BeaverFit ignites a ‘SPRC’ with first US Army Soldier Performance Readiness Center
As Australia boosts defence capabilities, there’s a critical need for modern training solutions designed to ensure the Australian Defence Force is combat-ready. With over $30 billion allocated to strengthening northern bases over the next decade, procurement of state-of-the-art fitness solutions will be essential to support the objectives outlined in the defence plans. BeaverFit, the largest supplier of fitness and training solutions to U.S. and NATO militaries, offers a range of portable, semi-permanent, durable solutions that can be set up quickly and relocated if necessary. The article below showcases how BeaverFit supported the U.S. Army in converting an underutilised storage facility into a Soldier Performance Readiness Center designed for optimal human performance. Contact us to learn more about bringing these proven capabilities to Australia. FORT JACKSON, South Carolina — A brand new Soldier Performance Readiness Center built by BeaverFit opened here March 24. The SPRC is the first of its kind for the U.S. Army Center for Initial Military Training. Around the same time, a shipment of more than 100 BeaverFit container gyms made their way across the country to various training schools and units, purchased by the U.S. Army CIMT. Previous Next “One of the Army’s main focus areas is H2F – or Holistic Health and Fitness,” said Bryan Studebaker, senior vice president of government programs at BeaverFit. “To that end, they are heavily investing in equipment and infrastructure that support this objective.” The cultural shift to H2F aims to improve Soldier and unit readiness by addressing five domains of readiness: physical, mental, spiritual, nutrition and sleep. To operationalize these domains, BeaverFit was recently awarded a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research contract to supply a variety of equipment and infrastructure in direct support of H2F. To date, BeaverFit has provided the Army solutions ranging from manufacturing more than 23,000 lanes of Army Combat Fitness Test equipment; supplying 2,000 expeditionary container gyms; converting indoor and outdoor spaces to provide designated areas for physical training, classroom education, rehabilitation and cognitive performance; and now – the CIMT’s first Soldier Performance Readiness Center. U.S. Army photos by 165th Infantry Brigade The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement. A cultural shift The SPRC “represents a seismic shift” towards how the Army approaches how troops are trained, evaluated and sustained, said Brig. Gen. Jason E. Kelly, Fort Jackson’s commander. “It is an investment in individual Soldier preparedness.” The SPRC also helps overcome resource challenges Army units might face when developing an effective program to support the individual Soldier, because it acts as the centerpoint in which all activities are enabled. In simpler words, the SPRC provides the environment for the H2F ecosystem to thrive. Studebaker, a United States Air Force veteran himself, said BeaverFit is proud to stand behind this mission. “As a veteran owned and operated company, we see the opportunity to serve the military as a continuation of our duty to country,” he said. “We’re going to continue prioritizing solutions that support the growing needs and requirements of our military.” U.S. Army photos by Fort Jackson Public Affairs The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement. Designing the Soldier Performance Readiness Center The SPRC project at Fort Jackson converted an unused facility into training space with two 50-foot modular rigs, a robust equipment package with an emphasis on team-based conditioning, rubber flooring for strength and conditioning, performance turf, a rope climb tower, sleds, yokes, weighted stretchers, BeaverFit squad logs and full complement of various low-impact cardio machines. Sam Hovig, BeaverFit government territory sales manager and United States Marine Corps veteran, said the SPRC introduces new recruits to H2F early in their careers and enables critical skill development they will carry throughout their time in the Army. “The Army has implemented H2F within FORSCOM at the operational units, and with this new training capability, recruits will have the positive impact of H2F early on and will build upon that as they get to their permanent duty stations,” he said. “What made this project unique was being very cognizant of the population that will be using it,” he explained. “The typical recruit likely does not have significant time under a barbell or proper coaching on foundational movement mechanics. This heavily influenced each portion of the facility design – from the modular rig to where recruits would be entering and exiting the facility – to ensure this space met the stated throughput needs, allowed for visibility from coaches at all times, and did not sacrifice any required training capabilities.” Previous Next Expanded options for H2F The container gyms for CIMT were purchased to outfit units with an expanded outdoor training solution beyond the available indoor space at their installation. The gym-in-a-boxes, as the Army knows them, may be placed directly beside unit headquarters or barracks, enabling easier access to training, camaraderie and esprit de corps. Army senior leaders have said the cost that goes along with H2F is “well worth the investment,” said Maj. Gen. John D. Kline, CIMT commander. “I will tell you that if we save a life (or) we save two lives, one would argue this is absolutely worth every penny.” Previous Next BeaverFit is the leading supplier of fitness equipment to the U.S. Armed Forces, from the original container gym solution to full-scale human performance and tactical training facilities. As an official provider of ACFT equipment, BeaverFit has supplied more than 23,000 lanes of equipment and developed innovative ACFT solutions to include the ACFT Storage Locker, the ACFT Storage Trailer and ACFT Shelters.
