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June 2012
The UK’s No 1 fitness industry magazine
‘Don’t panic’, company boss tells operators By Christina Eccles CORPORATE gyms are booming as employers look for a cost effective way to help staff improve their wellbeing in the workplace, according to an expert, who has urged traditional operators not to panic. Consultancy motiv8 – and sister company motiv8 North – specialise in the design of health and fitness facilities and have worked on both residential and corporate gym projects around the country. According to managing director Nick Sadler, the company has recently seen ‘rapid growth’ in firms wanting to add gyms into their offices – both as a way of helping staff to get fitter and provide them with an additional employee benefit. One of the company’s most successful installations was the addition of a gym to the offices of a Leeds based financial services company, which included a range of equipment, a dedicated area for stretching and space for core workouts. The gym also offers personal training, a weight loss programme and is looking at utilising unused office space for fitness classes and setting up a lunchtime
outdoor running club. Nick believes employees at the company are really enjoying having fitness facilities on site, with workplace clubs in general also helping to introduce people into a gym environment who previously may never have thought about going. He said: “The company wanted to look after their employees and give an incentive to staff. It’s a good way to add value, which isn’t an enormous cost to them. “This is one of the most successful ones we have done – staff have really embraced it. The PT side of things has also taken off really well there.” But although Nick claims workplace gyms are on the rise, he says traditional gyms should not panic about losing members as there is room for both types of club in the marketplace. He added: “You don’t really see wetside facilities in the workplace and people still like to swim. The bigger threat to the main chains is budget gyms.” Where do you think corporate gyms fit into the market? Are they taking business away from traditional clubs? Send your views to ce@scriptmedia.co.uk or tweet us @WorkOutUK
No 225 £3
Ceremony recognises confidence campaigns
Over 30,000 people have signed a petition calling for the government to scrap plans which would see VAT added on to some previously exempt sports nutrition drinks. Former TV Gladiators and fitness professionals Jenny Pacey and Caroline Pearce (pictured) joined instructor Olly Foster to deliver the petition, organised by the UK Specialist Sports Nutrition Alliance. The alliance claims the proposals are a ‘health tax’ which penalise consumers with an interest in nutrition and healthy lifestyles. For full story see our supplementation and nutrition section starting on page 39.
GYM operators Virgin Active and Curves were among companies recognised at an awards ceremony, celebrating schemes which promote body confidence. The Body Confidence Awards looked at industries including advertising and retail to find campaigns which promoted diversity and the acceptance of broader beauty ideals. Winners included Virgin Active for its ‘oomph’ marketing campaign, which used a range of shapes, ages and ethnic diversity to push the benefits of exercise. MP and chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Body Image Jo Swinson said: “Virgin Active’s “oomph” campaign is a brilliant example of how to tackle this by using real people and promoting the intrinsic benefits of exercise.” To win the award, the operator beat off competition from shortlisted entries including ladies only gym chain Curves and Dance UK’s Healthier Dance Programme. TV presenter Davina McCall was named celebrity ambassador of the year.