"Grans" Stay Strong
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Hydraulic Machines

Easy to Use

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When my daughter and I ran the Reconstruction Zone Fitness Center we emphasized strength training for our clients.  We provided two types of strength training equipment, Keiser pneumatics and Fit Express hydraulics.  As I mentioned on a previous page, the Keiser equipment is quite sophisticated.  It uses air for resistance and the weights can be adjusted in a little as one pound changes.  The Keiser machines can also be adjusted to fit short and tall people.  Of course that means that clients must learn to adjust them or have help from gym staff members.   

In addition to the Keiser machines, we purchased a set of hydraulic strength training machines made by a company called Fit Express in Mississippi.  Fit Express is now part of a company called AMR Physiofit™. Hydraulic machines use oil-filled pistons to create resistance.  Fit Express offers a training program that they call Fluid Interval Training. This Youtube video will give you a look at the Fit Express machines in action.

I chose to buy hydraulic machines for the gym for several reasons. First, they are easy to use. You basically take a seat, grasp the handles and move the arms or legs of the machine back and forth. Hydraulic machines produce positive resistance in both directions so each machine can be used to exercise two sets of muscles. Hydraulic machines are easy to use and provide clients a sense of accomplishment. People can feel successful in one or two training sessions. In addition, hydraulic machines can be used for strength training, cardiovascular training and flexibility at the same time.

Even when we had the more fancier machines in the gym, some people preferred the hydraulics because they could just sit down and start moving without needing to adjust the seat cushions, etc.  It is true that they were not suitable for our very short or very tall clients, but they fit most people quite well. When we closed the gym we donated the hydraulic machines to a community senior center. I miss them and wish I could find a gym near me that uses similar machines. 

You might be familiar with hydraulic machines because they have been used in programs like Curves and Pace and others.   Several companies make hydraulic machines especially for the senior market so you may find a center near you that uses them.  

A company called PACE makes hydraulic machines for senior exercise programs. The PACE website lists some center centers that have purchased their equipment.  I have not visited any of these sites nor verified that they are all operational.  

There are fitness centers called Stay Fit Seniors that were founded by a chiropractor named Dr. Roger A. Russo, DC.  The Stay Fit Seniors website lists the locations of their centers.  I have not visited any of the Stay Fit Seniors fitness centers but the pictures on their website show hydraulic machines.