Workout July 2022 by Script Media

ISSUE 339 July 2022 £3

Sector key to getting workforce active and saving economy up to £17bn a year

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Parkwood Leisure opens new £15m Tarka Leisure Centre in North Devon

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New assessments launched by Sport England to support leisure facilities Page 19

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UK FITNESS SCENE

Sector key to getting workforce active and saving economy up to £17bn a year ukactive has called on the Government and its partners to work with the fitness and leisure sector to get the nation’s workforce physically active, as new research from Deloitte shows it could benefit the UK economy by up to £17bn a year. The landmark report was commissioned by IHRSA on behalf of the Global Health and Fitness Alliance. It shows: n Physical inactivity costs the healthcare system in the UK $4.3bn (£3.5bn) annually, of which $3.6bn (£2.9bn) is borne by the public health system. n Productivity loss due to a lack of sufficient activity was valued at $16.5bn (£13.5bn) per year. n Each insufficiently active worker costs the nation’s economy approximately $1,713 (£1,400) in healthcare costs and lost productivity. n Conversely, investing $1,700 (£1,389) in successfully helping an inactive person become active results in a payback period of less than one year, on average, in terms of benefit to the overall economy and society. Together, the costings indicate that the potential economic benefit, in healthcare savings and increased productivity, of getting physically

Huw Edwards, ukactive CEO. inactive workers to be active is up to $20.8bn (£17.0bn). The report aims to quantify the full economic and social impact of the health and fitness industry across the world on a country-by-country basis, to help policy makers make better decisions and improve people’s health and productivity across the globe. Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, said: “This new report from Deloitte and IHRSA reinforces ukactive’s consistent call that simply by supporting our nation’s workforce to be physically active, we can generate benefits of up to £17bn a year for our economy. “These findings prove that physical activity during the working day is

Trust’s chief executive dies after short illness

THE chief executive of the Barnsley Premier Leisure sports trust has died after a brief illness, aged 50. Tim Wilson had worked at BPL since 1999 when he initially joined them on secondment from his role at Barnsley Council to help oversee the creation of the trust and the transfer of staff from the old council-run Barnsley Leisure Services department. In 2007, he was appointed the trust’s head of human resources – a role he continued until taking on the job of chief executive in September 2010. During his tenure, BPL embarked on a successful and ambitious period of expansion. Achievements included the development and opening of the Calypso Cove water park at the Metrodome, the creation of the 3G pitch at the Dorothy Hyman Sports Centre in Cudworth and taking on the management and development Publishing manager: Dominic Musgrave Tel: 01226 734407 dm@scriptmedia.co.uk Studio manager: Paul Hopkinson ph@scriptmediagroup.co.uk

paramount for improving health, wellbeing, productivity and, overall, our economy. “We fully support the Chancellor’s belief in the importance of our workforce in achieving the Government’s ambitions for the economy, so now is the time to recognise the essential role that physical activity must play in our new workplace culture. “The Government has a huge opportunity to make the systemic reforms to taxation, regulation, and policy that can allow the fitness and leisure sector to play its fullest role in getting the UK workforce moving more and supporting our national productivity.” The findings quickly follow ukactive’s report, The Active Workforce, which found that 44.4 per cent of SMEs do not provide opportunities for employees to be active during working hours, and nearly one-third (32.4 per cent) do not feel their organisation has the support it needs to do so. SMEs account for 99.9 per cent of UK businesses, but they have less access to, or means to provide, opportunities for physical activity, and most of the research around workplace physical activity centres on solutions for large corporate-

based organisations. ukactive said the report, which was informed by the Federation for Small Businesses, showed the need for a radical rethink of health incentivisation in the workplace backed by tax reforms - and including expanding the Cycle to Work scheme to cover gym memberships and equipment as more people work from home. The report underlined the importance of businesses, the fitness and leisure sector, business umbrella groups, the Government and the health sector working together to support employees of SMEs to be more active during work hours. The Government says improving wellbeing, healthy life expectancy and productivity, and reducing health inequalities by 2030 are major objectives within its ‘Levelling Up’ agenda. Chancellor Rishi Sunak told business leaders in May: “If we want to raise productivity in this country, we need to do more to support those already in work. “Our firm plan is to reduce and reform your taxes to encourage you to do all those things. That is the path to higher productivity, higher living standards, and a more prosperous and secure future.”

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of sports facilities in other parts of the region. BPL won numerous awards during his time including the prestigious National Fitness Award for Leisure Trust of the Year in 2016 and the Swim England Facility Operator of the Year the following year. Earlier this year, BPL was also commended in the HSJ Awards for its innovative partnership working with the NHS on promoting health and wellbeing during the pandemic

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UK FITNESS SCENE

Development specialist begins work on two energy efficient new centres ALLIANCE Leisure is to begin work on the delivery of two extensive leisure developments that will transform leisure provision for the communities of Harrogate and Knaresborough whilst also supporting the Borough Council’s Net Zero Carbon ambitions. In Harrogate, The Hydro will benefit from an extension and refurbishment of existing facilities to include a 400sqm fitness suite, a new sauna and steam suite, improved reception, and café plus an overhaul of the existing pool and leisure facilities. The diving structure will also be replaced so it can continue to support and nurture young talent in the way that it has done for Olympians such as Jack Laugher MBE and Oliver Dingley. Externally, the building will be remodelled to complement the surrounding environment with landscaping, a reconfigured car park, bicycle storage and electric vehicle charging points. Energy efficient, air source heat pumps will replace the existing gas boilers and 250 solar panels are already in the process of being installed along with new energy monitoring and control systems. James Foley, commercial director and strategic project lead at Alliance

Leisure, said: “Funding for these game changing energy efficiency measures is the result in part of a successful bid we prepared for the Council to submit to the government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. “Measures are expected to half the carbon footprint of the leisure centre. Good news for the council’s net zero targets, good news for residents and ultimately, good news for the planet.” The project will be carried out in phases, with the refurbished pool hall and changing village re-opening next January and the ‘dry side’ activity space completing by April.

In Knaresborough, a new-build leisure and wellness centre will provide a sixlane 25-metre pool, activity pool with flume, sauna and steam room, fitness suite and studio, group cycle studio and café. Outside, a large modern play area will be added, with sustainable travel encouraged through the installation of electric car charging points and bicycle storage. The centre will be built to a BREEAM standard of ‘excellent’ and will incorporate high efficiency building materials, air source heat pumps and solar panels to reduce the carbon footprint.

James added: “BREEAM is a recognised scheme that provides third-party certification for the assessment of the sustainability performance of individual buildings. Meeting the ‘excellent’ standard of efficiency will support the Council’s ambition to deliver a net zerocarbon economy by 2038.” Work is due to be completed by next July. James added: “These two developments at an investment of circa £28m will transform leisure provision for thousands of people. “Built to accommodate a wide array of community needs plus the integration of modern, energy efficient measures ensure these facilities will be fit for purpose both now and for many years to come.” Both projects will be delivered by Alliance Leisure, working with ISG Construction and GT3 architects through the UK Leisure Framework which is owned and managed by Denbighshire Leisure. Once complete, facilities will be managed by Brimhams Active, a community health and wellbeing company owned by Harrogate Borough Council dedicated to creating ‘a healthier more active population living longer more independent and happier lives’.

