Workout December 2022

Funxtion appoints head of customer success

FUNXTION, experts in B2B personalised digital fitness, has announced the appointment of Danny Woods, a well-respected customer service expert with more than 15 years of experience in the fitness industry, as its new head of customer success.

Danny was previously the global client services director at SweatWorks, a leading digital technology agency, and before that was the enterprise customer success and enterprise sales lead for EGYM (previously Netpulse) across both the European and US market.

“Danny is highly regarded in the fitness industry with superior expertise in customer success,” said Ernst de Neef, co-Founder and CEO at Funxtion.

“We are beyond excited to be working with him and look forward to taking our customer journey to the next level.”

Danny joins Funxtion at an exciting time, with the team growing rapidly since its recent €5.8M funding announcement to accelerate the innovation of its platform and fuel rapid international expansion.

With a primary focus to bridge the relationships between Funxtion and its clients, Danny will be joining Funxtion’s management team to ensure every customer receives the maximum value from the

partnerships.

Danny added: “There has never been a more important time for operators to focus on enhancing the member experience in the gym, at home and on the go.

“Funxtion has been helping brands such as PureGym UK, GoodLife Fitness Canada and Fitness First Germany unlock their digital potential and I’m delighted to be joining their talented team.

“I look forward to working with their existing and new customers to deliver a world-class customer experience.”

Nottingham Swim School boosts and upskills its aquatic workforce

NOTTINGHAM Swim School is undertaking a third Swimming Teacher Recruitment Academy with Swim England and the Institute of Swimming following the successful recruitment of 24 Level 2 swimming teachers.

Nottingham Swim School, which is part of Nottingham City Council, launched the first Recruitment Academy back in September 2021 to help boost its aquatic workforce and reduce swimming lesson waiting times across the region.

Now, under an official partnership, Nottingham Swim School is starting a third Swimming Teacher Recruitment Academy with Swim England and the Institute of Swimming, hoping to recruit and train a further 20 teachers ahead of a January 2023 start, with a vision to create a more diverse workforce.

The new, two-year partnership is about both the recruitment and the retention and up-skilling of existing staff, and so will also see Nottingham Swim School’s swimming teachers given access to the Institute of Swimming’s Continuous Professional Development and bespoke teacher up-skilling, following tutor-led swimming teacher observations.

The Institute of Swimming has already run teacher observation days, where its team of experts watched and reviewed Nottingham Swim School’s existing lessons, before creating a bespoke training day to reinforce key swimming teaching methods and improve any areas of concern. The Institute of Swimming will provide this training for all Nottingham Swim School’s swimming teachers, with quarterly observations.

leisure industry’s ‘one stop’ clothing and merchandise provider.

Management buy-in takes Proinsight to new heights

PROINSIGHT – the UK’s fastest growing mystery shopping business – has facilitated a management buy-in in a strategic play that paves the way for future growth.

Managing director David Hopkins, the driving force behind the company, has increased his stake to become majority shareholder, whilst business directors Chloe Kinch and Hannah Weekes have also bought-into the business and will continue to work closely with David and the rest of the Board to take Proinsight to new heights.

“Our collective ambition has been to build a team of incredible professionals and for them to share in the ownership of the business,” said David.

“Anybody who knows Hannah and Chloe will know they are those incredible

professionals, and together we make a formidable team.”

Proinsight will continue to benefit from the stability and expertise of an experienced board. Jon Stemp will continue to chair the board which now includes David Hopkins, Mhairi FitzPatrick, Andy Kay, Mike Boyle, Chloe Kinch and Hannah Weekes.

“Expanding on our organisations stability, we are excited to include Chloe and Hannah as directors, in readiness for the next phase of our business growth,” added Jon.

Founded in 2014, Proinsight has become a leading specialist provider of mystery shopping and consumer insight across a variety of sectors including leisure, retail, hospitality, automotive and housing.

Danny Woods

Gen Z workers are happiest and hardest working generation, new research finds

A NEW report from Gympass, the world’s largest corporate wellbeing platform, has found that despite Gen Z’s reputation for shirking work, they are actually the happiest at work and also the hardest working.

The 2022 Gympass State of Work-Life Wellness Report surveyed employees across the globe, and in the UK found that:

n 75 per cent of Generation Z employees are happy at work, compared to 60 per cent of over 50s.

n Generation Z are three times more likely to rank wellbeing at work as important compared to older workforce.

n Youngest generation are 20 per cent more likely to engage with their employee benefits package than older colleagues.

n 89 per cent of Gen Z employees would quit if their company didn’t focus on employee wellbeing.

With countless stories citing Gen Z as a lazy demographic rejecting the idea of hard work, the new State of WorkLife Wellness Report from Gympass, the world’s largest corporate wellbeing platform, shows quite the opposite.

Three-quarters of Gen Z employees are happy at work and most importantly, more engaged with their work compared to older generations.

The data revealed that 75 per cent of Gen Z workers are happy in their current

jobs compared to just 60 per cent of people over 50.

Similarly, the vast majority (84 per cent) of young workers are engaged at work compared to 75 per cent of over 50s.

Wellbeing wins

The data showed that this generation has an entirely unique perspective on careers and how to define success in life and in the workforce.

With wellbeing as a top priority for

many Gen Z employees, it is no surprise that they are 20 per cent more likely to engage with their employee benefits package than their older colleagues.

They are also three times more likely to rank wellbeing at work as critically important compared to colleagues 50+.

“The pandemic changed people’s approach to wellbeing but it appears this has been felt most with the youngest workers,” said Luke Bullen, head of UK and Ireland at Gympass.

“This generation is not lazy – they are reassessing their relationship with work in a way that older generations never did.

“They are prioritising their own wellbeing and taking stock of what they want out of their employment.

“Today, young people are simply not content with jobs they deem unsatisfying or potentially harmful to their health and they are not shy about sharing these expectations with their employers.”

Resignation or reflection?

The State of Work-Life Wellness Report from Gympass also showed that 89 per cent of Generation Z employees would consider leaving a company that didn’t focus on their wellbeing.

This is important because recent news of “quiet quitting” and the “Great Resignation” may lead many employers

to believe that young people are simply rejecting the idea of hard work.

The data from Gympass reveals that the reality is a bit more nuanced. With more young people putting their health and wellbeing as their number one priority, it is no surprise that the report also showed Gen Z employees citing an improvement in their wellbeing in 2022 when compared to employees over 50 years of age.

“This data is key to understanding Gen Z in the workforce,” added Luke.

“Generation Z will soon surpass Millennials as the most populous generation on earth with more than onethird of the world’s population counting themselves as Gen Z’ers.

“Businesses need new employee engagement tactics in light of this changing demographic so it’s important to question the current narrative. They’re not simply rejecting hard work and indulging in leisure. They’re actually just prioritising their own wellbeing and speaking more publicly about the role of labour in their lives.”

The State of Work-Life Wellness Report is the first annual report from Gympass investigating the wellbeing of employees around the globe, investigating trends and data to assess how businesses should adapt in order to maximise employee wellbeing and productivity.

TV’s SAS legend Jason Fox to headline Fitnessat58degrees Wellness Festival

THOSE looking to live a healthier lifestyle will soon have the unique opportunity to learn from one of the country’s best known fitness experts at an exclusive wellbeing event in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park.

Jason Fox – known to fans of hit Channel 4 show SAS: Who Dares Wins as Foxy – is a former Royal Marine Commando and Special Forces Sergeant.

He will headline the inaugural Fitnessat58degrees Wellness Festival in Aviemore on March 4, 2023 – joining fellow TV stars, fitness professionals and Olympians at the exclusive event.

Jason said: “In the military and in everyday life, staying mentally and physically fit helps us overcome all manner of challenges. I’m delighted to be heading up to the Highlands in March to speak at the Fitnessat58degrees Wellness Festival and share some of the lessons I have learned over the years to help others achieve their potential.”

The festival is the brainchild of Team GB biathlete and Fitnessat58degrees founder Sam Cairns, who has been running fitness and wellbeing retreats across the UK and abroad for five years.

He said: “Foxy is one of the country’s top fitness and wellbeing experts, and I’m so excited to be bringing him to the Highlands to pass on his knowledge from over 20 years in the SAS.

“Our Wellness Festival is designed to let people focus on their physical and mental wellbeing – providing a supportive and inspiring environment for them to explore their own lives and goals.

“Foxy – and our other incredible speakers and instructors – live and breathe this every day, so this is an amazing opportunity for attendees to learn from some of the country’s top health, fitness and sporting minds in an unbelievable setting.”

Joining Foxy on the star-studded line-up are fellow SAS: Who Dares Wins

star Jay Morton; Hollyoaks actress, radio presenter and fitness author Gemma Atkinson; and Olympic gold medallist Amy Williams.

