The Matrix Connection Vol 2 Issue 3

Toll-free: 866.693.4863 Volume 2, Issue 3 June 1, 2006

www.matrixfitness.com

TRIUMPHING OVER LIFE'S OBSTACLES

Story provided by Gold's Gym, St. Petersburg

Henry Wisniewski visits the Northeast St. Petersburg Gold's Gym several times each week. If you are here in the mornings you are likely to see Henry using the circuit training or riding the stationary bikes. To look at Henry you would never guess he is 94 years old. You would also not be aware of Henry's amazing, inspiring story.

Henry was born in Poland and became an agricultural engineer. He was arrested 67 years ago by Nazis for giving extra grain to the working people so that they could make flour. He was sent to a concentration camp. After three weeks, the Nazis were transporting the prisoners to another camp, by train. The train broke down and the prisoners and their captors had to hike 35 km to the next camp. As "dinner" was being served, Henry overhead the German soldiers saying they were going right to sleep after serving dinner. So, instead of sleeping, Henry led 35 other men in a daring escape under the barbed wire fence, using a wooden stake to hold up the wire.

Unfortunately, Henry was recaptured and sent to another camp where the fence was electrified. Undaunted, Henry and four other men used a wooden barrel with the top and bottom removed and propped it under the electrified fence to escape through the barrel! This time Henry made it to the underground army where he worked in a French steel mill.

Three years after his courageous escape, Henry's immigration application to the United States was approved. In 1954, Henry and his wife made the six-day journey via ship to New York. There his American sponsor found him a job at the Ford factory in Michigan. Henry learned English on the job. He worked at the factory for 16 years before retiring.

Henry's first wife died in 1991 and he married a woman 17 years younger. They return to Poland each year to visit his mother who is now 106 years old.

Henry's story is truly an example of the human spirit triumphing over life's many obstacles. In Henry's case, the obstacles were more daunting than most of us encounter during our life times. We salute his courage and his persistence in the face of extreme adversity.

Since Gold's Gym has added the new Matrix line, my workouts have been made easy by following the circuit. It takes all the guess work out of which body part to work on, and is much more time efficient. For senior citizens like myself, I find it easier to use than free weights. The machines are smooth, and I feel the results right away. Thank you for adding this new line for all to use.

Sincerely,

PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH

A new addition to the Matrix Connection newsletter, Practice What You Preach focuses on the wellness success of a few outstanding individuals within the Matrix family.

Johnson Health Tech North America (JHTNA), the North American Research and Design company that supports the Johnson's North American brands, including Matrix Fitness started an 8 week weight loss tracking. Many of the participants have had great success, two of which Anna Richards, Office Manager and Mark Kannel, Senior Mechanical Engineer share their experience below. Kannel impressively lost a total of 30 pounds, with Richards close behind with a loss of 22 pounds. Congratulations Anna and Mark!

Since the program was more of a competition, what did you do individually to lose weight?

RICHARDS: Because the contest was structured as an eight-week endeavor, I admit that I was more serious than I would have been if I had been doing this on my own. I committed to basically double my exercise and significantly lower my caloric intake. I went from a half hour of exercise 4-5 days a week, to doing primarily aerobic workout an hour a day 5-6 times a week.

KANNEL: I made a commitment to do 30 minutes of aerobic exercise 7 days per week and to reduce my caloric intake.

Was there a support network to help you?

RICHARDS: The women did support each other throughout the process and even exercised together a few times. We had a side bet of men vs. women, and although I was constantly told that men lose weight easier than women do, the women actually ended up losing a higher percentage of their weight overall.

What are you doing to keep the weight off?

RICHARDS: I am not counting calories as much as I did, but I'm just trying to balance my food intake better. I've found that my metabolism has really been affected for the better by all of the exercise. And I've found that I feel so much better after a workout that I can't stand to go more than two days without doing it. If you would've told me I'd feel this way about exercise a year ago, I would never have believed it.

KANNEL: I think a little bit of the good eating habits will stick but I have to find the middle ground between the weight-loss diet and my regular diet that caused long-term weight gain.

Was there a reward for being the biggest loser?

RICHARDS: The biggest reward has been just feeling so much better overall.

KANNEL: The reward for losing the most weight is a modest amount of money so we are not doing it for the money - we are doing it in the spirit of competition. Also, I feel a lot better at the lighter weight which may be the best reward.

Do you have any encouraging words for others trying to shed a few pounds?

