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.

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.

LifeSpan Fitness has teamed with Kraft Foods in a promotion to introduce a new fitness beverage to consumers. Crystal Light Pure Fitness is a low calorie, naturally sweetened drink mix that contains electrolytes to aid in hydration during light physical activity.

Over 10 million Crystal Light Pure Fitness samples are being handed out nationwide over the next few months at LifeSpan authorized dealers, as well as health clubs such as Gold’s Gym, Bally’s and LifeTime Fitness; Jazzercise and Yoga centers; and wellness seminars, health fairs and area marathons and 10K fun runs. Samples will also be included in fitness and outdoor catalog orders, and in packages of Nabisco Wheat Thins and 100 Calorie Packs.

Each sample includes a promotional card with directions on how to enter a drawing for a LifeSpan Fitness TR1200i treadmill or S4 Indoor Cycling Bike (grand prize), or a LifeSpan Heart Rate Ring. The promotion also includes a link to a survey webpage where consumers can get a coupon for 10% off the MSRP of LifeSpan fitness equipment at participating retailers.

LifeSpan is proud to support new Crystal Light Pure Fitness drink mix. Look for your free beverage sample and make sure to enter the sweepstakes to win a LifeSpan treadmill or exercise bike!

The LifeSpan PRO3 treadmill is an excellent performance treadmill for users. It is recognized favorably by treadmill review groups and continues to be a top seller. In 2010, Treadmill Doctor awarded the PRO3 the Best Buy Winner for treadmills priced $2000-$2499.

The LifeSpan PRO3 treadmill is also solid in its reputation with a low defect rate, few service calls, and positive feedback from customers.

After looking extensively on the internet at different treadmills, I purchased the PRO3. It is a great treadmill with plenty of room to run. It has a lifetime motor and frame warranty. 5 year parts warranty and 2 year labor warranty if used in the home. Look at other treadmills with this type of warranty and you will be paying 3,000 or better for them. The machine is very solid and is excellent for runners. The PRO3, in my opinion, is the best option out there for the price.

-  D. Baker, Nashville, TN

LifeSpan continues to be a proud partner with The Heart Truth, a national campaign promoting awareness of heart disease among women. According to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, “Physical inactivity is an established independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death and disability among U.S. adults.” Physical inactivity doubles the risk of developing heart disease, and triples the risk of developing hypertension.

Regular, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity helps prevent heart and blood vessel disease. According to the latest joint American Heart Association/American College of Sports Medicine guidelines on physical activity, all healthy adults ages 18-65 should be getting at least 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity five days of the week. The more vigorous the activity, the greater the benefits. However, even moderate-intensity activities help if done regularly and long term. Physical activity can help control blood cholesterol, diabetes and obesity, as well as help lower blood pressure in some people. Whether it’s included in a structured exercise program or part of your daily routine, all physical activity adds up to a healthier heart.

Download the heart disease fact sheet and heart disease risk assessment provided by The Heart Truth, and share this valuable information with your customers.

LifeSpan Heart Healthy Product Features:
Physical activity can reduce the risk of developing several chronic diseases, including heart disease. Here are some features in LifeSpan products that will encourage you to be physically active and use your heart wisely:

• Fitness Equipment — Use the contact heart rate sensors on LifeSpan fitness equipment to monitor your heart rate as you work out, and Heart Rate Control programs that will help you use your heart rate effectively as you exercise
• Heart Rate Ring — Conveniently monitor your heart rate throughout the day with this heart rate ring
• Blood Pressure Monitor — Take your blood pressure then upload your results to your own personal online health and fitness account
• LifeSpan Fitness Club — Track your heart rate and blood pressure over time using this comprehensive yet simple-to-use online health and fitness management program

• Superior Performance – 3.25 HP Continuous Duty Motor, 15 percent incline and speeds up to 12 mph. Backed by a commercial warranty and excellent service.
• Commercial Grade Running Platform – 20” x 60” performance running belt supported by 8 independent compression shocks for ideal support with cushioning. 1” thick deck, large tapered rollers, aluminum side rails, and 800 lb thrust incline motor.
• Solid, Secure and Stable – Fully boxed-in, welded frame with six brackets, and a unique design to keep handlebars and console from shaking, create the same solid feel of more expensive non-folding treadmills.
• Easy to Use Console with Challenging Exercise Programs – Large soft touch buttons, simultaneous display of exercise program profile and motivating readouts. Preset programs for runners include Interval, Fartlek, and MyZone Heart Rate Control. User defined programs vary speed and incline to simulate outdoor running.
• Exercise Logging – LifeSpan Fitness Club membership included! TR4000i automatically logs your miles and saves other workout data to a USB device so you can focus on your run. Upload results and track your progress in your personal online account. Simple and automatic!

Media Recognition

Featured in the Feb 2010 issue of Runner’s World magazine. “Most from the Smallest Space” and “Solid and Secure” are how Runner’s World describes the LifeSpan TR4000i folding treadmill.

The LifeSpan TR4000i treadmill also received the prestigious Best Treadmill award
from Health Magazine. Rated #1 by experts over all other treadmills.

The LifeSpan TR4000i treadmill was featured as one of the best treadmills for runners in the latest issue of Runner’s World. According to the premier magazine for runners, the LifeSpan TR4000i folding treadmill gives runners the ‘Most from the Smallest Space’. It is sized perfectly to save space in your home, while providing the power, durability, and performance runners need.

The TR4000i meets all the criteria experts recommend in the article for runners looking to buy a treadmill – 1) large motor, 2) spacious running surface, 3) easy to use controls and a deck that feels good underfoot, 4) great mix of hill and speed interval programs, and 5) solid warranty supported by quality service.

In addition, the TR4000i includes a USB data port to save workout data as you exercise, for easy uploading to a personal online health and fitness management account. View and track all your exercise (indoor and outdoor), and your vital stats in one place. You’ll see daily, weekly, and lifetime accomplishments too.