Sam added: “There’s never been an event like this held amongst the stunning Cairngorms scenery – let alone one that offers such up close and personal access to some of the country’s top fitness trainers and speakers.

“After having to postpone our last festival due to the pandemic, it feels incredible to finally be able to welcome fitness fans to the Highlands.

“After all we’ve been through over the last couple of years, it’s right that we take some time to focus on our own wellbeing and put ourselves first.

“Every workout and motivational session has been planned to create a positive and uplifting atmosphere to inspire people to become a better version of themselves.

“Our guests have lived through some incredible experiences, and this is our chance to learn from them and grow ourselves.”

With numbers capped to ensure that all attendees get everything they can from the experience, those interested are encouraged to book now – and take advantage of a £20 early bird discount. The varied programme will feature HIT workouts led by Gemma and

Amy, as well as motivational sessions, seminars, workshops and live Q&As where attendees will be able to put their questions to the professionals –including SAS veteran Foxy.

VIP tickets will also allow attendees the chance to rub shoulders with the stars at exclusive meet and greet sessions throughout the day.

The line-up also features fitness influencer Stefanie Moir (@ naturallystefanie), and well-known personal trainers Wallace Wilson and Conor Mcgillivray from Dynomorph Fitness.

The programme is rounded out by personal trainer Ian Findlay and running ambassador Ashley Brooks.

The Fitnessat58degrees Wellness Festival takes place at the Macdonald Aviemore Resort, and will welcome up to 700 delegates to the heart of the Cairngorms National Park on March 4, 2023.

Early bird tickets range from £129.99£249.99 and are available now from www.fitnessat58.co.uk.

All tickets include access to all talks, workshops, workouts and seminars throughout the festival – with entry also available to the evening after party.

VIP passes – limited to just 50 – also include lunch and meet-and-greets with celebrity guests.

Jason Fox

Your Space Mansfield unveils new

state-of-the-art fitness facilities

A MANSFIELD health club has benefited from a major upgrade to its fitness facilities, including the installation of innovative new kit to further enhance the member experience.

Since 2020, operator BPL has invested more than £750,000 into the development of Your Space Mansfield after rebranding the site from Fitness Flex.

Following improvements to areas including the cycling and dance studios, the next phase was the refurbishment of the club’s fitness facilities this summer to improve the layout and member journey and add new state-of-the-art kit and flooring.

To create the new gym, BPL worked with key suppliers from across the industry, choosing the best concepts and equipment for each element.

And the response from users has been amazing.

Regional manager Tom Galvin said: “The feedback from customers has already been incredible. The numbers coming through are outstanding.

“Our NPS score has gone up from 67 per cent to 80 per cent since mid-May, which coincides with the installation of the new kit and the comments we are

getting are really positive.

“These improvements also reinforce the strength of the Your Space brand and our values of being fun, friendly, not-for-profit and great value for money, which really resonate with people.

“During lockdown, we also invested heavily in solar power at the site. This has helped reduce our energy costs throughout a difficult time and further

proves our commitment to delivering our purpose with a social conscience in an environmentally friendly way.”

One of the suppliers involved with the project was Ethics Leisure, which worked with BPL to provide award-winning Total Gym UK incline bodyweight functional fitness equipment.

Another key supplier was Reach Wellness, which installed the most

comprehensive range of FIVE Concept to date in the UK, comprising eight Pro-Line stations, Fascial Stimulator and Triggerwand.

These exercise stations have been designed for movement preparation and mobilisation and are being enjoyed by a wide variety of members at Your Space Mansfield.

A wide range of Technogym kit was also installed into the new gym - from the full range of Excite Live Cardio with Technogym Live content to the Skill Line, versatile OMNIA 8 functional training area and a variety of strength training solutions from the Pure Strength line, Selection line and more.

Complementing the physical products are digital solutions, including Mywellness CRM, which underpins the member journey from initial wellness assessment with body analysis and profiling, through to bookings management, programming and challenges.

The club has been shortlisted for two National Fitness Awards – Local Authority/Leisure Trust Gym of the Year and Regional Gym of the Year Midlands and Wales, with the winners announced at a ceremony on November 18.

Ukrainian refugees start new careers as lifeguards in the UK

A BOUTIQUE training provider has helped Ukrainian refugees secure new careers as lifeguards in the UK, thanks to the RLSS UK’s National Pool Lifeguard Qualification.

Swim UK, part of Functional Skills UK, operates one of the largest programmes of lifeguard, swimming teaching and leisure industry-related courses in Kent and Sussex.

Three Ukrainians are now working as lifeguards at Brighton Swimming Centre after completing the RLSS UK’s NPLQ – one of the most respected and recognised lifeguarding qualifications in the world. A fourth learner, aged 16, has gone on to full time education at Brighton College.

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The lifeguards – aged 19, 34 and 47-years-old – had been enrolled on a Functional Skills UK course to improve their English reading, writing and communication skills when offered the opportunity to complete the NPLQ course with Swim UK.

The students studied alongside their

British counterparts during the fiveday course using Google Translate to interpret any specialist terminologies. During the final exam, they had access to a phone (not their own) and an app, which allowed them to translate the questions into Ukrainian.

“The NPLQ course gave the learners focus and has really helped them grow in confidence. They’ve gone from not knowing much English and being out of work to being employed as a lifeguard in the UK,” said Sacha Lansdall, curriculum advisor and tutor at Functional Skills UK/ Swim UK.

“They struggled with some of the terminologies because they don’t always directly translate to Ukrainian and were

very grateful for the patience of the tutors and the additional support they received.

“They’re incredibly pleased to have passed the qualification and be employed as lifeguards.”

Learning alongside British students helped the Ukrainians, she added.

“The British candidates helped the Ukrainians to understand what to do on the course and improved their English language skills, which made it easier for the Ukrainian lifeguards to find employment afterwards.”

Following the success of the NPLQ training, Functional Skills UK is offering its current cohort of Ukrainian learners the opportunity to train as lifeguards.

Daniel appointed marketing agency’s new MD

MARKETING agency Action Group, which specialises in the health and fitness sector, has appointed Daniel Pearson as managing director.

Daniel most recently led European comms for Gympass, and prior to that worked at Teneo, with brand experience including Instagram, Coca-Cola, eBay and O2 among others.

“I’ve seen the great work that Action do first-hand, and I’m excited to help the agency with the next steps in its growth journey,” he said.

“It’s a fantastic team that repeatedly delivers excellent work for clients across communications and content services, from marketing to modelling and beyond.

“I’m excited to be a part of the agency, focusing on an industry

that’s a personal passion, and look forward to playing a role in its future growth.”

As managing director Daniel will work alongside co-founders Cheryl Hersey and Dawn Tuckwell to develop the business strategy and

seek new growth areas, whilst also helping to deliver for current clients including Les Mills, David Lloyd and Gympass.

Cheryl said: “Daniel brings with him a wealth of strategic Marcomms experience, working with global brands, which will be invaluable as we look to continue our growth as an agency.

“His European experience will support our global clients as they demand more in these markets.

“Daniel will significantly bolster our already strong team and we’re delighted to have him on board spearheading our strategy.”

He joins Action Group, known for its fitness industry connections, as the agency looks to expand its client list across its entire range of services.

Daniel Pearson

Fisikal develops app to help operators manage their member promotions

FISIKAL has developed a standalone, white-label app that enables gym owners to run, manage and execute bespoke member acquisition promotions.

CEO Rob Lander said: “Many gyms continue to face tough times with rising energy prices hiking up costs whilst the cost-of-living crisis places less disposable income in the pocket of the consumer.

“This is amplifying the need for effective member acquisition campaigns that are easy to manage, efficient to run and deliver a great member experience.

“The challenge is, many gyms do not have the digital capability to action this. We developed this affordable, self-sufficient app to offer a solution.”

The app is versatile. Central YMCA has just activated Fisikal’s digital promotions app to manage its 12 Days of Christmas promotion.

The custom branded App can be downloaded, free of charge, from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Content is then unlocked via a secure code provided by Central YMCA.

Once inside, the user can access details of the promotion and, after answering some basic profiling questions, arrange to visit the club and complete a tour.

Once in the club, a QR code stored in the app, verifies the user, grants access, logs this initial visit and any subsequent visits.

The code remains active for the term of the promotion, automatically switching off at the end of the promotion’s term.

Ryan Palmer, general manager at Central YMCA, added: “Digitalising the administration of the promotion removes inefficiencies of a paper-based system whilst also providing the operator with real-time access to user profile information, plus activation and engagement data.

“If people decide to join following the promotion

“The App is a game changer for us. Not only does it modernise the experience of the person enjoying the

Advertiser’s announcement

promotion, it also gives us, the operator, access to real time data that helps us to understand the popularity of the promotion and the behaviours of those involved in a way that wasn’t possible before.”

