Gymophobics 2016 by First Sight Graphics

Donna’s Letter... “Welcome to the latest edition of Gymophobics magazine. I do hope that you enjoy it. Whether you are already one of our members or are still considering the idea of becoming one, the pages that follow will increase your understanding of what makes Gymophobics so successful and so different from a conventional gym. “When the first Gymophobics opened back in 2003 my goal was to attract women who might not consider joining a conventional gym. From working as a Gym Instructor and Personal trainer I knew how intimidating many women find mixed Gyms and this is especially so if you have a weight problem, have a poor self image, or lack self confidence. “That’s why our Centres are designed to offer a super friendly (and feminine) environment with staff that are caring and supportive. No one is left to get by on their own at Gymophobics as we treat everyone as an individual with specific needs and abilities. Our staff are chosen for their passion in helping members achieve their goals and as you turn the pages you will see how members lives have been changed for the better. “Each Gymophobics Centre is owned and managed by a Franchisee who shares my desire to help their members change their shape and change their lives. My job is to provide Franchisees and their staff with the skills to help each and every member to achieve their goals and I consider myself extremely lucky to have a job which allows me to work with such a bunch of dedicated people. “As often as I can, I visit each Centre to meet with Members and listen to their stories. It is hugely inspiring to hear how they are achieving life changing results without having to train like athletes. They tell me how much they enjoy their sessions and how they have made many new friends. “Over the years our Centres have expanded to offer so much more than a gym facility. These days we are a Slimming Club and Gym rolled into one and our holistic approach includes a home exercise and lifestyle prescription too. In the pages that follow you can read about some of the things we offer in our Centres which include our unique LOW SUGAR DIET, our NO DIET CLUB for ways to overcome food addictions, our free FOOD APP to make monitoring sugar intake easy, our wide range of group CLASSES to music and our AIR machines which take the work out of the workout! “You will also be inspired as I am by the stories of some of our members. “Enjoy the read and when you have finished please hand your magazine to your friends and family. It could be something that changes their lives for the better too. My very best regards,

Donna Hubbard Gymophobics Founder Visit www.gymophobics.co.uk to find your nearest Centre Design: First Sight Graphics Ltd Printed in the UK: The Magazine Printing Company

Beki Atkinson Went from a size 16 dress to size 10. “I was about to turn 40 and figured that as 'life begins at 40' then it was about time I did something about my weight. “Gymophobics is great for me and I genuinely enjoy my 30 minute sessions as the Instructors are so friendly and provide the advice, encouragement and support to keep me focused on my goals. “The exciting bit for me now is that I have lost 3st 8lbs plus 46 inches and have gone from a size 16 to a size 10 and for the first time ever I can go shopping and know that I can pick up a size 10 and it will fit ! “Gymophobics is a great place to go, I can't tell you how different it is from conventional gyms and I would highly recommend it to any lady whatever your age or size. They make a programme to fit YOU so it’s suitable for everyone and it’s never too late to start”. Rebecca Atkinson Harrogate member

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Before

Visit our web site at www.gymophobics.co.uk to find your nearest Centre

NO MORE DIETS If like so many other slimmers you have tried dozens of diets and have still ended up overweight, your problem may be an inability to deal with food ‘issues’ that may well have been formulated in childhood. NO DIET CLUB (NDC) is a ten week programme attended

conventional diets even though there is no diet involved!

by hundreds of Gymophobics members throughout the UK.

NDC teaches skills that can last a lifetime. In just ten weeks

It teaches members how to address the reasons that they

the member can conquer food addictions, comfort eating,

over eat or why they cannot stick to a diet.

between meal snacking and over eating.

Surprisingly perhaps, the weight loss our members achieve

Group sessions are held at most Centres throughout the

during the programme often exceeds the weight lost on

week and last just 45 minutes.

