The fitness/wellness expo known as Club Industry returned to Chicago Oct. 12-14.
However, there was one big change this year. Instead of being at its usual home in McCormick Place, the event was at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.
There were innovative workouts as well as courses on nutrition, fitness-club member retention, certification, personal training and other issues. As for the ever-popular exhibit, dozens of exhibitors were spread across two areas of the Hyatt. Just a few of the exhibitors ( with some reflecting the increasing progression regarding technology ) included:
MYE Club TV Systems ( MYEClubTV.com ): MYE technology is the choice of major cardio equipment brands such as Cybex, Life Fitness, Matrix, Nautilus, Octane, Precor, SportsArt, Star Trac, Stairmaster and Technogym, and is developing integrated digital TVs, wireless TV audio and mobile applications.
GYMLETE ( Gymlete.com ): One of the most fun booths I visited, GYMLETE involves a fitness app that users can customizeand there are more than 200 exercise choices, with at least some you probably have not done.
bellicon USA ( bellicon-usa.com ): Talk about getting someone moving! This company has classes with mini-trampolines, and has people bouncing to pretty cool dance tunes. It's in Chicago, by the way ( in the West Loop ).
See Jake and Jane Train ( SeeJakeAndJaneTrain.com ): Personal trainers and fitness-studio owners would be wise to check out this site, which offers solutions regarding legal, sales and other issues.
Text and photos by Andrew Davis