As part of the health, wellbeing and lifestyle initiative at Bentley Motors, Legends – one of the most technologically advanced gyms in the Crewe area – provides a range of fitness and sport activities for Bentley colleagues and contractors to enjoy.

Following a facility-wide refurbishment of Legends in 2016, Matrix were chosen to install the latest 7Xi generation of cardio machines and Matrix Ultra Resistance machines of the highest specification with rep counters and incremental weight settings.

Matrix also support the Legends team to boast a dedicated weights area furnished with all of the latest equipment needed to optimise any workout and a state-of-the art functional training zone providing a flexible, friendly fitness environment to suit all workout styles, abilities and goals.

Amy Collins, Service Manager at Legends, explains: “The Matrix team have been great to work with and we have built a strong and reliable partnership with them. They have been very helpful and if we have any questions, they are there on hand to support.

Our customers have been extremely impressed with the new, and improved fitness suite at Legends, Bentley Motors. Some even think we have extended the gym, but in fact it was the carefully thought out floor plan that has created a spacious feel. The modern and multi-functional machines, has definitely received a big thumbs up from our members.”

In 2019, having been so impressed with the Matrix equipment, the team at Bentley Motors transformed their indoor cycling offering by replacing dated bikes with the installation of 12 new Matrix CXC bikes into a spinning zone with a virtual spin area to shortly follow in the fitness suite.

Amy Collins, Service Manager at Legends, explains: “The Matrix team have been great to work with and we have built a strong and reliable partnership with them. They have been very helpful and if we have any questions, they are there on hand to support.

Our customers have been extremely impressed with the new, and improved fitness suite at Legends, Bentley Motors. Some even think we have extended the gym, but in fact it was the carefully thought out floor plan that has created a spacious feel. The modern and multi-functional machines, has definitely received a big thumbs up from our members.”

The CXC bikes are ideal for group cycling classes or for use in our cardio section on the gym floor. They optimise ergonomics for a real outdoor ride feel and are designed with durability in mind; low maintenance, a well-protected rear flywheel design that includes magnetic resistance for smooth, consistent adjustments and low power consumption for long life.

The wireless LCD Console on the CXC bikes display RPM, calories, distance, time and heart rate when used with a heart rate strap, for efficient live feedback. Wiggins adds: “The health, fitness and wellbeing of our workforce is of the highest importance. That’s why we pride ourselves on working with the best to provide world class fitness facilities for our colleagues and contractors.

Our Bentley Health and Wellbeing programme, ‘BeFit’ offers information, support and advise on leading a more active and healthier lifestyle, both physically and mentally, and Matrix have helped us create not just an exercise environment, but an exercise experience that helps us promote and provide this.”

Tim Grainger-Smith, Head of Sales – Public Sector at Matrix Fitness explains: “We are pleased to continue our partnership with Bentley Motors, helping them to deliver a complete health and fitness solution to their team and clients. We have no doubt that the introduction of our CXC bikes will make their indoor cycling, and overall fitness offering, more measurable, engaging and immersive and we look forward to supporting the team to stay at the forefront of fitness moving forwards.”

Gym facilitates are increasingly becoming an important aspect of any college or University looking to provide students and staff with an engaging experience that promotes a healthy lifestyle.

In May 2018, Matrix Fitness were chosen by Imperial to transform a cafe area in the Ethos building into SW7; a brand new, boutique and functional training space to ensure the best quality of fitness offering for students, staff and members.

Will Hollyer, Head of Sport at Imperial College London, comments: “The rise of the boutique gyms and functional training has transformed the offering we needed to be providing. We have a membership of over 10k students and 800 staff, all who want a modern, engaging and interactive workout experience and we needed to create a leading, boutique training space to cater for this.”

Ethos is a state-of-the-art training facility, which as well as the new SW7 gym also houses their existing gym, which has had its own refurbishment September 2018, in partnership with Matrix, to modernise and improve its appeal.

Hollyer continues: “We chose to work with Matrix, with whom we have a long, successful partnership already, and their ideas for SW7 and the refurb of main gym, the equipment selection and visuals helped us to incorporate a new way of training with an inspiring design to match.

An element of their design that we’ve had great positive feedback on one wall which is completely mirrored with the London skyline, this incorporates our SW7 logo which we worked with Matrix and QPS to create makes the training space appear bigger.”

Equipment installations in the new SW7 include a bespoke Exigo rig, Matrix S-Force, Matrix S-Drive, functional training accessories, assault bikes, Ski Ergs and astro turf flooring. SW7 hosts four group exercise classes throughout the day, Monday to Friday, focusing on Conditioning, Force, Move and HIIT, all led by newly trained instructors and offering heart rate training using MyZone technology.

Listening to the fitness trends and current equipment usage and demand, upstairs in the main gym, floor space has been removed to make room for more cardio equipment, doubling treadmills as well as the free-weight area and equipment.

Julian Taylor, Marketing Director at Matrix Fitness UK adds: “Physical activity has the ability to positively influence personal wellbeing, for students and staff. But times have changed, and fitness has become more modernised, interactive and engaging.”

