The Treadmill Continues to Make Strides

Perhaps no piece of fitness equipment has undergone a transformation and evolution quite like the treadmill. Starting life in early AD as a type of human-powered winch attached to a water wheel to lift heavy objects, treadmills were used in the 18^th century to have horses power boats. Versions were also developed that had smaller animals—like dogs and goats—powering butter churns, grindstones, and more. Treadmills were even used as combination punishment/workforce tools for prisoners.

In 1913, inventor Claude Lauraine Hagen was granted the first U.S patent for a “Training-Machine,” featuring a treadmill belt. The first motorized treadmill was invented in 1952 by Dr. Robert Bruce, a cardiologist and a professor at the University of Washington, and his assistant Wayne Quinton. Its key use was to perform cardiac stress tests in diagnosing chronic illness. In the late 1960s, mechanical engineer William Edward Staub invented the first consumer treadmill for home use, called the PaceMaster 600. By the late 1970s, PaceMasters were developed for gym use.

The Treadmill Goes Digital

In 1991, Life Fitness introduced its first treadmill. “At the time, our goal was to provide a way for runners to exercise indoors with the same type of advanced technology, including the electronic controls and feedback, found on our LifeCycle,” notes Matt Brennand, vice president of cardio products at Life Fitness.

Over time, treadmills continued to advance, based in part on both experience and on the ability to adapt to new technology.

To the former, for example, “that first machine had the motor mounted beneath the treadmill deck, and one of the key learnings was that in a commercial environment, it made maintenance and serviceability very difficult and expensive, so we moved it,” says Brennand.

Treadmills have also kept pace with shifts in technology, Brennand says, outlining some of the key advances they’ve experienced over the past decade or so:

• TV integration: TV tuners are now built directly into the equipment.
• Digitization: Consoles feature basic connectivity and content (i.e., software updates, virtual terrains, and web browsing).
• Design Forward: More stylized aesthetics with advancements in manufacturing and design.
• Tablet-like User Interface: Digital displays become similar to tablets with entertainment apps, expanded content (e.g., trainer-led classes) and the ability to configure remotely.
• Personalization and performance for all: Greater personalization, performance, and analytics (e.g., adjustable deck surfaces, higher speeds, more energy-efficient motors, sensors detect, and feedback running metrics and data, etc.).

Expanding the Treadmill’s Footprint

As technology and consumer needs have shifted, the treadmill has changed to embrace and meet those challenges. For Life Fitness, it’s meant building around increasingly personalized user experiences.

"Exerciser needs on our products have always spanned a wide range, across body types, fitness levels, ages, and training goals,” assets Brennand. “Technology and engineering advances allow us to cater to a wide range of user needs, particularly when we can build in sensing and adjustment capabilities. Faster processing and enhanced digital interaction help facilitate personalizing the treadmill experience to each exerciser’s needs."

Life Fitness’s newest treadmill is taking that experience to an even more granular level. Its Symbio Runner incorporates Adaptive Flex Deck, a subtle feature that creates wide versatility. The Flex Deck can vary the firmness of the running surface, offering personal comfort or providing a tactile response to visual surfaces on the immersive display. For example, exercisers can choose one of the virtual terrains that automatically adjusts the surface of the treadmill based on changes in terrain. So, when running on the beach the setting is very soft, and when transitioning to a sidewalk it changes to very firm. The feature can also provide a training progression for a new runner or support the rehabilitation journey from an injury.

In addition, the Runner incorporates sensors that provide advanced running metrics to help supplement training, recovery, and guidance for personal trainers. There is also a significant amount of content that the exerciser can explore, from On Demand Trainer-led Classes and Virtual Terrains to Entertainment from their favorite apps.

“For advanced runners, the Symbio’s Adaptive Flex Deck provides additional versatility by allowing an athlete to accumulate much higher volumes of work on a softer surface, thereby reducing the impact stress over longer running efforts,” notes Derek Hansen, sports performance consultant, educator, and coach. “Alternatively, if an athlete wants to work on higher-velocity running workouts, the firmer deck settings provide a more responsive ground contact that takes advantage of the elastic properties of the foot and lower leg, training the reflex qualities of those muscles and tendons.”

“The Symbio Runner allows exercisers to experience the content on a beautiful 24-inch, advanced in-cell touch primary display in full screen mode, while they can also interact with our secondary display LCD control pad that includes all adjustability for speed, incline and the Adaptive Flex Deck,” adds Brennand. “The control pad allows exercisers to personalize the speed and incline keys, and changes displays automatically, depending on the content the exerciser selects on the primary display.”

The Symbio Runner shares its DNA with the Symbio Incline Elliptical, SwitchCycle, and Recumbent, all of which also incorporate sensors, adjustments, and advanced metrics to personalize and guide every exerciser’s journey. Each product starts with the basic functionality and ease of use that many exercisers expect, then layers on additional features, interactions, guidance, and displays that can be utilized whenever needed.

“The Incline Elliptical allows the exerciser to target different muscle groups by touching the muscle group on the screen, which is great for those that really want to target their glutes,” notes Julie Daly, director, Biomechanics and Advanced Engineering at Life Fitness. “The SwitchCycle combines a standard upright and group cycle so the exerciser has the comfort and control of the traditional bike but can get in and out of the saddle for greater versatility and performance. And the Recumbent is the most comfortable seat in the house with full recline ability, remote controls, and the lowest profile access for those that are deconditioned.”

“While many of the past several years have been focused on advancing the display of cardio equipment, we continue to believe that there are significant advancements in the overall experience that can be made to create more personalized, immersive experiences that work more effectively with the body,” states Brennand.

To learn more, visit Life Fitness's website.