The treadmills, elliptical trainers and weight training machines at your fitness club are likely to be equipment produced by Cybex International, Life Fitness or Precor, three of the world's top exercise equipment manufacturers. Before going global, all three companies had humble beginnings as U.S.-based companies with the goal of giving athletes, fitness enthusiasts and people rehabilitating from injury the tools they needed to reach performance goals and improve their health.
Cybex International
Based in Massachusetts, Cybex International got its start in the late 1960s as a manufacturer of isokinetic rehabilitation equipment. In 1983, the company purchased Eagle Performance Systems, a Minnesota-based fitness equipment manufacturer and established itself as a supplier of variable resistance strength systems. In 1997, the company merged with Trotter, Inc. to form Cybex International. Over the years Cybex has developed expertise at manufacturing cardiovascular and strength-training fitness equipment based on biomechanics and ergonomics. Cybex makes cross trainers, exercise bikes, steppers, treadmills, weight and strength training equipment. In June 2010 the NBC television show "The Biggest Loser," chose Cybex as its fitness partner.
Life Fitness
Responsible for bringing electronic fitness equipment to the marketplace, Life Fitness, headquartered just outside of Chicago, manufacturers commercial and home fitness equipment under the Life Fitness and Hammer Strength brand names. With the mission of helping people lead healthier lives, the company, in 1968, first began making the LifeCycle exercise bike, the first piece of computerized fitness equipment. Life Fitness now makes more than 300 cardio and strength-training products, including exercise bikes, recumbent bikes, treadmills, elliptical machines, stair climbers, home gyms, and weight and strength training equipment. In May 2010, sporting goods retailer Sports Authority signed a partnership with the equipment manufacturer to offer Life Fitness equipment in its stores.
Precor
Precor's beginnings started in 1980 with the manufacturer of a rowing machine for home use. The company launched as the Precision Corporation in 1984 and later came to operate as Precor Inc. In 1990, the company began offering treadmills for use in commercial fitness centers. In 1995, Precor distinguished itself with a design of elliptical trainers that incorporated a cross ramp incline system that targets different muscle groups depending on the ramp angle. With its headquarters in Washington, Precor's list of product offerings includes elliptical fitness cross trainers, treadmills, cycles, climbers, stretch trainers and strength training systems. In November 2009, Precor signed an agreement with World Gym International to become its premier fitness equipment provider.
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