Speedo the ultimate fit for sports enthusiasts

Jennifer Prosser

Monday, Feb. 26, 2001 | 5:03 a.m.

Even if you're not a workout buff, chances are you're familiar with Speedo Authentic Fitness. Whether you have seen it at the gym, the beach or on Olympic athletes, Speedo's exercise gear is distinct in quality and design.

Many people equate Speedo solely with swimwear, but the fitness chain offers much more - accessories such as goggles, watches and heart rate monitors, a complete line of workout gear, water shorts, T-shirts, sandals, bags. If it's related to fitness, chances are Speedo carries it. And these items have been around since the company opened almost 75 years ago.

"We've got a great product, "said Eddie Cafferty, manager of the Speedo Authentic Fitness stores at the Rio's Masquerade Village and Desert Passage at the Aladdin. "These are staple items we've always carried (watches and electronics), but we've now worked the bugs out of the system."

The Rio store opened with the Masquerade Village in 1997. It sits in a prominent position on the second floor just above the Rio box office.

One of 150 across the nation, the store, at approximately 1,400 square feet, is inviting and well organized, and according to Cafferty, constantly being restocked. "We constantly sell out of everything," he said. The most popular items, women's workout wear, shorts and T-shirts, are replenished weekly, and new swimsuit designs arrive weekly as well, Cafferty said.

Cafferty suggests consumers visit Speedo instead of department or sporting goods stores to get the most current fashions and best selection.

"Our stores are the only place you can get the newest, up-to-date designs," he said. Whereas the Speedo stores will get the latest designs as they are released, it can take department stores up to a month to receive them, Cafferty said.

Speedo Authentic Fitness is also on the cutting edge of technology. A favorite among Olympic athletes (according to the Speedo website), Speedo leads the industry in designing sleek, tight swimsuits that help to avoid drag in water. It's newest, the Fastskin swimsuit, was modeled after a shark's skin to allow water to pass over it more effectively. These swimsuits are only available for purchase on Speedo's website.

In addition to its complete line of swimsuits, Speedo also offers an attractive array of unisex jackets. These range from bright and colorful fleece jackets to windbreakers with reflective beads sewn into the fabric, which are perfect for nighttime walks.

With a knowledgeable and friendly staff of five, the store is a joy to shop. Quantities are plentiful and a variety of items are on hand. It is open from 11 a.m. to midnight daily. The Desert Passage store, with a staff of six, is open 10 a.m. to midnight daily.

Speedo Authentic Fitness, at the Rio hotel-casino, (702) 257-3944, and Desert Passage at the Aladdin, (702) 733-5885.