NEWS FROM GYMBOX

WEIGHT FOR IT – A WORLD FIRST IN GYMS

GYMBOX launches recruitment drive for human weights machines

With unemployment figures on the up and doom and gloom an everyday part of the job market, a gym chain popular with celebrities is bucking the trend in a most unusual way by employing five new members of staff as human weights. The 30% increase in the workforce is down to the launch of a new piece of weight training apparatus, the only one of its kind in the world, that uses real life people instead of dumbbells, being launched in GYMBOX’s new gym in Bank, EC1.

The human weights, which enable users to flex and curl by ‘pumping’ human beings, which will be available from 19th January in GYMBOX Bank, are being introduced to motivate gym-goers by allowing them to visualise what they are lifting. Experts in sports psychology agree that visualisation is a significant factor in improving performance and human weights are as visual as it can get.

The human weights are the latest in a long line of unusual initiatives from GYMBOX, who’s users include the likes of Orlando Bloom and Christian Slater. The gym were famous for introducing Boob Aerobics to the UK (the workout that can help increase bust size), Chav fighting (self defence for the modern world) and the WAG workout, a course on how to look every inch the trophy footballers wife (instructed by a real-life WAG).

Unlike regular dumbbells, the human weights will come with an optional ‘motivation feature’ where each human weight will shout words of encouragement to ensure muscles are worked to the max, at the gym goer’s request. Otherwise they will just keep quiet and keep still as they are lifted.

Members of GYMBOX simply need to select their preferred human weight and then they will position themselves on a machine that has been specially constructed for the purpose. They can then begin their work out. The apparatus has been built to provide a human weight work-out for the entire body but specifically muscle groups in the arms, (bicep, tricep and forearm), shoulders (deltoids) and back (trapezius, latissimus dorsi and spinal erectors).

The humans will be available in the following weights, with a 25-stone (155Kg) ‘Super human’ option available for those willing to take up the challenge:

The Dainty Diva: Arti Shah, 32, Middlesex – 30Kg (66.1Lb, 4.7 stone)

The Micro Male: Mike Edwards, 64, Middlesex – 55Kg (121.2Lb, 8.6 stone)

The Main Man: Ben Bidmead, 23, London – 65Kg (143.3Lb, 10.2 stone)

The Fine Female: Tracey Caswell, 42, Teddington – 75Kg (165.3Lb, 11.8 stone)

The Well ‘Ard Woman: Jo Rollin, 49, Reading – 85Kg (187.3Lb, 13.3 stone)

The ‘Super Human’: Matt Barnard, 37, London – 155Kg (341.7Lb, 24.4 stone)

GYMBOX instructors will be on hand to compare the performance of members on the human weights machine measured against more conventional weight lifting equipment.

Richard Hilton, the owner of Gymbox which also has branches in Covent Garden and Holborn, said: “Creating a mental image or intention of what you want to happen or feel is proven to improve physical and psychological performance. The human weight lifting apparatus we have installed here at GYMBOX is the ultimate embodiment of visualisation theory. We’re going to closely monitor the performance of our members and are optimistic that they will see better results from their work outs with our new human weight machine than they have seen with normal equipment.”

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To try the human weight lifting machine at first-hand, for further information or images, please contact Frank PR on 0207 693 6999

Notes to editors:

GYMBOX, Bank: 71 Lombard Street, London. EC3V 9AY.

GYMBOX™ is an entirely new concept in fitness set to transform the standardised gym culture we have become accustomed to by taking a revolutionary approach to working out. GYMBOX™ has challenged every facet of the industry from the pod arrangement of the latest technogym™ equipment to the commissioned artwork on the walls, fusing entertainment with fitness with an ‘anything goes’ attitude.

GYMBOX has introduced many unique classes to its members over the last few years, including the following:

- Chav Fighting – protection from the ‘youf’ of today using a mixture of self defence techniques and other martial arts.

- Stiletto Workout – A raunchy dance routine where heels are optional but oh so beneficial for toning legs.

- Boob Aerobics – a three-step fitness regime that guarantees it will increase the size of female members’ busts.

- WAG Workout - taught by an ex long term girlfriend of a Premiership footballer, this body conditioning class helps tone in all the right places helping members to attract the footballer of their dreams.

- The Rave – An explosion of energetic dance and rave moves to uplifting music with laser light show and glow sticks.