Workout April 2023

ISSUE 349

April 2023

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Report reveals what disabled people want from fitness and leisure sector

Double gold medallist opens Hybrid Fitness’ latest facility in Wimbledon

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Report reveals what disabled people want from fitness and leisure sector

UKACTIVE has released its latest consumer report as part of Everyone Can, which is designed to improve inclusion in the fitness and leisure sector, providing insight based on the sector’s most comprehensive survey of disabled people to date.

One in five people in the UK are disabled, and 81 per cent of disabled adults have indicated that they want to do more physical activity. The Everyone Can report provides an opportunity to improve millions of lives.

It also supports gyms and leisure centres with a huge commercial opportunity, as the economic value of the ‘purple pound’ is £249bn per year.

Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, said: “It is vital that we listen to the voices of disabled people and that is why this report has the potential to transform inclusion in the fitness and leisure sector.

“By really considering the modern-day needs and following the great examples across the sector, our members can help millions more disabled people across the UK to be active in the way they choose.

“Not only that, but we can open up pathways for disabled people to get into employment in the fitness and leisure sector, and all of this will help to grow the sector and our opportunities to support the health of the nation.”  ukactive commissioned a consumer poll with Savanta which asked more than 1,500 disabled people about their experiences of gyms, swimming pools,

fitness and leisure centres.

The survey forms the latest evidence presented in a wide-ranging report which brings together ukactive’s research on the issue, including focus groups and consumer consultations.

The report tackles themes of representation, perceptions, customer service, and accessibility, while drawing on best practise case studies, including the Swimming Teachers’ Association, The Gym Group and Sport for Confidence, to offer practical solutions.

The polling identified a number of concerns and key influencing factors for disabled people to access fitness

TMD has it in the bag

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Whether on the lookout for drawstring boot bags, rucksacks, holdalls or beach bags, TMD has it covered.

Bags come in a range of colours and can be printed or embroidered to reflect your brand and messaging.

Embroidery and print works are carried out by our team of expert machinists at our UK base and can be delivered direct to sites both at home and abroad via our trusted delivery network.

“Bags are just one category of product in our extensive merchandise range,” said James Taylor, managing director at TMD.

“Our customisable products make perfect additions to any retail offer and can also be used as giveaways and rewards as part of member retention and acquisition campaigns.

“We can also design and package items into ‘bundles’ to create bespoke collective offers such as gym starter kits for new joiners that might include a rucksack, sweat towel, aluminium water bottle, locker padlock, trampoline and play socks – all customised to reflect and promote your brand.”

TMD is one of the longest serving uniform and merchandise providers to the fitness and leisure sector.

“In addition to sourcing and manufacturing bespoke products at the individual request of clients, TMD also offers a range of ‘Leisure Essentials’.

Items within this product range are high quality, staple items for example classic shorts, polo shirts, fleeces and leggings as well as bags and padlocks.

James added: “These items are stocked in high quantities at the TMD UK storage facility which means they can be custombranded, quality checked and out of the door on their way to clients without being challenged by any sourcing or import delays.

“This enables us to consistently deliver a competitively priced, frictionless service to our clients.”

For information call 01202 473311, email hello@taylormadedesigns.co.uk or visit taylormadedesigns.co.uk

and leisure facilities, as well as finding differing views between those already using facilities and those that do not.

Key findings and recommendations:

n 50 per cent of gym users agreed ‘most centres provide a good range of equipment that I can use’, while only 28 per cent of non-users agreed. Communication should be utilised in the digital space to improve accessibility and combat perceived barriers, including online virtual tours.

n One-in-five respondents said that staff offering assistance or practical support would encourage them to attend the facility more often. The report

recommends taster sessions and regular check-ins following inductions.

n 35 per cent feel too self-conscious to ask for extra information and support from gym, fitness and leisure centre staff. Customer service should be a focus, offering support which extends from initial induction.

n A fifth of survey respondents either feel worried they would be the only one with a disability or feel they did not see many other individuals with a disability in the facility. Everyone Can recommends improved representation in marketing imagery and the workforce.  Everyone Can is an ongoing agenda led by ukactive and supported by Sport England to set a collaborative tone for inclusivity and accessibility across the sector – and has already involved more than 40 leading organisations and a cross-sector Everyone Can Task Force to lead the work.

The agenda seeks to raise awareness of disability inclusion and support gyms, and fitness and leisure facilities to make continuous improvements to the provision of services for disabled people, so that the benefits of physical activity can be realised by all.

The report follows the publication of the Health and Disability White Paper, announced by the Chancellor in the Budget, that sets out the ambition for more disabled people, and people with health conditions, to live more independent and fulfilling lives.

How to keep on top of memberships using gym management software

By Wayne Heath

THERE are a number of benefits to investing in a gym management software, but the biggest change you’ll notice is being able to keep on top of your memberships more effectively.

You’ll be able to see exactly how many members you have at any given time, review which memberships are due to expire and fill class spaces with little extra work.

Here are some other ways that gym management software can help you stay on top of your memberships.

Empower members to manage their bookings

Gym management software allows your members to manage their bookings

online themselves, meaning you don’t have to manually book in when members want to go to a specific class.

This is the sort of task that doesn’t seem like it will cost a lot of time in the beginning when you only have a few members, but manually booking people into classes can quickly become a barrier to growing the business.

Manage your membership database

As your gym grows over time you’ll soon realise you’ve got a long list of members to keep track of.

