In a move designed to advance technological operations and ongoing product development projects, CSSI Resilient Surfacing Products has relocated its technical and logistics departments to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the current site of its manufacturing facility. The sales and marketing division will remain headquartered in Carlisle. “As North America’s largest supplier of modular rubber crumb surfacing systems, CSSI needs to fully utilize its considerable human and manufacturing resources to assure the continuing availability and success of our products,” says General Manager John Yaw. “This new structure permits us to maximize the numerous opportunities and accept the technological challenges that we foresee in our immediate future.”
Precor has appointed Larry Domingo, a 12-year veteran of the industry, to the position of national sales manager for its commercial products division. In his new role, Domingo assumes responsibility for the company’s extensive commercial dealer network. “Larry has a knack for building solid relationships among our dealers,” points out Paul Byrne, the president of Precor. “Give him 10 minutes, and he’ll have you motivated to get out there and sell Precor products.” Domingo joined Precor in 1997 as regional sales manager for the Rocky Mountains; prior to that, he co-owned and operated All About Fitness, a Denver-based chain of fitness stores.
ICON Health & Fitness has been selected as a winner of the 2001 SPARC (Supplier Performance Awards by Retail Category) First Place Award. This distinguished honor is awarded based on a poll of the key merchandising executives in the $400-plus billion, mass-market retailing industry conducted by DSN Retailing Today (formerly Discount Store News); it is the only industry-wide vendor recognition program in the mass-market retailing business. “SPARC celebrated its 24th anniversary in 2001, and the competition has never been stronger,” points out John Rapuzzi, vice president/group publisher of DSN Retailing Today. “ICON was selected because of its dedication to providing retailers with the best service possible.”
The Iron Grip Barbell Company has announced the launch of its redesigned Website (www.irongrip.com) and on-line store. Visitors to the site will now be able to access information on both Iron Grip and IGX Strength equipment, view a portfolio of custom engraved samples, and sign up for Barbell Bytes, the company’s e-newsletter. This completely revised and updated version of the original Iron Grip site retains many of the features that visitors have found useful in the past, and also contains new information available through a more user-friendly interface. The revamped on-line store is equipped with an improved navigation system, and allows clubs to purchase Iron Grip Strength apparel, and Iron Grip and IGX equipment
The Life Fitness Academy Scientific and Medical Advisory Board (SMAB) has issued a call for letters of intent for the annual Michael L. Pollock Memorial Grants. These research grants support applied human studies that focus on the effects of physical activity on various health conditions--e.g., diabetes, osteoporosis, anorexia, hypertension, menopause, obesity, depression, etc.; they can also be used to support product development opportunities. Two $5,000 grants will be given to junior investigators (individuals who have finished their formal training within the past three years), while four $2,500 grants will be awarded to graduate students (advisors must cosponsor the study). Researchers interested in applying for the grants must submit a two-page letter of intent to Life Fitness, postmarked or e-mailed by November 15, and send it to: Stephanie Vlach, 10601 W. Belmont Ave., Franklin Park, IL 60131; 800-735-3867, Ext. 3642; 847-288-3762 (FAX); stephanie.vlach@lifefitness.com (e-mail). Since 1993, Life Fitness has awarded $160,000 to a total of 46 grant winners.
Polar/HealthFirst has developed a new feature for its TriFIT fitness assessment program that’s intended to generate additional revenue for health clubs, and even more benefits for their members. Called Body Age, this new component allows clubs to calculate members’ “body age” based on their fitness level, lifestyle, biological age, and health risk status; it also allows them to determine realistic goals for those members, and provide a program (incorporating exercise, diet, and lifestyle changes) that’s designed to help them attain those goals. “Knowing one’s body age can be very flattering, but it can also be an eye-opener, pointing out that attention needs to be placed on a person’s eating habits and exercise needs,” observes Ron McPhee, the president of Polar’s HealthFirst division. “Body Age refines the sometimes complex language of physiology into a measurement that everyone can understand.” For more information, call 800-841-8333.
