Liberty Fitness Pioneers First Hearing Impaired Workout Circuit

Franchise Owners in Riverside, Calif. Provide Access to Deaf with Light Signal System

AUSTIN, TEXAS (Wednesday, October 19, 2005) - A Liberty Fitness franchise in Riverside, CA has become the nation’s first 30-minute women’s workout facility to develop a light system that provides deaf and hard-of-hearing customers with visual cues that let them know when to change exercise stations or check their heart rate.

Dianne and Larry Brown, franchisees for Liberty Fitness, a women’s fitness concept that offers “total body” wellness via a personalized 30-minute circuit training workout in a boutique environment, developed the exclusive visual lighting cuing system in order to better serve a substantial deaf and hard-of-hearing population in their market. Currently seeking a patent for the system, the Browns hope to work with Liberty Fitness corporate to eventually implement the program at all Liberty Fitness clubs nationwide. Currently, 61 Liberty Fitness locations operate in 16 states, with several more in development.

“After working with numerous deaf and hard-of-hearing women at our facility, we wanted to figure out a way for them to work outs more independently so that they didn’t feel singled-out,” Dianne Brown said. “In addition to better serving their special needs, the cuing system also allows any Liberty Fitness member to listen to their own musical selections via their iPod or portable disc players and simply follow the circuit changes by following the lighting prompts. It gives all of our members more freedom to further personalize their own workout. They aren’t limited to using our music choice.”

The visual light cuing device consists of two signs mounted on each side of the Liberty Fitness circuit that direct women through their 30-minute workouts. One sign, lit by a blinking green light, is synchronized with the circuit voice prompt that notifies women to “change positions now.” The second sign, with a heart shape lit by a red light is synchronized with the circuit voice prompt that states, “please stop exercising and get ready for a heart rate count.” The sign blinks twice to indicate it’s time to check their heart rate check. Then, it glows steady for the heart check 10-second count.

“This revolutionary system opens the door to a whole new population of women who previously faced challenges with circuit workouts,” said Linda Burzynski CEO of Liberty Fitness. “We will continue to evaluate the best way to encourage all of our Liberty Fitness locations across the country to adopt this visual cuing system so that our fitness programs are accessible to all kinds of women with all kinds of needs.”

Meanwhile, the Browns have received praise from the California School for the Deaf and the Center on Deafness Inland Empire. Liberty Fitness of Riverside has also been declared a model deaf community by the Mayor of Riverside, and displays the “Model Deaf Community” logo in their window.

About Liberty Fitness

Liberty Fitness is the industry’s first women’s fitness concept to address “total body” wellness, including a 30-minute circuit training workout featuring six-level adjustable hydraulic strength training and cardiovascular equipment, attention from personal trainers at every visit and nutritional and health education all in a spa-like boutique environment. Founded in 2002, Liberty Fitness currently operates 61 locations in 16 states.

View all Liberty Fitness for Women Press Releases

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