About Us
Vectra Fitness has an exciting story to tell, and our history dates back to 1987 when the company was founded. 3 of the 4 original founders are still owners today and actively involved in the business. They are Doug MacLean, Bob Rasmussen and Buell Ish. An interesting part of our story is that Doug and Bob are mechanical engineers by education and profession, which goes a long way toward explaining the superior engineering of Vectra products. Strong engineering principles combined with unprecedented and creative designs have resulted in approximately 30 patents being issued to Vectra innovations over the years.
Vectra products pioneered the market for high-end compact multi-station weight gyms for home and institutional use, and have consistently received the highest ratings and recommendations since their introduction in the Fall of 1987. Through constant product improvements and new product introductions, Vectra has been and continues to be a worldwide leader for providing space efficient, premium multi-station weight gyms for over 20 years.
Vectra is known for its outstanding designs and engineering talents. Many of the features you know today have been a result of gradual and consistent improvements. Many of the more important milestones in our product development are as follows: (Some of the dates are approximated or combined.)
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September 1987: First prototype of the On-line 1500 is introduced. The new "On-Line" no-cable-change system revolutionizes the industry and later receives the first of many Vectra patents.
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November 1988: On-Line 1200 is introduced. Vectra Later receives patent for innovative APECS press arm.
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December 1989: Vectra introduces the "Quick-Lock" feature to the 1500 press arm replacing the less convenient and conventional pull-pin.
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September 1990: Vectra introduces the On-Line 1250
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February 1991: Vectra introduces the On-Line 3500, our first multiple-stack gym. The parallelogram press arm later receives another patent for Vectra.
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December 1992: Vectra redesigns and upgrades the On-Line 1250 and reintroduces it as the new On-Line 1270.
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January 1993: The On-line 1100 is introduced
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July 1993: On-Line 1800 (with the new Pinnacle Bench) is introduced
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October 1993: Automatic Ratcheting Cam (ARC) is developed and ARC feature is added to the On-Line 3500. ARC is source of yet another patent.
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February 1994: ARC feature is extended to all Vectra gyms.
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January 1995: On-Line 3800 is introduced to replace the On-Line 3500.
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August 1995: C-1 is introduced.
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December 1995: New guide rods with a smoother finish are phased into production. Vectra receives its thirteenth patent for features found on the Vectra incline/decline bench.
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April 1996: The guide rods are upgraded a second time with the introduction of the "super-quiet" mirror finish that reduces virtually all guide rod noise and friction.
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March 1997: Vectra celebrates its 10 year anniversary. A new design Vectra incline/decline bench that weighs considerably less and includes a simplified adjustment mechanism is introduced. Vectra is awarded its sixteenth patent for features relating to the press-arm assembly on the On-Line 1800.
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July 1997: The On-line 4800 is introduced. The 1500 is discontinued after almost 10 years of production.
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August, 1999: The On-Line 1600 is introduced, incorporating many new features such as a fixed or free weight mode, increased press arm positions to 21, and a new fingertip press arm adjustment lever.
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July 2000: The On-line 1850 is introduced to replace the popular On-Line 1800.
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September 2000: New wheeled Vectra incline/decline benches are available on all Vectra gyms (except the C-1).
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July 2001: The On-Line 1150, 3850, and 4850 are introduced, (replacing the 1100, 3800, and 4800).
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October 2003: The On-Line 1400 is introduced, (replacing the popular C-1).
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April 2005: The 1650 Leg/Calf Press Option is introduced.
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May 2005: The On-Line 1650 is introduced, (replacing the 1600). The Vector Bench is introduced, (replacing the Pinnacle Bench).
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November 2005: Modular Series VX introduced.
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December 2006: On-line 1450 is launched into full production as the successor to the extremely popular 1400.
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January 2007: Vectra introduces the VFT-100 Functional Trainer, which receives rave reviews.
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March 2007: Vectra celebrates its 20 year anniversary with news that the VFT-100 has been awarded the BEST BUY in the premium home gym category by CONSUMERS DIGEST.
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December 2007: Vectra introduces into full production our second Functional Trainer called the VX-FT, which is the latest addition to the modular VX series.
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December 2007: Vectra introduces attachment kits to multiply versatility by attaching Modular Series VX machines together in pairs and triples.
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February 2009: Vectra introduces the highly rated VX-FT 2 stack functional trainer.
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January 2010: Vectra introduces the VX-DC assisted dip/chin machine.
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February 2011: Vectra introduces the innovative and value laden BRT Body Resistance Suspension Strength and Stretching Trainer
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July 2018: Vectra Fitness, Inc. retires and continues to provide support throught the parts store located here at the same web address.