Hard Bodies or No, They Were in for the Soft Sell

Kathleen Fallon gaped at the men and women hanging like bats, twisting like snakes or collapsing--if they lost control--into “full turtles.”

“It’s like totally weird,” the 15-year-old cheerleader from Santa Margarita High School said. She was referring to the Equinox 2000 Gyrofitness Trainer--the newest exercise toy on the market and the hottest attraction at the Health Sports and Fitness Show in Anaheim, which finished a 3-day run Sunday.

The exercise training device, which leaves rookies panting and dizzy, was developed 3 years ago in China and has been sold in the United States for the last 5 months, Leonard (Dusty) Raines said. He is president of Team Equinox USA Inc., the Santa Monica-based firm that markets the machine.

For those who enjoy pulling up their T-shirts to display their popping muscles, as many did Sunday, this was hard-body heaven.

‘Feel My Heart Rate!”

Trainer Michael O’Grady jumped in the machine, without a strap, and quickly spun through a couple of figure eights and outside rolls. “It’s cardiovascular!” he panted to skeptics. “Feel my heart rate!” The crowd cheered.

Based on the principle of a gyroscope, the device allows users to spin on a free axis in any direction. The device is similar to those used by NASA astronaut trainees, except that users can control their speed and direction with leg movements, Raines said. The faster the rotation, the faster the cardiovascular workout. Working against gravity, users can develop their upper bodies, Raines said.

Eric Smith, 20, exited from the machine in apparent agony. “My face hurts. My stomach hurts. My muscles are sore from my pectorals to below my waist.

“It was great,” Smith said with a small grin.

No pain, no fun.

While other exhibitors at the Anaheim Convention Center watched TV or chatted with friends to fight boredom, there was a 20-minute wait to try one of the three Gyrofitness Trainers, and health enthusiasts were taking numbers.

All were required to sign releases pledging they were not pregnant, were not under a doctor’s care and would not blame Team Equinox if anything went wrong.

Even the penguin-shaped tried it and liked it.

Raines, a Vietnam veteran with suspenders over his chest and stainless-steel rib-cage reinforcements underneath, jumped in and came out panting, saying it gives him the cardiovascular workout he requires.

“It’s like you’re on a roller coaster,” said Lynn Rennie, 10, of Costa Mesa.

“I’d be throwing up,” said Robin Yacoby, an aerobics teacher.

In fitness, “the big thing now is variety,” said Jeff Diltz, fitness manager of the Sports Connection in Long Beach and Costa Mesa. “We’ve gone from the basic fitness center with Nautilus and exercise machines, the basics, then aerobics came in really strong. Everyone has an exercise cycle, a Versaclimber, and rowing ergometers and Stairmasters. Most everyone to be successful needs that kind of variety.”

Other exhibits included the Great Ropes, a Lake Forest-based program that simulates rock climbs and other outdoor experiences to build physical as well as emotional strength.

Grecian Industries, a Westminster group, had swimmers demonstrating its Swim Spa, a 13-foot-long spa with a current strong enough to force a swimmer to stroke to stay in place.

According to Diltz and others among the 300 exhibitors, the fitness business is stronger than ever and shows no signs of waning. But the turnout for Friday and Saturday, estimated at 4,000, was far below the 15,000 to 20,000 expected, promoter Nick Bartlett said. Bartlett said he had lost $41,000 on the show despite widespread television, radio and newspaper advertising.

Bartlett blamed Anaheim Convention Center management for not having notified him of a convention center sign that did not work at night. “How does anyone know we’re here?”

Convention center management was unavailable for comment.

“It’s hard for me to judge a low turnout,” Raines said. “Our machines were backed up and busy. We always do well.”

Raines said that in the last 5 months, he has sold 200 Gyrofitness Trainers at $2,395 each and six dealerships.

The show attracted some soft bodies too. Many, like Lyle Henry of Temecula, were friends and relatives of cheerleaders who came to compete in another event at the convention center Sunday. “Do I look like I’m fit?” he asked, carrying a bowl of chips dripping with cheese and peppers.

But Henry said the show has inspired him to buy an exercise bike. “I’m definitely starting tomorrow.”

IT’S VERY FITTING

Percent of fat among women tested at the fitness show compared to the normal range: 22-26% (18-24%).

Percent of fat among men tested: 15-16% (13-18%).

Fitness center owners and managers from China who visited the Health Sports and Fitness Show: 47

Swim spas sold in United States since 1986: 10,000. Since 1972: 20,000.

Youngest participant in Great Ropes, a simulated outdoor obstacle course: 2 1/2. Oldest: seventysomething.

Americans with bad backs: 98 million.

Americans with bad knees: 5 million.

Reasons given by exhibitors for smoking at the Health Sports and Fitness Show: “I’m not promoting fitness. I’m promoting vacations. Is there a law against it?”

Sport that elicits most complaints to chiropractors: weightlifting. Least complaints: swimming, race walking.

Why an orthodontist has a booth at the fitness show: “You have to chew that healthy food.”

Sources: Exhibitors at the 1988 Health Sports and Fitness Show