WHAT TYPE OF BUSINESS ARE YOU IN?
XBody is a manufacturer and supplier of Whole Body Electric Muscle Stimulation devices meant for use in the Fitness Industry. This technology is provided by an Educated* professional, giving the end user a highly efficient and effective way to work out without the need for weights.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS?
Electric Muscle Stimulation (EMS) has been utilized in the Health Care Industry for decades as it safely enables muscle contraction in order to prevent muscle atrophy during injury. Over the past +/- 15 years it has been applied via whole body suits such as XBody, for use on healthy people with healthy muscles. It thereby provides a way to get fit more quickly and effectively than most traditional methods, and without putting repetitive strain on the joints.
The technology causes muscle contraction similar to how the Central Nervous System contracts muscle through electric stimulus, only instead, we are applying the stimulus externally. By doing this we are able to innervate many muscle fibers at one time which in turn leads to the effectiveness of the workout.
20 minutes of EMS Training in conjunction with simple movement is scientifically proven to equal approximately 90 minutes of traditional resistance training. It is also extremely useful for people with injuries as they can work around those injuries and strength the corresponding muscles!
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY?
XBody has been in business since 2010 and has devices in over 83 countries worldwide. Pre-COVID-19, there were approximately 40,000 XBody workouts happening EVERY DAY throughout the world!
WHAT ATTRACTED YOU TO THE FITNESS INDUSTRY?
As the General Manager in Canada for XBody Canada Inc. my background was first as a Registered Nurse, and then as I Personal Trainer and Lifestyle Coach. I made the switch because I felt prevention of illness instead of treating illness was my passion.My personal story has much to do with my working in the EMS industry for over 10 years. With many years of lifting weights, I was having extreme pain in my lower back and neck. On investigation I was found to have serious degeneration in those areas and was advised to stop lifting weights. I was devastated.
Yet I was fortunate that one of my clients found EMS Whole Body Training in Europe. We brought a device to Canada and I used it with huge success. I was able to stop lifting weights and kept fit and strong with the device. Because I was now a believer, I started using the system on my clients, with results that rivalled anything I’d seen before. Finally, I became involved in the business 5 years ago so I could bring the technology to other Canadians!
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST CHALLENGE AS A BUSINESS OWNER/OPERATOR AND HOW DID YOU OVERCOME IT?
Given this was a start up business in Canada, I had to learn everything from the ground up.
At the same time, because we were the first in Canada to sell this type of equipment, education for B2B and B2C has always our main challenge. We have found world wide, that at the beginning stages, people simply don’t know the technology exists and once they try it, they love it!
Given in this industry typical advertising generally doesn’t work, the goal is to get people in the Training Suit. With that in mind, one of our major ways to educate was to take part in the canfitpro trade show and other smaller shows throughout the country. Also, through social media creating a buzz and curiosity about the product.
And of course, currently with COVID-19, we struggled initially due to our purchasers being considered gyms and therefore being shut down, even though the training is with small numbers. One trainer usually trains 1-3 clients at one time. Also, our supply chain and shipping was challenged.
However, we took this time to innovate and create new products to respond to the ongoing challenge we will be faced with in the fitness industry.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE YOUR BUYERS ACHIEVE WITHIN YOUR PRODUCT/SERVICE?
I want our buyers to be aware that XBody is a Leader in the industry for a reason. With safe and reliable equipment, infrastructure with second to none service and support, we are committed to ensuring you have all the tools you need to have a successful business. We in fact went above and beyond as a manufacturer with our Acticare 360; a series of informative manuals that can go far in helping you have the best success with your business.
There are many business opportunities with this device. Our purchasers can have a dedicated studio with EMS Training (Microstudio concept), or you can add it as additional offering in your current studio (Shop-In-Shop) which sets you apart from the other gyms or Wellness Centres, or you can do mobile Training and train people in their homes or offices (Personalized/Corporate Training) since the device is now more portable than ever.
We want to provide, now more than ever, Personal Trainers with these business opportunities in a world where often their jobs no longer exist given the challenges that big box fitness facilities are currently and will continue to face.
TELL US YOUR GREATEST MEMORY/HIGHLIGHT IN YOUR CAREER?
Just before COVID, I was at one of the largest Fitness Shows in the world, FIBO in Florida as in 2019 we had received our FDA clearance for sales in the US. I was asked to be on a panel of experts in the Whole Body EMS field. In the end, I was given high accolades on my extensive knowledge of the industry as the questions invariable always came to me.
But what is even a larger ‘highlight’ for me, are all the stories of success the purchasers of the device continually share with me. Hearing how they are able to help their clients achieve their goals and beyond, keeps me working long days to continue to get the message out there!
HOW LONG HAVE YOU ATTENDED CANFITPRO EVENTS?
XBody has been attending canfitpro events for the past 6 years.
WHAT IS THE PERCENTAGE OF CANADIAN BUSINESS YOU CURRENTLY HAVE?
As mentioned, we sell in 83 countries around the world with over 5,000 devices sold, but XBody Canada Inc. is completely devoted to having all our business focus on Canada with only Canadian Sales Agents and Service and Support in house in Canada.
HOW DO YOU PLAN TO GROW YOUR CANADIAN BUSINESS IN THE NEXT 12-24 MONTHS?
XBody has responded very quickly to the current crisis in the world of Fitness.
Because we have always been world leaders in innovation with in-house R&D, we were able to reacted quickly by launching a device called XBody GO, only this past month in Canada that can make Training more mobile than ever and works wirelessly to allow for social distancing.
We now also have Training Suits that can be put on by the clients themselves rather than requiring close contact with the Trainer.
With the mobile device, Personal Trainers can more easily get into the business as they don’t need an expensive bricks and mortar location and would not be classified as a gym. Because this is small number training (1 Trainer to 1 Client or 1 to 2) a safe environment more easily controlled.
We are not finished as in the coming year we are launching additional industry changing products which will simplified EMS Training and go even further in ensuring a safe and comfortable experience!
Necessity is the mother of invention and what I am most proud of is how this company rose to the challenges we are facing and have created products that will allow for a more enjoyable, safer experience for the end user and providing our buyers with a more portable and economical entry into this fast growing market!
*Education is provided by XBody through the EMS Trainer Institute, and is part of the terms of purchase of the device.
