Germany’s FIBO show announces innovation award finalists
Nine finalists for the 11th annual equipment and concept awards will find out this week at the FIBO show if they won.
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Although the annual show may experience dampened traffic due to the ash from Iceland’s spewing volcano cancelling flights, the innovation awards will be presented to one winner in each of three categories — training equipment, health and concepts. There will also be a special design award.
The 2010 version at the 25th annual show, April 22-25 in Essen, Germany, will be the 11th year for the awards, which are judged by a panel of journalists, sports physiologists and sports medicine specialists, according to FIBO statements.
“The nominees at the FIBO innovation awards represent the crème de la crème of what the fitness industry has to offer in the way of innovations,” the statement said.
Nine products, none of which per the rules have been on the market longer than a year, have been named as finalists, and winners will be announced April 23.
In the Training Equipment category, finalists are:
>> The Frevola-T7 A interactive treadmill by Dasan Rnd Co. Ltd. (South Korea) – The treadmill (photo – right) has a patented automatic speed control that allows users to set the speed without choosing from pre-set standards. The treadmill also automatically adjusts to the user’s running and walking behavior. www.frevola.com
>> The Core Circuit Product line by Proxowell GmbH (Germany) – The line focuses on torso and leg stabilization by a special seat construction which enables the user to be in a more functional, half-standing position. Plus, instead of conventional padded seats the company uses hardened molded foam construction. www.proxowell.de
>> Curve by Woodway GmbH (Germany) – The treadmill with a curved deck is powered only by human energy, requiring no motor or electronics. Speed is controlled by the position of the body’s center of gravity. It has nearly no wear-and-tear components and a near frictionless drive system since it glides on ball bearings. www.woodway.com
In the Health category, finalists are:
>> AiperSunny by Aipermon GmbH (Germany) – The device is worn at the hip and uses high-tech acceleration sensors to measure and calculate daily movement and calorie use, which can be transferred to the package’s software via USB cable for analysis. www.aipermon.com
>> OnGo Seat by OnGo GmbH (Germany) – The backless stool (photo – left) has a rounded bottom that allows it to follow every movement of the user using a ball track in the base. The sound and movement of the ball can also help while doing targeted exercises. The stool is meant for home, office or gym. www.ongo.eu
>> WildeSeile by Pullsh Active (Germany) – Translated into English as “wild ropes,” WildeSeile uses the entire body as the user attempts to resist the waves and swings while holding it. Resistance is varied by different lengths and diameters. www.pullsh.net
In the category of Concepts, finalists are:
>> Intelligent Concepts for the Health Market by For Me Do GmbH (Germany) – Developed by experienced sports scientists and marketing experts, the concept “connects the markets of medicine and fitness.” www.formedo.de
>> Milon OS by Milon Industries GmbH (Germany) – The new operating system, to be launched at FIBO, networks Milon equipment and takes over certain administrative duties in a gym. The company states there will be “no need” for gym staff in the future, since it supports trainers and customers and allows trainers to use PDAs to connect to and control Milon equipment. www.milon.com
>> CoreUP by Teca SRL (Italy) – CoreUP is an all-in-one station (photo – right) that allows complete standing torso workouts and integrates all the muscles being trained. www.tecafitness.com
Click here to read more about the award and the products.
–Therese Iknoian
