CrossFit craze: HFB 2012 accessories target CrossFit lovers

Last week’s Health and Fitness Business Expo had accessories for all types of customers from your CrossFit enthusiasts to those who are simply looking for a post-workout massage.

General Leathercraft featured its new Serius 3G Triceps straps (MSRP $40) to the market. The made-in-the-U.S.A. product offered three grip positions that cause muscle confusion to your triceps, leading to a more diverse workout.

Hyperwear’s booth was abuzz because of its stylish weighted vests — the FIT (for men) and SXY (for women) 5-pound weighted vests, designed with a more flattering fit than other weighted vests.

Jordan Pratt, marketing manager for Hyperwear, said it was a good opportunity for the company to show off its vests that are a non-intimidating way for newcomers to weight vest training.

“It’s great for people walking, running and doing less intense exercises as well,” Pratt said.

We were quite taken with newcomer to the show, the High Power Fitness and its Fit for All Ball (MSRP $60), which is a combination of a dumbbell, kettlebell and exercise wheel.

GoFit also had new accessories at the show to appeal to CrossFit folks, including its Wall Ball Medicine Balls (MSRP $70 for 12-pound ball, MSRP $90 for 16-pound ball and MSRP $100 for 20-pound ball. The company also brought other items for CrossFit from its Wood Plyoboxes (MSRP $60-$100) to a new Pro Cable Jump Rope (MSRP $30).

Other companies are getting on board with CrossFit as well. Troy showcased its new Wall Balls (in 10, 15 and 25 pounds)

There’s nobody quite as enthusiastic Louis Stack of Fitter International. Stack brought his revamped Bongo Board (MSRP $130) to HFB, which is designed for individuals who want to train for both board and other sports. Stack told SNEWS the new product is more secure than the old one due to safety stops placed at the end of the board which don’t let it flip up underneath them.

Products that train your body to have better balance, Stack said, provide more of a preventative measure than anything else. He likened it to brushing your teeth.

“Do you brush your teeth because you have cavities or because you don’t want to get cavities,” Stack posed. “You can use [balance equipment] for preventative measures or for rehab. You decide.”

Last year at HFB a few brands had balance balls and yoga mats with instructions on them.

Bill Sotis, CEO of Prism Fitness Group, brought some of his new self-guided productions and functional training products for display at the show.

The products are to “help people know what to do, not necessarily how to do it they will need trainers, but at least when their trainer is not around they’ll know what to do,” Sotis said.

Also popular at the show were battling ropes and plyoboxes. Prism had a few new plyoboxes as did Body-Solid.

Self-massagers also remain a popular item. For the second year the RumbleRoller (MSRP $45 for the Compact RumbleRoller, and $70 for the full-size RumbleRoller) was back at the show with its signature foam roller that includes flexible bumps that mimic the thumbs of a massage therapist.

Plus High Power Fitness brings its GellieRoll Theraputic Massage Roller (MSRP $23 for the Jr. and $30 for the Sr.).

“It’s a sports massage stick that oxygenates the muscles,” said creator Kelly Smith. “It’s a great way to warm up and increase blood flow.”

–Ana Trujillo