AMERICAN ALLIANCE FOR HEALTH, PHYSICAL EDUCA- TION, RECREATION & DANCE
1900 Association Drive Reston, VA 22091 Phone: 703 476-3400
A non-profit membership organization of over 35,000 professional educators. ASSOCIATION OF PHYSICAL FITNESS CENTERS 600 Jefferson St., Ste. 203 Rockville, MD 20852 301 424-7744
Promotes the general welfare of firms and corporations engaged in the physical fitness industry.
INTERNATIONAL SPA & FITNESS ASSOCIATION
1300 L Street, NW #1050 Washington, DC 20005 202 789-5920
The association serves as a clearinghouse for spa resorts, products and services.
IRSA, THE ASSOCIATION OF QUALITY CLUBS
253 Summer Street Boston, MA 02210 800 228-4772
A not-for-profit trade association for racquet, athletic and fitness clubs.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF USED FITNESS EQUIPMENT DEALERS
151 Liberty St., Ste. 14 Little Ferry, NJ 07643 201 807-9838
An association developed to set quality-of- service standards that health club operators can expect to receive from their associates. The membership acts as a consumer watchdog and Better Business Bureau.
NATIONAL EMPLOYEE SERVICES & RECREATION ASSOCIATION
2211 York Rd., Ste. 207 Oakbrook, IL 60521 708 368-1280
Serves organizations and individuals respon- sible for providing employee services, recre- ation and fitness programs through education,
The following organizations, articles, books and other resources offer infor- mation about purchasing exercise equipment. Inclusions on this list does not imply endorsement by the
Governor's Council on Physical Fitness
and Health. The Council is not
responsible for opinions or endorse- ments expressed by these resources.
NATIONAL INTRAMURAL & RECREATIONAL SPORTS ASSOCIATION 850 S.W. 15th Street Corvallis, OR 97333-4145 503 737-2088
The premier organization for recreation sports professionals.
NATIONAL
RECREATION & PARK ASSOCIATION
2775 South Quincy St., Ste. 300 Arlington, VA 22206
703 820-4940
A not-for-profit organization serving as the united voice of the park recreation movement.
PRESIDENT'S COUNCIL ON
PHYSICAL FITNESS AND SPORTS
450 15th St., N.W., Ste. 7103 Washington, DC 20001 202 272-3470
Premier federal program on the promotion of fitness and sports.
SPORTING GOODS
MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION
200 Castlewood Drive
North Palm Beach, FL 33408 407 842-4100
National trade association of manufacturers and distributors of athletic apparel and equipment.
ARTICLES
BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN
Looks at home exercise riders; prod- ucts' features and benefits.
Newsweek, June 26, 1995, Vol. 125;
BUYING USED EQUIPMENT
Covers the ins and outs of the used equipment industry.
The Boston Herald, March 31,1994.
BUYING USED WITHOUT BEING USED
Tips for buying used equipment.
Fitness Management, July 1994, pp.
32.
EQUIPMENT QUALITY FEATURES
What to look for when evaluating the quality of exercise equipment. The article is geared toward the
commerical equipment purchaser, but it can be applied to all equipment.
Fitness Management, July 1993, pp.
36.
EXERCISE EQUIPMENT
This annual special report examines the benefits, advantages, disadvan- tages and features of home gyms, treadmills, exercise bikes, stair climb- ers and ski machines.
Consumer Reports, January 1996, pp.
14.
EXERCISE MACHINES DO'S AND DON'TS
Presents guidelines for the safe use of stair climbing machines, stationary bicycles and ski machines.
Weight Watchers, June 1995. Vol. 14;
FITNESS MACHINES:
EXPERIENCING TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES?
Describes some common physical ail- ments associated with popular exercise equipment and suggests remedies. The equipment includes stair climbers, rowing machines, ski machines and other exercise equipment.
Body Bulletin, May 1995, pp. 3.
HOME GYM HAZARDS
Guidelines for preventing children from injuring themselves on exercise equipment.
