May 15, 2005

By: Maxwell Stone
Website: http://www.1st-in-fitness.com

Smooth Fitness Offers Custom-built Treadmills Online

In an industry-leading initiative, Smooth Fitness offers online customers the opportunity to design and order custom-built treadmills.

Smooth Fitness, manufacturer of the Smooth line of treadmills, is the first and only source to provide customized treadmills on demand. "We believe it's important for customers to be able to order a treadmill that meets their individual needs," said Joe Alter, president and chief operations officer.

According to Fred Waters, director of marketing, "People come in all shapes and sizes with individual fitness needs. Now each runner and walker can design a treadmill customized to his or her personal attributes and exercise goals. We are fulfilling the promise of the Internet to our customers. Rather then conforming the consumer to the product, we are conforming the product to the consumer."

At the SmoothFitness.com web site, customers may select a frame style, motor, belt, deck and specific options that make sense for personal running/walking preferences and budgets. Tall individuals may look for a longer running surface. Heavier people may consider a larger motor. Walkers or runners who seek minimum impact may select an Aeropedic belt for extra cushioning. Others may prefer a heart rate option to monitor and control their treadmill workouts.

With most brands of treadmills a customer would have to choose a model that could cost twice as much in order upgrade from a 2.5HP motor to a 3HP motor, or from a 56" belt to a 60" belt. The benefit of the configurator is that customers pay only for those features that they really want or need. For example, a heavier walker may consider a larger 3.4HP motor, but does not want a commercial treadmill priced over $4000. With the configurator, this person could drop that 3.4HP motor into the Smooth 9.1 series frame. In effect saving almost $2000 on their purchase.

The possibilities are endless. In the spring of 2002 the company plans to offer four custom colors on several models. Other options will include quieter (whisper weave) running belts, 12 mph speed models and extended warranties.

Asked whether all this could substantially delay shipment of a treadmill, Alter said, "Absolutely not. Smooth Fitness manufactures the custom configured models on a 'just-in-time' basis. In our production process, it really is no problem for our assemblers to substitute a different component. The majority of our custom orders are shipped within 2 to 3 business days."

For customers, building a custom treadmill is easy. Once online buyers choose a model with an appropriate feature range, they then select the components, upgrading and downgrading features as they wish. For each selected configuration, the final factory direct discounted cost is automatically computed including shipping (contiguous US). Customers add the final configurations to their shopping carts and check out online.

Although the entire procedure can be completed without sales assistance, sales personnel are available to help at every step along the way. For those concerned about buying online, all sales come with a 30-day money back guarantee and one year in-home repair warranty, Smooth Fitness is the oldest and largest company selling fitness equipment over the Internet. Well established in the fitness industry for more than 19 years, the company operates four retail stores and three national warehouses.

Author Notes:

Maxwell Stone contributes and publishes news editorial to http://www.1st-in-fitness.com.  A source of information and helpful tips on various types of fitness equipment.