Blog: 'The change in attitudes towards inclusive fitness has been really positive'
The English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) website features a blog post every Friday through the year.
September's theme is Inclusive Fitness. This week, SCIFIT’s UK Sales Director Bob Whitlock, discusses how cardiovascular (CV) equipment that delivers a challenging workout for disabled and non-disabled people alike has been the driving force behind SCIFIT’s product development over the years.
Bob’s Blog:
SCIFIT Systems Inc was founded in 1987 in the United States, and right from the very beginning accessibility has been what sets us apart from other CV equipment manufacturers.
Most CV equipment is made for people who are already fit and those who don’t have any mobility issues or are not necessarily disabled. SCIFIT realised that disabled individuals or those recovering from injuries with limited mobility either through age or medical conditions just weren’t being considered.
Our UK-based arm of the business was established in 2006 and we have worked closely with the Inclusive Fitness Initiative to ensure our equipment supports their good work in making CV equipment accessible for everyone.
Whilst all SCIFIT equipment is designed to be suitable for individuals of all ages and abilities, the IFI models have been formerly accredited by the English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) as meeting the more specific needs of individuals who have cognitive, sensory or physical impairments.
Our cardiovascular equipment is always designed to make it easy for people of all ages and abilities to get moving, stay motivated and see results. We build equipment that builds people up.
Whether it’s someone recovering from a heart attack, rehabilitating from knee surgery or exercising for the first time our equipment help you progress toward your goals.
We are known best in the UK for our PRO1 Upper Body Exerciser and PRO2 Total Body Exerciser as they are wheelchair accessible and perfect for effective upper body training. The wheelchair ramp that comes as standard on the IFI-accredited models, enables a wheelchair user to train independently and so they can be used at home or at the gym without the need for supervision.
You can read more about many of our products on the Equipment page on the EFDS website.
The change in attitudes towards inclusive fitness since the success of the London Paralympic Games in 2012 has been really positive, as people saw so many great athletes competing and succeeding in their chosen field.
And with the 2016 Paralympics in Rio less than a year away, we believe this will put the spotlight further on the importance of ensuring our schools, gyms and sports clubs embrace inclusivity and equip their facilities with exercise machines that are truly inclusive for all.
SCIFIT joined the Life Fitness family of fitness brands in July 2015 and with this market leading manufacturer behind us, will be able to deliver fully tailored and inclusive fitness solution to more customers worldwide.
We’re looking forward to working with the IFI in continue to design and develop inclusive fitness equipment for future generations. There may even be some Paralympians!
For more information regarding SCIFIT's products visit the relevant section on the EFDS website. More about the Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) can be located too.