6 tips when converting unused indoor space for fitness
Whether you own a gym and want to expand it, or you’re an entrepreneur looking to create a fitness space, converting unused indoor space for fitness is a challenging but worthwhile venture. While you might be wondering what advice BeaverFit – leaders in the outdoor fitness industry – can provide about indoor space, our team of subject matter experts have successfully converted indoor fitness spaces in the military, commercial and entrepreneurial realms, and are here to share the tips on transforming unused spaces into high performance training centers. Here are six things to consider when converting your space, according to Jason Clark, Training & Education at BeaverFit: 1. What is your defined outcome? Although it may seem obvious, many people convert space without truly defining an outcome. You may equate more space with doing more things, but defining what exactly you’re going to do with that space is key. Don’t rely on the “If you build it, they will come” mentality. “Just because you build it, doesn’t mean they’re going to come,” Clark said. “What are they coming for – do you need to build more of that? Or what are they not coming for because you haven’t built it yet? Are you missing something, or do you need more of something that’s doing well?” Throughput and output tend to be universal objectives – throughput being how you can safely and effectively maximize the number of people using the space during training hours; and output being how you can ensure everyone gets a great workout towards achieving their goals. 2. Do you fully understand your budget? You should have a tiered approach to your defined outcome. Understanding your budget helps define the tiers. A big conversion may include flooring, racks, rigs and accessories. You’ll likely need to start with flooring, which will consume a large part of your budget in the first tier. Do market research on the costs of specific items – all rubber flooring versus rubber with a strip of turf, turf with or without a logo, and so on. Small changes can mean big savings. “If you are converting space, it probably means you are visionary, and a large part of your focus is your vision,” Clark said. “That can go deep down the hole when you have a lot of time invested, drawings and renderings done, but you haven’t checked how much things cost. Getting a hold of that early is smart.” 3. What is your layout? Your outcome and your budget will define your layout. How do you see this happening? Is more floor space what you need, or do you need to get smart with storage? Defining your layout should have a high-level thought process and more than one course of action. You may think you need additional space for storage, when you actually have a stanchion in the middle of the floor that could be turned into barbell storage or have trays pushed up against it to hold kettlebells or medicine balls. The layout takes time and more than one set of eyes to make sure you’re capturing everything. 4. Are you accounting for your target audience in your setup and accessories? Make sure you’re accounting for the population in your defined outcome. If your defined outcome is a facility that promotes body transformation and getting people into fitness, you might attract people who are brand new to fitness. Do you have methods, accessories and space to teach? If someone is not ready to squat with a barbell on their back yet, do you have modified options? “When someone walks in your gym, what is their impression of your space?” Clark prompted. “There’s a big difference between, ‘Holy cow, I’m not ready for this!’ or ‘Wow, I see things that I don’t understand how to use, but they’re not scary.’” It’s great to have rigs, racks and an awesome set-up, but you should be mindful of the people who are coming in for the first time, and ensure your space and accessories will accommodate. 5. Do you have an operations plan during the conversion? If you already have existing space, you’ll need to be mindful of what the conversion is going to do to your members. When your space becomes a construction zone, how is the rest of your club going to operate? Are construction materials and vehicles going to damage any existing walls or floors, or get in the way of your members’ routines? Your outcome may be to add new members, but you may lose existing members depending on how you care for them during the design and build of your new space. “Just because you’ve got a new thing doesn’t mean it’s new for them yet, and they need to be able to continue their routine,” Clark said. 6. Should you hire a professional? You may believe you have the skillset to DIY your entire indoor conversion – and perhaps you do! – but you might run into problems without hiring a professional. “A professional viewpoint produces professional outcomes,” Clark said. “We do this for a living, which means it’s going to be done right, and it’s going to be done well. We’re not going to allow your vision to die; we’re going to pump oxygen into it through helping you figure out a couple of the pieces you may not be accounting for.” At BeaverFit, our eyes have seen it and our hands have built it. We offer what has worked well in other places while being focused on what you have to make sure we’re giving you the best possible solution. In short, we’re the team you call when you need the job done and you need it done well. No place is too small if it moves you to a better position than where you currently are. We can help. And if at any point you want to extend your offerings into the outdoor space, you know we’ve got you covered there as well. Get in