UK FITNESS SCENE

Sport for Confidence CIC extends reach SPORT For Confidence CIC has extended its influence with the launch of its award-winning inclusive physical activity programme into two new leisure venues in Brentwood, thanks to its continuing partnership with Everyone Active. Residents in Brentwood will now be able to access weekly Sport For Confidence inclusive physical activity and sports sessions at The Brentwood Centre and the new pavilion at King George’s Playing Fields. Designed to tackle inequalities by breaking down barriers to participation that exist for those with long term health conditions and disabilities, the Sport For Confidence programme fully supports Sport England’s 10-year ‘Uniting The Movement’ Strategy to create a more equitable society through levelling up

disparities that exist in sport. “Everybody has the right to access the many physical, mental and social benefits sport and physical activity has to offer,” said Nikki West, Sport For Confidence occupational therapist and project lead at Brentwood. “Through providing a residency for our programme in these two new locations, many people who would otherwise struggle to access structured physical activity will now be able to get involved. “Our programme places occupational therapists alongside sports coaches to deliver a person-centred approach that promotes positive occupational outcomes which extend way beyond the field of play, enhancing lives and helping participants lead a happier, healthier and more enriched life.”

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Supported by local nurses and therapy teams from local NHS providers, Essex Partnership University Foundation Trust, the new Brentwood programme launched during the recent Learning Disabilities Awareness Week with an open day at The Brentwood Centre. Regular sessions will then be scheduled at both new venues from the end of July. Shaun Beagle, Everyone Active contract manager, added: “We’re delighted to be working with Sport for Confidence to deliver a programme that allows our community to participate in sport and activity, who would otherwise struggle to do so. It’s a really important programme and it has been run well across many of our other facilities, so we’re keen to help deliver a brilliant opportunity for everyone in Brentwood.”

The new Pavilion at King George’s Playing Fields, delivered by Alliance Leisure through the UK Leisure Framework that will host the new Sport For Confidence programme, is part of a wider transformation project by Brentwood Borough Council to turn an under-utilised recreation ground into a thriving activity hub. In addition to changing rooms and shower facilities for local rugby and football teams, a golf clubhouse, a café and a two-story soft play area, the Pavilion will also house a Changing Places facility and a sensory room providing a safe therapeutic space to help individuals regulate, develop and engage their senses as they interact with and explore the environment around them.

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UK FITNESS SCENE

Former NHS leader Mike Farrar set to be new chair of ukactive MIKE Farrar has been named as the new chair of ukactive, with the former NHS leader set to take over from outgoing chair, Baroness Tanni GreyThompson, in August. Mike has 13 years of CEO experience in the NHS and remains a prominent thought leader and advisor to the NHS and the wider healthcare sector. He brings a wealth of knowledge to ukactive, having previously served as chair of the National Strategic Health Authority Chief Executive’s Group from 2002 to 2009; chief executive of the NHS Confederation from 2011 to 2013; vice and interim chair of Sport England between 2009 to 2012; and chair of Swim England from 2015 to 2020. He said “I am honoured to be named the new chair of ukactive and cannot wait to get started in delivering on the ambitious plans I have seen to grow the sector’s impact and reach. “There is huge synergy and opportunity here to develop our plans for supporting improvement in the nation’s health. “Tanni has left a clear legacy as chair and I am particularly passionate about continuing the work she has driven to create a more inclusive and representative sport and physical

Mike Farrar activity sector. “Equity of access to healthcare has been a key issue for me throughout my NHS career and I want to ensure that diversity and inclusion runs through every layer of our sector, our organisation and our governance at ukactive. “ukactive’s members have an essential role to play, alongside the NHS, in the future of our population’s

health and wellbeing. “They are an integral element in our healthcare system and I will be committed to realising that vision.” Mike’s appointment comes at a time when the physical activity sector is becoming far more integrated with the national health agenda, led by ukactive’s work to help reduce health inequalities and grow the scale and impact of its members. In 2005, Mike was awarded the CBE for services to the NHS and is an honorary fellow of the Royal College of General Practitioners, the Royal College of Physicians, and of the University of Central Lancashire. Throughout his career he has also been committed to supporting sports bodies and charitable foundations, including serving as chair of the Amateur Swimming Association, a trustee of the Football League Trust, chair of the Rugby League Players Welfare Forum, and chair of Huddersfield Town and Huddersfield Giants Community Sports Trust. Mike will take over from outgoing ukactive chair, Baroness Tanni GreyThompson, who is approaching the end of a six-year tenure. An 11-time gold medallist Paralympian and Peer in the House of Lords, Tanni was recently named as the new chair of Sport Wales, and in

July last year was elected president of the Local Government Association. She said: “It has been a true privilege to serve as chair of ukactive for the past six years, and I am so proud of the achievements of the ukactive team and our members during this time. “It is time for ukactive to begin a new chapter in its mission and I know Mike will be a great chair, supported by a brilliant Board and team, bringing new expertise and energy as our sector prepares to take the next step in its evolution. “While it is very emotional for me to pass on the baton, you can rest assured I will continue to support and champion ukactive, its members and our incredible sector for many years to come.” Tanni shared her reflections on her time as chair and her hopes for the future of the sector at the recent Active Uprising event held in Birmingham. 2022 marks a new chapter for the governance of ukactive, with a new Membership Council now in place and a Supplier Council also set to be announced. Mike will be soon be joined on the ukactive Board by a number of new non-executive directors, which will be announced shortly.

Advertiser’s announcement

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ServiceSport UK invests in 3D printers to meet demand for equipment parts

ServiceSport UK has invested significantly in several industry-leading 3D printers to meet demand for gym equipment parts. As the UK’s number one service and repair provider, we understand the frustration that can arise as a result of a breakdown in the supply chain of gym equipment parts. A gym equipment part that had an original lead time of less than one week suddenly becomes two weeks, then three weeks and so on.

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In addition, all gym equipment parts manufactured using the 3D printing method are meticulously tested to ensure they perform to the same standard as the OEM equivalent. Our 3D printers are capable of producing guide rod inserts, 3.5” pulley wheels, large belt pulleys, small, medium and large DAP inserts, doublesided R6Z bearings and sleeves, battery covers, blanking plates, treadmill joy stick levers, end caps and J hooks (to name but a few).

Not only does 3D printing allow us to manufacture gym equipment parts, but we also supply unique parts and components for clients that operate in different industries. If you need a steady supply of parts to meet the demand of your client base and are finding your supply chain a challenge, contact us today and our team will be able to assist you. Call 01257 264738 or email info@servicesport.co.uk www.servicesport.co.uk

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TOMORROW’S WORKOUT

Webbington Hotel and Spa Axbridge, BS26 2HU Wednesday, September 21

Speakers to include Dave Wright, founder of Myzone and CFM

Dave Wright is the creator and global CEO of Myzone, the CEO and owner of Creative Fitness Marketing and the co-owner of the Voyage Fitness brand in Australia. Not only is he the chair of UKActive’s Supplier Council but his product, Myzone, is enjoyed in more than 8,000 facilities by more than two million people in 84 countries. A serial entrepreneur, and a Workout columnist for the past 20 years, Dave is a straight-talking Australian based in the UK who has the unique ability of being both a club operator and a supplier.

David Minton, founding director, The Leisure Database Company David is well known for his unique industry knowledge and is in demand for his expert media commentary and public speaking. Helping businesses and individuals with the invaluable intelligence needed to make key decisions, David leads them through analysis into action, achievement and competitive advantage. He also works with leading journalists and publications to spark debate within and create support for the leisure, fitness, consultancy and financial industries and is the recognised go-to for market trends, data and insight.

