<p>Using the right fitness equipment can make your workouts fun and effective. In contrast, low-quality machines ruin your workout experience, make exercises less effective, and put you at a higher risk of injury. The question is, how do you determine if the equipment you are using is good? One option is to look at the company that has made the devices you want to use. Often, all you need to know about a machine comes from looking at the brand.</p>
<p>In this post, we will take a look at seven of the biggest fitness equipment brands to seek when trying out a new gym in your town or on the road.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>1. Technogym</h2>
<p>Technogym is a fitness brand founded in the distant 1983 in Italy/Europe. A couple of years after coming to life, Technogym released heir first strength training line and followed that up with a home multi-station in 1986. After that, Technogym's management began diversifying in the digital world, unlike many other companies. In 1996, they released Wellness System - software that helped people manage their training.</p>
<p>For the first time in its history, Technogym was chosen as the official training equipment supplier for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney. In addition, the company was again chosen to supply athletes with equipment for the 2016 Olympics in Rio.</p>
<p>Throughout its long history, the folks behind Technogym always pushed the boundaries by coming up with the first cloud platform in the fitness sphere and releasing beautiful home training equipment. The company released Technogym Bike in 2019, an indoor bike equipped with live and on-demand cycling classes.</p>
<h2>2. Life Fitness</h2>
<p>Founded in 1977, Life Fitness is based in the United States. The first product Life Fitness ever sold was an exercise bike. Since then, the company has specialized in producing and distributing fitness equipment, including stationery bikes and treadmills. Life Fitness was the company that created the first-ever electronic stationary bike.&nbsp;</p>
<p>In 1988, the company created the first computer-based strength training program to promote an active lifestyle and teach people practical training principles. The company has specialized in producing and distributing equipment, such as stationary bikes and treadmills. Life Fitness considers itself as a "Family of Brands"; it makes sense as they also own other well-known brands:</p>
<ul>
<li>Hammer Strength</li>
<li>Cybex</li>
<li>SCIFIT</li>
<li>ICG Indoor Cycling</li>
</ul>
<h2>3. Matrix</h2>
<p>Not to be confused with the 1999 movie starring Keanu Reeves, Matrix is another massive player in the fitness industry. The company was launched in 2001 to produce and deliver premium fitness equipment to facilities worldwide. Matrix Fitness is part of Johnson Health Tech (JHT), a multinational company that manufactures and distributes fitness equipment worldwide.</p>
<p>Since its start in 2001, Matrix Fitness has become one of the most profitable brands inside JHT, often accounting for up to 70 percent of its annual revenue. What began as a humble project with a handful of strength and conditioning machines quickly became versatile and highly profitable. Today, Matrix Fitness offers over 500 products and serves commercial gyms worldwide.</p>
<h2>4. NordicTrack</h2>
<p>Today, most people know NordicTrack as this huge brand that manufactures and distributes high-end fitness equipment to facilities worldwide. But despite its current dominance, the company wasn't always an industry leader.</p>
<p>Like other companies on our list, NordicTrack has been around for a while. The company was founded in the distant 1975 and began with a single product: a ski machine. Edward and Florence Pauls started the company as a modest mail-order business in their basement. Ed Pauls worked on the device to become a good skier. Their initial products were branded under Nordic Jock, given their initial target market of college ski racers.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Today, NordicTrack manufactures all sorts of equipment, including items you can buy for a home gym set-up. Because of their versatility, many NordicTrack devices are also present in hotel gyms that bet on high-quality equipment.</p>
