October 20th, 2010 by Joe Alter | 1 Comment | Filed under Equipment
Please read this letter that I just received from one of our customers Ken Brown who bought a Navarre elliptical.
Ken Brown - Yowza Navarre user
It was a cold January 2010 here in Missoula, Montana as I watched the snow fall outside and I was in my polar bear hibernation mode gaining weight and becoming more and more lethargic that I knew something had to be done. I was beginning to crest the 400lb mark and at 6’1” even with my large frame the weight was beginning to take a major toll on my quality of life. I began doing extensive research as most folks do during their New Year’s resolution to lose weight on what options there were for someone of a large size to begin to work on getting some type of cardio workout to burn calories and lose weight without having the luxury of going outside. I wanted something that I could do that did not have to involve travel outside especially with the bad weather that could easily be in my home. With it in my home, it would also remind me daily that I needed to keep on pace on my goal to lose weight.
In February 2010, I made the decision to purchase a Yowza Navarre Elliptical. It was the best rated unit for someone of my size within the price range that I wanted to spend for a unit that was not commercially rated. Not only have I been extremely excited with my unit but I am here to testify to the support and service that Yowza stands behind their products 100%. I did experience a few minor issues with the unit in the beginning and Yowza quickly found a local representative right here in Missoula that was qualified to work on my unit and had me back in operation within days. From the online trouble ticketing system to the quick response by the customer service and sales staff, Yowza is a top notch customer oriented organization that puts the customer first no matter the level of fitness.
As you can see from the pictures of me in January and today, I am over half way to my goal of loosing close to 150lbs and thanks to Yowza and my new Elliptical I have a way to safely and comfortably get there. If you are someone that has to lose 10, 100lbs, or more I highly recommend that you look into an elliptical especially the units from Yowza. They are one of the top of the line on the market for low impact and high cardio workouts that give you great results. I even liked it so much that I joined the Yowza Demo Program and I am a product representative right here in Missoula. So if you are in my area and would like to take a test drive of the Navarre just contact Yowza.
June 15th, 2010 by Joe Alter | No Comments | Filed under Equipment
In any industry, you will see manufacturers selling antiquated designs while trying to make it appear that there is some advantage of a larger specification for some key component. Car companies still make 5.0 liter V-8′s when turbochargers or gas/electric hybrids can create more torque while using less fuel. Computer manufactures brag about their Intel processor speed, but Apple is able to blow them all away by using better software.
For the first 8 years that we manufactured ellipticals we used a single-stage drive system, which required a very heavy flywheel (between 45 and 62 lbs. depending on the model). With that design, you would have felt a little lag or hesitation in the motion if the flywheel was not heavy enough. Most manufacturers on the low end of the market had that problem but with our heavy flywheel design, ours were nice and smooth.
But like any other industry where new technological advances tend to obsolete the established norm, there is a better way to go. High end, rear drive units like those made by Yowza, Precor and Life Fitness have multi-staged electro-magnetic drive systems which can create an even smoother feel than the old weighted fixed-magnet designs. The reason for this is because with the newer rear-drive ellipticals it is possible to create a massive amount of inertia by making the aluminum disc that runs through the braking system spin faster. Additionally, these new drive systems will allow for more levels of resistance and therefore you can fine tune your workout even better.
Front drive ellipticals, by their nature have less inertia and therefore have to require a weighted flywheel in order to work well. But beware that there are still a couple of manufacturers who are still selling the old weighted flywheel designs simply because they are concerned about infringing on the various design patents that are out there.
April 2nd, 2010 by Joe Alter | 13 Comments | Filed under Equipment
Just like in any business we get lots of calls from potential customers who all seem to ask the same questions over and over again. Will my elliptical fit under a 7′ ceiling in my basement? If I put my treadmill in the garage and it is humid will it void my warranty? bla bla bla. But there is one issue that bugs me and it has something to do with our business model.
Yowza was founded based on the idea that a truly factory direct business model can save consumers hundreds or even thousands on their purchase. But, by selling direct we are eliminating the retail showrooms where folks may want try out the unit. We do explain that we have a 60 day in-home trial period where you can return the machine if you don’t like it for a full refund. But considering the return shipping cost and size of our products, that can be a daunting task.
