Building a Fitness Industry Watchdog
Bob Goldman, D.O., holds the hydraulic lift control in one hand and cautiously peers over the edge of the open three-story lift shaft. Dangling from a thin steel cable, a 400-pound Oglaend treadmill sways precariously, 20 feet above the ground. The whining of the winch accompanies the creaking of the nylon rope cradling this monstrous gadget. Goldman is hoisting the machine to the top-floor of his High Technology Fitness Research Institute in Chicago to begin evaluating it.
The muscular, 33-year-old Director of Sports Medicine Research for the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, is, almost single-handedly, trying to build a non-profit watchdog organization for the fitness equipment industry. Goldman's goal is to create an organization that objectively evaluates the safety and health benefits of all high-tech fitness machinery, from free weights to computerized rowing machines. He wants his Institute, which accepts no money for its services, to become the Underwriter's Laboratory of the fitness industry. His new 12,000-square-foot facility is the skeleton. He is the muscle and brains behind this vision.
Behind those visions, however, is an institute in its infancy, and that is why his present operation resembles a public relations firm more than a research institute. But besides spotlighting himself and the Institute, Goldman spends his time, between lecturer tours, testing the equipment and writing articles about the machines. And it is in this area that he receives praise from manufacturers--and comes under fire from his peers.
With the purchase of a converted novelty goods factory, donated equipment from all the major manufacturers, and increased visibility in the media and industry, he's off to a fast, enthusiastic start. Though most manufacturers endorse him or at least let him test their equipment, his medical colleagues offer lukewarm support and cool skepticism. But everyone agrees that someone has to monitor the fitness machinery industry, even though some question whether Goldman's the man for the job.
NO MORE SECRETARY
Wearing grey cotton pants, sneakers, and a short-sleeve blue-and-white striped shirt, Goldman answers the door. "We just lost our secretary," he explains. ABC gave out Goldman's phone number and address on one of their programs the week before, and "we got about a thousand letters and hundreds of calls, so she freaked out."
Ken Scott, the 28-year-old administrative manager, sits behind a large, wooden desk in this richly appointed reception area. Beyond this room is a long room with cabinets on two walls holding dozens of Goldman's trophies that illustrate his achievements as an athlete in strength sports. On the rubber-tiled floor of the room are about 20 machines. "These are some of the newest technologies," he says, surveying the collection. Something that looks like a miniature submarine is parked in the middle of the room. It's actually a dry sauna, explains Goldman. A few steps away is a Bally Life Rower, and next to it is a Universal Aerobicycle.
The doorway at the far end of this room leads to a balcony overlooking a large 30- by 50-foot gym with 15- foot high ceilings and a floor crammed with exercise equipment. Below the balcony, stairs lead down to the Human Performance Laboratory of Ronald Klatz, D.O. Klatz, 33, who helped with Goldman's best seller Death in the Locker Room: Steroids, Cocaine & Sports, does much of the work that the non-profit institute can't do. "I take on athletes directed to the institute for medical reasons," says Klatz.
A spiral staircase bypasses the still unfinished second floor and leads to the main testing area on the third floor. This is where machines are tested, taken apart, and examined. Strewn over the unfinished hardwood floors are machines in various states of assemblage. A disassembled Stairmaster, a Universal Treadex treadmill, various stationary bikes, and a boxed Precor 720 rowing machine are just a few of the machines that crowd the workroom.
On a table along one wall is a collection of welded metal pieces and cross sections of pads and covering material. Here Goldman analyzes the way frame and pads are put together, pointing out hot and cold welds as if he's been a welder all his life. Most of the actual analysis, however, is done by outside consultants. Beyond the workroom, through double doors, is the nerve center of Goldman's Institute. Goldman sits in one of the orange vinyl chairs that surround the central conference table, puts his feet on the table, and slumps back in the chair, carefully folding his hands on his chest. He's been up since 6 a.m. running, weight-lifting, and writing articles.
"I work constantly," says Goldman. This explains why his project has mushroomed. Goldman began testing equipment after working in health clubs for many years and after going to a trade show four years ago. "After talking to each of the company presidents, I realized they knew less about their machines than I did," he says. "I was redesigning them on the spot." Goldman was also concerned that the industry was getting a bad reputation because of poor quality equipment and uninformed salespeople.
