Workout June 2024

Government urged to help as centres report pressure from energy costs

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Pilates brand announces third UK studio

Operator boosts community wellbeing through new hubs

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Government urged to help as centres report pressure from energy costs

A SURVEY of ukactive members has revealed that nearly a quarter of council areas remain at risk of seeing their leisure centres close or reduce services by September, due to ongoing high energy costs and other operational pressures.

ukactive’s energy risk survey received responses from public sector operators across 143 council areas in the UK and from private sector operators representing a total of 579 sites.

It found that 62.5 per cent of fitness facilities run by private sector operators are extremely likely to have to increase customer pricing in the next six months to help cope with high operating costs, with 75 per cent having already been forced to raise prices since October 2023. Continued price increases would not be a sustainable solution for businesses or for consumers.

Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, said: “By most measures, the health of our nation is clearly deteriorating, and we have never needed these essential facilities more.

“The Government has set out its ambitions to get millions of people more active and we have seen clear demand from consumers to do this.

“However, persistently high energy costs and other growing pressures are placing gyms, pools, and leisure

centres in extreme difficulty, being left to balance the needs of the community with smaller budgets.

“Operators are doing everything they can to avoid passing these costs onto customers, but now is the time for the Government to help drive greater numbers to these facilities as part of its strategy for a healthier, more active nation.”

While energy prices have stabilised to a degree, they remain substantially higher than before the energy crisis and in some cases, gyms, pools, and leisure centres have seen bills rise by more than 200 per cent. To respond to these

Leisure Essentials – uniform designed by professionals for leisure professionals

THE team of leisure specialists at Taylor Made Designs has designed and launched a range of own-brand, affordable leisure wear, specifically for people working within a leisure environment.

Employing expertise in fabric selection and design to deliver optimal comfort and durability, the range caters for a variety of job roles from lifeguards and swim teachers, through to duty managers and gym instructors.

All garments are available in a range of colours and can be fully customised to bring individual garments together to form a bespoke collection that reinforces individual brand principles.

“We are really proud of our Essentials Range,” said TMD MD James Taylor.

“Designed for leisure professionals, by leisure professionals, we have created a diverse, specialist uniform solution that can be customised and delivered in volume, quickly and efficiently to venues across the UK.

“All garment selection and ordering can be completed online,

direct by sites and with large stock volumes in our UK warehouse, we can fulfil orders within a few days, negating the need for sites to hold stock on their own premises where storage space is often an issue.

“The Leisure Essentials Range has fast become our most popular line. We are constantly reviewing and expanding the items available, in response to market needs.

“Garments currently include: regular and slim fit track pants, female gym leggings, sports shorts – complete with a sewn in loop on the belt, perfect for hanging keys, a quarter zip sweatshirt and moisture wicking lifeguard shorts and T-shirts.

“All items are designed to be comfortable but also styled to reflect the latest design trends, creating comfortable uniforms that people of all shapes and sizes are proud to wear.”

The Leisure Essentials range also includes other basic accessories such as sports holdalls, padlocks and trampoline/ play socks.

To explore the range visit taylormadedesigns.co.uk

pressures, publicly operated facilities in 15 per cent of council areas have introduced changes to their financial or operational models to protect against the impact of further energy price rises.

The current geopolitical situation on energy costs, increased staffing costs and the impact of the cost-ofliving crisis were all listed as areas of serious, ongoing concern by operators.

Support for some public sector operators came in the form of Sport England’s Swimming Pool Support Fund, announced in March last year. However, demand greatly

outstripped supply, with less than 50 per cent of applicants being successful in phase one. Many other providers, such as those in the private sector, those without pools, and operators outside of England were not eligible.

Phase two of the fund provided £60m of grants to boost operators’ energy efficiency and ukactive’s Sustainable Futures programme is helping to support the sector’s transition to Net Zero, however, the immediate pressures remain.

Closures have been reported across the regions, with local communities rallying to call on MPs and the Government to do more to support local authorities and local businesses.

In August 2023, the Government announced its ‘Get Active’ strategy for sport and physical activity, which laid out ambitious targets to get 3.5 million more people active by 2030.

Yet, with continued financial pressures forcing operators to reduce services, change operating models, or close some of their sites, as well as ongoing uncertainty given the wider geopolitical situation, ukactive is calling for the Government to recognise growing public demand and help more people to access these essential services.

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Absolute Performance extends its partnership with Team GB athlete

ABSOLUTE Performance has continued its partnership with multi-medalwinning Team GB Olympian Nekoda Smythe-Davis.

With an illustrious career and a tenacious spirit, Nekoda has extended her influence as a brand ambassador for Absolute Performance.

This renewed collaboration comes as both parties gear up for the highly anticipated Paris 2024 Olympics this July.

Siân Buchanan, owner and director at Absolute Performance, said: “We’re thrilled to continue our collaboration with Nekoda.

“Her unwavering dedication, strength, and spirit embody the values we hold dear.

“As she balances the demands of motherhood with her exceptional athletic career, she epitomises resilience and serves as a remarkable role model for women and young athletes alike.”

Building upon the success of their previous collaboration, this renewed ambassadorship aims to deepen the integration of Nekoda’s invaluable insights into elite athletic performance

and further enhance Absolute Performance’s products and gym design processes.

In the world of judo, where strength, agility, and mental fortitude intersect, Nekoda stands out not just as a great competitor but also as an inspiring

figure for aspiring athletes.

Her career has seen her emerge as one of the sport’s most esteemed Judokas.

With notable achievements including Commonwealth and British championship titles in 2014, as well as representing Great Britain at the Rio Olympics in 2016, Nekoda has firmly cemented her status as a formidable force in judo.

Her career boasts a collection of 27 elite competition medals, including a hard-fought silver at the Baku World Championships in 2018.

Nekoda, who returned to competitive action in 2022 following a three-year hiatus due to a serious concussion injury and the birth of her daughter Ryia, added: “It’s fantastic to be a part of Absolute Performance’s ambassador programme.

“Their expertise in gym design and their commitment to youth development in the education sector resonate deeply with me.

“I look forward to contributing to the development of new products and ideas, and in helping to inspire others on their journey.”

At Script Media, we try to get things right but occasionally, we make mistakes. If you have a complaint about a story featured in our magazine or on our website, please, in the first instance, contact us by email: dm@scriptmedia.co.uk We abide by the Editors’ Code of Practice as demanded by the Independent Press Standards Organisation. For details on the code and what to do should you be unsatisfied with the way we handle your complaint, please visit www.ipso.co.uk

Advertiser’s announcement

The hidden benefits of refreshing existing gym equipment

AS AN independent gym owner, you’re constantly balancing budget constraints with the desire to provide top-notch facilities for your members. You might be considering whether to invest in new gym equipment or breathe new life into your existing set-up.

Enter ServiceSport UK, the industry leader in gym equipment servicing and refresh solutions, ready to revolutionise the way you think about equipment maintenance.

The refresh advantage: sustainability and savings combined Refreshing existing gym equipment offers a multitude of benefits that extend beyond cost considerations. Here’s why it might be the game-

changer your gym needs:

1. Cost-effectiveness: Opting to refresh your current gym equipment can yield significant cost savings compared to purchasing brand-new machines. With ServiceSport UK’s expertise in refurbishment, you can achieve a refreshed look and functionality at a fraction of the cost.

2. Reduced breakdowns and repairs: One of the key advantages of refreshing existing equipment is the potential reduction in breakdowns and the associated costs of engineer call-outs and repairs. By giving your machines a new lease on life through thorough refurbishment, you can increase their longevity and performance, minimising downtime and maintenance expenses in the long run.

3. Sustainability focus: Choosing to refresh your gym equipment aligns

with sustainability goals by giving new life to existing resources rather than contributing to additional waste from discarding old equipment. It’s a win-win for your business and the environment.

4. Customisation opportunities: Refreshing equipment allows for customisation tailored to your gym’s unique brand and style, giving you the flexibility to create a cohesive and inviting workout space that resonates with your members.

ServiceSport UK – your partner in gym equipment transformation With ServiceSport UK’s comprehensive refresh service, your gym can undergo a remarkable transformation that goes beyond aesthetics.

Our process includes stripping down, sandblasting, powder coating

and replacing worn parts on the equipment to ensure it looks and functions as good as new.

Making the choice

When weighing the options between refreshing existing gym equipment and investing in new machines, consider the long-term benefits of refurbishment.

Not only does it offer a costeffective solution, but it also sets the stage for enhanced performance, reduced breakdowns, and a sustainable approach to equipment management.

Contact ServiceSport UK today to explore our refresh services and take the first step towards a more efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable gym operation.

Call 01257 264 738 or email the team at sales@servicesport.com

Nekoda Smythe-Davis

£26m investment paves the way for new hub

SOUTH Holland District Council has bolstered its successful £20million UK Government Levelling Up Fund bid with a £6million investment to see the Castle Sports Complex in Spalding transformed into a health and wellbeing hub to drive positive health outcomes for residents across the district.

Alliance Leisure has been appointed to deliver the works through the UK Leisure Framework, owned by Denbighshire Leisure Limited.

