Evolve Document Solutions staff celebrated reaching the 1,000-mile mark in their virtual walking challenge, “Race to the Rising Sun,” with a team Pilates session at a Preston-based reformer pilates studio.
The Bamber Bridge company’s employees are collectively walking 11,600 miles – the virtual distance from their Lancashire headquarters to Tokyo – by tracking their daily steps. The initiative, launched in June 2025, forms part of a workplace wellness drive aimed at promoting physical activity and team engagement.
To mark their 1,000-mile milestone, the Evolve team joined a private reformer Pilates session led by Elena Rose, founder of ELEM Fitness & Reformer by Elena Rose, based on Dollywaggon Way in Preston. The boutique studio offers reformer-based classes and private sessions, with over a decade of experience in core-strength and mobility-focused workouts.
Managing Director Daniel Maddox said: “We wanted to do something a bit different to celebrate the first leg of the journey. None of us had tried reformer Pilates before – it was tougher than we thought but such a good laugh. The team got stuck in, and we’re definitely feeling it today.”
Reformer Pilates is a low-impact, full-body workout that uses a spring-loaded machine to build strength, flexibility and balance. Unlike mat-based Pilates, the reformer adds resistance through a sliding carriage, ropes and pulleys – helping improve posture, core stability and muscle tone. It’s suitable for all fitness levels and often used for injury rehab as well as general conditioning.
Elena Rose, owner of ELEM Fitness & Reformer by Elena Rose, said: “I loved having the Evolve team in the studio – they gave it their all. Reformer’s great for all levels, and it’s brilliant for anyone sitting at a desk all day. Hopefully, they’ll be back for round two before they reach Tokyo!”
The “Race to the Rising Sun” challenge tracks progress virtually along a route from Preston to Tokyo, via European cities including Paris and Vienna. Staff aim for 10,000 steps each per day, with a shared tracker displaying their position on a digital map.
Evolve Document Solutions, founded in 2010, provides managed print and document services across the North West. The step challenge is the latest in a series of internal initiatives aimed at supporting employee wellbeing, following fundraising efforts and community events.
The Evolve team plan to complete the challenge before Christmas, with their next virtual stop expected to be Munich. Further team activities are scheduled to coincide with key milestones along the route.
