Members of the Summit Tennis & Athletic Club are working out on a new and unique line of strength equipment.
The Summit recently installed 12 pieces of FreeMotion pulley equipment that allow users to increase their performance in daily and sports activities, Chief Operating Officer Bob Topper said.
The machines include a shoulder press, chest press, lat pull and a seated rowing machine.
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Mirror photo by Gary M. Baranec
Mike Aiken of Altoona works out on a new FreeMotion pulley machine Thursday at The Summit Tennis & Athletic Club.
"They all have a different function as far as targeting a general muscle group," Topper said.
The new equipment is getting good early reviews.
"The machines seem like they are more woman friendly. I have worked out here for a long time," Debbie O'Neill of Altoona said while using a lat machine.
"I like it a lot. You can go from one exercise to the next; it is very smooth. As far as a machine goes, it is very nice," said Spencer Nicholson of Hollidaysburg, who was using the chest press machine.
The FreeMotion equipment is beneficial to all members but especially the baby boomers and is different from traditional strength equipment, Topper said.
"The traditional equipment is one-dimensional whereas the FreeMotion equipment is three-dimensional, just like the world we live in," Topper said.
FreeMotion increases strength, balance and range of motion and decreases post-exercise pain.
"FreeMotion allows the body to move, with resistance, as it moves in activities of daily living such as push, pull, twist, lunge, squat, bend and walk," said Jeremy Strom, director of education for FreeMotion Fitness. "FreeMotion allows the user to activate more muscle, burn more calories and fat, increase flexibility and balance while experiencing less pain post-workout."
The Summit also has redesigned its lifestyle center, a smaller workout room on the third floor designed for seniors, novices and youth.
"Some people are not used to being in a health club with hundreds of machines. It can be quite intimidating," Topper said.
"Instead of walking into an 87,000-square-foot facility, it is a place where families and seniors can train together so they won't be intimidated by others who may be more fit or strong. It is smaller and has the same type of equipment. It is more user friendly."
The Summit's membership continues to grow, Topper said. Today, the club has 5,000 members compared with 2,200 when he arrived eight years ago.
Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 946-7467.
