FREE delivery on all orders until December 31, 2009

A perfect opportunity to treat yourself or get your Christmas shopping under way, all you need to do is visit www.escapefitness.com/store and place your order to receive free delivery to anywhere in the UK mainland.

For more information, call free on 0800 458 5558 or email adam@escapefitness.com quoting ‘I want free delivery’.

Naturally, there are some terms and conditions*, but we hope they won’t spoil your fun too much. What are you waiting for? Get shopping!!

* Terms and conditions

• FREE delivery is only available with online orders under £5000 to UK mainland addresses
• The offer only applies to products at retail price and does not include Concept or Eleiko or certain matting products
• This offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion or promotional code

NOTICE: FITNESS ANYWHERE TAKES ACTION AGAINST DANGEROUS COUNTERFEIT TRX® SUSPENSION TRAINING® PRODUCTS
Fitness Anywhere has taken action to shut down sellers of counterfeit or knockoff versions of its proprietary TRX® Suspension Training® family of products, including the TRX® Suspension Trainer™ and TRX® Door Anchor™. Fitness Anywhere recently began hearing from concerned consumers who had bought these fakes, only to have them fail and cause injury.

Fitness Anywhere is working with EBay, Amazon.com and other online retailers to remove counterfeit products from the market and is also suing the manufacturers, distributors and sellers of these products in federal court (Fitness Anywhere, Inc. v. Stanley Yan, et al, case no. 09-4815). Furthermore, the company has taken steps to help customers ensure they are buying genuine TRX products.

“Since day one the focus of Fitness Anywhere has been on creating best-in-class products and programs that are safe and effective. We’ve enjoyed great success and have grown very rapidly,” says Fitness Anywhere founder and CEO Randy Hetrick. “The downside is that we have entered the realm of desirable name brand products like Nike shoes and Calloway golf clubs that have attracted imitators and counterfeiters.

Unfortunately, there are serious consequences of using cheaply made, bogus exercise equipment, especially something that needs to support hundreds of pounds of force even after years of use.”

The company’s advice to consumers is simple: If you find a TRX product on the internet that is not being sold through an authorized Fitness Anywhere retailer for a price that sounds like too good of a deal to be true, it is almost certainly a counterfeit product. “It’s like buying medicine on the internet.

It seems like a great deal until it makes you sick. Likewise with bogus TRX products, everything may seem fine until you use it and the cheap thread and stitching counterfeiters use to save money breaks and you end up hurt,” says Charlie Robb, Vice President of Operations, Administration, and Finance at Fitness Anywhere.

All genuine Fitness Anywhere products have been designed to exceed the requirements of the most demanding environments including busy health clubs, NFL training rooms and remote forward operating military bases. Plus they carry a one-year warranty to be free from defects in materials and workmanship.

Fitness Anywhere uses a rigorous, four-step control process to ensure the quality and durability of its products:

ONE: The company builds quality and durability into its designs.

Customers trust Fitness Anywhere’s products to support their bodyweight no matter what. Like manufacturers of mountain climbing gear, the company’s designs employ industrial strength materials, redundant stitching and failsafe features wherever possible.

This costs more, of course, but it’s the only way to make safe equipment.

TWO: Fitness Anywhere extensively tests the materials and components in its products.

Its suppliers must meet tough quality standards.

THREE: The company tests every batch of components to ensure they meet its specifications.
FOUR: Fitness Anywhere subjects finished products to one final test to make sure they meet the company’s specifications.

This four-tiered approach to quality control ensures that Fitness Anywhere products exceed stringent military specifications.

Fitness Anywhere remains the only manufacturer of the genuine TRX Suspension Trainer and Suspension Training products.

It sells the TRX Suspension Training products exclusively at www.fitnessanywhere.com, through the official Fitness Anywhere stores on eBay and Amazon, through the authorized distributors listed at its website, and through its network of online affiliates (which link buyers directly back to the company’s web store).

If you have any questions or concerns about a potential counterfeit product or a distributor, please contact Fitness Anywhere directly by calling customer service 415-655-4740 or emailing customerservice@fitnessanywhere.com.

Escape Model Search 2009

The search is finally over. The 2009 Escape Fitness Models have been chosen with the lucky four appearing in this year’s Escape Journal.

Still only in its second year, the Escape Journal has already become a must-have reference tool for anyone working in health and fitness around the world.

Escape launched its first ‘Real Model’ search last year and was overwhelmed by the response. Applications were invited from anyone regardless of gender, age, shape or size.

