Funding Helps Rochdale Man Develop Exercise Machine

Steve Goodhand of Norden, Rochdale has received a £33,151 Smart feasibility study award to help turn its bright business idea into a marketable product - an innovative exercise machine for people suffering with back problems.

The grant will enable construction of prototypes of a bed for taking the load off the spine of people suffering acute back pain while allowing and promoting movement.

At any time, approximately 1% of the able bodied population is suffering from back problems. This represents a huge pain, suffering and lost production. Even this may however not be the main problem. Some of these people will never recover, so joining the further 1% who are permanently disabled as a result of their back problems.

The usual medical advice is that it is important to return to normal activity and even to exercise, as soon as the pain allows. The problem is that the load imposed on the back by such activity often makes the pain intolerable.

Steve Goodhand has therefore devised a bed that can "float" the spine by taking the load off it while allowing and promoting movement.

Smart funding will enable him to build prototypes and prove their effectiveness before seeking manufacturers and distributors interested in taking on a new product.

The funding has been provided from the Small Business Service's Smart initiative that provides grants to help individuals and small and medium sized businesses to research and develop technologically innovative products and processes