<h2>5. BowFlex</h2>
<p>BowFlex was established in the mid-1980s with one goal in mind: Bring a genuine gym-like experience to the home of every enthusiast. While other companies obsessed over signing big contracts with large gym chains worldwide, the folks behind BowFlex developed some of the first multi-gym set-ups that are so popular today.&nbsp;</p>
<p>People liked BowFlex precisely because it offered something different from many competitors. Trainees could now invest some money, get a versatile machine, train at home, and make excellent fitness progress. There was no need to make small talk in the gym, wait around for equipment, or deal with the post-workday crowds.&nbsp;</p>
<p>These days, <a href="https://redirect.viglink.com?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bowflex.com&key=b91c61a9325fb4c9bbd0c5a371e26d1a" target="_blank">BowFlex</a> does much more than that, and the company offers a wide range of devices and weights for training facilities and home gyms. One of their most popular products is the adjustable dumbbell, which innovatively adjusts resistance in seconds.</p>
<h2>6. Rogue Fitness</h2>
<p>Rogue Fitness is a relatively new company, having been established in 2007. But despite its late start when compared to competitors, the brand quickly made a name for itself. Bill Henniger began a website when he struggled to find all the necessary equipment for his new gym. His website sold all the equipment one would need to set up a CrossFit gym.&nbsp;</p>
<p>The company began by selling equipment from other companies before slowly transitioning into manufacturing. These days, Rogue Fitness manufactures all kinds of CrossFit equipment, barbells, squat racks, weight plates, and accessories like benches, dumbbells, medicine balls, and more. Rogue also offers accessories for squat racks and cardio equipment, like their Rogue Echo Bike.</p>
<h2>7. Precor</h2>
<p>Like many other industry leaders, Precor has also had its fair share of successes and failures along the way. The company was established in 1980 and has since grown into one of the most recognizable fitness brands.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Precor's first achievement on the manufacturing scene came in the form of a fully-functioning rowing machine. A decade later, Precor delivered the first cushioned treadmill that set the stage for safer and more effective treadmills. The company is also responsible for creating the Elliptical trainer, one of the most popular and versatile cardio machines. Since then, the company has never stopped pushing the boundaries, innovating, and delivering versatile devices to people worldwide. Today, Precor is known as one of the best brands for cardio equipment. End of 2020, <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/andriacheng/2020/12/22/pelotons-precor-buy-will-help-it-bulk-up-these-muscles/?sh=54f309f53c8e" target="_blank">Precor got acquired</a> by Peloton.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Some closing Thoughts</h2>
<p>Of course, not all fitness equipment is the same. High-quality equipment not only looks great, it feels great. However, not every brand produces the same products, as you can see in the overview below:</p>
<img src="https://datahotelgymsstaprodeuw.blob.core.windows.net/images/blog/image_220114_01.jpg" alt="undefined" style="height: auto;width: 800px"/>
<p>If you want to stick with your brand, many hotel chains have agreements with one or two brands to equip their gym. In addition, as part of the "Hotel Gym Insights" in our search, you can check which brand is used primarily in your selected hotel gym before booking - no more surprises.</p>