Shape Up – Slim Down Make Friends Gymophobics is a great place to meet and make new friends. At Harrogate Brenda and Edna joined the Centre and met up for the first time in 17 years having once worked together. There are always social events taking place at Gymophobics from coffee evenings, demos, fashion shows, talks…..even Bingo nights! Why not let Gymophobics add to your social life?

4 | The national magazine of Gymophobics 2016

Visit our web site at www.gymophobics.co.uk to find your nearest Centre

LIVE BETTER - LIVE LONGER Members at Gymophobics come in all ages. Unlike most conventional Gyms who focus on the under 35’s, we have a large contingent of older clients, many of whom are 50 plus. That does not mean that younger people are not well catered for too and many teenagers and twenty somethings attend to lose weight and improve their figure. But recent research indicates that the over 50’s benefit even more from higher activity levels than those who are younger and can reduce their chance of heart failure by a fifth! If you have spent a lifetime avoiding exercise you would be forgiven for thinking that it’s too late to start now. Not so say researchers. They claim that those who don’t start exercising until later in life will see a marked improvement in their health. In fact they say that older people benefit more from recent activity than from exercise they did when they were young. Exercising for just 30 minutes a day is associated with the biggest reduction in the risk of heart failure and those who do the least exercise are at a 47% increased risk of heart failure than average 60 year olds. Professor Naveed Sattar of Glasgow University headed the report on exercise in older age and says ‘It is never too late to see the benefits of taking up exercise. Short spells of moderate intensity exercise and a more active lifestyle is more beneficial than long and vigorous ones’. Taking this on board, Gymophobics Instructors are trained to prescribe exercise for their older members to ensure that they do just the right amount and avoid joint strains, Back problems, etc. Thousands of older ladies are regular attenders at Gymophobics throughout the UK and love the way they feel as a result. Improved blood flow provides better nutrition and oxygen delivery to the cells which means more energy and slows down the ageing process at the cellular level. No wonder then that our older ladies look

After

far younger, sleep better and have more energy than non exercisers and are the most loyal and enthusiastic members any one could wish for.

Before Visit our web site at www.gymophobics.co.uk to find your nearest Centre

FOOD ‘APP’ FOR FREE For Slimmers who are following our unique Low Sugar Diet, our free ‘FOOD APP’ has made life even easier. Developed in-house at our National Training Academy, the FOOD APP allows members to record their daily allowance of carbohydrates, and keep within their quota throughout the day. A comprehensive list of foods and their sugar and carbohydrate content is also useful as is the ability to add new foods when necessary. For members who are following our 5/2 diet which involves counting calories rather than grams of carbohydrate on two days each week and eating normally on the other five days, the nutrition ‘APP’ will also monitor calories throughout the day. Members can obtain this unique FOOD APP on their mobile phones FREE of charge.

Joyce Kent

Velma Hodgson

Inches: 34.75 inches Weight: 2 stone 1 lb

5 stone and 50 inches achieved in 6 months!

After

Before

6 | The national magazine of Gymophobics 2016

After Before

Visit our web site at www.gymophobics.co.uk to find your nearest Centre

Group Sessions

Can Be Fun After 30 minutes on the RT circuit, many members love to join in on some of the group sessions on offer throughout the week. Although each session has a serious intent, they are designed to be fun and are performed to a musical background. Unlike the Zumba and aerobic

body using resistance bands. TRIM &

their sessions in advance. The

classes offered in conventional gyms,

TONE and BOOT CAMP are more

exception to these are the

each Gymophobics session is

vigorous sessions for those who want

CALLISTHENICS TO MUSIC classes.

designed to tone and firm the body.

to push themselves and FUNKY GYM

These are 10 minute sessions which

LEG IT for example is specifically

is a one hour class for 11 to 16 year

take place hourly throughout the day

choreographed to focus on shaping

olds which is usually held at

and any one can join in when there is

Hips, thighs and calves. MOBILITY

weekends.

space available on the gym floor.

ideal for anyone with arthritis or joint

Most sessions run for 30 or 40

To find out more about group

stiffness and BODY BANDS is a huge

minutes and take place at scheduled

sessions call your local Centre to see

favourite designed to strengthen the

time slots to allow members to book

what is on offer.

