New Fitness Equipment CONSIDERATIONS WHEN IN THE MARKET FOR

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1 CONSIDERATIONS WHEN IN THE MARKET FOR New Fitness Equipment By Kevin Feldman With budgets finalized and students back on campus, it s likely your institution is preparing to invest in new fitness equipment. In other words, let the buying season begin. On average, properly maintained cardio equipment should be replaced every three to five years. Strength equipment can last up to ten years or more. If you are in the market, here are a few suggestions to consider and questions you will want to ask before making your next purchase.

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3 New Fitness Equipment continued What do we want or need? Before you begin investigating suppliers, have a clear understanding of the specific needs of your fitness center. How often is your current equipment being used and which products need to be replaced? What are the most popular items and why? Who is using the equipment and for what purpose? What do the users like, dislike and why? You may also want to survey the users of the equipment. They can provide terrific insight, and can confirm or dispel any beliefs you might have. Another great place to look is in the industry trade publications (like PUPN). Review the ads and articles and check out the vendors websites. If you haven t attended a tradeshow in a while, now would be the time. Not only will you have the chance to see and test the equipment, it s a great place to develop Alta Enterprises, Inc. has been the leader in automatic commercial pool blankets since Cover your pool in less then 2 minutes. See a 35-40% reduction in your natatorium heating bill. Average return on investment is 3-4 years. CALL US TO RECEIVE A NO OBLIGATION COST SAVINGS ANALYSIS FOR YOUR FACILITY The pool blanket that is easy to use...will be used. 62 PRIVATE UNIVERSITY PRODUCTS AND NEWS pupnmag.com

4 relationships with peers and vendors alike. All of these resources will provide a wealth of information on the newest products, technology and trends to help you make an informed decision. Who do we invite to the dance? Now that you ve determined what you need, the next question is who you should ask to bid. If you don t have a good list of contacts, a terrific place to start is the PUPN Marketplace or NIRSA Buyers Guide. You do not need to be a subscriber or member to access either of these resources. Additionally, talking with peers at other institutions is highly recommended as they can share their experiences with specific vendors, product quality, delivery, maintenance and post-sales support. Depending on the amount of equipment and specific needs, WHY COVER AN INDOOR POOL? It is the single most effective way to reduce pool heating costs. But, that s not all it reduces facility maintenance costs, supports green energy practices, and is simple to do. Alta pool covers are made of strong, welded materials that are durable and resistant to water treatment chemicals, UV light and abrasion. Our covers provide superior insulation, are custom fi t to ensure maximum energy savings and ease of use for pool staff. We stand behind our pool covers performance and provide excellent customer service. REAL COST SAVINGS We continue to save at least $40,000 in energy/pool costs each year. Recreation Center in Iowa 35-40% reduction in pool heating cost 35-60% reduction in chemical consumption Reduction in humidity-related building maintenance Ability to reduce building temperatures when covered GREEN ENERGY PRACTICES You can also shut off exhaust fans when an indoor pool is covered, which saves even more energy. - U.S. Department of Energy Reduces evaporation by 70-95% Decreases the amount of make-up water needed by 30-50% Requires less energy to run your ventilation system Reduces your pool s carbon footprint SIMPLE TO USE Use wall-mounted operator s station or remote control Takes one person 2 minutes to cover a 25-yard pool Keep lap lanes in pool when using cover It only takes 1 Btu to raise 1 pound of water 1 degree, but each pound of 80ºF water that evaporates takes a whopping 1,048 Btu of heat out of the pool. U.S. Department of Energy CALL US TO RECEIVE A NO OBLIGATION COST SAVINGS ANALYSIS FOR YOUR FACILITY pupnmag.com AUGUST