NOT ALL PRAISE
But his critics claim his tests are scientifically invalid and written more for the lay press than industry professionals. Goldman's 15-page product checklist ranges from evaluating the way the product was shipped to its visual aesthetics. His biomechanical evaluations consist of little more than making sure the machine is adaptable to a number of different body sizes. "He's setting himself up as an expert," says Skinner, "but nobody knows what he's doing." Dr. Ellington Darden, Director of Research and Writing at Nautilus agrees, "You need to accurately define what you're testing," he says. "You need a purpose, a central idea, and established parameters." Nautilus no longer sends equipment to Goldman for testing.
Goldman does most of the testing and writing, but hires a secretary (the only one who's paid a salary), "local gorillas" to help him move some of the machines, and outside consultants to do some of the testing. Then there's Scott, who became involved in the project after working for Klatz. He says he's been living off his savings for the past two years, but he is imbued with Goldman's infectious enthusiasm and energy. "Work is, to tell you the truth, what our lives revolve around," says Scott. "Basically food, sleep, and recreation come in a sorry second. Ultimately I hope to be in a position where I can draw a salary."
Whereas Scott takes care of the day-to-day business, Goldman churns out the articles, lectures, and equipment reviews what he hopes will generate enough media interest to attract the money he needs to make the Institute permanent. He pulls open a file drawer which contains hundreds of files on various companies. "I've got a file for every company," he explains. "We have color transparencies and information, so when we do the articles, we just kick them out." Goldman expects his new book The 'E' Factor: E=ergogenic, published in April, 1988 by William Morrow and Company, to be "one of the most significant books put out on the fitness industry."
He could be right. He's published over 200 articles on fitness and exercise equipment in magazines from Time to Conde Nast's Traveler, and Death in the Locker Room was well received. Publishers Weekly called it a "convincing text" and, "a book of importance." Booklist described it as "a meticulously researched indictment of drugs in sports."
The muscular, 33-year-old Director of Sports Medicine Research for the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, is, almost single-handedly, trying to build a non-profit watchdog organization for the fitness equipment industry. Goldman's goal is to create an organization that objectively evaluates the safety and health benefits of all high-tech fitness machinery, from free weights to computerized rowing machines. He wants his Institute, which accepts no money for its services, to become the Underwriter's Laboratory of the fitness industry. His new 12,000-square-foot facility is the skeleton. He is the muscle and brains behind this vision.
Behind those visions, however, is an institute in its infancy, and that is why his present operation resembles a public relations firm more than a research institute. But besides spotlighting himself and the Institute, Goldman spends his time, between lecturer tours, testing the equipment and writing articles about the machines. And it is in this area that he receives praise from manufacturers--and comes under fire from his peers.
With the purchase of a converted novelty goods factory, donated equipment from all the major manufacturers, and increased visibility in the media and industry, he's off to a fast, enthusiastic start. Though most manufacturers endorse him or at least let him test their equipment, his medical colleagues offer lukewarm support and cool skepticism. But everyone agrees that someone has to monitor the fitness machinery industry, even though some question whether Goldman's the man for the job.
NO MORE SECRETARY
Wearing grey cotton pants, sneakers, and a short-sleeve blue-and-white striped shirt, Goldman answers the door. "We just lost our secretary," he explains. ABC gave out Goldman's phone number and address on one of their programs the week before, and "we got about a thousand letters and hundreds of calls, so she freaked out."
Ken Scott, the 28-year-old administrative manager, sits behind a large, wooden desk in this richly appointed reception area. Beyond this room is a long room with cabinets on two walls holding dozens of Goldman's trophies that illustrate his achievements as an athlete in strength sports. On the rubber-tiled floor of the room are about 20 machines. "These are some of the newest technologies," he says, surveying the collection. Something that looks like a miniature submarine is parked in the middle of the room. It's actually a dry sauna, explains Goldman. A few steps away is a Bally Life Rower, and next to it is a Universal Aerobicycle.
The doorway at the far end of this room leads to a balcony overlooking a large 30- by 50-foot gym with 15- foot high ceilings and a floor crammed with exercise equipment. Below the balcony, stairs lead down to the Human Performance Laboratory of Ronald Klatz, D.O. Klatz, 33, who helped with Goldman's best seller Death in the Locker Room: Steroids, Cocaine & Sports, does much of the work that the non-profit institute can't do. "I take on athletes directed to the institute for medical reasons," says Klatz.
