Elliptical Trainers Get a Whole New Look.

BOULDER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 23, 1999--

Volan Design Creates Low-Impact, High-Style Elliptical Strider/Runner

for Reebok 

Reebok Fusion: Going to the Health Club Will Never Be the Same Again

The next phase of elliptical exercise equipment technology -- exploding in popularity since its inception in 1996 -- has officially arrived. The new Ruct and brand development company Volan Design ical trainer incorporate a revolutionary new ad and unique exercise experience for the end-user.

"Our goal was to push the design of this product well beyond the conventional solutions," explains Volan Design Principal Greg Volan. "Reebok/CCS Fitness had created cutting-edge elliptical technology and we were determined to reflect that fact in the look and feel of the product itself."

"We wanted the Reebok Fusion to embody a distinctive and dynamic character, creating appeal far beyond the standard, conservative health club equipment entry. That's why we turned to Volan Design to design the product enclosure, the control panel, and the overall graphics," says Reebok/CCS Fitness Chief Executive Officer Paul Leroue. "So far, the positive market response has been a ringing endorsement of our strategy."

Reebok Fusion in Brief

The Reebok Fusion is the only no-impact elliptical Strider/Runner in existence to offer a variable stride length -- from 21 to 31 inches -- affording a comfortable range for all club members, regardless of leg length. The stride length can be varied in mid-exercise, enabling users to switch from running to jogging to walking without stopping. The longer stride length also allows users to run at higher speeds than previously possible. This flexibility makes the Reebok Fusion suitable for a wide range of athletes and activities, including interval training. In addition, the footplate shape was crafted to maintain the proper ankle, knee, and hip articulation at all times. The Reebok Fusion was also designed to maximize safety: as soon as the user stops, the machine also comes to a complete stop, without requiring the use of emergency buttons.

Design Challenges

Volan Design was determined to give the Reebok Fusion a sleek, streamlined appearance, despite the fact that the internal mechanism was actually larger than the typical elliptical system, due primarily to the new adjustable stride functionality.

"The design challenge was to create a space-efficient, multi-functional, visually distinctive package within a tightly defined product envelope. Minimizing actual and perceived mass was critical," says Bill Stephens. To accomplish this, Volan Design broke up the product surfaces by incorporating dynamic lines, color changes, and graphics. "We used an aggressive motorcycle fairing model for the front of the machine," Stephens says, describing the stylistic approach. The Reebok Fusion also extends the motorcycle metaphor by providing a webbed pocket for personal storage.

To reduce system maintenance and keep costs low, Volan Design concentrated on minimizing the machine's overall part count. In addition, Volan Design paid particular attention to ease of maintenance in the field. Borrowing once again from the motorized vehicle metaphor, all machine maintenance can be performed by simply lifting the Reebok Fusion's front hood for access to the internal components.

The Control Panel

The Reebok Fusion's control panel looks like a futuristic speedometer, with a dynamic, colorful, and easy-to-read display that gives the user constant feedback about rate of speed, calories per hour, total calories burned, distance traveled, elapsed time, resistance, and heart rate data. The panel is operated by means of a touch screen within easy reach of the machine's handlebars. Adjusting the stride length is as simple as pressing an up or down arrow key.

"It was important to us that the user be able to alter these parameters easily, without interrupting the workout in progress," says Volan Design's Stephens, "so we made certain that the control panel was tightly integrated into the core machine. The layout of the panel is concise and intuitive, so that even first-time users can begin exercising right away."

Heart-rate monitor sensors are embedded in the handlebar extensions. If the user is wearing a heart-rate monitor during exercise, the resulting information is instantaneously viewable on the tricolor control panel. Multiple handlebar positions also accommodate different workout styles and variations in user size.

Cutting-Edge Industrial Design Approach

Volan Design used leading-edge methodology to create the Reebok Fusion product design. The designers relied heavily on AliasStudio(R), the three-dimensional industrial design software from Alias|Wavefront, a subsidiary of Silicon Graphics, Inc. In fact, Volan Design was the first major studio in Colorado to integrate this state-of-the-art software into the product design process.

"AliasStudio allowed us to achieve a far greater level of accuracy and realism much earlier in the process than was previously possible," says Greg Volan. "Working in three dimensions with photo-realistic renderings -- rather than being limited to two dimensions as we were in the past -- accelerates the design process dramatically." With AliasStudio, industrial designers can create three-dimensional parts early on, contributing to a shorter overall product design cycle.

This method also integrates the work of industrial designers and mechanical engineers much more tightly, resulting in more efficient and productive collaboration between the two interrelated disciplines -- and a vastly improved end product.

Volan Design managed the design and engineering of the Reebok Fusion enclosure and all related components, handling the industrial design, mechanical and plastics engineering for the project. The firm also worked closely with vendors during creation of the plastic parts.

Availability

The Reebok Fusion began shipping in June 1999. The product retails for $4,995 and is primarily aimed at the health club market. According to Reebok/CCS Fitness' Leroue, the product introduction so far has been the equivalent of a "marketing grand slam. Our biggest challenge right now is keeping up with demand," he says.

Volan Design: Building Corporate Brand Assets

Volan Design's strategic mix of product and brand development services is integrated to help customers realize the full value of design, particularly as it relates to creating and maintaining corporate brand assets. Volan Design provides comprehensive product design and development capabilities, including complete mechanical engineering services. In addition to industrial design and mechanical design and engineering, the firm offers user interface design, packaging design, and program planning and management services. Volan Design also provides a complete array of services in marketing communications, trademark design, and design for the World Wide Web.

Volan Design has delivered winning product and brand development to corporate clients since the firm's inception in 1979. Based in Boulder, Colorado, Volan Design enjoys national recognition and a client roster that includes: BI Incorporated, Colorado MEDtech, Oracle Corporation, SAP America, Storage Technology Corporation, Teledyne Water Pik, Valleylab and bioMerieux. With an emphasis on user-centric design, the firm's multidisciplinary team of product, engineering, and communications experts provides measurable bottom-line business value to clients. For more information about Volan Design, call 303-530-2828 or visit the company's website at www.volan.com. -0-

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Product images are available for viewing at http://www.volan.com/work/projects.html

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