By Kathy Gilbert

Staff Writer

The downtown Sports Barn has given into the pull of Gravity.

Gravity is a new strength and conditioning class beginning this month, that "feels like Zen, works like boot camp," according to the system's manufacturer, San Diego-based efi Sports.

Designed for rehabilitation, Gravity Training Systems machines have made their way into "mainstream fitness," said Teresa Wade, health and fitness director.

Using body weight, a cable and pulley system paired with a "free-motion glideboard" eight levels of resistance can be used. More than 250 strength training, stretching and Pilates exercises can be done on the system, according to sales materials.

"You can work your whole body more efficiently than using dumbbells or calisthenics only," Ms. Wade said.

"It doesn't take the place of anything — it's an addition," she said.

A strengthening session on a GTS machine requires constant fluid motion involving two or more muscle systems. All exercises require constant abdominal work.

Some exercises, such as "swimming" (pulling your body up and down on a board using cables and pulleys, working your arms in a swimming motion) fire up muscle fibers across the abdominals and upper body.

"You can't mimic that in a weight room," Ms. Wade said. "Most people doing dumbbells are not thinking about their abs."

Currently, the machines are being used for personal and group training. A trained Pilates instructor also offers Pilates classes on the machines on Saturday mornings, Ms. Wade said.

GTS classes, focused exclusively on using the machines for strength training, begin this month.

"I really like it. It's a nice change of pace, it feels like you get a total body workout and a lot of core," said Kelly Corcoran, a 44-year-old project manager at the Johnson Group who's been using the machines in group training for several months.

The GTS program is appropriate for anyone, Ms. Wade said. People who are recovering from an injury can use the machines as well. The units are endorsed by the American Physical Therapy Association, according to efl Sports.

One-arm pullups and declined pushups on a gliding board were challenging moves at first, Ms. Corcoran said.

But she quickly adjusted.

"The beauty of the machines is they can be raised or lowered for your ability level. Don't be intimidated by what they look like," Ms. Corcoran said.

E-mail Kathy Gilbert at kgilbert@timesfreepress.com

Staff Photo by Andy McFee



Danna Bailey Cannon, left, and Kelly Corcoran work out on the new Gravity Training System machines at The Sports Barn. Classes for the machines will begin Monday.

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