Home exercise getting more popular

Sudibyo M. Wiradji, Contributor, Jakarta

An increasing number of busy people now prefer working out at home to stay fit, rather than going out to a sports club or gym.

Exercising at home means schedule flexibility most of all, allowing people to do it anytime they want, whether it is early in the morning, or the middle of the night.

Besides, home exercise also can guarantee privacy, especially for those who do not feel comfortable working out with a large group.

The growing trend of exercising at home has contributed to a significant increase in demand for home fitness equipment, over the last several years.

Finding good exercise machines and/or weights is not a difficult task in Jakarta. Major malls in the city all have a few stores with plenty of choices. But when it comes to a complete fitness set, only few retail outlets are available in the city.

One of those that does have a great deal of fitness tools to choose from is Prima Fit Showroom at the Indonesian Bazaar of the Jakarta Hilton International and Asia Health Equipment, located on Jl. Batutulis in Central Jakarta.

Fitness equipment are commonly categorized into cardiovascular (CV) tools whose functions are related to heart/lung endurance workouts, such as treadmills, stationary bikes, steppers and rowing machines. The second category is strength training equipment designed to help strengthen specific muscles, such as free weights and weight machines complete with such things as bench press and leg press tools.

Just a few years ago, most fitness equipment was hard to find at retail shops, as much of was targeted to gyms, spas and sports clubs. However, most of the same items can now be purchased quite easily by individuals for home use.

Despite relatively high prices, fitness equipment continues to attract buyers. Prices vary quite a lot, depending on the brand or the type of equipment. Prices for a treadmill from Life Fitness range from Rp 17 million to Rp 90 million (about US$10,600), stationary bikes go for Rp 11 million to Rp 55 million; cross-training fitness machine from Rp16 million to Rp 75 million; multi-gyms range from Rp 10 million to Rp 50 million and strength machines are around Rp 25 million.

Prima Fit Showroom, which used to sell fitness items mainly for commercial purposes, earlier this year entered the individual retail market for home use due to the increasing demand from individual customers.

Prima Fit is the sole agent of Life Fitness products made in the USA. With its motto 'fitness solutions', Prima Fit also provides consultation services for investors with a keen interest in establishing a new fitness center and training for managers and instructors on exercise techniques and management through its Life Fitness Academy.

As part of efforts to attract prospective buyers and retain the loyalty of customers, the company offers maintenance services and other services free of charge within the first two years of purchase.

The company is also committed to maintaining customers' fitness tools via its service contract. "The service contract is designed to ensure the durability of the tools," said Prima Fit's Consumer Brand & Service Manager Patrick Lim.

Another company selling complete fitness sets is Asia Health Equipment (AHE). As the sole agent for Precor products, also made in USA, AHE provides a wide range of fitness equipment, including treadmills, cross training machines and recumbent stationary bikes. The items are priced in US dollars but can be paid in rupiah. Their C9641 type treadmill, for instance, is sold for US$12,500 and the type 546 cross training machine is priced at US$7,900.

Like Prima Fit, the company also offers a service contract through which customers are entitled to discount prices when buying particular spare parts.

Particular kinds of outdoor exercise tools such as golf equipment also remains popular among Indonesians although some people prefer to do their sports activities at home.

Golf, traditionally a male sport in Asia, is becoming more popular with women and children of late. This trend has kept golf shops flourishing.

Most shops report a steady demand for golfing accessories. At the Golf House, for instance, buyers were quite enthusiastic with a recent sales promotion. Entitled the 'Mizuno Fair', it was held recently and allowed golf enthusiasts to buy a variety of Mizuno equipment and accessories at discount prices.

Many golf enthusiasts are now taking advantage of Golf House's Great Golf Sale now under way. The program will run until September 7, 2003.

At Golf House, sales of Mizuno equipment is on the rise due to the wide range of products it provides to meet the needs of beginners and professional golfers. Mizuno focuses on golf clubs, bags, golf shoes, club cases, gloves, socks and caps.

The rising demand for golf equipment and accessories has encouraged the Green Club to open more showrooms in big cities throughout Indonesia.

Green Club provides imported golf equipment and accessories but is licensed to sell it under its own name. Products include the entire range of golfing needs from tees to straw hats and everything in between. "We plan to start to selling more golf balls and clubs next year," said Green Golf's Manager Hilo Lalwani.

Currently, Green Club products are available at pro shops at top golf courses, including Padang Golf Ancol, Padang Golf Cilangkap, Imperial Klub Golf, Klub Golf Bogor Yara, Senayan Golf Club and Finna Golf Club in East Java.

Despite the imported golf products, most are sold at relatively low prices, compared to other famous brands because "they (branded items) are required to pay royalties, while we are not," said Green Club's Manager Hilo Lalwani.