PLUS improves joint mobility and is

Visit our web site at www.gymophobics.co.uk to find your nearest Centre

ÂŠ Gymophobics 2016 | 7

Resisted Tension (RT) is a UK First At Gymophobics we do things differently. Our Resisted Tension (RT) exercise prescription integrates two different exercise modalities, namely Isotonic and Isometric exercise. So unique is this combination that RT is the only ‘workout’ programme to have been awarded a Trade Mark in the UK. In other words you won’t get RT in a conventional gym! Isotonic exercise involves working muscles repetitively against some form of resistance. Isometric exercise involves holding /squeezing muscles repeatedly for seven seconds at a time. By integrating Isotonic and Isometric exercise you get the benefits of both modalities and are able to exercise at a lower intensity level. In other words, the exercise is far easier yet more effective!

calories. Resistance exercise burns

ingredient that makes RT something

ten times more calories over a 24

very special. We integrate Isometrics

Muscles are made up of fibres which

hour period than cardiovascular

with resistance work and the two

are either ‘switched on’ or ‘switched

activity. Sadly, most conventional

combined have an amazing effect. By

off’ at any one time. Exercise makes

Gym Instructors fail to explain this to

adding Isometrics to the prescription,

dormant (switched off) muscle fibres

their members. Visit any conventional

recruitment of muscle fibres is

‘switch on’ which strengthens,

Gym and you can expect to see men

increased by as much as a third yet

tightens and tones the muscles and

performing resistance exercise with

less resistance is required. So each

makes them burn more calories in the

dumb bells and barbells or using the

exercise is easier yet far more

process. When fibres are switched

weight machines. And where are the

effective at switching on muscle

‘on’ repeatedly they will eventually

ladies? They are all using cardio

fibres.

stay switched on 24/7 and the

machines such as treadmills, rowing

more fibres that are switched on, the more calories they burn, even

machines, cross trainers and exercise cycles and they avoid resistance training like the plague!

while we sleep.

such as jogging or aerobics does not switch on dormant muscle fibres and burns very few

tell it as it is. Our ladies are introduced to easy resistance (Isotonic)

around for more than a hundred health clubs in fact. Until the 1960’s with no Gyms to go to, women would send off for Courses of Isometric exercise which they could do at home without the need for equipment. In her teenage years Donna had included

exercise from

Isometrics in her land training as a

day one but

competitive swimmer with great effect

with an added 8 | The national magazine of Gymophobics 2016

come from? Actually it has been years. Far longer than gyms and

But at Gymophobics we Cardio vascular activity

So where has Isometric exercise

and her knowledge of this form of

Visit our web site at www.gymophobics.co.uk to find your nearest Centre

training was to come in handy at Gymophobics. Once gyms came along in the 1960’s Isometrics went out of fashion. Not because they were ineffective but because a visit to a gym was more exciting! Yet new technology (electro myography) which can measure the effectiveness of muscle activity during exercise shows surprising results. Using electro myograph equipment we now know that Isometric contractions can be as effective as Isotonic resistance exercise!

resistance. A double whammy!

“Resisted Tension quickly turns the

Better and faster inch loss and an

body into a fat burning machine” says

easier programme.

Donna.

Isotonic resistance exercise and

Gymophobics Instructors are trained

“By switching on new muscle fibres

the benefits were startling. The

to include Isometrics with each

we burn thousands more calories

toning effect was immediately

member’s prescription making RT the

24/7 even while we are sleeping and

increased and there was no need

reason why members achieve faster

no amount of treadmill pounding will

for members to use as much

results than conventional Gym Users.

ever do that!”

