Amongst a range of new kit showcased by Life Fitness at IHRSA in March was its new Activate Series of cv equipment.

Included are a treadmill, elliptical cross-trainer and recumbent and upright bikes. All feature an easy to use console, available in 13 languages, and Lifepulse digital heart-rate monitoring for tracking the intensity of a user's workout. IHRSA also marked the debut of the Life Fitness Forward product line, which includes SYNRG360; LifeCycle GX; Lifescape; Hammer Strength HD Elite; and the Circuit Series.

SYNRGY360 combines aerobic and anaerobic intervals in a small-group setting to introduce muscle confusion and leverage body weight to develop core strength, agility and balance. The Circuit Series is a new strength training system for the commercial market.

Comprising 11 machines and recognising that many newcomers to strength training seek easy-to-use and non-intimidating equipment, it uses push-button weight settings and ergonomically sound seating and grips to suit a whole range of body sizes and shapes. Hammer Strength's new HD Elite is its most durable rack line, built for extreme training conditions.

The modular line includes half-racks, single racks, power-racks and multi-racks, plus more than 30 combo rack configurations. The LifeCycle GX marks the expansion of the LifeCycle group cycling exercise bike line, with a machine supported by more adjustment options and an optional advanced on-bike computer.

Finally, Lifescape is an attachable touch-screen TV featuring virtual courses that interact with a machine. If a user's virtual course has them running up a mountain, the incline of the treadmill changes automatically

Lifescape exclusive courses for running, hiking and biking include Yosemite National Park, Kings Canyon and the Trinity Mountains in the US, and Col de la Colombiere in the French Alps.