Elliptical crosstrainers have become basic offerings in cardio areas, and lateral trainers are quickly becoming yet another core category, but manufacturers continue to stoke users’ interest with fresh features and new products.
Virtually every major company in the arena—including, among others, Bodytone, Bodyguard Fitness, Precor, Inc., True Fitness, the Helix Company, and Octane Fitness—is contributing to the innovation.
“Exercisers are looking for new ways to reach their goals, and these products target different areas, and open up promising workout customization possibilities,” say Matt Hacker, the chief sales officer for True Fitness.
Changes in Stride, Incline, and Lateral Movement
That company’s Spectrum elliptical, for instance, has a stride length of 13" to 30", allowing individuals to use it either as a stepper, an elliptical, or a strider.
“There’s definitely growth in these categories, with stride length, incline, and lateral movement patterns providing additional ways to provide exactly what members are looking for,” says Tim Porth, the vice president of development for commercial and specialty products at Octane Fitness.
Of Helix’s unique lateral trainer, Scott Logan, the vice president of sales and marketing for the firm, says, “We think it’s a game-changer that will rock the industry.”
The first recumbent trainer, it allows exercisers to make use of lateral motion in a seated position.
“This non-weight-bearing machine is more friendly to baby boomers who’ve had hip replacement or resurfacing, deconditioned users who can profit from the multi-planar motion, and physical therapy and rehab patients,” he says.
