Life Fitness showcased its entire line of Elevation™ Series products at ELEVATE, its inaugural customer conference.

This inspired lineup of engaging products includes a newly designed 95T Treadmill, 95X Elliptical Cross-Trainer, 95C Upright Lifecycle® Exercise Bike and 95R Recumbent Lifecycle Exercise Bike featuring the company’s latest entertainment and motivational technologies.

Each product in the Elevation Series is offered with three unique options – the Engage™, Inspire™ and Achieve™ Consoles.

The Engage Console features a 15in integrated LCD touch screen with built-in TV, while the Inspire Console offers a 7in integrated LCD touch screen. Both include seamless iPod® integration; USB connectivity to create, store and track workout information; a Virtual Trainer; vibrant Workout Landscape™ Perspectives; and a Zoom Feature. Users also can view iPod-delivered video content from the Engage Console’s integrated screen or from the Inspire Console through an optional 17in Attachable TV. The Achieve Console features an easy-to-use amber LED display and the six most commonly used Life Fitness workouts.

“Exercisers work out on our products for a number of reasons including performance, fitness and overall health,” says Bob Quast, vice president of product management for Life Fitness. “We feel the Elevation Series offers the most innovative entertainment and motivational options combined with the best industrial design in the industry to keep customers and exercisers moving ahead.”

Taking Workouts to the Web

The new Life Fitness Virtual Trainer Web Site www.virtualtrainer.lifefitness.com adds a personal touch to workouts and enables exercisers and trainers to plan, create and track workouts.

Designed to link exercisers and equipment, the Web Site’s interactive, online program harnesses the data exercisers store on a USB device through the integrated USB port on the Elevation Series products Engage and Inspire Consoles. The system organises and stores a user’s workout data making it simple to monitor and track progress from a computer, as well as design personalised workouts for usage anywhere and at anytime on Life Fitness Elevation Series products.

Seamless iPod Integration

It seemed only natural that the leader in fitness equipment be first to provide seamless iPod integration. This compatibility, which comes as standard on the Engage and Inspire Consoles, makes it possible for iPod users to plug in and charge their iPods, control their iPod play lists from the console and watch iPod-delivered video content. Users plug their headphones directly into the console, while safely storing their player in the iPod holding tray.

Training Assistance in a Flash

To further personalise the workout experience, the Engage and Inspire Consoles feature a USB port, which enables users and trainers to create and save preset workouts and track the user’s progress.

“The USB port enables exercisers to ‘get on and go’,” says Quast. “Once they select their preset workout, the equipment automatically reads their settings and begins their programme without the need for any data entry. And it gives trainers a chance to easily follow their clients’ progress and provide customised workouts.”

Customers can also use the USB port to upload future software upgrades to the EngageTM and InspireTM Consoles.

Life Fitness Virtual Trainer – the Face of the Future

Life Fitness recognised the growing need to provide ongoing workout support for a broader range of exercisers. Now both the Engage and Inspire Consoles provide exercisers with a unique tool - the Life Fitness Virtual Trainer - to motivate and educate them over the duration of their workout.

The Virtual Trainer takes the intimidation out of starting a new workout and provides ongoing encouragement. With the push of a button, users can select a male or female trainer who appears on the integrated LCD touch screen and advises the user on every aspect of the workout, from describing programmes to updates on workout progress.

Workout Landscape Perspectives

The Engage and Inspire Consoles also feature the visually appealing Workout Landscape Perspectives, which enable exercisers to select one of three motivating landscapes during their workout – Mountain, 400m Track or 5km Nature Trail. Users can make perspective changes by pressing the designated button on the LCD screen.

Zoom in on Fitness

Finally, to accommodate a broad range of exercisers, the Zoom feature enlarges speed, time and incline (treadmill only) or level displays for workout data viewing.