The only criteria was a passion for fitness. From over 200 entries, Escape selected just 20 to attend a casting session at the Reebok Club in London. After some tough deliberation the final four – Nyisha Jordan, Sophie Baxter, Simon Alebiosu and Daniel Terry – were chosen.

Their prize – aside from the chance to appear in the illustrious Journal and be seen worldwide over the next 12 months – a professionally styled photo shoot and a portfolio of pictures from the day.

Think you could be the next ‘Real Model’? Escape is already accepting applications for the 2010 model search. Visit www.escapefitness.com/escape-model or call 0800 458 5558 NOW!

ESCAPE EQUIPS RAF REHABILITATION CENTRE

Escape Fitness has equipped a rehabilitation facility at RAF Marham to help injured personnel return to military fitness.

Located near King’s Lynn in Norfolk, the Marham Wing is one of the largest and busiest in the RAF.

The interim rehabilitation facility has recently opened to cater for personnel recovering from sickness and a range of injuries from sports injuries to those sustained during military operations.

Escape has equipped the three-room centre with a range of functional equipment including Swiss balls, bosus, a Reebok Deck and a stretch station.

They also installed Pavigym flooring in the free weight area and cardio vascular suite as well as an integrated 7m sprint track in the group exercise room.

A team of six run the facility, which is used by average of 60 personnel a week.

“We focus on musculoskeletal rehabilitation using core stability, functional and strength and conditioning training to get personnel back to full military fitness as quickly as possible,” says Warrant Officer Jack MacFarlane.

The functional equipment from Escape is used to develop balance and proprioception as staff re-educate their clients in the basics of exercise in a bid to get them back to health.

As well as being incorporated into the individual workouts, the equipment is used in the weekly classes that focus on particular areas of the body such as the upper and lower limbs.

For example, Swiss balls are widely used in the back classes for postural-related exercises and for working the pelvic floor and transversus abdominis.

“The equipment purchased through Escape Fitness has provided our rehabilitation facility with some of the best equipment available in the fitness industry, enabling us to provide the best quality treatment through a functional exercise regime,” says Corporal Kristian Harrison, Remedial Instructor at RAF Marham.

Contrary to popular belief, January is not the month when most people join a gym. According to The Fitness Industry Association’s 2008 National Retention Report, it is in fact, September. Working on the basis that your club has seen an influx of keen new members in the last few weeks, now is the time to ensure that their enthusiasm is maintained and their desired results are starting to be achieved.

Boredom can undermine even the best intentions and when working out becomes a bit of a chore, it’s easy to find excuses for not doing it. One good way to avoid this, is to mix it up. Variety really is the spice of life and never more so than in exercise programming – keep it fun and keep it fresh, to keep them coming back. Equipment plays a big part in maintaining motivation and providing a range of products that are multi-purpose, functional and versatile will allow a greater number of exercise options to be performed and provide continued progression. It’s also important to have a variety of equipment which is appropriate for different user groups, the new Reebok Professional range for example, has been designed to appeal specifically to female exercisers with a funky citrus colour palette and smaller grips.

Lack of time is very often the main constraint preventing members from getting to the gym or working out for as long as they would like. Promote cross-training and the idea that exercise doesn’t just have to be done at the gym – using the hotel swimming pool while away on business or a work out in the park are just as valuable. The TRX Professional Suspension Trainer can be used anywhere there is a sturdy support making it perfect for occasions when getting to the gym is not an option. By encouraging regular participation in this way, you are increasing the likelihood of exercise adherence and ultimately member retention.

For those members who have a limited time at the gym, make sure that their programme maximises the time available. Schedule time efficient sessions such as a 45 minute lunch time class or a 30 minute all over body circuit, that can fit in with busy lifestyles, but still provides an effective work out. Exercise variety is not just beneficial from a psychological perspective it also has many physiological benefits and by varying the stresses placed on the body helps improve all round strength and fitness.

Some people find exercising alone incredibly dull. Personal Training or group exercise classes, such as spinning, might provide a more enjoyable alternative and the additional support needed. Remember to emphasise the different opportunities and activities throughout your facility and promote it as a complete package rather than separate components to help your members maintain motivation and achieve their goals.

Over the last two years the TRX Suspension Trainer has been adopted for use by professional and collegiate athletic teams, health clubs and elite personal trainers.

As many of you know the TRX Suspension Trainer was featured as one of the most innovative training tools available on NBC’s The Biggest Loser TV show.

Elite trainers Jillian Michaels and Bob Harper have incorporated suspension training workouts using the TRX to help the shows contestants lose weight. The show is known for using the latest and most innovative exercise methods.

