Weekly Workout - 11 November 2022

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.

Publishing manager: Dominic Musgrave Tel: 01226 734407 dm@scriptmediagroup.co.uk

Studio manager: Paul Hopkinson ph@scriptmediagroup.co.uk

Assistant studio manager: Scott Firth sf@scriptmediagroup.co.uk

Sales and marketing director: Tony Barry Tel: 01226 734605 tb@scriptmediagroup.co.uk

www.workout-uk.co.uk

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

Matrix Fitness launches Sprint 8 GX

MATRIX Fitness has announced the launch of its Sprint 8 GX programming, incorporating the highly respected and scientifically validated Sprint 8 sprint-intensity protocol and explosive lifts.

Sprint 8 GX is part of the Matrix Fitness programming portfolio and is the result of over a decade of research into the effects of sprint intensity cardio.

It combines a sprint-cardio, a unique strength training component and a mobility module blended into a simple to teach, instructor-led exercise experience.

Steve Barrett, director of global group Education & Training, Matrix Fitness explains: “Tested, proven and exclusive to Matrix Fitness cardio equipment, Sprint 8 produces significant results that traditional cardio workouts can’t match.

“By looking for the signs that fast twitch fibres were recruited participants quickly develop a

genuine connection between their effort and reward, regardless of whether a user is striving to tone or build lean muscles, results are real and tangible.

“The Matrix Fitness cardio equipment is pre-programmed with the Sprint 8 protocol, from which a user selects their level (1-20) and performs a maximum of eight sprint intervals, immediately followed by a specific sequence of free-weight and bodyweight movements which recruit and develop all three types of muscle

fibres.

“The benefits would be available to anyone who followed the Sprint 8 GX protocol alone, however we established during the development of Sprint 8 GX that the collective group experience of doing this activity with other people raises the focus and performance of everyone in the group.

“It’s a short but challenging workout, and maximised by being surrounded by others who are experiencing the same challenge.”

Two key features set the protocol apart from other programs.

Firstly, the group experience occurs on the cardio floor and can incorporate a wide range of cardio equipment and all cardio modalities have progressive levels which enable complete beginners to participate alongside elite athletes, safely and at their own pace.

Sprint 8 GX was designed to be scalable and have all year around appeal. One feature designed to ensure the longevity of the protocol in gyms is it being accessible on a wide range of cardio equipment.

Steve added: “I’ve worked with elite athletes and those just beginning their fitness journey in the same group, the beginners have the option to work on the cardio equipment that best suits them best whilst the high achievers can instantly reinvigorate the challenge by varying their cardio equipment.”

Sprint 8 GX has been created to be a new and unique addition to a gym timetable.

Aimed at those who enjoy knowing they are doing a workout specifically designed to help them achieve their fitness goals and more. It’s inspiring, intense and unlike anything else.

Contact us today to discover what our new Sprint 8 GX programme can do for your members and your facility.

To find out more visit www.matrixfitness.com/uk

PROTEC Recovery launches in UK and Ireland

RECOVERY wellness brand PROTEC is delighted to announce its new recovery range to give professional standard recovery to the modern athlete.

The Derry-based wellness company, who are official recovery technology partners of the Belfast Giants, was founded in 2020 after founder Barry Grant identified a gap in the market for robust, yet portable recovery devices.

The state-of-the-art devices and technology includes high-spec compression recovery boots, percussion guns and vibration products that are proven to relieve tension, release soreness in muscles and increase blood flow around the body.

Their latest release, PROBOOTS, is a dynamic compression system that imitates the body’s natural circulatory system to accelerate blood from the heart to the muscles and extremities, helping to clear stagnant metabolic waste.

PROTEC currently ship to the UK and Ireland, with all products currently available on Klarna payment plan to make the elite recovery experience open to all.

For more information visit https://www.protecrecovery.com/

Steve Barrett

Advertiser’s announcement

Speakers to include

Dave Wright, founder of Myzone and CFM

Dave Wright is the creator and global CEO of Myzone, the CEO and owner of Creative Fitness Marketing and the co-owner of the Voyage Fitness brand in Australia. Not only is he the chair of UKActive’s Supplier Council but his product, Myzone, is enjoyed in more than 8,000 facilities by more than two million people in 84 countries.

