The Fitness Idea

What started as one man’s pursuit to improve his own physical condition eventually turned into a global fitness revolution. That man was Keene P. Dimick, the mastermind behind the legendary Lifecycle exercise bike. Little did he know in 1968 that his modest invention would go on to fuel the hopes and dreams of people around the world forever, and lay the foundation for the world’s premier provider of commercial fitness equipment and home gym provisions.

The story of Life Fitness began when two young entrepreneurs, Ray Wilson and Augie Nieto, saw the promise of Dr. Dimick’s exercise bikes. Even though it was slightly ahead of its time, they believed Lifecycle exercise bike could help generations of athletes, trainers, exercisers, and people everywhere live happier, healthier, and more fulfilling lives. This was the genesis of large scale fitness equipment manufacture and supply.

They started small. Wilson and Nieto bought the rights to the Lifecycle bike from Dr. Dimick, perfected it, and sold it out of a motor home to health clubs across America. Despite the overwhelming odds and initial unpopularity of the Lifecycle exercise bike, the two passion-filled pioneers turned a two–man operation and a seemingly impossible vision into a prosperous reality. Along the way, they shaped the future of Life Fitness as well as the fitness industry, bringing cardio training into the mainstream and helping ignite the health club boom.

Wilson and Nieto expanded the company to include fitness equipment other than just exercise bikes. As fitness equipment technology grew, so did the company. Through the years they added to the Life Fitness range treadmills, cross trainer and other commercial fitness equipment, as well as strength and cardio equipment for the home gym.

Today, Life Fitness employs more than 1,700 people at 12 international subsidiaries and manufacturing facilities, with 186 dealers and distributors in more than 120 countries. We have come a long way since the Lifecycle bike and now offer more than 300 different cardio and strength–training products, both in terms of commercial fitness equipment and home gym supplies. We also stock an extensive range of quality, reconditioned second hand equipment.