Weekly Workout - Issue 40

ISSUE 1 May

WEEKLY

Issue 40 - 12 March 2021

YOUR REGULAR ONLINE UPDATE FOR THE UK FITNESS SCENE

Matrix launches new cardio portfolio

page 2 Fitness instructors set to be awarded shares in page 3 business Aneurin Leisure Trust to reopen with a bang

page 7

WORKOUT WEEKLY

Matrix launches new cardio portfolio MATRIX Fitness is launching an all-new, three-tiered cardio offering in an effort to make it easier for customers to find fitness solutions specific to their needs.

The three new cardio series are compatible with five reimagined consoles for combinations of performance and technology that can accommodate virtually any fitness facility’s budget, space and members.

“We believe that choice makes all the difference,” said Matt Pengelly, managing director, Matrix Fitness UK. “With our new cardio series and consoles, we can provide versatile equipment options so that facilities can choose the best fit for them, placing the end user at the centre of their decision.

“We’re extremely excited to see how these new choices will help our partners achieve their goals.”

The Performance Series cardio equipment provides an unmatched

Matt Pengelly

portfolio of cardio platforms designed for heavy with rugged components tested against the highest international standards to withstand hard, continuous use for years to come.

Ergonomic touchpoints are positioned to make even long, hard workouts comfortable and easy to navigate and this series includes a range of advanced features that simplify and reduce service needs to minimise downtime and maximise member satisfaction.

Premium-quality commercial cardio platforms include the Treadmill, ClimbMill, Ascent Trainer, Suspension Elliptical, Hybrid Cycle, Upright Cycle and Recumbent Cycle.

Endurance Series cardio equipment was created for heavy use and solid workouts in professional fitness facilities where space is at a premium and budgets need to stretch further.

Streamlined designs simplify the exercise experience while still providing performance that can challenge cardio enthusiasts.

The Endurance Series is designed and tested to stand up to tough environments and heavy use and offers the most choices in regards to features, functions and pricing.

Full commercial cardio platforms include the Treadmill, ClimbMill, Stepper, Suspension Elliptical, Upright Cycle and Recumbent Cycle.

Lifestyle Series cardio equipment is ideal for light commercial use.

All Lifestyle Series cardio equipment features value-conscious design, reliable performance and a unified aesthetic that

aims to make the exercise experience less intimidating.

Simplified operation makes it easy for virtually anyone to start a workout, even users who are unfamiliar with exercise equipment. Light commercial cardio platforms include the Treadmill, ClimbMill, Suspension Elliptical, Upright Cycle and Recumbent Cycle.

Five new consoles that range from basic LED designs to touchscreen interfaces that mimic popular operating systems are all compatible with the new cardio series.

All of the consoles give users control of the data they collect, the content that keeps them engaged and the way they reach their goals.

With the new Group Training LED Console, every class member can be

Your all-new, free marketing channel

Hussle brings gyms additional revenue via people who don’t currently engage with traditional memberships.

‘Try-before-you-buy’ customers, occasional users and customers requiring multi-venue workout options no single operator can provide.

kept in sync via the console meeting the specific needs of the group exercise.

With WiFi-enabled consoles, facility staff can also access the digital solutions of the Matrix Connected Solutions portfolio, including their most popular digital offerings like Personal Trainer Portal, Workout Tracking Network and Asset Management.

“The right technology is more than just the finishing touch,” added Matt.

“It really dictates what kind of experience the user is going to have, and it can change the way facilities manage their machines and interact with their members.”

The new Matrix cardio series is now available, helping facilities and studios create an offering right for their budget, space and members.

W W W. H U S S L E . C O M / L I S T- M Y- G Y M

2

In the last 18 months Hussle has:

66,000 14,000 30,000 DISENGAGED E X- M E M B E R S BROUGHT BACK

C U STO M E R S ENCOURAGED I N TO GY M S

T R Y- B E F O R E -YO U B U Y C U STO M E R S C O N V E RT E D I N TO DIRECT MEMBERS

WORKOUT WEEKLY

3

Fitness instructors set to be awarded shares in business 100 independent wellness and fitness instructors are set to be awarded shares in a new platform that gives trainers the potential to increase their earnings and launch their own business online.

With the aim to revolutionise the wellness and fitness industry, Class-ify offers a unique take on the fitness scene and was created to help instructors build their own business online, monetise their audience and create a global community, all from the use of a laptop or smartphone.

