Issue 133 - 24 March 2023
YOUR REGULAR ONLINE UPDATE FOR THE UK FITNESS SCENE
Everyone Active trials digital PT management app –page 4
New research reveals need for employers to address workforce mental health and safety –page 5
POWER Plate, the global leader in advanced technology vibration equipment, has announced a new vice president of UK and Ireland. Iain Murray has been appointed to drive forward the business into new and existing markets.
As part of the leadership team, Iain has been heavily involved in the development of new products and is responsible for leading the UK team as well as creating business strategies and sales systems to ensure the success of Power Plate in UK and Ireland.
He said: “I am excited to move into a senior leadership role within Power Plate and assist with decision making at a critical level.
“It is vital that we have the infrastructure to support both our internal and external stakeholders as we continue to scale.
“I believe that Power Plate now has an exceptional team in place to enable growth as we explore new markets, whilst continuing to provide
the best experience to our existing customers.”
In December 2022, Power Plate launched REV – an unparalleled new
fitness experience that provides businesses with an opportunity for growth and differentiation whilst supporting users with preparation, performance and recovery.
The REV features Power Plate’s patent-pending VibeShift™ Technology delivering consistent, safe, precise, and predictable effective vibration through the pedals to maximise the intensity of your workouts.
The self-powered vibration gives you a significant increase in muscle activation, calorie burn, and cardiovascular effort while cycling. This game-changing product can be integrated with other fitness equipment or used as a standalone exercise solution – both scenarios require very different education, sales and marketing strategies in order to thrive.
Power Plate has naturally evolved into a wellbeing brand and now supports many medical, therapy, biohack and workplace wellbeing
businesses, enabling more people to feel the benefits that vibration training has to offer.
Iain added: “A big part of our strategy for 2023 and beyond involves working with the right partners to help activate Power Plate in different sectors. A good example of this would be our collaboration with Myzone – allowing customers to see the effectiveness of Power Plate through heart rate tracking and monitoring capabilities.”
With the global wellness market expected to reach $7T by 2025 (GWT) consumers are searching for solutions that serve their health, fitness and wellness goals – Power Plate products sit within this category perfectly with science backed evidence and proven benefits to both mind and body.
Iain’s new role will focus on positioning Power Plate as a comprehensive wellness brand in order to generate revenue and growth.
FITRONICS MD Daniel Haywood is cycling from Lands End to John O’Groats to raise money for Bath Mind in April.
Established leaders in their respective segments of the sport and fitness technology market, the Fitronics family of brands operate from Bath, where a highly skilled team produce, maintain and support high-quality, high-performance software used by thousands of successful fitness and sporting facilities across the globe. Bath Mind is a local and independently run mental health charity which supports the mental health and wellbeing of people across Bath and North East Somerset.
Established in 1998 by a group of local people, while the charity is affiliated to the national Mind charity, it is run entirely independently and receives no
Director of Operations: 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: Tim Deighton
Tel: 01226 734605 sales@workout-uk.co.uk
www.workoutuk.co.uk
direct funding from Mind.
Instead, Bath Mind relies heavily on local fundraising to help support people in need throughout our community.
Daniel said: “Our team selected Bath Mind because of its fantastic work and the programmes they run.
“Minimising stress through modern software development is paramount at Fitronics family of brands and whether it’s a customer, partner or colleague, the most important part of our business is people. It is this shared and aligned value that made Bath Mind the clear choice for our charity of the year in 2023.”
Bath Mind aims to promote and nurture the mental health of local residents through the provision of information, activities, advice and support.
Services include a crisis telephone
support line, mental health support in local A&E departments, community services, counselling, wellbeing groups, supported living and mental health training in the workplace and educational establishments.
Hannah Roper, director of business development at Bath Mind, added: “We are thrilled to be chosen as Fitronics charity of the year.
“As a local independent charity, local support means a great deal and during these challenging times, this support will be vital to ensure we can continue to provide our essential mental health services to the Bath and North East Somerset community.
