The new Series – combining award-winning cardio units with a new range of consoles – was officially launched at IHRSA in March 2011, with the European debut taking place a month later, at FIBO 2011.

The launch of the new Series is the culmination of a major three-and-a-half year research and development project undertaken by the company.

Precor used the findings to develop the new series, which consists of three consoles – the ‘P80’, ‘P30’ and ‘P20’.

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Director of product management for Precor Adam Hubbard said: “Biomechanically, the new Series retains the proven and popular features which are already appreciated by users and operators worldwide – upholding Precor’s reputation for manufacturing quality and excellence.”

Whilst all three consoles offer new aesthetics and functionality, the P80 is the most radical advancement from Precor’s existing console offerings.

Undoubtedly the flagship of the new range, the P80 features a highly robust, commercial grade capacitive touch screen – similar to screens used for other high-use commercial purposes, including bank ATMs and airport check-in terminals. The capacitive screen also allows users to perform ‘gesture motions’, such as sweeping across different screens in the same way that users can control leading phone and entertainment devices.

The P80 console promotes new workout programmes to users when they first engage with the equipment. Research conducted after early installations suggests that this will be particularly beneficial, with 40% of users surveyed already trying a new workout as a direct result of the feature.

Doug Johns, director of global marketing and product management for Precor - asserted: “From the onset, the design philosophy has been ‘fitness is foremost’. The User Interface is simple and intuitive, to provide even the most novice of members with a more stimulating and enjoyable workout.”

Each P80 console also features an Ethernet connection - enabling users to benefit from the current and future possibilities of a networked fitness experience.

VP of networked fitness at Precor, Brent Brooks stated: “The internet now shapes so many aspects of our daily lives and so understandably the whole industry is excited by the prospect of networked fitness. Whilst certain ‘connected’ benefits will be available from launch, Precor will be continually developing and launching further applications, all of which promise to significantly benefit exercisers and operators.”

The P30 and P20 consoles complete the new Series. The P30 is an evolution of Precor’s existing Experience Series console and features elements of the P80, including the new ‘Motion Controls’, which enable exercisers to perform frequent functions such as adjustments in speed and incline quickly and easily.

Finally, the P20 offers an ‘entry level’ console, suitable for customers who seek a durable Precor base unit, but a less sophisticated console.