01
22/11/11
13:11
Page 1
December 2011
The UK’s No 1 fitness industry magazine
Mixed views on Games’ opportunities By Christina Eccles A DEBATE has broken out as to whether the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games will provide an opportunity for the fitness industry to engage with more people. When the Games come to London next summer, the eyes of the world will be on the UK – but when it comes to the possible impact on gyms, industry professionals are divided. Wattbike’s Matt Moran, who has launched a power cycling programme for clubs with British Cycling, believes the event can be great for the industry. He said: “There is a huge opportunity for the industry to take advantage of the increased interest in getting active. Not many people will watch the Olympics and think 'I want to compete in the 2016 Olympic 100m final' but many will want to get off their sofas and get active. “The key is how the industry can lock into what is happening on the track, in the velodrome and on the courts and offer an experience based on what people are seeing and reading about during the Games.” But Wayne Lakin, a fitness manager with Everyone Active, disagrees.
He added gyms are becoming more popular because of the recession, as people look to cut back on other luxuries, but keep their gym membership and the Olympics is having little effect. He added: “What I am seeing is the recession is actually helping gyms retain members, not the Olympics. At a time when the industry should be getting quieter, we are busier now than ever. “People are not going out to places such as the pictures or for meals but to the local gym – where they are already paying for membership and don't have to spend money. “I think that we should help embrace the Olympics by using challenges as retention tools but will it attract members? – I seriously doubt it.” The discussion also continued on Twitter – with Workout’s followers voicing their opinions online. Leisure facilities manager at St Peter’s Health and Leisure Centre in Burnley, Neil Hutchinson said his club was planning Olympic themed events and open days next year, while personal trainer Dean Callis added the Olympics will encourage young people to think more about the importance of taking regular exercise.
No 219 £3
London is Britain’s fittest city
Strictly Come Dancing professional Natalie Lowe has revealed how visiting the gym keeps her in shape for the show. Natalie, who moved from Sydney to the UK to take part in Strictly, also spoke exclusively to Workout about her newest fitness regime and how UK clubs compare to those back home. For full story see pages 22 and 23. Picture: Simon Howard
LONDON is Britain’s fittest hotspot, according to a new survey by Nuffield Health, which also names Glasgow as the UK’s most unfit city. The healthcare charity collected data from 40,000 people, examining the BMI of participants up and down the country. According to the results, four of the top five healthiest locations are in the capital – with Bloomsbury taking the top spot, followed by Wimbledon in second place. Bristol was third, with about two thirds of those living in the city having a BMI of between 18 and 25. Covent Garden and the City of London made up the top five. At the other end of the scale, Glasgow topped the charts for being unfit, with about 40 per cent of Glaswegians taking the health MOT classified as either obese or morbidly obese. The Scottish city also reported the most smokers – 29 per cent – and is the fifth highest location for those getting the least sleep.