‘Powered by human connection’, the business has been launched by a group of former Just Eat employees and provides trainers with access to all the 1-2-1 support needed to create a profitable business delivering virtual classes, including help and advice on social media marketing, client retention and accounting.

Personal trainer, sports therapist and class instructor Lucy Walton is one of the 100 founding Class-ify instructors and has seen her income and client base grow dramatically since joining the platform.

She said: “Like most other trainers my work was significantly impacted by the pandemic but, luckily, I was introduced to Class-ify and with the support of the team I grew my client base overnight.

“Unlike Instagram and Facebook, which can be quite frustrating to teach classes on, Class-ify allows me to create a real sense of community and keep my clients coming back again and again. I’d urge all other trainers to give it a go – there’s nothing to lose, but so much to gain.”

Daniel Stott, CEO and co-founder of Class-ify, said: “We believe every instructor deserves the opportunity to create the life they choose, but many have faced huge loss of income and even unemployment due to the pandemic.

“The closure of gyms and studios across the country forced many instructors into entrepreneurship and to think about themselves as a business and not just a freelancer and, during the same period, the online fitness industry has boomed.

“Even with a date on the horizon for Group Editor: Judith Halkerston Tel: 01226 734639 jh@scriptmedia. co.uk Group production editor: Dominic Musgrave Tel: 01226 734407 dm@scriptmedia. co.uk

Sales and marketing director: Tony Barry Tel: 01226 734605 tb@scriptmedia. co.uk Sales manager: Louise BristoweHarrison Tel: 01226 734699 workout3@ scriptmedia.co.uk

Studio manager: Stewart Holt sth@scriptmedia. co.uk

www.workout-uk.co.uk

Lucy Walton

gyms to reopen, many people have discovered they prefer working out at home or enjoy a mix of both in-person and online classes, so we wanted to find a way to help as many instructors as possible prepare for a ‘hybrid workout’ world, build their own communities and deliver classes from anywhere, any time.

“We don’t believe big brands and celebrities should be the only ones to benefit from the surge in online fitness classes and decided it was time we paved the way for local-hero instructors.

Having received a £350,000 figure investment via Angel funding, Class-ify has already secured 40 wellness and fitness instructors located in seven different countries worldwide, with plans to grow exponentially over the next six months.

Daniel added: “Class-ify is unique to the industry and is solely focused on championing qualified fitness instructors and helping them grow and develop their client bases, all from the use of their laptop.

“Through our platform, we make sure every instructor we work with has a better opportunity to create an amazing online business and an incredible brand.

“As a thank you to the first 100 instructors for believing in the concept, we are giving away a 1.3 per cent share in the business. Ultimately, even when life turns back to ‘normal’, the online fitness community isn’t going anywhere, so there is no better time than now for instructors to build a digital presence and become part of the Class-ify family.”

YOUR Personal Training launches one-stop-shop PT management app YOUR Personal Training has launched a unique personal training management app designed to support PTs to successfully run and manage their business.

The YOUR Wellbeing app, which was developed in partnership with Virtuagym, has been created for fitness professional by fitness professionals.

YOUR Wellbeing is an easy-to-use, cost effective app that can be whitelabel branded to look and feel like the personal trainer’s unique business.

By taking away the stress and hassle of administration and appointment bookings, the app allows PTs to dedicate more time to training clients. It also has a fully integrated payment system and allows PTs to design bespoke workout packages for clients.

James Lorey, operations director of YOUR Personal Training, said: “Unlike other apps, YOUR Wellbeing truly is a one-stop-shop approach; a technical solution that covers everything a personal trainer needs to grow their hybrid business.

“We listened to what our PTs said they needed to support their business growth, but also to what their clients’ expectations were from

using an app. You want to develop a nutrition plan? No problem. You want to set up a fitness challenge for your clients? Let’s do it! You want to create engagement and build an online community for your clients?

Absolutely.

“YOUR Wellbeing is a game changer for personal trainers, as this one app can support invoicing, payments and reports, while also being used to write clients’ personalised programmes, set individual challenges, build a community and to offer advice.

“It allows the trainer to work anywhere and the client to train everywhere, in a virtual, face to face or a blended capacity. There really is nothing this app doesn’t do.”

The app is already being used by Graham Law, owner of St Johns Health and Fitness.

He added: “The YOUR Wellbeing app is exactly what we have been looking for; with all our needs being rolled into one place. From our gym’s booking system to virtual workouts this does it all.

