New report on the transformative power of exercise for older adults

A groundbreaking report shows the impact of power-assisted exercise on the physical and mental well-being of older adults and the benefits of engaging with this member demographic.


The release of the End User Impact Report 2023 from Innerva documents the profound effect of power-assisted exercise on the management of long-term health conditions among users, many of whom have previously felt excluded from mainstream health and fitness facilities due to their age, health, or lack of confidence.


The headline results demonstrate how the Innerva wellbeing solution helps improve the five elements of healthy aging – aerobic fitness, muscular strength, balance, flexibility, and social wellbeing – to reduce the risk of falls and fractures, enhance coordination, maintain muscle mass, and boost mood and overall wellbeing:

• 94% of users reported improved aerobic fitness
• 88% felt stronger when getting up from a seated position, with 87% experiencing increased strength for lifting heavier items or carrying shopping
• 80% reported improved balance, critical for fall prevention
• 93% noticed enhanced flexibility, important for everyday days and mobility
• 5% reported a positive impact on mental health

Building on the findings of its previous report in 2020, the new research was conducted with six Innerva operators across the UK and generated a total of 853 end-user responses (80% female and 20% male).


With 94% of users aged over 50 years old and 75% over the age of 60, it shows how operators are successfully using Innerva’s power-assisted wellness solution to engage older adults and forge links with health partners to service the UK’s growing aging population.


“The Innerva Wellbeing Suite has been a fantastic addition to our facility in Brandon. Not only has it added a new offer to our community, but it has also added a different dimension to our work with community health teams and other partners within the NHS,” says Warren Smyth, CEO, of Abbeycroft Leisure.


The report highlights the loyalty of older adults and their high levels of engagement. For example, almost half of individuals (44%) visit Innerva-equipped studios three or more times a week, while over three-quarters (77%) use the equipment two or more times a week.


Notable highlights include the impressive Net Promoter Scores (NPS) achieved by Innerva operators. Net Promoter Score is the world’s leading metric for measuring customer loyalty. All Innerva operators scored +70 or above, with Pendle Leisure Centre recording the highest NPS score of +87.

The average score across Innerva operators is +78, which is considerably higher than the latest NPS score for the UK leisure sector of 44 (Source: Active Insights 2023). It also compares favorably to the top 25% of performing organizations that have an NPS of +72 or higher* – Apple’s NPS score is +72 and Amazon’s is +25.


Jon Hymus, Managing Director of Innerva, says: “Our latest research shows the life-changing impact of power-assisted exercise on older adults and those with chronic conditions.

It also demonstrates the value of meeting the needs of these loyal customers - with Innerva operators achieving an average NPS score that is almost double that of the UK leisure sector. As society grapples with an aging population and people living for longer in ill-health, we hope this report serves as a call to action and encourages more operators to create inclusive environments where everyone can take part in an exercise to age well.”

Source:healthclubmanagement