Hit the Deck for a Whole Body Workout

Sports technologists at a university are behind an innovative exercise system about to take the fitness world by storm.

Reebok Deck is an evolution of the original Reebok Step, launched in the early 1990s and still used by millions of exercise fans worldwide. The Deck, a multi-purpose whole body exercise system, transforms from a step platform for aerobic workouts into an incline/decline bench or seat for strength and toning.

The initial concept was conceived in Loughborough University's world-class Sports Technology Research Group in the English Midlands.

Lecturer Mike Caine and research student Ross Weir formed the Progressive Sports Technologies company to develop the revolutionary system. They secured an exclusive worldwide license with global brand leader Reebok less than two years later.

Progressive has worked closely with Reebok for the past 18 months as The Deck moved nearer to commercial reality. Master trainers from Reebok University, one of the world's leading institutes for physiological research, have rigorously tested the product so that it meets the high expectations of health and sports clubs, studios, personal trainers, physiotherapists and fitness enthusiasts.

Progressive, still less than three years old, developed the Reebok Deck with a DTI innovation award of 45,000 pounds sterling and a 19,000 pounds loan from Loughborough University Enterprises.

Progressive's Mike Caine has already invented three commercial products including a Design Council Millennium Product Award while Ross Weir is named inventor on five patent applications including Reebok Gripmaster, a revolutionary hand protector. Fellow Loughborough graduate, Jeff Davis, who built Technogym UK from a start-up business to a profitable market leader with a 22 million pounds turnover within 10 years, provides commercial expertise.

Reebok was founded in northern England in 1895 by J W Foster & Sons. The family-run business developed an international clientele of distinguished athletes and made the running shoes worn by the UK gold medallists of the 1924 Olympics celebrated in the film Chariots Of Fire.

Chris Hancock, marketing director of ReebokFitness, said: "Our partnership with Loughborough University demonstrates Reebok's total commitment to achieving excellence through innovation in fitness equipment.

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