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NEWSWIRE
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Indiana students have colorful ideas for Matrix |
By Brian Davidson, Managing Editor - 05.08.2008
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BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - A group of Indiana University students won $500 from Matrix Fitness Systems last month for proposing that the company lighten up its free weights by coating them in pastels.
The students were among six teams of undergraduates in a fitness management class directed to come up with ideas for revitalizing old equipment.
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The proposal put together by the "Free Weight Maniacs" impressed Matrix representatives the most.
"I was skeptical at first, because free weights aren't something you normally think of as needing revitalization," said Ryann Paszko, a design researcher at Johnson Health Tech Co., the research and development arm of Matrix. "But this group really dug deep."
The team of four observed how users interact with free weights and conducted surveys in the campus fitness center to generate ideas.
To the students' surprise, Paszko said, many gym-goers only knew the basics when it came to dumbbells.
The group suggested creating a series of Matrix-branded placards to hang in a gym's free weight area, instructing users on how to perform some of the lesser-known exercises.
They also researched the psychology of color perception, and proposed color-coding free weights in vibrant tones to create a more lively and inviting atmosphere.
"They had some wonderful ideas," Paszko said.
This was the second year that Matrix worked with Indiana students on redesigning equipment. Once again, Paszko said, picking a winner wasn't easy.
Other teams suggested creating a stepmill that converts into a treadmill, a stepper that strays from the typical stepper look, and a combination lat pullover and abdominal crunch machine.
Paszko is compiling the suggestions into a report that she'll present to Matrix officials this month.
Even if the ideas aren't worked into future products, the project has been a valuable experience for the company, she said.
"Hopefully we can do this every semester. Keeping connected with students is really big for Matrix. They have some great ideas, and a lot of times we've found that they're thinking of some of the things that we've already been thinking about, which validates that we're on the right track."
The project may have even generated a little business, she added.
"Indiana doesn't have any Matrix equipment in their facilities right now. I'm pretty sure that's about to change."
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