Haile Gebrselassie’s Elite Training Camp Brings in ElliptiGOs
Developmental and World-Class Athletes at Yaya Village to Benefit from Run-Specific Cross-Training.
PRESS RELEASE
San Diego, California– ElliptiGO Inc., creators of the world’s first elliptical cycle, today announced a partnership with elite Ethiopian training camp, Yaya Village. Established by Joseph Kibur in 2009 and co-owned with double Olympic gold medalist, Haile Gebrselassie, Yaya Village is a 4-star training resort near Addis Ababa, Ethiopia providing everything an athlete might require for training. Year-round cross-training is one of the training “secrets” that helps East Africans continue their dominance of the sport of distance running. Now both local and visiting athletes training at Yaya Village have this innovative cross-training device at their disposal.
“We are thrilled to partner with ElliptiGO to bring this cross-training tool to both our local athletes and those that visit us from all over the world,” said Kibur. “Athletes from Yaya village turn in world-class performances because of the opportunity to train here with innovations like the ElliptiGO. We know that it will prove a valuable option to all athletes who come through our facility.”
Kibur and Gebrselassie first tested the ElliptiGO out with their athletes before deciding to bring several in permanently. “Not only were we able to help athletes maintain fitness during times of injury, but with proactive integration of the ElliptiGO into training, we managed to keep athletes healthy while still increasing overall workload,” stated Kibur. “Our athletes enjoy using the ElliptiGO and it is being utilized by everyone from Olympic champions to developmental athletes to retired athletes like me!”
Both local and international runners visit Yaya throughout the year where they have the opportunity to train with internationally-recognized coaches and enjoy amenities like the gymnasium, restaurant, physiotherapy, massage, beach volleyball court, horse riding, and running track. One of the major draws is being able to interact with famous runners like Gebrselassie, best known for his Olympic gold medals in the 10,000 meters at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics and for setting 27 world records so far in his career.
“I truly believe the ElliptiGO is the ultimate cross-training tool for runners because the running-like movement allows both injured and healthy athletes to add training without risking injury,” stated Gebrselassie. “It has enabled me to increase my workload without doing additional damage to my body through high-mileage pounding. Moving forward, the ElliptiGO is going to help me and the other athletes at Yaya Village stay healthy and reach new levels of performance.”
The ElliptiGO is being used by more than 100 professional athletes worldwide, like 2014 Boston Marathon Champion, Meb Keflezighi, and dozens of elite running teams. “The ElliptiGO is rapidly becoming the cross-training mode of choice for runners in the U.S., so we’re really excited to see the concept expand to Yaya Village in Ethiopia,” stated Bryce Whiting, Chief Enthusiast at ElliptiGO. “In addition to bringing value to the many developmental athletes and international stars that train at Yaya, we’re really excited to support Haile himself, and to help him extend his running career and keep setting world records.”
For more information about ElliptiGO and its products, visit http://www.elliptigo.com or follow them on Twitter@elliptigo and Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/elliptigo.
About Yaya Village
The Yaya Village mission is to provide a world-class, high-altitude training facility for both local and international endurance athletes. Located 11 km outside the city of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia at an altitude of 2,700 m above sea level, the Yaya Village provides everything an athlete requires whether the goal is to build an early-season base or to fine-tune before a major competition. Surrounded by lush green forest and mountains with ideal temperatures, the 4-star resort provides a hotel, gymnasium, restaurant, steam/sauna, physiotherapy, massage, beach volleyball court, horse riding, running track and an organic farm. http://yayavillage.com/
About ElliptiGO
ElliptiGO, Inc. is the San Diego-based company that created the world’s first outdoor elliptical bicycle. Combining the best of running, cycling and the elliptical trainer, the ElliptiGO® delivers a high-performance workout experience that closely mimics running outdoors while eliminating the impact. Comfortable and easy to ride, elliptical biking is an effective way to build cardiovascular fitness without aggravating injuries and is great for everyone from the weekend warrior to the elite athlete. More than two dozen Olympians, 30 Universities, and 100 professional athletes are leveraging the ElliptiGO to get a cardio workout in without the jarring impact of running or the discomfort of sitting on a traditional bicycle. It’s the most fun and efficient way to get outside and be active. The full line of ElliptiGOs is available for purchase at select retailers nationwide and through the company’s website: http://www.elliptigo.com.