Fisikal built the custom-branded app for Central YMCA and had it operational within three weeks.

Gym equipment installation by the industry experts

DESPITE improvements in the ease of setting up gym equipment, most installations work best when the project is managed and executed by trained professionals like ServiceSport UK. Often, any problems that arise have nothing to do with you or the equipment, but rather unforeseen obstacles.

Our installation engineers are able to work around these challenges and implement solutions to ensure your gym installation goes according to plan and without any issues.

Our team will expertly, and safely, build, deliver and install any range of gym equipment, whether it’s cardio, strength, functional equipment or

multi-functional rigs.

Our team are flexible, and we can work outside of your normal operating hours to avoid disrupting your daily operations.

The ServiceSport UK planning and logistics team will be able to provide you with information on installation dates, and delivery times, and provide you with the completion of works, guaranteeing you are always kept informed every step of the way.

Our installation planning team also use the latest cutting-edge technology to keep track of our installation team whilst they are out on the road, allowing us to keep you up to date should the team get delayed for the appointment.

In addition, ServiceSport UK offers a complete gym design service helping you plan the layout and the look and feel of your gym to ensure you and your customers have access to a stateof-the-art space, expertly incorporating your branding and tailored specifications.

From flooring to equipment customisation, we will design and then install the gym equipment in a space that reflects everything your business is about.

Branding is essential when designing a gym, so we offer unrivalled customisation options with colours, logos and more.

Our combined-services approach allows us to offer gym owners of all sizes, whether independent gyms or multi-site operators, the lowest cost, best quality installation, extended delivery hours and post-service support.

We help keep up with ever-evolving market expectations when it comes to gym equipment installation.

ServiceSport UK is a pioneer in the world of commercial gym equipment with what we can offer, from installation and servicing.

Through a symbiotic relationship between innovation, technology and personal relationships, we stay one step ahead of the continually evolving marketplace and you can be a part of the journey with just one phone call.

their details can be integrated into the gyms incumbent CRM system, if they don’t, data can be stored, growing the prospect database, and used in future targeted marketing campaigns.

Why now is the perfect time to switch your gym management software

THERE are plenty of reasons you are looking to change your gym management software provider – ‘it’s too complicated’, ‘there are too many hidden fees’, ‘they don’t have the features you need’, ‘their support team has you on hold for hours’, etc.

Many EZFacility clients who have switched from other gym software providers were running into the same issues yet, though they were fed up with the runaround, were still hesitant to make the switch because they thought it would disrupt their day-to-day business too much.

Let’s address some common concerns we have heard from clients when considering making the switch to EZFacility.

The transition process is too difficult That’s what we’re here for! During the transition process, you’ll have a dedicated customer success specialist performing one-on-one training to guide you through utilising our software to its fullest.

They will be there every step of the way to help set up your EZFacility account to your gym facility’s specific needs.

Our training team has facilitated transitions from almost every other gym management software company out there, so they are experts when it comes to ensuring a painless transition.

Learning a new gym management software will take too long

There is always a learning curve when starting anything new – hey, we’re just being honest – but the EZFacility team is here to get you up and running quickly.

Getting started quickly though doesn’t mean we sprint through set up. During implementation, our team works with you and your team to ensure everyone is comfortable and confident running your business with our software.

Because we work together to get you up to speed, you won’t break stride with current gym operations.

How do we do this you may ask?

Completed in four recommended, one-hour training sessions our training process is one that has been designed with a “train-the-trainer” approach in mind. The “train-the-trainer” methodology will grant your gym the opportunity to have a “go-to” in house EZExpert to help current and future

employees become comfortable using EZFacility. Don’t worry though, we are always available to field questions and walk you through any requests that may arise during and after the training process. Our support centre is also available 24/7 for you to access user guides, helpful product articles, and videos, along with the ability to submit a request for support.

Members will be double billed or not billed at all We know that maintaining consistent billing is vital to your gym’s livelihood.

To safeguard against members being double billed during the transition, we recommend you choose a cut-off date for billing where all transactions will be switched over to EZFacility from your current (and soon-to-be former) software provider.

On the very rare occasion payments are missed when the transfer occurs, we have plans in place to bill members once you activate billing through EZFacility.

Additionally, our customer support team is available to guarantee your billing (and gym) runs efficiently.

Data will be lost in the migration

Our customer support team consists of import specialists, there to navigate you step-by-step through the data migration process to guarantee an effortless transition.

With EZFacility data migration templates ready for use, all you have to do is plug in member information from your current software provider.

From there, our knowledgeable team will review the import file with you and will work together to make sure that the data migration into our software is a successful one. It really is that simple.

My members will have a hard time adjusting to a new interface

Just like you may have a slight learning curve, so might they. To make it easier for members (and cut down questions to you) we have member directed FAQs and support articles available, with more always being created. Plus, our easy-to-use interface minimises service interruption for members and makes it easy for them to pick up.

We understand change is difficult

Let us put your worries to rest. Ditch the software that’s slowing down your growth and get started with one that was built with you in mind.

Contact us to book a demo and learn more about EZFacility and see why switching your software provider doesn’t have to be stressful.

Call 0203 3270480, email sales@ezfacility.co.uk or visit http://www.ezfacility.co.uk/ request-more-information

Boxer and reality star prove a knockout at London gym launch

CELEBRITY guests Shannon

Courtenay and Alex Mytton cut the ribbon as Precision Health Gyms –the UK’s first physiology and fitness gym – officially opened its doors in London recently.

Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins star and former world boxing champion Shannon and Made in Chelsea reality star and Alex proved a knockout in front of a packed audience at the event in Whitechapel.

Founded by former world kickboxing champion Christian Thomson and Virgis Silinskas, Precision Health Gyms is no regular gym as it is the first in the country to offer members high-tech full body laboratory-grade testing.

This includes biomechanics, physiological, metabolic and biochemical scanning – which aims to help ‘build a precise physiological picture’ of the individual.

Precision Health Gyms partner with some of the most groundbreaking tech companies on the planet including health test provider OMNOS, metabolic testing specialists PNOE, body composition analysis experts InBody and Diers – who through its pressure-plated treadmill which take 240 images

per second – are able to capture a unique functional analysis of the musculoskeletal system.

These cutting-edge methods help formulate a highly-personalised plan that delivers a detailed ‘roadmap for nutrition, exercise, lifestyle and supplementation’. Precision Health Gyms’ mantra is ‘test don’t guess’.

Shannon and Alex both underwent movement, metabolic and body composition analysis testing by Precision Health Gyms’ team of coaches and ‘scientists’ during the day before the launch started and

were ‘blown away’ by the technology.

Shannon said: “Some people try personal trainers but may think am I wasting my money? Shall I do cardio, shall I do weights?

“But this type of testing tells your body what you should and shouldn’t do. Maybe you shouldn’t be running 10 minutes, you should work on your posture more which will benefit your running. This testing will help with that.

“What Precision Health Gyms is doing is a totally new concept.

“Not everybody’s body is the same.

Our calorie in-take and the way our bodies burn calories is different for all of us.

“Not everyone should stick to the same diets. If people start getting that right, it can revolutionise the fitness industry and the way people train.”

Alex, who has starred on Made in Chelsea for a decade, revealed the invitation to Precision Health Gyms had come at just right time for him as he was looking to get back into shape after a period away from the gym.

The reality star plans to document his journey back to fitness with Precision Health Gyms on his Instagram social media page.

He added: “I was really into my training in the past but doing something like this, with this approach, will really help me stay focused with it. I’m excited about it.

“I did get into good shape in 2016 but then it slowly went downhill.

“It was a combination of too much partying and as you get older your metabolic slows down so it’s harder. I was working more with less emphasis on training making me less fit. I’ve got some slight injury issues but with Precision Health Gyms’ help I’m aiming to get back to where I was.”

Latest client-only event is filled with a huge sense of community

FITNESS Marketing Agency, the largest marketing agency for gym owners in the UK and Ireland, held its biggest clientonly event recently at the Amex stadium in Brighton.

With more than 200 clients in attendance, the day was filled with a huge sense of community, new connections and the knowledge to be successful.

Many gyms and clubs are seeing a decrease in client numbers and people cancelling their memberships due to hiked inflation, cost of living and the talks of an incoming recession.

With an ever-increasing number of options on the market for consumers to choose from, it is harder than ever for independent gyms to compete against the big corporate players in the industry. But with Fitness Marketing Agency’s help, many independent gyms and clubs are not only surviving but thriving.

This is why Fitness Marketing Agency puts on client-only events to go above and beyond serving the fitness industry and its members who are looking for growth and an alternative strategy when it comes to acquiring new clients.

Our latest event in Brighton kicked off with Fitness Marketing Agency’s founder

and CEO Ben Davis giving insights into what is working right now in the fitness industry when it comes to sales and marketing to grow a successful gym.