Ever wondered which one are the best commercial Gym Equipment Brands? This article shares details about the 7 big fitness brands.

The big Fitness Equipment Brands

<p>December and Christmas holidays are already behind us, a new year is about to begin, and it is a great moment to reset and come back more vital to our fitness routine. We all know drinking alcohol affects our performance and results, especially if it is not done in moderation. So, not a surprise, reducing alcohol consumption is in many New Year's resolutions, and there is also this famous "Dry January" campaign. Let's dig into this story a bit deeper and see what one (1) month without alcohol could do for you. Let's go.</p>
<h2>What is Dry January?&nbsp;</h2>
<p>Dry January began in 2012 as public health campaign initiated by an organization called Alcohol Change UK. The campaign's slogan was "ditch the hangover, reduce the waistline and save some serious money by giving up alcohol for 31 days," and it is a one-month challenge focused on the benefits of an alcohol-free life. You can read more <a href="https://alcoholchange.org.uk/get-involved/campaigns/dry-january" target="_blank">about the campaign here</a>. And to put it into their words:</p>
<blockquote>It is not about giving anything up. It is about getting something back. Get your fun back. Get your energy back. Get your calm back.</blockquote>
<h2>Why participate in Dry January?&nbsp;</h2>
<p>The truth is that alcohol is not all that bad, we wrote about this in <a href="https://hotelgyms.com/blog/alcohol-and-fitness-how-to-make-it-work" target="_blank">an earlier blog post</a>. However, drinking alcohol can negatively impact our bodies and performance when it is not consumed in moderation. Our body and performance are mostly affected by the caloric surplus of (junk) food or by not getting enough hours of sleep rather than drinking alcohol. However, a month without booze could have some potential benefits for your fitness journey.</p>
<p>Cutting down on alcohol calories gives you the margin to eat more real food and add a wider variety of nutrients to your diet. It is also proven that you are getting better quality sleep; therefore, you feel less tired during heavy workouts. Ultimately, it lowers your sugar intake since many alcoholic beverages are quite high in refined sugar.</p>
<h2>How to complete a month without Alcohol?</h2>
<h3>1. Define your why.</h3>
<p>Everything starts with the "why," as <a href="https://simonsinek.com/product/start-with-why/" target="_blank">Simon Sinek</a> once said. To complete a month without alcohol you should think seriously about why you are taking this challenge. Is it because you see it as a detox opportunity, have you noticed that alcohol can negatively impact your physical performance and progress, or are you just curious to see how it feels to be completely sober in social events? Having a clear intention before starting something is very important. Think about your "why."</p>
<h3>2. Plan your social activities.</h3>
<p>If a certain situation or a specific group of people makes you want to drink, it does not sound like a great place to be. But have we not been quarantined enough? Those reading this article probably enjoy drinking a glass of wine or a refreshing gin tonic. But under no circumstance should we feel forced to do it! Instead, let friends and family know about your intentions and encourage them to keep you accountable. Better yet, enlist someone to do the challenge with you.</p>
<h3>3. Find alcoholic free beverages you enjoy.</h3>
<p>Quitting on drinking might be tough but substituting alcohol with something you still like makes it way easier. So when you crave a drink or cocktail after a long week, reach for alcohol-free beverages like sparkling water, soda, or virgin drinks—basically, the nonalcoholic beer, wine, or cocktail. But, and here it comes, some brands still contain a tiny percentage of alcohol. So if you have no idea what to order, try the following:&nbsp;</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Kombucha: </strong>A healthy nonalcoholic alternative to natural wine could be Kombucha, a fizzy sweet and sour drink made with tea with multiple health benefits thanks to its probiotics. Kombucha is often compared to natural wine because they pass through the same fermentation process.</li>
<li><strong>Mocktails:</strong> Who said that cocktails have a complex and balanced taste only because of the alcohol they contain? Mocktails can achieve the same harmonious blend of acidity, sweetness, and bitterness as regular cocktails. Mocktails based on natural fruit juices and do not contain sugary syrups can also be very nutritious.&nbsp;</li>
<li><strong>Alcohol-free beers:</strong> If you cannot give up on the taste of your favorite beer, you can look at a 0-alcohol version of it. In the last couple of years, numerous beer brands have created beverages without alcohol that are equally refreshing and tasty.</li>
</ul>
<p>Are you still not convinced about your favorite alternative? Here are some suggestions from <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/top-10-non-alcoholic-drinks" target="_blank">BBC Good Food</a> and <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-non-alcoholic-drinks/" target="_blank">NY Times</a>.</p>
<h2>Final thoughts</h2>
<p>Dry January is an excellent opportunity to kick start the New Year, detox from the Christmas booze, and focus on your fitness goals. However, even if taking part in challenges like Dry January or Sober October is intriguing and fun, the question is, "how could you implement a part of this change into your whole life?".</p>
<p>It does not have to be all or nothing when it comes to alcohol. To build the body you want, you need commitment and dedication, but balance is also key. After all, remember that you can only have long-term results if your healthy changes become lifetime habits.</p>


Another Year, another Me. Are you curious about "Dry January" and need some tips and tricks? Then this blog post is your best guide for the next 31 days.

Dry January, is this your alcohol-free month?

