Imagine Strength: The Next Generation of Exercise Equipment

Imagine (pun intended) being in the exercise industry for over 30 years, teaching the safest, most productive and time efficient workout protocol in existence, yet the exercise equipment industry has struggled to make great improvements. Many in this industry are continuously looking for used equipment, some as old as 25-30 years, because it functions better than machinery built today, at a fraction of the cost. The cosmetics and technology have changed, but under the hood, they function average at best and many times more poorly. The companies that build exceptionally good machines, are just too expensive for most small training studios.

I am blessed to have met some amazing leaders, visionaries, mentors and friends in this industry. One of those is Jeff Turner. He introduced me to Super Slow HIT exercise and sold me my first line of Nautilus in 1995. He feels the same way as I do about the state of exercise resistance machines. A few years ago he called me with his vision. An idea to design and build his own line of HIT strength machines. He asked if I wanted to be a small part of that, and I couldn’t jump at the opportunity fast enough. I immediately wanted to be part of his vision, team and company.

While it is true you can use many things for resistance tools, what we truly need is a more intelligent dumbbell. There’s not many personal training facilities that get to have input into the design of machines. Jeff Turner and the designing partners of Imagine have hit an absolute home run with the Imagine Strength equipment. We have unique features no one has ever put into equipment. Innovations like adaptive drive boxes that help track your joint function by moving the axles around your accrual joint rotation. Their strength profiles are built correctly and the low friction stacks, and variable resistance cams that are spot on making the machines smooth, and produce less discomfort and a more natural movement.

The end product is a line of equipment that has been built for trainers/technicians from the ground up. Inspired by early Nautilus and Medx machines, but adapted for HIT gym studios. As Jeff says, “the machines fit the ABCs of exercise. Any Age. Any Body. Any Condition”. It allows us to easily set up, get people in and out, properly instruct the strength exercise, while maximizing the stimulation and minimizing any irritation or discomfort and risk of injury.

In just 2-3 years of design and prototyping, Imagine has produced 17 machines. There are 5 more game changing design prototypes that will be launched within the next few months. The Exercise Institute team is really ecstatic to continuously bring those new movements here for you. In my opinion, we have the most complete and thorough osteoporosis and therapeutic rehabilitation strength machines. Included in that are the 4-way Neck, Rowing Back, Twisting, Rotary Torso, Lumbar Spine, Abdominal, Hip Abduction and Adduction. Those used in combination without core movements like Leg Press, Compound Row, Torso Arm Chest Press, Pullover, and Overhead Press, will give you the best workout and results. We are also excited to track these workouts over the next few years and document the changes and benefits.

Lastly, in addition to amazing function, you won’t find these machines in just any gym. Only high end studios and facilities like ours with have Imagine Strength. I also love how beautiful and modern they look in our facility. When I started out in this industry I never IMAGINED being involved and having such a huge opportunity.