A spiral staircase bypasses the still unfinished second floor and leads to the main testing area on the third floor. This is where machines are tested, taken apart, and examined. Strewn over the unfinished hardwood floors are machines in various states of assemblage. A disassembled Stairmaster, a Universal Treadex treadmill, various stationary bikes, and a boxed Precor 720 rowing machine are just a few of the machines that crowd the workroom.
On a table along one wall is a collection of welded metal pieces and cross sections of pads and covering material. Here Goldman analyzes the way frame and pads are put together, pointing out hot and cold welds as if he's been a welder all his life. Most of the actual analysis, however, is done by outside consultants. Beyond the workroom, through double doors, is the nerve center of Goldman's Institute. Goldman sits in one of the orange vinyl chairs that surround the central conference table, puts his feet on the table, and slumps back in the chair, carefully folding his hands on his chest. He's been up since 6 a.m. running, weight-lifting, and writing articles.
"I work constantly," says Goldman. This explains why his project has mushroomed. Goldman began testing equipment after working in health clubs for many years and after going to a trade show four years ago. "After talking to each of the company presidents, I realized they knew less about their machines than I did," he says. "I was redesigning them on the spot." Goldman was also concerned that the industry was getting a bad reputation because of poor quality equipment and uninformed salespeople.
NOT ALL PRAISE
But his critics claim his tests are scientifically invalid and written more for the lay press than industry professionals. Goldman's 15-page product checklist ranges from evaluating the way the product was shipped to its visual aesthetics. His biomechanical evaluations consist of little more than making sure the machine is adaptable to a number of different body sizes. "He's setting himself up as an expert," says Skinner, "but nobody knows what he's doing." Dr. Ellington Darden, Director of Research and Writing at Nautilus agrees, "You need to accurately define what you're testing," he says. "You need a purpose, a central idea, and established parameters." Nautilus no longer sends equipment to Goldman for testing.
Goldman does most of the testing and writing, but hires a secretary (the only one who's paid a salary), "local gorillas" to help him move some of the machines, and outside consultants to do some of the testing. Then there's Scott, who became involved in the project after working for Klatz. He says he's been living off his savings for the past two years, but he is imbued with Goldman's infectious enthusiasm and energy. "Work is, to tell you the truth, what our lives revolve around," says Scott. "Basically food, sleep, and recreation come in a sorry second. Ultimately I hope to be in a position where I can draw a salary."
Whereas Scott takes care of the day-to-day business, Goldman churns out the articles, lectures, and equipment reviews what he hopes will generate enough media interest to attract the money he needs to make the Institute permanent. He pulls open a file drawer which contains hundreds of files on various companies. "I've got a file for every company," he explains. "We have color transparencies and information, so when we do the articles, we just kick them out." Goldman expects his new book The 'E' Factor: E=ergogenic, published in April, 1988 by William Morrow and Company, to be "one of the most significant books put out on the fitness industry."
He could be right. He's published over 200 articles on fitness and exercise equipment in magazines from Time to Conde Nast's Traveler, and Death in the Locker Room was well received. Publishers Weekly called it a "convincing text" and, "a book of importance." Booklist described it as "a meticulously researched indictment of drugs in sports."
Effective Water Workout for Abs
For anyone nursing either an injury or an ego dented by the appearance of such bodily imperfections as love handles and bat-wing upper arms, then a sub-aqua gymnasium could be just what is needed to nurse your body gently back into shape.
The Aquagym, a British invention, is a portable seven-piece set of fitness equipment which is lowered into the deep end of a swimming pool and attached to the sides by giant suction pads. With all but your head submerged beneath water, you can pedal on an aquacycle or stair-climb the aqua-stepper without exposing vulnerable joints to repetitive pounding or heavy loads. Comfortingly, it also means that, from the neck down at least, your physical failings are hidden from view while you sweat it out.
Douglas Murphy and David Wylie, its Glasgow-based inventors, stumbled on the idea while
designing artificial wave machines and rides for water parks around the world. Realising water's potential as a resistance-training tool with none of the repetitive-stress and high-impact risks associated with activities such as running, cycling and rowing on terra firma, they set about transferring the weights room to the swimming pool.
