January 28, 2023

Comprehensive strength training is now more accessible than ever with Dr. David Peterson’s new total body trainer. Peterson, an assistant professor of kinesiology at Cedarville University, has collaborated with students across academic disciplines to make his exercise trainer available to a broader audience.

Passionate about accessible exercise equipment, Peterson revised one of his previously designed trainers – 5N1 lower body trainer – to create this revolutionary new total body exercise trainer. The new total body trainer allows users to perform over 18 different strength training exercises, including upper-body exercises like overhead press, chest press, lateral raises and more.

This trainer, which is well suited for both commercial and home use, allows for easy disassembly for storage under a bed, couch or in a closet.

“I think COVID has permanently changed how people exercise,” said Peterson. “More and more people are moving away from commercial gyms and opting to work out in their homes instead.”

To improve his original prototype, Peterson connected with Dr. Luke Fredette, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering, and several of his mechanical engineering students. These eight students included Daniel Cavallaro of Callaway, Maryland; Caleb Spreckels of Smithtown, New York; John Thomson of Greenwood, Missouri; Andrew Yerkey of Dublin, Ohio; Ava Merrifield of Shiloh, Illinois; David Pyo of Delaware, Ohio; Ben Schultz of Metamora, Michigan; and Josiah Zurick of Middlefield, Ohio.

The students helped Peterson create multiple computer-aided (CAD) renderings of the trainer to provide to various strength equipment manufacturers, including Solid Bar Fitness in Waterville, Kansas, interested in producing the trainer for commercial use.

One of Peterson’s favorite aspects of this project was the opportunity to collaborate with other faculty and students from other academic departments. He has also enjoyed watching students get excited about and contributing to the project.

“I encourage students to get involved,” Peterson ended. “Here at Cedarville, our goal is to equip the next generation, so if I can help build their resume, give them real-world experience and/or set them up for success after graduation, I’m all for it.”

Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 5,082 undergraduate, graduate, and dual-enrolled high school students in more than 175 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is one of the largest private universities in Ohio, recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, high graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings, and the #4 national ranking by the Wall Street Journal for student engagement. For more information about the University, visit cedarville.edu.