Johnson Health Tech and Marriott
Redefining Fitness and Wellness for the Modern Traveller
“Protea Hotel by Marriott OR Tambo Airport underwent a massive refurbishment earlier in the year, which included a new space for the hotel gym.
With natural light, and more space, we had to compliment the new pace with state of the art equipment. Matrix provided us with top quality equipment that our guests love.
Their service was fantastic, and the install went off without a hitch.
I would recommend them to anyone in the market for fantastic new equipment.”
Amy Elliot
General Manager
Protea Hotel by Marriott® O.R. Tambo Airport
Johnson Health Tech Global is a proud preferred supplier of Marriott International, placing our Matrix brand at the centre of a movement that’s revolutionising fitness in hospitality, from check-in to workout.
A Post-COVID Shift: Wellness as a Priority
The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally reshaped the way travellers choose their hotels. Wellness is no longer just a nice-to-have; it has become a primary factor in decision-making.
Guests are prioritising health holistically, looking to address not just their physical fitness but also their mental, emotional and social well-being.
Some of the key reasons include…
- Health Consciousness: The pandemic heightened the importance of maintaining personal health. Guests now value having access to fitness centres, yoga classes, and wellness facilities as part of their travel experience, viewing it as essential for staying active and healthy while away from home.
- Mental Wellness: Alongside physical health, mental wellness has become a significant focus. Guests appreciate hotel amenities that offer relaxation, such as spas, meditation rooms, or outdoor wellness spaces, helping them de-stress after travel or work.
- Strengthened Immune System: With increased awareness of immune health, travellers seek opportunities to engage in activities that support immunity, such as exercise, clean eating, and stress relief. Hotels with gyms, wellness restaurants, or holistic wellness programs cater to this demand.
- Desire for Safety and Cleanliness: Fitness and wellness amenities often signal a hotel’s commitment to health and safety protocols. Clean, well-maintained gyms or wellness centres offer reassurance to guests that the hotel takes hygiene seriously.
- Maintaining Routine: Many people established fitness and wellness routines during the pandemic lockdowns. They want to continue these habits, even when travelling, and choose hotels with the necessary facilities to support their workout and self-care regimens.
- Rise of Wellness Travel: Wellness tourism—focused on health-enhancing experiences—grew post-pandemic as travellers now often combine leisure or business trips with opportunities to improve their health. Hotels offering fitness, spa, and holistic services appeal to this growing segment.
- Longer Stays and Remote Work: With the increase in remote work and longer hotel stays, guests seek comprehensive well-being solutions. Fitness facilities and wellness programs enhance their experience, making the stay feel more like home and supporting a balanced work-life routine.
This shift has placed greater emphasis on hotels providing comprehensive wellness offerings, where fitness facilities are a central feature
A Transformative Partnership Centred on Matrix
With Marriott recognised as a global leader in hospitality and wellness, the collaboration with Johnson Health Tech has gone beyond the traditional supplier relationship. Matrix is at the forefront of meeting these evolving needs and together, we are transforming hotel fitness offerings, bringing innovative, cutting-edge solutions to hotel gyms across the world – including right here in South Africa, from safari lodges to city skylines.
Leading the Way with Digital Fitness Solutions
In today’s tech-driven world, the role of fitness in hospitality is evolving rapidly. Marriott’s commitment to digital transformation is a core part of this partnership, and Johnson Health Tech has been there every step of the way. This is where Johnson Health Tech stands out. We are not just supplying gym equipment; we are creating interactive, personalized fitness experiences.
With Matrix our approach to technology is centred around a robust, open platform and guests have the world of high-quality solutions available at their fingertips, designed to exceed the demands or the modern traveller. Some of the key digital fitness offerings include:
Matrix Connected Solutions
Matrix Community: This is an online platform that connects fitness facility members through challenges, leaderboards, and progress tracking. It fosters engagement by allowing users to interact, participate in group workouts, and share results, creating a community atmosphere even in a digital space.