Without a secure management system in place, it’s hard to manage an evergrowing list of names, contact details and memberships.

You can use your gym management software to stay on top of your member information and even give your members the tools to update their details themselves, alleviating some of the admin load.

Personalise the member experience

Use gym management software to gain a deeper understanding of your members and their habits so that you can provide them with a more personalised service. Given that 80 per cent of consumers say they are more likely to purchase brands that offer personalised experiences, it’s a strategy worth implementing.

A good gym CRM software will allow you to send automated communications based on your customer’s actions so that your club is always appearing on their screen at the perfect time.

To summarise, there are a number of ways you can use gym management software to stay on top of your memberships.

The one thing that will save you the most time is reviewing what tasks you can push back to your members; think class bookings, entering payment information, personal details and so on. In doing so, you’ll be giving them more control over their fitness experience and

lessening the amount of membership admin for you and your team.

ClubRight is an end-to-end solution created by people with first-hand experience in running a gym. It takes care of everything, from automation and access control to class bookings and selling online – plus a whole lot more. When you work with us, you’ll be speaking to the people that understand the day-to-day challenges of owning a business in the health and fitness industry.

Give us a call today on 0203 884 977 or book a free online demo with one of our product experts.

Wayne Heath

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New £13.1million Bingham Arena Leisure Centre opens its doors

BINGHAM Arena, a new state-of-the-art 5,500m² leisure centre, has opened in the Nottinghamshire town.

Replacing the existing Bingham Leisure Centre, the new £13.1million facility is owned by Rushcliffe Borough Council and forms part of a long-standing partnership with leisure operator Parkwood Leisure, which dates back to 2007.

The facility will be operated by Parkwood Leisure’s partners, Lex Leisure.   Glen Hall, Parkwood Leisure’s managing director, said: “The new Bingham Arena is a fantastic addition to the borough’s leisure facilities, and further enhances the leisure, health and fitness provision for the community of Bingham and the surrounding area.

“It’s also a great showcase for what can be done to improve the energy efficiency of leisure facilities, which is something that we’re working hard to do across all our sites.”

The new site includes an 80-station state-of-the-art fitness studio with two group exercise studios and an indoor cycling studio, a 25m six-lane swimming pool and teaching pool, café, and therapy suite.

Bingham Arena will also become the first facility to welcome swimming galas/

competitions and events thanks to a 330-seater swimming pool spectating area. The venue is also home to the Jubilee events hall, which can host a range of events for audiences up to 300. Members of Bingham Arena will also have access to the region’s four other leisure facilities operated by Lex Leisure: Cotgrave, Keyworth and Bingham

Leisure Centres, and Rushcliffe Arena.

Central to the plans for the new leisure centre was a drive towards delivering a greener and more carbon efficient facility. Through the installation of air source heat pumps, combined heat and power technology, water efficiency measures, LED lighting and energy efficient building materials, Bingham

Arena will see a 78 per cent carbon emission reduction compared to other leisure centres in the borough.

Leader of Rushcliffe Borough Council, Councillor Simon Robinson, added:

“This is a wonderful new facility for the people of Bingham and Rushcliffe at a time when investment in our growing communities is so important.

“This site has something for everybody, from swimming to an 80-station fitness studio with two group exercise studios and an indoor cycling studio – and then there’s Bingham Jubilee Community Hall also providing a great space for events.

“The six-lane swimming pool looks terrific and features really good spectator seating for galas and competitions.

“It will attract a lot of talented athletes to practise and compete here.

“We’ve invested in a carbon-clever and energy efficient site, setting an example for others to follow in investing in new infrastructure in the right way.”

Construction consultants Henry Riley and main contractor Willmott Dixon have delivered the £13.1 million arena, with part funding from D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership and support from Bingham Town Council for Jubilee Community Hall.

ServiceSport UK has you covered

AT ServiceSport UK we offer a range of quality services that could benefit you – from gym equipment services and repairs to supplying personalised branded clothing.

One of our most popular is gym upholstery. Our team has decades of experience carrying out upholstery repairs in gyms, leisure centres and fitness clubs across the UK.

Gym equipment can be subject to very heavy usage, and over time leather or vinyl will typically develop tears and blemishes and start to look dated.

Gym upholstery repairs can be a cost-effective and practical solution, compared to buying brand-new OEM replacement pads.

Replacing damaged or torn upholstery is a much more affordable option.

So, if you’re a gym owner you can minimise the downtime of your equipment and continue to keep offering your clients a fully functional gym.

We also offer our service to homeowners with gym equipment and pretty much anyone that has gym equipment that requires a refresh.

Repairing your equipment as opposed to buying new means that you get the opportunity to customise the upholstery. This allows gym owners to change the colour, style or thickness of the padding to better suit their clients’ needs and preferences.

Repairs can be carried out on-site and new pads can be built by our team in

the workshop for installation on-site in a matter of minutes.

Each member of the team carries a large supply of sundries as part of their van stock to help keep our first-time fix

rate high and our customers happy.

To make the process of this service as quick and easy as possible we have recently announced the release of our upholstery app, free for all clients.

We’ve broken down our service into three simple steps, making this the only gym upholstery app you will ever need.

Simply follow this link on any device https://uapp.servicesport.co.uk/ and register on the application.

You can then use the app to take a photo of your ripped, torn or damaged pads, complete a short form to give us specific details on what you require, submit and wait for our quote.