They had guest appearances on stage including motivational speaker Steve Judge, who talked about all things mindset and mental health.

Wellbeing expert Oliver Patrick educated the attendees on running a successful wellness business in 2022 and a number of Fitness Marketing Agency’s clients delivered presentations on how they are growing their businesses despite hiked inflation and an incoming recession.

Russell Grant (Busy Man’s Fitness Club, Essex) has been working in the industry for 17 years. His talk ‘Who has ghosted who’ had a lasting message about sales and don’t give up on someone once you have acquired their details.

You don’t know when they will come back to you and how much they need you.

Mani Johal (Fight City Gym, London), who has been in the industry for nine years, talked about how to successfully raise investment to grow your business and gave a detailed presentation on what he did to be able to raise enough

capital to open three gyms in London.

Liz Penny (Sweat, London and Winchester) has been in the industry for 18 years. Liz talked about the five lessons she learned from opening a second location.

Liz focussed on location, size, how to learn and evolve, the importance of research, and getting back to basics with marketing and sales.

Ronan Mahon (Movement Fitness, Dublin) has 11 years of experience in the industry and has had major success using the one-call close script which helped him close more than 300 clients this year in 15 minutes or less on the phone.

Ronan gave an incredible insight into his sales process and broke down exactly how FMA’s clients could replicate this in their business.

In the evening there was a social in a hotel in Brighton for FMA clients to continue networking and socialising.

After a successful day, FMA clients thrived on the opportunity to talk about everything they managed to take away from the event and connect with others to discuss future strategies.

FMA’s events are exclusive to their clients.

The day is incredibly valuable, allowing clients to step out of their own business for one day in order to work on their business.

It can be isolating and lonely building a business and being an entrepreneur but FMA’s community of like-minded people who are willing to share ideas, inspire, motivate and collaborate, makes running and owning a gym easier.

Fitness Marketing Agency is at the forefront of the fitness industry and their events are truly special for all those who attend. FMA’s next Mastermind Event is in Dublin, Ireland on March 2, 2023.

Fitness Marketing Agency helps gym owners, personal trainers, and coaches get more leads, sign new members, and grow their businesses.

They are currently serving over 350 clients in the industry and are an awardwinning agency winning prestigious marketing awards.

Even though they help their clients generate leads and brand awareness they also help them convert those leads into long-term paying clients with sales coaching that works.

For more information go to www.fitnessmarketing.agency to find out more and view their client’s success stories.

Forty per cent of council areas at risk of centre closures and restrictions

FORTY per cent of council areas are at risk of losing their leisure centres and swimming pools within five months – or seeing services rationalised – due to the sector’s growing energy crisis, industry leaders have warned.

New figures from ukactive project that without government intervention, large numbers of public sector leisure facilities are unlikely to make it through to next spring, with service restrictions and facility closures already growing across the UK.

A new consultation with national public leisure operators asked ukactive members to risk assess the current threat to their facilities.

The findings show: n 40 per cent of council areas are at risk of losing their leisure centre(s) or seeing reduced services at their leisure centre(s) before March 31, 2023

n Three quarters (74 per cent) of council areas are classified as ‘unsecure’, meaning there is risk of the closure of leisure centres and/or reduced services before March 31, 2024.

Industry leaders are calling for immediate support to avoid significant closures – support that cannot wait until the outcome of the Energy Bill Relief Scheme review from

the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, which will not be implemented until April 2023.

They are calling on the Government to intervene straight away and work with local authorities and facility operators to find a short-term solution that supports discussions on the long-term future of the services provided to communities by public leisure facilities.

This would complement the wider support needed from the BEIS review for the whole sector (both public and private operators), including an extended energy price guarantee, VAT relief, business rates holiday, and local government grants.

Gyms, swimming pools and leisure centres are disproportionately affected by rising energy costs, given their high energy intensiveness, and therefore remain highly vulnerable

despite the broad support provided for all businesses.

ukactive’s evidence shows that operators face bills up to 200 per cent higher this year compared to 2019 (the last normal operating year), with costs set to grow by up to 240 per cent next year.

While most public leisure operators say they are working constructively with their local authorities to find solutions, the reality is council budgets are under growing pressure and urgent, targeted support will be required from central government.

Huw Edwards, ukactive CEO, said: “We are now seeing daily announcements of public sector leisure facilities either restricting services, at threat of closure, or closing permanently due to the energy crisis.

“This is the sad reality of the accurate projections ukactive made to the Government earlier this year, and a tragedy for local communities which are losing trusted, essential services that support the physical and mental wellbeing of the communities they serve.

“The Energy Price Guarantee – in place until March 2023 – has avoided catastrophic energy prices across all sectors for the moment, but it was never a silver bullet, and this

is now being seen in parts of our sector, especially in facilities that run swimming pools.

“The Government needs to intervene now, and we remain committed to bringing together operator members, alongside representatives across local government, to explore all options available to stem the flow of closures.

“The UK cannot afford our new projections on restrictions and closures to happen, hence the need for urgent action now.”

ukactive has also conducted consumer polling with Savanta ComRe which found the cost of living crisis is causing concern among consumers about their physical activity levels.

The polling shows: n 43 per cent of respondents said the rising cost of living will have a negative impact on their ability to participate in sport and exercise. n One in five (20 per cent) said this would be a ‘large negative impact’ which will reduce their physical activity a lot.

The combination of energy bills and threat to consumer spending mean that many essential frontline community health services could disappear from cities, towns, and villages across the nation.

ukactive CEO Huw Edwards.

Understand how the landscape has changed

IN A time of uncertainty, it’s important that we don’t remain insular in our thinking when it comes to how we move forward as an industry.

The work we do has global impact, so look to other markets to see how trends ebb and flow when deciding how to grow.

Myzone’s Mike Leveque joined a panel of industry experts for the 2022 State of the Industry, What’s Next In Fitness discussion, chaired by ABC Fitness Solutions’ Aaron Verasammy.

“With clubs in 84 countries and two and a half million users, we generate a lot of data,” Mike said.

“The most notable trend we’re seeing is that, prior to the pandemic, 63 per cent of all exercise sessions were being done inside the club.

During the pandemic this went down to three per cent of workouts taking place inside the club.

“Even in October, we were only up to 45 per cent of workouts taking place in the club.

“What we can take away from this as an industry, as vendors and operators, is that it’s more important than ever to not just

connect with your members outside the club, but to extend the member experience of your brand outside of those four walls.

“Set up the club as the health and fitness hub of the community; not just somewhere that people visit two or three times a week.

“If you can do this, you can start to service members no matter where they train.

“Through some of the statistics that we track, if a member is part of a digital community, with four or more connections, they work out 40 per cent more.

“However, if they receive four or more likes through the Myzone app, they work out 80 per cent more. If they receive four or more comments in a month, they train 120 per cent more.

“It really does motivate members of a community to be part of that social interaction, and it doesn’t just rely on that club visit.

“You can extend the experience, and that’s become more important today than it even was before the pandemic.”

Strong demand for Leisure Essentials uniform range

AS GYM owners and leisure operators continue to be impacted by rising energy costs and a reduction in the spending capabilities of consumers due to the cost of living crisis, Taylor Made Designs has reacted to the market by introducing its ‘Leisure Essentials’ range of high quality, customisable leisure uniforms.

Managing director James Taylor said: “Staff uniform is an important component of any fitness business – reiterating brand visibility to members whilst encouraging a sense

of purpose and belonging amongst the team.

“It is, therefore often viewed as a fixed cost by operators. However, this is not the case. Efficiencies can be made without compromising on quality or volume by looking at the unit cost of individual items.

“With this in mind, Taylor Made Designs has exercised its ability as a sizeable business to produce a range of technically sound, customisable work garments in large enough volume to benefit from manufacturing efficiencies.

“We source and store large volumes of stock in our UK warehouse. This allows us to pass on these cost savings to our customers.

“The result is a no-compromise range of products which can be fully customised and dispatched within days at very competitive price.”

In addition to the selection of garments such as bi-stretch shorts and track pants, ladies gym leggings, quarter-zip sweat tops and lifeguard uniforms, the new ‘Leisure Essentials’ range also includes merchandise items such as three-

digit padlocks and gym towels.

Leisure Essentials has been introduced to support Taylor Made Designs contract clients through these tough economic times receiving great feedback.

Kelly Stead from Mytime Active added: “Our new uniforms from the TMD ‘Leisure Essentials’ range are the best uniforms we have ever had.

“The staff feedback has been fantastic”.

Contact the team at Taylor Made Designs on 01202 473311 or email hello@taylormadedesigns.co.uk

New high quality and affordable retail product lines from Blu Leisure

BLU Leisure has introduced eye catching, affordable product lines to its leisure, swimwear and accessories retail range. All products are available for viewing and purchase from the online shop making it super easy for gym owners, leisure centres, spas and holiday parks to order high quality, competitively priced retail stock.