KANNEL: I believe that each person needs to find their own solution for their situation. The best advice I have is that one must make a commitment not to cheat on the program. If you think you might possibly cheat then you are always tempted.

AROUND THE WORLD WITH MATRIX

NORTH AMERICA

Gold's Gym O'Fallon, IL

Square Footage: 40,000

The Gold's Gym located in O'Fallon, IL features a cardio theatre, spin room, ample pieces of cardio equipment, a half basketball court, a multi-functional pool, hot tub, a Lady's Gold's (a room exclusively for women), a large group exercise room, and a large free weight area.

"Matrix Equipment is a reputable brand that supports the needs we have in the fitness industry. The modern design and quality of Matrix products allow our members to achieve their goals." - Tim Rabior, Regional Operations Manager

ASIA

Wow'd Ginza Tokyo, Japan

Square Footage: 19,762

With plenty of floor space and tall ceilings, Wow'd members enjoy a wide variety of fitness options within the spacious facility. Other amenities include a studio, Jacuzzi, shower, bedrock bath, relaxation space, lounge and spa.

"The design of the Matrix equipment is unique, we are very satisfied with the quality and I will continue to purchase Matrix in the future!" - Wow'd, Ginza

EUROPE

Fitnesscentrum Halsteren Halsteren, Netherlands

Square Footage: 4,000

Fitnesscentrum Halsteren is a open-concept medium size gym with a high grade of service. Other amenities include spinning, group exercise classes, Spa area, personal training and weight loss programs.

"When I opened my club, one of the members told me - If your service is going to be just as perfect as the Matrix equipment looks, this club will be a success." - John de Kort, owner

NEW HIRES

Due to the tremendous growth Matrix has been experiencing over the past 18 months, we have expanded our sales force for even better nationwide coverage. We’ve added five new territories (bringing the total now to 12) and even added a new East Regional Director, Steve Rice.

Steve Rice – East Region Director

srice@matrixfitness.com

Steve Rice began his fitness career within the hospital based wellness segment in 1993. This eventually led him to the equipment side of the industry with Fitness Warehouse/Busy Body. Rice then became an integral part of the start-up phase at FitLinxx and quickly became their Director of Sales Development. That success led Rice to Nautilus for the past 4 years as their Eastern Regional Director.

Steve Miller – North Atlantic Territory Manager

smiller@matrixfitness.com

Steve Miller comes to Matrix with over 9 years experience on the dealer side of the fitness industry. Most notably, Miller established Factory Direct Fitness LLC., a retailer and service provider. Under Factory Direct Fitness, Miller was a dealer for Matrix Fitness and several other high profile brands. “I feel Matrix stands out from the rest of the fitness industry by providing consumers with products that combine quality, durability amazing aesthetics and they are truly a great value,” stated Miller.

Joe Noel – Mid Central Territory Manager

jnoel@matrixfitness.com

Joe Noel got his start in the fitness industry with three successful years at Cybex; internally managing 3 of the 5 top dealer accounts. Noel then went on to Nautilus where he has had sales performance over 100% consecutively for the past 7 years. In 2005, Noel received their MVP award. Joe’s follow through and attention to detail have enabled him to build solid customer relationships.

Pat Clougherty – South Atlantic Territory Manager

pclougherty@matrixfitness.com

Pat Clougherty brings over 9 years of impressive sales experience to the Matrix team, including retail, dealer and commercial sales. Clougherty has a profound knowledge of some national account chains with while serving as a National Accounts Manager for another major commercial brand. Through his commercial sales experience he’s been awarded Rookie of the Year, Circle of Excellence, and “Going the Extra Mile”.

Lori Perry – Mountain West Territory Manager

lperry@matrixfitness.com

Lori brings over 15 years of successful fitness sales experience to Matrix. Lori started with Carolina Fitness before moving to Colorado and joining All About Fitness. Lori’s service focus and tenacity to perform has helped her build a long list of satisfied customers.

Tim Schmidt – Pacific West Territory Manager

tschmidt@matrixfitness.com

Tim has worked his way up in the fitness industry the hard way. Tim used to manage the equipment delivery teams while working at Exercise Equipment Company in WA. Over the next 6 years and a couple of vertical moves later, Tim developed into one of the top sales account managers in the upper Northwest.

“Matrix is proud to have been able to attract such dynamic individuals to join our team,” stated Kent Stevens, Vice President of North American Sales. “Their industry experience, professionalism, and customer centric attitudes will most certainly be appreciated by our customers and prospects throughout their territories. This is an exciting time for all of us at Matrix as we welcome our new team members.”