From energy-generating cardio equipment to rehabilitation-friendly machines, SportsArt gives rec centers the tools to unite communities.
For Ruben Mejia, the executive vice president of SportsArt Americas, a career in the fitness industry wasn’t initially a dream job. In fact, Mejia got into the business after marrying the daughter of the founder of SportsArt.
She was called back into the family business after the couple met at an e-commerce company, and Mejia decided he wanted a similar change.
“Somewhere in between my 90-day notice and my last day at my former job, my wife put a question in my head and said, ‘Hey, what if you come work for us?’” said Mejia. “I’d like to say that this is a romantic story and it was destined to be, but I guess it kind of was.”
Fast forward to now where Mejia is helping lead SportsArt’s mission of bringing to market beautiful, smart, and innovative products and technologies that play a role in sustaining the health of the planet and of people.
“Our vision is to be the global choice of fitness and rehabilitative exercise equipment for individuals and organizations looking to change the world,” said Mejia. “What I really love about my job is I’m not selling a commodity. There’s a little more meaning behind this treadmill or elliptical that I really love and enjoy. I get to sell a message and an idea that some people value.”
SportsArt’s mission and vision of sustaining the health of the planet is being achieved through its cardio equipment that generates electricity. But that’s just part of the company’s commitment to lead the fitness industry in eco-friendly action through research, design, and education on sustainable solutions and practices.
Mejia explained if a recreation center isn’t buying electricity due to the amount being generated through SportsArt’s equipment, that organization is preventing the burning of fossil fuels.
“Over 60% of power companies today still burn fossil fuels to generate electricity,” said Mejia. “If a recreation center has a sustainability message that’s important to the community, we can help empower that message. What a lot of people don’t understand is it’s also a way to engage with the community. It’s a way to say, ‘It’s Earth Day, everybody come to the gym and pedal for at least five minutes to generate some electricity to offset the AC.’ There’s a different way to bring people together and use exercise to do so.”
Aside from the company’s forward thinking and sustainable mission, SportsArt also stands out from other suppliers due to the quality and long-lasting nature of its products.
Mejia said the company builds around 90% of the components that go into their products, and they also have electricians who make circuit boards on site. This enables SportsArt to control the standard of its equipment.
Also, with the company being a privately owned, family-operated business, Mejia said his team can work with a high-level of flexibility with customers.
“I like to say we’re an actual partner,” said Mejia. “We don’t have to answer to shareholders, so we have a lot of flexibility in being able to say, ‘What’s it going to take for this to work, or what can make you more successful with our products?’ Flexibility to listen to our partners and make changes on our behalf goes a long way.”
Due to SportsArt manufacturing most of its own parts, the company can also respond quickly when it comes to answering customer issues.
Adding to these benefits is their breadth of equipment sizes and functions. For example, Mejia said there are available options for small, single function rooms all the way to large 200,000-square-foot buildings.
“On top of that, we also have cardio equipment that’s used in rehabilitation hospitals or therapy clinics now being put in rec centers,” said Mejia. “There are older people in the community who need a little bit of help, but they don’t have a trainer or somebody who’s going to be there to assist them. We’ve got treadmills with handrails they can hold onto if they don’t feel totally comfortable.”
One example of their inclusive machines is the SportsArt ICARE — a specialized, motor-assisted elliptical trainer designed specifically for rehabilitation, physical therapy and assisted walking exercises. Mejia said it provides motorized guidance to help individuals with mobility issues or neurological injuries safely perform stepping motions.
“By putting it into the rec center, you’re making those folks feel like they’re part of a community because they’re working out in the same gym everyone else is instead of a physical therapy clinic that specializes for people with certain conditions,” said Mejia. “Bringing two or three of these into a rec center helps bring people of the community together.”
To further improve the member experience, SportsArt certified the carbon footprint of its cardio-generating machines and found commercial gyms can achieve carbon neutrality in less than five years by using their equipment.
The company is taking that same calculation and applying it to the rest of its ECO-POWR line.
“It gives folks another reason to come and participate and be part of the overall mission,” said Mejia. “We’re continuing to bring innovation to the fitness industry that’s not just another treadmill or another elliptical. We like to have a different purpose. On top of that, we’re about to release a software that visualizes the energy production of those energy-generating machines.”
That visualization will be realized with a display on the machine that shows how much electricity the entire gym has generated. Users will see what their electricity production means through relatable comparisons.
“It’ll show that electricity can charge an iPhone 7,000 times or it can power a 55-inch screen for 35 hours,” said Mejia. “Also, we have a built-in leaderboard, which allows the facility to have friendly competition between users. The rec center can then reward the top electricity-producers. The competition factor amongst members turns out to be exciting and fun to watch.”
Whether it’s creating a more sustainable world or fostering an inclusive environment for everyone in the community, SportsArt’s overall key to success is how the company sees fitness as more than just a commodity.
“If you want a treadmill, I’m sure you can look at a handful of competitors, and then choose the cheapest one,” said Mejia. “But when you’re looking at what else fitness equipment can provide, I think you’re going to go a long way with us, because you’re not just going to have a space with fitness equipment that’ll be forgotten. You’re going to be able to utilize that space as part of your overall mission to bring people into your rec center and make difference in their lives.”
