A new £140,000 Wellbeing Studio with power-assisted exercise equipment has opened at Thornbury Active Lifestyle Centre.

The investment at Thornbury is part of an ongoing £2.4m commitment from Circadian Trust, which operates Active Lifestyle Centres across South Gloucestershire, to improve access to health and wellbeing for South Gloucestershire residents.

Featuring innovative Innerva power-assisted exercise machines, the studio is ideal for people who are not used to regular exercise, looking to improve overall wellbeing, rehabilitate, manage health conditions, and remain mobile in later life.

Jim Rollo, Head of Health and Wellbeing at Circadian Trust, said: “Power-assisted equipment helps people of all ages safely exercise all the major muscle groups, even if they have a health condition, or are rehabilitating following injury.

“No matter what age you are it’s been shown to improve muscle strength, flexibility, balance and mobility, core strength and posture. And the relaxed and friendly atmosphere of the studio, is perfect for meeting and chatting with others, offering mental health benefits as well as physical ones.”

The new addition at Thornbury is similar to equipment that’s been available for seven years at Bradley Stoke Active Lifestyle Centre, which has proved popular with local older residents in particular.

Findings from the 2021 Census showed that in the last 40 years the number of people aged 50 and over has increased by over 6.8 million nationally (a 47% increase), and the number of people aged 65 and over has increased by over 3.5 million (a 52% increase).

Proportionally, Thornbury has a much higher than average number of residents aged 50 and over compared to the rest of the UK. The Wellbeing Studio is perfectly placed to help local people maintain their health and fitness as they age. People like Mary Slader, aged 68, who started using the Bradley Stoke Wellness Studio in 2022 after being advised she would need a knee replacement.

“Being able to reintroduce myself to fitness using the assisted power equipment at the Bradley Stoke Active Lifestyle Centre Wellness Studio really helped me build pre-operative strength and speeded up my recovery. I look after my great nieces and am an invigilator, too, so it’s important for me to continue to feel fit and enjoy getting stronger.”

Mary now uses the new Wellness Studio at the Thornbury, which is only five minutes from her house.

“I’m loving the social side even more. It’s a wonderful set up and I think anyone who is in my shoes, or is disabled, needs help losing weight or just wants to take things a little easier than in bigger gyms should give it a go. They won’t regret it.”

Recent research carried out by the manufacturer, Innerva, and the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University looked at the effects of regular use of power-assisted equipment on people from across the UK, and found the following;

· 94% of people reported improved aerobic fitness

· 80% reported improved balance

· 87% reported improved strength and flexibility

· 96.5% reported a positive impact on their mental health

Dean Barney, Thornbury’s Centre Manager, said: “We’re thrilled to be opening our new Wellbeing Studio. The team has done a fantastic job making the environment welcoming and accessible. We are looking forward to helping people from all walks of life improve their overall wellbeing and lead a healthier and happier life.”

Liz Wright, Innerva’s UK Sales Manager, said: “We’ve been delighted to support the team at Circadian with the new developments at Thornbury. It’s clear to see from the ongoing success of the existing site at Bradley Stoke that the new Wellbeing Studio at Thornbury will provide real health improvements for local residents, allowing more people across South Gloucestershire and the surrounding areas to access a safe, accessible exercise and rehabilitation offer.

“Circadian Trust’s commitment to their local communities is clear for all to see and we’re proud to be working with such a passionate and innovative team who really are focused on improving health and access for all.”