The end product comprises robust yellow plastic machines with floats replacing weights. "There is a piece of Aquagym equipment to rival anything you would find in your average health club," Mike Tann, of Ab glider, said. "There is an aqua strider, an aqua cycle and an aqua rower, for instance, which are all good for improving cardiovascular fitness, but there are also the aqua abs and pull-down machines for strength."
The first Aquagym system was installed at the Leatherhead leisure centre, in Surrey, three years ago, but now there are 30 at pools around the
UK.
Such has been its success that, in some parts of Britain, GPs are referring cardiac patients and those in post-operative rehabilitation to centres where they can use the nonimpact fitness devices to restore their strength and general health.
"There have been quite a number of cases where members of the medical profession have advised patients to use their local Aquagym," Tann said. "There are plenty of physical therapy benefits of an aqua exercise session, in addition to the general fitness improvements you get from exercising in water."
Since water itself provides up to 12 times the resistance of air, pushing and pulling the equipment in a pool achieves similar physical benefits to conventional cardiovascular and strength training. And because of its greater density, water relieves pressure on the body and acts like a safety cushion while you exercise.
American research has shown that abs working out in waist-deep water reduces the levels of stress placed on knees and hips by 50 per cent, while chest-deep water provides 75 per cent less impact. But people who exercise in water up to neck level, as with many of the ab machines, will lighten their body's load by as much as 90 per cent.
When you consider, too, that someone weighing just over 10st who runs outside would take approximately 2,000 strides, which equates to around one million pounds of impact for every ten-minute mile they cover, then switching to a pool workout every now and then is highly worthwhile move if you want to protect your joints.
For more detailed information on the best ab workout for you and other fitness related information you can visit us at http://weightmanagementexperts.com.
The Aquagym, a British invention, is a portable seven-piece set of fitness equipment which is lowered into the deep end of a swimming pool and attached to the sides by giant suction pads. With all but your head submerged beneath water, you can pedal on an aquacycle or stair-climb the aqua-stepper without exposing vulnerable joints to repetitive pounding or heavy loads. Comfortingly, it also means that, from the neck down at least, your physical failings are hidden from view while you sweat it out.
Douglas Murphy and David Wylie, its Glasgow-based inventors, stumbled on the idea while
designing artificial wave machines and rides for water parks around the world. Realising water's potential as a resistance-training tool with none of the repetitive-stress and high-impact risks associated with activities such as running, cycling and rowing on terra firma, they set about transferring the weights room to the swimming pool.
The end product comprises robust yellow plastic machines with floats replacing weights. "There is a piece of Aquagym equipment to rival anything you would find in your average health club," Mike Tann, of Ab glider, said. "There is an aqua strider, an aqua cycle and an aqua rower, for instance, which are all good for improving cardiovascular fitness, but there are also the aqua abs and pull-down machines for strength."
The first Aquagym system was installed at the Leatherhead leisure centre, in Surrey, three years ago, but now there are 30 at pools around the
UK.
Such has been its success that, in some parts of Britain, GPs are referring cardiac patients and those in post-operative rehabilitation to centres where they can use the nonimpact fitness devices to restore their strength and general health.
"There have been quite a number of cases where members of the medical profession have advised patients to use their local Aquagym," Tann said. "There are plenty of physical therapy benefits of an aqua exercise session, in addition to the general fitness improvements you get from exercising in water."
Since water itself provides up to 12 times the resistance of air, pushing and pulling the equipment in a pool achieves similar physical benefits to conventional cardiovascular and strength training. And because of its greater density, water relieves pressure on the body and acts like a safety cushion while you exercise.
American research has shown that abs working out in waist-deep water reduces the levels of stress placed on knees and hips by 50 per cent, while chest-deep water provides 75 per cent less impact. But people who exercise in water up to neck level, as with many of the ab machines, will lighten their body's load by as much as 90 per cent.
When you consider, too, that someone weighing just over 10st who runs outside would take approximately 2,000 strides, which equates to around one million pounds of impact for every ten-minute mile they cover, then switching to a pool workout every now and then is highly worthwhile move if you want to protect your joints.
For more detailed information on the best ab workout for you and other fitness related information you can visit us at http://weightmanagementexperts.com.