A serial entrepreneur, and a Workout columnist for the past 20 years, Dave is a straight-talking Australian based in the UK who has the unique ability of being both a club operator and a supplier.

David Minton, founding director, The Leisure Database Company

David is well known for his unique industry knowledge and is in demand for his expert media commentary and public speaking. Helping businesses and individuals with the invaluable intelligence needed to make key decisions, David leads them through analysis into action, achievement and competitive advantage. He also works with leading journalists and publications to spark debate within and create support for the leisure, fitness, consultancy and financial industries and is the recognised go-to for market trends, data and insight.

Ben Davis, founder, Fitness Marketing Agency

Ben has been an expert in the field of fitness for more than 20 years. He started his career as a personal trainer, qualifying in 2001. Ben soon built up a strong client base and set up his own successful business of group personal training sessions in 2006. He moved to Florida, USA to study marketing and as a result, grew his business to more than 250 clients and six members of staff. Given his success, many peers were requesting Ben’s marketing advice – and FMA was born. In 2015, Ben founded award-winning business FMA, who provide fitness professionals across the UK and Ireland with marketing tools and resources to aid in lead generation, conversions, sales and growth. Now, with a team of 22 and over 300 clients, from independent gym owners and corporate gyms to personal trainers and online coaches, FMA has gone from strength to strength, winning a Performance Marketing Award for the Best Lead Generation Campaign in 2021 and plans to break into the US market.

Mike Hind MBE, CEO of MAS Body Gym and founder of Macro Based Diner

Mike has been training people for over 12 years, in that time he has been recognised as one of the most respected and renowned coaches in the UK being crowned ‘The Best Personal Trainer in the UK’ by the National Fitness Awards. His work has been broadcast across the globe and he became a household name when he took on “Dibsy” the 40 stone guy, Mike offered him a FREE life saving year-long programme. Mike was awarded the “Outstanding Achievement Award” in 2018 by the National Fitness Awards for outstanding contribution within the fitness industry. His client list includes Premier League and international footballers, European champion boxers, professional bikini athletes and TV stars. But with this, Mike’s main focus is always on the public… In 2019 at The National Fitness Awards, Mike and his team won an amazing three awards. With Mike being crowned ‘UK’s Best Personal Trainer’ for the third consecutive year which is something that has never been done. Mike’s client Dibsy walked away winning the ‘Member Achievement’ Award and Mike’s meal prep company winning the ‘Innovation in Fitness and Nutrition’ Award. In 2020 Mike was recognised in the Queens Birthday honours and was awarded an MBE for his services to his community.

James Smith and Andrew Gilbert-Dunnings, Active IQ

James provides consultative guidance to support businesses in the fitness and education industries, helping to bring the best education to the sector. James has worked in the fitness and physical activity sector for 15 years. Having previously worked for ukactive and EMD UK, James now works for Active IQ’s Business Development team, working with private training providers, colleges, universities and other fitness industry partners.

Andy is a product development manager at Active IQ, working on the development of qualifications, EPA, assessments and supporting resources.

Andy has worked in education for over 15 years across a range of sectors in both general and vocational education. Andy has a particular interest and expertise in mental health and chairs the Federation of Awarding Bodies Mental Health Forum. He also is a Samaritan and facilitates a weekly men’s peer to peer mental health group.

Steve Johnson, director, Tops Fitness and Rehabilitation

Steve has been working in the fitness industry approaching 40 years now. He has run his award-winning fitness and rehabilitation centre for 37 of those years. Steve is a previous Lifetime Achievement Award winner at the National Fitness Awards and has had the honour of judging the awards for the last seven years. Steve’s background is of a competitive bodybuilder and in his time he has achieved a World Title in Russia. Steve now concentrates on running his centre and his passion in body transformation coaching and has many champions under his control. Steve is also heavily involved in judging at many bodybuilding events all over the UK and at international level.