Technogym, Gambettola, Italy, introduced the Vario cross trainer at the Athletic Business conference earlier this month. Technogym has sold the Vario overseas for three years but is just now introducing it in the United States.
Technology for the Vario is licensed from Precor, Woodinville, WA. Precor uses the technology in its AMT product. Terms of the licensing deal are confidential, so neither side would comment on details, except to say that licensing agreements such as this are not unique.
“We have a history of licensing specific patents to other companies to use. It’s the same thing here,” Doug Johns, global marketing director at Precor, says. He added that Precor, which introduced the first elliptical in 1995, also licensed the elliptical technology to other companies, partly in an effort to create a greater market for the product.
Response from Vario users at the Athletic Business trade show were positive, says Kim Donohue, marketing and communications manager, Technogym USA.
“Comments we heard are that it is very smooth, comfortable, fun,” Donohue says.
The Vario offers a natural movement that requires no adjustment and adapts to each user’s stride, states a Technogym release. The product is suitable for people looking for a dynamic and fun experience as well as users who want to take a stroll without putting too much pressure on their joints.
Vario, which is designed to fit the look of the company’s Excite product line, features several training programs from “quick start” to programs with time, distance or calorie goals, as well as constant heart rate programs. Vario also is available with Technogym’s Visio Web platform.