BeaverFit chosen as exclusive manufacturer of Rumble bench and boxing rigs
RENO, Nev. – April, 12, 2022 – BeaverFit USA, a veteran owned and operated business, the leading manufacturer of outdoor fitness equipment, and the largest supplier of military human performance solutions in the world, has been contracted by Rumble, the popular boxing-inspired group workout concept owned by Xponential Fitness, to manufacture custom designed benches and boxing rigs for new Rumble franchise locations. The newly designed Rumble bench and boxing rigs, which are already in use at recently opened Rumble studios in Anchorage, Alaska and Henderson, Nev., were designed, prototyped, and manufactured in a matter of months following close collaboration between BeaverFit product design, engineering, and fabrication specialists working with Rumble leadership. “As we scale the Rumble brand to new locations it was critically important for us to have the right equipment,” said Shaun Grove, president, Rumble. “Not only did we want to capture the look and feel of the Rumble brand in this equipment, but we wanted to make sure that for our franchise partners making an investment that this equipment will last for years to come, and to ensure our members have the highest quality and safest equipment every time they step into a Rumble studio.” The new bench was created for the strength portion of Rumble’s 45-minute classes, providing a cushioned bench top, storage slots integrated into the middle for five pairs of dumbbells, and hooks on the end to hold Rumble’s weighted knuckles. A hollow opening also provides an area for participants to store their boxing gloves between Rumble rounds. Beaverfit worked with Rumble to create four different custom rigs in order to provide Rumble and its franchisees increased flexibility from a space and functionality perspective to make the leasing and facility design as streamlined as possible. “Designing the Rumble bench and boxing rigs was really a total team effort from start to finish,” said Justin Smith, COO, BeaverFit, North America. “Our design and engineering teams worked closely with the Rumble team to ensure the design met their functional requirements as well as brand aesthetic, while our in-house manufacturing and 100% domestic supply chain allowed us to quickly prototype, make updates, and ultimately begin producing hundreds of units for new Rumble locations. This opportunity is one of many we’re excited to support as we continue to see the aggressive growth in our commercial business from both a custom manufacturing and outdoor fitness perspective.” “This has been one of the best experiences I’ve ever had around product procurement in terms of how smooth and how fast it went,” said Pete Rigs, EVP of construction and procurement, Xponential Fitness. “We went from discussing an idea over lunch, to having a napkin sketch, a computer rendering, and a finished product in less than three months. During a time when so many equipment manufacturers are struggling with their supply chain, the BeaverFit team and their domestic manufacturing capabilities really allowed us to deliver the equipment needed to help our newest franchisees open their locations on time.” To learn more about BeaverFit commercial equipment and custom manufacturing capabilities, visit beaverfitusa.com. For a list of current and upcoming Rumble locations, visit rumbleboxinggym.com. About BeaverFit BeaverFit is the leading global manufacturer of outdoor fitness equipment and training solutions. Creator of the world’s first fully functional containerized gym solution in 2012, BeaverFit is the leading supplier of human performance equipment to the U.S. military. Today, BeaverFit continues to innovate and expand mobile and outdoor fitness equipment and facilities for corporations, commercial gyms, campus recreation programs, and home consumers. For more information, visit www.beaverfitusa.com. About Rumble Founded in New York City in 2017, Rumble is a group fitness concept delivering a mix (or combination) of boxing-inspired circuits and the transformative power of resistance training. Pro and amateur fighters glove up together, no matter their fitness level or skill, to reveal their inner fighter. The experience is a 45-minute, 10-round, full-body cardio and strength workout crafted around specially designed water-filled, teardrop-style boxing bags. Rumble was founded by Noah Neiman (former Barry’s Bootcamp Master Trainer, and cast member of Bravo’s Work Out New York), Eugene Remm (Co-Founder of Catch Hospitality Group (Catch Restaurants, CATCH STEAK, Lexington Brass), Andy Stenzler (Co-Founder Cosí, Kidville), and Anthony DiMarco (13-time IRONMAN, former Managing Director, Google). For more information, visit rumbleboxinggym.com.