Sean Nolan, business development manager at Alliance Leisure, said: “Transformational investment like this only happens once in a lifetime so it is absolutely imperative that we get it right. The team has been involved from the start, supporting the council’s LUF bid and preparing the designs. We will now continue to work with the council to deliver the build.

“When the development completes in 2026, residents in South Holland will have access to an incredible wellbeing and activity hub, created in direct response to the needs of the community, driving a healthier, happier and more active community.”

Works are expected to begin in the Autumn and will see the Castle Sports Complex

completely remodelled and extended to include an integral swimming provision.

A six-lane 25 metre pool will be supported by a second, 20m teaching pool that will allow individuals, groups, clubs and local schools access to the facilities they need to develop essential swim skills.

Outside, a splash pad will also be added to accommodate families and young children. These facilities will replace the current provision offered by Spalding Swimming Pool.

The new wellbeing hub will also host a sports hall, gym, family activity zone, a fully equipped fitness suite, indoor

Advertiser’s announcement

Origin Fitness can bring your vision to life

WE partner with you to bring your vision to life.

From designing your gym to installation and aftersales care, our team is on hand to make your journey into gym ownership as seamless as possible.

We have partnered with numerous independently owned gyms over the years. One of our most recent installations, GymNation in London, chose Origin to kit out their gym extension, and the results speak for themselves.

Given the competitive fitness landscape in London, owners Andy, George and Hubert needed to differentiate GymNation by offering more than just a place to work out.

They envisioned a sanctuary where individuals of all fitness levels could feel welcomed and supported, and where the community played a central role in members’ fitness journeys.

The GymNation team introduced a HIIT cardio, functional training and strength training spaces using Origin equipment which included the Origin Performance Series custom rack.

The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with members praising the supportive atmosphere and diverse range of workout options available. It was

a pleasure to work with the team at GymNation who had some kind words about their experience working with Origin to bring this vision to life.

Andy Parsons, founder and CEO of GymNation, said: “The main takeaway from partnering with Origin is their excellent level of customer service.

“From the day I met the team, and all the way to install, we had loads of help along the way. They were very responsive and very flexible with our needs, which is awesome. The quality of the kit is impressive as well, it’s very good, really durable and our members absolutely love it.”

If you’re considering establishing a new gym or revamping your existing facility, contact us at hello@ originfitness.com or call 0333 2000 750 and let Origin Fitness help you design and build your dream gym. Follow us on Instagram @origin. fitness

cycling and fitness studios, a dedicated wellness suite offering power assisted exercise and a health and wellbeing space for appointments with health practitioners, including services to support good mental health and those living with diabetes, Alzheimer’s and dementia.

A café and lounge area will also provide a much-needed place for people to eat and drink as well as meet friends and socialise.

The Centre’s current Bowls Hall will receive some much-needed maintenance as part of the redevelopment.

Outside, a 3G artificial turn floodlight football pitch will be supported by a separate multi-

use games arena hosting an array of sports including basketball and football, with a dedicated track meandering through the site suitable for walkers, runners or cyclists .

Car parking will be extended to accommodate the anticipated uplift in usage and extensive landscaping will take place throughout, enhancing the visual appeal.

Councillor Gary Taylor, South Holland District Council deputy leader and the council’s project sponsor, added: “The success of this bid is a momentous moment for the whole of South Holland, and provides vital funding that will be truly transformational to help improve the health and lives of our residents.

“The new Hub will place physical activity at the heart of our community, supporting healthy, active lives.

“Coupling this significant investment with the design and delivery expertise of best-in-class providers brought together by Alliance Leisure through the UK Leisure Framework, we have the opportunity to create an incredible facility that caters for everyone at all stages of their life for many years to come.”

Works are due to start in late 2024 and will complete in the summer of 2026.

Operator reaches membership milestone with record-breaking start to 2024

ANYTIME Fitness UK has reached the milestone of 200,000 members and a record one million club visits per month in the first quarter of 2024.

The brand’s expanding network of clubs and members contributed to an 8.3 per cent increase in revenue in Q1 compared to the same period in 2023; this was also supported by a four per cent increase in average member yield.

“2024 has been our strongest start to the year for some time, with key metrics from both the consumer and franchising sides of the business showing real growth,” said Andy Thompson, chairman of Anytime Fitness UK.

“We’ve been working hard to get

an even stronger understanding of our members and how we engage them, investing in our tech infrastructure and systems, as well as making sure we’ve got the right people in place to support the business moving forwards –these are all critical factors that have contributed to a stronger performance across the network.

“Our sector isn’t without its challenges, but we’re receiving positive levels of interest in franchising and the projected growth makes for an exciting year ahead.”

Anytime Fitness has 185 clubs in operation and is on target to sell 25 new franchise licences in 2024.

The brand’s franchise development efforts have been strengthened by several new initiatives, including investment into enhancing its datadriven approach to the identification of new ‘hot’ locations for potential clubs. The growth is also aligned to the roll-out of the brand’s new club design, which has seen a full refresh of the interior specification and layout.

The new model, which is being implemented in all new openings and transitioned to across the existing network, puts community and coaching at the heart of each club, with a large functional training space as one of the key features.

The UK remains the biggest

European market for the global brand, with 50 per cent of Europe’s total franchise sales in Q1 attributed to the UK.

February’s opening of Anytime Fitness Brixton also broke the international pre-sales record, with the club opening with more members than any other previous Anytime Fitness facility outside of the US.

Anytime Fitness UK is part of a global franchise network of more than 5,000 clubs worldwide and across nearly 40 countries. The brand was named Global Franchise Grand Champion and Best Fitness Franchise at the 2024 Global Franchise Awards.

Xplor announces UK expansion for Mariana Tek platform

XPLOR Mariana Tek, a powerful, consumer-focused and easy-to-use boutique fitness software platform from Xplor Technologies, has announced its entry into the UK.

The move brings a premium studio management software solution to the UK fitness industry, allowing boutique fitness and wellness studios to transform the experience they can offer customers.

Renowned for delivering the best consumer experience in boutique fitness, Xplor Mariana Tek enables studios to curate and customise the branded experience they offer customers both in-studio and online, driving studio revenue growth.

In 2023, studio brands who migrated to Xplor Mariana Tek saw their average reservations increase by 36 per cent. Studio brands using the platform also saw bring-a-guest booking volumes rise by 35 per cent.

The custom app allows members to easily book a class, bring along a guest to a class, use geo-location to check-in, preorder or purchase items, select their favourite reformer, bike or mat in the studio, and add themselves to a class waitlist.

“The UK is home to some of the most beloved consumer fitness brands, known for their engaging, high-touch fitness and wellness

experiences,” said Shannon Tracey, vice president of sales and marketing for Xplor Mariana Tek at Xplor Technologies.

“Everything Xplor Mariana Tek delivers is brand-forward and experience-led, designed to help studio brands connect more deeply with their communities’ using insights and engagement tools.

“We see the UK as a critical market as we expand Xplor Mariana Tek further internationally, so we’re excited to be bringing these innovative consumer experience capabilities to market to help these brands shine.”

Xplor Mariana Tek was founded in 2015 by fitness experts and former studio owners who wanted to change the way boutique fitness operates.

The innovative, all-in-one software platform is built for single locations, large multi-site brands, franchisors, and franchisees; offering everything studio owners need to manage and grow their business: with insights; marketing; CRM; and 30+ integrations to leading technology partners.

Trusted by the top brands in boutique fitness, Xplor Mariana Tek powers thousands of fitness and wellness studio locations across the UK, US and Canada, with plans to expand into Europe and Australasia in the next 12 months.

Upgraded gyms and cycle studios at Burnley Leisure and Culture sites

BURNLEY Leisure and Culture has recently upgraded even more facilities with both St Peter’s and Padiham Leisure Centres’ newly refurbished gyms and cycling studios reopening.

The projects, including improvements within changing areas, demonstrate further investment of more than £750,000 by the Trust in partnership with Burnley Borough Council.

Operations manager Sarah Drinkwater, who led the project, said: “Firstly, I want to thank all our loyal members for their patience over the last few months with a large amount of construction and development work being undertaken whilst remaining predominately open and our teams have excelled themselves with many of the fitness teams working on this project for over a year.

“We are very proud of all four projects and the members are loving the gym and indoor cycling

areas, and we have received plenty of fantastic feedback upon reopening.

“We have created all-inclusive fitness areas; that continue to be places that brings people together from all areas of our local community, inspiring people to build confidence and enabling everyone to get involved in physical activity and without any barriers.”

Partnering with Life Fitness to create an inspiring gym layout, the space was designed to encourage participation in a supportive fitness environment hoping to encourage a community feel, and a sense of camaraderie amongst our members which will keep them coming back.

The gym at St Peter’s has been significantly extended to create a much bigger space, which allowed the Trust to increase strength and conditioning areas along with free weights training featuring top of the range equipment

With designing the gym, initial

plans and focus was to ensure functional fitness, cardiovascular fitness, strength and conditioning were incorporated, while ensuring all areas were fully accessible and catered for all of the community, paying closer attention to members with health conditions or impairments, selecting equipment that has no barriers.

