Precor research backs continued popularity of selectorised fitness equipment

While fitness innovations can be temporary, CrossFit has been one of the hottest trends of recent years. Yet, recent research undertaken by Precor suggests that fitness club members continue to recognise and use selectorised equipment.

Earlier this year, Precor completed a survey of 1,000 active gym members in the United States in order to identify the hot trends in fitness.

Explaining the motivation for the research, Precor Director of Strength Product Development Pete Borchert states "what we hear and read would make it seem like everyone is only interested in doing what we have categorised as functional movement activities.

"(Yet) our research suggests that is not what is really happening in health clubs."

Awareness of CrossFit among survey respondents was high (85%), but awareness of selectorised equipment was higher (93%). When it came to using each workout approach at least once, though, selectorised equipment held a clear advantage: 71% to 21%.

Bootcamp classes, meanwhile, scored closer to selectorised equipment in awareness (94%), but closer to CrossFit in trial usage (28%).

Borchert adds "the survey results suggest that exercisers are aware of CrossFit classes and bootcamp classes, but more often stay with more traditional strength training activities."

The staying power of selectorised equipment was abundantly evident in the survey's examination of dropout rates.

Only 21% of individuals who used selectorised equipment during the previous year stopped, compared to 25% of those who used free weights, 27% who used only their own body weight and no equipment, 39% who used plate-loaded equipment and 47% who used benches. Even treadmills had a higher dropout rate (27%).

Borchert believes selectorised equipment creates "stickiness" with its users highlighting that 79% of selectorised users reported still using the equipment at the time of the survey.

He explains "the vast majority of members are what we term 'balancers' or 'strugglers' ... members who may not be ready or motivated to perform compound, multi-joint movements that require a pretty high degree of joint integrity, strength, balance and agility."

According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association's 2013 Sports, Fitness and Leisure Activities Topline Participation Report, the number of US gym members using selectories equipment exceeded an average of 39 million over the past six years, with virtually no change (-0.1%) in usage during that span.

Confident that selectorised equipment will remain popular with gym-goers, Precor feels it is still challenged to keep its equipment relevant well into the future.

Borchert concludes "relative to most cardiovascular equipment, strength equipment particularly selectorised equipment, which is very movement specific can be perceived as more intimidating to the untrained user.

"Most exercisers look at a treadmill and know what to do on it. They see a bike as something they have been doing since they were a kid.

"However, strength machines look different not as intuitive or familiar.

"We have a responsibility as designers and manufacturers of equipment to help users who may not be as familiar overcome these hesitations, so they can experience the benefits these machines are proven to provide."

Click here to view Precor's entry in the Australasian Leisure Management Supplier Directory.

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