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February 2016
The UK’s No 1 fitness industry magazine
Cybex joins Life ‘family’
Kids must be more active – manifesto By Christina Eccles MORE needs to be done to tackle inactivity levels in young children – many of whom are not active enough to be healthy – researchers at Loughborough University have claimed. Early years specialists in the University’s British Heart Foundation National Centre for Physical Activity and Health have launched a manifesto urging politicians and policy makers to embed early years into the physical activity guidelines. According to research, 91 per cent of children aged two to four are not meeting the UK physical activity guidelines for their age group of three hours of activity a day. The manifesto sets out the centre’s key asks to ensure every child has access to high quality physical activity opportunities from birth, with the BHFNC calling for physical activity to be supported across the UK at home, in early years’ settings and in the community. Director of the BHFNC Elaine McNish said: “This manifesto outlines how we can create an environment for our children that encourages them and stimulates them to be active.
“This manifesto is a call to policy makers to ensure that early years settings are supported to create active environments. We know that active children are more likely to become active adults so it’s vitally important to get it right at the beginning to give children opportunities to play from a young age and develop a lifelong love of being active.” Project manager, prevention and behaviour change at the British Heart Foundation Lisa Young added: “We know that physical activity is an important component of a healthy lifestyle for everyone and the underfives are no different. Developing a love of being active from a young age is important as we know active children become active adults and active adults are healthier adults. “As a nation we need help to recognise the importance of physical activity for early years and the contribution this makes to general health and heart health in the future.” What do you think? Does your facility offer opportunities for younger children to get more active or is it something you’d like to introduce in the future? Let us know: email ce@scriptmedia.co.uk
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Road-cycling world champion Lizzie Armitstead has become an ambassador for Wattbike. Lizzie is now looking forward to integrating the kit fully into her training schedule as she prepares for the Rio Olympics this summer. Wattbike’s commercial director Richard Baker said: “We’re thrilled to be working with Lizzie. It’s a big year for both her and women’s cycling, and we hope to draw on some of her experiences and support her in the best way we can; providing quality data and accurate tracking for her.”
LIFE Fitness has announced that Cybex will join the company’s family of leading fitness brands. Cybex International, Inc has been acquired by Life Fitness’ parent company, Brunswick Corporation, with the Cybex product portfolio now expected to benefit from Life Fitness’ expansive global distribution network serving over 120 countries. Life Fitness president Chris Clawson said: “The addition of Cybex to our Life Fitness family brings one of the industry’s most respected fitness brands to our worldleading portfolio. “As we looked across the fitness industry, it was apparent that Cybex would be a great fit for Life Fitness because, like us, Cybex is committed to developing reliable, results-driven products that create exceptional customer experiences. “We’re excited to add Cybex to our equipment offering – alongside Life Fitness, Hammer Strength, SCIFIT, InMovement and Brunswick Billiards – to give our collective customers the best product selection, service and support in the industry. “The combined expertise of Cybex and Life Fitness will establish an unsurpassed global industry standard in product leadership, innovation and customer experience.”