If you do have any questions about our upholstery services or would like to discuss the app and how it can streamline your business, our team will more than happily assist.

You can contact us through the app or call on 01257 264 738.

Our experienced technicians and engineers can repair any kind of upholstery problem or damage so no matter how big the tear do not hesitate to submit your photo.

Take a look at our Instagram and Facebook pages to see our range of examples of the work that our engineers and upholstery team have done. We take pride in our work and are always welcoming new clients.

For further information call 01257 264738 or email info@servicesport.co.uk Instagram – @servicesport

Bingham Arena will be operated by Lex Leisure.

HYBRID Fitness has unveiled its newest gym at the AFC Wimbledon development at Plough Lane, Wimbledon.

The Hybrid Fitness concept combines specialist group classes with a state-ofthe-art gym all under one roof – ideal for members looking to bring multiple memberships into one.

The new gym in Wimbledon will be double Olympic gold medallist Daley Thompson’s first franchise after recently signing a multi-site agreement.

Additionally, Hybrid Fitness will also act as the official fitness partner for AFC Wimbledon.

Daley said: “I am delighted to be opening my first Hybrid Fitness in Wimbledon.

“Having worked here as a fitness coach at AFC Wimbledon it feels like a bit of a homecoming.

“The site is fantastic, and once complete will be an amazing place for members to relax, unwind and train.

“I’m excited for the future of Hybrid Fitness.”

Located at Stadia 3, Plough Lane, the centre of the AFC Wimbledon development, Hybrid Fitness Wimbledon will be opening its doors in the near future.

The gym offers 20,000 sq.ft. of thoughtfully curated fitness space over two floors, designed to provide a balance of conventional gym equipment, group classes, a strength and conditioning studio, a hot yoga studio,

squash and dedicated personal trainers.

Hybrid Fitness Wimbledon will offer a number of classes delivered by expert coaches; Strength, Metabolic Interval Training (MiT) Hot Yoga, Combat including Jiu Jitsu, Krav Maga and boxing. Users of the gym will have unlimited access to the gym equipment and classes.

Matt Payne, founder and MD of Hybrid Fitness, added: “We are delighted to officially announce Hybrid Fitness Wimbledon. This is an incredibly exciting development for Hybrid Fitness.

“The club will be our largest to date and will really highlight what Hybrid Fitness offers to members.

“We are delighted to have Daley Thompson on board as our franchisee.

“This has been a really strong start to 2023 for Hybrid Fitness.

“We now have four sites open and operating with Wimbledon and two other sites confirmed to open this year in key locations.

“Offering a state-of-the-art training environment alongside specialist, expertly coached classes has really captured the imagination of the public who are enjoying the ability to mix their own training with our classes under one roof.”

Hybrid Fitness now operates four clubs in Reigate, Sutton, Canary Wharf and Loughborough.

There are two more confirmed sites in Loughton and Putney, as well as additional sites in the pipeline.

Double gold medallist opens Hybrid Fitness’ latest facility in Wimbledon Operator partners with Community Leisure Trust to boost scheme

REGISTERED charity Fusion

Lifestyle has been successful in bidding for support from the Sport England funded ‘Active Kindness’ programme, in partnership with the Community Leisure Trust – one of 10 trusts to benefit from this grant. The ‘Active Kindness’ scheme is

designed to re-energise volunteering opportunities in the leisure industry and will enable Fusion to increase its nationwide volunteer programme through 2023.

Anthony Cawley, CEO of Fusion, said: “We are hugely proud of our volunteer programme, which we

know delivers huge benefits to both the participants and to our leisure centres. We are delighted to be able to extend our volunteer programme and look forward to welcoming new volunteers into our business.”

Following recent research by the Community Leisure Trust, the

programme seeks to promote new ways of thinking about the volunteering model that is more reflective of our current lifestyles: focussing on new roles, maximising flexibility and visibility, embracing diversity and maximum volunteer satisfaction.

Free gym and swim for people on lower incomes

RESIDENTS who are being priced out of using leisure facilities in Wandsworth due to the cost of living crisis will be able to use a gym and go for a swim for free from this summer.

The changes are part of the council’s work to make the borough fairer and more compassionate and are the start of a wider review of council services to ensure concessions are targeted at people who need them the most.

Council leader Simon Hogg said: “We are working hard to make Wandsworth a fairer borough.

“I am proud that, for the very first time in Wandsworth, residents who receive Universal Credit will be able to swim and use the gym for free during the daytime and at the weekend.

“Young people who receive free school meals will also be able to swim for free anytime – including at Tooting Bec Lido.

“We are clear in our determination to end the unacceptable gap between the health outcomes and life expectancy of people living in

Wandsworth. Ensuring no-one is priced out of accessing our gyms and swimming pools is a key part of that. We will review all our policies so that this council serves our residents

more fairly.” Through leisure centre contractor Places Leisure, the initiative will mean that anyone receiving Universal Credit will be able to enjoy free off-peak

adult gym and swim sessions (off peak is before 5.30pm on weekdays and all day at weekends).

The initiative will also ensure that young people aged 15 and under who receive free school meals will be able to swim for free.

A parent or guardian looking after one or two children will also be able to join them for free so that families can enjoy a swim together.

They will also be able to use the free junior gym, which is open to young people aged 11-15, and they can make a free sports booking, such as squash courts, during off peak hours. The offer will be in place in time for the start of the summer holidays.