With that knowledge in mind, Donna integrated Isometrics with

DO IT WITH DONNA Our Callisthenics DVD is a must purchase for members who want to supplement their home exercise prescription with a little bit extra. Set to music, the DVD is designed to tighten and tone all major muscle groups and improve aerobic fitness. Filmed with Gymophobics Founder Donna Hubbard demonstrating each exercise, there are three 20 minute sections, Beginners, Intermediate and Advanced. Instructors report that members who use the DVD twice each week achieve much faster inch loss. Why not purchase a DVD on your next visit?

Visit our web site at www.gymophobics.co.uk to find your nearest Centre

NATIONAL AWARD Slimmer of The Year (18-40 Category)

Alison Davis

When Alison reached the point where she could not fit into clothes from some high street shops she knew it was time to do something about her weight. “Having walked past the Gymophobics Centre in Bury St. Edmunds for several months on my daily commute I had seen women going in and out and there seemed to be a mix of shapes and sizes. This helped a lot as I didn’t feel intimidated when I went in to book an Induction. I am very glad that I did!” says Alison. Starting out at more than 15 stones Alison has lost some four and a half stones so far and has lost more than 41 inches in the process. Alison is one of our younger members at just 24 years of age and what makes her stand out from so many successful slimmers in Bury is the change in her confidence. Her health has reaped the benefit too with her BMI down 9.4% and a 10.5% reduction in her body fat.

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After

Alison is closing in on her target weight and has already achieved an attractive figure. Everyone at Bury is so proud of what she has achieved so far and she is a worthy winner of our young Slimmer of the Year Award.

Rachel Gillies

Slimmer of The Year (41-54 Category)

Following a long period of physio therapy and steroid injections, Rachael was struggling to do the simple things like getting out of bed and her lack of mobility caused by severe sciatica along with ‘comfort eating’ had resulted in a serious weight problem. Having reached 18 stones, Rachael realised that something must be done and in January 2015 she enrolled at Gymophobics in Halesowen. Rachael turned her life around in just ten months losing some 2 pounds every week and despite some health problems which kept her away for a short period, she has now lost 6 stones in weight and an incredible 58 inches. Rachael’s body fat % has dropped by 43% in that time and a 15 point reduction in her BMI is a huge reduction in her cardio vascular risk factors. Everyone at Halesowen Gymophobics are thrilled with Rachael’s success and she has been a source of inspiration to other members. She richly deserves her Award as National Slimmer of the Year in the 41 to 55 age group.

Before 10 | The national magazine of Gymophobics 2016

After

Visit our web site at www.gymophobics.co.uk to find your nearest Centre

WINNERS 2016 Jackie Brown

Slimmer of The Year (55+ Category)

At 70 years young, Jackie is a deserved winner of her Award as National Slimmer of the Year in the older age category and is an inspiration to all those ladies who may have thought that they were too old to shape up. Jackie had a heart problem and high blood pressure when she started at Gymophobics in Hull and her 3 stones 3 pounds weight loss and her BMI on target at 27, down from 33, she is very much a new person. Jackie looks great too with her new svelt size 12 figure, down from a size 18. Jackie describes herself as Gymophobics through and through and even takes the Donna DVD on holiday with her. Her daughter’s

After

wedding this year has been a motivating factor and no doubt heads will turn at the new slimline Mother that will turn up for the big day. Jackie has lost a total of 41 inches so far.

Before

Jackie Bayliss

Most Inspirational Member

Jackie’s two and a half stone weight loss at Gymophobics in Cannock has taken her just eight months but it is what lies behind her achievement that is most inspiring. When aged 48, Jackie had an accident in 2010 which resulted in knee damage requiring surgery and, two years later, a complete knee replacement. She spent 2 years on crutches and this was followed by two gynecological operations during 2014. Not surprisingly, Jackie gained a lot of weight during this time and felt too fat to join a Gym and wondered if her knees would cope with exercise. But when she heard about Gymophobics caring approach to its ladies she plucked up the courage to go along and has never looked back. She even won first prize of £105 in Cannock’s ’ Biggest Loser 7 week Challenge’ Jackie’s determination to overcome all her medical issues has inspired a huge number of members and she richly deserves our National Award as Most Inspirational Member 2016.

