The February 2010 issue of the leading consumer products testing magazine featured more LifeSpan treadmills than any other brand, and one LifeSpan elliptical in its annual reviews of fitness equipment. Making this year’s list of products reviewed were the LifeSpan TR200, TR1200i and TR2000 folding treadmills, and the EL3000i elliptical trainer. The TR200 was a Recommended Pick for its unique compact design.. The TR2000 treadmill, TR1200i treadmill and the EL3000i elliptical received Good to Very Good ratings in all categories. The magazine remains one of the most consumer-respected resources for product testing and brand comparison.

In a recent article in the LA Times, the author asked three trainers what high-tech gadget or device they’d recommend above all others. Gina Lombardi, respected LA-based personal trainer, recommended a vibration plate and demonstrated the LifeSpan VP1000 Vibration Trainer. Below is the excerpt from the LA Times story.

“I’ll ask someone to keep their legs straight and touch their toes and they can’t do it, but they’ll get on the vibration plate for 30 seconds and they’ll be able to do it. Most people are inflexible in their hamstrings and lower back. I’ve also had people get on there and do fairly easy yoga poses and it tremendously increases their flexibility.”

“I recommend using it just twice a week to start and beginning on a low frequency — don’t do it with every workout because you have to get used to it. Ideally you should first try it with a trainer who knows how to use the machine. The most obvious improvement people usually see is in flexibility. Second is strength. I had one female client who couldn’t do one regular push-up after weight training for a couple of months. After I put her on the platform, she could do ten push-ups after one week. Women are always the underdogs when it comes to upper-body strength, so it’s nice to get the upper edge.”

Studies have shown that people who used the plate increased their power output and their strength. That’s huge, and it can apply to the average Joe who goes into the gym and wants to get more flexible and get stronger. Just by doing a few 30- to 60-second intervals on the platform they’re able to increase their strength and power, and it gives them that instant gratification that everyone wants.

Also, a lot of my clients do their own stunts, and it’s tremendous for getting them in top shape in a short amount of time. These are lasting effects but just like anything else, if you don’t use it you’re going to de-train.”

LifeSpan Vibration Trainer Key Features

• Three-Way Vibration — Experts recommend buying a vibration plate with three-way vibration. The LifeSpan VP1000 platform design provides multi-directional vibration, with movement up and down, side to side, and front to back.
• Versatile — In addition to achieving whole body vibration by simply standing on the VP1000 Vibration Trainer, you can also use it while it is vibrating to enhance several exercises. You’ll get a more intense workout as you perform lunges, squats, calf raises, pushups, situp twists and more. Exercises are easy to perform, yet you’ll feel the difference doing them with the VP1000.

Ideal for Casual Exercisers with Little Space

The new compact LifeSpan TR200 treadmill was highly praised by treadmill review groups in recent reviews of the best treadmills for 2010. The compact TR200 folding treadmill received awards for Best New Treadmill, Recommended Unique Design and Best Treadmill Under $1000.

The compact LifeSpan TR200 treadmill is designed for light use walking indoors in small workout spaces. "This category buster is a very compact treadmill that could be stored under something that has about 12" clearance," says the leading consumer products testing group who selected the TR200 treadmill as a Recommended Pick for its unique design. Treadmill Doctor also praised the compact LifeSpan TR200 treadmill as, "One of the most innovative new treadmills in an industry that is lacking in regard to innovation." Finally, Fitness Professor says the TR200 folding treadmill is, "Perfect for those looking for a simple, easy-to-use AND easy-to-store walking treadmill. Hands down the TR200 is our Head of the Class winner for treadmills under $1,000!"

The LifeSpan TR200 folding treadmill is contemporary, convenient and sized perfectly for light users looking for a simple, portable walking treadmill. This compact folding treadmill is surprisingly sturdy, yet small enough to use in any workout space.

It has features not found on similar treadmills such as incline to simulate uphill walking, contact heart rate sensors to monitor heart rate and built-in speakers with premium sound for mp3 tunes. The intuitive console features a large, easy-to-use display with six exercise programs, motivating readouts and quick speed and incline buttons. All this plus it comes fully assembled and ready to use right out of the box.

The compact TR200 treadmill folds quickly and easily to store under a bed, in a closet or behind a door. Unlike most folding treadmills where the deck folds up, the TR200’s unique design allows the handlebars to fold down and lay flat on the treadmill deck, making it ideal to store vertically or horizontally at only 11″ thin.
Bruce Pechman, independent fitness equipment reviewer, sums up the TR200 treadmill by saying, "I love it! It has a rock solid frame and combines high-end treadmill features and attributes with the bonus of folding away quickly and easily."

The LifeSpan Fitness Club is at the center of a complete wellness solution, designed to help members achieve their health and fitness goals. It serves as a hub for individuals, enabling them to plan and track health and fitness related activities.

With the financial impact of insurance premiums, out of pocket costs, and chronic diseases, consumers now more than ever are looking for solutions to help them live healthy and fit.

The LifeSpan Fitness Club is the solution in your quest for healthy living. As a member of the LifeSpan Fitness Club, you can set goals and plan physical activity by creating a workout calendar best suited for you. You can manually enter exercise data and vital stats, as well as upload data automatically saved by IHP certified fitness equipment, including LifeSpan treadmills, elliptical trainers, exercise bikes and health monitors like the LifeSpan blood pressure monitor. You can track your physical activity and vital stats over time, and re-establish health and fitness goals.

New member enrollment in the LifeSpan Fitness Club has increased 400% since January 1, 2010! Join today.

Mario Lopez of EXTRA! got a makeover of his home gym, which included getting a new LifeSpan TR4000i treadmill! The Antonio Treatment, a new series that premiered on HGTV on March 14, featured Mario’s home gym makeover in its first episode.

The LifeSpan TR4000i treadmill in Mario Lopez’s new home gym is the same model that Runner’s World featured this year as one of the best treadmills for 2010.