SCHILLER PARK, IL -- (Marketwire) -- 03/05/13 -- Climb 100 floors on the stairclimber and earn a free smoothie? According to Life Fitness, the global leader in commercial fitness equipment manufacturing, these scenarios represent the new wave in fitness technology. Life Fitness introduces LFopen, the fitness industry's first and only open API (Application Programming Interface), that is changing the way exercisers interact with fitness equipment and, as a result, the future of fitness facilities.

As the first equipment-maker to open its product platform to all developers last October, Life Fitness boasts the only true open API in the fitness industry. In contrast to select partnerships with app developers, Life Fitness has made portions of its product code accessible to all developers around the world, without restrictions. This truly open integration benefits fitness facility owners looking to provide their customers with greater access to content and personalization, app developers and exercisers.

Tech Demand and All-Access App Development
According to a global survey conducted by Life Fitness last year*, access to mobile technology is extremely important for exercisers. In fact, one-third of survey respondents said they would be willing to switch gyms to gain access to WiFi, docking stations, video, audio or online content on equipment.

Using LFopen, app makers can tap into consumers' desires for fitness technology to build an endless spectrum of personalized fitness applications that work directly with Life Fitness workout equipment. Life Fitness' open API gives customers and developers access to the same API Life Fitness used to develop its own Life Fitness app and tracking website, LFconnect, with no restrictions or partnerships involved.

"Opening up our API was a bold decision, but one that allows the best creative minds to unleash their talents and develop applications we could never have dreamed up," said Chris Clawson, president, Life Fitness. "Providing an open platform means that we, as a fitness equipment manufacturer, can focus on our strength of building the best workout equipment on the market, while developers use their expertise to create engaging, motivational and personalized applications for exercisers."

As a result, exercisers can download any app with LFopen integration to create a customized gym experience tailored to their preferences. Both Android and iOS users can take advantage of apps since Life Fitness is the only fitness manufacturer whose platform is compatible with both operating systems.

Mobile Apps as the New Customer Clincher
From integration with front desk systems to enhancing on- and off-product experiences at the gym, facilities can use LFopen to attract, retain and grow with exercisers in a hyper-personalized way. Facilities can work with developers to create facility-branded apps that leverage workout presets, workout results, real time monitoring and more.

"There is a lot of confusion surrounding the term 'open API' and what it means for fitness facilities," said Clawson. "As the leader in fitness technology, we're looking forward to defining this term and showing facility owners how it can, and will, impact the future of fitness and, ultimately, their business' bottom line."

March 14th Webinar
Life Fitness will host a global webinar on the benefits of open API, led by Clawson, at 1 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, March 14th. Clawson will give details on open platform strategies and how the "open" movement will affect the fitness industry, from facility owners to app developers and exercisers. To sign up for the LFopen webinar, please register online at: www.lifefitness.com/openwebinar.

For more information about LFopen and Life Fitness visit www.lifefitness.com/openapi.

About Life Fitness
Life Fitness is the global leader in commercial fitness equipment manufacturing. The company manufactures and sells strength and cardiovascular equipment under the brand names Life Fitness and Hammer Strength and distributes its equipment in more than 120 countries. Headquartered outside Chicago, in Schiller Park, Ill., Life Fitness is a division of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC).

*Life Fitness 2012 Fitness and Technology Survey conducted by Cint