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Elevating Hotel Ftness
A £2.5m redevelopment of St Pierre Park Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort utilises new Matrix In-Trinity boards
FOUR-star St Pierre Park Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort in Guernsey is the first venue in the UK and Channel Islands to offer guests the use of the Johnny G In-Trinity Board by Matrix. Officially opened by Matrix ambassador and Olympic gold medallist Sally Gunnell, the hotel’s health club and spa has recently undergone a £2.5m redevelopment, including the installation of In-Trinity and a variety of Matrix cardio and strength equipment.
St Pierre Park, part of the Hand Picked Hotels group, is the first venue in the UK and Channel Islands to purchase In-Trinity – an elevated fitness board and training programme that builds strength, balance, flexibility, coordination and agility.
During the launch, which took place last week, In-Trinity champion Gunnell was able to tour the new facilities before attending a special drinks reception to celebrate the opening.
“The newly refurbished health club and spa at St Pierre Park Hotel leads the way in the quality of its technology, facilities and its wonderful setting in a very beautiful part of Guernsey,” Gunnell said.
“In my role as a Matrix ambassador, I truly believe in the benefits that Matrix In-Trinity board classes can offer, whether you are a professional athlete or someone that simply wants to find an alternative mode of exercise. It’s so important to stretch, and In-Trinity is a great way to do so correctly and with support.”
Getting off the ground
Located near Saint Peter Port in Guernsey and boasting 35 acres of beautiful grounds, the hotel has installed five of the new boards and staff have recently received official training from In-Trinity master trainer Charlotte Roberts.
A cardio gym has also been created overlooking the lake, featuring a range of Matrix Fitness cardiovascular machines. A separate fitness and free weight zone is on offer as well as a range of core, aerobic, resistance and holistic classes.
Julia Hands, chair and CEO of Hand Picked Hotels, said: “This is an outstanding new facility for our members and our hotel guests, combined with the excellent level of service provided by our talented team at St Pierre Park.”
Working out beautifully
A new pool and wet area have been created, alongside a sauna, steamroom, experience showers and five treatment rooms.
Matrix International hospitality manager for EMEA, James Blower said: “St Pierre Park is a fantastic example of when a hotel offers guests a full spa and fitness experience without compromise.”
“As well as providing a fitness solution, In-Trinity also promotes the importance of health and wellbeing. We’re delighted that St Pierre Park is the first venue to officially install this innovative product.”
www.matrixfitness.com
From strength to strength
The Goodwood Health Club invests in new Precor gym equipment
Located within the Goodwood Hotel, part of the prestigious Goodwood Estate in the Sussex Downs, the Goodwood Health Club and Waterbeach Spa refurbished its 2,000 capacity gym and updated its fitness equipment with a view to retaining existing members and attracting new ones.
The 1,725 sq ft gym’s strength and indoor cycling kit was replaced with state-of-the-art Precor equipment including fifteen Spinner Rally bikes, five Vitality Series Selectorised single station units and three Vitality Series Selectorised dual-use stations. New cardiovascular machines have also been installed, all showcasing the new P82 console.
Happy customers
Jen Evans-Brewer, Goodwood Hotel’s health club and spa manager explained her decision to use Precor: “We’ve purchased Precor equipment previously and been extremely happy with how it performed and what it offered our guests and members. As well as renewing our strength offering, we changed our indoor cycling to top-of-the range Spinner Rally bikes as their quality and specification is so good.”
Featuring an aluminium frame and show-stopping aesthetics, the Spinner Rally is designed to have a premium fit and feel, with geometry and adjustments to suit a wide range of riders.
Each bike is fitted with an easy-to-read Spinning Studio console that automatically pairs with any ANT+ compatible heart rate monitor. The console also features a large backlit display indicating cadence (pedal RPM), heart rate/pulse, time, distance and calories along with a low battery indicator.
www.precor.com
Rehab ready
Life Fitness SYNRGY360 creates patient rehabilitation pathways at the Alive Lynnsport gym
Patients with a range of neurological conditions such as traumatic brain injuries, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis in West Norfolk have seen a remarkable improvement in their symptoms since Alive Leisure Trust introduced the Life Fitness SYNRGY360 XL training system at their local gym, Alive Lynnsport, in King’s Lynn, Norfolk.
Rosie Miller, a neuro specialist fitness consultant from Norfolk Community Health and Care’s Community Neurology team, works with Alive Leisure’s specialist referral fitness team and Rachel Glew, master trainer from the Life Fitness Academy, to introduce some of her patients to the benefits of SYNRGY360. Patients have been referred by their GP or health professional to embark on a one-to-one, 10-week training programme at Alive Lynnsport using the ground-breaking system that is suited to a diverse range of exercises.
“Many machines in gyms are not always suitable for clients with limited ability, however SYNRGY360 offers something for everyone and I encourage all of my patients to try it,” explained Miller. “Gym members have observed the use of this equipment with our patients, many of whom are wheelchair users, and have been inspired to use it under the care of Alive Leisure staff.”
Feeling stronger
The unique fitness solution was installed in April 2016 and over the last five months Miller’s rehabilitation work has focused on strength, endurance, balance, coordination and stretching with a range of patients aged between 16 and 95 years who have traumatic or acquired neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, Guillain–Barré syndrome and brain and spinal injuries.
“Since introducing my patients to SYNRGY360, around 95 per cent have continued to use the equipment following completion of their programme as they understand the longer term benefits of regular exercise,” added Miller. “Most importantly, I have noticed how much better patients feel after engaging with the training, and it’s been great to find equipment that is suitable for all abilities.”
Jen, a patient who works with Miller and has multiple sclerosis, said: “Because of my condition, I find that exercising using standard gym equipment can be exceptionally difficult. However, using the SYNRGY equipment is very beneficial as it’s extremely versatile. It allows me to work on my balance and core, and to strengthen muscles that I wouldn’t be able to ordinarily, in a safe environment and within my own capability.”
A versatile system
SYNRGY360 is suitable for both individual and group workouts, combining several popular exercise trends including core training, bodyweight training, reaction training and sport-specific activities. Having multiple, distinct training spaces within the training system allows for patients at Alive Lynnsport to exercise using battle ropes, dip handles, step platforms, medicine balls, TRX bands and a punch bag.
Mark Mitchell, corporate sales and fitness manager for Alive Leisure, spoke about the impact the training system has had.
“It’s great to see how much of an improvement these patients have made, breaking down the barriers to participation, through the fully inclusive services and activities available. Working with a number of community health partners, we ensure that health and rehabilitation pathways are established and that patients suffering from traumatic or neurological conditions can reap the benefits of long term exercise.”
www.lifefitness.co.uk
