Reinventing your strength space

The training landscape continues to evolve as customer behaviour changes and priorities shift. One such shift is the increasing interest in strength training. Strength training benefits men and women of all ages and abilities; it helps prevent injury, increase confidence, enhance performance in sports and improve quality of life.

The challenges with lifting everyone’s performance

Health and Fitness facilities have dramatically changed in the last five to six years. With more and more research about the overwhelming benefits of strength training, many people now realise that strength is fundamental to overall health, well-being, and longevity. Strength training is taking centre stage as people focus more on enhancing how they feel mentally and physically.

Because of this, versatile, space-efficient strength training spaces are necessary to meet the demand of today’s athletes and clients and for facilities to remain relevant. The shift toward downsizing the cardio areas and increasing strength and free weight equipment has rapidly accelerated. This is great news for the industry, and the transition is easy to see in most facilities nowadays. There are more strength equipment options for facility owners and operators than ever before. With this barrage of equipment choices come several challenges. Some of which include:

• Cost vs. quality and safety

• Footprint

• Aesthetics

• Functionality

• Trusted and proven manufacturer

These challenges often get overlooked in a rush to reinvent a facility space. It’s not too long before facilities realise that the equipment doesn’t match, too little equipment is taking up too much space, lifters desired equipment is haphazardly spread throughout a facility, equipment is breaking down, and certain equipment doesn’t work well with other pieces of equipment. This can negatively impact the lifter’s experience and satisfaction and the facility’s brand, reputation, attrition, and, ultimately, revenue.

Today’s demographics

People are far more likely to stick with activities they enjoy. They seek a training experience and atmosphere conducive to their needs and desires. The equipment and training experience must be relative to their training preferences and performance goals. For many, the motivation to train comes as much from personal interaction and experience as the desire to improve health.

In years past, men and women had noticeably different preferences in training facilities. However, recent trends now suggest otherwise. This is especially true with Millennials and Generation Z, who comprise about 50% of facility members. They tend to favour a more “functional fitness” or free weight training style.

This type of training typically involves more racks, rigs, lifting platforms, barbells, dumbbells, medicine balls, kettlebells, and other training tools and accessories. In many facilities, patrons move equipment around to create a dedicated space specific to their training needs. This can cause chaos in a facility, frustrate members, and leave the fitness floor a mess.

Choosing equipment and creating training environments consistent with the wants and needs of today’s patrons provides them with the greatest experience while benefiting the facility. To maximise this impact, it is imperative to choose equipment that:

1. Has a favourable footprint-to-patron ratio – how many patrons can safely be active in a given space of equipment (footprint) at any given time

2. Allows multiple exercisers and exercises to be performed within that footprint

3. Aligns with patrons’ varied training interests and equipment preferences (i.e., Weightlifting, Powerlifting, Functional training using body weight, free weights of all kinds, cables, etc.)

4. Helps coaches/trainers/teams be more effective and efficient with programming

Having more variety and options of equipment that match today’s lifters’ needs and desires whilst providing more open space will enhance the overall customer experience and attract new business.

A complete system that evolves with your needs

One way to navigate the changing needs and environment of both the lifter and facility is to lean on the expertise of those who have a proven track record of innovation, safety, quality, and durability. The Prestera Strength System combines Eleiko’s 60-plus years of lifting expertise with consumer and lifter feedback. Eleiko listened to what consumers and lifters had to say about creating an optimal training environment and developed the equipment to match it.

What transpired was a more streamlined rack-rig system with the same Eleiko high-quality standard, more precision in adjustments, more exercise variety per unit of space, seamless integration of multiple pieces/components of equipment, and a greater variety of configurations to accommodate any facility.

Facilities can provide lifters with training spaces that intuitively consolidate a range of strength training methods - from free weights to body weight to cable training - into one complete space and seamlessly integrated system. Prestera offers numerous attachments that are available to add exercise variety and are designed to minimise interference with each other. The Prestera set-up optimises the environment for effective programming opportunities essential for keeping athletes/clients engaged and allowing a facility to continue growing a profitable business.

