COTTAGE GROVE, WI (May 23, 2022) – 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, Ph.D., Executive Director of JWB, and Victor Brick will join Matrix Global Wellness Researcher Karlie Intlekofer, Ph.D. on an education session emphasizing the impact of exercise on mental health. Attendees can join the session on Wednesday, June 22 at 2:00 PM 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,” says Mark Zabel, President of the US 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 of 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,” says 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 adds. “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.
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.
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This press release may contain forward-looking statements. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the statements above. These include, but are not limited to, competitive factors, technological and product developments, market demand and economic conditions.
