Retired Rugby Union Players and founders of Fitness Systems United (FSU) George Gregan and Matt Dixon have exploited a gap in the market for a solution that will not only encourage physical activity among adults but will also help them age more healthily.
With a recent study showing that more than 80 per cent of the world’s adolescent population is insufficiently physically active and up to five million deaths a year could be averted if the global population was more active, George and Matt decided to launch a brand called Medifit with the goal of helping everyday Australians achieve smarter movement and a better lifestyle with products and programs that can be used anywhere, anytime.
Medifit’s products and programs focus on maintaining and building strength, recovery and massage, mobility, flexibility, core and functional stability for older adults, desk-bound workers and even post-natal mums, enabling them to strengthen their bodies, maintain their muscle tone and if relevant, manage pain from home. Its products and programs aim to enhance the lifestyle of people by improving their strength and mobility and believes that movement itself is medicine both physically & mentally.
“We believe movement is the new medicine,” co-founder Matt Dixon said. “Therefore, we encourage people to be more active, regardless of their lifestyle, physical ability, gender or age. Medifit is about smarter movement = better lifestyle – we want everyone to enjoy their life to its fullest.
“We have partnered with world-leading aged movement specialists to ensure we are catering for that demographic when it comes to products and exercise routine development,” Dixon added. “The WHO recommends people over the age of 18, including those over 65, should be doing at least 2-3 days per week of strengthening at moderate to greater intensity levels. While many brands focus on the performance community, we wanted to help everyone else enjoy a better lifestyle and age healthily.”
Dr Martin Raftery, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer for World Rugby, said that strength training, movement and flexibility was never as popular as it is today and that consequently there are many Australians who have never stepped foot into a gym and wouldn’t know where to start when it comes to training.
“Without the benefits of strength training, we are left susceptible to back, neck and shoulder pain, however, it is never too late to start,” Dr Raftery stressed.