The new Box 12 classes are a perfect option for everyone. Its versatility means that anyone can participate whether that be from a seated or a standing position. The boxing skills taught are easily adaptable and include drills to increase core stability, mobility, and overall upper body strength.

Following on from the refurbishments and in keeping with the aim to inspire female members over 50, the Trust will be organising free educational programmes on weight training, to highlight the benefits of lifting weights during menopause. Further to this, and

Advertiser’s announcement

open to all female members, the Trust will be providing boxing training to build further confidence within boxing areas.

Head of operations Scott Bryce added: “I am absolutely delighted with the look, feel and premium grade of our latest fitness upgrades.

“The team has developed such fantastic workout spaces that also integrate with technology, ensuring we meet the needs of our everincreasing diverse membership.

“No matter what your fitness level, from athlete to new to exercise, age group or health conditions, the areas are designed to enhance both physical and mental wellbeing training experiences and essentially; all being fully accessible.

“The Trust, which wouldn’t be possible without great support from the council, is super proud of the first-class facilities and training experiences we can provide to our local community, supporting people to be healthier and happier.”

Five questions to answer with your marketing

By Dean Godfrey

ALTHOUGH the different forms of marketing that may have evolved over the years – be it from push to pull, print to digital etc. there are fundamental principles that you must address to make sure that your message does not go to waste.

So before you sign anything off make sure that you answer the following five basic questions with your marketing.

These five questions are the ‘what’, ‘why’, ‘when’, ‘where’ and ‘how’ of your message.

‘What’?

‘What’ is the offer that you are trying to advertise? This is the crux of ‘what’ you want your message to portray in the marketplace. It may be a specially reduced joining fee, a free membership, or a certain discount on the monthly dues.

Dean Godfrey

‘Why’?

‘Why’ are you offering ‘what’ you are? This naturally follows on from the ‘what’ as you are looking at a justifiable reason for your message.

In a campaign, this builds the urgency of the offer and answers the scepticism that people may think as to ‘why’ you are offering ‘what’ you are. This might be the fact that it is a New Year celebration, or that the gym is under new ownership.

‘Where’?

This needs to answer where’ the club is located or ‘where’ you want people to meet for a pre-sale etc.  It sounds simple, but many times, clubs get excited about the catchy phrase of their marketing and accidentally leave off the clubs address.

‘When’?

‘When’ also covers the time frame of ‘what’ you are offering. You may want to tell the public that you have limited memberships available or simply that they need to call ‘when’ you are open (hence including your opening hours). This also allows you

the ability to apply some form of urgency to your campaign to entice people to respond within a set time.

‘How’?

Once people understand the ‘what’ and ‘why’ of your marketing, they know ‘where’ and ‘when’ to obtain it, they would need to know ‘how’ they can obtain it. This may be a leaflet that encourages the prospect to bring in to the club on a particular day, a discount code, or the clubs phone number for them to call.

As you can see, it all is very simple, but prior to putting any advertising to the market, if you quickly check the ‘What’, ‘Why’, ‘Where’, ‘When’ and ‘How’, it will remind you to get back to the basics of your marketing and advertising objective.

n Dean Godfrey is the chief operations officer at Creative Fitness Marketing.

“£238,000 membership revenue in just 7 weeks”

CFM's unique way of getting new members for gyms is both quick and cost-effective, using a 360-degree on-site marketing and sales approach.

10 UK FITNESS SCENE

Next generation of omnichannel experiences is unveiled by Fitness On Demand

FITNESS On Demand has upgraded the Flex App, its industry-leading fitness and engagement platform, to further support health clubs, apartment buildings, hotels and any other organization wanting to create engaging, personalised fitness experiences.

Fitness On Demand customers can now offer their members, clients, or residents an even more intuitive experience through a refreshed user interface.

These modernisation efforts include an enhanced video player with subtitles, casting, and automatic workout completion.

Thanks to new, robust content tracking, users can now also “favourite” videos to easily find them later or access a full history of previously viewed content.

Andy Peat, CEO of Fitness on Demand, said: “We believe in empowering operators to deliver exceptional, omnichannel fitness experiences that attract, engage and retain members.

“These latest enhancements will not only elevate facilities’ offerings, but provide the perfect mix of innovation and motivation for members that keeps them coming back.”

As part of its vision to strengthen the connection

between clubs, studios, hotels, and residential properties and their members, Fitness On Demand has also introduced an advanced personal training feature.

This innovative tool allows personal trainers to create and deliver bespoke workout programs directly to members through the app.

The new additions are in recognition of the fact that organisations which fail to provide an omnichannel experience run the risk of losing customers to rivals that do provide

comprehensive, accessible options for any fitness journey.

The improvements will help Fitness On Demand customers meet and exceed the growing expectations around easy, accessible, and personalised fitness experiences.

The rapidly evolving fitness landscape has placed an increased importance on digital solutions and the ability to train outside the gym walls. The modernised Flex App allows this – while keeping the end-user engaged.

These enhancements mean that

Fitness On Demand customers will be able to:

n Create an experience that reflects their brand with customised options, including signage, screen skins, and a white-labeled mobile app.

n Simplify operations to provide a more complete, luxurious experience without increasing overhead costs.

n Gain valuable insights into member engagement and behaviour through comprehensive analytics and reporting tools.

Following the upgrades, Fitness On Demand now offers end-users the opportunity to:

n Benefit from an improved, more intuitive user experience.

n Participate in more than 1,200 on-demand workouts at any time, with programming created by the industry’s leading brands.

n Access the platform easily on their preferred devices.

n Track progress in a central hub and monitor progression over time.

n Practice mindfulness by participating in meditation programs, reading healthy living tips, and listening to podcasts.

n Create a personalised nutrition plan by discovering recipes and meal plans, as well as adding in their own recipes.

Matrix Fitness launches Connexus Series

MATRIX Fitness has launched a new Connexus Series to make functional training more flexible.

From wall or corner space through to show-stopping centrepieces, the series accommodates self-guided workouts, circuits or small group training, providing a fit for every solution, space and goal.

Matthew Pengelly, managing director at Matrix Fitness UK, said: “The addition of our new units to the Connexus Series further position Matrix as a leader in group and functional fitness solutions.

“We have drawn inspiration from our original Connexus range, and the new additions provide unmatched versatility and adjustability, while providing a more intuitive experience for beginners and experienced exercisers alike.”

With flexibility at the core of the new Connexus Series, select

units offer intuitive, configurable functional training designs to precisely fit a facilities space.

Configurations can bring life to unused walls, corners or small spaces through combined cable resistance and functional training accessory attachments and integrated storage solutions.

The four new units include the Connexus Functional Trainer, Hub, Edge and Crest.

The Connexus Functional Trainer offers a combination of heavy cable resistance and access to training accessories that are great for both coached and self-guided workouts.

The Connexus Hub combines a single adjustable pulley and centralised accessory storage to bring diverse, self-guided functional training to small, or underused spaces.

The Connexus Edge incorporates multiple attachment points with

configurable designs to allow the connection of multiple bays against a wall or back-to-back arrangement, ideal for stand-alone to small group training configurations and the Connexus Crest combines two adjustable pulleys and centralized accessory storage with an intuitive design ideal for underutilized, small spaces.

“Everything Connexus is also designed to provide the smoothest possible exercise experience, whether your people love functional training or they’re trying it for the first time. Now functional fitness is truly flexible.” Matthew added.

“Clearly defined stations make it easy for anyone to attach and start using functional training accessories.

“Exercise placards help beginners get started and enthusiasts refine form, while an integrated device holder makes it easy for users to bring along the on-demand

workouts or entertainment that keeps them going strong. It even includes fold-out step assist so users of all sizes can easily reach the pull-up bars and anchor suspension strap.”

Custom configurations or layout options, combining the Connexus Functional Trainer and Connexus Edge, are available to create the ideal training experience for any training facility’s goals.

This new Connexus Series brings even more flexibility and inclusivity to the MX4 and MX4 Active programming, which brings together multiple aspects multiple aspects of fitness — cardio, power, strength and endurance, for a complete exercise experience.

Explore the entire Connexus Series to find a mix of functional training solutions that fits any training place and member goals perfectly.

Discover more at www.matrixfitness.com

Pilates brand announces third UK studio

CLUB Pilates has announced Wapping as the location for its third UK studio opening later this summer, following the successful launch of the brand’s first two in London’s Bankside and Fulham Broadway.

The announcement follows news of Club Pilates peaking an impressive 1,000 studios globally as the brand pushes on with a significant franchise rollout in the UK – the long-term ambition is to launch 50-75 UK Club Pilates studios in the next three to five years.

As per the brand’s first two UK studios, the Wapping studio will be owned and operated by fitness and wellness firm Deblankson Fitness Group, led by Richard Uku, who owns the master franchise license for Club Pilates in the UK.

He said: “We’re delighted to be

stepping up our UK rollout with Wapping closely following Bankside and Fulham Broadway.

“Despite Pilates and particularly Reformer Pilates booming in London and across the UK, there are not many Pilates studios in the area, and we’re looking forward to serving the local community with a unique and engaging workout experience that’s a fantastic alternative to traditional gym workouts.”