People who choose to workout at home are finding out that the TRX Suspension Trainer is the only piece of exercise equipment that they’ll evern need for a home gym. Weighing in at less than two pounds, not only is it portable, but you can use the TRX to perform literally hundreds of total body exercises designed to lose weight, build strength, increase flexibility and strengthen the core.

Click here to Buy Your TRX NOW

Group Exercise and Personal Training! Personal Training and Group Exercise!

These are the two programming options that make up the foundation of our service offerings.

Add the impact of the recession to this mix and now we have a more pressing need to launch additional cost effective programming options that must be sensitive to the members’ new financial reality, while still satisfying the programming needs of the member, support the on-going financial requirements for the clubs and continue to reinforce the value of the club’s brand.

The Financial Upside to Group Training

If planned, executed and managed properly, a Group Training Programme can potentially generate the following return on the Club’s investment:

1. Generate an increase in Club Gross Income;
2. Create a higher Profit Margin for the Club [i.e. Increase in Net Income]
3. Create an increase in Club Income Per Member; and
4. Increase the Percentage of Non-Dues Revenue.

From the educated consumer’s perspective, Group Training adds a cost-effective programming option into the programming mix that will keep the members on track as they continue their “journey-to-success” at the facility of their choice.

Enter TRX® into the Programming Mix

Initially developed as a military training option (Navy Seals) and subsequently launched as a creative training tool for skilled Personal and Athletic Trainers, TRX® has now been positioned as a dynamic, multi-level, fee-based Group Training tool for clubs and fitness professionals who want to create a competitive point of difference in their business platforms.

Based on the comprehensive programming principles that have been developed by Randy Hetrick & Fraser Quelch, Creative Director/Owner and Educational Director, respectively of Fitness Anywhere, the TRX® Suspension Training System has evolved into an comprehensively efficient training system that can consistently deliver, as a minimum, the following seven physiological responses for individuals of all fitness levels:

1. muscular strength
2. muscular endurance
3. cardiovascular endurance
4. joint stability & joint mobility
5. flexibility
6. power
7. core stability

As fitness professionals with over 30 combined years of being exposed to various fitness programming options, we view these seven physiological benefits as being very inviting from an efficiency perspective.

The TRX Group option with a lower cost associated with the Programme adds the financial “sweetener” to the mix!

Based on what we have seen nationally and internationally, the secret of the success of the TRX Group Training Program can be identified by three distinct, yet interrelated factors:

1. The comprehensive nature of the TRX Educational Platform for Fitness Professionals;
2. The development of the professional skill-sets of the newly educated TRX Coaches that are listed here;

1. Entrepreneurial Mind-Set;
2. Ability to Sell Services-For-A-Fee;
3. Ability to Set and Share a Vision;
4. Ability to Develop Team & Group Building Dynamics;
5. Ability to Manage Team & Group Dynamics;
6. Ability to Lead People;
7. Have Professional Coaching Skill Sets;
8. Ability to Take Initiative Beyond the Job Description;
9. Ability to Display Professional Ethics
10. Ability to Manage Change;
11. Ability to Manage Individuals as Individuals;
12. Ability to Manage Business Processes;
13. Ability to Display Technical Skills;
14. Have Group Training Technical Skill Sets;
15. Have Cuing, Communicating & Presenting Skill Sets;
16. Have Musical Interpretation Skill Sets;
17. Have the Ability to Show Compassion & Empathy.

The 3rd consideration is the implementation, as a minimum, of the following 9-Step TRX® Group Program Implementation Process. These Steps include:

1. The identification of someone who will be responsible for launching & managing your TRX® Group Program (Coordinator, Supervisor or Manager);

2. The identification of the club-specific Suspension System hardware option;
3. The development of a business & marketing plan for your TRX® Group Program;
4. The identification of the skill-sets that your TRX® Group Coaches must have in order to be a TRX® Coach in your Program;
5. Have all your TRX® Group Program candidates enroll in the TRX® Suspension Training Course (STC);
6. Upon completion of the STC Course, the candidates must complete at least 30 days of a hands-on Practice Program with the STC Course content;
7. After completion of the 30-day STC hands-on Practice Program, all TRX® Group Program candidates must enroll in the Group Suspension Training Course (GSTC);
8. Upon completion of the GSC Course, each TRX® Group candidate must complete 30 days of teaching the TRX® Foundations Program in a live teaching environment. The students in these practice classes should be Personal Trainers, Group Exercise Instructors and other TRX® Group candidates;
9. After completion of the 30-day practice cycle, the Club TRX® Program
Coordinator, Supervisor or Manager will select the candidates who will launch the TRX® Group Program. These individuals will be called TRX® Coaches.