Charlie Horton, marketing and sales manager, Fitness Marketing Agency Charlie has always had passion for both fitness and business, having started his career in the fitness industry at just 18 years old, with a marketing role for a renowned Gym and PT Studio. After building up a wealth of knowledge and know-how, Charlie met Ben Davis (founder of Fitness Marketing Agency) and began the next stage of his career. Charlie has been with the Fitness Marketing Agency since its conception in 2015, working alongside Ben to grow the business to what it is today – a hugely successful agency that supports over 300 clients, from independent gym owners and corporate gyms to personal trainers and online coaches. FMA provides such businesses with marketing tools and resources to aid in lead generation, conversion, sales and ultimately, growth. As marketing and sales manager, Charlie oversees and nurtures the sales and marketing team whilst driving the marketing forward for FMA, as a business. Charlie can often be found speaking at leading industry events, including Independent Gym Owner Conference, where he shares his quick and effective marketing and sales tools. He specialises in generating leads and client acquisitions.

Mike Hind MBE, CEO of MAS Body Gym and founder of Macro Based Diner Mike has been training people for over 12 years, in that time he has been recognised as one of the most respected and renowned coaches in the UK being crowned ‘The Best Personal Trainer in the UK’ by the National Fitness Awards. His work has been broadcast across the globe and he became a household name when he took on “Dibsy” the 40 stone guy, Mike offered him a FREE life saving year-long programme. Mike was awarded the “Outstanding Achievement Award” in 2018 by the National Fitness Awards for outstanding contribution within the fitness industry. His client list includes Premier League and international footballers, European champion boxers, professional bikini athletes and TV stars. But with this, Mike’s main focus is always on the public… In 2019 at The National Fitness Awards, Mike and his team won an amazing three awards. With Mike being crowned ‘UK’s Best Personal Trainer’ for the third consecutive year which is something that has never been done. Mike’s client Dibsy walked away winning the ‘Member Achievement’ Award and Mike’s meal prep company winning the ‘Innovation in Fitness and Nutrition’ Award. In 2020 Mike was recognised in the Queens Birthday honours and was awarded an MBE for his services to his community.

Lianne Clark, Business development manager, Active IQ

Lianne Clark is an experienced business and fitness professional with a comprehensive industry background working for national gym chains, local authorities and equipment suppliers. She’s passionate about championing active wellness and has a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities which face the sector. At Active IQ, Lianne works closely with her centres across the Midlands and east of England to help their businesses grow and their learners to succeed.

Book your free places today at https://tomorrows-workout.co.uk/delegate-booking/ Exhibitior opportunities are available by calling Tony Barry on 01226 734605.

Meet your members where they choose to workout. Myzone helps you support every member get the most from their membership, with tailored workouts that suit how, when and where your members want to move.

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UK FITNESS SCENE

Work to start on flagship leisure centre for Halifax to drive levelling up agenda WORK is due to get underway on a new multi-million pound leisure centre in Halifax, bringing state-of-the-art facilities to the town. Led by development partner Alliance Leisure for Calderdale Council, the project aims to reduce health inequalities by enabling more people to be more active, more often. Calderdale Council secured £12.2m from the government’s Levelling Up Fund to help fund the new facility, which is being built on the site of the former North Bridge Leisure Centre which closed to the public in March 2022. The new Halifax Leisure Centre will replace North Bridge Leisure Centre and Halifax Swimming Pool, which were both outdated and the failing pool was in urgent need of replacement. Combining these two sites will create a

single, flagship facility in one of the most densely populated areas of the borough. It will also safeguard vital leisure facilities and be a more efficient and costeffective building. “Research carried out by Calderdale Council found that improvements in sports and leisure facilities in Halifax would support more people of all ages and abilities to be active,” said James Foley, commercial director at Alliance Leisure. “Replacing the two outdated centres in the town with a modern, fit-for-purpose facility that meets the needs of a wider range of age and interest groups will allow the council to support levelling up and address local health inequalities, while ensuring a sustainable future for the delivery of affordable and inclusive facilities and services,”

Supported by GT3 Architects and built by contractors McLaughlin and Harvey, the new centre will offer a six-lane, 25m swimming pool and separate large teaching pool. Other facilities include a gym, exercise studios, a dedicated group cycling studio, an eight-court sports hall, sauna and steam room, and a café. A new adventure climbing facility and interactive play facilities will extend the offer to appeal to a wider age group. Councillor Jane Scullion, Calderdale Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and strategy, added: “The new leisure centre is a major investment for the Council and demonstrates our commitment to our Active Calderdale mission – supporting residents to lead more active lifestyles and reducing inequalities.

Advertiser’s announcement

“This fantastic new facility will also complement wider regeneration works around Halifax town centre, making this an exciting and inspiring time for the town. “I’m delighted that we’re now at a point where we can start to progress with this development. We’re working hard to get this project moving quickly, so local people can enjoy the many benefits that this centre will bring, as soon as possible.” A number of carbon-reducing features have been incorporated into the design help reduce the impact on the environment and contribute to the council’s carbon-neutral targets. These include a sedum roof and a number of low carbon technologies. The centre is expected to complete in 2024.

Where has the first half of the year gone? IT DOESN’T seem two minutes since the Christmas decorations were up but how good is it that we are back to ‘normal’ in 2022? Compared to the same period 2021 it’s such a relief that national lockdowns are a thing of the past and that the majority of gym operators in the UK are back to pre-Covid membership levels. ServiceSport UK Ltd has certainly been kept on our toes with the number of jobs that we’ve completed during the months of January, February, March, April, May and June. Completing a range of work that includes service and repair of gym equipment, installations, extractions, refresh of used gym equipment, upholstery repairs and electronic repairs for our portfolio of clients that include the Ministry of Defence, Nuffield Health, JD Gyms, Bannatyne Health Clubs, Parkwood Leisure, Wiltshire Council, Manchester United Football Club, Stoke City Football Club, Marriott Hotels, The Village Hotels, 3D Leisure, Active Tameside, GLL, Everlast Fitness Clubs…the list goes on. To put it all into perspective, ServiceSport UK Ltd has completed more than 800 gym equipment

services across the UK in the past six months, each service ranging from five to 300+ pieces of gym equipment from a range of manufacturers such as Life Fitness, Technogym, Precor, Concept2, Wattbike, Pulse and Matrix. Following a typical service, any defects are identified and our engineers have completed more than 3,300 repair jobs since January. In terms of assets, our team of directly employed field engineers has attended to more than 31,200 pieces of gym equipment across the UK. Who said there’s never enough hours in a day? Meanwhile, in the upholstery department the team has repaired more than 2,800 pads across the UK and our electronics department has repaired more than 190 malfunctioning consoles on treadmills, cross trainers, recumbent bikes and upright bikes, saving gym operators a significant sum of money compared to replacing them with new. Whilst all this activity has been going on in the foreground, in the background, we have invested in several 3D printers to support us with the manufacturing of gym equipment parts and components and also a CNC machine to allow our team to manufacture gym equipment pads and treadmill decks in-house. To find out more about what ServiceSport UK has to offer, visit www.servicesport.co.uk or email info@servicesport.co.uk