The council recently announced that fairness will be at the heart of all its policies, making sure that everyone is able to access the opportunities the community creates.

And as part of this work the council is now looking at a wider review of how fees for sports and leisure facilities can be made fairer so that they are more affordable for people on lower incomes.

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Absolute Performance partner with Team GB judo star

CARDIFF based gym design and installation business Absolute Performance has announced a new partnership with multi-medal-winning and Team GB Olympian Nekoda SmytheDavis.

The partnership will enable Absolute Performance to draw upon Nekoda’s immense experience as an elite athlete as they look to further refine their products and gym design process.

Nekoda’s knowledge of elite performance and the importance of including strength and conditioning in a training programme will provide a unique perspective.

Her experience of injury recovery and rehabilitation, and her passion for supporting young people’s development through sport, which is highlighted through her work with The Mintridge

Foundation, will also be invaluable to the fast-growing company.

Nekoda’s interest in Judo began at the age of six. She has since become one of the sport’s most loved Judokas. Her rise to international success saw her crowned Commonwealth and British champion in 2014, going on to represent Great Britain at the Rio Olympics in 2016.

During her career to date she has amassed 27 elite competition medals including battling to silver at the Baku World Championships in 2018.

Siân Buchanan, owner and director at Absolute Performance, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Nekoda as she mirrors all the values we aspire to.

“She is highly motivated to succeed and has immense strength and determination. She is refreshingly modest about her impressive

achievements, especially her amazing capacity to balance motherhood whilst continuing to perform at the highest level. It makes her a fabulous role model for women and youngsters”.

Nekoda returned to competitive action last autumn after a three-year absence following a serious concussion injury.

During her time away from the Tatami, the judo mat, she also gave birth to her first child, daughter Ryia.

She said: “It’s great to be working with the team at Absolute Performance, they have such experience working with high-performance athletes.

“It will be great to play a part in the new products and new ideas coming along, but, I think I’ll learn as much from them as they will from me.

“I’m especially impressed with their experience in the education sector.

We have a shared interest in working with youngsters and providing aspiring athletes with facilities that match their ambitions.”

When asked about her plans for competing in 2023, Nekoda added: “I’m really happy with how things are going since my return.

“During the pandemic it was difficult to train and, as I was recovering from injury, it was sometimes hard to find the motivation. But when I look back now and see how far I’ve come I feel really proud.

“Ryia is my inspiration, juggling competition and being a mum can be tough, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m aiming to be at Paris 2024 –that’s my goal.”

Call 02920 362 664, email info@aperformance. co.uk or visit www.aperformance.co.uk

Sport England appoints new executive director

SPORT England has confirmed the appointment of Ben Wilson as the new executive director of digital, marketing and communications.

Ben joins from the Association of British Insurers where he is the director of corporate affairs and sustainability, and he brings strong experience to Sport England, having held senior roles across a range of high-profile organisations.

He will start at Sport England in May.

Ben said: “It is a great privilege to be joining an organisation with such a vital mission and compelling strategy as well as some of the nation’s most eye-catching campaigns.

“Sport and physical activity have a

huge potential to improve the UK’s wellbeing and health.

“I am excited to join a great team at Sport England driving forward that ambition under CEO Tim

Hollingsworth’s leadership.”

Previous roles he has held include as director of communications and then COO of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, deputy director of communications at the Department for Work and Pensions and head of strategic communications at the BBC.

He began his career as a regional newspaper journalist with Southern Newspapers.

Sport England CEO Tim Hollingsworth added: “Ben brings extensive leadership experience and has a highly relevant background for this important role, having led awardwinning campaigns across media, internal communications, digital and marketing.

“I know he is passionate about our mission to tackle inequalities so that more people than ever can be part of sport and physical activity and, having come through an extremely competitive recruitment process, he is a great addition to our team.

“I’d like to place on record my thanks to Ali Donnelly as she departs to lead an incredibly exciting new venture More than Equal.

“She’s given more than three years of great service and has been instrumental in driving our campaigns and advocacy for the role of sport and activity in our society – as well we helping Sport England navigate both the pandemic and period since.”

Richard highlights importance of community health needs

BEING there for the community as a health partner instead of solely as a traditional gym is something that should be in every fitness professional’s front of mind for 2023 and beyond.

Whether it’s in promoting the industry, or an individual business, the opportunities are huge.

It’s more than just about fitness. It’s more than just about ability. Richard Moore is proof of this, after he suffered a massive heart attack while running the Blackpool marathon in 2022. He’d run for three hours before the attack started.

“I thought it was a stitch in my chest,” Richard said.

“I tried to run through it, but turns out you can’t run through a heart attack.

“I hit the floor and my wife heard my

Myzone belt beep, indicating my heart had stopped.”

Supporting individuals with preventative measures for health concerns and for recovery needs is imperative to meeting our potential as a sector.

“Now, my physical health is great; I even signed up to run the Liverpool half marathon,” he added.

“However, my mental health has taken somewhat of a beating so I’ve been getting help with that.

“Myzone has boosted my confidence as a visual of what’s happening inside me. Being able to see my heart recovery rate on screen is a great advantage.”

The 41-year-old father of two is now helping to raise money towards purchasing a defibrillator box, as

defibrillation within three to five minutes of collapse can produce survival rates of up to 70 per cent following a cardiac arrest.

“For anyone else I highly recommend Myzone to track and have a guide to refer back to see your heart’s overall health and recovery rate,” Richard added.