“As the cost-of-living crisis continues to squeeze consumer budgets, we have introduced a range of eye catching, technically advanced leisure and swimwear products that operators can sell to consumers at affordable prices whilst still pocketing a 50 percent margin,” said Vicki Peck, Blu Leisure managing director.

“The range includes products for men, women and children ensuring operators can cater for the needs of all their

customers. In addition to offering items core products such as googles, swim hats, floatation aids and swimwear, Blu has also developed its own-brand range of leisure apparel that delivers style and comfort without the high street price tag.”

All stock can be ordered directly from the Blu Leisure website. There is no imposed minimum order and stock is usually dispatched the same day.

Vicki added: “We listen to the market and provide solutions that solve problems. Our feedback suggests that operators are looking to offer customers a high-quality retail offer at a price they can afford, whilst still delivering a significant contribution to the business’ bottom line. This is exactly what our new product range delivers.”

Visit bluleisureshop.co.uk

Feel Electric appoints director of operations to support growth

BOUTIQUE electro muscle stimulation (EMS) training studio chain Feel Electric is set to open two new studios in the south of the UK in the next month.

Industry senior executive Ian Cooper has been appointed as director of operations to support the expansion.

Royal Tunbridge Wells EMS studio will open its doors in the near future, marking the seventh Feel Electric Studio in the UK, and the first outside of northern England.

This will be closely followed by their eighth EMS studio opening in Epsom.. The studios will house specialised EMS

machines from miha bodytec. Sessions will be delivered by Feel Electric’s dedicated EMS trained professionals.

Feel Electric was founded by entrepreneur Jon Wright, formerly founder of Xercise4Less.

Spotting EMS training as a growing market in the UK, Jon launched the first studio in Harrogate in April 2021 in the midst of the pandemic and has since opened a further five in Sheffield, Leeds, York and Cheshire.

“We’re excited to be bringing Feel Electric down to the south,” he said.

“EMS training isn’t just about getting into great shape, over the past year we have seen members come through our doors who have had life changing results with pain reduction and increased mobility, and we’re looking forward to continuing this in the south.

“In the 30 years I’ve worked in the health and fitness industry I’ve never seen anything that gets results like this.

“I’d been doing it for about 18 months, and it got me back to my pre-wedding shape of nearly 20 years ago and sorted out my long-term back issues. It just works.”

With more than 20 years’ experience in the health and fitness industry, Ian Cooper has worked in both in the private and public sectors for operators including Virgin Active, Fusion Lifestyle and PureGym.

Seasoned in implementing long-term strategy by identifying and executing against growth and investment opportunities, Ian joins the Feel Electric team as director of operations.

“Over the past year I have been involved in the exciting market of EMS and see this sector as a high growth opportunity through the studio concept,” he added.

“Feel Electric’s personalised approach and exceptional customer service combined with the exponential growth plans over the next few years with our partners miha bodytec, sees Feel Electric becoming the market leading EMS Training studio brand in the UK.

“We are delighted to have attracted some one of Ian’s calibre and experience, it’s testament to the opportunity in

Advertiser’s announcement

front of us,” added Jon. EMS training is highly effective and low impact and it’s delivered on a one-to-one or one-to-two basis in a non-intimidating environment in just 20 minutes per week.

“The nature of EMS training means it appeals to a much wider audience than just those wanting to visit the gym.

“We’re attracting the 80 per cent of the market that don’t have gym memberships. From athletes to people with disabilities and from active to sedentary people and also people of every age, there is an unlimited target audience.

“We always planned to expand across the UK with the aim of opening 100 studios in a cluster format, so expect to see more studios opening in the south very soon.”

Bring your used equipment back to life

GYM equipment is not always affordable when it comes to operating a fitness facility.

The initial start-up cost alone can be anywhere between £50,000 and £100,000. However, there are ways for gym operators to reduce such costs whilst still being able to take pride in their equipment.

With refurbished gym equipment, you stand to make considerable savings compared to purchasing new equipment whilst still being able to put your brand and identity on your kit.

At ServiceSport UK we don’t just splash some paint on used pieces of gym equipment that have seen better days.

We have an entire warehouse, process and team of highly skilled technicians that

expertly refresh gym equipment that may have a chipped frame; rust due to water and sweat; torn pads; exposed foam; cracked or faded shrouds.

We can extract equipment from your gym; transport it to our headquarters in Lancashire; strip down and replace worn parts; sandblast the entire frame and powder-coat it in a colour of your choice; replace upholstery in a colour of your choice with the option of an embroidered logo in the pad and reinstall back on-site.

It takes one phone call and you have one point of contact, there’s no need to make calls to multiple businesses asking for updates and shipping kit once one process is finished to the next, you can even pop in and see how progress is going.

This process has seen an incredible increase over the past two years as gym owners are starting to realise that owning new equipment throughout the entire gym isn’t sustainable.

Your equipment is fully inspected and tested by one of our qualified service engineers.

We have so much faith in our refreshed gym equipment that each piece includes comprehensive 12-month parts and labour warranty.

Whether you are a small independent gym or a large multi-site operator, we provide the same attention to detail for all of our customers.

Not only will you save money choosing refresh from ServiceSport UK, but you’ll also be able to reinvest back into your business, and this is what it’s all about isn’t it?

Saving money, being prudent, and reinvesting in your facility to keep your members happy.

For further information on refreshing your gym equipment or to arrange for a member of our team to visit your site to discuss options, contact us today. 01257 264738

info@servicesport.co.uk www.servicesport.co.uk

Ian Cooper

Jon Wright

What are the most powerful investments for gym owners?

By Wayne Heath

GYM owners usually don’t think twice when shelling out thousands of pounds on gym equipment, lighting, and an expensive sound system - and rightly so.

That’s a big part of why your members choose your club out of the other gyms available. However, for most gym owners, investing in the business usually stops there.

One of the most overlooked areas when investing back into the gym is operations.

It makes sense; in the early days, you’re so focused on spreading the word and getting customers through the door, taking a step back and thinking about how you’re going to manage all your member data and admin is at the bottom of the list.

Investing in your operational processes is one of the best ways to get a return on your investment.

After all, streamlined operations are the best way to prepare your business for scale and give yourself more time to spend on the gym floor building relationships with your customers.

We’re going through the best operational investments you can make at your club to set your business up for success.

A robust gym CRM

More than 50 per cent of the gym owners we speak to don’t use a dedicated member management system to run their club.

Most are using a spreadsheet or a paper diary to keep track of member information and bookings.

It might be enough to get by in the beginning stages, but it’s a system that isn’t built to scale, does not follow GDPR guidelines and essentially makes it difficult to keep everything in order.

Disorganised businesses fall victim to poor productivity, limited growth and even stress as a result of being snowed under with gym admin.

Using a reliable CRM for your gym will allow you to take control of your members’ personal information and provide a means of effective communication with your customers and prospects.

You can use it to automate mundane

tasks such as chasing missed membership payments and marketing comms, giving you more time to concentrate on what you do best.

Member management, class bookings, payments, marketing, and reporting tools are all under one roof so that you no longer have to switch between systems to get stuff done.

“I would 100 per cent recommend ClubRight to any martial arts club struggling to stay on top of their admin. Many of the features have made my life so much easier so that I can focus on teaching and spending more time with my family.”

Daniel Cuthbert, UKA

card and get their confirmation email. When done right, that process can take five minutes and your new customer could be at your club for their induction within the hour.

It’s a powerful solution because you can effectively sell memberships 24/7. You can share a direct joining link on your social media profiles so that someone can join from their Facebook feed.

It’ll also help you collect all of the personal information you need from a member; things like contact details, medical information and marketing preferences.

Plus, if someone abandons their purchase mid-way through joining, you’ll still have their details to follow up oneither through an automated task or by picking up the phone and asking what stopped them from joining.

Online payment collections

It’s no secret that cash payments are becoming a rarity and we’re moving ever closer to a cashless society.

Online transactions are the new norm, and there’s no reason why gym memberships can’t be bought online too.

We also get asked whether it’s better to have a laptop or a desktop PC, and the answer is that both have their advantages in different situations.

A laptop is great for when you’ve left the club for the evening and need to get some admin done at home, whereas a desktop is much better suited to have in the club on the front desk.

It’s also worth investing in more than one PC if your budget allows it, especially if you have access control.

That’s simply because if there are any hardware issues with the main desktop, people can still get in and out of your premises.

On the topic of tech, always invest in your broadband service provider.

An internet connection is vital these days and internet buffering can cause several problems.

If you want to stream music to the gym floor or allow your members to join your Wi-Fi, get a separate network so that it doesn’t slow down your main router.