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THE FITNESS EVENT OF THE YEAR Visit Tomorrow’s Workout 2022 Bristol and South West and find all you need in one place • Over 50 key exhibitors with the latest equipment and services • Speaker panel packed with ideas for your business • New products to improve your spend per member

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UK FITNESS SCENE

Parkwood Leisure opens new £15m Tarka Leisure Centre in North Devon NORTH Devon’s new state-of-the-art facility, Tarka Leisure Centre, opened in Barnstaple recently, combining the town’s leisure facilities into one site. Following a £15million investment, the new facility was officially opened by British Winter Olympic hero Eddie ‘the Eagle’ Edwards, celebrating the new additions including an endless ski slope, which provides residents with the unique opportunity to try out skiing, snowboarding and tobogganing in North Devon. The new centre is owned by North Devon Council and forms part of a longstanding partnership with Parkwood Leisure which dates back almost 20 years. Glen Hall, Parkwood Leisure’s managing director, added: “This is a fantastic new facility, built through a longstanding relationship with North Devon Council. “Parkwood Leisure is focused on the health and wellbeing of the communities we operate in and the new Tarka facility will give the opportunity for everyone in the area to get active, try something new and

offers something truly unique to the area”. The site is part grant-funded and received £1.5million from the Coastal Communities Fund and £1.8million from the National Lottery via Sport

England. As part of the development the existing tennis centre, which already offered six indoor tennis courts, four outdoor courts and a full-size artificial grass football pitch, was upgraded.

The new site is now also home to a 25m eight-lane competition swimming pool with a movable floor, a 20m four-lane learner pool, a large 110-station gym with equipment supplied by Life Fitness, two multipurpose group exercise studios plus indoor cycling studio, as well as a four badminton court-size sports hall. A large indoor soft play, outdoor play area and cafe complete the multi-million pound leisure facility. North Devon Council leader David Worden said: “It’s been designed and built with customers in mind, who’ve helped to shape the facilities such as movable floors in the swimming pools, improved access for people with disabilities and skiing too.” Architects Watson Batty and contractors Speller Metcalfe have delivered the £15million project, whilst keeping the existing Tarka Tennis Facility and Falcons Gymnastics Academy fully open and operational for the duration of the build. Tarka Leisure Centre is now open and welcoming visitors.

Why switching software need not be stressful THERE are plenty of reasons you are looking to change your gym management software provider – it’s too complicated, there are too many hidden fees, they don’t have the features you need, their support team has you on hold for hours, etc. Many EZFacility clients who have switched from other gym software providers were running into the same issues yet, though they were fed up with the runaround, were still hesitant to make the switch because they thought it would disrupt their day-today business too much. It’s completely understandable that they, and you, are tentative about switching providers. Switching software can be a daunting undertaking – but it doesn’t have to be. There is always a learning curve when starting anything new – hey, we’re just being honest – but the EZFacility team is here to get you up and running quickly. Getting started quickly though

doesn’t mean we sprint through set up. During implementation, our team works with you and your team to

ensure everyone is comfortable and confident running your business with our software. Because we work together to get

“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 tops, shorts and track pants. Many items are available in a range of colours and can be custom-branded. James added: ”The Leisure Essentials

you up to speed, you won’t break stride with current gym operations. How do we do this you may ask? Completed in four recommended one-hour training sessions (some clients feel comfortable with less training sessions, and some with more) our training process is one that has been designed with a “train-theTrainer” approach in mind. The “train-the-trainer” methodology will grant your gym the opportunity to have a “go-to” in house EZExpert to help current and future employees become comfortable using EZFacility. Let us put your worries to rest. Ditch the software that’s slowing down your growth and get started with one that was built with you in mind. Book a demo to learn more about EZFacility and see why switching your gym management software provider doesn’t have to be stressful. http://www.ezfacility.co.uk/ request-more-information 0203 3270480 Sales@ezfacility.co.uk

Taylor Made Design launches Leisure Essentials Range TO ensure speedy turnaround times on stock orders of essential uniform, Taylor Made Designs has launched 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. Managing director James Taylor said: “Our warehouse facility in the UK will hold significant stock of all Leisure Essential items, meaning our supply chain is unaffected by continuing import challenges.

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 order 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

UK FITNESS SCENE

Parkwood Leisure celebrates milestone PARKWOOD Leisure has reached the milestone of teaching 100,000 children to swim through its Learn To Swim Programme. Based on the seven-stage national teaching syllabus devised by Swim England, Parkwood Leisure’s Learn To Swim Programme also incorporates dedicated safety outcomes endorsed by the Royal Life Saving Society. The programme aims to teach children to swim ‘Safer, Smarter, and Stronger’, with sites also encouraged to tailor their programming to educate

children on specific local dangers and hazards. Parkwood Leisure operates 45 swimming pools across England and Wales. With pools closed for extended periods as a result of Covid-19 restrictions, research by Swim England found that more than two million children missed out on swimming lessons. Since the reopening of facilities in April 2021, Parkwood Leisure has seen a 30 per cent increase in children on its swim programme

compared to pre-pandemic levels, with more than 47,850 currently enrolled. During this time, 285 new swim lesson instructors have been recruited in-line with customer demand, with more than 250 of these completing their Level 1 and Level 2 Swimming Teacher qualifications funded by Parkwood Leisure. Suzanne Gabb, head of aquatics at Parkwood Leisure, said: “To reach 100,000 learners is a fantastic achievement for our swim programme.

STATE OF THE UK TRENDS & INSIGHTS The largest industry audit delivered by The Leisure Database has been completed for the first time since 2019. Trends and insights are reported through the State of the UK Fitness Industry Report visit www.leisuredb.com to buy a copy of the latest report.

“What we offer at Parkwood is truly unique, and to know that we’ve been able to not only teach 100,000 children to swim, but also give them the broader knowledge, skills and understanding of the importance of water safety through our enhanced programme is something we are very proud of.” All of Parkwood Leisure’s facilities recently promoted Drowning Prevention Week, an annual campaign led by the Royal Life Saving Society to raise awareness of the importance of water safety.

UK FITNESS SCENE Advertiser’s announcement

Commercial gym equipment now available to buy direct ONE of the industry’s best kept secrets, Core Gym Equipment is a British manufacturer of fully commercial gym equipment. Utilising computer numerically controlled manufacturing methods, Core offers precision made equipment, using features like tube laser tab interlocking systems to ensure that the equipment is built to extremely high levels of accuracy. As well as laser cutting, turned and machined items are also done via CNC some parts are produced to tolerances of 0.05mm. Constructed from heavy duty, UK and European sourced steel profiles, our equipment is produced to the highest of standards, and all equipment is hand built and finished in the UK, ensuring only the finest commercial fitness products are produced for your club members . Each piece of equipment is assembled and set up, to guarantee fit and function before leaving the premises and then assembled at your club by our trained engineers While trying to keep prices competitive

and affordable, Core Gym Equipment’s emphasis is on equipment quality and company service, no corners are cut. As well as standard equipment, various levels of customisation are offered to meet the client’s needs, whether it is specialist colours or additional features on equipment, Core Gym Equipment aims to please. Established in 2014 out of a passion for a better gym experience, through strength, aesthetics, and commitment, we are a company of forward-thinking individuals that team up to offer great products that we strive to improve daily. We pride ourselves on manufacturing in the UK, building high-quality handbuilt strength equipment and settle for nothing less than the best we can offer the fitness industry. We offer fast UK delivery, expert advice for one piece of equipment through to a complete gym and we have built a reputation for customer service. To find out more information and receive a quote call Chris on 01282 969616, email Chris.Stevens@pslt.co.uk or visit physiquesports.co.uk/new/core-gym-equipment