Visit our web site at www.gymophobics.co.uk to find your nearest Centre

The

Gymophobics

Story

When our Founder Donna Hubbard received the fitness industry’s highest individual award in 2012 it was in recognition of how much Gymophobics has done to promote physical fitness to a sedentary population in the UK. More than 200,000 women have

like minded people to open more

Franchisee and their staff to ensure

sought Gymophobics help since

Centres as a franchise and were

that the standards she set in

Donna opened her first Centre back

soon inundated with hopeful

Lichfield are closely followed. Many

in 2003 and there are now facilities

applicants. There are now some 40

franchisees are either ex staff or

throughout the UK, all of which are

Centres in the UK.

were previously members, but all are

using her unique approach to figure

passionate about helping their

improvement, weight loss and

Each franchise is owned and

improved health & fitness.

operated under Licence with Donna still heavily involved in training each

members to achieve great results. Members come in all shapes and

For Donna, Gymophobics is the

sizes and their ages range from

culmination of a lifetime in the fitness

teenagers to senior citizens. As

industry. After her competitive

Donna says “Our goal is to show

swimming career was cut short

women that exercise can be fun and

through injury she trained in New

doesn’t need to be hard work. We

York and Chicago before returning to

show them that they don’t need to

the UK to pursue a career as a

train like an athlete to achieve a

Fitness Instructor and a Personal

good figure, health & vitality.

Trainer. It was during this time that

Members soon realise how much we

she realised how many women with

care and for most of them their visits

weight problems find conventional

to Gymophobics each week have

gyms intimidating.

become a way of life” For advice on becoming a member contact your nearest Gymophobics Centre.

Donna’s husband

Donna and her team

Richard is a veteran of

operate a full time

the gym industry and

training Academy in

lectured in exercise physiology. Together, they decided to open a facility to attract female non exercisers and the first Gymophobics opened in Lichfield

Stafford and welcome enquiries from anyone interested in becoming a Franchisee or an Instructor. Contact

in September 2003. An instant

admin@gymophobics.co.uk or call

success, they began looking for

01785 227273.

12 | The national magazine of Gymophobics 2016

Visit our web site at www.gymophobics.co.uk to find your nearest Centre

Make Your Body A Fat Burning Machine How can you get a lean toned body and never gain

Visit by visit, more and more

fat again? The answer is to turn your body into a fat

muscle fibres are being switched

burning machine which is nowhere near as difficult as

on and this has two effects. Firstly

it sounds. The idea is to get your muscles burning

you will see your body toning up

more calories 24/7 , even while you sleep!

before your eyes. Inches are coming off within a few weeks of

Now most women are a little afraid of building muscle

getting started as your muscles

in a conventional gym so they tend to avoid weight

do the job they were always

machines, barbells and dumbells and spend their time

meant to do and become the

on treadmills, rowing machines, etc.

body’s ‘natural corset!’.

At Gymophobics we don’t have those machines

The second effect is fat

anyway as our focus is on toning muscles. Toning is

burning! Every fibre that

quite different from building muscle so our members

is ‘switched on’ starts to

don’t have to worry that they will turn into some kind of

burn calories so very soon

body building amazon. Our 30 minute exercise circuit

fibres that may have lain

is designed to tone atrophied sagging muscles rather

dormant previously are

than build them.

forcing your fat stores to convert fat into energy. Most

Muscles are made up of fibres and as there are some

ladies will lose a dress size in the

620 muscles in the body and as each one contains

first few weeks.

hundreds of fibres, you can imagine that there are a huge number of muscle fibres in total.

So how long will newly switched on muscle fibres stay switched on? For as long as you

Some of these fibres are switched on at all times. If they

continue to use them on a regular basis is

weren’t then our muscles would sag and quite literally

the answer. Once switched on, a 30 minute

hang from our bones. Each switched on fibre is burning

workout using our Air machines a couple of

calories 24/7 so the more fibres we have that are

times each week will keep those fibres

switched on, the more calories we are burning.

burning calories at an accelerated rate.

