Functional Trainers are a specific style of weight stack home gym that have continued to increase in popularity over recent years. The more traditional home gym includes one or two weight stacks with fixed arms and hand grips. Functional trainers have weight stacks on their base as well, but the main difference is in the cable systems that come with different shaped handles.

These types of handles provide more options for working out, and because the cable does not have to follow a fixed plane more sports specific routines can be implemented. For instance, a golfer can hold the cable handle and simulate his or her swing. A baseball or softball player can grip the cable handle and mimic a throwing motion.

In older adults who are trying to stay active and continue to live independently, this type of functional training gym can help simulate activities of daily living such as lifting, bending over, pulling, etc. The multiple planes engage and strengthen the core muscles of the abdomen and thereby strengthen those muscles, which help keep the back and spine healthy and uninjured. There are, quite simply, hundreds of different movement possibilities for a functional trainer.

One drawback of a functional training gym is that it can be harder to use initially until the user is familiar with the variety of exercises that can be done  It is important that the shopper ask questions when contemplating buying a functional trainer, and have a fitness associate who is familiar with and can demonstrate how to use them. Once purchased, it is important that there will be continuing expertise available via the phone or in person to answer questions regarding exercises as well as proper form. A training session from a personal trainer may be time and money well spent to make the most of your versatile purchase. The exciting thing about a functional trainer is the incredible versatility that is has. How you use it and the exercises that you do can change as your needs and interests change throughout the years.

HealthStyles Exercise Equipment features a variety of functional training gyms in a variety of price points. The two most popular functional trainers with our customers are the Life Fitness G7 Functional Trainer and the Hoist V6 Functional Trainer.

Take a look at the attached videos to get an idea f how functional trainers are used and to view for yourself the differences between these home gyms.

Stop by your local HealthStyles Exercise Equipment store today to try out the variety of functional trainers or traditional home gyms that we have available!

The unique and stylish HOIST V6 is a personal pulley gym that is engineered with the innovative excellence that the fitness industry has come to expect from HOIST. This gym provides a complete range of functional training exercises designed to obtain maximum results and achieve a strong and versatile body. The V6 is engineered to build multiple muscle groups through smooth, rhythmic, and continuous movements that support the body as it moves through life.

IHRSA, the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, is the fitness industry’s only global trade association. IHRSA represents over 9,000 for profit health and fitness facilities and over 650 supplier companies in 75 countries. Once a year, IHRSA holds an energy-fueled, a must “see-and-be-seen” convention for the club industry.

Here are some of the highlights from IHRSA according to Dave Sheriff, owner of HealthStyles Exercise Equipment. Admitting that others may think he’s biased because of the lines he carries, he said, “If I were to be completely honest, I really think our lines were the hits of the show.” 

Dave wrote:

1. “Octane Fitness: Possibly the most attention getting new piece of equipment at the show was the new Lateral X by Octane. A very comfortable and unique adjustable stride lateral motion machine that we feel is going to gain immediate and creditable momentum in the fitness product marketplace. Russ Stier of Octane has an e-mail from HealthStyles asking when he will be making his Colorado visit and if we could secure one of the Lateral X prototypes for demo.
2. Matrix Fitness: The key products that were highlighted were the new Climbmill and the new Ascent Trainer. We are on top of these new products in that both are positioned at the Colorado Boulevard Store for viewing and demo. Other highlighted products included the LiveStrong spin bikes and the KrankCycles. Strength and other CV seemed very similar as in the past. “My Ride” 3 dimensional training introduced that allows participants to exercise individually unsupervised, in large group settings or small group settings. Active Aging market and the Hospitality/Lodging market are in an active growth mode. The Hospitality market now has new ADA compliance regulations pertaining to swimming pool hoist systems and spacing and use of fitness equipment within the hotel’s fitness facilities.
3. Hoist Fitness: Possibly recognized as the number one strength line at the show. There were several new  highlighted products including the new roc-it glute machine, the redeveloped chin/dip assist. The rocket series, both selectorized and plate-loaded seemed to be the strength topic of conversation at the show. Great modular gyms, free weight and cage options as well as cable motion options.
4. Stairmaster/Schwinn: The spin bikes are to become “wired” in the near future to avoid some of the Mpower console issues. The new Stepmill continues to have good market traction and recognition. Great brand names.
5. Torque: Good light commercial products in the F1 and the new F2. Good commercial Free Weight bench options, Great cage for group (15 participant) circuit training.
6. Competition’s Products:  Cybex: They have resurfaced from their major lawsuit and their new lines and products seem strong…..we sell Cybex on the retail side. Great television screens. Technogym: Strong quality and great computerization. Great television screens. Precor: Always a very strong product line. Great booth and presentation. Life Fitness: Always good quality and presentation…..we can sell LF on the retail side. Star Trac: Very quiet booth. Introduced their new Stepmill that is very similar to Starmaster.”

Our team also have pictures of them in costumes and “in rare form,” I’ve been told. We may release them in the future for your blackmailing pleasure–stay tuned.

-Misheel.

When it comes to strength training especially when doing squats with a smith machine or free-weight rack or cage, nothing compares to the freedom and security of doing a workout in the Hoist PTS Dual Action Smith Machine.

The Dual Action means that you feel the bar and weight under your control in both the horizontal and vertical direction, unlike other smith machines which direct your movement along a 7 degree pitch vertically. The end result is a ton more muscle recruitment including all your stabilizing muscles and outstanding core development.

Add the fact that the bar rotates, simulating a real free-weight bar and you have complete control for unrestricted movements like barbell curls. And you have the comfort of 10 racking points within the cage to drop in on, and moveable spotting bars to set at any height. The Dual Action Smith allows you an upgradeable weight stack with a Low Row and Lat Pull Down or you can have the whole enchilada by adding the High Low Pulley Columns upgrade which turn this Smith Machine into a Functional Dual Cable Trainer with 23 pulley positions per column.