<p>The new year is here, which means only one thing: Many people are dieting to lose fat and get beach-ready. The good news is, dieting helps us get lean and look better with each passing week. The bad news is, our gym performance tends to drop, which can be disheartening. To offset this, we have put together a list of four things you need to do as you diet to stay strong and athletic. Let's dive in.</p>
<h2>1. Lose weight more slowly</h2>
<p>How quickly you choose to lose weight will significantly impact your well-being, energy levels, performance, and ability to preserve muscle mass. The best way to maintain your gym performance is to lose weight more slowly. According to some research, a weekly weight loss rate of around 0.7 percent appears optimal. For example, if you initially weigh 180 pounds (81 kg), this would mean aiming for weight loss of just over a pound (450 g) per week.</p>
<h2>2. Get plenty of protein</h2>
<p>Protein is essential because it provides us with amino acids - the building blocks of life. When dieting, we are at a higher risk of losing muscle mass. However, by getting enough protein, we provide the body with the nutrients it needs to repair muscle after exercise, strengthen it, and, most importantly, keep it around.</p>
<p>Plus, protein is highly satiating and makes consuming fewer calories for fat loss easier. According to general guidelines, we should aim for an intake of around a gram per pound of body weight. So, if you weigh 180 pounds, aim for up to 180 grams of protein daily. In addition, you might want to track some of your food to understand your daily intake better.</p>
<h2>3. Trim the fluff from your training</h2>
<p>While dieting, learning how to preserve your energy is crucial. Meaning, you need to take a look at your training and ask yourself, "Which parts of this training program are essential, and which ones could I live without for a while?"</p>
<p>Benjamin Schnabel is a Personal Trainer and the co-founder of the fitness app <a href="https://www.hotelgyms.com/blog/alpha-progression-the-gym-logger-app-from-germany" target="_blank">Alpha Progression</a>. He recommends the Pareto rule (80-20), strategies that require only 20% of effort but give 80% of the potential possible results. Focus on the most important things, such as:</p>
<ol>
<li>Manage the time to train regularly;</li>
<li>Start with a training plan that does not include too much exotic stuff;</li>
<li>Do not bury the head in the sand when something does not work out.</li>
</ol>
<p>Following this is much more time-saving and gives much better results. And by doing so, you can narrow your focus on select few activities you deem essential and cut back on everything else.</p>
<p>Another reason to trimm the full is that you will not maintain your performance across as many activities simply because you will not have as much energy available. So, you need to trim down and focus on retaining your strength by focusing on core lifts. For most people, this means reducing the amount of accessory and isolation exercises you do and instead focusing mainly on the core barbell lifts like deadlifts, squats, and bench press.</p>
<h2>4. Be mindful of your carb intake</h2>
<p>Carb timing makes no difference when eating more food and building muscle. But things change when you are getting leaner, and energy is cut short. Specifically, you should consume some carbs soon before your training sessions and right after finishing them.&nbsp;</p>
<p>Having carbs before your workout will provide you with the energy you need to push through and perform well. In addition, the post-workout carbs will kickstart the recovery process by replenishing lost glycogen (the complex carb form we store in our muscles and liver). This, in turn, will allow for muscle protein synthesis to occur uninterrupted and let us recover as best as we can, given the circumstances.</p>
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p>There are different ways to achieve these goals - what works for you might not work for someone else (and vice-versa). Find the scenario which works for you; at your desired pace.</p>
<p>Another tip Benjamin shared with <a href="https://bit.ly/3zy41lR" target="_blank">HotelGyms.com</a>, be specific. It is better to set a goal of "losing 10 kg by May 1, 2022" than "I want to have lost weight by May 1, 2022". The latter is not binding. Even studies show that these vague goals tend to be achieved less.</p>


It is not easy to start a new diet and keep your performance in the gym. Read this blog post with 4 simple tricks how you can keep up with both.