Sadly, unless we use our muscles effectively, most

So there it is. A couple of sessions on the

muscle fibres are switched off and are burning very few

Gymophobics Circuit each week is all it takes to

calories as a result. The secret to burning fat therefore

turn your body into a fat burning machine

is to switch on as many fibres as possible and cardio

leaving you with the lean, mean body that you

activity such as jogging or aerobics won’t do that.

were meant to have.

Only exercising our muscles against some form of

And it is never too late to reverse the effects of a

resistance will switch on more fibres which is why the

sedentary lifestyle. No matter what your age, teens

Gymophobics circuit is designed to do just that. Our

to 60 plus, you can reverse atrophied muscle quickly

‘Air’ machines allow you to exercise all major muscle

and easily without having to train like an athlete or a

groups in just 30 minutes in a smooth but effective

body builder. Combine a resistance exercise

manner without the stress associated with using

programme with a sensible low sugar diet and watch

weights or weight machines.

the pounds melt away – yes, even while you sleep!

Visit our web site at www.gymophobics.co.uk to find your nearest Centre

Christine Lewis

Sally-Ann Royal

Inch Loss: 109 inches Weight Loss: 9 stone

Inch Loss: 58.5 inch Weight Loss: 7.5 stone

After

Before

After Before

Members and staff have great fun in raising money for charity. Last year some ÂŁ72,000 was raised for local charities.

14 | The national magazine of Gymophobics 2016

Visit our web site at www.gymophobics.co.uk to find your nearest Centre

CUT SUGAR – NOT FAT Long before the media began reporting that we had been mislead into eating less fat when really it is sugar not fat to blame for the obesity epidemic and heart problems, Gymophobics had already introduced their Low Sugar Diet. Back in 2013 Gymophobics published their LSD booklet which explains why it is sugar and not cholesterol that we need to restrict and since then thousands of our slimmers have lost weight while enjoying eggs, meat, butter and other dairy products which had previously been ‘banned’! Only Sweden have so far switched their advice from low fat diets to low sugar, but Doctors are coming round to accepting the overwhelming evidence which shows that people who die from heart attacks do not have abnormal cholesterol levels. More and more clinical studies are showing that it is the sugar in the diet that causes heart attacks and obesity. Most of that sugar is derived from the carbohydrates we eat but many products contain additional sugar which food manufacturers have added to replace the fat they have removed! The science is so overwhelming that it cannot be long before

LOW SUGAR DIET THE

AND THE

5/2 Diet

our ‘experts’ have to admit that we must change our eating habits sooner rather than later. THE UK ’s P

At Gymophobics we have jumped the gun and supported our

REMIER INCH & WEIGHT LOSS C

S ENTRE

members in cutting their sugar intake and the results have been spectacular. Despite the fact that our members are enjoying more taste in their food (now that they can eat fat), they are losing more weight and more quickly than ever before. Our LSD is full of taste and members say that they don’t feel as if they are dieting at all while most are losing a dress size in the first few weeks. Instructors work with each slimmer offering guidance on a one to one basis and most Centres also run weekly slimming classes for those who like group sessions. Whichever way suits you best, our LSD adds taste to your food and makes weight loss easier than you ever thought possible.

Visit our web site at www.gymophobics.co.uk to find your nearest Centre

Adopting a

Holistic Approach

Take a look around a Gymophobics Centre and you see that it is very different to a ‘conventional’ Gym. The relaxing feminine environment and the lack of clanking weight machines and treadmills is probably the first thing that you notice. Our ‘whisper quiet’ Air machines take the work out of the workout and very quickly you realise that all the ladies have a smile on their face and look to be enjoying their sessions. You will notice that there are no more

encouraging, motivating and ensuring

than 10 people on the ‘circuit’ at any

that they are happy with their

one time due to our appointment system

programme.