“The physio had his own heart rate monitor that I had to wear during my beep test, it was older than me. I showed him the Myzone app, he was impressed and said would be looking into them.

“Overall takeaway would be to always listen to your body, look at the zones you’re hitting, and take notes of recovery time. Be safe.”

To donate to Richard’s cause visit gofund.me/0e473bd1

Ben Wilson

Panatta kit out experienced gym owner’s new eco-friendly venture

PANATTA has recently kitted out industry stalwart Dave Saunders latest gym, AllInc Fitness, in Aylesham, Kent. He told Workout magazine why he chose the premium Italian equipment provider for his new facility.

Can you tell me a bit about yourself and your new gym?

I’ve been working in the fitness industry for more than 20 years now.

The gym is an evolution of me starting off as a personal trainer at Holmes Place to running my own PT business, PT studio and then a small independent that grew rapidly.

The gym in Aylesham is the continuing evolution of that and what I see the industry needs as a balance between the high end health club and budget gym, offering excellent equipment, variety of options in studio and gym floor classes S.H.I.F.T AND LIFT, our 91-day induction Succeed 91and focusing on creating a friendly environment that is as inclusive as possible.

The biggest change for the gym in Aylesham is that we made a conscious decision to try and keep it as green

as possible so, there are no pieces of equipment that require electricity.

One of the reasons we are supplied by Panatta is that the offer a complete range of eco green cardio equipment which is amazing and the members love it. Seeing our bank of curved treadmills full of people and giving feedback that they feel they are getting more out of their training sessions because of it is great.

What are the main features of your gym and what do your members expect from your fitness offering?

The main usp of the new gym are the Ecoline cardio equipment, our 91-day induction that is completely free and that we are one of the only gyms in the area that are completely supplied by Panatta.

You chose Panatta equipment for your gym. What were the reasons for this?

Craig in my experience is easily the best rep that I have encountered when it comes to buying equipment. Where as with other companies that I have used where just take your order no

matter what you want, Craig and Panatta discuss your choices and layout with you in depth to make best use of space.

The reputation of Panatta in the consumer part of the industry with their long standard reputation makes it easy to sell memberships due to the wow factor of walking into the gym and seeing the Panatta brand.

Can you give me details of the equipment that Panatta has provided for your new gym?

All of our kit is Panatta, from the Ecoline cardio equipment to all our plate loaded and pin loaded equipment.

The pin loaded equipment is great, so well built and really robust.

According to our members we have the best leg section in the area with a dual plate leg press, pendulum squat, hack squat, super squat, multiple hamstring curl and leg extension machines.

What are the Panatta features that you feel are most important and would you recommend the brand to other clubs?

I would absolutely recommend Panatta to any independent gym owner.

The experienced trainer love the

adjustable feature ad how well they can be loaded.

The new members who haven’t got a lot of training experience love that they can scan a QR code to watch a video on how tom use the equipment if the isn’t a coach available.

The fact you have an multiple customisable options is amazing.

Do you think Panatta will help you stand out from other clubs in the area and increase customer loyalty?

Yes as most of the competition in the Canterbury area are franchises they tend to not have a great choice of brand options.

During presale it was the main feature that got people excited for us opening

What are your next projects for 2023?

We have just launched our S.H.I.F.T and LIFT classes. We are looking at brining MMA around June time.

Then in September we will be launching SPACE which is based around boxing and spin.

Then maybe looking at other suites at the end of the year.

Why switching your gym software doesn’t have to be stressful

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-today business too much.

It’s completely understandable that they, and you, are tentative about switching providers. Switching software can be a daunting undertaking – but it doesn’t have to be.

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 (some clients feel comfortable with less training sessions, and some with more) our training process

is one that has been designed with a “Train-theTrainer” 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. 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. Book a demo to learn more about EZFacility and see why switching your gym management software provider doesn’t have to be stressful.

TVS Group installs flooring at private members fitness club in Burnley

OUR sports and fitness surfacing specialist Jason Lewis-Lamb, representing TVS Group, was recently invited to visit one of the finest luxury hotels in Lancashire; the Crow Wood Hotel and Spa Resort, Burnley.

As part of a multi-million pound refurbishment project the purpose of his visit was to survey the private members fitness club with the aim of offering to the client a robust mix of aesthetically pleasing, practical and functional floor coverings for the existing and newly built fitness spaces within the club. Having established a comprehensive understanding of the project brief with Oliver Brown, a director at Crow Wood Hotel and Spa Resort, discussions about the advantages, disadvantages, features and benefits of a broad range of possible floor finishes were held.

Short-listed products were then presented, appraised and ultimately evaluated by Crow Wood’s project design team and other key stakeholders who were directly involved in the project.

Through this consultative approach, everyone within the team were confident in selecting the correct products for the intended application, opting for safe, high performing and cost-effective floor finishes that are designed to withstand the physical demands of the various user groups and

activities.

The interior designers were also pleased with the options as they were able to choose from an exceptionally wide range of finishes, selecting floor coverings which would best complement the overall look and feel of the broader refurbishment scheme.

For example, in both exercise studios, an attractive, low-profile, sprung engineered oak flooring was selected. This flooring system, with high shock absorption, great resilient strength and uniformity was considered an excellent fit for a wide range of physical activities, but particularly yoga and highly choreographed movements set to upbeat music.

