Workout August 2023

Gym Flooring Specialists

Flooring solutions to suit any sporting and fitness space, including:

Impact-resistant rubber tiles for weight lifting areas.

Sheet rubber and elastic underlays for functional training spaces.

Customised sled tracks. Synthetic turfs for multi-functional spaces.

Timber flooring for dance and yoga studios.

Seamless polyurethane and vinyl floor finishes.

Project reference: Winchester Sport & Leisure Park. Image: © Hufton+Crow

Meet the National Fitness Awards judges

THE FULL judging panel for this year’s NFAs has been announced.

The five judges have a wealth of experience across the fitness sector but all of them have one thing in common: a passion for celebrating the industry. Here’s your chance to meet and find out more about them:

Katie Bulmer-Cooke

With an industry career spanning 20 years, fitness entrepreneur Katie is a former UK personal trainer of the year and UK fitness professional of the year. Alongside her work as a personal trainer, Katie has worked with a range of well-known health and fitness brands, consulting on business development, group fitness concept creation and staff training.

Katie also owns Norks Sports Bras, a sustainable, luxury sports bra brand which prides itself on having all products made ethically in the UK.

Matt Gleed Matt is a multi award winning Master Trainer and leading fitness professional with 23 years’ experience.

Known from his work leading education content for global companies like TRX Training, Matrix Fitness, Power Plate and Myzone, and his media work on TV and in leading publications like Men’s Health and Women’s Health to Runners World and national newspapers. Also working with governing body British Rowing creating education courses, membership platform workouts programming and delivery of courses too.

Similar work for organisations like Fitpro Ltd include regular content creation, blogs and vlogs. Ambassador work for Premier Global NASM, Vivobarefoot and Fisikal App help support coaches and personal trainers understand and develop knowledge on relevant products across the industry in particular with ‘virtual training’ and ‘digitalisation’ recently since the Covid pandemic.

Dean Godfrey Dean Godfrey is the chief operations Officer at Creative Fitness Marketing where he has worked for more than 18 years.

With an extensive background in the fitness industry, Dean has worked with more than 900 health clubs, to help them grow their membership base and keep competitive within their local market. He has worked in various

Leisure Essentials offers operators fantastic value

TO ENSURE speedy turnaround times on stock orders of essential uniform, Taylor Made Designs has created its own brand Leisure Essentials range.

The range includes competitively priced, standard uniform items that can be custom-branded and delivered to site within a matter of days.

James Taylor, managing director, Taylor Made Designs, said: “Our warehouse facility in the UK holds significant stock of all Leisure Essential items, meaning our supply chain is unaffected by continuing import challenges.

“The fact that we can add customembroidery via our team of expert in-house machinists means orders can be ready and dispatched within just a few days of order receipt.

“Knowing orders will be fulfilled quickly and effectively, gives our leisure operator clients confidence in the process, meaning they can order stock as and when needed, rather than having to store their own reserves on site where space to do so is often an issue.”

The Leisure Essentials Range

launches with a selection of basic garments including lifeguard uniforms, quarter zip top, shorts and track pants.

Many items are available in a range of colours and can be custombranded.

James added: “The Leisure Essentials Range also includes some merchandise items including silver three digit padlocks and gym scarf towels which can be custom branded.

“Over time we will extend the range to build a one-stop-shop of TMD branded, off the shelf garments and accessories.”

The Leisure Essentials Range is aimed at TMD contract clients and minimum orders numbers apply.

For more information on how to join TMD’s growing portfolio of contract clients call the team on 01202 473311 or email hello@taylormadedesigns.co.uk

roles within the company including as a sales consultant, marketing manager, operations manager and now as the COO.

Dean is an innovative leader relentlessly committed to excellence and hard work. He is passionate about fitness and in his spare time he enjoys running, CrossFit and spending time with his family.

Michael Ellis

Michael began his career in the fitness industry back in 2001 as a fitness instructor for Virgin Active. Over the years he has worked in multiple roles as a general manager, regional manager, national fitness manager and head of product, working for Sports Direct/ Everlast Fitness Clubs and JD Gyms – before joining ServiceSport UK Ltd in May 2019.

Michael is a high-level director tasked

with the job of guiding and supporting ServiceSport (UK) Ltd through the commercial landscape. He supports the company to maintain a consistent trajectory of growth, while avoiding obstacles that arise from a constantly shifting market.

He is a loyal, strategic and dedicated senior leisure professional, who has a real passion for achieving results through inspirational leadership, developmental coaching, meticulous financial acumen and the development and execution of strategic developments.

He has a proven track record and thrives on improving business performance through people engagement, customer obsessed service, world class standards and analytical analysis of key performance metrics.

David Minton

David is founder of the Leisure Database Company, the auditor of the fitness industry for the past 18 years and provider of industry leading reporting on site analysis, latent demand and customer profiling.

Working with public and private sectors helping to promote and grow the industry and improve the health of the nation. David is also co- founder of AiT a start up company providing API access to timetable data and mentor to other exciting young companies that are disrupting the sector.

A visiting Research Fellow at Waseda University Tokyo along with other international connections brings trend data from around the world.

Matt Gleed

Michael Ellis

Fitness provider gives free access to staff to mark 75th anniversary of the NHS

A NORTHAMPTON gym and fitness provider that works in partnership with the NHS across the town has marked the 75th anniversary of the national institution by giving free use of its services to health care staff.

Trilogy Active operates Cripps Recreation Centre, Danes Camp, Duston Sports Centre, Lings Forum, The Mounts Baths and the Forum Cinema, as well as Berzerk Soft Play Centre in Northampton.

The three-month offer includes free access to the gym and swimming pool at Cripps Recreation Centre for NHS employees every Friday from 1pm to 6pm. The offer ends on October 6.

“We are delighted that as part of the national celebration of the 75 years the NHS has been serving the population of Northampton and the UK that we can open our doors to doctors, nurses and all health care professionals as a small thank you for the real difference they make,” said managing director of Trilogy Active, John Fletcher.

“As a business we work closely with

our NHS friends in delivering services to the Northampton community which includes helping the NHS reduce waiting times for COPD patients, the Activity on Referral scheme with the General Practice Alliance which provides health coaches for patients and the Get Up & Go OTAGO Falls

Prevention Scheme.

“Therefore to open our doors and offer free use of our services every Friday afternoon for three months is something we are proud to do and we look forward to playing our part in looking after our highly valued local NHS community.”

The work of Trilogy Active with the NHS also includes NHFT health visitors who are able to use Duston Sports Centre free of charge to engage with young families and complete NHS Health Visitor Child Development checks.

The NGH Community Stroke Team also use Duston Sports Centre facilities (including the gym) to run weekly sessions with patients as part of their rehabilitation.

And, from the end of July, there will be a new NGH Staff Wellbeing Walk where Trilogy Active staff will be training NGH staff to deliver their own wellbeing walks.

“We get that our much valued NHS is more stretched than ever and its dedicated staff are working harder than ever before,” John added.

“We also understand the important role physical and emotional fitness can play in helping health professionals relax and therefore we hope that this three-month offer is used by as many NHS staff as possible as the UK commemorates 75 years of this great institution.”

Gym lifts team’s spirits with sponsorship deal

THE team behind a much-anticipated new health, exercise and wellbeing complex have shown their support for a community football club.

LVL5 Gyms Ltd is the new sponsor of Llysfaen Knights junior soccer squad.

Led by Colin Archer, the under 14s play in the Colwyn and Aberconwy Junior League and thanked owners Sion Pritchard and Rich Blake – who hails from the village – for providing them with full kits, training wear and rain jackets.

Colin, a UEFA and FA Youth Awardsqualified coach with more than 25 years’ experience, including time spent in America with MLS side Chicago Fire’s Academy, said the company’s backing has already made a huge difference.

“The team is getting better, numbers are growing, and we are very ambitious, but with no sponsor or kits for the players we were at a bit of a loss, we

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

www.workoutuk.co.uk

didn’t know what to do,” he added.

“I can’t thank Sion and Rich enough, they have invested in this young squad and that has given them so much confidence, which we will hopefully turn

into positive results out on the pitch.

“We are so very grateful – thank you LVL5 Gyms.”

Rich was proud to be able to support his local community at grassroots level

and wished Llysfaen Knights the best of luck for the rest of the season.

“I grew up in Llysfaen so it’s a real honour for me personally to be sponsoring the boys,” he said.

“To be able to give something back and to hear what a difference it has already made is heartening.”

LVL5 Gyms is moving ahead with plans to transform empty units at the former Tudno Castle hotel site in Llandudno into a gym, coffee, and smoothie bar, changing rooms, sauna and more.

The 6,000 square metre two-floor facility will employ up to 10 people and both Sion and Rich are hopeful their proposals for the coastal resort will be supported by the local community.

“We have had a lot of positive feedback and are confident LVL5 Gyms can bring something fresh to Llandudno,” added Sion.

Community leisure centre gets £935,000

A COMMUNITY group that took over a leisure centre in Cornwall has received funding for upgrades.

The Friends of Wadebridge Leisure Centre was awarded £935,000 from the Government’s Community Ownership Fund.

The group said the grant meant decades-old equipment could be replaced.

Wadebridge’s only public pool had been under threat of closure last year until it was taken into community ownership.

A new floor in the sports hall are among the upgrades under consideration

After saving the facility, the community group said they were “absolutely staggered” by energy bills that had surged to more than £15,000 per month.

Amanda Pennington, trustee of the FOWLC, said improvements to the centre would have the added benefit of helping reduce bills.