“The YOUR Personal Training team have been amazing in helping with set up too. I can’t wait to get this rolled out and offer it to all our members; we are very confident they will love it.”

Making Healthy Happen podcasts launched LEADING gym chain Anytime Fitness UK has launched its new health and wellbeing podcast Making Healthy Happen.

The new podcast will see high-profile guests and experts share their own health journeys and discuss what health and wellbeing means to them.

Available across all popular streaming platforms, Making Healthy Happen will cover what Anytime Fitness UK sees as the key influences of health; exercise, nutrition, rest, work-life balance, mental wellbeing and your family and social environment.

The podcast aims to support listeners with their own health, with guests providing practical advice to help support them both personally and professionally.

Hosted by Neil Randall, CEO of Anytime Fitness UK, guests already

confirmed for season one include former Great Britain rugby league captain Jamie Peacock MBE, Happiful Magazine co-founder Aimi Maunders, ukactive CEO Huw Edwards and inspirational former Rugby Union player Ed Jackson.

“At a time where people are consuming more content than ever, it’s great to be able to launch our own podcast,” said Neil Randall, CEO of Anytime Fitness UK. “Health is such a far-reaching topic and it’s fascinating to be speaking to such a wide range of individuals about what health means to them “Listeners will be able to relate to these inspirational people and will definitely be surprised at how personal perceptions of health differ so much from person to person.

“We aim to support people far and

beyond exercising within the four walls of our clubs and we’re looking forward to rolling out this first season and many more beyond.”

Episode one titled ‘Taking Off Your Masks’ with Aimi Maunders is available immediately, with new episodes released fortnightly.

The first episode covers Aimi’s relationship with mental health from a young age, exploring her own journey with counselling and the subsequent founding of Counselling Directory and later on, Happiful Magazine.

Aimi gives her insight into the perception of mental wellbeing in today’s society and how we can collectively break down the stigma that still remains around it.

Making Healthy Happen is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Podbean.

WORKOUT WEEKLY

4

Advertiser’s announcement

CV Life adopts Live and On-Demand to engage existing members and attract new audiences CV Life has launched Technogym Live and On-Demand across their four locations in response to the current market conditions and engage to a wider audience.

We talk with Chris Panter, senior manager health and fitness at CV Life, about the digital adoption journey over the past six months and the future plans.

Staying engaged with our community Dedicated to bringing the benefits of sport, health and fitness to the people of Coventry, CV Life run four facilities including The Wave, a landmark development in the very centre of Coventry; Alan Higgs Centre, Xcel Leisure Centre and Centre AT7 all providing the community with a wide variety of activity, with premium fitness facilities.

“With strong community-based facilities, we have always prided ourselves on contact and engagement with our members, and the adoption of technology is something we have always used well.”

“Mywellness has always played a central role in our contact with members, given the current global climate, this has been more important than ever. Earlier this year due to the lockdown we immediately adopted this to offer personalised contact and programmes remotely, reaching over 3000 of our membership base.”

The natural next step “Launching Technogym Live and On-Demand felt like a natural step for short term adaptation, to continue the engagement plans with our members, as well long term to enhance our

communication using our newsletters and social media channels as well as through word of mouth amongst our members.

“We are now beginning to launch communications to appeal to bigger audience to widen from our traditional market, by promoting the streaming product on several large locally based companies intranets for example.”

“Feedback from users has been very positive and they have been very responsive to the classes and offering.

“It is a great way to continue the interaction with our instructors and our facilities.”

offering.

“We set-out three clear goals – an offering to our members, provide content for our Cardiac Rehab & Cancer Referral programme and to reach a wider audience than our traditional market.”

“Technogym Live and On-Demand is excellent – it is full of excellent readymade content, flexible to add our own content and very quick to deploy.

“Speed and flexibility are important as we embark on meeting customer needs and engaging with our members.”

“We have added our own live content

with support and buy-in from the group exercise instructors, which has been really important to create the content and attract members as they already have a customer following from classes.

“Investing in supporting our talented instructors in recording content has helped the quality of our content and broadened the offering.”