Conversely, in the strength and conditioning area of the club, where people are expected to drop weights such as dumbbells, kettlebells and barbells, repeatedly, the physical characteristics of the floor finish needed

to be very different from the studios, and the substrate requires ongoing, longterm protection.

To accomplish this, 40mm-thick, heavyduty, inter-connecting rubber gym tiles were identified as a suitable solution for this space and TVS Group went on to source, supply and then install the wellknown SPORTEC Style Tiles.

Furthermore, the impact-absorbing nature of this specially designed, modular, rubber floor tile, consisting mainly of recycled rubber granules, is considered advantageous in environments like this and helps to reduce structure-borne impact noise and vibration whilst offering a stable and grippy surface to suit any free weights areas, both from the perspective of the gym operator, and the gym user.

In fact, elastic floor coverings like this are considered the ideal flooring solution for these types of settings.

Additionally, from an environmental perspective these rubber tiles, which are made mainly from recycled rubber car tyres, are also 100 per cent recyclable when the product lifecycle comes to an end.

Throughout the rest of the club, including cardio, fixed resistance and functional areas as well as general circulation spaces and stairwells, a low maintenance, water-repellent and highly resilient vinyl floor covering, containing

bacteriostatic and fungistatic treatment, was preferred.

This flooring is available in an everincreasing range of customisable colours and finishes to achieve the desired aesthetic, in this instance a polished concrete design was selected to best suit the overarching scheme of the refurbishment.

Oliver said: “It is too early to forecast the long-term financial impact of our investment but we’re certainly well positioned now for long term growth with an asset that all stakeholders can be proud of. Within the first two months of reopening our doors to customers, trading was resounding, and we recorded a record number of new gym memberships which was extremely pleasing to see.

“Regarding the floor finishes throughout the entire fitness club, I’m happy with the products and services provided by TVS Group and I’d be happy to hire them in future.

“Overall, the project was a real success and everyone is very pleased with the outcome. We’re now moving onto phase two of our site redevelopment plan which is a £16m refurbishment of other areas of the resort.”

For more information about the products, services and solutions offered by TVS Group, please contact them on 01706 260 220 or email Sales@TVS-Group.co.uk

Photos by Crow Wood Hotel and Spa Resort.

Virtuagym and Matrix Fitness enhance training with launch of connected strength solution

VIRTUAGYM and Matrix Fitness, two of the leading providers of health and fitness technology, have launched a connected strength integration between Matrix Fitness’ connected strength machines and the Virtuagym platform.

With the new solution, Virtuagym customers can now offer their members the ability to automatically log training data for both strength and cardiovascular exercise machines straight into the Virtuagym app and coaching platform.

The new integration combines Virtuagym’s comprehensive coaching and engagement platform with Matrix Fitness’s market-leading Intelligent Training Console, part of its Ultra Series line of training equipment.

The performance data is tracked by the user logging into the Matrix Fitness machine via a Virtuagym connected RFID tag. After a workout is completed, the results are immediately synchronised to the member’s activity calendar. This is available for both members and coaches, and is linked with other Virtuagym features such as its community and challenge module, as well as its nutrition coaching solution.

“After already providing a seamless connection with Matrix Fitness cardio machines, we are really excited to launch this integrated strength solution,” said Hugo Braam, CEO and co-founder of Virtuagym.

“It aligns with our vision that the future of fitness is a connected one. Our open platform philosophy enables partners such as Matrix Fitness to utilise our comprehensive coaching technologies, which are fully integrated with Virtuagym’s tools for club mobile apps, communication, engagement and club management.”

Compatible with 22 different strength exercises, this digital solution will support trainers and clubs in delivering 360-degree connected fitness experiences to members and help inform personalised coaching, engagement and training plans.

“With the further integration between Virtuagym and Matrix

Fitness, we are once again demonstrating the benefit of collaboration and open systems,” said Sennen van Ieperen, Matrix Fitness sales director for Benelux and DK. “We put freedom of choice and customer needs first. By creating solutions that reflect this, we thereby further strengthen our position within the digitalisation of the fitness industry.”

This latest collaboration represents an important next step in the longstanding partnership between Virtuagym and Matrix Fitness. It originally began in 2016 with the integration between the Virtuagym app and the Matrix Fitness highperformance cardio equipment. The

addition of the strength tracking option is in response to customer feedback, for an even more connected performance solution.

“The integration is working really well and our members are enjoying the new feature. It’s great that when you finish an exercise, it appears in the app instantly, giving you a sense of accomplishment right away,” added Christoph Pomper, CEO of LOVT Fitness in Austria.

“Our members can now track their progress over time and have told us that the integration has made their workouts more efficient and streamlined, as they don’t have to manually input exercise data into the app.”

This latest integration is part of a new phase of growth and product investment for Virtuagym, as it continues to enhance its innovative and customisable all-in-one solution for fitness and health businesses and corporate health.

It follows a significant new investment received in 2022 to fuel Virtuagym’s further international growth, with the company looking to grow its current presence in over 80 countries worldwide.

For Matrix Fitness, the solution further enhances its extensive product ecosystem for customers, with the dual cardiovascular and strength integrations offering a unique proposition for the fitness industry.

“Innovation is in Precor’s DNA”

FRANK O’Rourke, Precor’s newly appointed senior vice president of global sales, talks to Workout about the trade show season, his passion for prevention over cure and creating ‘member stickiness’

What got you into the fitness industry?