“We are absolutely over the moon,” she said. “This funding will let us do all the things that are absolutely necessary to do because the plant here is 30 years old.

grant

“We will be able to replace it with energy efficient, modern equipment so it will also bring our bills down which will have a very long term impact.”

The installation of a new floor in the sports hall, solar panels on the roof, a new air-handling unit and water filtration system are among the upgrades being considered

Deadlifts are the number one go-to exercise for gym-goers, according to Google

A STUDY has revealed that the deadlift is the most popular exercise of the year. Sports nutrition experts Bulk.com analysed Google search data for more than 100 exercises to determine which is the most popular amongst gym-goers in the UK.

The data investigated search volume from the past 12 months for each exercise using specific terms, such as “(exercise) technique”, “how to do (exercise)”, and “(exercise) form”.

The study revealed that deadlift is currently the most popular exercise technique in 2023 and has an average of 24,773 monthly searches.

The exercise focuses on weight training, with its primary purpose to help increase your strength.

The deadlift works the lower body muscles; glutes, hamstrings, core, back, and trapezius muscle.

Due to the heavy nature of the weights and bar, it is essential to ensure this is executed correctly, as it can lead to injury.

Lateral raise took the second spot, with an average of 20,157 monthly searches. This exercise is excellent for working your upper body and can help define the shoulders and the upper arms.

Besides benefits to appearance, this exercise can help widen the shoulders and improve mobility – which can help with day-to-day activities and other

exercise techniques. Taking the third spot was the Bulgarian split squat which had an average of 17,918 monthly searches over the past 12 months.

This exercise is an intense variation of the standard squat, in which one leg is elevated whilst the other performs a squat, which aims to improve the strength of the quadricep muscles, glutes, and hamstrings.

On average, Bulgarian split squats

receive 1,095 more monthly searches than regular squats.

Bench press took the fourth spot with an average of 17,437 monthly searches. This exercise works three muscles; pecs, front delts and triceps, strengthening the upper body muscles. There are various forms and techniques of doing bench presses, all of which will work different muscles.

Closing off the top five was the lat

pulldown which has an average of 16,896 monthly searches. This exercise works the biceps, rear delts and the most significant muscle in the back, the latissimus dorsi muscle. This exercise is excellent for beginners; as its straightforward technique helps build strength in multiple areas.

A spokesperson from Bulk.com said: “It is fascinating to see the true passion Brits have for health and fitness all over the country, who not only want to ensure they perform these exercises correctly but also want to familiarise themselves with new techniques to try at the gym.

“Deadlifts unsurprisingly take the crown, as they target and engage multiple muscle groups in the body and promote muscle growth due to the heavyweights used to perform the exercise.

“Whatever your fitness goal, incorporating this into your routine will improve your total body strength, which can help you perform exercises more efficiently in the future.

“It is vital to ensure this technique is performed correctly, not only to ensure the muscles are being appropriately engaged but also to prevent injury, as an incorrect execution of this technique can strain your muscles.”

The Romanian deadlift, squat, hammer curl, bent-over-row and face pull completed the top 10.

Unlock the potential of your gym equipment with ServiceSport UK

IN THE ever-evolving fitness industry, keeping your gym equipment in peak condition is not just a matter of aesthetics, but a key factor in attracting and retaining members. We understand the challenges you face in maintaining top-quality equipment while managing your budget.

That’s why, here at ServiceSport UK, we offer a comprehensive service and repair solution that maximises the lifespan of your gym equipment, saves you money, and ensures an exceptional workout experience for your members.

Purchasing new gym equipment can be a significant financial burden, especially for smaller or independent gyms.

Opting for our service and repair solutions allows you to allocate your budget effectively, extending the lifespan of your existing machines at a fraction of the cost.

By investing wisely in the maintenance of your equipment, you

can focus your financial resources on other areas of your business.

Replacing equipment often leads to downtime, impacting your gym’s operations and member satisfaction. Regular servicing and maintenance is crucial for the longevity and efficiency of your gym equipment.

Our engineers conduct thorough inspections, identify potential problems, and address them before they escalate.

By being proactive, we prevent major breakdowns, saving you from costly repairs or replacements down the line.

With our expertise at your doorstep, you can focus on running your gym while we take care of your equipment.

As a token of appreciation for your trust in ServiceSport UK, we are thrilled to present our exclusive August offer; enjoy 10 per cent off all your preventative maintenance service this summer.

This limited-time discount allows you to maximise your maintenance budget while receiving top-quality service from our dedicated team.

Don’t miss this opportunity to revitalise your gym equipment and save money along the way.

Take advantage of our August offer

Reimagine leisure centre gyms

LEISURE centre gyms have long been a cornerstone of community fitness, providing accessible opportunities for individuals to stay active and healthy. However, as fitness trends evolve, it becomes crucial for leisure centres to reimagine their gym spaces to remain relevant and appealing to a diverse audience.

By incorporating innovative design, advanced technology, and memberfocused services, leisure centre gyms can transform into vibrant fitness hubs that inspire and empower all demographics in their communities.

A recent example of such transformation is seen in the renovation of North Lanarkshire Council’s, Wishaw Sports Centre gym, by IndigoFitness. Let’s explore how this project showcases the key strategies to reimagine leisure centre gyms and elevate their appeal.

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Combining aesthetics and functionality

Throughout the project, IndigoFitness maintained a meticulous focus on achieving a blend of aesthetics and functionality. By ensuring the gym retained its essential features and functionality, members experienced a seamless transition from the old layout to the new, vibrant design. This balanced approach elevated the gym’s overall appeal and catered to the diverse needs of its members.

The result

North Lanarkshire Council’s customers now have access to some of the best free weight and functional training spaces, not just within the local authority sector, but across Scotland.

The newly reimagined gym space offers an exceptional health and fitness experience, motivating both new and old members to achieve their fitness

ARE YOU PASSIONATE ABOUT CREATING YOUR OWN GYM? WITH OUR FLEXIBLE FINANCING OPTIONS, BUILDING THE GYM OF YOUR DREAMS IS WITHIN REACH.

IHRSA calls on fitness leaders to participate in survey

IHRSA, the global health and fitness association, is calling upon leaders at health clubs, gyms, and studios worldwide to participate in its 2023 Global Report Survey with the chance to be featured in the most requested research publication, The IHRSA Global Report.

“The more responses from around the world we receive to the survey, the better we will be able to analyse the health of the industry by regions and offer a benchmark to health clubs, gyms and studios worldwide,” said Jeff Solsby, IHRSA’s senior vice president of communications.

This year’s survey gathers basic company contact information as well as numbers on membership, club count,

and employees. The most important data collected is that of revenue for 2021 and 2022.

For additional value, this year’s survey asks respondents to provide projections on performance and growth for 2023.

“This data will be analysed and shared in aggregate in an article within the report that will offer insight into how the industry is recovering from the pandemic’s impact and become a valuable resource not just for health club and studio operators but also for investors, legislators, and other stakeholders in the industry,” Jeff added.

The 2023 IHRSA Global Report will highlight the survey findings, which nonrespondents will be able to purchase in September.

Fitness facility operators who complete the survey will receive a free PDF of The 2023 IHRSA Global Report before its release.

All participants will be considered for recognition among global industry leaders in the company profiles section of the report.

The 2023 Global Report will include sections focused on:

n Industry Overview highlights significant global health and fitness industry news impacting the industry in 2022 and 2023 with insights from industry experts and leading club operators.

n Industry Research digs into the data collected through IHRSA’s leadership survey to show the industry’s size,

scope, and health by region. This section reflects upon industry pain points and shares company outlooks from a variety of leaders.

n Industry Insights offers more in-depth regional insights from leaders at industry federations, consulting companies, research firms, and point-of-service providers.

n Company Profiles accentuates leading health club companies, sharing company data such as the number of facilities and members, annual revenue, markets served, and CEO information.

n Partner Profiles features a variety of fitness industry suppliers whose innovative products and services help club operators serve their members and communities.

Engaging members and keeping them loyal – up to the challenge?

CHALLENGES such as putting the work in to earn more Myzone Effort Points within a group of friends create exercise habits that last.

These challenges can be set up for anything from solo all-against-all to team-based competitions, with every participant gathering as many Myzone Effort Points as possible through heart rate training.

Displayed in the Myzone app, challenges provide a structured and competitive environment that encourages participants to push their limits and achieve their fitness goals. Further to the overall benefit to behaviour change that lasts, fitness challenges that incorporate incentives

significantly increase physical activity among participants.

This can be anything from a value incentive such as gym membership discounts, restaurant meals, branded merchandise, or a new heart rate monitor.

It doesn’t have to be intense activity, either.

Challenges in the Myzone app can be tailored to be all inclusive as part of a community campaign, or set to suit people that prefer to work out in specified zones, whether they’re in the region of HIIT training or a simple walk with the dog.

Motivation doesn’t come easy at times. From playing tennis for more than a decade, and as head of sports development at BADU Sports, Zeniece Hall knows what it takes to reveal the real reason that gets her moving.

“When it comes to motivation for the long term, I would say ‘find your why’,” she said.

“Don’t do it because it’s a trend or just because your friend’s doing it. If you’re not moving for your own reason then it’s not going to last very long.

“Physical activity contributes to overall mental health for me,” added Zeniece.

“Any time I’m doing some sort of activity – in the gym, doing yoga, or playing tennis – I zone out and I don’t think about anything else apart from what I’m doing.

“That’s important, especially in today’s world with everything that’s going on, you just want that time to have your own moment. That’s definitely how it helps me.”

For the full story visit myzone.org/blog/ physical-activity-challenges

Leisure centre reopens after major refurb

A CHESHIRE leisure centre has reopened its doors after a major refurbishment –and with a little big splash.