The quality of movement of all the parts and smoothness of the cables is what makes this easy and enjoyable to use with a great opportunity to cut the cord from the gym and have all your workouts at home!

Click here for a Video demonstration of the Hoist PTS Smith System

Click here to view all Hoist Strength Training Equipment

Hoist PTS Smith System w/ HiLO, Lat, Bench, Shield

Hoist PTS-1000 Dual Action Smith Cage 

Hoist PTS-1000 Dual Hi-Lo Pulley Option 

Hoist PTS-1000 Lat Pulldown Low Row Option 

Hoist PTS-1000 Weight Stack Shield Option 

Contact your local HealthStyles Exercise Equipment fitness consultant for the best product recommendation to meet your personal goals, abilities, and budget.

Scott Laurent
has a BA in sports psychology. He is a certified personal trainer and was a semi-pro athlete. His consulting business, ReadyToExercise.com, helps people who are contemplating, just starting, or having difficulty remaining in an exercise program.

Visit Scott at the Healthstyles Exercise Equipment Colorado Blvd or Park Meadows Retail Stores Or email: scott@readytoexercise.com

The push up may just be the best total body exercise that develops upper body strength and definition, builds core strength and even burns calories. Done properly, it uses muscles in the chest, shoulders, triceps, back, abs and even the legs. This simple exercise has been used in sports and military training for years because it requires no equipment and is one of the best strength training exercises around. It is important to use proper form in any type of push-up.

Watch this video to see the proper for a standard push-up:

What’s Happening in the World of Fitness Equipment?

The 2010 Health and Fitness Business Trade Show was held in Las Vegas last month and the owners and regional managers of HealthStyles Exercise Equipment went to the show, eager to see what was new and innovative for the upcoming year.

Hoist is an industry leader in both commercial and home strength equipment. The Hoist PTS (Personal Training System) is just one of the groundbreaking designs that sets them apart from other strength equipment manufacturers.

The appeal to the PTS System is the dual action system that allows full free range of movement for any exercise, yet still allows the safety and peace of mind of a traditional Smith Machine. Another appealing feature is that you can start with the basic dual action Smith and add to the system as your budget and needs allow. The full ensemble includes the dual action cage, 200lb lat tower with low row and calf block and a 150 lb shrouded cable crossover with high-low pulley.

Click here to view all Hoist Strength Training Equipment

Hoist PTS-1000 Dual Action Smith Cage 

Hoist PTS-1000 Dual Hi-Lo Pulley Option 

Hoist PTS-1000 Lat Pulldown Low Row Option 

Hoist PTS-1000 Weight Stack Shield Option 

Contact your local HealthStyles Exercise Equipment fitness consultant for the best product recommendation to meet your personal goals, abilities, and budget.

Don’t train to failure as it may slow your results. Spanish researchers found that lifters who preformed each set of a workout until they couldn’t complete a repetition had smaller gains in strength than those who left a bit in reserve. So end each set when your lifting pace starts to slow.

Build a hard CORE with The Plank, a deceptively simple exercise. To do this exercise, get into a pushup position on the floor with your elbows bent 90 degrees and rest your weight on your forearms. Your elbows should be directly beneath your shoulders, and your body should form a straight line from your head to your feet. Hold the position for as long as you can. Your goal should be to hold it for two minutes.

Do you use a brace to protect your knees from injury? Exercises that test your balance provide the most effective way of preventing ACL injuries during sports. Try adding Skater Hops to your exercise routine to build strength and improve your balance and lateral agility.

Finally a Pulley Style gym made with the user in mind!

As intimidating as a cable gym might be for some who prefer a machine defined press arm and the familiar stations of a gym, this Hoist V6 helps bridge the gap by accommodating almost every position possible with a smooth comfortable movement in any direction.

So what this means for the user is a fantastic opportunity to work the core along with many additional stabilizer muscle groups that would normally be anchored and not challenged in a traditional style gym.

With 32 pulley positions, and the ability to use almost any standing, sitting, or kneeling combination on a flat or balanced surface such as a fit ball or bosu ball, you have the best chance at a functional exercise that will help strengthen the same muscle groups you are using for sports such as skiing, hiking, tennis, golf, etc.

This gym is a favorite for those P-90X , Cross fit or Bootcamp style workouts where the benefit of a lift assist chin up bar can be used.

As a trainer I give this gym a thumbs up for the quality, versatility and low footprint needed.

Click here for a Video demonstration of the Hoist V6 Pulley Gym.

Stop in to demo the Hoist V6 Personal Pulley Gym at one of HealthStyles Exercise Equipment’s 10 Colorado retail stores. Or call us at 800-829-9705 for more information.

Scott Laurent
has a BA in sports psychology. He is a certified personal trainer and was a semi-pro athlete. His consulting business, ReadyToExercise.com, helps people who are contemplating, just starting, or having difficulty remaining in an exercise program.

Visit Scott at the Healthstyles Exercise Equipment Colorado Blvd or Park Meadows Retail Stores Or email: scott@readytoexercise.com

The HOIST Personal Training System (PTS) is a pioneering series of Dual Action Smith cages loaded with powerful options and accessories.

Click here to view all Hoist Strength Training Equipment

Hoist PTS-1000 Dual Action Smith Cage 

Hoist PTS-1000 Dual Hi-Lo Pulley Option 

Hoist PTS-1000 Lat Pulldown Low Row Option 

Hoist PTS-1000 Weight Stack Shield Option 

Contact your local HealthStyles Exercise Equipment fitness consultant for the best product recommendation to meet your personal goals, abilities, and budget.