Fitness fair jogs into town

KRANKcycle, the latest invention by fi tness guru Johnny G, will be shown at FIBO China. [Photo provided to Shanghai Star]

The FIBO trade fair is bringing together some of the top fitness experts from around the world to talk about all the things that make you sweat. Wang Zhenghua learns more.

The inaugural FIBO China trade fair opens its doors in Shanghai on Sept 10. The event is set to become the premium showcase of the latest trends and innovations in the fitness industry in China and Asia.

Powered by resources and experience from FIBO headquarters in Germany, FIBO China is expected to gather over 100 exhibitors to showcase cutting edge fitness equipment, training courses and well-being lifestyles for the 3,000 club managers, dealers, fitness professionals and fans who are expected to attend. Here are some of the highlights of the three-day event.

Fitness guru Johnny Goldberg, better known as Johnny G, creator of the Spinning phenomenon and personal trainer to Hollywood stars, will host training sessions targeting Chinese trainers during the fair — part of partnership program between Matrix and Asia-Fit Convention. Johnny G’s latest invention, KRANKcycle by Matrix, will also be showcased at the fair.

As the first exercise program to focus on the upper body as a way to build cardio fitness, the Kranking Training System provides a new way to build aerobic capacity, upper body strength and core stability while burning 9 to 11 calories per minute. Because it utilizes the upper body instead of the legs, it represents a unique cross-training opportunity for athletes of all types.

The trade fair is open to all new fitness products ranging from smart shake tugs to supine bench presses. A major attraction is the rowers developed by First Degree Fitness, utilizing the cutting-edge "fluid technology" variable resistance system. Using water as the resistance medium, the machine gives its users a real rowing experience — it’s the closest you can get to rowing on water.

Under the system, water can be transferred to and from the two chambers by means of a lever or dial operation. Water in the outer chamber provides resistance to paddles when rotated by the pulling force of the user. Any water in the inner "passive" chamber does not provide resistance. Thus the resistance can be varied through the water level in the outer tank and the effort of the user. The complete system holds 8 liters of water. A total of 30 first-class trainers will share their wisdom on indoor group exercises, performance improvement, training with personal trainers, fitness club management and other topics at Asia-Fit Convention, an onsite event at the trade fair, organizers say. Among the trainers will be Chris Adsit from the United States, who brings his training course "combining traditional lifts, functional fitness and group training for maximum retention and results". The presentation will focus on using traditional compound movements as the foundation of a fitness program and how to transfer this development to real life using functional fitness.