A New Twist on Fitness for Anyone, Anywhere When Joseph M. Salamon's grandmother was admitted in a nursing home rehab program following surgery, she participated in physical and occupational therapy sessions to rebuild her strength. When he visited her, he felt there was a better way to help her speed up her recovery and visualized the idea of using a fitness apparatus that attaches to a bed, allowing immobile individuals to rebuild their strength and increase their heart rate. Salamon, a wellness specialist and innovative exercise trainer, thought more about this idea, developing it in his mind. When researching it, he found there was nothing like it on the market and knew he was on to something. That was back in 2013. He ran the idea past their friend, Vladimir Feldman, a mechanical design engineer and prototype designer; and Joe's father, Dr. Sam Salamon, a cataract surgeon who serves a large population of those with limited mobility. Together, they created a company, Ultimate Workout & Recovery (UWAR). Next, they brainstormed to create models, tweaked them and returned to the drawing board until they were completely satisfied with their products. “Ultimate is defined as the best achievable or imaginable result of its kind,” Salamon, the company's CEO, told us. “That’s exactly what we've delivered.” “Our products can be used in a bed, a wheelchair, a recliner or chair,” he added. “Whether you’re maintaining, improving or recovering your physical and mental strength, our products provide a logical way to build strength in the comfort of your own home.” Additionally, Salamon shared that the products (the Viper edition and Spider edition, one stationary and the other mobile) create a positive, creative impact for people of any age, ability or level of athleticism. The Spider uses resistance cords, handles, a cardio peddler, Pilates and yoga ball, stress balls, massage roller and instructional DVDs. The Viper, also known as the travel gym, offers 30 fitness uses; the Spider, a more stationary platform, offers 100. Salamon, a Beachwood resident, is enthusiastic about the company's progress. In just 15 months, products have gone from inception to market, with a strong endorsement from Dr. Michael Roizen, renowned chief wellness physician at the Cleveland Clinic. When asked how they got the endorsement, Salamon shared that once the products were perfected, Dr. Salamon introduced the products to Dr. Roizen. Shortly thereafter, UWAR attended a physical therapy convention where the first two products were sold to physical therapists. After a few more trade shows and additional sales, buzz was spreading about the products, and the company Pictured: Dr. Michael Roizen endorsing products; and Former Browns' stars Michael Dean Perry and Frank Minnifield flank Joseph M. Salamon at a 2014 conference at which the products were introduced. was featured in a Health Briefs national television feature, hosted by former Shark Tank panelist Kevin Harrington. That was the tipping point, after which Dr. Roizen endorsed the products, saying, “If you're recovering from an injury, or even if you have something that's more permanent, you want a variety of exercises. You want the option. This system lets you choose what you want to do and lets you get strong and vital while doing it.” “As an ophthalmologist, I have been in practice for 30 years and have watched innumerable people waste away over the decades,” Dr. Salamon told us. “On the other hand, there are many individuals who remain vital and alert into their nineties and beyond. This group believes in the 'use it or lose it' attitude, and our unique and complete patent-pending exercise systems follow that motto by serving those who are bed bound and chair bound.” The company is targeting caregivers and family members as its primary market. It also has plans to target physical therapists and personal trainers, and strongly feels the products will have international reach. “Those with Multiple Sclerosis and other debilitating diagnoses have told us that these products are long overdue,” Salamon told us. “We have designed products that give individuals independence, allow them to feel good about themselves and alleviate physical atrophy and emotional depression.” “This is just the start,” he added. “With Dr. Roizen on our side, we're setting out to get endorsements from Oprah, Lebron James, Michelle Obama and many other relevant influencers. We've started a trend that we feel will absolutely go worldwide.” Salamon then told us he believes the potential is limitless in reaching millions of people from all demographics since the products, found at workoutandrecovery.com and stuck in bed fitness llc on facebook, are exercise dreams comes true for all. “Anyone can work out – anytime and anywhere,” he said. 48 Beachwood Buzz n August 2015