Children from The Quinta Primary School were first to test the water in the new big pool at Congleton Leisure Centre, following a civic opening by the Mayor of Cheshire East, Councillor Rod Fletcher.

The £10m plus revamp by Cheshire East Council represents a further boost to the borough’s leisure facilities, many of which have also received significant recent investment.

Cheshire East boasts 16 leisure centres, all managed and run by the borough’s leisure trust Everybody Health and Leisure.

Thomas Barton, chief executive of Everybody Health and Leisure, the borough’s leisure trust, now running the centre, said: “The health and wellbeing of Cheshire East residents are important to the council and to Everybody and we wanted to set a new, high standard for what we can offer in terms of leisure facilities in Cheshire East, while also creating job opportunities for more than 70 people from local communities.

“I would like to thank and congratulate Cheshire East Council for their continued investment in this facility for the local area, recognising the value and importance of health and leisure provision.”

Congleton is the latest to undergo a large-scale refurbishment, which has completely transformed its exterior design and the interior activities space and facilities, taking the borough’s leisure offer to a new level.

Spacious parking with electric vehicle charging points and eight sheltered bike racks for cyclists add to the expanse of the complex, constructed by local contractor, Pulse Design and Build.

The centre was officially opened by the mayor and former Olympic athlete and guest of honour Congleton resident, Ann Brightwell MBE who, as Ann Packer, won gold and silver medals in the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.

Of the several meeting rooms available for booking, one is named the Ann Brightwell suite, which contains a colourful mural wall dedicated to Ann as a young athlete.

There are two swimming pools, a thermal suite with sauna, steam room and tropical shower, a 100-station gym, soft play area for children, and a Taste for Life café.

Wheelchair users can use their own changing room and a special lift, enabling straightforward access to the pool.

Councillor Mick Warren, Cheshire East Council’s chair of the environment and communities committee, said: “I have had the opportunity to look around this refurbished leisure centre and the end result is first class.

“Yes, we encountered a few hurdles on the way, including the Covid pandemic, but we are here now, and the newly revamped Congleton Leisure Centre is complete and represents yet another milestone achievement for Cheshire East Council and Everybody Health and Leisure.

“I am sure all those using the centre will be impressed with its amazing facilities and will accept that it’s been well worth the wait.”

Contractors first broke ground in the summer of 2021 when the country was

in the grip of the Covid pandemic, with lockdowns and social distancing causing considerable disruption to construction projects and the country’s economy. Despite this, and other obstacles which had to be overcome, Congleton Leisure Centre’s reconstruction continued with no interruption and now extends to more than 3,300 square metres, almost twice its original size.

In December 2021 children from The Quinta, renowned for its sports achievements, used indelible marker pens to sign a piece of steel, creating a simple time capsule. Then, on the evening of the official opening of the centre, children from the same school, counted down by the mayor, became the first to jump into the pool in what was described as the ‘little big splash’.

Charitable trust open health, fitness and wellbeing facility in Guildford

HORIZON Leisure, which currently manages Havant and Waterlooville Leisure Centres in Hampshire, has opened its new wellbeing facility, following its first acquisition of a private gym; the former Sports Direct site in Guildford.

The move forms part of the charitable group’s long-term strategy to improve the health and wellbeing of people in the South of England through acquisitions and expansion.

The charity opened Horizon Guildford following a £1million redevelopment.

Mike Lyons, CEO of Horizon Leisure, said: “We are thrilled to open our new centre in Guildford, and hope this will be the first of many new locations for Horizon.

“The Guildford facility looks fantastic, with great exercise spaces and equipment.  We’ve invested heavily in the venue and have brought together a great new team of staff.

“Horizon Leisure has a history of delivering a family-friendly offer with a premium feel at an affordable price and our customers can be guaranteed a warm and inviting welcome, along with tailored solutions for their health needs.”

The launch was attended by the Mayor of Guildford, Councillor Masuk Miah, as well as other VIP guests and ‘early bird’ new customers, who were treated to a full tour of the site and refreshments, as well as having the opportunity to be the first people to try out the gym and its exercise classes.

The building work saw a complete overhaul of the 9,000 sq/ft facility,

including a large gym area with highspecification equipment provided by Life Fitness, a studio for group exercise classes including Les Mills, plus an indoor cycling studio.

There is also a new sauna and steam space and a refurbished pool with changing facilities.

Horizon Guildford’s Learn to Swim programme for children and adults will

get underway in September.

As a charitable organisation, any surplus made by Horizon will be reinvested, providing community benefit for local people, including creating inclusive, affordable health and wellbeing initiatives for the people in the South of England, such as health programmes tailored for people with specific health needs, as well as access to its GP/health referral scheme.

Councillor Masuk Miah, Mayor of Guildford, was shown around the new facility and cut the ribbon to officially launch Horizon Guildford.

He added: “As a keen gym goer myself, I’m excited to be attending the opening of this new wellbeing hub and gym in Merrow.

“It’s not just about physical fitness, but also about promoting overall wellbeing for our community. I am confident that this facility will be a valuable resource to help our residents lead healthier and happier lives.

“I encourage all residents to prioritise their health and wellbeing and I’m proud to support Horizon Leisure in promoting a healthy and active lifestyle in Guildford.”

Burnley FC unveils new fitness centre ahead of Premier League return

BURNLEY Football Club has completed work on a new fitness centre as it prepares for its return to the Premier League.

Designed by fitness experts from PRIMAL – one of the world’s fastest growing manufacturers of fitness and strength equipment – the new facility is part of a wider investment strategy ahead of the new season.

The new PRIMAL Performance Centre is a state-of-the-art fitness suite fully designed and kitted out by PRIMAL for optimum use by elite footballers.

Located at the club’s training ground it includes a range of strength-based equipment, cardio machines and plyometric and stretching facilities, specifically designed for athletes to improve their speed, power, agility and reaction times.

PRIMAL now has performance centres at both Burnley FC and Celtic FC and also provides equipment for a selection of other professional teams such as Rangers, Fulham, Motherwell and Chelsea Women.

Using years of experience in the strength and fitness industry, each piece of PRIMAL equipment

is personally designed by founder Steven Rinaldi, using premium and innovative technology as well as the highest quality materials to ensure optimum functionality, durability, ergonomics and aesthetics.

He said: “Burnley has had an

extraordinary season and we’re joining the club’s journey at an exciting time.

“Every strength and fitness space we design is expertly mapped out to create the optimum experience for the individual purpose.

“Burnley is an elite sports team, competing at the highest level of football seen anywhere in the world, and we designed a space which matches the level of intensity players have to deliver on the pitch.

“Players need to be strong, but they also have to be fast. The PRIMAL Performance Centre is one of our finest yet and has everything players need to support this unique set of physical attributes. When playing in a highly competitive sport, having the incremental edge over an opponent can make all the difference, and this fitness centre will give them just that.”

Chris Wilding, lead strength and rehabilitation coach at Burnley FC, added: “The strength, fitness and rehabilitation of our players is of the utmost importance to ensure we can compete at the highest level.

“It’s been a positive experience working alongside the PRIMAL team, as together we have tailored the gym, so it meets all our requirements, and the high standards we as a football club expect.

“The new conditioning space gives us a great and much improved environment to help our players perform to the best of their ability.”

Council launches review over future of leisure centres

THE future of leisure centres in Powys is up for debate as the council begins an in-depth review of the services. The review considers the provision, usage, running costs, carbon emissions and building conditions of the current offer, as well as other active leisure opportunities available to the people in the county.

Cabinet member for a more prosperous Powys, Councillor David Selby, said: “To expand on the participation and financial data we

already have available, we are asking for your views to help us design a sustainable leisure offer for the future.

“This survey forms part of a county wide public engagement to give as many people as possible the opportunity to both give their views and ideas to improve and support our leisure facilities.

“I encourage as many people as possible to have their say in this important part of our leisure review.”

The review comes months after the council scrapped plans to temporarily close three leisure centres and three swimming pools in Powys.

Powys Council proposed temporarily closing the facilities in December 2022 to counter rising energy costs and the cost-of-living crisis.

The proposals included the temporary closure of Llanfair Caereinion, Llanfyllin and Presteigne leisure centres and swimming pools at Llanidloes, Rhayader and Builth. Powys Council eventually backed down from the proposition following public backlash.

The closing date for responses is Monday, August 28.

Pilates brand Balanced Body bolsters UK presence

US based Pilates brand Balanced Body® is expanding its UK operation in a bid to optimise engagement and establish closer connections with its key overseas audience.

As a global provider of Pilates equipment and education with a trading history spanning more than 45 years, Balanced Body has been supplying the UK remotely from its headquarters in Sacramento, California for the last 20 years.

Now, as the popularity of Pilates continues to rise and with the UK identified as a high growth market, the brand has decided to build an equipment supply and distribution network, alongside an education provision that serves its UK audience directly.

Naming AIT as its new, in-country, logistics partner, Balanced Body has established a large storage facility in Berkshire and appointed Katya Matiienko as its UK business development manager.

Tonhi Tran, director of sales at Balanced Body, said: “By housing high volumes of stock in the UK we can get equipment and accessories out to our customers much quicker.

“Katya will also be on hand to

answer any queries, arrange product demonstrations and generally be our main representation, on the ground in the UK.”

An authorised training centre is being established in Putney with Pete Pallai, an

experienced Pilates practitioner, former Olympian, semi-professional rugby player and Balanced Body educator.  Balanced Body Education director Joy Puleo added: “Balanced Body Education brings the best of movement science to movement education.

