Where is all the exercise equipment?

Just back from the PPS meeting in Phoenix.  I echo Rob's comments-great meeting organization, great section leadership, and great content.  I had to miss the past few years and I will certainly make the meeting a priority.

I had a conversation this morning with my good friend and noted author/teacher, master clinician, former program Chair, fellow Springsteen enthusiast, and private practioner Carl DeRosa about the noticeable lack of exercise equipment manufacturers in the exhibit hall.  What is up with that?  There were lines of people waiting for the Vitamix and to get their nails done but there was no exhibits featuring models on equipment like there used to be at these shows!  Even, John Iams, the guy who compares himself to Einstein had all kinds of people waiting to get their chin tapped with a therapeutic reflex hammer (according to their booth the "first time in history that a reflex hammer is being use for therapeutic purposes").

I wonder if the lack of exercise folks signifies a bad trend in our industry.  We have a history of giving up significant parts of our profession (e.g. Cardiac rehab and respiratory therapy) and there is some evidence that consumers are seeking out quasi certified personal trainers for all sorts of exercise prescription (an area where EBP is very supportive).  And therapeutic exercise is one of the best reimbursed codes in our limited number of CPT codes!

Does anybody else think we are at risk for losing exercise?

Larry

Comments

[Paul]

This does not surprise me. With our margins running slimmer and equipment costs getting more costly, equipment becoming more durable, and with the need for more 'one on one' time, it is not practical to spend $65K on a piece of equipment. This is not a disturbing trend, but rather it shows that clinicians are choosing to spend on labor not equipment.

[Britt Smith]

Here, here. We've stayed low tech in the clinic with a few Reformers/Cadallac tables from the Pilates world and balls and weights, a bike, treadmill and the 'high tech' unloading traction over it. What more do we need in this world except a few more pulleys and levers, Thank you Archemedes. Carl De Rosa has a wonderful clinic and space and it is very 'low-tech', including a climbing wall. If you are in Flagstaff, stop by and check out his space. Great people, most importantly.
Britt
PS. I do think that the market is getting super-saturated with gyms, exercise alternatives (our lil' ol' western Colorado town has 5 gyms, maybe 5 yoga studios, a Pilates studio and about 40-50 chiropractors (with equipment, ads for exercise), about a 100 massage therapist/exercise personal trainers...oh, yea, and 6 or 7 PT private practices. Additionally, we are bracing for ATC licensure in the state. DORA (Dept. of Regulatory Agencies) has endorsed ATC access to a population beyond 'athletes'. This exercise world will get very interesting in the next 20 years!!!!

[Britt Smith]

Here, here. We've stayed low tech in the clinic with a few Reformers/Cadallac tables from the Pilates world and balls and weights, a bike, treadmill and the 'high tech' unloading traction over it. What more do we need in this world except a few more pulleys and levers, Thank you Archemedes. Carl De Rosa has a wonderful clinic and space and it is very 'low-tech', including a climbing wall. If you are in Flagstaff, stop by and check out his space. Great people, most importantly.
Britt
PS. I do think that the market is getting super-saturated with gyms, exercise alternatives (our lil' ol' western Colorado town has 5 gyms, maybe 5 yoga studios, a Pilates studio and about 40-50 chiropractors (with equipment, ads for exercise), about a 100 massage therapist/exercise personal trainers...oh, yea, and 6 or 7 PT private practices. Additionally, we are bracing for ATC licensure in the state. DORA (Dept. of Regulatory Agencies) has endorsed ATC access to a population beyond 'athletes'. This exercise world will get very interesting in the next 20 years!!!!

[Jason]

Check out www.superslow.com. We use this exercise protocol in our clinics and it has introduced an excellent cash-based business.

[Jason]

And, SuperSlow was a vendor at PPS.

[Jason Silvernail]

Well, first of all, let's not get the two Jasons confused. :)

Let's not rehash the High Intensity Training aka superslow thing, please. This has been done to death in the strength and conditioning literature, and as a method, it is clearly inferior to traditional modes of resistance training. I agree that long eccentric contractions are useful in chronic tendon problems and in the rehab setting, but if we are building a practice or a personal training empire upon such a disproven method, then that's a problem.
I think if more PTs understood the fitness and conditioning world, then such fads such as superslow would be regarded with the same facial expression as the vertebral subluxation complex and homeopathy. For interested PTs, I highly recommend the National Strength and Conditioning Association and their excellent credentials and peer-refereed journals (www.nsca.com). It really helps you keep a finger on the pulse of the conditioning and fitness world and helps you sort the wheat from the chaff (like superslow), so to speak.

But I'm with Paul and Britt, and I think the relatively low number of exercise equipment vendors speaks volumes to the recent trend in fitness and conditioning facilities to return to basics, with machines and "toys" selling less and dumbbells, barbells, and power racks selling better.

J