The Wapping location was also chosen due to the area’s wider business network where partnerships may be tapped with synergetic businesses to grow the studio’s customer base from the off, and similar to the brand’s first UK studios, the studio will be well connected by transport links, making it convenient for customers

from nearby areas to reach and enjoy its benefits.

The concept, which was founded in 2007, has revolutionised the global fitness landscape by offering full-body Reformer-based workouts that innovatively integrate a mix of cardio, strength and interval style training, suitable for all ages and fitness levels.

Breaking away from the elitist perception of Pilates, Club Pilates studios offer accessible and diverse class options with eight different formats and four levels to choose from, their most popular classes, Reformer Flow, Cardio Sculpt and CP Suspend.

The brand distinguishes itself by enhancing the 50-minute class experience with 11 different pieces of equipment, including the EXO

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Club Pilates is also the first Pilates organisation to introduce a proprietary 500-hour teacher training programme, ensuring Pilates is accessible to everyone, fostering community, and delivering holistic fitness experiences.

With classes available every day of the week, Pilates enthusiasts can expect a myriad of health benefits at the new 2,000 sq ft studio, including increased flexibility, improved posture, enhanced core strength, stamina, and an overall contribution to healthier, happier lives.

The UK rollout is expected to create up to 900 new jobs nationwide across key territories such as London, Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow and Belfast.

Bournemouth University announce five-year partnership with Matrix Fitness and complete SportsBU refurb

BOURNEMOUTH University has been on a mission to transform its SportsBU; from its fitness studios, sports hall and gym on its Talbot Campus, to the 65-acre multisports site at Chapel Gate, in order to enhance community benefits including the health, wellbeing and experience of its members.

On the transformation of the SportsBU gym facilities, Victor Haynes, health and fitness services manager at Bournemouth University, said: “Our old equipment was coming to the end of life, so we wanted to put a new, high-quality kit in place which meant the growing demands of our customer base.”

After a comprehensive tender process, Matrix Fitness were selected as the partner of choice to complete the first refurb of the University’s SportsBU gym in more than 10 years, which was to include flooring and equipment fit out.

“The gym has been refurbished to cater for our member’s needs and requirements, industry trends and feedback,” Victor added.

“A focus on strength and functional training was key, as was an upgrade to our equipment’s technology.

“We also wanted to be set apart from local budget gyms by having

top of the range equipment with enhanced features and capabilities.”

All the cardio machines have been upgraded to the Matrix Fitness Endurance and Performance Series equipment, which are integrated with entertainment functions so that members can use their favourite apps while working out, as well as access training programmes via the console including Matrix Fitness’s Sprint8 interval programming.

The strength offering has been modernised with the Magnum and Versa Series from Matrix Fitness, with machines incorporating digital rep counters and timers to help

members stay on track.

The new gym layout also makes space for a functional training area where members can shape their own workout with a range of functional equipment on hand.

Victor added: “The new gym has been a big hit. Members are loving the Sprint8 programme, our strength equipment is always in use and the layout of the functional training space, and how it connects to our free weights area, which the Matrix Fitness team helped us design, has really improved the member journey.

“Our main aim was to not only

provide great gym equipment and experience to our members but also to build a partnership that would elevate SportBU to the next level moving forwards. Matrix Fitness was the obvious partner for us and went the extra mile to help support our vision, not only for this refurb, but for the future.”

Tony Vaughan, sector specialist – education at Matrix Fitness, added: “The team at Bournemouth University had an exciting vision, and a keen focus to enhance the experience for its members based on their wants and needs.

“We’ve worked with them to bring this vision to life, experiencing firsthand their fantastic ambition and enthusiasm to innovate and evolve in order to provide the best offering.

“We are so pleased to have been a partner on this refurbishment and look forward to supporting them in the years to come.”

The new SportsBU was unveiled at the start of the year and offers a modern, state-of-the-art facility, promising an impressive, engaging user experience for students, staff and local community members.

To find out how Matrix Fitness can transform your fitness offering visit www.matrixfitness.co.uk

Chair, Bosu Ball, Triggerpoint, TRX, Barre, and more.

Operator leads the way in inclusivity in bid to help relieve pressure on the NHS

LAMPTON Leisure, who operate leisure services in the London Borough of Hounslow, are leading the way in leisure inclusivity and calling for the rest of the industry to follow in a bid to reduce pressure on the NHS and other care services.

Since taking over the operation of the borough’s leisure facilities, Lampton Leisure, part of Lampton Group, a Local Authority Trading Company, has been expanding its team, upskilling staff and offering programmes to centre users to improve accessibility and inclusivity.

Team members have recently attended inclusion training to help them better assist sight impaired customers.

The session helped staff better understand how to support users in navigating centres, as well as focusing on customer service and other adaptations that can be made to make centres accessible.

Training to support hearing impaired customers is taking place in the near future too as part of an ongoing upskilling programme for team members.

Paula Vincent, health and wellbeing manager at Lampton Leisure, said: “We believe leisure centres should provide preventative healthcare for the community, leading to a positive impact on the NHS.

“I am working closely with social prescribers, the NHS, public health and Voluntary Community Social Enterprises within the community to build a safe space for everyone and making our centres truly accessible is a key

part of this.

“As part of our ongoing commitment to delivering preventative healthcare we have employed a new sports and community engagement officer, Katia Delneri, who holds a Masters in Public Health and will be a valuable addition to our team.”

Links with local health charities and partners is helping Lampton Leisure deliver on its mission to become a health hub in the community, facilitating access to valuable partner services in the borough.

January saw the first Health Action Day take place at Brentford Leisure Centre, giving visitors the chance to access blood pressure and health checks, carbon monoxide testing, find out about diabetes prevention, dementia care and support, smoking cessation, oral

health awareness, support for the visually impaired and breast and bowel cancer screening.

A second Health Action Day also recently was held at Hanworth Air Park Leisure Centre to help more people access health services for specific health and wellbeing needs.

In addition to these initiatives, Lampton Leisure is running Memory Cafes in partnership with Alzheimer’s and dementia care providers, Right At Home.

The free cafes give people with dementia and their carers an opportunity to visit centres, making them safe spaces for them to visit and share experiences.

Lampton Leisure also runs a comprehensive Exercise on Referral programme as part of the Healthy Hounslow Service, offering discounted places to customers referred by GPs whose

health will benefit from increased, supervised physical activity.

Often this includes patients who have suffered severe health incidents or have long term illnesses like diabetes and weight management issues.

Making centres approachable and accessible for these residents is key to building a healthier community and supporting the NHS too.

Healthy Hounslow is commissioned by public health and delivers services such as exercise on referral, health checks, smoking cessation and weight management.

Lampton Leisure is also part of the Shortbreaks programme, a disability children’s camp that runs during school holidays.

The funded programme is run by the London Borough of Hounslow in association with Lampton Leisure and gives children who might have trouble accessing swimming, the chance to benefit from time in the water with the support of Lampton Leisure’s expert swim coaches.

Paula added: “We have several new initiatives in the pipeline too, such as SEND camps with local football clubs, South Asian Girls Football sessions and dedicated LGBTQ+ activity sessions.

“We want to ensure that all our centres are open and welcoming to every member of our community and we are committed to delivering on this. We call for the rest of the industry to follow our lead and help remove as many barriers to physical activity as possible.”

Escape Fitness launches new Glute series

ESCAPE Fitness has launched a dedicated Glute equipment range in a partnership with Glutebuilder.

The first introduction to Escape’s new Glute range is the GLUTE BOX which offers an affordable, portable Glute training option that is at home in a functional training space as it is in a hotel guestroom or free weight area.

The hybrid box, with its patented angled design, creates the perfect surface for the performance of up to 30 Glute exercises.

Manufactured from a tough, durable synthetic material, tightly stretched over a dense foam interior then overlaid with a vinyl anti-slip top and bottom, this box, with its large training surface, is perfect as a standalone training aid or as a partner to a barbell or training bag.

“As consumer interest in strength training continues to grow and more women enjoy the benefits, we are seeing a global increase in the demand for dedicated glute training equipment” said Matthew Januszek,

CEO of Escape Fitness.

“The Glutes are a major muscle group with the Gluteus Maximus being the largest muscle in the human body yet these muscles are often neglected in training regimes.

“Well-trained, well-functioning glutes protect knees, hips and the lower back from injury and provide

the stabilisation and power needed in many sports and everyday movements.

“In addition to the performance reasons for training the glutes, there is also a growing aesthetic focus on training the butt.

“Women in particular tend to place aesthetic value on a well sculptured

derriere. Our feedback from gym operators is that as more women enter the free weight areas there is a growing demand for dedicated glute equipment.

“Combining the biomechanical design genius of Arturo Garcia López, founder and CEO, Glutebuilder with Escape’s extensive expertise and experience designing training equipment and environments focused on functional and strength training plugs a huge gap in the market.”

The GLUTE BOX is supported by a comprehensive library of digital exercise demonstrations and workouts, ensuring users can optimise each piece of equipment.

Content can be accessed via Escape’s MARS 2.0 touchscreen, a 24/7 digital coaching solution which can be mounted to an Octagon frame, XRACK or fixed to a wall.

The GLUTE BOX kicks off a series of new glute product innovations, with the GLUTE RACK to follow later this year.