GYM EQUIPMENT REFRESH

A P G

Our refresh process provides the option to enhance and innovate your current range of cardio and strength gym equipment assets without having to purchase brand new kit. 1. PARTS REPLACED All main and cosmetic parts dismantled and replaced if necessary. 2. FRAMEWORK POWDERCOATED Framework is shot blasted, stripped and then powder coated in your colours of choice. 3. ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS All electrical components on your cardio equipment is checked for serviceability and repaired or replaced if necessary. 4. UPHOLSTERY Existing pads are removed and replaced with new in your colour of choice with the option to add your bespoke embroidered logo. 5. QUALITY ASSURANCE AND INSTALLATION Prior to being installed on site, a full Quality Assurance check is carried out, ensuring quality is maintained throughout.

info@servicesport.co.uk

www.servicesport.co.uk

AN AFFORDABLE ALTERNATIVE TO PURCHASING BRAND NEW GYM EQUIPMENT

UK FITNESS SCENE Advertiser’s announcement

Panatta – Standing Total Arms Panatta’s NEW Standing Total Arms is a dual-function machine that enables a complete arm workout, perfectly reproducing the curling movement for the biceps and the push-down movement for the triceps. The main benefits are optimal tension over the entire ROM guaranteed by the CAM and greater safety compared to the use of free weights such as dumbbells and barbells. The wide footplate with anti-slip treatment and several adjustments of the machine make the Standing Total Arms suitable to adapt to users of all sizes. On the other hand, the rotating handle has multiple grips that reproduce the straight bar with large grip and EZ barbell mouldings with two different widths, narrow and medium. There is instantaneous switch from biceps to triceps or vice-versa; this makes the Standing Total Arms not only versatile in general, but also irreplaceable when training arms in super sets, without the need to change equipment or station as is the case with free weights or other strength kit. n BICEPS Starting with the handle from the lower position, the biceps curl with EZ bar is simulated. The grip can be of three types: – Wide, with the hands in perfect supine position. – Medium and narrow with the hands in semisupine position, so to avoid forcing on the elbow joints. Among the different grips, the wide straight grip and the medium angled grip allow to slightly flex the shoulder after the elbow has been fully flexed , thus leading to a greater peak of muscle contraction. n TRICEPS Starting with the handle from the upper position the push-down is simulated with straight or angled bar, that similarly to the previous case, allows two type of grips: wide grip with the hands perfectly prone or a medium/narrow grip with the hands in a semi-prone position. Even in this last case, the two angled positions minimise forcing on the elbow joint while still ensuring optimal muscular stimulation. DISCOVER MORE Panatta Srl – Via Madonna della Fonte 3/c , Apiro (MC) Italy +39 0733611824 infouk@panattasport.it @panattasport @panattaofficial

UK FITNESS SCENE

New assessments launched by Sport England to support leisure facilities SPORT England’s continuous improvement tool, Quest, has launched two new assessments for leisure facilities. The new Quest and Quest Plus assessments have been designed to help facilities restrengthen their core operational standards, as well as demonstrate the positive impact they have on their local communities. Quest was first established more than 20 years ago to measure how well a facility is operating and how effective organisations are across a range of topics. The renowned award has evolved over the years to keep pace with the ever-changing sport and leisure industry, including the launch of Quest Foundation Review earlier this year, which provides insights into real-life, ‘live’ customer service experiences from people who have traditionally been excluded from physical activity opportunities. The new assessments, which start from September 1, will replace the current Quest Recovery, written to support the sector as it recovered from the pandemic. Sarah Maxwell, head of external accreditations at Right Directions, which manages Quest on behalf of Sport England, said: “We have carefully considered the current environment and challenges leisure facilities are operating

within, and have combined the latest industry best practice with other fundamentals, such as operational plans, to develop the new Quest and Quest Plus assessment.” Quest is a one-day assessment, while Quest Plus will take place over two days. Both will include two new compulsory modules on day one, Tackling Inequalities and Environmental Management. Tackling Inequalities, developed alongside the Activity Alliance, aims to help leisure operators provide more inclusive and accessible physical activity opportunities for people from a range of inequality groups. Environmental Management will support facilities in the development of plans to include environmental

considerations within their operations Operators will also be assessed on Compliance Declaration, Operational Management, Managing the Team, and Customer Journey. The Quest Plus day two modules include a variety of topics that will help facilities make progress in specific areas of their business, with Planning to Improve, which helps identify what their service is trying to achieve and set out specific and measurable business objectives, becoming a compulsory module. New optional modules for day two include Exercise Referral Standard and Accessible Facilities. Exercise Referral aims to provide a set of quality operating standards to help drive improvements and consistency in scheme delivery,

whilst Accessible Facilities will help facilities meet their design and operational obligations for different user groups. Accessible Facilities focuses on a physical audit of the facility from a user’s perspective against key inclusive focal points, including the provision of accessible changing rooms, working hearing loops and inclusive fitness equipment. The new Tacking Inequalities and Accessible Facilities modules can be completed together, either within or outside of the Quest assessments. Facilities achieving Very Good or above will be awarded a new Quest Tackling Inequalities in Leisure Standard. Sarah added: “Taking part in Quest enables facilities and their teams to have the quality of their work both recognised and nationally accredited, as well as showing how they measure up against national standards. “Facilities receive a detailed report, with bandings between Unsatisfactory and Excellent for every question asked, as well as each module, and an overall result. “We’ve also introduced a new accolade of Outstanding for facilities that achieve an overall Excellent score in Quest Plus and their Mystery Visit. This independent review will ultimately help facilities and their teams deliver greater impact and social outcomes.”

ELEVATE REVIEW

Elevate reunites physical activity community AFTER three years of pandemic-induced anticipation, Elevate recently opened its doors to thousands of physical activity, health and performance professionals at the ExCeL Centre, London. More than 250 exhibitors united to showcase a wealth of new products and innovations, many of which had never been debuted before. “In a world of Zoom calls and computer screens, getting hands on with the products is what it’s all about,” said Peter Ferris, CEO of Speedflex and bestselling author. A vast range of companies, from leading global suppliers to independent

start-ups, packed the exhibition hall. Many offered show-only prices and samples of their products and services. Another feature was the quality of the education programme, sponsored by Elevate education partner Future Fit. Tim Hollingsworth, chief executive of Sport England, kicked off the Thought Leaders Conference with a keynote speech, reminding the packed-out audience that: “Our collective role is to unlock the advantages of sport and physical activity for everyone – but we can only achieve this if we come together and work together.” More than 200 speakers shared world-

class expertise across 11 theatres, thanks to the support of sponsors including Wattbike, Les Mills, Mindbody, Third Space Academy, Gladstone, KT Tape, Rocktape, xplor, Elite Closing Academy, Speedflex and Orbit4. The Networking Hub, sponsored by Active IQ, EMD UK, GoCardless and Alliance Leisure anchored the business conversations happening across the two days. The event attracted an impressive calibre of buyers and decision makers, including CEOs, international sales directors, managers, as well as influencers including ex Love-Islander

Adam Collard, rapper Big Narstie and Instagram sensation Victoria Winterford. “Face to face interactions are fundamental to business relationships, development and innovation,” said event director Lucy Findlay. “We’ve all been deprived of those during lockdowns and restrictions – and Elevate helps reconnect, celebrate resilience, and create opportunities.” In the words of Iain Murray, UK sales director of Power Plate: ‘You have to be at Elevate. It is the number one event on the calendar, and if you’re anything to do with fitness, health or sport, Elevate is the place to be.”