“We very much look forward to working with the Fitronics team throughout the year to not only raise funds but raise awareness too.”
PRECOR is working with new distributor Mounting Gym to provide its best-in-class cardio, strength and networked fitness equipment across Italy.
This new strategic partnership will ensure Precor remains strong, responsive, efficient and streamlined in its operations across Italy, with the specific local knowledge and experience of the team behind Mounting Gym helping Precor to deliver a top-tier service to its Italian customers.
Derek Burke, Precor EMEA export business manager, said:
“We are all motivated by this new partnership h in Italy. Mounting Gym is well placed to grow with our business and help us enhance both efficiencies and scale.
“We’re putting strong foundations in place for future growth; Mounting Gym and Precor are aligned to positively impact communication, delivery and service provision for customers across Italy.
“Combined, our two teams can give customers the surety they need to create long-term partnerships.”
Mounting Gym will directly represent the Precor brand and products throughout Italy, including responsibility for sales, installation, service technicians and warehousing.
Precor remains committed to these markets and its
BLOCK Gym is a new, state-of-theart gym formed as part of a wider workspace offering within Plymouth’s iconic Royal William Yard, once a Royal Navy victualling yard and now an awardwinning waterside destination.
The new 60-station gym, installed with cutting-edge equipment from Matrix Fitness, features a top of the range cardiovascular suite, free weights area and functional training zone, all equipped with the latest workout tracking technology.
In addition to the 24/7 gym, members benefit from a range of coach-led small group personal training and specialist group exercise classes.
Nathan Sarahs, BLOCK gym manager, said: “BLOCK is passionate about pioneering work-life balance, providing a premium gym offering to our workspace tenants round the clock.
“We knew we had to work with the best when exploring fitness equipment, and Matrix Fitness were the perfect fit in terms of their broad equipment range and innovative technology.
“In particular, we opted for a full cardio suite of Matrix Fitness equipment featuring the Touch XL consoles, the latest range of Ultra strength equipment with the addition of Smart Strength Intelligent Training Consoles so that members could autonomously track their workouts and follow personalised
training programmes.”
BLOCK is part of the renovation of Royal William Yard, a 200-year old collection of historic Grade I listed naval buildings which underwent a 12-year regeneration programme to retain the original fabric of the buildings but fuse it with contemporary aesthetics into a re-imagined place to live, work, stay, play and relax.
“Developing such a historic site can come with its complications,” Nathan added.
“We had many curve balls thrown at us along the way, but our Matrix Fitness account manager Alex Nardell provided expert advice and support throughout the entire process.
“He helped create countless floor plan options so that we could maintain
the aesthetics of the building without disturbing the original framework of the building.
“With experience working with the majority of equipment suppliers in the UK over the past decade, I could not recommend Matrix Fitness highly enough due to their outstanding customer care, service and product range.
“Even with a challenging build and delays, Alex remained focused to deliver exactly what we set out to achieve and the end result is an impressive, innovative gym in keeping with the building history.”
Alex Nardell, key account manager at Matrix Fitness added: “This project was not without its challenges and it required us to work closely with the BLOCK team throughout in order to deliver the outcome they needed whilst protecting the heritage of the site.
“The equipment install was just one element of this install.
“It was more about the partnership, seeing the project through, from start to finish, and beyond, in order to bring their vision to life.
“BLOCK Gym is one of the most impressive, exclusive fitness facilities in Plymouth and we look forward to continuing to support their future success.”
TELFORD and Wrekin Council has completed the latest refurbishment at its aspirations gym at Stirchley Sports and Leisure @Park School.
The refurbishment includes upgrades to the aspiration’s gym on site installed by Pulse Fitness including 23 cardio stations, complete with treadmills, elliptical cross trainers, step mills. There are also 14 new fixed resistance stations and a smith machine.
The refurbishment has also been a range of Pulse Fitness “Accessible to All” equipment added to the gym which features swing assisted seats, extensive safety and visibility features and low
starting weights to support people with disabilities in a gym environment.