Growth and new audience “Our key focus has been the communication of Live and OnDemand to our existing members and has been supported by extensive

Top tips for adopting Live and On-Demand Chris shares his top tips for success: 1. Target - think about your target markets and audience profile and ensure all content and communication matches 2. Variety – give lots of choice and offering to keep interest and attract ongoing 3. Talent – having the right instructors for the content and audience 4. Adaptability – be flexible with your timetable week to week, especially in the ever changing current climate Future hybrid offering “We are excited about the new hybrid model of facility use and digital, especially as the digital offering gathers more momentum and wider coverage.

“The potential to offer different packages is something that we hope will continue to appeal to keep members happy and attract a wider audience.”

LIVE & ON-DEMAND CLASSES ALWAYS WITH YOU

Deliver unparalleled training experiences by streaming Live & On-Demand classes to your community. Your customers can now perform their favourite classes anywhere, anytime with MYWELLNESS APP 5.0.

It’s streaming - Your way.

DISCOVER MORE AT: www.technogym.com/workout

6

WORKOUT WEEKLY

Why fitness will thrive after lockdown

By Cory George LEARNING to appreciate the small things like seeing family, going out to dinner with friends, taking part in a quick gym session before starting our workday and travelling to go on holiday all seem to be at the forefront of our minds now.

We learned a great deal from our mistakes in the first lockdown, so this time around people are more conscious of staying active, engaged with their community and keeping themselves fit and healthy.

As we come out of the third lockdown in the UK, health and wellness-focused businesses will continue to grow and thrive as we realise that our health and wellbeing – both physical and mental – are things that we may have previously taken for granted but now more than ever, are a greater priority.

You may have gained some weight in lockdown Even if you’re not someone who focuses on the number on the scales (or even owns a scale), some of your “nicer” clothes may have felt more snug and a little uncomfortable post-lockdown.

Don’t worry, you’re not alone. With uncertain circumstances, working from home and a lack of routine in the day, many of us have struggled to find the motivation to work out as consistently as we used to, and more hours in front of screens per day can lead to boredom, which can result in mindless snacking and unhealthier food choices.

As people come out of lockdown we expect to see losing that weight at the top of the list.

You want to improve your mental health Job losses, financial stress and feelings of uncertainty all the way through to panic have contributed to an increase in anxiety for many people this year, and this has really shone a light on just how important it is to take care of our mental health as well as physical.

Scientific studies have long shown the benefits of regular exercise extend far beyond the physical with

It’s important to get up regularly, take a walk, roll your shoulders back and open up through the chest.

We’ve had great success with the launch of our ondemand Recovery sessions to help people relax, stretch out their bodies and unwind after a busy day through a series of static or dynamic stretching routines, try one out today and see the difference you feel after dedicating 30 minutes to a recovery session!

decreases in depression and anxiety, and increases in vigour, cognitive processing, attention and memory.

With more information available than ever on this topic, we see more people turning to exercise during and after the lockdown to boost their feel-good endorphins and alleviate unwanted stress/anxious thoughts.

You feel flat, overtired, and are experiencing some aches from an increasingly sedentary lifestyle Being at home more can mean periods of inactivity, as people are losing their short walks to the office or meet-ups with friends.

It can also mean losing the valuable time to switch off from work, as we are increasingly available to be in front of our phones and laptops.

Slouching over a screen all day in a forward hunching position and the dreaded “tech-neck”, which can cause aches and pains in your back, neck and shoulders, and lead to headaches.

With all of these components, we never really wind down, and over the long term this affects our mood and the quality of our sleep.

You want to meet new people and become part of a community Many individuals will find the lockdown a very lonely experience, particularly if living on their own.

However, working out and becoming part of a fitness community is a great way to meet like-minded individuals and feel a sense of belonging.

Although many will have joined online fitness programmes to help motivate them, people will be longing for the energy from a group training environment, where members are supporting each other, especially when it gets tough, which is something that cannot be replaced online.

Health is wealth Self-care is a hot topic and the importance of health is more apparent than ever.

Generally, healthy people get sick less often, and when they do, they recover more easily.

Exercise has been shown as an effective preventative measure against lifestyle diseases, helping us to move well and have a better quality of life.

You don’t necessarily need to be working out for hours a day, and you don’t need lots of equipment – you just need consistency.

So, take some time each day to check out from the madness of the world, do something great for your body, enjoy those mood boosting endorphins and all of the great health benefits that come from regular exercise. n Cory George is the athletic director and face of F45 Training.

In partnership with

Friday 26th November 2021, The Athena,Leicester NOMINATIONS WILL REMAIN OPEN THROUGHOUT THE YEAR CLOSING ON AUGUST 31 2021.

