The annual fitness event known as Club Industry took place in Chicago on Oct. 4-6—in yet another venue.
In a sign that this particular event has been getting smaller over the years, Chicago's Club Industry has moved from McCormick Place to the Hyatt Regency to this year's spot: the Hilton Chicago. While the hotel itself is not small at all, it's a sign for an event that once occupied one of the larger spaces in McCormick Place.
However, the changes did not dampen the enthusiasm of the various speakers and vendors present this year. Just a few of the speakers included Kevin McHugh, COO of The Atlantic Club; Lisa Coors, MBA, founder of Coors Core Fitness; Tallis Salamatian, MBA, founder/CEO of BaziFIT; and Nick Sarillo, author/speaker/Nick's Pizza and Pubs owner.
And, as always, the exhibit hall featured dozens of vendors who peddled everything from health-club insurance to neck exercisers to the newest in fitness machines. Some of the highlights included:
—Hydralyte ( Hydralyte.com ): It's a clinically formulated solution which contains a proportion of sodium and glucose that aims to rapidly and effectively re-hydrate. Two tablets in several ounces of water are all it takes—and it comes in several tasty flavors, like berry.
—Zero K Wipes ( ZeroKWipes.com ): These post-workout cooling and cleansing wipes are hypoallergenic and have a fresh peppermint scent—perfect after that Crossfit class or long run.
—Perform Better ( PerformBetter.com ): A fitness juggernaut, this company offers bands, books and videos, balance/stabilization equipment, weightlifting machines and much more.
—Dynamic Neck Exerciser ( DynamicNeckExerciser.com ): Promoted by former natural bodybuilder Calvin Edgeton, his device basically turns your door into a "progressive" neck and postural exercise machine, with the use of tubing and a helmet.
—MyoBuddy Massager Pro ( Myobuddy.com ): Myobuddy Massager Pro's therapeutic action is similar to well-known chiropractic and physical therapy devices, yet affordable for the home shopper. Trust me—it feels really good.
—Identity One ( CardlessCheckin.com ): IDLink is a biometric fingerprint check-in solution designed for health clubs, gyms and fitness centers. This cardless check-In solution allows members to access your health clubs without a membership card—and we all know someone who's forgotten that card at least one.
—Golden Designs Inc. ( GoldenDesignsInc.com ): Along with T-shirts that read "Try a Fluid Workout," this company was all about the aquatic, promoting machines that use water to provide resistance ( and a calming workout ).
Photos and text by Andrew Davis
