THE GEARTRENDS® FITNESS SUMMER 2006 MAGAZINE

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TOC | PUBLISHERS CORNER | CONTRIBUTORS

12 BRACE YOURSELF | SPECIAL REPORT
After witnessing the devastating results of events like Hurricane Katrina, manufacturers and retailers need to focus now more than ever on preparing their businesses to survive a future calamity.

20 STRETCHING THE IMAGINATION | STRETCHING
Despite being a vital part of the triangle of balanced fitness, stretching and flexibility are hard concepts to promote and sell. Learn what makes the market tick, what products are available, and how to relay the message of flexibility to customers.

24 BALANCING ACT | MARKETING
If done correctly, product packaging can act as a silent salesperson, offering vital information for customers facing overwhelmed, underinformed or MIA sales staff. Is yours getting the job done?

28 STORES WITH MORE | MERCHANDISING
Four fitness specialty retailers talk about how they remodeled their stores to be more contemporary, inviting and pleasant places to shop, not only appealing to women but also to men. The result? Increased sales.

34 ON A ROLL | INDOOR CYCLES
Indoor cycles have been a hit in health clubs for more than a decade, and now cycle manufacturers are shifting gears to make inroads in the home market.

38 PATH TO CHANGE | SPECIAL FEATURE
If a customer walks into your store, you may assume he or she is ready to buy, but that may not be the case. Learning about psychologists’ Stages of Change theory may improve your sales technique and help you win customers for life.

42 ALL SHOOK UP | VIBRATION TRAINING
With dramatic claims and shaky scientific proof of its benefits, whole body vibration equipment could be used to exploit the desperate, gullible, lazy or uninformed. GearTrends® looks at the controversial world of vibration training to see what’s shaking.

2006 SNEWS® FITNESS RETAILER SURVEY
A summary of our survey where fitness retailers rate the best, worst, growing and slumping of 2005. Find complete results and analysis at www.SNEWSnet.com/surveys.

2006 FITNESS PRODUCT ZONE
Featuring new treadmills, elipticals, weights, Nordic walking poles, functional trainers, and other fitness products from Accell Fitness, Tunturi, Bremshey, Exel, Diamondback Fitness, Iron Grip, Life fitness, Precor, SportsArt Fitness, SNEWS®, and Vision Fitness.