for your
health
Getting
in shape
at Costco
New year, new you,
at a great value
Elliptical trainers are
great for cardio workouts
without heavy stress on
the hips, knees and feet.
Shown here: the Nordic Track
1300, in the warehouses.
MOST ARTICLES ON EXERCISE focus on the benefits of a healthier heart and lungs, increased flexibility, muscular strength and endurance, and calorie
burning. But there is a bigger picture. On the days I
work out, I think sharper and faster, deal with stress
easier, have increased energy and sleep better. I call
this brain toning, and for me it’s a magical elixir.
“Exercise and the Brain,” a recent cover story in
Newsweek magazine, reported that quantitative documentation now proves regular workouts coax the
brain into running faster and more efficiently. And
mounting evidence suggests that exercise improves
one’s mood. There are even clues “that physical activity can stave off the beginnings of Alzheimer’s disease, ADHD [attention deficit hyperactivity disorder]
and other cognitive disorders,” the story says.
The good news is that anyone, regardless of age
or fitness background, can exercise (though it’s
always smart to check with your doctor before beginning a new program). In fact, habitually parking at
the far end of a Costco parking lot is a start.
When it comes to home exercise equipment,
Costco is the place to shop. Exercise-equipment ware-
74 The Costco Connection JANUARY 2008
BuyingSmart
Consumer reporter
Pat Volchok gives
a behind-the-scenes
look at Costco
products and services.
Send your questions to:
buyingsmart@
costco.com.
IRIDIO PHOTOGRAPHY
house buyer Nino Garcia and his costco.com counterpart, Dave Greek, weed through all the hype and
select only first-rate fitness equipment from reputable suppliers. Then, prices are shaved for phenomenal
Costco savings and all products are guaranteed.
Both buyers are excited about hot new products
this year. In the warehouses, Nino is particularly
excited about bringing in Nordic Track™ exercise
equipment for the first time.
“This is a breakthrough year for us,” he says.
“We’ve been trying to carve out a deal with this
highly regarded fitness company for a long time,
and I know members will be pleased. We’re showcasing Nordic Track’s three most popular machines—
their treadmill, elliptical trainer and stationary
recumbent bicycle—in most warehouses. All include
Costco-exclusive features and tremendous savings.”
At costco.com, the focus is clearly on high-end
products with the latest in advanced features, says
Dave. “This is why we’re offering Ironman Fitness™
cardio and strength home fitness equipment,” he says.
“Ironman products, as the name implies, are engineered for endurance, strength, speed, stamina and