Matrix Connected Console: Cardio equipment comes with advanced touchscreens that provide users access to entertainment (like streaming apps), workout tracking, and virtual coaching. It also connects with fitness apps and wearables for a more personalized experience.
Workout Tracking
Personal Trainer Portal: This digital solution allows trainers to monitor clients’ progress, create customized workouts, and communicate with them directly. It gives users the opportunity to have their workouts updated remotely while still being accountable to their trainers.
Matrix Workout Tracking Network (WTN): The WTN system helps gym-goers track their workouts across different machines and save their progress in one place. It syncs with a member’s account, allowing them to access performance data, history, and training goals easily.
Virtual Training
Matrix Virtual Active: This immersive cardio experience enables users to run or cycle through scenic landscapes around the world, offering a visually engaging workout. The video content adjusts to the user’s pace, simulating real-world movement and enhancing motivation during the workout.
Matrix Ride for Group Cycling: It provides an interactive cycling experience, featuring virtual courses and real-time performance metrics, creating a more engaging group cycling class environment.
App Integration & Wearable Sync
Matrix x iFit: Select Matrix machines integrate with iFit, a leading digital fitness platform, allowing users to access thousands of on-demand workouts led by top trainers. It offers various workout programs such as strength training, HIIT, and cardio.
Wearable Syncing: Matrix cardio equipment can sync with major fitness trackers and wearables like Apple Watch, Garmin, and Fitbit. This feature allows users to seamlessly integrate their workout data into their broader health ecosystem.
Facility Management Tools
Matrix Asset Management: This tool helps gym operators track the usage, maintenance, and performance of all fitness equipment in their facility. It provides real-time data on machine status and usage patterns, which helps in efficient management, preventive maintenance, and optimal equipment usage.
Matrix Connected Solutions for Operators: Facility managers can gain insights into member behaviour and equipment usage, which can help in customizing offerings, improving facility flow, and making data-driven business decisions.
On-Demand Fitness Content
Virtual On-Demand Classes: Matrix offers digital classes across a range of workouts, from strength to yoga to cycling, all accessible on its consoles. This offers users flexibility in their workout routines, whether they prefer guided classes or self-paced sessions.
Hybrid & Remote Workouts
Remote Coaching Tools: Matrix supports hybrid training models, allowing fitness facilities to offer virtual personal training and remote coaching. Users can participate in live or recorded workouts and interact with their trainers outside of the gym, giving them the flexibility to train anywhere.
Customizable User Profiles
Matrix Personal Login: Users can create personalized profiles that store workout preferences, history, and goals, making it easy to track progress across different Matrix machines. Profiles can also store favourite workouts and preferred settings, enhancing the user experience with tailored content.
Sprint 8
A Scientifically proven and efficient, results-driven fitness solution that helps users build lean muscle, lose fat, and improve cardiovascular fitness in less time than traditional workouts, making it a popular choice for both busy individuals and fitness enthusiasts.
Impacting South Africa: Local Solutions, Global Standards
While our partnership with Marriott spans the globe, the local impact here in South Africa is where this collaboration truly shines. Johnson Health Tech is the first and only global manufacturer that supplies direct to the South African market.
Whether it’s the installation of Matrix cardio and strength equipment or developing fitness solutions, we ensure that Marriott guests in South Africa have access to world-class fitness amenities.
Looking Ahead: Strengthening the Future of Wellness in Travel
Sales Manager, Shaun Rawbone, at Johnson Health Tech SA says: “As the demand for wellness in travel continues to grow, the partnership between Johnson Health Tech and Marriott is only set to strengthen.
With more projects in the pipeline and new innovations on the horizon, we are excited about what the future holds. Together, we are committed to redefining what wellness means for travellers – ensuring that fitness is not just an amenity or feature, but a core part of the guest experience at Marriott hotels.
Here in South Africa, and around the world, we are proud to be part of Marriott’s journey in shaping the future of travel wellness.”
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