Customer Spotlight... An Inspiration for Diabetics

Dick Hewitt of Portage, Michigan, is a third generation Type II Diabetic. He was diagnosed on July 27, 2001, at age 50, but like many others had probably already lived with the disease for nearly two years but didn't realize it. He purchased a LifeSpan TR2000 treadmill last March after reading an article from the American Diabetes Association about the benefits of walking downhill and the positive effects it can have on diabetes.

Dick uses his TR2000 for 30 minutes nearly every day (10,000 steps). His favorite feature of the TR2000 is the decline feature which allows him to walk downhill. "The LifeSpan TR2000 is great and I'm a true believer in walking downhill!" says Dick.

Since purchasing his TR2000 treadmill in March, Dick has seen improvement in his health. His blood sugar and A1c are improving, his weight is going down and his blood pressure (and heart rate) are improving. "Before the LifeSpan, my daily mgl level was averaging about 157. Today that average is about 113! My A1c was at 7.5% and at last check in mid-October it was 6.9%. My weight was around 238 last March, now it's about 221 and headed down."

His background in engineering and building robotic systems contributes to his desire to track every statistic possible and be creative with his exercise. He faithfully tracks his steps, converts them into miles and even uses Microsoft's Streets and Trips to create imaginary walks. He's walked around Lake Michigan and is now walking to Lakeland, Florida, to the Detroit Tigers' Fantasy Camp.

"Diabetes has changed my life in a number of ways. Most importantly, it has been my wake up call to better health. Putting all other things aside, I firmly believe the best road to diabetic control is diet and exercise. When I was first diagnosed I was told, "Diabetes is a disease you can walk away from! It's true!"

Dick keeps his compact treadmill in the family room, next to the fireplace, in front of the big screen TV! He likes to walk and watch the Red Wings or Detroit Tigers. "I'm going to participate in the Detroit Tiger Fantasy Camp in January. LifeSpan is my 'ticket' to conditioning to play baseball!" All of us at LifeSpan are cheering him on as he continues to improve his health and works toward achieving his fitness goals.

Community Spotlight... Employee Wellness Expo Encourages Fitness

The Cleveland Clinic's first ever Employee Wellness Fitness Expo was a big success! Over 600 employees attended the expo throughout the day on November 9, 2007, participating in fitness classes and demonstrations, and learning ways to become more active.

The event generated enthusiasm, excitement and recognition among the attendees for their need to exercise to achieve their desired healthy lifestyle. LifeSpan was pleased to be selected by this world renowned hospital to participate in their inaugural health expo to promote wellness, fitness and healthy living!

"The Expo was a strategy in our marketing plan to increase awareness of employee wellness and of the products, services and offerings available to employees," says Toya Gorley, Cleveland Clinic's Marketing Program Manager for Employee Wellness. "Our wellness program goals are to provide opportunities to enhance the physical activity of Cleveland Clinic employees, and the expo was designed to help us achieve these goals."

A diverse group of exhibitors at the Expo included:

"This is the first time we've offered an event like this," says Toya. "We're pleased with the response and the feedback we received from both the exhibitors and the participants."

Innovation Spotlight... Variety and Flexibility are Key in New LifeSpan Equipment Exercise Programs

The new line of LifeSpan fitness equipment includes our newest, innovative exercise programs to meet your needs. Varying your workout is important to achieving optimal health benefits. In addition to introducing a variety of exercise programs in our new models there is a tremendous amount of flexibility built in to many programs so you can exercise the way you want. Workout programs such as Weight Loss and My Zone Heart Rate Control were designed by an Exercise Physiologist to give you the maximum benefit using a safe and medically-appropriate approach.

This month we take a closer look at interval training and interval exercise programs. Be sure to check each piece of Lifespan fitness equipment for details on specific programs included with each model.

Interval Training
Interval training is one of the most effective ways to train the body. Interval training is simply the alternation of high and low intensity exercise that provides users with periods of rest between high intensity program segments. Interval training has been found to burn more calories and pump more blood than lower intensity exercise. Interval training is an excellent motivator for both the beginner and the elite athlete, as interval training helps the heart, lungs and muscles make a better transition from walking to jogging to running and finally to running faster. With these programs, users can expect to improve their strength, speed and endurance by using timed intervals of effort and recovery throughout the workout.