HealthFitness and BeaverFit Take Fitness Outdoors with First Open-Air Fitness Solution
LAKE FOREST, Ill. and RENO, Nev.– January 25, 2022 – HealthFitness, a Trustmark company, and a leading provider of comprehensive fitness solutions; and BeaverFit, a leading manufacturer of outdoor and open-air fitness solutions, are collaborating on the first open-air fitness solution for organizational leaders looking to take fitness outdoors. In this open-air fitness solution, BeaverFit will design and build standalone, state-of-the-art, open-air fitness facilities for corporations, and HealthFitness and its team of talented professionals will deliver diverse and engaging programming, account management and marketing promotion. “As we come out of the pandemic, creating ways to engage more people in more ways in fitness and wellbeing—and helping them feel they belong and are cared for—has never been more critical,” said HealthFitness President Sean McManamy. “HealthFitness is nationally recognized for our skilled, passionate wellness and fitness professionals. We are excited to bring additional value to our customers by integrating the strength of our people with the open-air fitness facilities from BeaverFit to provide a complete open-air fitness solution for our customers.” “This collaboration with BeaverFit further expands our ability to drive participation and keep people engaged over the long term,” said Trustmark CEO Kevin Slawin. “From virtual to traditional on-site fitness centers to now open-air facilities, we can provide even more options to keep wellness programming fresh, challenging and rewarding for participants.” For more than 45 years, HealthFitness has been dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of more than 1 million participants, connecting with and supporting them on their personal health journey, while building a community of health. With a 99 percent client satisfaction rating and an average client tenure of 14 years, HealthFitness and its nationwide team of more than 2,700 professionals believe in the power of health and fitness and in creating opportunities for others to believe as well. BeaverFit is the leading manufacturer of outdoor fitness equipment and state-of-the-art open-air fitness facilities, with more than 5,000 outdoor gyms created around the world. This 100 percent veteran owned company is also the leading supplier of human performance equipment to the U.S. military, while continuing to innovate and expand mobile and outdoor training facilities for corporations, commercial gyms, campus recreation programs, and home consumers. “We’re excited to help organizations get more of their people moving outdoors,” said Alex Roodhouse, co-founder, BeaverFit, North America. “Creating products and environments that allow people to train outside has been the cornerstone of our company since day one. This collaboration allows BeaverFit to pair our innovative open-air solutions with the leading and proven engagement and fitness programs from HealthFitness, creating a truly unique experience for organizations looking to evolve their employee fitness offerings. We’ve seen tremendous growth in the commercial fitness space in the last year as gyms and facilities look to create dedicated outdoor fitness spaces to meet their members’ interests in training outside, and we’re excited to work with HealthFitness to bring this innovative solution to organizations looking to create unique fitness experiences for their team members.” “Now more than ever, organizational leaders are seeing how critical the health of their people is to the health of their organization,” said McManamy. “The goal of open-air fitness solutions is to offer an engaging program that gets people moving, contributes to their health, and helps keep participants safe and productive. If switching to, or adding, an open-air fitness solution helps organizational leaders accomplish these goals, it’s a win-win solution for all.” About HealthFitness HealthFitness, a Trustmark company, builds and manages comprehensive fitness solutions for leading companies and organizations. With a holistic approach that extends beyond fitness, HealthFitness is a proven leader in engaging and connecting people both on-site and online, to create a strong community of health. Parent organization Trustmark, through its subsidiaries and operating divisions, provides a full spectrum of employee benefits to protect and improve individuals’ health and overall wellbeing. For more information on HealthFitness, visit www.healthfitness.com. To learn about Trustmark, visit www.trustmarkbenefits.com. About BeaverFit BeaverFit is the leading global manufacturer of outdoor fitness equipment and training solutions. Creator of the world’s first fully functional containerized gym solution in 2012, BeaverFit is the leading supplier of human performance equipment to the U.S. military. Today, BeaverFit continues to innovate and expand mobile and outdoor fitness equipment and facilities for corporations, commercial gyms, campus recreation programs, and home consumers. For more information, visit www.beaverfitusa.com.