The investment comes as a part of the
council’s wider commitment for leisure services which was announced last year to help make the borough cleaner, greener, safer and more enjoyable.
Councillor Kelly Middleton (Labour), cabinet member for leisure, public health and well-being, equalities and partnerships, said: “In the last 12 months we have made various upgrades to our leisure facilities across the borough including three complete gym refurbishments.
“We are doing this because as a council that is on the side of our residents, we want to ensure everyone in our borough has access to good quality leisure
facilities where they can prioritise their physical and mental wellbeing.
“I am delighted that the new equipment installed will offer residents with additional needs a space where they can keep fit and active.
“The new upgraded gym space will also feature as a huge part of PE lessons for our young people at Telford Park School providing students with a fantastic introduction to health and fitness.”
Currently customers who take out a new membership for this site will pay nothing until April 15.
EVERYONE Active is trialling Fisikal’s custom-built digital PT management app in a move to create a more experience driven, efficient process that links members to personal trainers.
The move is all part of the leisure operator’s drive to continually challenge the member experience, seeking out new ways to optimise support and achievement of their individual health and wellbeing goals.
The app went live at six Everyone Active managed sites this month, including Blandford Leisure Centre, Fakenham Sports Centre, Fareham Leisure Centre, Northolt Leisure Centre, Stratford Leisure Centre and Wigston Pool and Fitness.
If the trial is successful, the digital solution will be rolled out across the entire Everyone Active leisure portfolio.
“Fisikal’s new app delivers a more convenient, effective experience for our members, and, it gives us better commercial visibility of how this part of our business is performing,” said Ben Beevers, Everyone Active’s group development director.
“The digital enhancement to a system where all bookings and payments are processed through an app gives us real time insight of how the service is performing at an individual, site and enterprise level.
“Having a better grasp of this will enable us to make more informed decisions about pricing, engagement triggers and pathways – ultimately adapting the service for the benefit of both members and trainers.
“Our personal trainers are hugely valued, therefore, we aim to provide an environment where they can thrive.
“Through digitalising the personal
trainer management system, we can help our trainers build a financially sustainable career, by making it as easy as possible for members to engage in their services.”
Fisikal began work on the custom build in late December.
Eight weeks later the app was rolled out to personal trainers in multiple sites.
“This has been a great project to work on” added Rob Lander, Fisikal’s CEO.
“Digitalising personal training and moving to a more centralised model will give Everyone Active more opportunity to understand and develop this part of the business.
“We are really excited to watch this trial play out and, hopefully, to extending the provision to the rest of the Everyone Active estate.”
THE results of the 2023 Workforce State of Mind Survey have revealed a widening gap between the needs of the workforce and the protection and support provided by employers.
Designed to explore the relationship between the mental health of individuals at all levels of the workforce and the action by employers to create protective and supportive environments that empower everyone to thrive, the 2023 survey is the third of its kind in so many years.
This year the survey, conducted between January 16 and February 10, attracted engagement from 918 individuals – self-employed and employed – working within fitness and active leisure across the UK, as well as 68 employers.
Of the individuals that took part, more than half (54 per cent) have experienced a mental health issue in the last 12 months, with 73 per cent having experienced a mental health issue at some point in their life.
This suggests there remains a significant level of distress across both measures amongst respondents consistent with previous years.
Another way we gauge what’s happening is by asking respondents to rate their ‘current overall health’ across four dimensions.
Lindsey Simpson, co-founder at Workplace Mental Wealth and curator of the State of Mind Survey, said: “The overall average health score was 69 out of 100, but there were significant variations across the dimensions; social health was rated 74, physical health
72, mental health came out at 66 and financial health, a new indicator for this year, was rated at 63.
“This insight should matter to employers. In addition to a legal duty of care to employees’ mental health and safety covered by legislation such as The Health & Safety at Work Act (1974), employers are missing out on the commercial benefits of a happier, healthier, safer and more productive workforce.
“Deloitte (2020) estimates poor mental health at work costs private leisure employers between £702 and £769 per employee per annum.
“So, for a workforce of 200 that’s a cost
of at least £140,400 per year.