How to maintain your Gym Performance as you Diet Down

<p>A gym is a casual place. You can wear almost anything you want, train however you wish, and communicate with everyone. But despite the laid-back atmosphere, the gym comes with a set of unwritten rules everyone should know. So take a few minutes to get familiar with all the guidelines and follow them to save yourself nasty looks from others and potential embarrassment.&nbsp;</p>
<p>So, let's dive in.</p>
<h2>1. Always re-rack your Weights</h2>
<p>There is nothing more infuriating to members of any gym than a person who does not re-rack their weights. For example, someone would take a pair of dumbbells, do a few sets of curls, and leave them on the spot. Or, maybe they would load some weight plates on a barbell, squat, and leave the bar as such.</p>
<p>Aside from confusing others and making them wonder if you are done with the equipment, you create work for someone else. It might also be possible; the next person cannot lift as much. Always re-rack the weights you use.</p>
<h2>2. Wipe down the Equipment</h2>
<p>Some people sweat a bit more than usual, which is nothing wrong. The problem is, some of these individuals use equipment, drench it in sweat, and go about their workouts without a second thought. Let's face it: Having to wipe someone else's sweat off equipment is not nice. Even worse, you might lie on a bench, only to realize it is covered in sweat. Not fun, and hello?! Did we not all learn something about hygiene during the pandemic? Take a towel with you and wipe down the equipment after using it.</p>
<h2>3. Do not interrupt people during a Set</h2>
<p>Picture this: You have put your earbuds in, you have unracked a heavy barbell, and you are doing a set of squats. Then, out of nowhere, someone comes up and starts talking to you. Sure, you can not hear what they are saying, but that does not stop them from distracting you and possibly shortening your set. You would get mad, right?&nbsp;</p>
<img src="https://cdn-data.hotelgyms.com/images/blog/image_211229_01.gif" alt="undefined" style="height: auto;width: 400px"/>
<p>Never interrupt people during a set, especially if they look focused, train with dedication, and listen to music. Instead, wait for them to finish what they are doing and respectfully engage them. And be mindful about people who are "just" going to the gym to work out and not to have a chat. The gym is no offline version of Tinder either.</p>
<h2>4. Share Equipment</h2>
<p>You do not have to share equipment you have claimed but doing so is part of the unwritten gym rules. For example, let us say that you have claimed a squat rack and started doing sets. If someone comes up and asks to work in, let them, assuming you are both:</p>
<ul>
<li>Doing the same exercise</li>
<li>Using somewhat similar loads</li>
</ul>
<p>Sure, it can be a bit tiresome, but that is how it goes with public training facilities. Especially in a hotel gym where the equipment might be limited, sharing becomes part of the concept.</p>
<h2>5. Adapt your routine to each (Hotel) Gym</h2>
<p>We enjoy the occasional circuit workout as much as the next guy. But there is a time and place for such sessions. For example, if you have an entire hotel gym at your disposal, by all means, use all the equipment freely. But be considerate to others if you are in a crowded gym. Do not use a few pairs of dumbbells and several machines simultaneously. Instead, use one piece of equipment, do a few sets, then move on to something else.</p>
<h2>6. Respect personal Space</h2>
<p>Gyms can be crowded at times, but this does not mean we should invade each others' personal space. For one, working out close to strangers is not fun. Second, being too close together can be dangerous. For example, if someone drops a weight, it could mean broken toes for you.</p>
<p>On that note, do not stand in front of others if you see they are using a mirror while doing a set. Trainees often look at themselves while training to ensure the proper execution of different movements.</p>
<h2>7. The discreet way of taking Selfies</h2>
<p>Selfies can be an excellent method to track training progress. But taking pictures in a public space, what (hotel) gyms are, might be delicate. Limit it to less busy times or days when you are not getting into the way of others. As a general rule of thumb, we know you want to take them and should be able to, but do not infringe on anyone else's gym experience. And ensure to not include others in the picture.</p>
<h2>To conclude</h2>
<p>As so often, it all boils down to the same concept: "be considerate of other people." If we could all do that, the gym would be a much friendlier — not to mention tidier — place to visit.</p>


You do not want to be "that" person in the gym. Check these simple seven rules before you hit the gym again, and you will be totally fine.

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