Hammer Strength and BeaverFit Team Up for Unique Collaboration in Outdoor Performance Training
ROSEMONT, Ill. and RENO, Nev., June 22, 2020 — Hammer Strength, a leader in performance strength training, and BeaverFit, the world leader in outdoor, portable and customized training solutions, announced today a collaboration to launch a unique, outdoor training and performance solution. The Hammer Strength Outdoor Box features a rugged performance training rig built around a convenient storage space that is large enough to accommodate various strength training equipment and accessories for outdoor training. As fitness facilities focus their efforts on reopening safely, Hammer Strength and BeaverFit hope to ease the transition back to working out at the gym with greater access to industry-leading outdoor workout equipment. Outdoor workouts have become increasingly popular during the COVID-19 pandemic, and many facilities are seeking multi-use, outdoor solutions to continue to offer functional group training options to exercisers. “Our collaboration with Hammer Strength is uniquely exciting, as it opens the door for commercial fitness facilities to benefit from the same durable, outdoor training solutions that the U.S. and NATO militaries have relied on for years,” said Alex Roodhouse, BeaverFit’s co-founder. “BeaverFit outdoor equipment has been tried, tested and proven in the most hostile climates around the world by the most demanding users, but has never been widely available to the general public. That changes today.” The Hammer Strength Outdoor Box is an all-in-one training center, custom-fabricated to anchor a training rig and store the equipment necessary for a full workout. It is designed specifically for outdoor use and utilizes galvanized steel tubing. The Outdoor Box has a variety of available features, including: up to eight barbell holders, flat bench storage, four adjustable shelves, three locations for mounting rigs, lockable storage, and custom branding options. The Hammer Strength accessory package will include bars, bumper plates, wall balls, kettlebells, battle ropes, bands, jump ropes and more. “We are proud to partner with BeaverFit to develop an outdoor functional training solution to serve the needs of our customers, especially as the demand for outdoor workouts continues to grow,” said Dan Wille, Global Vice President of Marketing and Product Development, Life Fitness. “The Hammer Strength Outdoor Box offers health clubs and athletic recreation facilities alike a multi-training center for outdoor workouts to improve performance and specific skills training. Our goal is to continue to support fitness facilities and exercisers with equipment that allows them to train like elite athletes – whether that be outdoors or inside.” Hammer Strength has been building athletes for more than 30 years. Not just elite athletes, but those determined to train like one. The Hammer Strength Outdoor Box, in partnership with BeaverFit, will continue Hammer Strength’s mission of inspiring athletes and providing increased access to a wide range of functional and strength training workouts. For more information on the Hammer Strength Outdoor Box, click here. INSERT PRODUCT PHOTOS About Life FitnessLife Fitness is the global leader in commercial fitness equipment and game tables and furnishings. The company manufactures and sells its strength and cardiovascular equipment, billiards tables and accessories, and game room furniture under the brand names Life Fitness, Hammer Strength, Cybex, Indoor Cycling Group, SCIFIT and Brunswick Billiards. Its equipment is distributed to 166 countries. Life Fitness is headquartered outside Chicago, in Rosemont, Illinois. For more information about Life Fitness products and services, visit www.lifefitness.com. About BeaverFitBeaverFit was established in the United Kingdom in 2010 as the offshoot of a family bridge-building business – Beaver Bridges – and began with a simple functional fitness rig, custom-built for British SAS paratroopers. Gradually, BeaverFit exploded globally, quickly growing to be the worldwide leader in human performance solutions for American, British and allied military forces. Today, BeaverFit manufactures thousands of container gyms per year for military forces and designs and builds SOE solutions for special operations teams and supplies Fortune 100 corporations and major fitness clubs with unique indoor and outdoor training solutions. www.beaverfitusa.com