In short, Prestera is a comprehensive and seamlessly integrated modular strength system. Regardless of how minimal or complex the design is, it always appears cohesive. The Prestera system has virtually endless configurations to accommodate the needs of any athlete/client and facility space, regardless of lifting style. This is made possible with the numerous heights, attachments, and storage options available.

As with any Eleiko product, it is safe and built to last. The sleek framing design makes the footprint space friendly, aesthetically appealing, and inviting, enhancing the appearance and atmosphere of any facility. The precision of the adjustments, the Eleiko feel, and the variety of the equipment provides the lifter with the ultimate lifting experience.

Though the configuration possibilities are nearly endless, there are a few basic options you can use as a guide to discovering how best to meet your needs.

Option 1: Prestera rack – strength station

This is a single, half-rack lifting space. It consists of a rack, lifting platform, barbell(s) and plates. It can further be kitted with various accessories such as pull-up and dip bars, elastic bands, dumbbells, kettlebells, medicine balls, landmines, glute benches, plyo-boxes, and more to allow multiple people to perform different exercises at one time safely.

A Prestera rack allows any lifter to enjoy an ultimate lifting experience regardless of their training style – weightlifting, powerlifting, functional and/or tactical training. This set-up can accommodate a variety of applications within a facility, such as an open gym environment, one-on-one training/coaching, and small group training.

Option 2: Prestera hybrid rack/rig solution

The hybrid rack/rig solution is the use of multiple racks where each can be seamlessly connected with a variety of configurations. Some of the effective ways to connect the racks include:

• Placing storage units and/or cable systems between each rack.

• Having pull-up bars join racks that can also be used with suspension trainers.

• Using rig connectors to create various height changes and/or other spaces for rings, dip bars, glute benches, landmines, etc.

As with the racks, the Prestera hybrid rack/rig solution also allows lifters the same ultimate lifting experience but in a more spaced-out, station-specific manner, depending on the number of patrons and layout. This option provides a unique environment within the facility that can dramatically enhance the aesthetics and experience. This option is great for all forms of lifter usage, open gym, one-on-one, and/or group training, and depending on the configuration, can allow for all of them simultaneously.

Option 3: Prestera rigs

The rig solution can take on nearly infinite configurations with height and width changes and various shapes – circular, square, octagonal, linear, etc. It can be configured with as many lifting stations as desired, each with its own function – bodyweight, barbell, odd object (dumbbell, kettlebell, medicine ball, landmine, etc.), cable pulleys, and more.

One customer had this to say about their new Prestera rig, which pretty much sums it up.

“Together with Eleiko, we designed a Prestera Rig which met a wide range of demands we have for it. It is the centrepiece of our training area and helps us maximise the floor space we have available. Thanks to its integrated storage and wide range of available attachments, we are now able to host CrossFit, Strength and Weightlifting classes in different configurations.

For instance, we can host up to 20 people in a single CrossFit class or choose to use one side of the rig for a ten people Weightlifting class and the other side for a ten people CrossFit class. All in all, the sales and product development team at Eleiko have been extremely accommodating and forward-thinking in designing the absolute best rig we could hope for.” -Jochem Oldenbroek, UnScared Fitness

A complete and reliable partner

Above and beyond the industry standard for innovative, safe, and quality equipment, Eleiko also provides customers with gear and education to ensure you and your customers have a complete experience. From lifting belts, knee sleeves and wraps, wrist wraps and straps to apparel and chalk, our gear department has what you need to optimise your lifting experience.

Eleiko also has world-class education, providing courses and resources for the lifting community. Courses include:

• Functional & Tactical Training

• Powerlifting

• Weightlifting

Numerous complimentary resources are available on the website, including articles/blogs, webinars, programs, and much more.

Conclusion

Strength training is taking centre stage in the training of today’s customers. Athletes and clients are seeking facilities that provide a high-quality lifting experience. To stay relevant in today’s market, facilities are reinventing their space to accommodate the new trends and demographics of the customer. However, it can be challenging. It’s imperative to find a strength training solution delivered by a reliable partner with historical equipment, facility design and layout expertise. The Prestera strength training system by Eleiko checks all the boxes: quality, safety, longevity, aesthetics, functionality, and flexibility. Beyond these vital aspects, Prestera is a complete strength training solution that can evolve with your needs, desires, and budget