Online joining solutions

In an era where convenience is key to customer satisfaction, contact forms and phone numbers aren’t enough when it comes to joining new members.

The common factor between these two common solutions is that they both require human intervention to complete the sale.

You’re limited by your opening hours to accept telephone enquiries and contact forms have to be seen by a member of the team and manually followed up on to move the sale along.

Online joining bypasses all of that. It allows your potential customer to browse your offering, purchase a membership or class pass, pay for it by

Paying by card and Direct Debit are safer and faster ways to pay, and it means your revenue gets paid straight into your business bank account. No need to deposit bags of cash in your local bank every few days. It also makes it much easier to calculate pro-rata payments, joining fees and discount codes that are set up in your CRM system. You can also increase your retention rates by giving your members the option to auto-renew their memberships so that neither have you need to lift a finger to ensure continuity.

Up-to-date computer hardware

Most importantly, it’s worth investing in some decent computer hardware.

It doesn’t have to be the latest and greatest PC with all of the bells and whistles, but it needs to be modern and up-to-date enough to handle being used throughout the working day.

We can’t speak for every gym software out there, but we recommend any PC that operates Windows 10 operating software (or newer) to our customers.

If you only take away one thing from this post, it’s that you should always invest in solutions that will make your life easier. A gym that operates smoothly will keep your customers happy and keep you stress-free, putting you in the best position to grow and scale the club. Your best option is to find a solution that addresses everything we’ve mentioned so that everything is kept securely in one place.

Spend some time getting everything set up correctly and it’ll be one of the best investments you can make.

If you’re new to ClubRight, we offer an all-in-one solution that encompasses everything we’ve talked about and so much more; from access control to member, trainer and admin apps.

It’s also one of the most affordable gym membership software on the market right now. No other solution can match ClubRight’s level of functionality at our price point.

Our software has also been built by people that have experienced what it’s like to run a gym.

Our team has more than 40 years of experience in the leisure industry combined.

To work with us, contact one of our product experts at 0203 884 9777 or get a free virtual demo to see the software in action.

Wayne Heath

Recycling at the centre of new pitch development

ALLIANCE Leisure has completed works on an 11-a-side, FIFA standard, 3G football pitch at Stirling Sporting Village.

As part of the works, the old synthetic pitch and shock pad has been lifted and recycled at the UK’s first recycling plant for end-of-life synthetic turf pitches.

The new plant, based in Grangemouth and owned by the Sportex Group, helps move the disposal of artificial pitches towards a circular economy where materials are re-cycled back into the industry they came from rather than contributing to landfill.

Active Stirling manage Stirling Sporting Village. This regeneration project forms part of the charity’s 2021-24 business plan to improve people’s lives by getting the inactive active and the active more active, more often.

The pitch has played a key role in the community for the last 15 years, hosting many school, community and club activities but as confirmed by tests performed by Sport Lab, had reached the end of its viable lifespan.

The resurfacing works not only ensure the continuation of activities already underway, but also enable the extension of reach to new community groups.

“The 3G pitch at Stirling Sporting Village plays a critical role in the community and this regeneration ensures it will continue to do so for many years to come,” said Andrew Bain, CEO of Active Stirling.

“Driven through our partnership with Stirling Albion, the pitch upgrade will stimulate growth in grassroots football participation including hard to reach groups from areas of deprivation where access to quality facilities is limited.

“The upgrade will also extend opportunities for wider sporting participation in other sports as well as other community activity programmes.”

This project is also environmentally

responsible. Using Sportex’s existing recycling technology, sand and SRB rubber from the old pitch will be reclaimed and treated through a series of unique processes to be made available to existing industry standards for re-use within future sports facility projects.

With the infill removed, the old synthetic turf will be shredded, cleaned, and processed through a bespoke plastic agglomeration process to facilitate the production

of ‘TREKboards’; a 100 per cent recycled plastic kickboard product that has been installed around the perimeter of the new facility.

Jamie Blamire from Sportex added: “According to The UK Government’s Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), in 2018 – the last full year of data available – the UK generated more than 222 million tonnes of waste.

“Of this, only 48 per cent was recycled or repurposed. Through the opening of our recycling factory, we will be playing our part in enabling, wherever possible, end-of-life materials recovered from artificial turf pitches are re-cycled and are able to re-enter the sports facility industry in an equal or better condition than they originally did.

“This creates a circular economy and reduces the amount of materials being committed to landfill.”

The project in Stirling is being led by Alliance Leisure and its specialist pitch consultant Sports Labs through the UK Leisure Framework, which is managed by Denbighshire Leisure.

Works began in September and completed in October.

Jonny Curley, senior business development manager at Alliance Leisure, added: “Alliance Leisure is an environmentally responsible company committed to reducing waste.

“Through projects like this, we are playing our part in driving a more circular economy which is good for our business, good for our partners and ultimately good for our planet.”

Newcomer of the Year sponsored by MYZONE

Ignite, Cuffley

The boutique gym was launched in the week after lockdown.

Since then its numbers have grown and the reception has been fantastic.

The owners have created an exciting space that would be welcoming to anyone, no matter the skill level. They have the installed the best equipment that they could source for the serious trainers and have exciting and fun classes and a DJ for those who want to elevate their workout.

Covid-19 was taken seriously and measures were put in place to ensure people felt safe.

In the year that they have been operating they have been involved with the local community from supporting local schools, the doctors surgery and sponsoring the local football team and charity fundraising for Mind.

Ignite has invested in its team, supporting them transition from front of house to becoming a PT. They have also trained a PT to become an assistant manager and they try to recruit staff from their pool of members.

This year Ignite has launched an expansion to the gym and opened a spa. Members love the interior design and vibe.

Boutique Facility of the Year sponsored by Full Stop 2 Online Hate

CPASE, Knutsford

CPASE has taken a unique approach to being a ‘boutique’ facility and nailed what I would class as boutique.

A very special centre that just about covers everything and at a luxury standard.

Their membership grows on a monthly basis and they have five-star reviews on every platform. The initial viewpoint is purely of luxury both outside and in.

Not many centres can boast a welcoming

outside that encompasses what you are going to see inside.

The branding is also very simple yet effective and modern. The centre has everything from state-of-the-art equipment, to classy casual dining and even recovery suites which really struck me.

Not many facilities take into account the recovery process which is very important post training. A CryoSauna and Light Therapy are two such recovery options.

Health Club of the Year sponsored by Matrix

CPASE, Knutsford

This stood out as being more than a club in the respect of its advanced wellbeing ideas and facilities.

Among all the classic needs and extras that a health club normally offers, their selection of therapies from wavelengths to

minerals ticks all the boxes for being ahead of the wellbeing wave.

Hippocrates would be pleased, keep expanding in this vein.

May the customers have the vision to keep up, it will enhance their lives beyond their own understanding.

Ladies Only Gym of the Year sponsored by PSLT Fitness Solutions

EK Fitness, Cheadle

EK, short for Ellie and Kate who are both highly qualified fitness instructors who took over a failed site in 2017 and have grown the business and offering each year.

The timetable has more than 40 classes a week and all at sensible times for the 18-80 year old customer base.

After school sessions have taken off for the 12-17 year old girls interested in football, boxing and the very popular mum

and daughter circuits.

I liked the promotional link to the City of Stoke Women FC and that most recently EK established their own EK Pumas FC.

There’s a really nice promotional video along with the member stories, especially how type 2 diabetes had been reversed for one customer.

Stories like this show how our sector can improve the health of the nation and save the NHS money. Keep the stories coming.

Best Hotel and Spa Facility sponsored by ServiceSport

Foxhills, Chertsey

Whilst the beautiful grounds and familyfriendly facilities are highly impressive, of greater note is the wide range of activities including specialist themes such as seated yoga and post-natal fitness.

Clearly, great thought has been given to creating truly immersive exercise experiences leading to a unique yoga cabin and a state-of-the-art cycle studio for

Ride classes. I was encouraged to see that wellness is being embraced via nutrition workshops and Kinesis sessions, supported by a good range of spa treatments.

Producing a video to showcase the facilities and services is an innovative approach to securing new members but the admirable retention figure confirms existing members remain at the centre of the business strategy.

Strength Training Gym of the Year sponsored by Core Health and Fitness

Fierce Gym, Milton Keynes

At 20,000 sq ft, Fierce Gym is not just a strength training gym with more than 11,000 kg of weight plates, dumbbells ranging up to 105kg, 100+ pieces of unmatched strength equipment and a showcase site for Watson Strength Equipment.

They are also a destination gym for novices, bodybuilders, powerlifting and strongman alike, no matter what your experience.

Their group exercise programme includes a junior strength and conditioning course a ladies lifting club (focussed on ensuring women have the correct technique when lifting weights), as well as an exercise referral scheme.