“We have been delivering training and education to Instructors around the world for nearly 20 years and have educated more than 30,000 Instructors.

“With our new training centre we are also launching Group Reformer training for fitness professionals in the UK.

“This new education programme is designed to upskill club trainers, providing them with the training, tools and class development resources to be immediately successful in delivering innovative, effective Group Reformer classes.”

Following on from the success of the new Group Reformer class, Balanced Body Education will deliver additional bespoke training programmes for fitness professionals.

Burnley FC director Stuart Hunt and PRIMAL founder Steven Rinaldi.

How to help your gym to stand out from competitors

WE ALL know there are gyms and health clubs all over the place–and, at their core, they all offer essentially the same thing: a place to work out and improve physical health.

With so much variety among competitors, it can be challenging to figure out how to attract potential clients and retain your existing ones.

To remain competitive, it’s important to stand out rather than to fit in.

So, what can you do to differentiate your gym from competitors?

In this issue, we bring you the first two of our four ways you can make your gym shine and stand out amongst your competitors.

1. Focus on the member experience

In today’s increasingly digital world, ensuring a positive member experience is more important than ever.

A great customer experience provides your business with a competitive edge, improves customer satisfaction and customer engagement, and helps you attract potential clients.

Conversely, a bad experience has the opposite effect, and can quickly lead people to cancel their memberships, or leave negative reviews online and on social media.

The experience you provide is what makes your gym unique, and it’s what attracts people to your products or services over your competitors.

Providing a great member experience gives you a competitive edge, and it’s critical to creating a positive association with your brand, and building a community of loyal, engaged members.

The member experience begins at the first point of contact with customers and encompasses all the touch points throughout the customer journey.

To ensure you’re providing a positive member experience, you need to continuously offer exceptional customer support, anticipate customers’ needs and expectations, and make your members feel like your gym offers something they can’t get anywhere else.

2. Expand your digital fitness offerings

Online training and on-demand classes were perfect solutions for fitness businesses trying to stay afloat and generate new income streams during

worldwide lockdowns and forced business closures caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

In fact, online training became so popular during the pandemic that it secured the number one spot in ACSM’s 2021 fitness trends report.

The demand for digital and hybrid fitness options isn’t going away any time soon. Many members have grown accustomed to the flexibility, and they still want the option to go to the gym a few days a week, or to get their workouts done at home.

To stay competitive in 2023, fitness businesses should continue to focus on expanding, improving, and marketing

online fitness offerings. Consumers now expect a hybrid combination of in-person and online workout options, and they want to be able to research, book services, and communicate with brands easily.

To learn how EZFacility’s comprehensive gym management software can help you easily connect with members and potential clients, convert leads into long-lasting relationships, and streamline operations so you can focus on the most important aspects of running your business, schedule a free demo and personalised product tour today.

www.ezfacility.co.uk

Free NHS fitness platform seeks leisure partners to champion growth

DOING Our Bit – the award-winning, free to participate 24-7 one-stop shop for fitness, health and wellness for NHS and social care staff – is calling on leisure sector businesses and individuals to do their bit to champion its next stage of growth and future-proof its services.

Launched three years ago to support NHS staff during the first 2020 Covid pandemic, Doing Our Bit has recently formed a not-for-profit company, relaunched its platform and created an App for users.

Its next goal is to offer in-person sessions at leisure centres and gyms before embarking on a series of activities designed to improve the health the 1.4 million NHS and social care workers who, among them, are responsible for the nation’s wellbeing.

Doing Our Bit is the largest ‘free to participate’ portal providing a blueprint for improved wellbeing of workers across the UK. Created by the NHS for the NHS, its purpose is to provide content, classes and a community.

At a time when sickness levels among NHS staff are at an all-time high, Doing Our Bit is completely focused on driving forwards the Preventative Health movement through free access to physical activity sessions and mental wellbeing resources.

So far more than 140 healthcare employers have registered with Doing Our Bit giving more than 750,000 NHS

and social care staff access to free wellbeing information and on-demand videos.

The updated platform, new App, free In-person activities and communitybased activities will combine to engage many more of the NHS and social care workforce. But Doing Our Bit needs support from the leisure sector to scale this and make it a reality.

At the outset in March 2020, three founding partners – Active IQ, fibodo and Study Active – pledged their help to Doing Our Bit’s founder, Julie Davis. Their unwavering support, underpinned by Leisure Net since 2022, has enabled Doing Our Bit to evolve and keep pace with people’s changing healthcare needs.

Now registered as a not-for-profit organisation, Doing Our Bit Limited is looking once more to the leisure industry seeking partnership support and sponsorship funds to invest into growing the reach of the platform, introducing dedicated staff and engaging with as many as possible of the 1.4m NHS and social care staff across the UK through providing:

n On-demand video workouts.

n In-person exercise and wellness classes.

n Group activities.

n Training buddies.

n Community events. A number of opportunities exist for stakeholders across key leisure sectors who not only recognise and support the social value of Doing Our Bit to the NHS, but also want to contribute to its success.

Doing Our Bit ensures organisations are uniquely placed to benefit from being associated with the wellbeing of the nation’s key workers across the NHS and social care

“When I came up with the idea to

help my NHS and social care colleagues manage during the pandemic, I couldn’t have imagined how far the Doing Our Bit platform would come,” said Doing Our Bit founder Julie Davis.

“The support from the founding partners was phenomenal but just the start of an incredible journey. The pandemic may be behind us now but the need to protect the wellbeing of NHS and social care staff has never been greater.

“I believe the updated platform, new App, in-person sessions and the formation of a Doing Our Bit community has huge potential to bring about lasting change.”

The variety of Doing Our Bit activities will continue to be curated and expanded as the platform develops, limited only by the imagination of its partners and the NHS.

On-demand content already includes yoga, HIIT and bodyweight sessions, meditation, dance and Pilates. Doing Our Bit is actively seeking more sessions from more PTs to grow this further and keep things fresh for participants.

“I would like to thank everyone who has stepped up to help Doing Our Bit reach this stage and am looking forward to working with more partners and sponsors who share our vision to support the health of those who work tirelessly to support our nation’s wellbeing,” added Julie.

Southwark celebrates new leisure centre at Canada Water reaching full height

BUILDING works have reached the roof level of what will be Southwark Council’s new leisure centre at Canada Water.

The new public leisure centre will open to residents in early 2025.

Facilities at Canada Water will include:

n An eight-lane 25m swimming pool.

n A learner pool.

n A four-court sports hall.

n A 150+ station gym.

n A spin studio.

The new leisure centre’s ‘topping out’ came as the council recently took back management of all leisure centres. The move will mean an injection of investment into upgrades across the borough’s leisure offer and greater accessibility to facilities for everyone within Southwark.

Councillor Catherine Rose, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, leisure and parks, said: “It’s so exciting to be one step closer to residents enjoying the new state-of-the-art leisure centre at Canada Water. We’re delighted to celebrate this progress in the same month as we are taking back management of all our leisure centres to allow us to continue supporting more people to live healthier.

“We want everyone to be within easy reach of life’s essentials within thriving neighbourhoods, including green spaces, a choice of shops and services, and excellent health and fitness facilities.

“At Canada Water, this ambition is

already becoming a reality.”

Prioritising the health and wellbeing of residents also sits at the heart of Southwark Council and British Land’s plans to deliver a new town centre at Canada Water.

Their masterplan will deliver 12 acres of new parks and squares.

There will be a whole host of places

for residents to meet, connect and relax with up to one million sq ft occupied by shops, restaurants, entertainment, education and community space.

The new leisure centre sits on plot A2 which will provide more than 180,000 sq ft of new workspace and is the first part of a thriving new high street – the first in a generation for London.

Easy access to everyone’s daily necessities, including green spaces, is the blueprint at Canada Water where the new leisure centre will offer a wide range of activities to help people get active.

Southwark councillors joined British Land and contractors Mace to celebrate the new leisure centre’s building milestone with a ceremony.

ON-SITE GYM PAD REPAIR

We

FURNITURE

Maintaining the furniture in your changing rooms, reception, breakout and food areas is important to your brand and the comfort of your clients.

Super Rowing Machine Circular

The Super Rowing Machine Circular Panatta is a machine designed specifically for training the back muscles, replicating the horizontal pulling motion of the upper limbs in a seated position; the circular guided trajectory promotes activation of the adductor muscles of the scapulae (trapezius and rhomboids) while limiting that of the elbow flexors (brachialis and biceps brachii).

Compared with similar horizontal pulling exercises performed with free weights or cable machines, the Super Rowing Machine Circular has the advantage of generating, thanks to its lever system, a physiological load curve in line with the force curve developed by the target muscles; thanks to this system, muscle contraction is kept high and constant throughout the ROM, maximising the effectiveness of the exercise.

The articulated and rotating handles with which the machine is equipped allow maximum freedom in grip, which is also variable during movement, eliminating any stress or forcing on wrists and elbows.

Thanks to all these insights, the Super Rowing Machine Circular combines maximum effectiveness at the muscle level with minimal risk at the joint level; the two facilitated movement start levers, which are independent on both sides, also contribute in the latter aspect.

EXECUTION:

After adjusting the height of the seat according to one’s height and according to the type of movement to be performed, simply grasp the two handles (using the easy entry levers) and perform the pull-up, with the torso properly resting on the central padding. By adjusting the height of the seat, the working angles and muscle stimulus can be varied:

n By positioning the seat lower the movement of the humerus is close to an abduction in the transverse plane, with particular activation of middle and upper trapezius, rhomboid and posterior deltoid;

n By positioning the seat higher, on the other hand, the movement of the humerus shifts toward an extension in the sagittal plane, with particular activation of the middle and lower trapezius, rhomboid, and great spine.

