Published: November 06, 2009 06:23 pm      

New club offers high-tech, personal fitness program

EDMOND — Koko FitClub uses computer technology to provide personal training without the personal trainer. The first Koko franchise in Oklahoma recently opened at 309 S. Bryant Ave., Suite 100.

“Oklahoma has never seen anything like this,” said Chris Lucas, owner of the Edmond Koko FitClub. After analyzing a member’s fitness level, Koko’s software designs a customized, long-term training plan based on individual fitness goals and ability.

The customer selects from among five goal categories: weight loss, total body, sports performance, muscle building, or fit and flexible. Koko recommends training 30 minutes a day three times a week to reach these goals, Lucas said.

Muscles need 24 to 48 hours to repair after each 30-minute session, Lucas explained. For customers who want to come every day, Koko recommends alternating strength-training with cardio days.

“Our customers really like the efficiency and effectiveness of the workouts,” said Roxy Barnett, coordinating trainer. “More than 100 workouts are possible with just this one piece of strength-training equipment.”

Once the individual program is developed through the Koko software, a customer’s personal fitness program is stored on a USB plug, called a Koko key. The customer inserts the key into a personal touchscreen attached to each piece of strength-training equipment.

“It’s simple because the program on the screen is going to lead you through everything you’re doing,” Barnett said. Because Koko does the all analyzing and planning, members can focus on form and pace, Lucas added.

At the end of the workout, Barnett said, the customer gets a report card showing pace, weight, repetitions, time and diet activity points earned.

Koko also has three treadmills and two ellipticals with individualized coaching programs provided through an mp3 player.

Every 12 sessions, Barnett said, Koko provides a strength test and changes the training program to adapt to the customer’s new fitness level.

“Koko’s workout is appropriate for any age, but we typically attract people in their 30s through 70s,” Barnett said.

The club offers unlimited training for $49 a month with a year’s contract. For a limited time, the club is offering a free two-week trial membership.

Koko’s corporate office is in Boston, Mass. Edmond is home to the second franchise in the country. Lucas said he plans to open four more Oklahoma clubs through an area-development agreement.

An Oklahoma native, Lucas has a career background in politics, technology and sports. He and his wife Erica have two children and live in Edmond.

For more information, call 285-2348 or visit www.kokofitclub.com.



ktoppins@edmondsun.com | 341-2121, ext. 112