Advertiser’s announcement

Movement shouldn’t be a maths lesson THERE’S no doubt that the world of technology and data is going to increasingly be at the heart of everything we do moving forward. The variable, however, is in how much data the consumer needs and wants. For operators, if you’re able to use the data and apply the findings, there’s no such thing as too much. But for your average gym-goer? Even if the metrics are as accurate as they can be, there comes a point where members don’t have the luxury of not training, even when their wearable suggests it’s better to rest. On a panel discussion at Elevate entitled Technology: Supporting the physical activity workforce, Dave Wright, CEO of Myzone Group, highlighted why it’s important to measure what matters and leave the additional details to the minority that need it. “Heart rate variability and readiness to train... They’re real hot

words in the training world right now,” he said. “If you’ve run gyms, or if you have a family, you go ‘Right, now, the kids are off to bed, I’ve got a call a bit later and I’ve got 45 minutes to have a workout,’ but your

device is telling you that you’re not ready to train. For crying out loud. Sometimes you just have to train when you can. “In regards to the technology, what we did with Myzone is we kept it as

simple as possible. “The hotter the colour, the harder you’re working out. A four-year-old can understand it, NFL players can understand it, people in wheelchairs can understand it – it doesn’t matter who you are. “The simplicity of colours and MEPs is what we created. It’s about motivating people to be physically active. For trainers, it’s all about the ability to use that data to amplify the human element of delivering physical activity.” Exercise shouldn’t have to involve a maths lesson. The biggest benefits come from easily understandable information that can be shared and compared if required. Data needs to be tailored to the individual, but make exercise more fun for more people. Everyone needs their effort rewarded. For more takeaways from this year’s Elevate event, visit https://bit.ly/3OkfBaw

ELEVATE REVIEW

Shapemaster rebrands to strengthen focus on the active ageing market SHAPEMASTER, the world’s leading provider of power assisted exercise equipment, has rebranded as Innerva with a new logo, visual identity and website. Launching at Elevate 2022, the new brand marks the next stage in the company’s evolution and its ambitious plans for growth as it strengthens its focus on the active ageing market, a sector traditionally under-served by the health and fitness industry. Innerva, formed from the words innovate and innerve (meaning: to invigorate), reflects the company’s heritage as a British designer and manufacturer of innovative exercise equipment and its ongoing commitment to research and development to provide unique solutions that help operators meet the needs of the UK’s growing ageing population. For more than 30 years, the company’s power assisted exercise technology has provided a low impact, full-body workout circuit for older adults, people living with health conditions or recovering from injury as well as those turned off by traditional gyms. It’s renown circuit delivers a safe and sociable exercise solution, providing a viable new revenue stream for operators. Jon Hymus, commercial director at Innerva, said: “This is much more than just a name change. Since our launch in 1989, both the company and the health and fitness industry has transformed beyond all recognition. “What hasn’t changed is our focus on innovation and developing equipment that gives a ‘helping hand’ to those who benefit most from exercise. We are living in an ageing society, but as part of that people are also living longer with illness and disability.

Laura Childs (marketing and communications manager), Liz Wright (sales manager), Jon Hymus (commercial director) and Julie Mulhall (manager, Thrive Selsey – independent Innerva operator). “The rebrand reflects our position in the market as an innovator in exercise equipment for older adults and people with long-term health conditions, as well as a partner to operators looking to create age-friendly environments in their gyms and leisure centres.” New power-assisted products for wheelchair users Innerva is also launching the first two pieces of its new Access Range, which is designed to accommodate wheelchair users. Developed following robust research, the Rotary Torso and Tricep Dip give users a unique opportunity to exercise muscles weakened by repetitive wheelchair use and improve their strength and coordination, both vital for maintaining functional ability. Used as part of an existing Innerva circuit or to supplement equipment on

the gym floor, these reliable and durable new products allow operators to offer programmes that meet the needs of wheelchair users and improve their quality of life. “Since our humble beginnings in the late 80s we’ve been passionate about developing equipment that allows more people to exercise and to do so in a social environment,” added Jon. “Our new Access Range is another example of how we are democratising fitness, providing a motivating and engaging workout for wheelchair users and making it easier for them to positively impact their health.” New research on five key elements of active ageing To coincide with the rebrand, Innerva has conducted research into active ageing, specifically exploring the impact of their power assisted equipment in

combatting the natural effects of the ageing process. Conducted by the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University, a world-leading research centre dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of the population through innovations that help people move, the research assessed Innerva’s products against the five essential elements of healthy ageing, which are defined as: 1. Aerobic fitness. 2. Muscular strength. 3. Balance. 4. Flexibility. 5. Social wellbeing. Rachel Young, research fellow at the AWRC and a specialist in neurological rehabilitation and exercise prescription, said regular use of Innerva products helped older adults of all fitness levels to maintain and improve the key elements that support healthy ageing. “The (five elements of healthy ageing) research project generated robust evidence that Innerva equipment enables users to engage in a combined aerobic and strength training workout which incorporates whole body movement,” she added. “The data indicated that high intensity aerobic and muscular efforts were interspersed with low intensity activity to gain the benefits of interval training and enable users to adjust their effort according to their fitness goals and ability. “The multiple speed settings combined with multi-directional movement also maintain or improve balance performance.” The full findings of the study will be published in academic journals later this year.

TVS Group’s performance surfaces help elevate UK’s largest fitness trade show ELEVATE provided TVS Group with an opportunity to showcase some of its latest performance surfaces for sports, fitness and physical activities. Held this year at the ExCeL London exhibition centre, the event attracted a wide range of exhibitors and visitors from across the health, fitness and sporting sectors. Andy Roberts, sales director of TVS Group, said the event was a huge success and a unique opportunity. He added: “Exhibiting at Elevate this year was an easy decision for us to make, particularly because this is the first time in a long time in the UK that potential buyers, designers and suppliers operating within this sector were able to meet face to face at a trade show of this magnitude. “It was an opportunity we simply couldn’t afford to miss. Furthermore, our sports surfacing division is strategically aligned with the mission of this particular event – to help Elevate the UK’s physical

activity levels.” Andy believes TVS Group’s comprehensive product portfolio offered special appeal at the event. “As a leading supplier of quality products from synthetic turfs, seamless polyurethane sports flooring and sprung timber systems, to SPORTEC rubber gym tiles and sheet rubber, we were able to demonstrate our ability to supply and install a range of safe, technologically advanced and cost-effective performance surfaces for recreational and elite-level sport as well as for a wide range of physical activities,” he added. “This event was a huge success for TVS Group. “Attendance appeared high, new relationships were formed and we discovered a couple of new and exciting projects to work on.” Telephone 01706 260 220, email sales@TVS-Group.co.uk or visit www.TVS-Group.co.uk

SHOW SITES NOW REQUIR ED

THE CORE STORY

OUR MISSION

MADE IN BRITAIN

The Core Gym Equipment brand was established in 2014 out of a passion for a better gym experience, through strength, aesthetics, and commitment. We are a company of forwardthinking individuals that team up to offer great products that we strive to improve daily. We pride ourselves on building high-quality handbuilt strength equipment and settle for nothing less than the best we can offer the fitness industry.

