Date: July 2005

Nautilus - the world’s largest fitness company - is helping Sandwell & West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust staff shape up at their new on-site health club facility.

Working with leading corporate health and fitness provider, Working Health, Nautilus has supplied the new state-of-the-art health club with a range of light commercial cardio equipment - treadmills, ellipticals and bikes - together with StairMaster Steppers and Steel resistance machines.

Nautilus also provided all health club staff with a complete training programme including operational use, preventative maintenance and equipment programming.    Additional facilities provided at the club include spacious changing rooms, a treatment and therapies room, and a lifestyle clinic.

Working Health will operate the new health club (a former restaurant) at zero cost to the NHS Trust while providing staff members and families with membership fees which are far lower than those offered by major fitness chains.

The new health club facility developed by Sandwell & West Birmingham NHS Trust not only reflects the NHS’s   ‘improving working lives’ strategy which encourages employees to develop a healthy and balanced lifestyle, but also feedback from its own staff surveys. To date, the club has already signed up over 400 members.

Says Colin Holden, human resources director of the Trust: “Our staff surveys have continually told us that all staff would greatly value the provision of an on-site Health & Fitness Club. We are delighted with the numbers of staff already signing up for membership.”

Working Health first started working with the Trust four years ago using its ‘Virtual Health Club’ programme to provide health and fitness solutions without its own specialist facilities.

Following the success of its virtual health solutions, Working Health then started working with the Trust to identify a suitable site for a new club, obtain planning permission and manage its refurbishment.

Says Richard Holmes, managing director of Working Health:   “The new facility is just as we planned. We chose Nautilus as we can always rely on them to deliver and install equipment on time and to provide good staff training. Nautilus equipment is also very reliable, always popular with members - and they provide an excellent after-sales service.”

Adds new health club member Elaine Lamont, a health care assistant: “The new facility is great and as the health club is on-site it is so easy - I can have a work out before my shift starts, a quick shower, and then I just have a few steps to work. It saves me a lot of time and means I can spend more time exercising!”

-   ends   -

Note to editors

• Nautilus is the leading marketer, developer and manufacturer of health and fitness products worldwide.   The Nautilus portfolio of brands features some of the most recognised names in the industry including Nautilus, Bowflex, Schwinn and StairMaster.
• Already well-regarded in the commercial fitness market, the comprehensive range of Nautilus personal fitness equipment is also now available for the first time to consumers in the UK.   Nautilus home gym equipment is designed by professionals to the same exacting standards as its commercial products.
• Reader contact details - Nautilus Tel: 01908 267345, or Working Health Tel: 01780 754954.

Ref: NAUT08/2005

Nautilus is helping Sandwell & West Brimingham Hospitals NHS Trust staff shape up at their new on-site health club facility. Information: 01285 658844

Download hi-res version Download medium-res version