So I’d like to float the idea of starting a “Happy Yowza customer 10 minute demo program” the idea is that Yowza customers could voluntarily sign on to allow potential customers to come over and try our machine in a home setting for roughly about 10 minutes. The “happy customer” who provides the demo will get some sort of compensation for this service. We have talked about things like paying $50 for every demo that results in a sale, or giving a discount up front with the purchase if you sign onto the demo program. To be honest, I am open to any and all suggestions as this exercise is just to see how the folks feel about such an idea.
So please take the time and comment on this post with any feedback that you may have. Also understand that Yowza Fitness will respect your privacy and never give out your contact information unless you have asked us to.
February 22nd, 2010 by Joe Alter | No Comments | Filed under Adidas Table Tennis
Adidas Table Tennis
For 25 years now, I have been looking for the perfect contra-seasonal product line to go along with fitness equipment. As you can imagine the fitness business is busiest in the cold weather months while folks are cooped up in their homes and looking to burn off those excess calories that came along with the holiday season.
Yowza Fitness has recently entered into an agreement with Adidas which gives Yowza Fitness and parent company Greenmaster Fitness of Taiwan the worldwide rights to design, manufacture and distribute Table Tennis tables, accessories and clothing. Yowza is currently building a new website for Adidas Table Tennis and we expect to go live sometime in the second quarter of this year.
As with our fitness equipment, we expect to deliver a real value proposition offering both indoor and outdoor table tennis tables that all feature our patented one-step folding mechanism. In addition, Yowza will manufacture all Table Tennis tables in Germany under the direction of Mr. Frank Koch who is the President of Yowza’s sister company Green Fitness.
Look for Yowza to offer promotional discounts on Adidas Table Tennis products to our existing customers this summer as we launch this new and exciting business.
February 8th, 2010 by jbrooks | No Comments | Filed under Running, Uncategorized
For much of the country it is a funny time to talk about running. What with the biggest snow storm of the decade raging in the Virgina area, schools and business’s closed up and down the east coast and no break in sight. Running is not limited to an outside endeavor, for many with treadmills this is the way to avoid cabin fever, reduce the stress and anxiety of closed quarters and for many a way to stay in shape for when the weather does break. It is also a way to start your training, attend to a resolution and develop some good habits. Like with any new exercise program you definitely want to be careful not to over do it and to do some advance preparation. Some helpful hints to remember:
1) Use a quality treadmill. Nothing worse than using a treadmill with the wrong specs, have it breakdown and derail your regimen or out grow it.
2) Buy comfortable and well designed shoes. Heavy padding is not as important as making sure they are a little long and a little wide for your foot to avoid discomfort. Actually a minimalist approach to cushioning might be best in the long run.
3) Run for minutes and not for miles. Concentrate on good form and increasing your duration in minutes. It is an easier goal to hit and maintain and will keep you from getting discouraged.
4) Get plenty of nourishment. If you are hungry, eat, your body will tell you what you need as long as its not dipped in chocalate or fried you should be good.
5) Run relaxed, shake your hands every once in awhile and avoid bunching your shoulders up. The more relaxed the less chance for muscle tension and pulling.
6) Vary your workouts. If you only have time for a short run, 10 to 15 minutes, then do it. Something is always better than nothing.
7) Always stretch after running. Do some light warm ups to start and save the stretching for a warm and flexible state.
8) Drink lots of water and stay hydrated. This does not only mean while you are on the treadmill but all of the time.
9) Listen to your body and remember to run through annoyance, not through pain. Your body knows.
Take these suggestions to heart and enjoy yourself. Before you know it the snow will melt and you will be ready for that Summer 10k. Read Friday’s post for 10 more tips for the beginning runner!
January 29th, 2010 by Joe Alter | 20 Comments | Filed under Fitness Tips
Think about this first.
Engage your core
Many people have asked me how to get the most out of our Cardio Core upper body motion which is featured on the Yowza Sanibel and Captiva elliptical models. First, let me say to you that this Core abdominal motion works just great, but you must put some effort into using your core and upper body muscles. Resist the temptation to let the legs do all the work. Also, you should understand that since you will be doing roughly 1500 repetitions of the movement at a relatively low resistance level, the machine is not designed to make you sore.
