PACE Express Circuit Training Equipment

An alternative to franchised fitness clubs, PACE provides equipment, training and support to individuals seeking to own and operate circuit training programs without the fees and restrictions of a franchise.

Rande LaDue is owner of Hydraulic Fitness Products, the worldwide exclusive distributor for the PACE and Kids PACE Express Circuit Training programs. PACE, originally called Hydra Fitness and dating back to the 1970’s, is the world’s first hydraulic exercise equipment. Some fitness franchises have used PACE equipment (the first Curves club in Harlingen, TX used PACE equipment) over the years, but PACE also provides equipment, training & support to those seeking to open or maintain independent, non-franchised clubs.

As the recession has created increased pressure on club owners,  Rande is seeing increased interest from people wanting to open independent fitness programs in markets that could not support franchised express fitness clubs like Curves.  For information and pricing on PACE and PACE for Kids, email paceequipment@gmail.com.

FranBest: Tell us about Hydraulic Fitness Products? How long have you been in business?

Rande: I’ve been in the fitness industry 30 years opening my first health club in Upstate New York in 1980. I started selling PACE equipment in the early 90’s when I was hired by Henley Healthcare (the medical company that bought Hydra Fitness) to head up its fitness division. I started distributing PACE myself about 10 years ago as Henley got out of the fitness business.

FranBest: What types of customers does Hydraulic Fitness Products serve? At what point do they begin working with you?

Rande: Over the years, we have sold PACE to thousands of facilities ranging from women’s clubs, coed clubs, weight loss centers, senior facilities, schools, colleges, physical therapy/rehab centers, community centers, the US military, and even professional sports teams. PACE was originally marketed to larger coed clubs as a means of attracting those people who were too intimidated to join (seniors, women, the overweight, etc.) and as a fun, new program for existing members.

The very first Curves club based in Harlingen, TX had our PACE equipment. As the Curves phenomena grew in the late 90’s, our market shifted to independent mom & pop startups who wanted to open a small studio but did not want to get locked into a franchise. There are many happy people out there who did their homework before jumping into a franchise and saw that not only did we offer superior quality adjustable equipment, but we provided the marketing and training tools necessary to be successful without any franchise fees. As Curves saturated the country, more coed clubs added our program as a means of competing against them. Since we are not a franchise, our customers were free to add additional profit centers, services or equipment to offer their members much more than the competition.

FranBest: Explain the nature of the Pace Fitness Equipment product line. How does hydraulic equipment differ from typical exercise machines?

Rande: Hydraulic resistance basically accommodates to the effort of the user; the faster/harder one pushes, the more resistance they encounter. PACE hydraulic machines provide concentric only resistance; there is no eccentric (or negative) resistance which allows each hydraulic machine to work opposing muscle groups in a “double-positive” fashion. The fact that there is no “fixed load” with hydraulic resistance allows for safe “fast anaerobic” exercising.

Note that every weight stack company recommends to use their equipment in a “smooth, controlled manner” while we recommend to use our machines as quickly as you can at your own “pace”. This type of fast exercising cannot be done safely with typical weight stack machines; you will either tear a muscle if the weight is too heavy or if it is too light, you will be throwing the weight in the air and catching it on the way down. Hydraulic resistance provides a combination of a safe muscle toning workout with a high calorie burn cardiovascular workout in a time efficient 30 minute program.

How does Pace Hydraulic Fitness Equipment differ from other hydraulic machines? What are the advantages to the fitness club member? How about to the owner?

Rande: What sets PACE equipment apart from its franchise competition is the fact that our hydraulic cylinders are adjustable and feature a dial that controls the amount of hydraulic fluid to be able to increase or decrease the resistance as needed. This allows our equipment to accommodate a wide range of fitness levels at the same time and also prevents members from hitting a plateau. These are huge advantages to the club owner as well as their members.

Member retention is one of the biggest problems club owners face. If a member hits a plateau and has stopped enjoying results, she will get frustrated, bored and eventually drop out. With PACE equipment, once a member has maxed out on setting #1, they just click the dial to #2 and it takes them to a whole new fitness level. Small clubs are successful long-term only if their members continue to get results and become walking testimonials- and bring in their friends.

Another huge advantage for the club owner of using adjustable PACE equipment is to be able to attract new members. Some of our customers offer a combination of women only hours during the day, then coed hours in the evening. Let’s face it, there are just as many out of shape men out there as women and many of them are just as intimidated to go into a hardcore club. It makes sense, especially in a small town, to try to appeal to as much of the population as possible. Again, since we are not a franchise, our customers are not locked into a cookie-cutter formula only; they have a huge advantage of being free to appeal to their unique markets by offering additional services, products, equipment, etc.

