Groundbreaking fitness equipment featured on Channel 4’s The Superhumans Show has arrived at Horwich.
The Invictus Active Trainer is a treadmill for wheelchairs users, allowing them to improve their fitness, balance and technique. The specialised kit was showcased on the Channel 4 show presented by the Last Leg’s Alex Brooker, and is currently being trialled at Horwich Leisure Centre as well as Leverhulme Park Leisure Centre
The Active Trainer is the brainchild of two active wheelchair users, Paul Cooksey and Scott Smith. They noticed that most equipment for wheelchair users was not mobile, lightweight or even easy to find, so they developed this amazing bit of kit. It can be used in the gym as a standalone piece of equipment, or moved into an indoor cycling studio, giving wheelchair users the option of taking part in high energy, atmosphere-packed spin sessions.
Mahendra Patel, Deputy Partnership Manager for Bolton Community Leisure Trust said: “The Invictus Active Trainer is a valuable addition to our two centres, and we’re hoping it’s going to be a real hit with the wheelchair users who exercise at our facilities.
“From reports I’m hearing, the Active Trainer provides a full-on workout, plus it’s great to see disabled and non-disabled people working out together in our spin studios!”
Stephen Hardman (pictured in wheelchair), a regular user of the Bolton facilities said:
“I was so impressed with the Invictus and really enjoyed taking part in a spin session at the centre. Everyone needs to come down here and give it a try!”
Scott Smith co-founder of Invictus Active said: "It's great to see more leisure centres providing accessible equipment to improve facilities for wheelchair users to get fit. We are excited to have our trainer within these two centres and look forward to more people having the opportunity to try the treadmill and get a cardio workout.
Using the Active Trainer can burn up to 700 calories an hour, and with its Bluetooth functionality, users will be able to record how many they’ve burnt during a session. Use of the equipment helps build shoulder strength and muscles, and can help towards improving general technique.
Working with its managing agent Serco Leisure, Bolton Community Leisure Trust operates five centres across the region: the Jason Kenny Centre, Farnworth, Leverhulme Park, Horwich and Westhoughton Leisure Centres.