemp protein comes from grinding the tiny, nutrient-rich 13

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seeds of the hemp plant. Hemp protein contains two blood-building proteins: edistin and albumin. While not a complete protein source, many hemp-based products contain other forms of plant protein to round out the amino acid profile.

You can use hemp protein the same as any other protein powder, as it has a decent absorption rate and is moderately high in arginine and tyrosine but low in lysine and leucine. To its credit, hemp protein does contain a significant amount of omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids and it is high in fiber.

Those may be the most attractive selling points for hemp protein, which is almost more of a meal replacement compared to a postworkout alternative.

While there’s a lack of supportive evidence for hemp as a superior protein source, for vegetarians who want to avoid soy, it’s an acceptable choice to augment your workouts.

Egg Protein Egg protein is also a high-quality protein and is highly recommended as a supplement for hypertrophy training. Most hard-training athletes cook their own eggs and egg whites, or even hard-boil them, but egg-white protein powder (which originates from dehydrated egg whites that have been processed into a fine powder) can be a valuable and convenient replacement.

A study from McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, took six healthy males and randomly assigned them to ingest either 0, 5, 10, 20 or 40 grams of whole-egg protein (as a drink dissolved in 400 milliliter water with mixed amino acids) following lower-body resistance training.

Subjects ingested each level of protein on five separate occasions.

The researchers determined that a 20-gram post-workout dose was

close to the optimal dose for peak protein synthesis when consuming egg protein. Nonetheless, consuming eggs as whole foods seems most optimal due to their nutrient benefits and convenience.

About the author Jonathan Mike, PhD, currently teaches in the exercise science and sports performance program at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, AZ. He has worked as a strength and conditioning coach and has contributed to dozens of online fitness, strength and consumer outlets in the country. He has been involved with NSCA and previously served on numerous committees and special interest groups and has spoken at 40 events, including many for NSCA and other organizations. Jonathan has authored numerous peer-review and scientific publications and has written 10 book chapters related to sports nutrition and strength and conditioning. Jonathan is a sought-after presenter nationally and internationally. Certifications: CSCS*D, NSCA-CPT*D, USAW, NKT-2, SNS

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COVID-19 CASE HISTORY

Fitbench Offers Solcioty Fitness A COVID-19 Solution A ‘new normal’ is demanding different ways of designing fitness studios.

CAMARADERIE, COMPETITION and community define Solcioty Fitness, a heart rate interval training studio in Atlanta, GA, where exercisers in small group classes run, row, ride and perform resistance training to motivating music and cued lighting for 60 intense minutes.

But as the COVID-19 pandemic changed fitness center operations, Solcioty had to reconfigure its 2612-square-foot studio to further maximize safety for participants and staff. Its solution included adding 12 Fitbench Studios to transform the space into individual, self-contained stations for each exerciser.

“With this new equipment, each participant has a personal station, which correlates to the cardio machine they use,” explains Solcioty Fitness co-founder Justin Kanawyer.

“Because the Fitbench houses all the equipment they need, members don’t

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have to share dumbbells, resistance bands, slam balls or anything else.”

The Fitbench Studio is an adjustable, portable bench that houses four dumbbell sets, one slam ball, and three sets of premium Fitbands with removable handles to facilitate a variety of exercises, including step-ups and bench jumps, in an allin-one, compact solution.

The Fitbench units enable classes to proceed seamlessly, without interruptions to clean equipment between users. “Our members not only love the quality of the Fitbench, but also appreciate how it helps our classes flow smoothly,” Kanawyer adds.

“It is so good to be back at Solcioty and I was blown away to see the new and improved equipment,” says member Lauren Weissman.

After state restrictions were lifted, Solcioty instituted a strict protocol,

initially running only four classes daily at 50 percent capacity, with members using every other station on the floor to maintain social distancing. After each class, staff thoroughly deep cleans the studio, disinfects all equipment, mops the floor and wipes down frequently touched surfaces.

“Any gym can make you sweat with a great workout,” Kanawyer points out. “We give you the encouragement you need to show up, the motivation you need to give it your all and the support you need when you want to quit. This is a fun, positive environment where members can get away for one hour and focus completely on themselves.”

Fitbench makes fitness tools designed to maintain workout intensity and variety, while facilitating quick exercise transitions in a safe and neat manner. info@fitbench.

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E T A D NEW

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