Unlike conventional weight training, Cardio Core is designed to target your core muscles effectively without having to tear the muscle fibers in order to make the muscles leaner and stronger. So you will feel the muscles working (if you do it right), but you wont be excessively sore the next day.
Here is the workout!
Start by doing a few minutes of regular elliptical motion to warm up at a medium speed roughly around 30rpm. Experiment with the various grip positions and make sure you begin to accentuate the body motion. Try to do more work with the core muscles and upper body than you normally would with a straight handled elliptical. Click here to watch the Cardio Core Workout video – New!
Now put your palms facing up to the sky and under the bottom of the lower handles and aggressively push upward with each motion trying to make you arms and abs do 80% of the work with you legs doing only 20%. You should see your heart rate really spike up quickly and that is how you can tell it is working. I recommend doing this motion in 30-90 second intervals depending on your physical condition.
Return to a normal movement for a few minutes and then cup your hands on the top of the handlebars with your palms facing down. Pull downward aggressively while twisting at the waist and you will really feel it in your upper abs and obliques. Again this movement is fairly intense and your heart-rate will spike upward so do it in short intervals always returning back to the standard movement when your heart rate begins to exceed it’s upper limit.
Lastly the most intense Core interval motion involves criss-crossing your arms by grabbing the right handle with your left arm and visa verse. You should grab the middle of the upper grip position and aggressively pull across your body and down with each movement. Be Careful because your heart rate can shoot up to over 200 beats per minute and this is not the motion for novices or deconditioned folks.
Repeat these intervals as you see fit and remember that you need to activate your abs by accentuating the twisting movement.
Good luck. Your on your way to a stronger leaner core!
January 20th, 2010 by dmartin | No Comments | Filed under Nutrition
As we are at the beginning of this new decade and New Year, I know many of us have made new goals for a new healthier body. No doubt you have heard the importance of changing a ‘mindset’ which will lead to new choices, followed by new habits and then the new YOU!
The experts have said to change a habit you need to repeat the new action for 30 days. Let’s make a choice, this year, to make one small change: DRINK ONE EXTRA GLASS OF WATER and drink one less can of soda.
I work in the fitness industry. There are so many of us who are so focused on working out whether at home on our treadmills, ellipticals, home gym, or favorite club. Some of us opt for Pilates, Tai chi, Yoga or other forms of strength building exercises. Since we are mostly made of water, 60-70%, let us choose to focus some attention on our inner health. Let us cleanse and refresh the “living waters within us.”
January 17th, 2010 by jbrooks | No Comments | Filed under Running
A colleague of mine recently sent me a copy of a Men’s Health article on the Tarahumara people of Mexico. In essence it totally called into question all that I have ever learned about running, diet, running shoes and what is really important in life. Pretty profound when you realize it is about an Indian tribe from the high hills of Mexico with no real wealth or economy, whose people run bareoot or in sandles. Now I am not suggesting we all pack up and move south, only that there are some things we can learn from this article and the Tarahumara.
1) Many runner’s foot injuries are now thought to be caused and aggravated from too comfortable a shoe? Several shoe manufacturer’s are designing less cushioned shoes for a more barefoot like feel.
2) One should run and land from the forefoot and not land on the heel, keeping your shoulders directly over your hips and keeping your arms high and elbows pumping. Picture running up a steep hill at all times and you will have the motion.
3) The best diet for strength and conditioning and high protein is not chicken, eggs and red meat, but vegetables, wild grains, and legumes. Read the full story.
4) Lastly, run, run, run, and run. If you are unable to do this to start, then walk and walk until you can run. But learn the right way and add years to your life without the nagging injuries. A treadmill is a great tool for this because of the incline capabilities and softer landing surface.
You can see how with more energy, fewer injuries and pains, the prospect of a healthier life and a passion for fitness allows the Tarahumara to have little or no heart disease and happier lives. By the way, the article talks about their proximity to drug smugglers and the danger therein, their love of alcohol and gambling and the fact that many smoke. Why is it they are healthier and more fit than us with less stress? Read the article and start running everyday!
