Pacific Cycle, Inc.Madison, WI, United States

New Product Safety Laws Impact Fitness Industry - The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 brings sweeping product safety changes that will impact the fitness equipment industry. Manufacturers will be required to meet lower levels for lead and eliminate phthalates in children's products, the Consumer Product Safety Commission will be given broader enforcement powers and a bigger budget, products will be required to undergo independent testing, and violators will be hit with heftier fines. The Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA) is conferring with industry leaders to determine the law's impact on sporting goods manufacturers, including fitness equipment makers.

Toy Makers Enter Fitness Equipment Space - Fitness equipment manufacturers may want to add toy makers to their list of competitors. With childhood obesity rising, companies like International Playthings are introducing fitness equipment for kids as young as three, including a treadmill, "Fitness Fun's My Treadmill," and a step glider, "Fitness Fun's Glide-a-Stride." Retailing for $99 to $120 each, these products are among a growing number of toys marketed to get kids moving, says the Toy Industry Association. Toy industry analysts, who say that if these products sell well, imitators will likely follow, describe 2008 as a "testing year" for pint-sized gym equipment.

Fitness Professionals Predict Equipment Popularity - The IDEA Health and Fitness Association has released its 2008 Fitness Programs and Equipment Survey, which includes the 10 types of equipment predicted to have the most usage growth this year. At the top of the list are interactive computer training programs, which 73 percent of respondents (IDEA members including personal trainers, group exercise instructors, and health club owners) predict will grow. Some 68 percent say use of balance equipment, such as wobble and balance boards and disks will increase; 61 percent predict that foam rollers and small balls, elliptical trainers, and Pilates equipment will see increased use.