“As a sector we need to be providing good work environments that protect and support our people and empower them to perform to the best of their ability. It’s the win-win-win that happens for organisations and our people who are then able to deliver the best for the customers we serve.“
Of the employers who completed the State of Mind Employer Survey, only 49 per cent profess to having a mental wellbeing strategy with just 19 per cent stating mental health and safety is embedded in their management systems whilst being strategically measured and monitored.
28 per cent report a process is in place for regularly checking in on employee mental health, although only eight per cent of individuals surveyed said somebody regularly checks their mental wellbeing.
Lindsey added: “Whilst it is positive that 72 per cent of individual respondents with a line manager say they feel that manager cares about their mental wellbeing, caring is not enough.
“We know this because, despite the caring nature of their line manager, almost half (46 per cent) of people surveyed would not be honest with their line manager if they felt they needed to take time off to deal with a mental health issue.
“This suggests stigma around mental health is still prevalent and preventing open an honest conversations.
“Most employers need to step up their approach. Whilst the survey suggests pockets of good work in this area, the
overriding impression is that many employers are falling short with many probably not meeting legally required standards in employee safety.
“What is needed is a sector-wide commitment to raising the standard of workforce mental health driven by employers and supported by sector bodies.
“This needs to include education to empower employers to develop a culture built on prevention, protection and support, essentially ‘good work’ practices, that fulfil legal requirements and boost commercial growth.
“One size does not fit all. Employers need to work with their teams to design and implement a strategic approach, it’s key to meaningful progress.“
This year’s survey was supported by Active IQ, Alliance Leisure, Les Mills and Myzone.
For the third year running, the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity also backed the research as its official partner. CIMSPA CEO Tara Dillon said: “At a time when employers are battling elevated cost lines due to the energy crisis, we should all be looking at ways to improve efficiencies that deliver a direct and positive return to the bottom line.
“Creating good work environments where everyone can perform to their full potential not only addresses potential legal questions it also makes good commercial sense, and is quite simply the right thing to do.”
To read the full 2023 Workforce State of Mind Summary Report visit www. workplacementalwealth.com
SWIMMERS, cyclists and fitness enthusiasts are among those flocking to the new Allander Leisure Centre, which opened its doors to the public for the first time recently.
The initial phase of the project is now complete – part of a £42.5million investment by East Dunbartonshire Council – which also includes a support centre for adults with learning disabilities.
The overall Allander – which involves the construction of a new ‘Sports Dome’, offering two football pitches and a tennis court – is expected to be completed by the autumn, when an official opening will be held.
It currently offers:
n A 25-metre, eight-lane swimming pool and 20m training pool with movable floor.
n Sauna and steam vitality room.
n Gym and high and low intensity studios.
n State-of-the-art spin room.
n Eight-court games hall.
n Two squash courts.
n Wet and dry changing facilities.
n Café.
There is also a hydrotherapy pool for use by people with learning disabilities, families with young
babies and people with mobility issues.
The demolition process is underway at the old Allander, which is next door, with restricted parking in the meantime.
The Council has managed to secure additional parking nearby, which will be signposted, until the entire project is completed.
In addition, there is a new support facility for adults with learning
disabilities - replacing Kelvinbank Resource Centre in Kirkintilloch. That will include:
n Flexible meeting rooms, quiet spaces and office.
n Dementia, rebound, sensory and physiotherapy treatment rooms.
n Arts and crafts, dance and music rooms.
n Changing rooms.
n Kitchen facilities.
The Council has been working closely with partners including East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture Trust and East Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership.
Councillor Gordan Low, leader of the Council, added, “The new leisure centre gives people the chance to have fun, get fit and improve their health – both physically and mentally.
“I’m pleased the project also includes services and facilities for adults with learning disabilities. This is a great facility which will benefit people across East Dunbartonshire.” McLaughlin and Harvey is the main contractor and architectural design is by Holmes Miller, with support from Doig+Smith, Brown + Wallace and planning consultancy Barton Willmore.