Get the most from our SaaS solution

AS WE move into June and look forward to another fantastic Elevate show (how is it that time of the year again?), we figured now is a good time to give a quick rundown of some of EZFacility’s core features to make sure you’re getting the most from our comprehensive SaaS solution.

Fitness facility scheduling and management

Let’s start with three key benefits: our all-in-one fitness facility management software is secure, scalable and always accessible. That means whether you’re at home or on the go, you can trust us to make sure your customers’ data is safe, their interactions are secure, and your facility is protected. And because EZFacility’s features are designed to support the needs of fitness businesses of all sizes, our software can be tailored to support your specific requirements.

Our fitness facility scheduling and management features centralise and consolidate the process of scheduling physical resources, classes, programs, and rentals into a colour-coded schedule. Not only does this allow you to locate available resources at-a-glance, our resource utilisation reports ensure your facility is working to capacity.

Membership management

EZFacility’s membership management tools make it easy to create custom membership plans, manage relationships, sell services online, assign plastic, RFID, or electronic member cards, track payments, and automate text and email reminders to reduce client discrepancies.

POS and inventory management

Our POS and inventory management features allow you to manage point-of-sale products from a desktop or mobile device, monitor product levels, automate reorder alerts, manage online or

in-house coupon codes, and report on product profitability.

Sports league management

Whether you’re scheduling an even number of teams, an odd number of teams, single BYE’s, or back-to-back double headers, our league management software can create complex league and tournament schedules in minutes. Keep games running on time with referee assignments, printable scorecards, and photo ID cards for player verification.

Self service client portal

Our self-service client portal allows clients to update payment information, pay outstanding balances, schedule sessions, purchase packages or memberships, register their kids for courses, and more – all online, and all on their own.

Marketing tools

EZFacility’s marketing tools can help you manage advanced email marketing campaigns to develop new customer relationships or nurture leads throughout the buying process. Our automated email and text message functions also ensure clients receive the right information at the most opportune time.

Text message automation

EZMessaging can help you schedule single or multiple future campaigns or assist with billing collections by sending automated reminders. With a 97 per cent read rate within three-to-five minutes and custom short code keywords, our text message automation makes it easier than ever to connect and converse with members.

Self check-in

With a range of options that include mobile or RFID member cards, biometric scans, and unique identifiers, our self check-in feature allows clients to check themselves into your facility or into classes from a tablet, kiosk or desktop computer.

Extensive report suite

EZFacility’s extensive report suite offers an indepth look under the hood of your business. This includes quick and easy access to financial, pointof-sale, marketing, payroll, membership, training reports, and more. Export reports in a variety of file types, including .csv, .pdf, .xlsx.

Learn more

To find out more about a software solution designed to support your fitness and sports business, come and visit us at stand E49 at Elevate, or by contacting us at sales@ezfacility.co.uk or by calling 0203 327 0480.

What are the most powerful investments for gym owners?

By Wayne Heath

GYM owners usually don’t think twice when shelling out thousands of pounds on gym equipment, lighting, and an expensive sound system – and rightly so.

That’s a big part of why your members choose your club out of the other gyms available. However, for most gym owners, investing in the business usually stops there.

One of the most overlooked areas when investing back into the gym is operations.

It makes sense; in the early days, you’re so focused on spreading the word and getting customers through the door, taking a step back and thinking about how you’re going to manage all your member data and admin is at the bottom of the list.

Investing in your operational processes is one of the best ways to get a return on your investment.

After all, streamlined operations are the best way to prepare your business for scale and give yourself more time to spend on the gym floor building relationships with your customers.

We’re going through the best operational investments you can make at your club to set your business up for success.

A robust gym CRM

More than 50 per cent of the gym owners we speak to don’t use a dedicated member management system to run their club.

Most are using a spreadsheet or a paper diary to keep track of member information and bookings.

It might be enough to get by in the beginning stages, but it’s a system that isn’t built to scale, does not follow GDPR guidelines and essentially makes it difficult to keep everything in order.

Disorganised businesses fall victim to poor productivity, limited growth and even stress as a result of being snowed under with gym admin.

Using a reliable CRM for your

gym will allow you to take control of your members’ personal information and provide a means of effective communication with your customers and prospects.

You can use it to automate mundane tasks such as chasing missed membership payments and marketing comms, giving you more time to concentrate on what you do best.

Member management, class bookings, payments, marketing, and reporting tools are all under one roof so that you no longer have to switch between systems to get stuff done.

“I would 100 per cent recommend ClubRight to any martial arts club struggling to stay on top of their admin. Many of the features have made my life so much easier so that I can focus on teaching and spending more time with my family.”

Daniel Cuthbert, UKA

Online joining solutions

In an era where convenience is key to customer satisfaction, contact forms and phone numbers aren’t enough when it comes to joining new members.

The common factor between these two common solutions is that they both require human intervention to complete the sale.

You’re limited by your opening hours to accept telephone enquiries and contact forms have to be seen by a member of the team and manually followed up on to move the sale along.

Online joining bypasses all of that. It allows your potential customer to browse your offering, purchase a membership or class pass, pay for it by card and get their confirmation email.

When done right, that process can take five minutes and your new customer could be at your club for their induction within the hour.

It’s a powerful solution because you can effectively sell memberships 24/7.

You can share a direct joining link on your social media profiles so that someone can join from their Facebook feed.

It’ll also help you collect all of the personal information you need from a member; things like contact details, medical information and marketing preferences.

Plus, if someone abandons their purchase mid-way through joining, you’ll still have their details to follow up on - either through an automated task or by picking up the phone and asking what stopped them from joining.

Online payment collections

It’s no secret that cash payments are becoming a rarity and we’re moving ever closer to a cashless society.

Online transactions are the new norm, and there’s no reason why gym memberships can’t be bought online too.

Paying by card and Direct Debit are safer and faster ways to pay, and it means your revenue gets paid straight into your business bank account. No need to deposit bags of cash in your local bank every few days. It also makes it much easier to calculate prorata payments, joining fees and discount codes that are set up in your CRM system. You can also increase your retention rates by giving your members the option to auto-renew their memberships so that neither have you need to lift a finger to ensure continuity.

Up-to-date computer hardware

Most importantly, it’s worth investing in some decent computer hardware.

It doesn’t have to be the latest and greatest PC with all of the bells and whistles, but it needs

to be modern and up-to-date enough to handle being used throughout the working day.

We can’t speak for every gym software out there, but we recommend any PC that operates Windows 10 operating software (or newer) to our customers.

We also get asked whether it’s better to have a laptop or a desktop PC, and the answer is that both have their advantages in different situations.

A laptop is great for when you’ve left the club for the evening and need to get some admin done at home, whereas a desktop is much better suited to have in the club on the front desk.

It’s also worth investing in more than one PC if your budget allows it, especially if you have access control.

That’s simply because if there are any hardware issues with the main desktop, people can still get in and out of your premises. On the topic of tech, always invest in your broadband service provider.

An internet connection is vital these days and internet buffering can cause several problems. If you want to stream music to the gym floor or allow your members to join your Wi-Fi, get a separate network so that it doesn’t slow down your main router.

If you only take away one thing from this post, it’s that you should always invest in solutions that will make your life easier. A gym that operates smoothly will keep your customers happy and keep you stress-free, putting you in the best position to grow and scale the club. Your best option is to find a solution that addresses everything we’ve mentioned so that everything is kept securely in one place.

Spend some time getting everything set up correctly and it’ll be one of the best investments you can make.

If you’re new to ClubRight, we offer an all-in-one solution that encompasses everything we’ve talked about and so much more; from access control to member, trainer and admin apps.

It’s also one of the most affordable gym membership software on the market right now. No other solution can match ClubRight’s level of functionality at our price point.

Our software has also been built by people that have experienced what it’s like to run a gym.

Our team has more than 40 years of experience in the leisure industry combined.

Contact one of our product experts at 0203 884 9777 or get a free virtual demo to see the software in action.

Wayne Heath

Charity launches community wellbeing space to address health disparities in Birmingham

A CHARITY dedicated to narrowing the gender and ethnic diversity gap in physical activity has launched a community wellbeing space aimed at extending the lives of people with some of the UK’s poorest health outcomes.

Free to use, the new power assisted exercise circuit from Innerva will offer culturally-sensitive sessions in inner city Birmingham, helping the least active to manage their long term health conditions.

“When the men and women in our community get to their sixties, we start to worry because they have much lower life expectancy than their middle class counterparts living just to two to three streets away,” said Naseem Akhtar, founder of the charity, Sähëlï Hub.

“South Asians have the highest level of diabetes in the city –diabetes is the most common health issue among Asian, Black and minority ethnic groups in the UK – and also suffer higher than average rates of cardiovascular disease because of diet, poverty and because they are least likely to access standard health and fitness

facilities.”

Formed in 1999, the charity supports 3,000 people a year by delivering free, culturallyappropriate physical activity programmes and social clubs in parks, GP surgeries and at two community centres.

Since 2001, Sähëlï Hub has engaged with more than 8,000 participants – 92 per cent women, 94 per cent from global majority backgrounds and 89 per cent from the poorest areas of Birmingham.

