iFIT is doing everything imaginable to help the nation’s top skiers and snowboarders hit the slopes with confidence while also providing top quality training content for athletes everywhere.
In late 2023, the global fitness technology company inked a partnership with U.S. Ski & Snowboard. The project included a complete re-design of the USANA Center of Excellence’s gym with new Freemotion cardio and strength equipment, as well as select NordicTrack cardio machines, for nearly 250 elite athletes and staff.
“This partnership is a natural fit because both iFIT and U.S. Ski & Snowboard are deeply committed to excellence, innovation and the progression of athletic performance,” said Mark Watterson, iFIT Commercial CEO. “For iFIT, this collaboration aligns with our purpose to serve athletes of all levels and abilities by providing them with cutting-edge cardio and strength equipment and immersive training experiences.”
The Physical Remodel
The iFIT makeover began with adding state-of-the-art equipment like the Incline Trainer and Relfex treadmills, Freemotion Glute-Ham Developers for lower body strength, and more to the Center of Excellence gym. The Dual Cable Cross, a favorite among the trainers, accompanied those machines as well to facilitate strength and mobility exercises.
“The Freemotion Dual Cable Cross is a standout piece in this retrofit,” said Watterson. “Its versatility allows athletes to perform a wide range of functional, multi-plane movements, making it ideal for strength, stability and power training. The ability to adjust resistance and specific positioning ensures athletes can customize their workouts to target specific muscle groups relevant to skiing and snowboarding.”
The Incline Trainer represented another new supplement to the floor, which permits cardio training while simulating mountain-like conditions. New cardio bikes were installed as well infused with engaging and informative visual content.
“I utilize the iFIT bikes with athletes the most out of all the cardio equipment because the screens allow me to see their power output as well as their RPM, and their distance,” said Maddison Beck, Athletic Development Coordinator at U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “I can individualize each athlete’s program while allowing them to have that individual feedback.”
“These additions are particularly exciting because they cater to the specialized needs of elite athletes preparing for world-class competition,” Watterson said.
Freemotion also dropped in several of its versatile FitRigs during the remodel. Users can go from squatting to core-strengthening leg raises to simple pullups in a matter of seconds with the equipment. Foreste Peterson, the Athletic Development Coordinator at U.S. Ski & Snowboard, went as far as to call it the “one stop shop.”
“You literally can do everything there,” Peterson went on. “You can do any kind of lower body move, lunges, and then go right into a core exercise. You can literally target your whole body.”
Top Content Made By Top Athletes & Trainers
iFIT also recently introduced its Train for the Slopes workout series as part of the partnership. iFIT Trainers Knox Robinson and Shannon Cooper collaborated with professional snowboarder Lindsey Jacobellis and alpine skier Ryan Cochran-Siegle to assist athletes in their training both from a physical and mental perspective.
In the content series, the four experts lead individuals through cardio, flexibility, balance and HIIT workouts to prepare for their trips up and down the mountain. Tricks and tips from years of experience are made available throughout the series as well.
A Partnership that Shreds
Both U.S. Ski & Snowboard and iFIT have benefited from the partnership thus far through new events and collaborations. As competitions have taken off for the season, seeing the athletes perform at their peak and bringing their expertise to the iFIT platform for the masses to enjoy has been equally pleasing.
“The equipment that iFIT produces matches our desire to push the boundaries to help our athletes get fitter, stronger, and faster,” said Sophie Goldschmidt, President & CEO, U.S. Ski & Snowboard. “We love this relationship with iFIT where we fully outfitted the gym with all the new equipment. There was a lot of excitement both from our high performance experts, and doctors, and medical practitioners. It’s really revolutionized this center.”
iFIT understands that the difference between a stuck landing and a wipeout or the between gold, silver and bronze, is sometimes made in the gym rather than on the mountain. They’re eager to provide an edge that might put each former more within reach.
“By modernizing the gym with state-of-the-art Freemotion cardio and strength equipment, we’re providing tools that not only enhance physical preparation but also ensure efficient recovery and injury prevention,” said Watterson. “Cutting-edge equipment isn’t just a luxury — it’s a necessity to keep athletes competitive and ensure they’re operating at their peak.”