Our mission is to provide products that stand the test of time and offer an enjoyable, confident workout experience. We promise nothing less than to pour our passion into creating functional equipment with the build quality that will be with you for the long haul.

We are not only made in Britain, but we also design, manufacture, and assemble all our equipment here in the United Kingdom. We own our facilities here in the West Midlands which control everything from design drawings, welding, powder coating, and upholstery all under one roof. It is why we can offer a quality British product with a short lead time.

@coregymequipment core.gym.equipment https://pslt.co.uk/product-category/core-gym-equpiment/ sales@pslt.co.uk

+44 (0)1282 969 616

UK FITNESS SCENE

Advertiser’s announcement

Technogym Biostrength: the revolution in strength training The first strength training solution that adapts to you and guarantees 30 per cent superior results in the same amount of time THE effectiveness of strength training depends on many small, key elements: the correct load, the adequate number of repetitions, the recovery time, the speed of execution of the exercise, the posture, the range of motion. Optimising every single detail and preventing the most common errors is fundamental to making your training effective and achieving better results in less time. Biostrength, the new Technogym line for strength training, adapts to you, thanks to a patented technology that uses artificial intelligence and scientific research, and ensures you get 30 per cent better results in the same amount of time compared to classic training with equipment or free weights. Biostrength allows you to train with the right load, range of motion, correct posture, speed of execution and even indicates the number of sets, repetitions and optimal recovery times. The patented Biodrive system, which uses aerospace technology, offers you six types of resistance, which can improve the effectiveness of your exercise depending on the goal you want to achieve. You are guided through every aspect of the workout to achieve maximum results in a safe and effective way: Biodrive recognises when you are too tired and the spotter function automatically reduces the load to allow you to complete the set, while, to keep you motivated and encourage you to improve, Biostrength gives you reward badges as you achieve

new goals. Biostrength is a digital and connected experience with an unprecedented variety of training programmes and content. With a simple log-in to the Technogym Ecosystem, Biostrength equipment allows you to select the workout experience that best suits the results you want to achieve from

goal-oriented programs to custom programs or free training. The four target programmes include: n HYPERTROPY: to develop muscle mass. This programme increases the load in the eccentric phase of the movement, while the muscle fibres lengthen, in a way that is functional

for developing mass. n POWER: to train like an athlete. The use of a resistance without inertia allows you to train explosive strength and to express maximum force in complete safety. n STRONG: to increase your strength. The viscous resistance that makes the exercise more intense as the speed of execution increases. n TONE: get more muscle tone with less effort. Elastic resistance and a gradual increase in the workload allow you to improve muscle tone constantly throughout the entire range of movement. If you are a more advanced user and would like to optimise every single exercise in your training programme, the CUSTOM function will offer you various training techniques such as drop sets, pyramids and single set tone express. If you already know what to do and want to set up your own programme, with the FREE TRAINING mode you can train quickly and easily, without logging in, simply by adjusting your session and selecting the workload and number of repetitions you want. Biostrength represents a great opportunity for fitness clubs and personal trainers to increase the value of their membership by offering their clients innovative programmes that guarantee the desired results. Thanks to Mywellness, Technogym’s professional software platform, they can assign each user a tailor-made programme optimised to individual goals; with a simple log-in the user will be fully guided by Biostrength in the optimal execution of the exercise. https://www.technogym.com/gb/

Biostrength.™ Superior Results, Faster. ENGAGEMENT AND MOTIVATION Biofeedback and AI for real time guidance

NEUROMUSCULAR ACTIVATION Increased neuromuscular activation

BIODRIVE SYSTEM PATENTED

PERSONALISED ROM Right ROM and speed

CORRECT POSTURE OPTIMAL WORKLOAD

Automatic posture setup

Maximum muscle contraction

Biostrength™ helps you avoid the most common strength training mistakes to get up to 30% more results from your workout. Thanks to the patented Biodrive System, you can easily and automatically:

Select the goal and get the best resistances and biofeedback for it Train with the correct workload Find the proper range of motion Set the right tempo and number of reps Get the correct rest time

Discover more on technogym.com/workout

UK FITNESS SCENE

Advertiser’s announcement

Are contracts impacting sales at your gym? By Wayne Heath

HISTORICALLY it was normal to be tied into a contract when you join a gym. It was one of the things a customer would have to agree to in exchange for working out at your club. However, with the cost of living rising and consumer priorities changing, is it wise to still be selling and enforcing contracts for your gym? More importantly, could doing so be negatively impacting sales? Is it really good business sense? Signing your customers up for contracts has always made good business sense. It helps you forecast income, adds weight to your business plan and keeps your investors happy because they can get a glimpse of their return. However, tying your customers into a financial commitment doesn’t necessarily guarantee you stability. Just look at how easily the pandemic disrupted everything as we know it! If your customers are unsure of what their future holds (like many of us postcovid), they’ll likely be put off by a long-term financial commitment like a gym contract. You should consider the possibility that you’ll be able to sign up more leads if you promise them flexibility and control over their memberships. In doing so, you’re dismantling the potential contract barrier – which means you can get them to start paying and focus your

Wayne Heath

energy on retaining them. Are contracts as effective as they seem? Did you know consumers still have certain legal rights surrounding cancellations, even if they’re tied into a contract? A customer that has joined your gym and entered a contract will normally have to pay the full cost of the contract if they want to cancel the membership early. For example, if they cancel a one-year contract after six months, they’ll usually have to pay for the remaining six months of the term. Despite this, there are still a few occasions when your customer can cancel their membership without paying the remainder of their contract: n If the customer is injured or has a serious illness. n If they can’t afford to pay anymore. n If they think your contract terms are unfair. Contracts can also mean very little because some gym contracts are service agreements, not consumerregulated credit agreements like that of car finance or mobile phone fees in which case you’re receiving a tangible product. Plus, if one of your members wishes to cancel midcontract and go somewhere else, pursuing that legally can be both expensive for you and leads to bad PR if the local area catches wind of your club taking a customer to court. It’s much easier to give your members the freedom to come and go as they please under a flexible membership that suits their lifestyle and focus on retaining them through a fantastic workout experience and unrivalled customer service. Take us at ClubRight for example. We don’t tie our users into a contract to use our system – gym owners stay with us because they love the functionality we offer them, not because they’re forced to. Gone are the days of sleepers Sleepers are no longer an issue these days, especially post-pandemic. Redundancies, income uncertainty and the rising cost of living have made people more vigilant than ever when it comes to their monthly bills.