When I was in college, I worked in a hospital as a physical therapy technician. So many people were sick due to poor lifestyle choices and much of the illness I saw was totally preventable. I decided I wanted to work on the other side of the health continuum, helping people live healthier, focusing on prevention and positivity.

I joined a major strength equipment company aged 23 and the rest is history.

Frank O’Rourke

Where do you think the fitness industry’s heading in the next year?

Club operators are bullish right now.

If one good thing came out of the pandemic, it was an understanding that our industry really can help. If you were normal weight, healthy, fit and active your chances of getting truly sick from Covid were reduced. People now understand that’s what our industry can do for them.

Technology will continue to be major topic for discussion, especially easily connecting to wearables. I think how to incorporate active recovery from illness or injury is a space we should all be exploring further, too.

Another trend to watch out for is the rise of selectorised 2.0. Freeweights have peaked; the next shift will be back to selectorised strength.

In the last decade we’ve really moved away from it, but I believe we’re going to see a resurgence of training for specific body parts, larger muscle groups and compound movements. People will gravitate back to selectorised strength –it’s effective and it’s safe.

What’s next for Precor?

Our next generation of innovations will be a game changer and propel Precor to the forefront.

Our new product, exclusively on show in Europe at FIBO, is all about ‘member stickiness’ and engagement.

When you do group exercise it’s live, it’s fun and you’re engaged. It’s hard to feel the same attachment

to a cold piece of steel like a treadmill. Our new product offers a more engaged experience, creating that member connection, driving them to be their best with our equipment.

What makes Precor stand out in the very crowded marketplace?

Our quality is outstanding; Precor’s engineers have developed the best systems to ensure we deliver top products.

That’s what separates us from the rest. It’s a reason we don’t rush products to market: we must be confident they’ll

hold up in the harshest environments. If a product does not pass, it simply never makes it to the production line.

Another stand out is innovation. From inventing the world’s first Elliptical Fitness Cross Trainer to the world’s first Adaptive Motion Trainer, and of course being the first to invent the Quick Start button, Precor has some of the best industry firsts; it’s in our DNA.

Precor is returning to FIBO for the first time since 2019 this April, showcasing a host of new products on stand 6B81, plus running a competition to win one of its new StairClimbers.

Body composition device lands in Everlast Gyms across the UK

InBody has announced a new partnership with Everlast Gyms. This partnership will see body composition experts InBody come together with the ambitious Everlast Gyms – which is part of Frasers Group – as they set out on a new health and fitness journey.

A big focus for Everlast Gyms this year is developing an elevated gym model which includes creating an exclusive member journey and member onboarding product.

As part of this ongoing commitment, Everlast has invested in 19 of the InBody 370s model which, within just 15 seconds, generates a comprehensive overview of an individual’s body composition including weight, skeletal muscle mass, body fat percentage and body water levels.

This means fitness coaches and

personal trainers can easily track, monitor and manage their clients’ results.

Frasers Group, said: “We recognised the products and tools we used in our fitness set up were impersonal and lacked clinical expertise.

“The InBody 370s is quick and easy to use and with the InBody app, the member experience is seamless either with or without a fitness coach’s support.”

InBody aspires to be the go-to brand for body composition across the UK and is already well-established within the fitness industry.

In fact, this partnership with Everlast is just one of the most recent relationships InBody has developed.

Ian Rushbury, head of product at InBody, added: “It’s a crucial time for operators to look at the customer needs that sit outside the norms of cardio, functional and resistance equipment –especially in the wake of the pandemic

recovery for people.

“We see technology as the enabler of the programs and services that operators produce, and support to validate the success of them.

“Everlast is very forward thinking for the market they are targeting, and body composition sits perfectly for upskilling their trainers as well as educating members on the benefits of monitoring baseline health markers.

“It is so important for us all to understand and interpret our internal health, and Everlast have shown they are willing to invest in their people as well as their product to support that.

“We are looking forward to a longlasting relationship with the brand and the team, as they continue on their journey to evolve their proposition in the market and serve their members’ health and wellbeing expertly.”

Wattbike appoint Greg Nieuwenhuys as chairman

WATTBIKE has announced the appointment of Greg Nieuwenhuys (pictured) as chairman to help drive the brand’s next phase of growth.

An experienced CEO and nonexecutive director, Greg is currently chairman of Mammut Sports Group, a leading Swiss mountain brand, and was previously CEO of Cotswold Outdoors, Snow+Rock and Runners Need, after having led Bever, the largest outdoor retailer in the Netherlands.

He said: “I have always been intrigued by performance. I take pride in challenging myself physically and mentally. We spend so much time

working that I only ever take on roles within companies that I’m passionate about. Wattbike is an amazing company, helping people to improve their health, fitness and wellbeing, focused on those who have clear goals.

“The quality of the Wattbike product is unique, being the first ever smart bike and used by a wide range of audiences, from Olympians, NFL athletes and the All Blacks in New Zealand, through to talent ID programmes, medical testing and the every-day gym goer.

“I’m looking forward to supporting the team as it takes this next step to accelerate the growth through reaching

an even wider audience, also far outside of the UK, while continuing to deliver the best innovations for indoor cycling.”

Wattbike CEO Rich Baker added: “Greg has an impressive track record, both in the office and across his personal achievements. His ability to combine his strong interpersonal and analytical skills, his experience of the global sports market along with his energy will be a fantastic asset to our team and brand.

