AusLeisure

The recent upgrade of the fitness centre at the Aquazone Warrnambool aquatic and recreation centre in Victoria paid particular attention to increasing accessibility for patrons with a disability.

Mindful of both legislation and the market for disabled people wanting to use a gym, the upgrade included 14 pieces of Pulse Fitness pin loaded weights machines with a range of features to increase patron accessibility.

Developed in collaboration with the UK-based IFI (Inclusive Fitness Initiative), the Pulse intuitive biomechanical approach means that all of the pin loaded range can be used by both disabled and non disabled users.

Equipment features include:

• Single handed swing away seat for easy wheelchair access
• High Visibility and large raised iconography for visually impaired users
• Easy to use including single finger adjustments and gas assisted seats
• Low starting weight from just 2.5 kilograms
• Extensive range of safety features including contoured seat pads, neoprene multi position handles and centrally located seat height and position adjustments.

Commenting on the installation, Aquazone Service Manager Ray Smith explained “the decision to choose accessible equipment aligned well with the Warrnambool City Health and Wellbeing Plan, where older people and people with a disability were identified as areas of focus.

“The choice of equipment also made good business sense as it increased the size of our market and was also able to be used by our able bodied members as well.”

Another factor in the decision to offer accessible equipment was the recent partnership between Aquazone and Warrnambool’s two primary health care providers, to develop a transition for clients from primary health care programs to community facilities.

As a result, Smith added “clients transitioning from primary health care programs still have a number of special needs and limitations, which the new equipment helps to cater for.”

Pulse is an active associate of the UK based IFI research and development program - a steering group that discusses the equipment requirements of aquatic, fitness and recreation centres in being inclusive facilities for all users and members.

Commenting on the installation, Nick Aspinall, Sales and Marketing Director of Pulse’s Australasian distributor EYE Fitness explained “we are delighted to be partnering with Ray and the team at Aquazone with our ‘inclusive and accessible’ range of strength equipment.

“Inclusivity is at the heart of the Pulse design process which has also been taken across to the cardio range to deliver a truly inclusive design across all aspects of the gym.”

Click here for more information on the accessible range of cardio and strength equipment from Pulse and Eye Fitness in the Australasian Leisure Management Supplier Directory.

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