They won’t hesitate to cancel a bill that they no longer see value in. Your energy will be far better spent building an exceptional customer service strategy that retains your customers and makes them stay because they want to; because they see value in the service you offer. Besides, having a large proportion of sleepers will end up costing you money in the long run. Any one of them (or all of them) could wake up tomorrow and cancel their membership, leaving you out of pocket. Use referrals to your advantage Those long-standing, advocate members are walking advertisements for your business. Their friends and family will be asking them about their fitness journey, and your club will be one of the first things they mention. So set up a robust referrals programme in place of worrying about contracts so that you can reward those that get their friends to join your gym. In some ways, referred customers are more valuable than cold leads because they have real social proof to influence their buying decision. Referrals are also a great way to measure customer satisfaction: happier customers are more likely to tell their friends about your club. ClubRight has automated communications as part of our complete solution to help you keep in touch with customers, so setting up that referral scheme brings no added work on your part. In summary, contracts can impact sales at your club. It’s understandable why clubs are tempted to sell and enforce contracts, but nowadays people want control and flexibility. If your customers don’t feel like they have those key things, it can create a barrier for them before they’ve even joined. CTA Regardless of the memberships you offer, ClubRight can help you make sure they sell and retain those customers for longer. Learn how by speaking to one of our experts on 0203 884 9777 or book a free online demo today.

UK FITNESS SCENE

Advertiser’s announcement

How three independent gyms got an extra 150+ new members in six weeks

WE’VE heard mixed reviews from independent gym owners recently on how their membership sales have been going in 2022. Some clubs have reported great success, with their membership numbers being higher than ever (even pre-Covid). On the other hand, many clubs have reported that their total member numbers are still well below preCovid levels. Even despite reasonable numbers of new joiners, with so many members lost over the lockdowns, it is a slow process to build numbers back up. Coupled with this, clubs have been reporting increased competition in their local area, people choosing online fitness over physical gyms and a small percentage of members who are still afraid to come back after Covid. Three clubs that have achieved substantial growth in 2022 through strategically focussed membership drives however, include K5 Fitness, Alpha Body Worx and Padbrook Park. K5 Fitness signed up 216 members in six-and-a-half weeks which

included an open day where 22 new long-term members signed up on the day. Facebook was the top driver of sales followed by outdoor signage. Months after opening, Alpha Body Worx, which started as a cycle shop, signed up 155 new members in six

weeks. In a small town of just over 10,000 people, this was a great result. With an appointment to sale percentage of 85 per cent, there were very few prospects that walked out the doors without a membership.

And at Padbrook Park they signed up 242 new members in six weeks. New members came from a variety of sources including direct mail, Facebook, Instagram and Google advertising, with a large proportion of the newcomers being totally new to exercise. So how did K5, Alpha and Padbrook Park do it? These three clubs teamed up with Creative Fitness Marketing – a niche agency who specialise in membership drive campaigns around the UK. CFM operate on a commission only basis, which was appealing as the clubs weren’t required to pay any of the marketing costs themselves. With all three clubs running various forms of their own marketing throughout the year, teaming up with CFM gave them the opportunity to quickly build up their membership base and significantly increase membership revenue. You can find out more by about CFM by requesting an info pack at https://uk.cfm.net or call Jonny or Harry on 0115 777 3333.

Advertiser’s announcement

Gym Upholstery UK joins forces with award-winning College FITNESS Evolution, the award-winning fitness centre and gym at Burnley College, has partnered with Gym Upholstery UK to offer training for its expanding franchise network. Boosted with a host of exciting and innovative facilities and technology, the Burnley Campus features cutting-edge facilities and is continually investing in its £100million town centre Campus. The outstanding development really sets Burnley College’s sports centre and gym facilities head and shoulders above the rest to create a multi-functional hub that is widely accessible for all members of the local community and beyond. Since 2016, Fitness Evolution has been inspiring and motivating people in

Burnley to take up exercise and join a community with a passion for inspired fitness, sports, and wellness. The unrivalled, award-winning and industry leading elite sports gym is equipped with state-of-the-art resistance and cardio equipment as well as the very latest sport and fitness technology. As well as students, their facilities are being utilised by the College’s elite athletes, as well as visiting professional athletes and sports teams including Burnley FC women. The pioneering partnership will bring a wealth of expertise and skills to their current employees and franchisees. Thus far, the strong relationship and

links with the College has seen our latest franchisees complete major reupholstery work in the gym. Our latest franchisees covering the entire Lancashire area have recently completed repairs to the multi-adjustable benches as well as fit bespoke logo embroidered sweat covers to reinforce the gyms branding and enhance the overall look of the equipment. On-site training at the college will help new franchisees acquire the skills and knowledge they’ll need to succeed and prepare them for the realities of running their own franchise business. It also provides a chance for franchisees to dip their toes into the water and

receive first-hand experience before taking the full plunge and starting their first day on the job. Dean Boyle, managing director of Gym Upholstery UK, said: “We place a huge emphasis on ongoing support and development. In turn, this will ensure franchisees meet the high operational standards to help their business grow and become part of our global brand.” If you are looking for a lucrative career change and would like to find out more about our unique franchise opportunities, get in touch with our team today. Call 01282 831238, email email@gymupholstery.com or visit gymupholstery.com

2022

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NOMI NAT I ONSWI L LRE MAI NOP E N T HROUGHOUTT HEYE AR, CL OSI NGON F RI DAY26T HAUGUS T2022.

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Mud, sweat, fire and ice AFTER overcoming 25 punishing obstacles, 10 tons of ice and 100 tons of mud, our TVS Total Warriors were rewarded for their efforts with a much-needed ice-cold beer. Having successfully completed this year’s Total Warrior event, held at Bramham Park on the outskirts of Leeds, the exhausted six-strong team were delighted to have stayed the course. When asked if we should enter a team into Total Warrior, TVS’ managing director Paul Lafone said: “I was completely on board from the initial idea. The event further brought our employees together in a fun environment that allowed them to switch off from home and work pressures. “As the eldest of the group and now with a good deal of hindsight, a few training runs would have been a good idea, but I survived and very much look forward to the next crazy event.” Andy Roberts, sales director and TVS team captain, added: “Completing such a gruelling and demanding obstacle course was a massive accomplishment for all of us and we were all extremely grateful for the well-earned victory beer once we crossed the finish line. “With obstacles named ‘Human BBQ’, ‘The Plunge’ and ‘The Shocker’, we didn’t quite know what we were letting ourselves in for, but we approached every challenge head on, with a positive mindset and with a can-do attitude. “I must admit it was tougher than I initially thought but aside from a few grazed elbows and a pair of bruised knees, nobody within our team suffered from any serious injuries”. Asked about the greatest challenges of the race, Jason Lewis-

Lamb, our sports surfacing specialist had little doubt: “The biggest challenge for me was making the leap from treadmill and static bike cardio training to full-on cross country running between the obstacles. “It’s a completely different beast and I clearly wasn’t prepared. That and ‘The Cement Mixer’ – knee deep and at some points shoulder deep in mud was the most difficult obstacle – I nearly lost both shoes at one point.” Chris Taylor, projects director at TVS Group, added: “For me, the most enjoyable part of the day was seeing Jason cross the finish line because at one point I really thought we’d lost him.” TVS warehouse operative Lee Haworth approached and conquered every obstacle with a big smile on his face, particularly the ones where the course photographers were conveniently located. When asked about the challenge he replied swiftly with “The best part of the day was the banter going round the course. It was a top day and it was great to see everyone encouraging and supporting each other.” Daniel Redman, our Sales Executive claimed that this challenge was merely “a walk in the park” and he’s already signed up to do this event in 2023. Impressive stuff Daniel – we’ll see you at the start line next year. Believe it or not participation in The Great Northern Mud Run is completely voluntary and proved a great opportunity to bring some of our team members together in a different setting. For more insights into our corporate and social activities visit www.TVS-Group.co.uk

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