We provide a preferred vendor list as part of our marketing package to help customers find key suppliers (without getting any kick-backs).

FranBest: What are some of the fitness clubs that are using Pace Fitness Equipment products in their clubs?

Rande: One of our biggest areas of growth right now is selling into markets where a Curves club has just gone out of business. There may have been 50-60 loyal members who loved working out but have been left high and dry; maybe this was not enough members cover the high franchise fees, but usually more than enough to cover basic expenses.

One such customer, Kimberly Ellingsen, from New Image Fitness in WI had over 50 former Curves members signed up before she opened her PACE club, then recently had her grand opening and signed up dozens of new people. As a former Curves member, what she values most about our equipment is the superior quality over what she was used to. She told me “There is a difference of night and day in the quality of PACE equipment over Curves. Every one of my members who was a former Curves member loves it! Showing them how they can change the resistance quickly and easily is one of our best selling points”.

FranBest: Tell me about the service philosophy of Hydraulic Fitness Products. What kind of service and support do you provide? Do you provide value other than supplying equipment?

Rande: My philosophy in business is borrowed from Zig Zigler, who said “You can get anything you want in life if you help others achieve their goals”. If I help my customers become successful, then I will ultimately become successful. They will buy from me again when they open their 2^nd and 3^rd clubs and they will tell others about PACE.

I used this same philosophy in my own clubs- if I help a member achieve their fitness goals, then I will keep them as a member and they will bring their friends in. I encourage my customers to adapt the same philosophy in their clubs.

Another one of my favorite sayings is that “there is no monopoly on brains.” Running a successful club is not rocket science, but there are industry-proven tools and steps that should be taken to ensure success. My job is to provide these tools and training to my customers; their job is to utilize the tools that they feel will work best for their markets.

I also encourage my customers to network together on our PACE Facebook Group page to share ideas, success stories, etc. I can’t see paying a high franchise fee for years when we provide the same type of fitness industry tools. Kimberly from New Image Fitness also said “The marketing tools in the PACE package gave me everything I needed for a successful grand opening.”

She also appreciates the personal attention she received. “Being able to call the owner of the company if I have any questions is incredible customer service!”

FranBest: What differentiates your company from other equipment suppliers in the industry?

Rande: Quite frankly, there have been several knock-off companies who jumped on the hydraulic equipment bandwagon in the last few years to try to capture some of the Curves business; some of these companies did not even exist 2-3 years ago but they profess to be experts in this industry.

What separates PACE from these suppliers is our track record, knowledge, quality and personal-touch customer service. The personal touch is one of the key factors that separates small circuit clubs from large health clubs; I’ve tried to apply the same philosophy in my business. We may be a few hundred dollars more in cost, but there are no hidden surprises with PACE (no assembly needed on machines, cylinders that work, etc).  And whenever one of the club owners has a problem or a question, they can feel free to call me, the President, directly.  How many of the big franchise chains can make that claim?

FranBest:  How can club owners and prospective club owners find out more about Hydraulic Fitness Products and PACE equipment and support programs.

Rande: The best way is to email me, in confidence, at PaceEquipment@gmail.com.  Include your phone number and a little bit about your plans, such as whether you’re looking to start a new club or add on to an existing program.  I’ll email you information confidentially and with no obligation.

FranBest:  Thanks, Rande

Rande: Thank you.

To learn more about PACE and PACE For Kids exercise equipment, email Rande at PaceEquipment@gmail.com.  Also, visit the PACE website at http://www.pacegroupexercise.com/.

Contour Creations Inc. Custom Fitness Pads

Interview with Jennifer Lehn, co-founder of Contour Creations Inc. Contours Creations Inc. provides colorful hand-crafted upholstered vinyl fitness pads and rollers for Curves For Women fitness clubs.

Contour Creations Inc. (ContourCreationsInc.com) is a family owned and operated business that manufactures hand-crafted upholstered vinyl fitness pads and rollers for Curves For Women fitness clubs. They offer our pads in black as well as 9 different colors. Their priority is to cater to the needs of Curves franchise owners and their clubs.

The two main players in this operation are Jen and Karl. With past careers of accounting and teaching, Jen is ideal for the job of office manager, doing the accounting, marketing and being the all round trouble shooter. Karl has ten years experience in upholstery, including expertise in a range of things from boat seats, to antique furniture, to Curves pads. Karl oversees the production of the pads and is the shipping and quality control department.

FranBest interviewed Contour Creations Inc. co-founder Jennifer to learn more.