“We bridge the gap between the health and wellness services available and the services members of our community actually want,” Naseem added.

In line with this mission, the charity has introduced a nine-piece powerassisted exercise circuit at the Alum Rock Community Centre. Owned by Clarion Housing Group, the centre sits at the heart of Alum Rock in Birmingham, a city where Clarion owns and manages thousands of homes.

The centre acts as a meeting place for local residents as well as a space for events and activities. Sähëlï Hub

moved into the site in early 2023, providing the organisation with a home at the heart of the community.

“The men and women we work with wouldn’t dream of using mainstream gyms, which are often not culturally appropriate for our community. Our new wellness space will allow people to take control of their health at a level they are comfortable with,” said Naseem.

Offering separate sessions for men and women, the new space will support the charity’s successful Culturally Appropriate Prevention of Diabetes programme, which helps local residents to improve their health and lifestyle to reduce their risk of developing type two diabetes.

The social benefits of the Innerva circuit are particularly important for the charity.

“The word Sähëlï means ‘female friend’ in many South Asian languages and the new space is very much about providing a place to build friendships too,” she said.

“We’re delighted to be working alongside a trusted partner like Innerva to positively impact the health and longevity of our

community.

“There’s still a misconception that Asian men and women don’t enjoy exercise, but by taking a different approach we’ve encouraged people to run half marathons, take up cycling, go quad biking and even wild swimming.

“This new wellness space expands our accessible and culturally appropriate exercise provision so we can encourage more people to be active and help prolong the lives of individuals from some of Birmingham’s most vulnerable communities.”

Liz Wright, sales manager at Innerva, said: “We prioritise building partnerships with individuals and organisations committed to making a meaningful impact.

“After hearing Naseem speak at an event, I was so impressed by her work and authenticity that I had to reach out – her work resonates so strongly with what we are trying to achieve at Innerva.

“I’m so pleased our initial conversation has evolved into this partnership and I’m excited to see it flourish.”

Under-utilised space transformed into hub

WORKING in close partnership with a number of specialist providers, Alliance Leisure was appointed by East Renfrewshire Council to transform a low occupancy martial arts studio into a high energy functional training arena.

The space, branded The Grid, will be used for individual and group training and will enhance the current fitness offering for the community.

The council worked with Alliance Leisure who, through the UK Leisure Framework, which is managed by Denbighshire Leisure Ltd, assembled a team of to execute the vision.

The transformation was completed in four weeks and will be operated by East Renfrewshire

Leisure and Culture Trust.

Jo Cameron, delivery manager at Alliance Leisure, said: “As our first project with East Renfrewshire Council, this was an exciting opportunity showing the potential of transforming underutilised space into a

thriving activity hub that would deliver significant value to the local community. We are looking forward to supporting the launch of this project and the growth in membership over the coming period.

“Through the UK Leisure

Framework we have worked with our expert leisure contractor Thomas Johnstone Ltd supported by Axiom Project Services and CD Architects to create an innovative fitness space for East Renfrewshire Cultural and Leisure Trust.

“We have also utilised our specialist leisure suppliers, Indigo Fitness, Pulse Fitness and Hutchison Technologies to enhance the experience for the members.”

The extension of the fitness provision means Barrhead Foundry can expand its fitness membership and welcome additional revenue opportunities that will help ensure the sustainability of services moving forwards.

Operator boosts community wellbeing through new hubs

MYTIME Active is boosting the wellbeing of its community through newly launched Wellbeing Hubs in Birmingham, which have already seen more than 150 referrals made via health care professionals and social prescribers, as well as through self-referral, since the start of the project in January.

On completion of the six-week programmes – running at Hatchford Brook Golf Centre and Gym and Pype Hayes Golf Course and Gym –more than a third of participants already report feeling happier, almost half report feeling less anxious than before and a third say they feel the things they do in their life are more worthwhile.

Through the Wellbeing Hubs, Mytime Active’s team offers Fresh Start Friendly, a supportive six-week introduction to the gym environment, as well as ESCAPE-Pain and Good Boost, which are both part of a wider Musculoskeletal Health Hubs project to support people living with chronic joint pain.

The two programmes provide exercise, rehabilitation and wellbeing support to help people maintain mobility and reduce pain, as well as improve their health before and after surgery.

The Wellbeing Hubs also offer Golf on Referral, which enables participants to acquire new skills while fostering social connections and acts as a pathway into Mytime Active’s Get Active Golf programme.

Across the Wellbeing Hubs, the Mytime

sessions.

Amy Brittain, healthy lifestyle programme manager for Mytime Active, said: “Feedback from our participants has been amazing.

Advertiser’s announcement

“It’s so lovely to hear how it’s given them a new lease of life and a sense of purpose; even recommending us to friends who have joined too.

“One gentleman doing our Golf on Referral programme, who is also making changes to his diet and taking prescribed medication from his GP, lost 4kg in weight and 10cm from his waist, bringing him into a lower risk category.

“His blood pressure also came down from stage 1 hypertensive to within normal guidelines. It’s been wonderful to support them on their journey to a healthier, happier lifestyle.”

Everyone referred to the Wellbeing Hubs service receives a one-to-one call with a wellbeing manager to discuss what they’d like to achieve, so they can then be matched up with the most appropriate programmes and activities.

Those continuing on to a six-week programme will be given a more comprehensive, confidential health assessment, which includes height, weight and waist measurements, as well as BMI, blood pressure and a manual pulse rhythm check.

Wellbeing scores measured against the Office of National Statistics’ four metrics –Life Satisfaction, Worthwhile, Happiness and Anxiety – are also taken at the start and the end of the programme so participants can see the progress they have made.

Connected fitness experience with Pulse Fitness

PULSE Fitness is a leading British fitness equipment manufacturer, boasting an award-winning portfolio of over 450 premium fitness equipment pieces.

As the sole UK-based company to research, design, develop, and manufacture technologically advanced fitness solutions, Pulse Fitness stands at the forefront of innovation in the industry.

With a strong focus on promoting connected fitness for operators and their members, Pulse Fitness developed and continues to invest in its TRAKK ecosystem.

Providing operators with member fitness tracking and programming, the TRAKK ecosystem seamlessly integrates into existing software and has proven results in enhancing member retention.

From body composition analysis to guided workouts led by experts, TRAKK embraces the technological evolution to bring a premium fitness experience to every local community.

Select Pulse Fitness cardio and strength machines feature integrated console technology, offering instructional demo videos guided by industry experts, as well as access to apps such as Strava allowing users to re-run their external route indoors.

This cutting-edge integration provides gymgoers with a

wealth of knowledge on correct machine adjustments, optimal body positioning, and technique, maximising their efforts and minimising the risk of injury. Integrated touchscreens enable users to track reps, sets, and tempo in real-time, providing a comprehensive and interactive fitness experience.

By empowering users with realtime data and expert guidance,

Pulse Fitness ensures that every workout is both effective and safe.

Pulse Fitness recently celebrated the grand opening of its stateof-the-art showroom gym at headquarters which will serve as a dedicated hub for ongoing research and development.

Functioning as a live testing ground, the space will gather valuable insights and feedback from users, fostering a customer-centric

approach to continuously enhance and refine machines based on realworld usage and user preferences. This commitment to innovation will be on full display at Elevate 2024, where Pulse Fitness will be showcasing its latest advancements at stand F15 alongside E-GYM. Attendees are invited to explore the future of fitness solutions and experience first-hand the transformative power of TRAKK.

Active team has already delivered 85 wellbeing

Fitness franchise investor pens landmark deal

EMPOWERED Brands, the Milton Keynes headquartered fitness franchise investor, énergie Fitness and Australian-born, innovative boxing and strength training concept, UBX Boxing & Strength, have announced signed a master licence agreement with fit+, a German-based pioneer in staffless gyms with more than 250 locations across Europe projecting 2024 turnover in excess of €30m.

The deal will see Empowered Brands roll out fit+ gyms through a traditional franchise model across the UK and Ireland with more than 200 potential locations already identified.

As a concept that was co-founded by German fitness club operators and entrepreneurs Torsten Boorberg and Björn Krämer following staffing challenges they faced in the industry, the fit+ staffless gym model has seen exponential growth of 200 per cent in just three years, with the expectation that this will rise to 300 per cent with 320 gyms open the target, worldwide, by the end of this year.

The model, which targets smaller

territories than traditional gyms, namely smaller towns, suburban and rural areas with a target population of 6,000 to 15,000 people, will allow Empowered Brands to make fitness even more accessible and convenient for more people across the UK and Ireland, through an ultraconvenient model that provides the consumer with everything they need to workout effectively, often including 24-hour access.

Mark Pinner, CEO of Empowered Brands, said: “Convenience is a driving force in the industry now more than ever before, with gym goers looking for a well-equipped fitness club in the immediate vicinity of where they live, and fit+ will provide exactly that and more.”

“It’s game-changing for the industry as it’s a concept that’s able to reach underserved communities easily, where perhaps they don’t currently have a convenient fitness facility, or where they do, but it has restricted hours etc.

“fit+ gyms will provide a range of strength, resistance, and free weights equipment, and QR codes feature on each piece of equipment

to guide users on how they work. We’re really excited to roll the concept out, providing everything that people need for a complete training programme.”