Panatta Srl – Via Madonna della Fonte 3/c , Apiro (MC) Italy

ATHLETE: BIG RAMY – 2X MR OLYMPIA AND PANATTA BRAND AMBASSADOR

Everyone Active launches Active Wellbeing Suite to tackle local health inequalities

EVERYONE Active has launched the UK’s first Active Wellbeing Suite.

The new studio will help improve health inequalities in Middlesbrough by supporting active ageing and local residents with long term conditions.

Developed in conjunction with Innerva, the new facility at the Neptune Centre utilises the company’s powerassisted exercise equipment to empower individuals to improve their fitness and strength in a supportive and social environment.

“We are extremely proud to launch this Active Wellbeing site, it is great news for physical activity in Middlesbrough,” said Rebecca Phillips, Everyone Active’s strategic lead – health and wellbeing.

“The installation of Innerva equipment at the Neptune Centre will help us to further support the local community to live healthier and happier lives.

“Our aim is to help people of all ages, including those with long-term health conditions to be active, in line with our Community Health and Wellbeing Strategy, which provides the cornerstone for everything we do.”

Middlesbrough is one of the 20 per cent most deprived districts in England.

The health of people in Middlesbrough is generally worse than the England average with life expectancy for both men and women lower than the England average.

Everyone Active is working with its local health partners to establish regular use of the suite with key user groups.

Pauline Cofinas, Everyone Active’s contract health and wellbeing manager – Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, has secured funding to refer patients who are waiting for planned care such as knee and hip replacements into the Active Wellbeing Suite, and is working with the Public Health England Specialist Activity Team to set up regular

bookings for those with Parkinson’s, MS, Neurodivergence and long term conditions.

Teesside Ability Support Group, which provides a day service for adults with physical disability and other health conditions, will also have regular sessions in the suite to support its clients.

This is Everyone Active’s eighth power-assisted exercise studio, and the first in the UK to utilise Innerva’s Active Wellbeing brand-in-the-box solution.

Developed to support operators to promote active ageing in their communities, the solution provides all the branded assets needed for a powerassisted facility.

Everyone Active is adopting the Active Wellbeing brand at other studios in line with its vision to provide place-based,

resident-led solutions that increase physical activity and reduce social isolation.

At The Neptune Centre, Everyone Active has converted a former meeting room to house the Active Wellbeing Suite, which comprises a circuit of 10 machines, each targeting a specific muscle group.

The power assistance nature of the equipment means users don’t have to rely solely on their muscles to complete the exercises.

They can determine how much assistance they need and reduce this as their fitness and strength improves.  A circuit is typically completed in 30 to 40 minutes offering users a comprehensive and efficient exercise session.

Everyone Active has introduced a

Advertiser’s announcement

dedicated membership for the new suite. Members can take part in guided sessions hosted by a member of staff or use their facility for their own training.

The new facility is designed for people with reduced mobility and those who are affected by long-term health conditions.

It caters for a wide range of needs and conditions, including mobility limitations, obesity, high blood pressure, back pain and joint problems. Individuals with various health conditions such as strokes, MS, ME, muscular dystrophy, Parkinson’s, cerebral palsy, fibromyalgia, arthritis and more can also benefit from the suite.

The studio will also help foster a sense of community and emotional wellbeing by providing a welcoming space for individuals to connect, make friends and enjoy a supportive environment.

Everyone Active and Innerva are partnering with UK Research and Innovation to explore the challenges older adults face in accessing physical activity and how public sector leisure providers can successfully engage with this market.

As the UK’s first trial site, the Active Wellbeing Suite will test the latest innovations in power-assisted equipment over the next 12 months providing valuable insight from an operator and end user perspective.

“The new Active Wellbeing Suite at the Neptune Centre is another example of how Everyone Active is leading the way in providing inclusive health and wellbeing solutions that directly respond to the needs of local communities,” said Jon Hymus, managing director of Innerva.

“As part of the UKRI trial, we will work with Everyone Active to drive innovations even further so we can encourage even more people to be physically active.”

How Inspirations boosted monthly revenue by £4,220 with a powerful marketing campaign

INSPIRATIONS, a charming health club located within the Mercure Hotel in Shrewsbury, offers a delightful sanctuary for fitness enthusiasts.

Nestled in an idyllic setting, this club boasts a wide range of enticing amenities, including a fully equipped gym, a refreshing swimming pool, a sauna, and steam room, and an aromatherapy room.

To complement these facilities, Inspirations also offers classes and personal training sessions.

However, like many establishments, Inspirations experienced a significant decline in memberships during the challenging times of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Additionally, they faced some issues with maintaining the ideal temperature in their swimming pool. Recognising the urgency to revitalise their membership base, they sought the assistance of CFM, a niche fitness marketing and sales agency.

The results of the marketing campaign were fantastic with 231 new members joining over and above the club’s usual monthly membership sales.

This resulted in a substantial £4,220 increase in monthly direct debit income which will be received monthly for the next three years.

When asked about their experience working with CFM, club manager Jack said: “CFM were professional, enthusiastic and genuine. I liked that the team got involved with the current members and community, it wasn’t just a hard sales push.”

The success of the marketing campaign can be attributed to its multifaceted and personalised approach.

The creatives employed in the campaign were thoughtfully designed to appeal to individuals within the local community who may not have previously considered joining a gym. By tailoring the messaging and visuals to resonate with a broader audience,

CFM was able to attract new members who may have been hesitant or unaware of the benefits of joining a health club.

“We focus a lot of our attention on the customer journey and making this as smooth and quick as possible,” added CFM business development manager Harry.

“Consumers have a lot of choices when it comes to fitness offerings so our sales team must provide world-class customer service and make the customer feel they have made the right choice with their purchase.

“This means our teams have an industry-leading close rate which is why clubs choose to work with us year after year.”

CFM work with clubs all over the UK and their profit share model means there is no upfront financial investment required from their clients.

To find out if your club is suitable for a CFM campaign check out www.cfm.net or call Jonny or Harry on 0115 777 3333.

Pauline Cofinas, Everyone Active, contract health and wellbeing manager – Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, with Chris Cooke, Middlesbrough Mayor and executive member for culture and education, with Teeside Ability Support Centre service users Emma and Riaz.

Bournemouth gym set to be transformed

BH Live, the registered charity which operates leisure centres across Dorset and Hampshire, is transforming the health and wellbeing facilities at Pelhams Park this summer.

The North Bournemouth site comprises of a large gym, two swimming pools, daily classes in its three group exercise studios, 3G rubber crumb football pitches, outdoor tennis courts, a café, FeelGood Factory and more.

Rob Cunningham, BH Live’s associate director of leisure, said: “With so many great facilities and activities, Pelhams is an incredibly popular community space enjoyed by thousands of customers each week.

“We know this investment will be welcome news indeed and we can’t wait to get started.

“Once completed, customers and residents will have access to even better local sports facilities right on their doorstep – providing an inclusive, motivating, safe and welcoming space for people of all ages and abilities and enjoy their leisure time and focus on improving fitness, mobility, strength, physical health and mental wellbeing.”

Over the summer holidays the firstfloor gym and group cycle studio are to be completely revamped to create bright, welcoming and accessible facilities for all.

New high-specification cardio fitness equipment will appeal to those looking to improve their overall fitness, strength and mobility.

Strength training is being powered up with lifting platforms, plate-loaded

machines and functional equipment.

There will also be improved space for pre and post-workout stretching and mobility work too.

On the upgraded gym equipment, customers will be able to track their progress, log essential body stats, personalise training and sync with other health apps such as Apple Health, FitBit and Strava.

There will also be a complete suite of touchscreen entertainment and streaming.

Furthermore, the centre’s group cycle experience is being relaunched with new high-spec training bikes from Technogym, with interactive features, plus Myzone fitness tracking.

Pelhams has been operated by the charity in partnership with BCP Council

since 2010.

This transformation, coupled with the reopening of BH Live Active, Queen’s Park, new attractions at Littledown, plus essential investments at other local leisure centres demonstrates how BH Live, as a registered charity, uses any surplus to invest in local facilities for the benefit of the community.

The rest of the centre and activities at Pelhams, including the FeelGood Factory, pools, sanarium, café, soft play, football pitches and tennis courts will all remain open as usual.

During any temporary closures customers will be able to use other facilities as part of their BH Live Active multi-site membership at Corfe Mullen, Queen’s Park, Littledown, Stokewood and Sir David English Sports Centre.

Blu Leisure set for growth with Tiffany’s promotion

LEISURE retail and bespoke uniform specialist Blu Leisure has promoted Tiffany Barritt to the role of business development manager to support the brand’s ongoing commitment to expanding its presence in existing markets whilst also venturing into new, international territories.

Tiffany started her Blu Leisure journey back in 2021 when she joined as retail executive, swiftly moving into the role of retail manager, supporting Blu’s diverse portfolio of clients, assisting with all aspects of stock selection, product management and payment processes.

As the business has grown in terms of new client acquisitions and the expansion of existing client requirements, an opportunity to proactively amplify its influence and

Tiffany Barritt

retail partners in the fitness, spa, attractions and hospitality markets, Tiffany will also drive the company’s marketing activity and playing an active role in the design and development of captivating new retail lines.

She said: “Blu Leisure is at a transformational point in its evolution. In response to operator needs, the company has developed a new ecommerce service providing a quick and easy means of ordering retail apparel and accessories around the clock, with no minimum order requirement.

creates significant profit opportunities for our clients.