and our ‘traffic light’ ensures that no one

Jo Rook who has celebrated her second year following a heart transplant. Since becoming a member Jo has lost over a stone and is training for the London Marathon.

has to wait to get on a piece of

But it is what you don’t see that is the

equipment. When the traffic lights

significant difference between

change from green to red, every one

Gymophobics and a conventional Gym.

a gym is never going to compensate for

moves to the next station on the circuit

It is the special ingredient that keeps

a poor lifestyle during the rest of the

members attending and guarantees

week! That’s why our Instructors provide

Each member follows a unique

‘amazing’ results. We call it our ‘holistic’

a complete lifestyle prescription which

programme prescribed to take their

approach.

includes two or three 30 minute Gym

needs into account and you will see

sessions during the week, a 20 minute

Instructors constantly moving around

We recognise that there are 168 hours in

home exercise prescription for the days

the circuit working with their members,

a week so spending a couple of hours at

in between and a personalised nutrition programme which includes a FREE App to make keeping a record of sugar and calorie intake easy. Most importantly, our Instructors actually ‘care’ about their members results. They don’t design a programme and then leave them to get on with it! Each time the member attends, their Instructor checks how they are getting on and every three weeks they do a ‘Review’ to check the member’s results and tweak the programme if necessary. With this attention to detail it is no surprise that our members achieve such spectacular results.

16 | The national magazine of Gymophobics 2016

Visit our web site at www.gymophobics.co.uk to find your nearest Centre

Increased R.O.M. – Less Pain Osteoarthritis affects some 8 million people in the

Gymophobics ‘AIR’ machines provide easy pain free

UK. Although all age groups are affected, the over

exercise which takes the work out of the workout.

50’s suffer the most. In the past, arthritis sufferers

Exercise feels like pushing or pulling against a

were told to rest up and take pain killers but recent

cushion of air and of course the resistance is

research indicates that exercise is far and away the

adjusted by Instructors to match each

better option.

member’s ability.

Exercise increases range of movement (ROM),

Members report amazing improvements

strength and flexibility, reduces joint pain and helps to

within a few short weeks of

combat fatigue. Doctors now advise their arthritic

commencement. We have

patients to exercise which is why so many are now

even seen members

using Gymophobics Centres throughout the UK.

arriving with the aid of sticks who no longer need

Our Instructors are caring and empathetic. They work

them after a month or

with arthritic members and prescribe the right amount

two! If you know someone

of exercise. They give members the confidence and

suffering with arthritis pain,

motivation to carry on when times get tough. Arthritis

suggest that they contact

Research UK stress the importance of exercise to

their nearest Gymophobics

keep joints supple and nowhere does the old adage

facility for a free consultation and

‘Use it or lose it’ apply more.

Trial session.

Sharon Donnely

Wendy Greene

Inch Loss: 49inches Weight Loss: 5stone

Inch Loss: 38.75 inches Weight Loss: 4.5 stone

After Before

Before After

Visit our web site at www.gymophobics.co.uk to find your nearest Centre

What Is Your

Height Waist Ratio?

Recent studies show a simple method

By looking at waist measurements

to increase life expectancy by as

they found that people with the

much as 17 years!

highest waist-to-height ratio,

someone of 64" (5’4") in height

whose waistlines measured 80% Take a moment to take that in –

of their height, lived 17 years

increase life expectancy by 17 years!

fewer than average!

below half their height measurement. Thus, should have a waist measurement below 32". Clearly, this research is

So what is this ‘simple method’ ?