“I’m looking forward to Greg working with the talented, energetic Wattbike team and becoming a valuable member as we embark on an exciting next chapter for the company.”

Healthy People, Healthy Planet: Active IQ reveals its new sustainability strategy

AT Active IQ we’re trying to be a more sustainable business – financially, operationally and environmentally.

We’re taking care of the first two already, but we now need to play our part in contributing to the global effort that constitutes the third.

That’s why we recently unveiled our new sustainability strategy called Healthy People, Healthy Planet. This is our plan to contribute to a healthier planet by exploring ways to pivot our business model to align with a more sustainable operation.

In 2003 our company began in the active leisure space with the goal to help people live healthier lives.

Today our goal has broadened to help the planet as well as its people.

Our new sustainability strategy transparently shows the current impact our business has on the environment in terms of carbon emissions.

Ultimately our goal is to be a carbon neutral organisation by 2024.

To help us on this journey we recently worked with Our Carbon to do a comprehensive analysis of our business operations and the impact it has on the environment.

We calculated that we had produced an estimated 207.46 tonnes of CO2e in 2019.

That’s roughly equivalent to flying

from London to Dubai (and back) 85 times.

We improved in 2021, producing 103.67 tonnes, but that’s still roughly equivalent to flying from Paris to New York (and back) 63 times. We can do better.

Throughout this process one of the things we learned was that when we consider our emissions across the business, our head office played a significant role in our carbon

footprint.

With our remote working practices now well-engrained across the business, we took a decision to move out of our Huntingdon office at the end of January, whilst using coworking and meeting spaces around the country, according to the needs of our nationwide team.

Huntingdon has been our headquarters for a number of years now, so we did not come to this decision lightly.

However, we believe it is a positive move to take to fully support our new strategy.

This decision will help us in our journey to become a carbon-neutral awarding and End-point Assessment organisation by the end of 2024.

Advertiser’s announcement

Martyn Oakey, head of fitness at

Martyn Oakey and Ian Rushbury

Power Plate announce new vice president for UK and Ireland

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 chooses Bath Mind as its charity of the year

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 unveils new Italian distributor

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

Iain Murray

Daniel Haywood

The benefits of strength and conditioning training

INCORPORATING strength and conditioning into a comprehensive training plan is an opportunity to lay a solid athletic foundation which can raise athletic potential, as well as improve quality and range of movements in young athletes.

Rob Nitman and Matt Dickens, programming and coaching directors at Ascend Performance, recently sat down with Alistair Rosier, head of sales and marketing for Absolute Performance, to discuss the importance and benefits of strength and conditioning training in schools and other youth sports organisations.

Developing core motor patterns

When schools introduce strength and conditioning into their training programme using qualified coaches, it teaches young athletes how to move well and train properly, helping to build good training habits and improve young athletes’ coordination.

It can also help develop motor patterns when they train and participate in sports in the future, and reduce the risk of injury.

Rob said: “A professional programme

will provide a structured and progressive method for making physical improvements that translate into improved performance in sports.”

Matt added: “[coaches] consider growth patterns in young athletes, because their coordination, stability and tolerance to training will change as they grow, so paying close attention to this will ensure the correct adjustment to their training load.”

Boosting motivation and resilience

It’s been proven that the benefits to young athletes adding strength and

Contractor appointed to finish work at Berwick Leisure Centre

A NEW contractor has been appointed to complete the external works to Berwick Sports and Leisure Centre after the existing contractor Tolent Construction went into administration in February.

Northumberland based contractor Premier Plant and Civil Engineering Limited have been appointed as principal contractor to complete the project and recently started on site. They will complete the remaining work which includes the construction of a new car park, a playpark and landscaping.

The new leisure centre building was already complete and had been operational for a year. The demolition of the old Swan Centre was also complete. Northumberland county councillor Jeff Watson, cabinet member for healthy lives, said: “Advance Northumberland have been managing the build on behalf of the council and have been working with the administrators, the current subcontractors and professional advisors to appoint a new contractor as quickly as possible.

GYM EQUIPMENT

“It is great that the project is being re-started so quickly and that customers can soon enjoy the additional car parking.“

Works are expected to be fully complete by August,with the first additional car parking spaces available for use by early July.

When completed the car park will provide 171 spaces and 14 electric vehicle charging points.

conditioning into their training will improve their motivation and boost athletic resilience, making children more likely to perform well when it counts.

Sports such as rugby, football and netball seem to be the most likely to incorporate strength and conditioning, but all sports and athletes could benefit from this type of training.

Rob added: “Improvements will be seen in movement quality and physical capabilities.”

Recommendations from Ascend Performance

To get started with adding strength and

FLOORING

conditioning exercises, Rob and Matt, both of whom are UKSCA accredited, recommend equipment including dumbbells, kettlebells, medicine balls, resistance bands, sleds, barbells, and plates.

As they explain: “This equipment is highly versatile, so they’re ideal to begin with as they will teach simple movements, control, and body mechanics that they will use for the rest of their lives.”

Using the right professional strength and conditioning equipment means that young athletes will be able to train in a safe and enjoyable environment.

Through this, they will learn above all, how important technique is, and when to add weight to avoid injury.

Absolute Performance are leaders in the design, installation and equipping of high-performance strength and conditioning facilities.

Alistair added: “We have years of experience in creating strength and conditioning spaces for the education sector, we see it as a core component of a young athlete’s development.”

To find out more visit aperformance.co.uk

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