“This service is gaining momentum and my role will be to harness the growing interest from operators to strengthen an already thriving retail division.”

Tiffany’s new role has come into effect this month.

Vicki Peck, MD at Blu Leisure, added: “Tiffany has been a valued member of our team for the last two years. Her boundless creativity, meticulous attention to detail and her unwavering determination means she is perfectly placed to propel the business forwards.

promote its developing retail collections has emerged. Tiffany has been appointed to spearhead this part of the growth strategy.

In addition to actively seeking new

“Sourced from our network of  carefully selected international suppliers, we are offering high-quality, eye-catching products at a price that allows for a mark-up price of at least 50 per cent. This

“With our ecommerce service flourishing and an exciting new range of eco-friendly products on the brink of launch, I am excited to steer the business into the next phase of its development.”

Plans to update centre no longer ‘fit for purpose’

PLANS to replace a 50-year-old leisure centre which is no longer “fit for purpose” have been unveiled.

Durham County Council has submitted a planning application to replace the current Woodhouse Close Leisure Complex, in Bishop Auckland.

The council said the proposed building will also house a new library as well as children’s services. Two new swimming pools, a gym and a wellbeing hub are also proposed.

Councillor James Rowlandson, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for resources, investment and assets, said: “Woodhouse Close has been popular with residents since it opened. However, after serving the community for more than 50 years, the building is no longer fit

for purpose.

“We remain committed to supporting the health and wellbeing of our residents through the delivery of leisure services and our plans are to create a new, modern facility which will support the health and wellbeing of our communities.”

He added the building would be greener than the current facilities with carbon-saving measures incorporated into the design.

Residents and stakeholders were consulted on the proposals which has helped shape the design of leisure services.

If approved, the planning and design process will be carefully arranged to minimise disruption to the current centre’s services wherever possible.

Theme for National Fitness Day 2023 revealed as campaign partners named

ukactive has announced Movember and Endurance Zone as the campaign partners for National Fitness Day 2023, taking place on Wednesday 20 September with the theme ‘Your Health is for Life’.

The partners will work with ukactive to help the campaign reach new audiences, building on the reputation of National Fitness Day as the UK’s most active day of the year. Millions of people across all communities will be inspired to be more active, with thousands of free activities for people to try, hosted by gyms, swimming pools, leisure centres, sports clubs, workplaces, schools, and online providers.

The theme for this year’s campaign is ‘Your Health is for Life’, encouraging people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to recognise and celebrate the life-long physical and mental benefits of being active.

With the support of Movember and Endurance Zone, National Fitness Day will encourage millions of people to take the first step in their health journey.

Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, said: “The message behind National Fitness Day has never been more important for the nation’s physical and mental health, so we are delighted this year to welcome Movember and Endurance Zone as our campaign partners.

“Your health is for life, so we want the benefits of National Fitness Day to extend far beyond our big day, and for everyone to experience the fun and the power of fitness throughout the year.

“There is no one-size-fits all, so

ukactive’s members will be hosting a huge variety of free events for people to try something new and take the first step to a healthier, happier life.”

This year’s campaign will take a holistic view of the importance of health and wellbeing, focusing on three key areas: mental health, nutrition and recovery, and physical activity itself.

There has never been a greater, evidence-based understanding that moving our bodies is essential for us to feel well, both mentally and physically.

In the UK today, physical activity is helping millions of people to fight cancer, type two diabetes, skeletal and muscular pain, depression, anxiety, and many other conditions.

Despite this, more than a quarter of the population in England is classed as inactive – averaging fewer than 30 minutes of exercise a week –according to Sport England’s latest Active Lives Survey.

Men’s health charity Movember will be National Fitness Day’s mental health partner, highlighting the importance of looking after our

wellbeing and celebrating the role of physical activity in building mental strength and resilience.

Endurance Zone, the world’s largest sports reward platform, has been named as the physical activity partner for the 2023 campaign.

The partnership will incentivise users by rewarding them for taking part in any form of physical activity, helping to motivate more people to be more active.

It works by way of an intuitive app that utilises the growing popularity of fitness trackers – turning exercise into points that can be redeemed on competitions to win health and fitness related products.

On top of this, the app will be full of exclusive offers from top sports brands, to save people money throughout their fitness journey.

In 2022, National Fitness Day saw participation reach an estimated 11 million people, including over four million children and young people, and the total audience for the campaign hit more than 50 million through social media, TV, radio and the press.

Centre to benefit from £222,000 of new equipment

ARMLEY Leisure Centre in Leeds is set to benefit from £222,000 of new cardio and resistance equipment, a council report has said.

Council chiefs hope the new equipment will attract an extra 300 members a year at the leisure centre.

A report approving the expenditure said: “The gym equipment and wider development will help to support healthy, physically active lifestyles, ensuring the equipment matches the needs

and demographics of the area, whilst keeping up to date with the latest fitness trends.

“The development provides greater opportunity to engage will all user groups to increase their activity levels and improve the health of people in and around Armley.”

Armley has higher than average rates of childhood and adult obesity, childhood asthma, serious mental health issues and COPD, along with lower life expectancies.

Alliance Leisure makes new board appointment

MARKETING specialist John Leaver has been promoted to Alliance Leisure’s Development Board as the company strengthens its leadership to deliver in excess of £500m of leisure projects across the UK.

Promoted from head of marketing, John’s new role as marketing and framework director will see him work alongside fellow directors Sarah Watts, Paul Cluett, Tom Fairey, James Foley and Paul Woodford to position the business as the UK’s leading leisure development partner.

His new position leads to a change in title for Paul Woodford who assumes the role of strategic engagement director. In his new role, John will drive the marketing strategy to ensure the continued growth of Alliance, which has delivered 220 developments to date representing more than £300m of investment in local authority leisure facilities.

John said: “Having worked for Alliance for 17 years, I sometimes feel like a stick

of Blackpool rock – if you cut me in half you’d see Alliance running through me.

“Our services have evolved over the years, but the core of Alliance remains the same – to deliver innovative buildings and environments that

promote physical activity, are relevant to the audiences they serve and ultimately deliver maximum benefits to partners, clients and the public.”

John joined the business in 2006 as an account manager following a successful career in both public and private leisure.

As head of Alliance Digital he spearheaded the digital transformation of the company, and in 2018 he and strategic engagement director Paul Woodford established TA6, Alliance Leisure’s results-driven, marketing and training brand providing sales, marketing and retention services to leisure operators.

The TA6 brand has gone from strength to strength and now primarily supports Alliance Leisure projects through a range of services including feasibility, branding, customer engagement, launch campaigns, impact sales and people development. Maximising on the success of the UK Leisure Framework is core to hiss new role. Working with Denbighshire Leisure Ltd, the UKLF has

the potential to deliver up to £2bn of leisure projects across the UK.

Sarah Watts, CEO of Alliance Leisure, added: “Succession planning is critical as Alliance Leisure continues to evolve. John’s expertise and 17 years of service will be a valuable addition to the board as we take the business forward to ensure strong continued growth.

“The timing is absolutely right for this appointment; John brings a different set of skills and management style to the board that will strengthen the organisation at all levels.”

In 2022 John implemented Alliance Leisure’s new wellbeing strategy, which will further align the company’s vision and values with its wellbeing agenda to promote the health and wellbeing of the team, which has grown five-fold in the last five years.

Initiatives so far have included a new employment assistance programme to support colleagues with their mental health alongside move challenges to encourage physical activity.

Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive.

John Leaver

NOMINATION FORM

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Please return to: Megan Prince, Script Events, Script Media Group LTD, 47 Church Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S70 2AS

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Centre achieves 60 per cent reduction in carbon emissions through project

TORBAY Leisure Centre has become Parkwood Leisure’s first zero fuel leisure centre, following an 18-month project in partnership with Torbay Council, Parkwood Leisure, and energy consultancy Leisure Energy.

With almost £2million funding from the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, the project is part of Torbay Council’s commitment to be carbon neutral by 2030.

Following an appraisal of the centre’s energy usage and infrastructure, a series of energy saving measures were implemented.

12 months on, the centre has saved 318 tonnes of CO₂, equivalent to 60 per cent of its annual carbon emissions; and achieved 100 per cent reduction in annual gas consumption.

Glen Hall, managing director of Parkwood Leisure, said: “We’re delighted with the outcome of this project and the partnership with Torbay Council and Leisure Energy. “This is just one of many energy initiatives we’re supporting our centres with, as part of our commitment to drive sustainability across our estate whilst continuing to deliver quality services within our communities.”

“This project set out to reduce Torbay Leisure Centre’s carbon

emissions by 60 per cent and it is fantastic that has been achieved within the first 12-months.

“With ever increasing energy costs, investments into innovative efficiency projects such as these can show what can be achieved quickly in terms of making a tangible difference to both running costs and the environment.”

Central to this was the replacement of Torbay Leisure Centre’s existing gas boiler system with an air source

heat pump.

To reduce the running costs of the new system, secondary technologies were also installed to generate renewable electricity and improve the efficiency of other plant operations. These included solar panels, ventilation and pipework upgrades, as well as a new building energy management system. LED lighting was additionally installed, providing a further energy efficient function. All work was completed while the

leisure centre remained open and operational throughout.

The project was also awarded the ‘Energy Efficient Partnership of the Year’ award at last year’s Energy Awards, an event that celebrates achievements and showcases innovations from across the energy industry. Parkwood Leisure has worked in partnership with Torbay Council since 2004, and operates Torbay Leisure Centre and the Riviera International Centre.

Building community through fitness – a guide to gym events

By Wayne Heath

GYM events are a fantastic way to build a community at your club.