They determined that children

far too important to be

as young as 5 could be

ignored and researchers

The answer lies in the effect of central

screened using the waist-to-height

fat which accumulates around the

ratio to identify those at risk of

organs and is closely linked to heart

obesity and serious health conditions

significant in predicting cardio vascular

disease and stroke. Researchers from

later in life.

disease and diabetes than BMI.

data collected over a 20 year period

So what is the ideal waist-to-height

Whatever your inch loss goals may be,

and were able to calculate how many

ratio? The European Congress on

the first goal should always be to

years of life were lost as people’s waist

Obesity recommends that people

reduce your waist to below half your

lines increased.

should keep their waist measurement

height measurement.

suggest that the waist-toheight ratio is far more

Oxford Brookes University examined

UK’s

Best Trained

Instructors

Gymophobics Instructors attend Courses at the Company’s national training academy each year. Based in Stafford, the Academy is the only company operated facility of its kind in the UK. Courses include physiology & anatomy, nutrition, exercise prescription and a wide range of classes and group sessions to ensure that our Instructors are the best trained in the industry.

18 | The national magazine of Gymophobics 2016

Visit our web site at www.gymophobics.co.uk to find your nearest Centre

‘Air’

Makes Results Easy

When Gymophobics Founder Donna Hubbard was planning her first facility she had a clear vision on the kind of equipment she wanted. What she did not want was the usual mix of weight machines and cardio equipment that most conventional Gyms seem to offer. Most women dislike ‘weight’ machines, dumbbells and barbells. They look and feel ‘manly’ and can be quite intimidating. Visit a conventional Gym and you will see that most women ignore the weights and end up using the cardio equipment such as treadmills, cycles and cross trainers. But Cardio burns very few calories so Donna set out to find equipment that women would enjoy using and would make exercise easy!” After a world wide search Donna located equipment powered by ‘Air’ instead of weights. “ I knew immediately it was what I was looking for” says Donna. “Using these machines is like pushing or pulling against a cushion of air and takes the work out of the workout. Our ladies love using air machines

with ‘switched on’ fibres, muscles

that all body parts can be toned and

and the toning effect is incredible.

becomes lean and toned, holding

tightened in just 30 minutes per

Most ladies lose a dress size in the

everything in and act like the body’s

session. Instructors work closely with

first few weeks”.

natural corset. Inches literally melt

each member to prescribe the

away in all the right places.

exercises and resistance levels that

Unlike Treadmills and other cardio

will achieve the best results.

equipment, ‘Air’ machines switch on

Air machines can be set at whatever

dormant muscle fibres by making

level of resistance a member

Gymophobics now work with an

them contract. Once switched on,

requires. Just a touch of a button

equipment manufacturer to produce

fibres go on burning calories 24/7,

increases or reduces the air pressure

their own unique range of Air

even while we sleep! And of course,

and the ten station ‘Air’ circuit means

machines.

Visit our web site at www.gymophobics.co.uk to find your nearest Centre

Own Your Own

Gymophobics

Franchise

For anyone who is passionate about the benefits of weight loss and a healthy lifestyle, a Gymophobics franchise is well worth considering. It is a chance to be your own boss, do some good and enjoy a good standard of living. As the UK’s leading diet & exercise group we are seeking business minded people to join our expansion programme. For as little as £15,000 plus vat we can help you own your own fully equipped facility. No experience is required as we will support you every step of the way. You will own your own business but you won’t ever be on your own. We will help you to find the ideal premises in the area of your choice and give you an exclusive territory. We will help you design and fit out your facility and recruit the right staff. Then we will train you and your staff to run a Gymophobics Centre to be proud of. Some of our franchisees have gone on to open two, three or more Centres and having helped change the lives of hundreds of their clients, they have transformed their own as well.

“We would recommend this unique concept to anyone. We are very glad we did it”. y Trish & Tony Connor – Harrogate/Wetherb

best decision we “Choosing Gymophobics was the rwhelming and made. The support has been ove te for success. the training offers a great templa Darren & Jane Kenyon - Cannock

To find out more ca Franchise Office ll the on

01785 2

or visit our we2b7273 www.gymophob site at: ics.co.uk

e lifestyle. If “Gymophobics has given us a nic n’s health & you are passionate about wome fitness it’s the way to go! Steve Web ster & Sarah Evans – Beverle y, Hull & Hessle

20 | The national magazine of Gymophobics 2016

Visit our web site at www.gymophobics.co.uk to find your nearest Centre