100th Piece of IFI Accredited Equipment Unveiled
The Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) has today announced that the Matrix Fitness G3 Series Functional Trainer has become the 100th IFI Accredited Item at Stage 2, marking another significant step for inclusive fitness provision.
For the past nine years, the IFI has been working in close partnership with manufacturers of fitness equipment to ensure that products are inclusive for both disabled and non-disabled people.
The Matrix Functional Trainer (300U) has become the 100th product to meet the IFI Equipment Standards - Stage 2, meaning that leisure and fitness providers have a greater choice of good quality inclusive fitness equipment products than ever before. Stage 2 Standards have been in place since 2007, to view the full list of IFI Accredited Equipment - Stage 2, please visit www.inclusivefitness.org.
As with all IFI Accredited Equipment, the Functional Trainer has been exposed to a thorough accreditation procedure including a detailed assessment from a panel of industry experts against the IFI Equipment Standards - Stage 2. Arguably, most importantly all products also undergo practical evaluation from a team of disabled volunteers with different impairments who verify their accessibility and ease of use.
Jon Johnston, Matrix Fitness Solutions commented
"We are delighted to add the Matrix Functional Trainer to our ever growing portfolio of inclusive fitness equipment. We believe this product will be a real asset to any facility looking to provide accessible equipment as it is extremely versatile, offering users a large variety of strength training exercises. We are committed to supporting the IFI through the continued development of products that enable as many people as possible to benefit from regular exercise."
Dawn Hughes, IFI Equipment Manager added:
"We continue to see more and more good quality, inclusive products being brought to us for assessment, the Matrix Functional Trainer is yet another great example of the commitment made by equipment suppliers across the industry to increasing inclusive fitness provision".
Pivotal to these developments has been the establishment of the hugely successful IFI Research and Development (R&D) Programme, which provides manufacturers of fitness equipment with clear advice, guidelines and practical support about how to design and develop suitable inclusive fitness equipment.
In an industry that is typically competitive, the IFI have successfully engaged with a range of industry leaders and experts across multiple disciplines which continues to drive forward developments within inclusive equipment design. The IFI R&D Programme has been funded through a partnership between the IFI, Sport England, EFDS OC, Sheffield Hallam University, Montgomery Leisure Services and ten leading fitness equipment manufacturers and suppliers who joined as 'R&D Associates' illustrating their commitment to inclusion.
The current IFI R&D Associates are Cybex, Escape, Leisure Lines, Life Fitness, Matrix Fitness Systems, Powerplate, Precor, Pulse Fitness, SCIFIT and Technogym.
The significance of these developments have recently been further highlighted as the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games has included IFI Accredited Fitness Equipment - Stage 2 as a requirement within the tender opportunity for suppliers wishing to provide fitness equipment for the London 2012 Games. This is fundamental in ensuring that the needs of all Olympic and Paralympic Athletes are well supported within their competition and training areas.
