Matrix Fitness supports MemoryFlex™, a new gym focused on helping dementia patients

Matrix Fitness supports MemoryFlex™, a new gym focused on helping dementia patients

Independence & Well Being, providers and innovators of leading, meaningful adult services in the UK, opened the doors to MemoryFlex™ Gym at Bridgewood House in 2019, a gym designed to improve the confidence and engagement of those living with dementia.

Julia Glenn, Executive Director of Innovation at Independence & Well Being, explains: “The positive effects of exercise for people with dementia are well documented and our MemoryFlex™ gym provides an inclusive, safe space for people with dementia – allowing them to experience highly tailored exercise programmes whilst enjoying sensory, personalised reminiscence content via multiple channels. Our Managing Director, Marc Gadsby, has always had a vision to bring a gym to Bridgewood, so it has been really exciting to work together with the team to make this happen.

Our residents work out whilst enjoying highly personalised, multi-sensory reminiscence content.  We find that peoples’ memory recall and story-telling capacity is increased whilst they exercise and we are talking to potential university partners re the completion of a formal research project.”

Having worked with Matrix Fitness to source a set of inclusive gym equipment, including a treadmill, exercise bike, cross trainer and functional training equipment, the Independence & Well Being team completed the install in March 2019 and have seen a hugely positive response from patients and their families since.

“The Matrix Fitness gym equipment enables us to provide a safe, inclusive space for everybody who wants to exercise.” Julia continues. “Exercise and access to our specialist gym is extremely important to our residents. We tailor classes to individual needs and loved ones are comforted knowing that we are running such meaningful, and beneficial activities for those who live with us.”

Tim Grainger-Smith, Head of Sales at Matrix Fitness UK adds: “It has been really positive to see the fantastic work that the Independence & Well Being team are doing to create an accessible and encouraging space for dementia patients to enjoy physical activity.

Knowing the layout needed considerable thought, and scope to change in the future, we worked with Julia closely throughout the project to ensure the design and equipment chosen would best suit their needs.”

Subject to timetabled activities for the Bridgewood House residents, the gym is also open to non-residents for supervise, personalised sessions.

To find out more about MemoryFlex™ Gym visit www.independenceandwellbeing.co.uk or to learn about how Matrix Fitness can transform your fitness offering visit www.matrixfitness.co.uk

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About Matrix Fitness

Matrix Fitness – the fastest-growing commercial fitness brand in the world – is the commercial brand of Johnson Health Tech. Matrix comprises a complete range of premium, commercial-grade cardiovascular and strength-training equipment for health clubs and other fitness facilities. See more at uk.matrixfitness.com