Matrix Fitness, the world’s fastest growing commercial fitness brand, kicked off several initiatives aimed at increasing the awareness of the positive relationship between mental health and exercise, which included announcing a partnership with the John W. Brick (JWB) Mental Health Foundation.
The JWB Mental Health Foundation, a mission-driven non-profit organization, advocates for integrating exercise, nutrition and mind-body practices into treating mental illness and promoting mental wellness. The foundation was established in 2015 by co-founders Victor and Lynne Brick of Planet Fitness Growth Partners to honor Victor’s late brother John.
The partnership included a monetary donation from Matrix to express support for the organization’s mission and further their efforts. Matrix and JWB will combine forces to form a louder voice for the fitness industry during the 2022 IHRSA Convention, where Cassandra Vieten, the executive director of JWB, and Victor Brick will join Karlie Intlekofer, the global wellness researcher at Matrix on an education session emphasizing the impact of exercise on mental health. Attendees can join the session on Wednesday, June 22 at 2 p.m. at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
“The JWB Mental Health Foundation has done a great job supporting an extremely relevant cause. Mental health has been and continues to be an issue of prevalence that has impacted so many people,” said Mark Zabel, the president of the U.S. Commercial Division at Johnson Health Tech. “As a leading provider of fitness equipment, we have a responsibility to highlight the positive effects fitness can have on one’s mental health. Partnering with the JWB Mental Health Foundation helps us join the conversation, stay apprised on current research and extend the foundation’s reach through our brand.”
“We are in a mental health renaissance – and each action we take at the JWB is a strategic move toward advancing a new definition of mental health, expanding and improving mental health care, and elevating the mental well-being of the general population,” said Vieten.
Another part of Matrix’s larger mental health initiative included the launch of mentalhealth.matrixfitness.com, a source of activation and educational resources released during Mental Health Awareness Month. Fitness facilities will discover turnkey promotional assets to download and utilize as a way to increase awareness around the mental health benefits of exercise, informative articles from Dr. Intlekofer as featured in each issue of the Athletic Business publication through 2022, and more. Additionally, the month of May kicked off a social media series of real-life stories from Matrix employees and volunteers empowered to share how exercise habits have positively impacted their mental health.
“Mental Health Awareness Month is just the beginning,” Zabel added. “Through continuous product development efforts, research-driven education and our total solutions partner promise, we’ve had a goal of making the exercise experience inviting for all. Exercise plays a tremendous role in reducing anxiety, depression, and negative mood via brain chemistry changes, resulting in improved self-esteem and cognitive function. We are committed to increasing awareness of this relationship with our customers, our partners and anyone who can be impacted by exercise and improved well-being.”
For more information on how Matrix is promoting the mental health benefits of exercise, visit mentalhealth.matrixfitness.com.
