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Reprinted from Fitness Business Canada magazine November 2016

PPL Aquatic, Fitness & Spa Group builds on 46 years of success in the pool business with a growing division dedicated to commercial fitness equipment sales and service.

Since 1970, PPL Aquatic, Fitness & Spa Group (www.pplgroup.com), has grown to become an industry leader in commercial pool and recreation facility design, construction, supply, service and staffing with more than 500 contracted commercial accounts (condominiums, hotels, municipal and apartment pools, recreation centres and health clubs) throughout Ontario with a concentration in the greater GTA. Along the way PPL has earned numerous national design and construction awards of excellence.

With headquarters in Mississauga, Ontario, PPL employs more than
30 year-round service and installation technicians and seasonal summer
student assistants, and over 100 winter and 150 summer lifeguards,
recreational staff and group exercise instructors. There are also three fulltime management team members dedicated to fitness equipment sales.

“The commercial pool business got PPL into the fitness business,” says president Paul Denstedt, who came on board in 1986. “Back in the 90s when
we installed, renovated or serviced a pool or hot tub for a developer or
property management client, they often asked if we could help outfit their
gym at the same building. They wanted a one-stop shop for all their pool,
spa, sauna, fitness and recreational needs. They were comfortable dealing
with us and we capitalized on the opportunity.” Today PPL employs three full-time fitness sales reps, six delivery and installation technicians and is the dealer for many leading fitness brands including Sportsart , Hoist, York and Twist.

Today’s condo market has changed, and fitness facilities are surpassing pools as selling features. “Our fitness division sales will soon rival some of our other divisions by having as many office, sales and field service staff and technicians. With the huge expansion of condominiums, hotels and municipal gyms, the marketing of virtually every development includes fitness because it appeals to every demographic,” says Denstedt. PPL is also able to use its fitness centre management experience to quickly achieve strong market share for new and innovative products such as SportsArt: ECO-POWR bikes and elliptical equipment, which harness power from users and return it to the building’s grid. “This is something that sets us apart from our competition and sets our clients apart from their competition,”
says Denstedt. “So it’s a nice marriage.” FBC