They boost member engagement, offer variety in workouts, create socialisation and personalisation opportunities; which all in return contribute to retention levels.

But where do you start when it comes to holding gym events for your members?

Here are a few tried-and-tested ideas to get you started:

All-nighter workouts

Holding an all-nighter workout event every so often can engage your existing community and attract new members, simply because it’s something you don’t often hear of. You can offer a variety of workout circuits throughout the night as well as offering a selection of refreshments and snacks to keep everyone going. You could even go one step further and turn it into a charity event, whereby members can get sponsored by their friends and family and submit donations to a chosen charity.

Family sessions

The idea behind family workout sessions is to bring families together through health and fitness. Help the whole family

feel included by offering exercises that appeal to different age groups and skill levels. It’s a great way to allow busy families to combine their workouts with family time. When executed correctly, you’ll build a fun and inclusive community that aligns with your members’ values.

Food fairs

Throwing a health-focused food fair is a great way to raise awareness of your business while also giving back to your community in the form of education about healthy eating. There are many nutrition brands out there that would

happily get on board with a food fair collaboration in exchange for exposure to your community, so it even becomes an excellent partnership opportunity.

Time-bound events

Events that are held at a particular time of year are incredibly useful because they’re easier to plan for and essentially act as the backbone of your events calendar because your members know they’ll be happening annually at the same time every year. Think New Year events, Summer events etc. Then, make them accessible by offering appropriate activities and discounts for new and

existing members.

Challenges and contests

Get members involved in local challenges to help them along in achieving their fitness goals. A bit of friendly competition amongst your members keeps them engaged and gives them an added level of motivation. Leaderboards are an excellent way to get everyone motivated and boost the member experience, as are wearable devices such as Myzone.

In summary, building a community with your club at the centre is the best way to deliver value at every stage of the member journey.

It increases retention and creates valuable touchpoints between you and your members that can be used for growth. Hopefully, this list of ideas has given you a good place to start!

ClubRight is the go-to member management software for fitness studios, taking care of everything from membership management and billing to class bookings and online joining – plus a whole lot more.

n Wayne Heath is the founder and CEO of ClubRight.

Give us a call today on 0203 884 9777 or book a free online demo with one of our product experts to find out why we’re trusted by more than 800 fitness businesses across the UK.

Advertiser’s announcement

Things to consider when deciding your fees

By Katie Bulmer-Cooke

AS PERSONAL trainers we wear many hats. Social media manager, content creator, website designer, marketeer, business development manager, accountant, admin assistant…and personal trainer.

We often offer a round the clock service, replying to messages and emails early doors and late into the evening. We spend so much time, effort and energy planning creative, fun and goal-focused, bespoke sessions, and we analyse food diaries and offer recommendations as well as creating resources to help our clients achieve their goals.

So with all of this in mind, why do so many personal trainers undervalue themselves when it comes to pricing?

I’ve listened to many PTs say things like, ‘I can’t charge that in my area’, ‘the PT down the road only charges’, ‘I just don’t think people would pay more’.

The reality is, the work we do is incredibly impactful. We help people significantly improve their lives, and that has a positive, knock-on effect to those around them, from family and friends to colleagues and employers.

Despite this, many PTs feel uncomfortable charging appropriate prices that are relevant to the level of

service they provide, and some even feel uncomfortable simply discussing money.

It’s important to remember that we are professionals, with skills that our clients really value, so here are some things you need to consider when deciding on your fees.

First up, it’s the time spent outside of the session. This includes programme writing, session planning, responding to messages/emails and reading food diaries.

Next up, if you’re a mobile PT, look at any time you spend travelling. In my

business I include travel for postcodes that take me less than five or 10 minutes to get to, and then I charge a travel fee for postcodes outside of that range.

Thirdly, assess the things you include as part of your PT package. I’d suggest making a list of each individual item you give your client. Think about things such as their personalised programme, nutrition resources, any equipment (as an example, clients that come into my boxing fitness programme each get a set of gloves and hand wraps to keep), access to client-only groups, communities or content, progress tracking, use of your app if you have one.

If you teach classes, either in-person or online, do PT clients also get access to those? The list can be as long as you like, with the face to face PT sessions forming part of the list too.

Once you’ve made the list, next to each item, add the monetary value of it, then add them all together and you have the total value of your package.

This might not be the full package price you charge exactly, but it should be close and gives you a good starting point to help you set your prices.

This list will also be useful when marketing your services and demonstrating to clients exactly what they will receive when they work

with you. For many, self belief or long standing beliefs around money are the reason they don’t set their fees appropriately. They believe they aren’t worth it, and they worry what others will think.

If that’s the case, try asking yourself ‘why do I feel like that?’, ‘why do I care what other people think’ and ‘what can I do, or what actions can I take, to help me change these feelings?’

You could do this individually or get together with some other PTs online or locally and work together to help and support each other.

Perhaps to strengthen your own self belief there are some things you could improve about your services, there may be some CPD courses you feel you need to complete to expand your knowledge and skill as a trainer or you might feel you need more proof that what you offer really works, in which case asking clients for testimonials and photos could help you a lot, both in reminding yourself of the quality of your offering and demonstrating it to potential clients too. Be proud of the great work you do, remember how impactful you are, and know your value.

n Katie Bulmer-Cooke is an awardwinning fitness trainer, speaker and consultant.

PRIMAL launches world-first stainless steel rack system

PRIMAL has launched its new, worldfirst Stainless Steel Rack System after 12 months of development.

The rack has been designed by CEO

Steven Rinaldi, and its unique design allows for any configuration of power rack or rig, from a single wall-mounted unit to a full 10-bay free-standing rig. He said: “We are incredibly excited to

launch our brand-new Stainless Steel Rack System to the market. This system is the ultimate choice for those who are serious about strength and conditioning training.

“Crafted from the most premium materials, this is by far the most durable rack available, and we are looking forward to working with our partners to

roll them out to gyms across the world.”

An upgrade to PRIMAL’s Performance Series Rack System, the all-new stainless-steel edition includes integrated swivel chin up handles, GLS jammers and squat and roller attachments.

Weight stacks are now fully integrated into the racks and rigs with dual-

mounted cable points, one with a unique 360-degree spin.

The additional components are finished in electro-powder coated matte paint, with other materials including aluminium custom branding plates, UHMWPE sandwich J-hooks and monolifts, PVC coated shelves for storage and 10mm steel support plates.

A trusted upholstery partner for gyms nationwide

OVER T he past 30 years, Gym Wizard has developed a reputation in the health and fitness sector for unrivalled expertise in gym equipment upholstery.

With a nationwide reach, the firm provides gyms across the UK with fast, reliable and cost-effective re-upholstery solutions.

Keeping gyms trim Gym Wizard’s on-site solutions include the reupholstery of gym pads, seating, and medical-grade furniture for gyms of all sizes.

The company’s nationwide fleet of mobile workshops ensures that gyms across the UK can undergo a complete refit without disruption to their daily operations.

All reupholstery work is carried out in specially adapted vehicles fitted with the equipment required to reupholster a wide range of gym equipment and furniture.

In response to the post-Covid emphasis on antibacterial environments, the company has proactively introduced a selection of medical-grade vinyl and fabric solutions.

These advanced materials are equipped with powerful antimicrobial properties, effectively eradicating bacteria and viruses upon contact.

As a result, these solutions significantly reduce the risk of contamination,

ensuring gym-goers can enjoy a more hygienic workout.

A recognised name in gym upholstery

For the second year running, Gym Wizard has received the “Best Gym Equipment Specialists” award at the prestigious SME Northern Enterprise Awards 2023.

It’s an accolade that highlights the company’s commitment to longstanding collaborations with gym operators, sporting clubs, councils, and universities nationwide.

Mark Knight, head of fitness projects at Everlast Gyms, has been utilising their services for the past five years.

He said: “We primarily use Gym Wizard’s on-site service.

“The team’s excellence and the quality of workmanship are tip-top.

“Compared to other suppliers, the response time we get from Gym Wizard and the minimal gym downtime they provide is unparalleled.”

Regardless of a gym’s size or the duration of its relationship with Gym Wizard, the firm approaches each job

with the same level of dedication.

A recent testimonial from Tazz’s Gym in Cannock perfectly exemplifies the experience of a new customer who was initially unsure about the on-site service:

“We had Gym Wizard re-cover our benches and pads at Tazz’s Gym. We were very apprehensive about them starting when we get busy, but we didn’t even know they were there. And it didn’t affect the running of the gym in the slightest. We would 100 per cent recommend Gym Wizard. They are fantastic guys and extremely skilled at what they do.”

Enhanced gym aesthetics

Gym Wizard’s commitment to providing comprehensive solutions extends to aesthetics as well.

Alongside an extensive selection of standard materials that are fire, stain, and water-resistant, the on-site team can colour-match new repairs to existing equipment or transform a gym with a new colour scheme.

Clients also have the option to customise gym equipment with personalised embroidered or screenprinted branding and custom stitching, further enhancing their gym’s unique identity.

For more information about Gym Wizard’s innovative upholstery solutions, visit www.gymwizard.co.uk or call 01535 633100.

Katie Bulmer-Cooke

Celeb favourite fitness brand designs new workout space in South London

FITNESS specialists to the stars, PRIMAL, has designed and fitted out a new gym space in London’s South East town of Welling.

The state-of-the-art gym is the second site for Novo, following the success of its Greenwich facility.

The facility has been completely designed by PRIMAL – one of the world’s fastest growing manufacturers of premium fitness and strength equipment.

First launched in 2016, PRIMAL counts major gym chains, top sports clubs and celebrities amongst its global client base.