As a tech driven model, everything is fully automated, from how members sign-up and enter the gym, to membership management and admin which is all processed internally.

Asides from minimising overheads and running costs, this also frees up time, energy and resources for franchise owners, and the level of investment required to kickstart owning a franchise is more accessible than other options starting from £25,000.

Mark added: “We provide an endto-end service to franchisees – it’s something that’s helping us achieve great success across both énergie Fitness and UBX Boxing & Strength as we roll out those concepts across the UK and Ireland, and which will also contribute significantly here.

“We will provide demographic analysis to help franchisees establish a suitable territory for their fit+ gym, and will provide broader

access and support across training, marketing campaigns, funding, systems, technology, operations and infrastructure.”

News of the deal comes at a time when Empowered Brands are going from strength to strength having already this year opened two new franchised énergie Fitness gyms in Lichfield and Tooting, as well as three new UBX Boxing & Strength franchise clubs in Alderley, Windsor and Wembley, the latter of which set a new record for pre-sales in the UK with 100 members signed up before opening.

Mark added: “We’ve an exciting pipeline of new openings to come across both énergie Fitness and UBX Boxing & Strength, and we anticipate appeal for fit+ franchisees being just as strong, with interest already being shown among existing franchisees in our network.

“It’s an incredibly exciting time for the business as we look to continue to transform the UK and Ireland’s fitness landscape, both in terms of the opportunities we are able to provide for consumers, and for potential franchisees.”

Zoom Media launches wellness channel

ZOOM Media, a provider of digital media solutions for fitness facilities, has announced the official launch of its new proprietary wellness content channel livegood.

This move aims to transform the gym experience by offering an engaging GymTV channel designed to inform, entertain and motivate gym goers in the most compelling way.

Zoom Media’s Ferne Langford said: “Our extensive history in this space has taught us that there is no one size fits all solution when it comes to brand and experience, and as such we have developed this channel to offer the flexibility in programming as required by operators.

“Our expansion into Germany marks a significant milestone in our journey, and we’re excited to bring this innovative

gym experience to even more operators and fitness enthusiasts across Europe.”

Created from the ground up, Zoom has used it’s many years’ experience to hone and

understand what members and gym operators want.

The objectives of livegood. are clear: to provide gym operators with an alternative to traditional music TV channels, which can

be costly and problematic with licensing, and deliver a captivating solution that serves as more than just adverts and wallpaper.

Launching initially in the UK and Germany, with plans to expand into other European countries throughout the year, the livegood. gym channel offers 10 hours of regularly updated seasonal and unique content.

Managed remotely by cuttingedge technology, the channel ensures minimal repetition of content, delivering a fresh experience with every workout. livegood. is offered as part of Zoom Media’s GymTV package, enabling operators to generate revenue through paid advertising while also broadcasting their own marketing messages to crosssell within the gym environment, advertise events, personal training sessions, and classes.

DESIGNED & MADE IN ITALY

PHIL HEATH

7X MR OLYMPIA

22 UK FITNESS SCENE

Mytime Active’s head of IT conquers 250km Marathon des Sables for charity

MYTIME Active’s head of IT

James Betteridge has completed the gruelling Marathon des Sables, a seven-day, 250km selfsufficient race in the Moroccan Sahara Desert, considered one of the toughest foot races on Earth.

James, who has worked at the charitable leisure trust for three years, has so far raised almost £3,000 for Cure Parkinson’s, a charity very close to his heart, as friends and close family have been diagnosed with the disease.

He said: “When I signed up for this challenge I genuinely thought it was unachievable. I’m a keen runner and have completed many running and sporting challenges, such as Iron Man, but the Marathon des Sables is in a different league.

“The daily distances are incredibly challenging, but what adds to the difficulty is the requirement to carry all personal food and gear for the seven days.

“My backpack weighed in at 10kg, and we slept in a basic tent that the organisers put up each night in the desert.

“Early mornings were crucial; we’d start at 6am to tackle most of the running before the scorching 44-degree heat set in.

One particularly intense day saw us covering a staggering 85km.

“The only way I managed the race was to think about the distances between each water check point, rather than focusing on the full day of running ahead.

“I was ecstatic and relieved when I finished, and was really pleased that I still completed the final half marathon on the last day in two-and-a-half hours.

“It’s taken a few weeks to recover from the race, as I suffered with blisters, swelling

of my hands and feet, shin splints, extreme tiredness and an insatiable appetite, but I’m pleased to be back at work and back to my ‘normal’ activities, including swimming, running with my dogs and cycling.

“The Marathon des Sables is one hell of a personal challenge, and I was grateful to be additionally motivated by fundraising for Cure Parkinson’s, which works tirelessly to find a cure for this cruel disease that effects around 153,000 people in

the UK. I ran this event for me. However, what kept me going, encouraged me to do well and not fail, was the knowledge of what Parkinson’s does to people.

The disease effects people differently, but one common characteristic is that it greatly reduces people’s ability to be active, whether that’s seeing a show in town, having a meal out, going to the pub or running a marathon; Parkinson’s is unrelenting in its impact on life.

“I’m already looking for another sporting event for next year. However, more important to me is the day to day difference that exercise, be that running, cycling, swimming or walking, makes to my long-term wellbeing, both physically and emotionally.”

Mytime Active CEO Jason Stanton added: “We are all so proud of James and his massive personal achievement, demonstrating his grit, determination and sheer willpower.

“This endurance run isn’t just about physical strength, it’s about mental toughness and pushing limits. We are also blown away by his fundraising efforts and people’s generous donations.”

Elevating the role of fitness professionals

– a call for research evaluation skills

By Dr Dane Vishnubala

AS THE world of fitness and wellness continues to gain momentum and evolve, so have the roles and responsibilities of fitness professionals, which now go beyond the boundaries of physical training.

Personal trainers and other professionals in the industry are entrusted with safeguarding health and promoting wellbeing as well as helping physical transformations.

However, amidst the amount of health-related information occupying the digital space, with content creators latching on to every piece of research that confirms their bias, it has become increasingly evident there is a need for fitness professionals to critically evaluate research.

Recognising the role of credible research

It is imperative to acknowledge the role that credible research plays in shaping industry standards.

In a time where sensationalist headlines and social media trends often overshadow empirical evidence, fitness professionals must possess the skills to differentiate fact from fiction to navigate through the abundance of information with a critical mind.

Adjacent with the health industry,

Dr Dane Vishnubala

the medical field is an evidencebased practice where professionals rely on the most recent facts and data to inform decisions and treatments.

The growing responsibility of fitness professionals means they must embrace evidencebased practice, recognising that recommendations should be grounded in valid research.

It is common for media outlets to cherry-pick research findings based on what makes for the best headline, without delving into the nuances of

the data.

This phenomenon underscores the importance in vigilantly seeking reliable sources of information; fitness professionals must move beyond the surface level of healthcare newspapers and magazines, delving deeper into the source of research and analysing the original studies.

Understanding the evolving landscape of fitness research

One of the most common areas for misinterpretation of research is surrounding injury prevention and treatment.

Research in this area is constantly evolving, requiring a deeper understanding of the latest findings to mitigate risks effectively.

While both the fitness and medical industries draw upon the same research, a lack of regulation in the fitness sector highlights the need for greater self-regulation and accountability among fitness professionals.

To ensure that the critical evaluation skills of fitness professionals are continuously developed, it is vital to incorporate this into qualification programmes. Much like the standards upheld in the medical field, where

professionals are required to read peer-review studies and papers on a regular basis, fitness professionals would benefit from a structure that enables constant review of current evidence/studies.

Incorporating modules and assignments focused on the evaluation of research would equip professionals with the necessary skills and instil a culture of critical thinking moving forward.

By offering qualifications, resources and support for continued skill development, qualification providers and awarding organisations in this sector play a pivotal role in empowering fitness professionals to keep on top of evolving research and maintain high standards of practice throughout their careers. Ultimately, the ability to critically evaluate research moves beyond a professional obligation to a moral imperative. Fitness professionals have considerable influence over the health and wellbeing of their clients, and their recommendations should be underpinned by robust evidence. By fostering research literacy within the fitness industry, professionalism can be elevated and accountability enhanced. n Dr Dane Vishnubala is the chief medical officer at Active IQ.

ukactive announces Governance restructure as 30 new representatives join groups

ukactive has announced 30 new appointments to its Member Council groups as it develops its Governance structure to ensure it remains fully representative of the membership.

The newly appointed members take the total representatives within ukactive’s Councils up to 70 members.

These members represent more than 2,000 sites, as well as some of the most established suppliers within the sector which collectively support thousands of operators across the UK.

Previously, ukactive’s overarching Membership Council was supported by two sub-councils – ‘Independent Gym Operators’ and the ‘Wider Activity Forum’.

The new Governance structure means that the overarching Member Council is now supported by six sub-council groups within ukactive, each consisting of up to 12 representatives from across the physical activity sector.

The overarching Member Council is now made up of the chair from each of the six subgroups.

Danny Melling, interim director of membership experience at ukactive, said: “It’s great to welcome more key members into our Member Council groups and a huge congratulations goes to those who were voted in by our members.