And their Evolve Strong transformation programme with nutritional advice for those new to exercise. It’s because of the team and this support that they have managed to retain 92 per cent of their members throughout the pandemic.

Functional Training Gym of the Year

Synergy Group Fitness, Edinburgh Synergy Group jumps out for its focus on keeping its customers and training them right and regularly.

Alive with the ‘club’ feel their retention rate is more than respectable.

The characterful warm, fun and yet disciplined drive that they exhibit would

appeal to even those who find gyms to be their nemesis.

You couldn’t slip the net in this club, you’d have to write lines if you did! ‘I must not miss class for Proscecco’ they work towards happy soldiers that won’t defect and their transformations like many other clubs are inspiring to many.

Community Involvement sponsored by InBody

to fall prevention to offering a ‘warm bank’ for those who have no heating at home.

It has become a lifeline to the community and an example of what needs to be done if we’re to improve the health of the nation.

Group Exercise Gym of the Year sponsored by MDE Fitness Solutions

Ribby Hall Village Health Club

Whilst having four group exercise studios gives Ribby Hall a head start in this category, the fact that one has been thoughtfully designed to be a dedicated mind-body space, with underfloor heating, is a real bonus. The most impressive factor, however, is the wide range of classes on

the (very current) timetable with four different HIIT classes, three different styles of yoga and a Pilates menu that includes trigger point and aerial options.

What stood out from the other nominees was the clear understanding of how group exercise impacts member retention and how to optimise such.

Against this background the team, who are as diverse as the users and the wider community, have built a programme

It ranges from a restorative justice system

On the commercial side it was good to see the membership for H&F and swimming to have bounced back to pre-Covid levels and that more than130 members are over 65.

Member

Kimberley Phillips

This lady just leapt out of the nomination page as a real inspiration to others and someone other people can relate to and see what they can achieve.

It has not just been a weight loss journey for Kim, but a complete lifestyle change from client to instructor, allowing her to inspire others, which is exactly what she is doing. She has achieved this whilst having

epilepsy, being a celiac and enduring the effects of asthma that many would use as an excuse.

It’s clear her personality and personal experiences help new attendees with training anxiety settle in straight away.

The list of her recommendations pretty much cemented her place as the winner, and long may she continue passing on positivity to others.

Education facility of the Year sponsored by Indigo Fitness

The

Fitness Education Academy

Ltd, Penicuik

I was impressed with what Fitness Education Academy is doing.

It’s a family business which relates to huge passion in what they are doing.

The fact they are training and educating students from other facilities shows that their reputation is one of their strongest assets. I love their social media presence and also tapping into the Tik Tok trend for education.

Everything is modern and relevant to the

needs of their demographic.

They cover nearly every aspect of the fitness industry in their available courses and are very much in a growing phase of what they offer by reinvesting in improving their facilities to offer more “in house” training.

They have good loyalty schemes in place and their Level 4 Mental Health course is a real winner for me.

With more and more awareness around mental health this course is right up to date with the needs of the public.

Customer Service Award sponsored by Risk HQ

AKR Fitness, Aberdeen

A feedback loop is essential to manage and therefore improve, customer service, so regularly surveying members with a tailormade questionnaire indicates that a sound strategy is in place.

The key to helping customers to change their behaviour is education and the series of bespoke guidebooks created for the members, more than adequately

ticks that box and is supported by a podcast series that addresses all things fitness and wellbeing. I accept that a small facility allows for closer attention to member needs but through organising diverse events, flagging mental health issues, acknowledging member results and recognising member milestones, a profound sense of community emanates from the submission and the website.

sponsored by Jordan

Ladywood Leisure Centre, Birmingham Ladywood is in a deprived area of Birmingham with an estimated 55 per cent of the population living below the poverty line.

that reflects the needs of the community.

Achievement Award sponsored by Upholstery2U

Gym Based Personal Trainer of the Year sponsored by Health Check Services

Amy Murray, Synergy Fitness, Edinburgh

This entry ticked all the boxes for me with her passion and continuous selfdevelopment to ensure she can help others to the best of her ability. It’s clear to see that her clients are much more than that and the relationships she has formed with them has created a high level of trust and the positive results have followed.

She has a wide range of knowledge and also lectures to pass this on to others, with a Level 3 accreditation available

She looks the part and clearly practices what she preaches but I believe it’s the passion to help others that jumps out of this nomination.

There is very little self-promotion from Amy and it’s all about the help she gives others, which confirms to me that she is a PT and much more all for the right reasons.

There is a uniqueness and refreshing look to her approach and the creation of a hot sauce challenge in the community is just great to create awareness through something unrelated to fitness but creates great interest and a following.

Regional Gym of the Year Scotland and Northern Ireland sponsored by Gym Upholstery

Aberdeen Sports Village

This vast facility has an impressive layout and funding from council and university that make lots possible.

But the infrastructure is what knits this complex together to give it the winning edge.

The consideration to members, despite the thousands that there are, is sympathetic and makes their world class facilities available to all.

They were the first to open their pools

for the Learn to Swim programme post pandemic, ensuring that the young learners didn’t miss out on the swim skill any longer than necessary.

Many lives will be enhanced from this sports village; the world class diving, the Finding your Feet amputee group, hosting the Para swimming, hockey and more – all with a personal touch of really knowing their members, it is unique and a compelling establishment that will be inspiring any who cast their eye on it.

Local Authority/ Leisure Trust Gym of the Year sponsored by ServiceSport

Your Space Mansfield

Your Space Mansfield took a failed private sector club and turned it into a successful community offering.

A great beacon of community development and healthy movement in today’s environment.

The dedicated team are seeing a return on the investment with a doubling of members, a 50 per cent growth since February 2020.

The age rage goes from 11-85 with an

average of 40. The brand values shine throughout and helps Your Space to be the venue of choice for NHS funded schemes including cancer recovery and healthy heart.

Community clubs like running and cycling use it as a base which brings together a wider audience.

In today’s difficult times Your Space is showing how the public sector can balance the provision of vital services to the community whilst running a business.

Regional Gym of the Year North sponsored by MT3 Fitness

Hello Fit, Lytham

Hello Fit has been going since 2016.

Surviving more than three years in business is an achievement in itself ,with statistics showing up to 60 per cent fail during this period.

More recently we have endured a global pandemic in which many businesses including gyms in our network have had to close.

Our initiative in providing a virtual service for members including an equipment rental scheme helped us keep going, and the team of instructors with their motivation

to adapt to a new environment meant we could keep our heads above water.

During our closure at the premises we used government support and a bounce back loan on bills, but also the installation of a mezzanine floor, adding lots more space for our members.

We have also added nine new machines, an artificial turf track and shower area.

This in turn made our gym and business more attractive to new members and customers, with a big bounce back when we were allowed to reopen with new and returning members.

Gym Team of the Year sponsored by ActiveIQ

YourGym Lytham

We have a gym team with people who have been with us since we opened, our team are a family, and always look out for each other.

We have watched our personal trainers grow together, help each other, even train each other, and I am proud to say these

guys like family.

The gym team regularly get involved in community events, host charity football matches, do member challenges against the PTs or against each other, reach out into the community, champion their own charity, as well as regularly seek ways to improve themselves as trainers and as a

The PIT, Birmingham

The whole process from signing up to completion is very impressive as regards customer experience.

You must apply, which makes this a unique centre that doesn’t waste time with people who aren’t committed.

At the end of the day, they live by the results they achieve and are not solely driven by getting as many people in as possible to create revenue.

This creates a unique system and an exclusivity that means they are sought after by clients who want to make a difference to their lives.

The whole process of applying and then the invitation follows up to a strategy call making sure the client understands what they have to do and are prepared for the journey ahead.

Yes, the costing for this is quite high. but I always see it as “it’s only expensive if it doesn’t work”.

This system clearly works, and they have 270 members they take care of. Some fantastic body transformations are there for all to see and this in turn keeps staff motivated. There is a learning platform available to members covering lots of relevant areas.

Regional Gym of the Year Midlands and Wales sponsored by Staffs Fitness

Regional Gym of the Year South sponsored by ClubRight

NRG Gym, Lewisham

The biggie for me in assessing any fitness business is retention – do you calculate it, is it good and what are you doing to improve it, so I was pleased to note this is on point, particularly with tactics such as offering to freeze memberships when customers call to cancel and linking with well-known high street brands to create a generous member benefits package.

Retailing supplements is not just a smart move in terms of secondary revenue generation but is a customer service plus as it creates a one-stop shop.

Gold level Investors in People displays a good understanding that staff are invaluable in creating a customer-centric offer and the partnership with a local rehab recovery centre, even providing volunteer work opportunities, is an obtuse service that other gyms could (maybe should) follow.