Marking a major milestone in its expansion plans, this is the first fully PRIMAL kitted gym space in central London.

Steven Rinaldi, CEO and founder of PRIMAL, said: “Our ongoing and extensive work with top athletes has allowed us to curate a suite of equipment that delivers results and aids with performance.

“We use premium and innovative technology as well as the highest quality materials to ensure optimum

functionality, durability, ergonomics and aesthetics.

“I founded PRIMAL because I truly believe that strength is within us all.

“With the right equipment, expertise and support, anyone can realise their potential – whether you are a first-time gym goer or a fit-for-lifer.

“In just a couple of years we have taken

PRIMAL from a little known start-up to being a major challenger on the world stage. With several high-profile deals already under our belt, bringing the brand to London is a major achievement for us.

“Novo is a great partner for us, sharing our passion for fitness and our ambition to make fitness accessible to everyone.”

Advertiser’s announcement

The Welling gym has been kitted out by its fitness experts to support Novo’s vision of providing best in class training facility at affordable prices, which allows more people to unlock their true potential.

The space delivers an extensive range of work out options, including group classes, personal training and space for solo work outs.

The new facility will include a full suite of cardio and strength equipment, including plate-loaded and free-weights.

Charlie Spencer, owner of Novo, added: “Working with PRIMAL, we’re aiming to offer the best possible facilities for the people of South London at an affordable price. We really took our time with the design process, working closely with PRIMAL to make sure we got even the final details right.

“The end results are amazing, and the gym looks incredibly slick.

“We’ve got everything people need for their fitness and wellness under one roof, including an extensive list of classes, brilliant plate-loaded kit, sauna and top personal trainers.”

Strategies for maximising membership sales: paving the way to success

By Kate Landers

IF YOU’RE a gym owner or manager one of the most crucial parts of your business to master is membership sales.

It’s the bread and butter that pays the bills, keeps the doors open, and allows you to grow and innovate.

Yet, it’s surprising how often this area is overlooked due to a lack of time, skills, and/or knowledge.

Independent fitness businesses often lack a dedicated salesperson on their team.

Others simply provide their employees with a one-time or once-a-year sales training, which is insufficient to hone their sales skills.

As a result, gym staff may end up giving a lacklustre ‘museum tour’, focussing on all the features of the club, highlighting the latest state-of-the-art equipment, technology, or the newest shampoo products in their upmarket bathrooms, but without even bothering to ask the prospects name or fitness goals.

Many tend to focus purely on the facilities rather than what’s more important, which is the prospect, and how we can meet their needs.

In this article I’ll discuss some of the critical elements of sales that can make a world of difference in gym membership sales.

The power of building rapport

The first and most crucial aspect of the process is building rapport with your prospect.

As the saying goes, “People buy from

people they like.” Take the time to get to know your prospect, offer them a smile, and swap names. Building trust is essential for establishing a good relationship that will lead to a sale.

However, this is often overlooked, especially by those who are in a rush or simply haven’t had the right training.

Adapting to personality types

When getting to know prospects, it is crucial to consider their different personality types.

As salespeople, we need to adjust our approach based on the prospect’s style to ensure that we build a connection. A “yellow” personality type, for example, may be more open to sharing all their deepest goals and motivations with you immediately, while a “blue” may need

a softer approach. They may respond better to “easy” questions that gradually build up to more personal queries.

On the other hand a ‘red’ may be quite direct and blunt in answering your questions so less ‘chit chat’ might be your best approach.

Being able to adapt and ask questions in a way that makes your prospect feel comfortable answering, is crucial during this process.

Uncovering pain points

One of the most neglected parts of sales is uncovering your prospect’s pain points. It is not enough to just establish a fitness goal, such as losing 5kg or toning arms.

A true professional will dig deeper into the “why” behind the goal, which is a key step in fitness sales. Understanding your prospect’s pain points also helps with member retention. It will motivate them to keep pushing forward toward their goals.

For instance, finding out that Mrs Jones wants to lose 5kg because she wants to feel attractive and confident when she looks in the mirror, is a deep motivation. It will encourage her to take the first step in changing her lifestyle.

Matching your club’s offer to your prospects’ needs

Once you’ve discovered your prospect’s “why”, it’s time to match what your club has to offer, to their goals and motivations.

Suppose they want to build muscle; in that case, you’ll want to focus on the strength area of the gym. Let them see

themselves training in that area and visualise achieving their fitness goals.

Additional tips:

n Make sure to highlight the benefits and features of your gym during the tour, but do so while taking the time to get to know the prospects.

n Show prospects your passion for their fitness journey, the club, and the other members’ successes.

n Use social proof to show how other members like them achieved similar goals. Share their success stories, post them on your website, social media pages, or use testimonials in your promotional materials.

n Be authentic and use the right body language and tone of voice to show your sincerity and interest in helping prospects.

Conclusion

In summary, successful gym membership sales involve building a relationship with prospects and matching your club’s amenities and services to their fitness goals and motivations. It involves digging deeper to uncover your prospects’ pain points to motivate them to take the first step toward achieving their fitness goals.

Make the extra effort to establish trust, showcase genuine enthusiasm, and use social proof. With the right approach, your gym can achieve maximum membership sales while positively changing people’s lives through fitness.

n Kate Landers is the advertising accounts manager at Creative Fitness Marketing.

Kate Landers

BFT fuels success in the first half of 2023

BODY Fit Training, Australia’s fastestgrowing fitness franchise, has continued its growth in the UK and globally.

The franchise recently celebrated the launch of its 250th studio, expanded its footprint into Hong Kong and accelerated its UK growth.

Since the launch of its first studio in the UK last September, BFT has welcomed three new London-based franchisees into the network, all of whom have multi-unit aspirations.

BFT Battersea opened its doors in February and has signed more than 200 members from South West London.

Charlie Hendrie, franchise owner of BFT Battersea, said, “BFT Battersea has proved the global BFT model works for members and for us as the first franchisee in London.

“We’ve exceeded our expectations

with membership growth, referrals and uptake of the eight-week challenge.

“By following the BFT model, it means I can focus on our elite coaching and getting members results, which are the key drivers of profitability for us.

“I truly believe we are changing lives at BFT Battersea, and I’m so proud and thankful to the coaching team who are committed to getting our members results. The BFT programme and community are unrivalled in London, and we’re now exploring the further expansion in South West London. This is just the beginning of our exciting BFT journey.”

A further two more franchisees have since joined the growing network in the nation’s capital since the start of the year. BFT Hackney is set to be launched in the autumn by the trio of Emile Kerim, Frankie Nieto and David Irvine.

The co-owners, all certified personal trainers, bring more than 50 years of combined experience to their new venture and have plans to open three studios within the next five years across London.

Rosie Bogle is another franchisee who has joined the BFT family with two locations in South West London. With a strong background in sports marketing, Rosie’s valuable experience in the commercial world will be a real asset to running her own fitness franchise.

“We have seen a strong start to the first half of the year both in terms of franchise growth and members,

both here in the UK and globally,” said Cameron Falloon, founder of BFT.

“London is quickly growing into the centre of BFT’s UK network with four locations secured and plenty more in the pipeline. The future is looking really positive.

“We want to build on this success we’ve already had to date and continue to grow our presence across every major town and city.

“We now have more than 56,000+ members across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, USA, Canada, UK and more recently Hong Kong, where the first studio is opening next month with two more set to follow shortly after. Europe is a hot target for us, and we’re looking to expand into other new markets this year, including Spain, France, Germany and the Netherlands.

“Another key milestone and accolade for BFT has been the number four ranking on the Australian Financial Review’s 2023 Fast Global List.

“Since continuing to expand the BFT family globally, the last three years have seen our compound annual growth rate soar by 240 per cent. This is an incredible piece of brand recognition and a marker of our commitment to growth outside of Australia.

“The recent partnership with Europe’s largest fitness race, HYROX, is also a game-changer for BFT as we have become the exclusive training centre for HYROX in Asia-Pacific.

“This is the largest global partnership for HYROX, helping to boost its profile across APAC, while driving BFT brand awareness in Europe as they continue their worldwide expansion.”

Jon appointed as managing director of Innerva

INNERVA has promoted Jon Hymus to the role of managing director.

Jon replaces Howard Blackburn, who bought the business in 1997 and now becomes CEO. Jon joined the provider of power-assisted exercise equipment as commercial director 18 months ago.

During this time, the company has rebranded and developed further partnerships and initiatives to meet growing demand for innovative active ageing solutions across the fitness, health and social care sectors.

Jon said: “I’m excited to build on the success of Innerva’s work to date as we expand our model to support our customers to deliver on active ageing, both here in the UK and overseas.

“The world’s population is ageing fast – for the first time in history people aged 60 years or over outnumber children under five years.

“By 2050, people aged 60 years or over will also outnumber 15-24 year olds.

“We believe everyone has the right to healthy ageing, which is why we will continue to partner with academics and invest in new technology and digital innovations that assist with active ageing.”

With almost 30 years’ experience in the UK health, fitness and leisure sector, Jon has held a variety of senior positions in the industry, include those at Serco, GLL and Leisure Connection.

In his new role he will steer Innerva

through its next phase of growth, both in the UK and globally.   Howard added: “Innerva has already benefited from Jon’s wealth of skills and experience, which perfectly positions him to lead the company through this important next stage.

“Two years into the United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021 to 2030), a global movement to improve the lives of older people, there’s never been a greater need for products and services that help people age well.

“Research and development is the cornerstone of the business and we will ensure Innerva remains at the forefront of innovation in the active ageing sector.”

Jon Hymus

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