FranBest: How and when did you first come up with the idea for the Contour Creations Inc product line? What was the initial reaction?

Jennifer: Karl gets credit for the initial idea. He had taken a contract with a Curves club in BC six years ago to reupholster their entire club. In the process of remaking the pads, he thought how boring it must be for all the owners and members to only have the color black available to them. He saw how colorful the rest of the club was, and then he looked at the pads and felt they didn’t fit. Speaking with the owners in his area, he found his idea for colored pads was a hit. He received immediate interest and got to work on reupholstering with color.

FranBest: Over the past 6 years, how has the Contour Creations Inc. product line grown and evolved?

Jennifer: Initially we didn’t even make fitness pads; rather our service was to reupholster the old pads in black and color. However, owners kept enquiring if we sold new pads as well, which got Karl to thinking. It didn’t take long for him to have a full line of all the pads available. For the first few years all the boards and foam were cut by hand, which worked, but costs and time were high, and keeping consistency was difficult. Over the past six years we have done a lot of R & D, and have refined the process. Now all of our materials are precision cut, and we have trained upholsterers working hard to keep up with orders. We are continuously working to improve and expand our product line and services, and are always happy to receive feedback from managers and owners.

FranBest: Today, what Contour Creations Inc products are available for Curves owners?

Jennifer: All the fitness pads and rollers for the Curves machines are available through Contour Creations Inc. As well we have sheath covers to protect back pads, and wedge cushions and seat cushions. We have a few new products in the works, but don’t want to blow our cover until they’re ready for launch.

FranBest: What are the color choices?

Jennifer: Black, Deep Violet, Forest Green, Grotto Green, Royal Blue, Oak, Cinnamon, Grey Stone, Burgundy and Claret

FranBest: How else do your pads differ from the standard-issue pads?

Jennifer: We have designed a new kind of roller pad that is completely upholstered in vinyl. This means that no foam is exposed resulting in greater durability, as no chunks get ripped off during use. The upholstered vinyl also slows down the process of the foam breaking down, as well as makes it easy to keep the pads clean and sanitized.

Another product we’ve come up with is a 2” hybrid-foam squat pad. The two differing densities of foam allow for comfort as well as proper resistance thus stopping members from “cheating” when using the squat machine. We also offer the old style 4” upholstered squat pads that have been discontinued by the leading supplier of Curves pads. In the past month we have also added the option of a more slippery vinyl on seat pads, making sliding on and off the machines easier for members.

FranBest: How many Curves owners are using or have used Contour Creations Inc. products in their clubs? What do they value most about your products?

Jennifer: Currently we have over 150 clubs using our products. Features of our products and service that seem to be most popular are:

• Color options
• Competitively priced
• Upholstered vinyl pads, which have greater durability and a longer life than the pads sold by the leading Curves pad supplier.
• The vinyl is easy to keep clean and sanitized, unlike rubber molded pads.
• Our unique rollers and squat pads.
• Go green program that lets owners recycle old pads and shipping materials, while receiving a discount on future orders
• Shipping rates that are the actual cost of shipping
• Out attention to detail, prompt customer service, and quick shipment of orders.

FranBest: What do Curves owners say are the greatest benefits of using Contour Creations Inc. pads?

• They are more affordable
• They last up to 3 times longer than the leading brand
• They are easy to keep clean and sanitized
• Being hand crafted by professional upholsterers, they have a noticeably higher-end look and feel to them
• Our Go Green program for recycling old pads and shipping materials
• That the foam densities have been specially tailored in each pad to give optimum resistance during use.

FranBest: Do Curves owners usually replace a piece at a time, or do they replace all their pads at the same time? Are there advantages to refitting an entire club?

Jennifer: During the current economic situation most owners are only ordering replacement pads for pads that need to be retired. However as owners hold off on replacing pads, their clubs get into disrepair, which then in turn is noted by members, and memberships can lag. Ask any woman whether she’d like to work-out in a bright colorful club in good repair, vs. a club that has obviously seen better days…well the answer is obvious.

For owners that want to spice up their club with some color, without the big price tag, we have a promotion that gives 8 seat pads and 8 sheath covers in any color or combination of colors for only $425. As well, there are discounts of 10% for orders over $200, and 20% off orders over $500.

FranBest: I understand that Contour Creations Inc. is an eco-friendly company. Explain your “Go Green” program and what you do to minimize our ecological footprint.

Jennifer: At Contour Creations Inc., we are very conscious of our ecological footprint, and we make every effort to minimize it. We would like to put out a challenge to all eco-friendly Curves owners and managers out there, and in the process reward those who participate.