“It’s been an exciting project, working with the Imperial team on the launch of their boutique SW7 offering and group exercise programme as it provides a training space and fitness equipment that will engage and motivate its users whilst increasing connectivity in a time of technological advancement. Providing them with equipment that helps them set goals, track progress and celebrate achievement.”

Northumbria University have completed the impressive transformation of sport central, a multi-purpose sports centre in Newcastle city centre that forms part of the campus. Investing in an innovative gym refurbishment, supplied by Matrix Fitness, the 751sq m gym now offers a premium offering for students, staff and the community.

“Fitness has evolved rapidly since Sport Central was first opened in 2010. The days of cardio equipment lining the gym floor are gone, replaced by functional training, immersive technology, measurable metrics and performance-led equipment.” Daryl Dixon, Sport Experience Manager at Northumbria University explains.

“Prior to the tender, we spent a lot of time visiting other gyms and were hugely impressed by what we saw from Matrix Fitness. It was imperative that we partnered with a supplier that was going to support our vision to install the best, and most technologically connected equipment, and we awarded Matrix the contract based on quality, price, added value but also their desire to collaborate with us to ensure the gym was a long-term success. Technology is shaping the industry and Matrix were the perfect partner and ‘one-stop-shop’ to launch us ahead of the curve.”

Membership targets for 2019/2020 were exceeded within five weeks of installation and this includes a year on year increase in student memberships of over 600. The team are already having to explore options of increasing their Group Exercise Programme as classes are consistently full.

“This investment isn’t just about providing a fantastic student experience, it’s about ensuring that student wellness stays at the forefront of what we do.” Daryl continues. “With more students visiting the gym more frequently, working out has become the new ‘going out’ and we’re really pleased to see the positive impact that providing a first-class fitness facility can have on not only physical, but also mental and social health.”

The gym refurbishment included installation of top of the range Matrix equipment, incorporating its 7xi cardio equipment, Ultra strength equipment with the connected intelligent training consoles, Magnum Racks and Magnum Plate Loaded units, CXP bikes, the Connexus Perimeter rig as well as S-Force and S-Drive performance trainers.

Utilising the Matrix CXP bikes for indoor cycling classes has proven particularly popular, with a distinctive Target Training touchscreen display that uses engaging graphics and vibrant colours to motivate riders, assess effort and keep everyone on track for their goals.

“The positive feedback has been overwhelming. Our indoor cycling is always fully booked now. The instructors have even commented on how refreshing the new bikes have been to the way they teach; allowing them to track, measure and focus on meaningful metrics rather than just a pumping backing track so our members get to see real results. Since the installation and Matrix Master Trainer visit, we now have the most motivated gym team around!”

Stephen Nutt, Matrix Fitness Head of Sales - Education adds: “Students are more health conscious than ever before. Universities are having to get creative, offering a fitness experience that engages and motivates its members.

The team at Northumbria have been completely open minded, forward thinking and have allowed us to collaborate on an installation that brings Sport Central to the forefront of what the fitness industry has to offer. It is a leading, showcase site and one that both teams are incredibly proud of.”

Matrix Fitness, the world’s fastest growing commercial fitness brand, announced the expansion of their partnership with the John W. Brick (JWB) Mental Health Foundation. The Champion-level partnership will help fund the foundation’s Mental Well-being Certification for Fitness Professionals, a first of its kind for the fitness industry.

The JWB Foundation has been developing the certification coursework since early 2023, after the demand for specialized mental health courses in the fitness profession was identified via a 2021 survey distributed by the IHRSA Foundation reporting 90% of respondents would take a course in mental health. The IDEA Health & Fitness Association surveyed their readers to understand what level of impact certifying 10,000 fitness professionals could have, reporting that their network of group training instructors and personal trainers yield 20.8 million client interactions annually.

The certification is centered around mental health with an evidence-based holistic approach that focuses on a whole-person, systematic perspective of fitness, nutrition and mindfulness. The first phase of the certification is set to deploy in Q1 of 2024.

“We are honored and excited to have Matrix as a partner for the first Mental Well-being Certification for Fitness Professionals," said Lynne Brick, Co-Founder of the JWB Mental Health Foundation. “This certification will provide tools fitness professionals can implement immediately to help their members, clients and staff to flourish and move toward resiliency and happiness. Together, we can put a dent in the way the world treats mental health.”

This marks the second consecutive year Matrix has partnered with the JWB Foundation, further reinforcing their commitment to their mental health awareness initiatives kicked off in May 2022. Over the last year, Matrix has continued to create research-based content and hosted and participated in numerous speaking engagements and panel discussions around mental health topics. In March 2023, Matrix hosted an education session for IHRSA 2023 where Global Research Scientist Dr. Karlie Intlekofer presented on the topic of building mental health resilience in the health club environment. Additionally, Dr. Intlekofer spoke on a mental health panel alongside Lynne Brick.

“The JWB Mental Health Foundation is responding to feedback and providing essential education at the perfect time for our industry and fitness professionals,” says Mark Zabel, President of the US Commercial Division at Johnson Health Tech North America. “With this partnership, Matrix will be able to go beyond mental health content and can be a part of the trailblazing efforts to create practical mental health education that supports our customers and their fitness professionals.”

For more resources on mental health and the benefits of exercise, visit MentalHealth.Matrixfitness.com.