Fitness is the cornerstone of physical therapy. After all, if people were not concerned about their ability to get up and move, they would not be participating in physical therapy. From the most basic training devices to advanced cross- training machines, here is a diverse selection of equipment for the advancement of fitness.
Recumbent Cross Trainer As one of the most versatile cross-trainers in the industry, the NuStep® TRS 4000 provides a complete workout for all major muscle groups. The 10 different workloads provide a challenging workout for exercise enthusiasts of any age group. The TRS 4000 offers upper- and lower-body conditioning without stress on the joints and muscles, making it an ideal piece of equipment for any facility. For more information, please contact NuStep, 5111 Venture Dr, Suite 1, Ann Arbor, MI 48108; (800) 322-2209; www.nustep.com.
Balance-Training Board Balance training is an important part of core strength, which is vital to how our bodies relate to the physical world. It also adds a level of difficulty to many forms of functional training. The new FitBALL® Deluxe Board has an extra-large surface—19.5 inches x 27 inches—ample room for full-body training. The heavy-duty plastic construction is designed for high-use fitness and rehab facilities. With a fulcrum height of 5 inches, the multidirectional base offers balance challenges for both beginners and advanced users. The FitBALL Deluxe Board is part of the newly expanded line of FitBALL brand professional-quality fitness and therapeutic products distributed by Ball Dynamics International. For more information, contact Ball Dynamics International LLC, 14215 Mead St, Longmont, CO 80504; (800) 752-2255; www.fitball.com.
Training and Core Stability Gear Fitterfirst has offered quality, innovative balance-training gear and core stability fitness products since 1985. The Fitterfirst goal is to provide customers with the best balance boards; exercise balls; and progressive, functional fitness gear available. The company’s high-quality balance-training and exercise products are used by fitness professionals, therapists, coaches, personal trainers, and athletes around the world. The company encourages all users, from kids to busy working professionals to seniors, to include its stability products in daily living in order to improve agility at play and to maintain better mobility for life. For more information, contact Fitter International Inc 3050, 2600 Portland Street SE, Calgary, AB, Canada T2G 4M6; (800) 348-8371; www.fitter1.com.
Rehabilitation Fitness Equipment Med-Fit Systems offers a diverse line of fitness equipment appropriate for rehabilitation. The Nautilus Group features the complete line of Nautilus strength and cardiovascular products, StairMaster/Quinton treadmills, bikes and ellipticals, and Schwinn air products, including the Airdyne quadrilateral trainer. HOIST Fitness Systems is a 25-year-old manufacturing company that features best-selling multi-stacks, dual-function devices, the ROCIT line of core/proprioceptive machines, and the KL Line. HUR compressed-air strength machines and EA wheelchair-accessible circuit machines incorporate features unavailable on traditional strength machines, such as near-zero starting weights, no ballistics, independent reciprocal movements, and limb-specific range-of-motion limits. For more information, contact Med-Fit Systems Inc, 543 E Alvarado Street, Fallbrook, CA 92028; (800) 831-7665; www.medfitsystems.com.