Biofit : An organic gym concept for big city life that harnesses the proven wellbeing benefits of Vitamin N(ature) by bringing the outside world in, launches in the UK this January. Biofit’s nature-centric ethos extends from its green interiors to its training methodology, which combines real world exercises with mindful movement to engage the brain, leaving clients physically and mentally fitter.
The no-tech studio space features Biofit’s handcrafted kit made of natural materials for a tactile finish. Aromatherapy, acoustic playlists and indigenous, air purifying plants complete the multi-sensory experience which is aimed at the office, hotel and residential gym market.
Pop-Up Studio in Notting Hill & Groundbreaking Research (January 2017)
The full Biofit concept will be brought to life in a pop-up studio in west London from 9 January – 3 February 2017. Group classes, workshops and corporate team-building sessions will be offered at the site (ground floor, Unit 1 Gallery Workshop, entrance via the 1 Bard Road courtyard, London W10 6TP). The skill based classes will focus on Movement & Mobility, Strength & Stamina, Play & Fight techniques with a full schedule available online at https://www.biofit.io/
During the January pop up, Biofit has commissioned a new research project from the uk active Research Institute. This first-of-its-kind research is aimed at evaluating the impact of exercise in a biophilic indoor environment, on key markers such as mood, anxiety levels, attention span and mental performance.
A workout with a difference
“Human evolutionary history shows we’ve been lifting, carrying, jumping, striking and crawling for millions of years, working at varying speeds and intensities according to circumstance; so we start there,” says Biofit founder Matt Morley. “To counteract the effects of a sedentary, 21st century lifestyle, Biofit then integrates mobility work into every session to restore range of motion and protect the joints from injury. We also use play to practice new movement skills and stimulate the neurological pathways in a fun, interactive way.”
The result is an experience that is inclusive, motivating and suitable for all ages and abilities. It can take the form of group sessions, private training, or solo practice.
The World’s First Biophilic Indoor Gym
Biofit’s interiors have been developed with award-winning landscape architect, Lily Jencks, who created the restorative ‘healing gardens’ for the Maggie’s Centres around the UK. The brief was to create the world’s first truly biophilic indoor gym, maximising the positive impact of contact with Vitamin N(ature) through the use of natural vegetation, colours, materials, shapes, scents and sounds.
This approach is already being leveraged by tech companies such as Apple and Google for its impact on employee stress and productivity levels; until now however fitness facilities have simply been left behind.
“Our society needs to calibrate our relationship with the natural world, which is leading to a surge in this kind of biophilic, nature inspired design”, comments Jencks.
In response to the lack of suitable equipment on the market, Biofit has developed its own range using natural materials such as timber, cotton and rope. Handmade by craftsmen in England, each piece of premium, all-weather kit is designed to be non-prescriptive, facilitating a multitude of movements.
A Turn-Key Solution for Businesses
Biofit offers a complete turn-key solution for the hospitality, wellness, residential real estate and corporate office sectors. It encompasses facility design, equipment sourcing and supply, as well as ongoing training and support for coaching staff.
“We are now looking to partner with like-minded businesses around the world to deliver the Biofit experience all year round, adapting the concept to the local context in each instance,“ explains Morley.
Research Project with ukactive
Working with the ukactive Research Institute, Biofit’s groundbreaking research project will run throughout the January pop up. The research team will be led by Dr Steven Mann, ukactive Research Director, and Dr Mike Rogerson, Post-doctoral Researcher, at the University of Essex’s Green Exercise Team.
“Previous research into the wellness benefits of nature-inspired design has focused largely on corporate offices, schools and hospitals with findings showing positive gains in productivity, enhanced learning comprehension and increased healing rates, “ said Dr Steven Mann, lead researcher at the ukactive Research Institute. “However, to our knowledge, this is the first of its kind in a gym environment so we’re very excited to be breaking new ground and looking forward to reporting the findings.“
For more information visit https://biofit.io/