With a focus on movement, durability and technology, the collaboration will redefine gym flooring, offering the versatility of cardio and strength training in one compact machine
Woodway has been designing and making one thing for over 40 years. Innovative, high-quality, high-performance treadmills. The company’s ethos is about helping people fundamentally move better. In fact, the name “Woodway” is derived from the German term “Waldweg” meaning “forest road” and reflects the desire to replicate the natural feel of running on a forest path.
To this end, their treadmills feature unique belt technology that provides a smoother running experience, longer life, and lower maintenance requirements than traditional belt treadmills, making them ideal for professional sports teams, A sought-after asset in rehabilitation centers, research laboratories and clubs and gyms worldwide.
Over a year ago, Woodway formed a distribution and sales partnership with CLMBR to bring their vertical climbing machines to the commercial market.
Athletech spoke with Woodway’s Director of Sales and Marketing Eric Weber to learn more about the impetus behind the partnership, the product’s relevance in today’s market and how it translates to clubs and gyms around the world.
Leverage partnerships to maximize market impact
Understanding the value of complementing its treadmill product line, Woodway has been involved in a number of similar partnerships before, being particularly selective in selecting only brands and products that align with its mission while adding significant value to customers and the market.
“As a company built on a better movement, every product we support needs to meet that standard while bringing unique solutions in terms of technology and/or model,” Weber explained.
He went on to highlight how CLMBR achieves this goal.
CLMBR essentially trains a movement pattern that we think has a lot of benefit,” he said. “It’s a natural contralateral movement that’s very important and goes back to crawling. This supports good form from a development and training perspective. – Eric Weber, Director of Sales and Marketing, Woodway
Additionally, unlike traditional “single pole” climbers, the CLMBR’s patented “open frame” design provides better ergonomics, comfort and flexibility for a variety of body types through improved foot and knee positioning. The touch screen monitor is positioned further away from the user for a more comfortable viewing experience, especially during group sessions. CLMBR makes it easy to incorporate vertical climbing into any space.
Next is its use of technology. The product offers a complete digital library of pre-programmed self-guided exercises and workouts covering all fitness levels, as well as simplified touch-screen options for starting non-guided workouts.
“This fits perfectly with the way we integrate technology into treadmills,” Weber explains. “We support everything from a minimalist/functional perspective all the way to a fully immersive experience – it all depends on the user’s preferences and how and where the device is used in the gym.”
He added: “I would say that while I generally prefer to use a machine and control my own training routine, the Training Library has given me a lot of ideas and ways to use CLMBR to support different training needs.”
This brings us to the next point…the versatility of patterns.
Credit; CLMBR
A combination of strength and cardio – a dual-use game changer
One unique aspect of CLMBR is its ability to promote both aerobic and strength training, which gives it an advantage in today’s fitness environment.
“It’s no secret that strength training is in high demand—from fitness enthusiasts to elite athletes, it’s an essential component of performance and fitness,” Weber said. “CLMBR supports both aspects – from glute and hamstring development to the cardio aspect, this product works in both areas and provides a truly effective full-body workout, making it highly ideal and relevant.”
CLMBR also offers a full range of resistance options, providing great flexibility in use.
“This ever-changing experience also helps ensure users don’t get stuck or bored,” he added.
Efficiency is another major advantage. Users do not need to spend a long time to get results.
“This is a great piece of equipment when you need a lot of exercise but don’t have a lot of time,” Weber said. “This machine allows users to maximize their time without shortening their results.”
From grass courses to group lessons: CLMBR’s versatile appeal
Another noteworthy aspect of CLMBR is its versatility in different areas of the gym floor.
“CLMBR is relevant in a variety of gym settings,” Weber said. “It integrates seamlessly into group circuit training, performs functional exercises effectively on the lawn, and can be easily moved out of the way when not in use thanks to its compact size and wheels.”
Weber also emphasizes the value of its small footprint, especially in the cardio realm.
“As gyms continue to prioritize more open spaces for dynamic functional training, group classes and community building, CLMBR is a perfect fit because it takes up minimal space,” he noted.
Additionally, some clubs are repurposing underutilized areas by incorporating CLMBR.
“We had a Crunch location, added CLMBR to the group fitness room, and developed a class around them,” Weber explains. “The response has been outstanding and has been a huge success in increasing member engagement and creating upsell opportunities by offering new, unique products within the fitness offering.”
Image source: CLMBR
CLMBR and the gym of the future
As he looks to the future of gyms, Weber believes CLMBR will become increasingly important.
“I think this is standard equipment in gyms, some of it on the cardio floor, some of it in the functional training area, maybe even used for group fitness classes, as Crunch is already doing,” he explained. “As more people realize its effectiveness—whether it’s delivering a 30-minute high-intensity workout or incorporating it into a more varied workout routine—its demand will only grow.”
CLMBR also provides great value to gym operators in terms of cost and practicality. “It meets the diverse needs of the modern gym operator, delivering functionality, aesthetics, durability and cost-effectiveness, while positioning itself as a forward-thinking solution in the ever-evolving fitness sector,” he said.
For Woodway, the partnership with CLMBR allows the company to diversify its products while maintaining its position as a premium supplier trusted by elite fitness facilities around the world. For CLMBR, the partnership successfully integrates their products into the commercial space as a valuable addition, thus strengthening their position in the market.
“CLLMBR provides a full range of services to us, the facility and the end user,” said Weber. “It emphasizes proper mechanics and movement, provides aerobic and strength functions, and enhances the functionality of any facility.
Ultimately, this partnership ushered in a new era of gyms, bringing greater versatility, efficiency and superior quality – a major step forward for the entire fitness industry.
This article was originally published on ATN The gym of the future in 2024 Report. Learn more about how leading fitness and wellness brands are preparing for the future and download your free report now.