Parents Magazine, October 1995, pp.
20.
HOME SWEAT HOME
Discusses what to keep in mind when purchasing exercise equipment.
Maclean's, October 24,1994. Vol. 107;
issue 43, pp. 42.
HOW SAFE IS YOUR HOME EXERCISE EQUIPMENT?
Provides techniques in assessing home exercise equipment.
Good Housekeeping, February 1995.
Vol. 222; issue 2, pp. 179.
PLAY IT SAFE
Steps to avoid disappointing results and injury.
Total Health, Vol.17; issue 1, pp. 20.
PORTABLE STAIR CLIMBERS
Looks at the advantages and disadvan- tages of portable stair climbers.
Men's Health, May 1994. Vol. 9; issue
4, pp. 14.
PREVENTION = PROFIT
Discusses how to keep equipment maintained.
Fitness Management, July 1995, pp.
39.
SELECTING SAFE EQUIPMENT
Guidelines for instructors, coaches and administrators on providing safe
equipment.
ON-LINE EQUIPMENT INFORMATION
The Internet has a wealth of information for those looking to purchase equipment. Al- though new sites on the Internet are being added constantly, there were at least three sites at the time of this gude's publication that might be worth checking out.
http://ep.com/x/gmhnm.html
The World Wide Web's EPage Health Products Classifieds allows people to place classifieds for used fitness equipment just as they would in their local paper.
http://www.fitnessworld.com
This site is managed by Fitness Management, a monthly magazine for adult fitness professionals. It includes a facilities and equipment exchange forum, which allows the user to ask industry experts questions regarding fitness equipment.
http://www.cybercise.com/ace.html
This site is managed by the American Council on Exercise (ACE), the largest, not-for-profit fitness certifier in the world. The site includes a forum for communicating with other professionals about equipment.
Many manufactuers and dealers also have sites on the Internet. Some sites offer coupon and discount sections that can be printed out in coupon form.
SERVICE: BEFORE, DURING, AFTER
Examines what kind of service one should expect for commercial equip- ment.
Fitness Management, July 1993, pp.
39.
THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE TACKY
Evaluates the resistance ball, water weights, weighted jump rope, abdomi- nal isolator, thighmaster, treadmill
and sweatbelt.
Weight Watchers, September 1995. Vol.
28; issue 9, pp. 32.
THE HOME GYM: GET A
WORKOUT WITHOUT TRAINING YOUR WALLET
Tips from fitness trainers, equipment makers and retailers.
Money, October 1993, pp. 174.
ACCESSIBLE FITNESS SYSTEMS - offers several alternative fitness-equipment items, including a tabletop handcycle and a mini-gym for wheelchairs.
BATTLE CREEK EQUIPMENT - offers the Pedar Exerciser, which can be positioned on the floor for leg exercise or on a table for arm exercise. BOW FLEX, INC.- manufacturer of the
Versatrainer, an exercise machine that utilizes a cable pulley system.
FREEDOM MACHINE - designed for wheelchair users to increase their strength and endurance. HELM DISTRIBUTING, INC. - manufacturs the Equalizer 5000, a weight machine for
parapalegics, quadrapalegics and able-bodied users.
HUGHES TECHNOLOGIES, INC. - manufactures the Hughes Superset Model HP 200, which allows for more than 35 exercises for parapalegics.
SARATOGA ACCESS AND FITNESS INC. - offers a cycle that can be used for arm exercise on any table top and for leg exercise when placed on the floor.
SINTIES SCIENTIFIC, INC. - product line includes the Basic Power Trainer, which exercises both the arms and legs.
THOELE MANUFACTURING- offers the Pedal-In- Place, which was developed to aid quadraplaegics, parapalegics, stroke victems and others with limited arm and leg usage.
You can obtain a copy of the article from Parapalegia News that provides more informa- tion on these companies and their products (including phone numbers and addresses) by calling the Governor's Council at (919)733- 9615.