Reebok University was a training program for fitness instructors. The athletic shoe company has been involved in the research and development of programs such as step training, indoor cycling, slide board exercise, core board training and group barbell workouts. It conducted specialized workshops and conferences and helped fitness centers train its staff in specially designed fitness programs.
History
The Reebok Company has been around since the 1890s. It began as a running shoe company, whose claim to fame was the design of the shoes worn in the 1924 English Summer Games by the athletes celebrated in the film "Chariots of Fire." In 1989, it partnered with fitness instructor Gin Miller in the research and development of the Step Reebok program. The success of the step inspired a deeper involvement with the fitness industry. They created the Reebok Instructor Alliance, which was an organization for fitness instructors. The Alliance sent out a monthly educational newsletter, and presented Reebok Resolution, which was an annual instructor fitness conference. While Reebok University is no longer in existence in the United States, many former members of the Reebok training and development team still give workshops in Reebok programs.
Types of Programs
The Step Reebok training program teaches instructors the proper guidelines for step height, choreography and beats per minute. Personal trainers have found use for the Reebok 5-Point Movement screen, which teaches instructors how to asses posture, muscle imbalances and faulty movement patterns. The core board is a balance-board, which can be adjusted for varying levels of stability. The program has a number of variations. Physical therapist Elizabeth Larkham, formerly of Polestar Pilates created a Pilates-evolved version of core board training. The board can also be used for yoga, strength training and sports conditioning. Reebok martial arts training integrates various styles of boxing and karate with traditional fitness movements. Rep Reebok uses the step in conjunction with weights and barbells.
Benefits
Reebok is primarily involved with sports. Its knowledge of the biomechanics involved in various athletic pursuits gave them insight into the development of fitness programs that encourage athleticism in the general population. Unlike many of the pre-choreographed workouts such as those offered by Body Pump, the Reebok training programs encourage instructors to develop their creativity and unique teaching style. All of the Reebok University programs were backed by extensive research.
Effects
The athleticism of the Reebok University programs attracted men to the once female-dominated group exercise classes. Reebok also added to the group fitness programs, which increased their popularity. This turned out to be a blessing during peak hours, when the cardio and weight rooms operate at full capacity.
Considerations
Despite the fact that Reebok University is no longer in existence, in April of 2009, it launched a program called "Jukari Fit To Fly." The program was designed in conjunction with Cirque du Soleil, and features a combination of strength, coordination and balance movements. It uses an acrobatic contraption known as the "fly set."
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