WWW.NATIONALFITNESSAWARDS.CO.UK

SPONSORSHIP PACKAGES ARE AVAILABLE Call 01226 734605 or email tb@scriptmedia.co.uk for details

WORKOUT WEEKLY

Aneurin Leisure Trust to reopen with a bang WELSH leisure trust, Aneurin Leisure, in partnership with Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council, is forging ahead with a full gym refurbishment in all three of its sites, despite the pandemic.

Plans are set for reopening after lockdown in April, with the centres each offering a hybrid in-person and digital gym solution for returning and new members.

Following the £600,000 refurbishment, Ebbw Vale Sports Centre, Abertillery Sports Centre and Tredegar Sports Centre will each feature a full complement of Precor strength, cardio and functional equipment, with Precor’s networked fitness solution and Advagym

by Sony together ensuring a strong focus on digital connectivity throughout.

Tom Kivell, Aneurin Leisure’s fitness development manager, who is project managing the refurbishment, said: “We have been planning a multi-site gym refurbishment for the past 18 months, as our previous kit is eight years old and very dated.

“We started the process in September 2019, but the pandemic put everything on hold. Considering the impact coronavirus has had on our sector, everyone’s mindset has been understandably cautious.

“We could easily have stalled our redevelopment plans, but thanks to the government furlough scheme, access to new grants and careful budgeting, we knew we could invest, grow and set ourselves up to thrive when we reopen.

“We see this time as an opportunity to strike and to come out of lockdown with a new offer and a competitive edge

in our area that, following consultation with our existing members, will create a superb resource for the whole community.”

The cutting-edge facilities will each offer Precor’s top-of-the-range 800line cardio in the all-new Black Pearl All Tungsten colourway, with P82 touch-screen consoles and the Preva networked fitness solution.

In addition to delivering content via their cardio machines, Aneurin Leisure opted to complement Precor’s new Resolute Strength line with Advagym by

ARE YOU A TRAINING PROVIDER LOOKING TO BECOME APPROVED TO DELIVER QUALIFICATIONS? By becoming approved with Active IQ you will join over 500 centres who are already benefitting from delivering the highest quality qualifications.

Find out more at:

Sony – the unique solution that guides exercisers in using the machine safely, by loading each sensor with how-to videos, as well as logging every rep and exercise completed.

To deliver a fully connected experience, Aneurin Leisure will display additional sensors within other zones of the gym floor, for example the functional space and Spinning studio, meaning exercisers can receive workout content and guidance, and log their activity, throughout the entire facility.

Each site features a custom made

Queenax™ functional training unit.

Tom added: “We selected Precor as we wanted to digitise the gym experience, fully connecting cardio and strength so the team can set goals, create challenges and training plans, and track progress to offer results-based training.

“As an operator, having access to analytical data is no longer a nice to have; it’s essential for success.

“The data we can draw from Precor’s Preva and Advagym will give us invaluable insight into how we meet member needs and improve service.

“We can’t wait for the installation to be completed and to welcome our customers back to an industry-leading experience.”Precor’s design team undertook extensive consultation with the Aneurin Leisure team and has created an innovative layout for each site.

Designs use equipment placement and bespoke Queenax™ rigs to ensure social distancing occurs naturally throughout the gym and act as room dividers, encouraging new exercisers into different sections of the gym floor, to ensure more balanced usage.

Steve Carter, managing director of Precor UK, said: “In bucking the trend and choosing to future-proof its facilities now, Aneurin Leisure is testimony to the fact that our industry can come out of the pandemic fighting fit.

“In choosing to partner with Precor they are putting technology at the forefront of their offer to ensure they can engage with and attract members from all demographics and provide a best-inclass offer in their area.”

ARE YOU LOOKING TO BECOME A FITNESS PROFESSIONAL OR TAKE YOUR FITNESS PATH TO THE NEXT LEVEL? We have over 100 qualifications in the fitness industry to start you on your journey.

Contact us: T 01480 467 950

7

14-15 SEPTEMBER

2021

THE FITNESS EVENT OF THE YEAR Visit Tomorrow’s Workout 2021 at Bolton’s Macron Stadium and you could find all that you need in one place - in one day • Over 50 key exhibitors with the latest equipment and services • 8 great seminars packed with ideas for your business • New products to improve your spend per member

Register before 31st July for FREE at:

www.tomorrowsworkout.co.uk Brought to you by

magazine