When a shipment of Contour Creation Inc.’s replacement pads is received, there will be a “Go Green” form in with the order. Here’s what to do:

- Enter your name, address, and email on the form.

- Put the new pads onto your machines, and rather than throw out the old pads, put them in the box, along with the Go Green Form, and ship it back to us. (We don’t accept rubber pads as they are not currently recyclable. Only ship back UPHOLSTERED VINYL PADS).

- Upon receipt of your old upholstered vinyl pads, we will email you a coupon code that will give you 15% off of your next order.

FranBest: What happens to the old pads and shipping materials?

Jennifer: The Apple-wood back board and attached hardware are reused.  The foam is recycled.  The box you sent everything back in, is recycled or reused if possible. The vinyl is not currently recyclable, but we send out a request to anyone for suggestions on how to keep it out of the landfills.

FranBest: Do club owners gain marketing advantages by giving their clubs a fresh look with Contour Creations Inc. pads? How do they help attract new members? Retain current members?

Jennifer: Allow me to answer this one with a storyabout one of our customers.  An owner in BC was telling me about her membership numbers going down, and members coming in less often. I suggested she try our “Splash of Color” promotion to freshen the place up. Three months later I phoned her back to see if the colored pads had worked and her happy response was that the members had been coming in more frequently. She told me they said it was a nicer environment to work-out in and that it made it more appealing to come in. She then went on to say that as the members began to come in more often, they started bringing friends in with them, who then in turn bought their own memberships.

FranBest: Are Contour Creations Inc. pads much more expensive than the standard pads?

Jennifer: No, in fact our pads are more affordable than the standard pads. We understand the pinch everyone is experiencing in these economic times, and have responded with lowered prices, promotions, and a shipping chart that charges the actual cost of shipping.

FranBest: What is this month’s promotion?

Buy four rollers and only pay for three. Look for the coupon code on our website.

FranBest: Tell me about the service philosophy of Contour Creations Inc.. What kind of service and support do you provide? Do you guarantee your products?

Jennifer: Our entire business is geared around catering to the needs of Curves owners. We are always available to answer questions, assist with orders, and solve problems should they arise. As we are always on the lookout to improve our products and services, any input from owners is greatly appreciated, and is often rewarded with a discount on the next order. Some things we have added to our service that has come about through requests of owners include; our Go-Green Program, our at-cost shipping rates, the color option Deep Violet, our new 2” hybrid-foam squat pads, and our fully upholstered rollers. We also have a few things in the works that will be launching shortly. We stand by our products and warranty against all manufacturing defects from 90 days of purchase.

FranBest: In the past 6 years, what sort of relationships have you forged with Curves owners? What are some of the frustrations they face? What have you done to try to help them overcome some of those frustrations?

Jennifer: In the past six years we’ll forged some lasting relationships and even friendships with the owners we work with. We empathize on the highs and lows that one experiences as a business owner, and the frustration that comes with a lack in support from higher up. Curves owners form a bond with their members. We form a bond with our owners.

Some of the challenges that frustrate Curves owners with regards to fitness pads include:

• a new inflated price list for rubber molded pads
• unreasonable shipping rates
• rubber molded pads that tear easily and can’t be kept clean
• excessively long shipping times
• old pads ending up in the landfills
• hard uncomfortable squat pads
• foam rollers that tear and can’t be cleaned

Each and every frustration mentioned above has been addressed and a solution implemented by Contour Creations Inc. If owners have a problem that we can solve, we make it a priority to solve it.

FranBest: How can Curves owners see and purchase Contour Creations Inc. products?

Jennifer: Come visit our website at www.contourcreationsinc.com. Our website has numerous pictures of our pads in different clubs as well as on-line ordering.

FranBest: What’s the next step for a Curves owner who is considering Contour Creations Inc. pads, but not sure.

Jennifer: First, come check out the website. (www.contourcreationsinc.com). We have all sorts of information and pictures on there to see. If an owner is thinking about adding color, but wants to make sure our colors are compatible with their club’s colors, we have color swatches with actual pieces of vinyl. Just send us an email request and we’ll mail it out to you along with a brochure. If an owner has questions or concerns they can always contact me by phone or email. Word of mouth is always good too. Put out a request for feedback on the Curves Owners Yahoo site, and find out firsthand what other owners think of our products. You won’t be disappointed.

FranBest:  Thanks, Jennifer

Jennifer: Thank you.

Contact Contour Creations Inc.:

Contour Creations Inc.
PO Box 90026
2002 Luxstone Blvd.
Airdrie, AB
T4B 0A2
By phone: (403) 614-6469 (between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. MTN)
By email: contourcreations@gmail.com

Website: ContourCreationsInc.com