With a focus on movement, durability and technology, this partnership is set to redefine the gym floor, offering the versatility of both cardio and strength training in one compact machine
For over 40 years, Woodway has been designing and manufacturing one thing. Innovative, premium, high-performance treadmills. The company’s ethos lies in helping people to fundamentally move better. In fact, the name “Woodway” is derived from the German term “Waldweg,” meaning “way of the woods,” which reflects a desire to replicate the natural feeling of running on a forest path.
To that end, their treadmills feature unique slat-belt technology, which provides a smoother running experience, a longer lifespan, and lower maintenance requirements than traditional belt treadmills, making them a sought-after asset among professional sports teams, rehabilitation centers, research labs and clubs and gyms globally.
A little over year ago, Woodway launched a distribution and sales partnership with CLMBR, to take their vertical climbing machines to the commercial market.
Athletech tapped into Woodway’s Director of Sales and Marketing, Eric Weber, to find out more regarding the impetus behind the partnership, the product’s relevance in today’s market, and how its translating to clubs and gyms globally.
Leveraging a Partnership to Maximize Market Impact
Understanding the value of complementing their treadmill product line, Woodway has engaged in a handful of partnerships like this before, being particularly selective to only choose brands and products that align with their mission while adding significant value to their customers and the marketplace.
Weber explains, “As a company based on better movement, every product we back needs to fall into that standard while bringing unique solutions in technology and/or modality.”
He goes on to highlight how CLMBR achieves this.
CLMBR essentially trains a movement pattern that we see great benefit in,” he says. “It is a natural contralateral movement that is fundamental and goes all the way back to crawling. This supports good form from a development standpoint and a training standpoint. – Eric Weber, Woodway’s Director of Sales and Marketing
Also, unlike traditional “mono-pole” climbers, CLMBR’s patented “open-frame” design allows for better ergonomics, comfort and flexibility for various body types by providing improved foot and knee positioning. The touchscreen display is positioned further from the user for a more comfortable viewing experience, especially during group classes. CLMBR makes it easy to integrate vertical climbing into any space.
Next is its use of technology. The product offers a full digital library of pre-programmed self-guided exercises and workouts that cover all fitness levels, as well as a simplified touchscreen option to begin a non-guided workout.
“This fully aligns with how we integrate tech into our treadmills,” Weber explains. “We support usage from a minimalist/functional standpoint all the way through a totally immersive experience – it’s all dependent on user preference and how and where the equipment is being used in the gym.”
He adds, “I will say that while I typically prefer to get on a machine and control my own training routine, the library of workouts opened up a lot of ideas for me in terms of how the CLMBR can be used to support different training needs and modalities.”
This brings us to the next point …versatility in modalities.
Credit; CLMBR
Strength Meets Cardio – a Dual-Purpose Game Changer
A unique aspect of the CLMBR is its ability to facilitate both cardio and strength training, which gives it an edge given today’s fitness climate.
“It’s well known that strength training is in great demand – from fitness enthusiasts to elite athletes, it’s a significant component of performance and fitness,” says Weber. “The CLMBR supports both – from glute and hamstring development to the cardio aspect, this product can play in both arenas and provide a really efficient total-body workout, making it highly desirable and relevant.”
The CLMBR also allows for a full range of resistance options, offering a lot of flex in usage.
“This ever-changing experience also helps ensure that users don’t hit plateaus or get bored,” he added.
Efficiency is another major advantage. Users don’t need to spend lengthy periods of time to get results.
“It’s a great piece of equipment to choose for days when you need a great workout but don’t have much time,” Weber says. “This machine allows users to maximize their time and not get shorted on outcomes.”
From Turf to Group Classes: The Multi-Functional Appeal of CLMBR
Another notable aspect of the CLMBR is its versatility across different areas of the gym floor.
“The CLMBR holds relevance in various gym settings,” Weber says. “It integrates seamlessly into small-group circuit training, works effectively on the turf for functional workouts, and, thanks to its compact size and wheels, can be easily moved out of the way when not in use.”
Weber also emphasizes the value of its small footprint, particularly in cardio areas.
“As gyms continue to prioritize more open spaces for dynamic functional training, small group sessions, and community-building, CLMBR fits perfectly because it takes up minimal space,” he notes.
Additionally, some clubs are repurposing underutilized areas by incorporating the CLMBR.
“We have a Crunch location that added CLMBRs to a group fitness room and developed a class centered around them,” Weber explains. “The response has been outstanding, with significant success in enhancing member engagement and creating upsell opportunities by offering something new, fresh, and distinctive in their fitness offerings.”
Credit: CLMBR
The CLMBR & The Gym of the Future
When envisioning the gym of the future, Weber believes the CLMBR will become increasingly essential.
“I see this being a standard piece of equipment in gyms, with several on the cardio floor, a few in the functional training area, and perhaps even used for group fitness classes, as Crunch is already doing,” he explains. “As more people realize how efficient it is — whether providing a high-intensity 30-minute workout or integrated into a more diverse exercise routine — it will only grow in demand.”
The CLMBR also offers significant value for gym operators in terms of cost and practicality. “It meets the diverse needs of modern gym operators, delivering on functionality, aesthetics, durability, and cost-efficiency, while positioning itself as a forward-thinking solution for the evolving fitness landscape,” he says.
For Woodway, the partnership with CLMBR allows the company to diversify its offerings while upholding its status as a premium supplier trusted by elite fitness facilities worldwide. For CLMBR, the collaboration successfully integrates their product into the commercial space as a valuable addition, enhancing their position in the market.
“The CLMBR delivers on all fronts—for us, for facilities, and for the end user,” says Weber. “It emphasizes proper mechanics and movement, serves both cardio and strength functions, and enhances any facility’s offering.
Ultimately, this partnership ushers in a new era for gyms, bringing heightened versatility, efficiency, and superior quality—a significant step forward for the entire fitness industry.
This article originally ran in ATN’s Gym of the Future 2024 report. Read more about how leading fitness and wellness brands are preparing for the future and download the free report today.