5 New Fitness Equipment continued inviting at least three to four vendors to submit a bid should be adequate. Contact both local and national suppliers and spend some time talking and/or meeting with each. Ask for recommendations and don t be afraid to consider equipment and product features that are different from the norm. Also, many suppliers will offer demo units to evaluate, especially if the quantity of equipment you are interested in purchasing is significant. Total Cost of Ownership There is the price you pay and then there s what it cost. Sure, price is important, but don t overlook the total cost of owning the product. Even the most durable equipment will require service and ongoing maintenance. It s important to understand these expectations and costs. Batting Tunnels & Frames Protective Screens Batting Cages Backstops Outfield Fencing Windscreen Ball Park Netting Protective Padding Foul Poles Fence Cap Benches & Bleachers Field Covers Mound & Base Covers Turf & Turf Mats Field Maintenance Products Bases & Accessories Home Plates Pitcher s Plates YOUR SOURCE FOR BASEBALL/SOFTBALL EQUIPMENT Batting Helmets Baseball/Softballs Equipment Storage Portable Practice Screens Field Accessories Pitching Mounds Training Aids Ball Machines ATIONALSPORTSP RODUCTS.COM PLUS MUCH MORE! TENNIS BASKETBALL VOLLEYBALL SOCCER FOOTBALL HOCKEY GYM PRODUCTS SAVE 10% A Division of Douglas Industries, Inc. On your next purchase. Use promo code PUSummer16 Good through October 31, PRIVATE UNIVERSITY PRODUCTS AND NEWS pupnmag.com

6 Although purchasing equipment with all the bells and whistles can be attractive, some users may be intimidated and need assistance to operate. Further, repairs can be costly and require certified technicians to maintain. Be sure to inquire about the ease-of-use, training requirements, ongoing software upgrades and any additional facility needs (i.e. electrical, WiFi, cable, space). Warranty protection, maintenance, post-sales support, parts availability and other facility requirements can vary greatly by manufacturer and significantly impact the overall costs. Be sure to read and understand the product warranty completely, including the fine print are replacement parts freight costs covered? Is a lifetime warranty defined as the average life of the product or forever? How responsive is the service department? CUSTOM FACILITY SPORTS EQUIPMENT PROTECTIVE PADDING BACKSTOP NETTING WINDSCREENS DIVIDER NETTING GYM DIVIDER CURTAINS BACKDROP CURTAINS GYM FLOOR COVERS DIGITAL PRINTING Enhance your facility with our high quality digital printing on padding, windscreen, backdrop curtains, bleacher enclosures and more. Your sports complex is unique to you and the athletes who use it every day. Sometimes a one size fits all option won t meet your needs especially when talking about safety. That s why National Sports Products, a division of Douglas Industries, Inc. offers customized protective padding, netting and windscreen. These products are designed to your standards we offer many options to choose from that will fit your indoor and outdoor areas and provide the safety you need A Division of Douglas Industries, Inc. ATIONALSPORTSP RODUCTS.COM pupnmag.com AUGUST

7 CREATING ENVIRONMENTS WHERE PEOPLE CAN SHINE New Fitness Equipment continued Try calling or sending an to each vendor s customer service department, and evaluate how quickly your call or is answered. Talk with other customers about their experience with both the overall product quality and vendor s after-the-sale support. Did the product meet expectations? Did the vendor honor their commitments? Would they purchase the same equipment and work with the vendor again? Why or why not? All of these items should be considered part of the total costs and weighed accordingly. How are you going to pay for it? Once you have determined what you need and who you are going to purchase from, the next step is deciding how to pay for it. Should you buy it outright or lease it? Leasing has become much more common and provides an opportunity to change your equipment every few years. On the other hand, CONTROL SUNLIGHT NOT YOUR IMAGINATION MORE glazing choices = MORE design versatility Call or visit us online to find out MORE about our polycarbonate multi-wall, translucent FRP panel, glass and mixed glazed systems. Purchasing new equipment for your fitness center can be an exciting and rewarding experience. A well designed and equipped fitness center will attract more users and help market your institution to prospective students, professors and administrators. buying the equipment saves money by eliminating interest and providing you the ability to sell or donate it at a later date of your choosing. Most equipment vendors can refer you to reputable third-party finance companies or offer in-house financing options. Purchasing new equipment for your fitness center can be an exciting and rewarding experience. A well designed and equipped fitness center will attract more users and help market your institution to prospective students, professors and administrators. Do your homework, ask a lot of questions, lean on the vendors for answers, and include numerous people in the process. SKYLIGHTS, CANOPIES & TRANSLUCENT WALL SYSTEMS MAJORSKYLIGHTS.COM ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Kevin Feldman is Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Green Series Fitness, a Brigadoon Fitness Company. He can be reached at KevinF@BrigadoonFitness. com. For more information, visit GreenSeriesFitness.com. 66 PRIVATE UNIVERSITY PRODUCTS AND NEWS pupnmag.com

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