Clubs that have not followed this implementation pathway have actually sub-optimized their ability to achieve the benefits listed above. If you or your organization is ready to “jump-start” your 2009 business platform, Group Training is a must and the TRX® Group Training Programme is a win/win, if you do it right!

Credits for the article goes to:

Bob Esquerre
Esquerre Fitness Group

For more details on how you can generate income with TRX call Escape Fitness on 0800 458 5558 or e-mail: sales@escapefitness.com

Tamworth Snowdome

Who was the client?

The Snowdome in Tamworth wanted to extend its health and fitness offering with a dynamic concept to fit its vibrant image.

It visited the Escape Fitness stand at Leisure Industry Week in September and subsequently won a competition for a free facility design from Escape’s design arm, ESC Creative.

What was their outcome?

The Snowdome wanted to convert an under-utilised space into one that would appeal to existing clients, attract new members and generate revenue.

What equipment did they select?

The Snowdome had a former sports hall which was available and they worked with Escape Fitness to develop a whole boxing concept that was tailored to their clients called Fit box.

Snowdome developed a unique facility that offered members a full-sized boxing ring from Escape, Reebok free-standing punch bags and a range of accessories from Reebok including skipping ropes, Powerbags and medicine balls.

The area is supervised at all times and available to members to train independently or as part of scheduled classes.

What did the client say?

“We are an entrepreneurial leisure business and wanted something to spark the imagination of our members. The boxing-themed Fit box fits perfectly with our lively offering,” said managing director, Martin Smith.

Who was the client?

Sheffield Hallam University approached Escape Fitness to work with them on a £2m refurbishment of the University’s Collegiate Gym. Escape Fitness helped to equip two gyms at the university’s Collegiate and City campuses, both of which have been extended to double their size.

What was their outcome?

The University wanted new gyms to be equipped to cater for both the sporting elite as well as the everyday fitness of members.

What equipment did they select?

Escape provided free weights, flexi tuf flooring and functional training equipment including barbells, weight-lifting bars, rubber matting, x-racks, dumbbells, stability balls and Olympic bars.

The Club Hallam Fitness Suite and High Performance Hallam Strength and Conditioning area at the Collegiate Campus offers a SAQ and plyometric area equipped by Escape Fitness, which includes speed ladders and plyometric platforms designed to develop explosive power and speed of movement in athletes as they are challenged to jump over, on and around them.

The £2m investment demonstrates the university’s commitment to supporting healthy lifestyles and sporting excellence among its students and has resulted in an additional 2000 students joining.

The University also runs the Elite Hallam Sports Programme and the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS), which are designed to support students in combining their academic career while realising their sporting ambitions and potential.

What did the client say?

“The fantastic customer service at Escape Fitness and the undoubted quality of their equipment has helped us to achieve a wonderful fitness environment. This has helped us to meet our targets and increase participation levels,” says Josie Warburton, Recreation Supervisor at Sheffield Hallam University.

GLL Rivermead

Who was the client?

GLL (Greenwich Leisure Limited) worked with Escape Fitness to help equip the Rivermead Leisure Complex as part of a £2m refurbishment.

What was their outcome?

The client wanted to bring their site facilities up to standard and introduce a dedicated zone for Personal Training.

What equipment did they select?

The complex in Reading has been transformed over the last six months and now boasts a new gym housing 120 stations of equipment. Escape Fitness worked with GLL to develop flooring and equipment solutions that not only meets the needs of users, but also add value to the facility.

Escape equipped their Fitness Lounge with Personal Training equipment for core workouts including Reebok Medicine Balls, Dura Balls and Reebok Resistance Tubes.

Other spaces in the gym include the free weights area, which features Pavigym’s double-layered and shock absorbent Free Weight Flooring to prevent damage to the flooring and to protect the surface below.

The flooring not only cushions the fall of any equipment, but also provides great sound proofing.

Escape also installed a full 30 person Reebok Studio including Reebok Decks, Training Bars and space saving storage for Medicine Balls, Dura Balls and a multi-mat storage rack for yoga and studio mats.

In addition, Escape has also installed two 10m sprint track lanes from BSW in the new exercise studio, which can be used for speed and agility training, plyometric training and circuits as well as generating additional revenue through personal training.

What did the client say?

“This comprehensive refurbishment programme means Rivermead now offers some of the best, most innovative leisure and fitness facilities in the region,” says Ben Whaymand, General Manager at the Rivermead Leisure Complex.