Looking to diversify equipment brands offered, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Recreation turned to Matrix Fitness.
Josie Wielinski, the associate director of fitness and performance, said they had previously purchased a few ClimbMills. Those received great feedback. “I was also looking for opportunities to include our own branding to help our facilities stand out and help students and members feel a part of a community here,” she said. “Another huge selling point was the option to pair wearable fitness technology directly with the console to align with current fitness trends.”
Wielinski shared more about the partnership with Matrix Fitness below:
Campus Rec Magazine: What are the benefits to your campus rec department as a result of this partnership?
Josie Wielinski: Having the new Matrix Treadmills offers another option for treadmill running and usage. The design of this treadmill has handles that are a little lower and may feel slightly more comfortable during use for individuals on the shorter side, or offer a comfortable grip for walking on inclines. I believe variety is key when it comes to fitness. So, offering different types of pieces in conjunction with a variety of programs helps us better serve our community.
CRM: What do your students love most about Matrix?
JW: Most of the feedback we have received has been positivity surrounding a new and fresh piece for individuals to experiment with. Our students are especially pleased with pairing their watch directly to the machine to track workouts and have metrics that are directly calculated based on their own body.
CRM: Have you been pleasantly surprised by working with Matrix in any way?
JW: Our rep from Matrix, Nick, has been great to work with. He helped ensure the install went as smoothly as possible. And he has been incredibly responsive as we worked through choosing exactly what pieces, as well as any needs/questions we have had in the two months since bringing the pieces in.
CRM: Why should other rec professionals consider working with Matrix?
JW: As always, I had user experience at the forefront of my priorities. I wanted pieces that were functional for its intended use as well as the interface offered by the console. Working with reps and vendors that cared about the process of the purchase all the way through to the end and could help assist with the introduction to our community was an added bonus. In working with Matrix, it also helped that the reps and vendors knew so much detail about the products. They were excited to share the pieces and help us learn about how they could benefit our community.
For more information, visit matrixfitness.com.