Matrix Fitness, a provider of cardiovascular, group training and strength training equipment for health clubs and other fitness facilities, says it has expanded its 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, in what executives are saying is 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.
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.
“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.”
“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.
About Matrix Fitness
Matrix Fitness (matrixfitness.com) is the fastest-growing commercial brand in the world and is the commercial brand of Johnson Health Tech. Matrix offers a complete portfolio of cardiovascular, group training and strength training equipment for health clubs and other fitness facilities.
About Johnson Health Tech
Johnson Health Tech, Inc. (JHT), Taiwan, is among the world’s largest and fastest-growing fitness equipment manufacturers and is home to some of the most respected brands in the fitness industry, including Matrix, Vision and Horizon. The company manufactures a wide assortment of fitness equipment for both commercial and residential use, including treadmills, elliptical trainers, exercise bikes and strength training equipment. JHT’s global management headquarters is based in Taichung, Taiwan, with global product development, marketing and engineering based in Cottage Grove, Wis.
About the John W. Brick Mental Health Foundation
The John W. Brick Mental Health Foundation (johnwbrickfoundation.org) was founded by Victor and Lynne Brick, in honor of Victor’s oldest brother, John, who died from complications of schizophrenia. Throughout his illness he was never offered a well-rounded, fully integrated program that included healthy lifestyle practices. JWB is changing the way the world treats mental health. Our purpose is integrating salutogenic approaches – such as exercise, nutrition, and mind-body practices – into treating mental illness and promoting mental wellness. We 1) fund and promote evidence-based research on how exercise, nutrition, and mind-body practices benefit mental health, 2) support programs and initiatives that integrate evidence-based holistic approaches into mental health care, and 3) serve as a collaborative hub for an array of partners to advance a roadmap for an integrated approach to mental health care.