Intensity Level Based Interval Programs — LifeSpan interval programs on the TR500 and TR1000 treadmills are based on three different intensity levels, each of which automatically chooses the high and low levels for your workout based on the intensity level you select. The interval program on the LifeSpan C3 and R3 bikes and EX3 elliptical adjust the resistance levels throughout the program.

Customized Interval Programs — Our newest interval programming allows you to set your own minimum and maximum levels. LifeSpan's interval speed and incline programs let you tailor the program to your preference. These custom programs are highly flexible by letting you enter the minimum and maximum speed, incline or heart rate you desire. For example, if you want to exercise using an incline program you select the minimum incline and the maximum incline you want.

Types of Interval Programs

Product Spotlight... New LifeSpan VP1000 Vibration Plate

Whole Body Vibration is taking on a new look for an old technology. Vibration technology is an excellent complement to traditional cardiovascular exercise and strength training. Below are answers to some of the questions you may have.

Is Whole Body Vibration New?
Vibration technology is relatively new to the fitness industry but the technology was developed in the 1960s for Russian cosmonauts trying to prevent muscle atrophy and loss of bone density in space. Use of the technology spread to elite sports training, physical rehabilitation and more recently general exercise.

Significant medical research on vibration technology was completed in the 1980s and continues today. This research has validated benefits including improved strength and flexibility, increased bone density and improved hormone levels. There is also research showing that vibration technology can be overused if used too frequently or for too long during each session.

How Does Whole Body Vibration Work?
Whole Body Vibration causes muscles to activate without the brain being actively involved in the muscle contraction. At higher frequencies a sustained contraction of the muscle is obtained. The LifeSpan VP1000 Vibration Plate gives you a complete workout in the comfort of your own home.

What are the Benefits of Whole Body Vibration?
The best combination of exercise depends on the individual and their unique situation and exercise objectives, but we believe Whole Body Vibration is an excellent complement to traditional cardiovascular exercise and strength training.

Benefits of Whole Body Vibration validated by research include:

How Do You Use a Vibration Plate?
The primary use of a vibration plate requires that you simply stand on the vibration plate in proper position while the vibration plate moves. Frequency and duration are important elements to consider in using a vibration plate. We recommend whole body vibration 2-3 times a week to supplement your cardiovascular workouts, with adequate time in-between sessions to recuperate. If you're physically fit, vibration exercise sessions should last no more than 15 minutes. If you're just beginning an exercise program, limit your time to 10 minutes per session.

In addition to standing in an upright position, there are many other uses of the vibration plate to increase your physical activity and improve your strength. The images that follow illustrate these uses which include calf stretches, lunges, squats, pushups, curlups and tricep dips.

Why Buy the LifeSpan VP1000 Vibration Plate?
Below are three reasons to buy the LifeSpan VP1000.

Quality Home Unit — The 1.2 HP motor, vertical and horizontal vibration movement, 20 intensity levels and quick buttons for five preset workout times give you all the functionality you need for a good vibration workout at home.

Multi-Dimensional Movement — The LifeSpan VP1000's dual-motion pivoting system encompasses an up and down pivoting system and a secondary front and back pivot that causes the platform to move in a multi-dimensional sequence. The VP1000's multi-dimensional movement increases the already strong benefits of balance improvement and stabilization associated with Whole Body Vibration.

Value at a Low Price — Vibration plates can be costly, as much as $4500. For workouts at home, the VP1000 is an affordable solution for a quality unit.

Marketing Spotlight... New LifeSpan Product Brochures

Our HOME Series product brochures are now available and packages have been sent to all stores! The brochure includes all the information you need about LifeSpan treadmills (TR500, TR1000, TR2000 and TR3000), LifeSpan Upright and Recumbent bikes (C2, C3, R2 and R3), the LifeSpan EX3 Elliptical and the LifeSpan RW1000 Rower. In addition to easy-to-read specification comparison pages, the redesigned product pages now give you more detailed images and information to share with your customers.

To re-order brochures click here. If you forget your password please call Peg at (801) 973-9993 x105.