However, the most impressive aspect of this establishment is the bold declaration of 3 brand pillars together with a clear strategy as to how they influence the dayto-day operation, with community being the beating heart of the business.

National Gym of the Year sponsored by Technogym

Foxhills, Chertsey

All fitness classes are available to hotel residents during their stay, while an existing fitness programme can be continued or even enhanced with input from our fitness experts with use of mywellness to track workouts.

Among recent improvements to the spa facilities is a larger hot tub and heated treatment couches to add to the experience a huge selection of body or

facial treatments.

Foxhills appeals to guests or families of all ages.

The Pavilion boasts soft play for younger kids, a games room, outdoor adventure play park and plenty of space for even the most active of youngsters.

If something more quiet and sedate is required, there are bars, lounges and terraces to enjoy throughout a venue which ticks the boxes for everyone.

Vision Fitness, Henham Vision Fitness has achieved so much in a short period of time.

The unique outdoor training area is set in a stunning setting where cows and horses roam free in the paddock behind. It consists of a galvanised fixed outdoor training rig with lots of attachments all branded, a sprint track for sled push and farmers walks and an artificial turf area with wall mounted attachments and branded

wooden free weight benches and metal weights for use all year round. They even have an old tractor that they get people to pull and push.

They hold classes using the area and members can utilise it outside the classes too.

Having this outdoor training area helped during the Covid lockdown as it meant they could open a few weeks before any of the other gyms nearby.

Outstanding Achievement Award sponsored

Javeno Mclean, J7 Health Centre, Manchester

Action can come from duty or devotion, Javerno is labelled in the latter.

His intuition and ability to read what an individual needs to elevate their being may be a gift or come from personal experience, either way, he leaves a wake behind him for others to be inspired by.

The impact of his soft skills and firm delivery makes any child or adult find their way.

The bond and pride he has created in his community will last more than his generation and the passion he shows for his subjects will spread a web of support and hope, larger than we could ever measure.

A massive thank you ...

To make it onto the shortlist is a real achievement – the quantity and quality just keeps growing year on year so congratulations to not only our winners but all our finalists.

Thank you to all our sponsors – some who have supported the National Fitness Awards since the very first year and some new ones who are supporting the awards for the first time.

Best Membership Campaign sponsored by Enjoy!

Your Space – Barnsley Premier Leisure

Data is key to understanding which channels drive memberships and BPL’s analysis of what worked, and what didn’t, is well presented and concise.

The re-branding of all fitness facilities together with brand values across the new ‘Your Space’ with additional campaigns What’s Your Space, Your Space to Feel Good and Your Space at Home are just the start.

I could relate to the ‘It’s My Keep Up With The Grandkids Space.’

The social media reach was over 676,000, digital growth was more than200 per cent, return on investment from SMS, Facebook and Google adds proved the digital focus works with 2,638 new members. The total income generated was more than £500,000.

Advertising was very well presented and so were the results.

We are grateful for all your support especially that of our headline sponsor ServiceSport.

These companies make it possible for us to recognise and applaud the best of the best in the industry that we all love.

A big thanks to our judges too – the WorkOut and Script team that spent many, many hours selecting the initial shortlists.

And our expert panel made up of Mike Hind MBE, Steve Johnson, Joey Bull, Dean Hodgkin and David Minton who worked alongside the WorkOut team to choose our amazing winners.

We appreciate your hard work, diligence and commitment in this near impossible task!

Thanks too to our host for the evening, James Crossley (Hunter from Gladiators.

Our biggest thank you goes to all our finalists who joined us on the night –you’re all winners and we hope you had a brilliant evening!

by Johnson Reed

Outdoor Facility of the Year sponsored by Davies Sports

Congratulations to our runners up

Newcomer of the Year

XCELERATE GYM, Edgware

Health Club of the Year Breedon Priory, Wilson

Best Hotel and Spa Facility Rockliffe Hall, Darlington

Boutique Facility of the Year FitLife UK, Haddenham

Ladies Only Gym of the Year Fitology Hub, London

Strength Training Gym of the Year Old School Jim’s Bodybuilding and Fitness, Newcastle-under-Lyme

Functional Training Gym of the Year Unit 29 Fitness, Washington

Group Exercise Gym of the Year

Waterside Farm Leisure Centre, Canvey Island

Member Achievement Award

Ross Robinson, YourGym Lytham

Community Involvement

Central YMCA Club, London

Education Facility of the Year BFit Lincs Gym, Caistor

Customer Service Award

Waterfront Leisure Complex, Greenock

Gym Based PT of the Year

Kevin Poole, Fitness for All, Liverpool

Local Authority/ Leisure Trust Gym of the Year Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre

Gym Team of the Year Basingstoke Aquadrome

Regional Gym of the Year Scotland and Northern Ireland AKR Fitness, Aberdeen

Regional Gym of the Year North MyGym, Stockport

Regional Gym of the Year Midlands and Wales PHIT Fitness Academy Ltd, Erdington

Regional Gym of the Year South Fitness Rush, Huntingdon

Outdoor Facility of the Year Mike Munds Fitness, Bodmin

Best Membership Campaign Waterfront Leisure Complex, Greenock

National Gym of the Year The PIT Gym JQ, Birmingham

Outstanding Achievement Jamie Groves, Denbighshire Leisure Ltd, Denbigh

PHOTOGRAPHY

Thanks to everyone who attended the event, it was a wonderful evening and we’d like to congratulate all our winners plus those runners up who were all worthy of being winners, there was a lot of tough decisions for our judges!

If you had your photo taken and would like to see this and purchase copies to share and remember the occassion, please visit our online photography portal: www.script-events.co.uk/photography-2

You can view a low resolution, watermarked version of your images on our online platform.

Any images purchased will be supplied as an 8x6 high resolution print, with no watermark present.

If you’d like to purchase images please visit script-events.co.uk/ photography-2/ or by scanning the QR code on the right.

Photographs purchased are £12 inc P&P each.

“Having been shortlisted for Strength Gym of the Year we felt we needed to attend the awards evening held on the 18th November at the amazing Athena in Leicester. Prior to the event the support team were effective at ensuring they captured any guest requirements and ensured we understood how to arrive and the itinerary for the evening. The venue itself is full of character and an excellent choice for an awards event, the entertainment on offer was incredible. We had an amazing evening, made even better as we got to stand on the stage and take home the trophy.”

– Paul Tomlinson, Fierce Gym

“We have been one the proud sponsors of the NFAs for five years now, which has allowed us to celebrate with the fitness industry the passion that exists in this exciting industry and meeting our customers plus future customers. ClubRight are looking forward to NFA 2023 already, bring it on.”

– Wayne Heath, founder and CEO, ClubRight

“Once again we attended the NFAs and were proud to sponsor Ladies Gym Of The Year. The event was absolutely brilliant, well organised and great value Well done Tony and the team for making this event so successful, fun packed and great value.”

– Graham Bertrand, managing director, PSLT Fitness Solutions

“The National Fitness Awards is the biggest and best event in the UK fitness industry. It’s great to see all the talented individuals get together to celebrate the achievement and excellence of gym operators and health clubs across the UK. We would like to congratulate all the nominees and winners on the night. We are very proud to support this prestigious event and look forward to attending the awards once again next year.”

– Dominic Critchley, head of marketing, Gym Upholstery UK

“We were delighted to sponsor Gym Based Personal Trainer of the Year. The NFAs are a true recognition of the dedicated people that create such an amazing industry to be part of.”

– Gillian Clarke, head of projects, Healthcheck Services

“I wanted to say thank you to the NFA team for organising such a great event. We all had such a great time and were so delighted to win our category as ‘Education Facility of the Year’. Our first year attending, but hopefully not the last.”

– Georgia Torrance, director, The Fitness Education Academy

Technogym trains the majority of World Cup teams

TECHNOGYM will train 28 of the 32 teams participating in the World Cup in Qatar, providing the most innovative equipment for their athletic training.

In addition to the 10-plus years partnership with the Brazilian national team and the most recent collaboration with Uruguay, Technogym is in Qatar to support

the training camps of also France, Germany, Holland, Spain, Argentina, England, United States and many other teams, providing them with customised digital products and training solutions to meet players’ specific training needs.

In fact, spot-on athletic condition of every player is an essential requirement that can really make the

difference in a high-intensity event like the soccer World Cup where all teams must perform at the top of their game.

The tailor-made training solutions that Technogym has made available to champions for their cardiovascular training, strength, flexibility, and rehabilitation, include SKILL LINE – developed by Technogym for the specific needs of athletic training

FLOORING

– which consists of SKILLRUN treadmill, the SKILLBIKE, the SKILLROW rowing machine and SKILLMILL, a unique solution for training speed and power at the same time. In addition to the SKILL LINE, the Technogym bespoke gym will also include EXCITE and SELECTION lines, which encompass all the equipment needed for cardio and resistance training.