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OMNIA Workout Turns Individual Conditioning into Group Fun

By Kyla Gardner | August 13, 2014 9:18am
 Omnia Training System
Omnia Training System
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BUCKTOWN — A new training device at a Fullerton gym allows people to workout alone, together.

The Omnia Training System, an imposing, four-sided system of pull-up bars, rings, ropes and other devices, debuted earlier this year at Midtown Athletic Club, 2020 W. Fullerton Ave. in Bucktown.

The system — flown over specially from Italy — allows for participants to work a set of muscles for a minute before hopping to another station, the conditioning level tailored to their personal needs.

Scott Hopson, National Fitness Director for Midtown Athletic Clubs, said the group environment allows participants to bond with gym members they might not otherwise talk to alone on a treadmill or lifting weights.

"It’s a lot more enjoyable and effective when you work out as part of a team, when you have social interaction and games and fun," Hopson said.

The fast-paced, hour-long workout is also punctuated by partner drills, as well, adding to the group nature of the class.

The wide range of exercises, from push-ups to rotations to jumping back and forth with long, heavy ropes, builds strength, endurance, flexibility, coordination and speed, according to a statement from Midtown.

But that's not the most important part of the Omnia, Hopson said.

"Fitness is the byproduct," he said. "What we really need is movement, community and personal attention. Very few things allow us to do that in one workout, and this does."