“Each Council member has a key role to play in our Vision 2030 mission to get over five million more members involved in our sector and using our facilities.

“Our Councils will help to guide our strategic plans by sharing valuable feedback, insight and trends to make sure we’re collaborating at each milestone.

“We’re looking forward to seeing the contributions of each of the new Council members and the impact they’ll have in helping us to get more people, more active, more often.”

The new groups and nominated chairs:

n Private Operator Council – chaired by Dave Courteen, managing director at Mosaic Group.

n Public Operator Council – chaired by Peter Bundey, CEO of GLL.

n Independent Operator Council – chaired by Jean-Claude Vacassin, managing director of Foundry.

n Supplier Council – chaired by Sarah Watts, founder and CEO of Alliance Leisure.

n Wider Activity Forum – chaired by Andrew Denton, chair of the Outdoor Industries Association.

n Standards and Legislation Committee –chaired by Caleb Brown, head of health and safety at David Lloyd Leisure.

Each group is responsible for representing the voice of ukactive’s members to accurately

inform and support its strategic milestones as part of the Vision 2030 strategy.

Thirty new individuals have been appointed to the Member Council groups, with representatives from some of the leading operators, suppliers and partners across the sector.

These appointments were made following an extensive nominations process, with voting opening to ukactive members from March 11 to March 22, where more than 8,000 votes were cast across all of the Council groups.

The newly appointed representatives met for their first quarterly meetings at the start of the new financial year, and they will continue to meet in-person every quarter to discuss sector intelligence, risks and opportunities facing the sector, and the wider landscape for growth.

£238,000 in profit in seven weeks

voco Lythe Hill Hotel & Spa, a historic country house hotel set amidst 22 acres of scenic countryside, underwent a successful relaunch in May 2023 under the IHG franchise agreement.

The refurbishment efforts encompassed revitalising the ‘tired’ health club, restoring its reputation, and enhancing facilities, including the gym and spa, overseen by an experienced spa project manager.

Choosing Creative Fitness Marketing stemmed from a strong recommendation by the general manager, who had prior positive experience with their services.

This decision was aimed at bolstering the membership base and enhancing local community engagement.

The campaign yielded remarkable success, welcoming 216 new members, contributing to a total projected profit of more than£238,000 for the club.

This achievement, spanning over seven weeks, surpassed the regular monthly sales targets.

The order of the most successful marketing methods were:

5.

signage 6. Community outreach Spa manager Vince said: “The team have been absolutely outstanding to the point that most of our members thought they were a part of our

team now.

“They’ve helped out every step of the way. They’ve gone above and beyond everything we would expect them to do and we couldn’t be happier with the results.”

The multifaceted marketing campaign was tailored to voco’s unique identity and aspirations.

With a dedicated onsite team from CFM comprising a seasoned marketing manager and a perceptive sales consultant, CFM deployed an empathetic sales approach, aligning membership offerings with patrons’ intrinsic wellness goals.

The campaign not only elevated voco’s profile but also fostered a sense of trust and belonging within the community, heralding a new era of growth and prosperity.

Jonny Packard, business development manager at CFM, added “Our high membership sales figures are driven by our team’s 80 per cent close rate, unlike many clubs with only 10 to 20 per cent.

“We prioritise sales training, focusing on building rapport and trust rather than showcasing amenities.

“Our approach involves understanding prospects’ fitness goals and motivations and fostering genuine care for their lifestyle change.”

To explore the potential for a CFM campaign at your site visit www.cfm.net or call Jonny on 0115 777 3333.

Advertiser’s announcement

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BALANCED Body®, global leaders in Pilates equipment and education, continues to expand its UK operation with the launch of a west London Authorised Training Centre from which to showcase its equipment and professional education offerings.

The Balanced Body Authorised Training Centre has been established in Putney as a shared space with Balanced Body Authorised Training Centre myPilates London, founded by Pete Pallai, a two-time Olympian and Balanced Body Educator.

Ken Endelman, founder

and CEO of Balanced Body, said: “The UK is an exciting, high growth market that really recognises the business potential of Pilates.

“We have had an absolute boom in demand for Pilates equipment and instructor training. By opening the Authorised Training Centre in London, we are able to optimise engagement and establish closer connections with our UK business and consumer audiences.”

As well as being the location for Balanced Body Education® in the UK, the new Training Centre

showcases some of its leading Pilates equipment including seven of Balanced Body’s bestselling Allegro® 2 Reformers, a Studio Reformer® with Tower, a Reformer Trapeze Combination, a Combo Chair, a Ladder Barrel, a Pilates Arc®, an Exo Chair split pedal, an Ultra-Fit Circle® and much more.

This opening comes a year on from Balanced Body bolstering its UK presence with a direct equipment supply and distribution network, storage facility and education provision that serves the UK audience directly.

Joy Puleo, director of education at Balanced Body, added: “Our new training centre will host our Comprehensive Pilates Training and our new Group Reformer for Fitness Professionals, a course recently launched and endorsed by Active IQ®.

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

Balanced Body® open UK showroom for Pilates equipment and instructor training A strategic approach is the key to longevity

By Katie Bulmer-Cooke

AS A seasoned professional in the health and fitness industry, with 21 years of experience under my belt and 16 years dedicated specifically to personal training, I’ve learned that longevity in this field requires more than just passion for fitness— it demands a strategic approach to self-care, continuous learning, and client satisfaction.

Reflecting on my time so far in the industry, I’ve identified several key things that have enabled me to not only sustain but thrive in the wonderful world we call the personal training industry.

First and foremost, the commitment to lifelong learning has been instrumental in my longevity as a personal trainer.

Our industry moves at a crazyfast-pace, and staying up to date with the latest research, trends, and techniques is super important.

Whether it’s attending workshops, pursuing more qualifications, or dedicating time to education ensures that my knowledge remains current and my skills refined.

Not only does this benefit my clients by providing them with the best possible service, but it also revitalises my own enthusiasm for

the profession.

Equally crucial is establishing boundaries to prevent burnout. Despite our passion for helping others achieve their fitness goals, personal trainers are not immune to the physical and emotional toll of constant exertion.

To safeguard against burnout, I’ve learned (the hard way) to prioritise self-care by scheduling regular days off, establishing “office hours” to limit client communication outside of designated times, and carving out personal time away from my phone.

By sticking to these boundaries, I’ve found that I’m better equipped to deliver high-quality service to my clients while maintaining my own well-being.

Another key aspect of longevity in the personal training industry is great, open communication and asking for feedback from clients.

Understanding their needs, preferences, and goals allows me to tailor my approach to better meet their expectations.

Regular check-ins and feedback sessions not only demonstrate my commitment to their success but also provide valuable insights for refining my how I run my business..

Diversifying my offerings within my area of expertise has been instrumental in sustaining my career over the years too.

Recognising that different clients have varying preferences and requirements, I’ve expanded beyond traditional one-on-one training to include options such as small group sessions, large group classes, and online coaching programmes.

This versatility not only broadens my client base but also ensures that I can accommodate individuals with a range of schedules, budgets, and goals.

Finally, I’ve embraced the concept of outsourcing tasks that can be delegated to others, allowing me to focus on what I do best—training clients and delivering results.

Hiring a virtual assistant to manage things like admin-type tasks and social media content has been a game-changer for me. Not only does this free up valuable time, but it also enables me to scale my business and provide a higher level of service to my clients.

Achieving longevity in the personal training industry requires a very broad approach that prioritises self-care, ongoing education, client satisfaction, diversification, and delegation in the right areas.

By embracing these principles, I’ve not only sustained my passion for fitness over the past two decades but have also positioned myself for continued success in the years to come.

As I look ahead to the future, I’m excited to continue evolving as a personal trainer, making a positive impact on the lives of my clients, and contributing to the health and well-being of our communities. n Katie Bulmer-Cooke is an awardwinning fitness trainer, speaker and consultant.

Katie Bulmer-Cooke

CoverMe Fitness launches in Australia with industry veteran at the helm

CoverMe Fitness, the innovative studio management app for the fitness industry, launches this month in Australia, with industry veteran Tony Zonato leading the rollout as managing director for the region.

Designed exclusively for the fitness industry by fitness people, the CoverMe app is revolutionising studio management by providing a comprehensive platform for recruiting, recognising, rewarding and managing group exercise staff - all in one user-friendly app. In less than a year, the app has been adopted by more than 100 clubs and 4,500 instructors across the UK, including global brands like Virgin Active. CoverMe also has an impressive 100 per cent retention rate and 97 per cent class cover record.

Rosanna Tucker, co-founder of CoverMe, said: “We’ve experienced impressive growth in the UK since launching the CoverMe app in 2023, and our expansion is ongoing.

“However, our vision has always been to extend our services to meet the needs of operators and instructors worldwide. Australia

represents the first stage of this international expansion and we expect to see similar growth in this new market.”

Tony joins the company from Body Bike Australia, where he was general manager of operations and sales.

With two decades of experience in the fitness sector, Tony has a

of firsthand knowledge as a group experience instructor, personal trainer, group exercise manager and master trainer.

Additionally, as the founder of the popular GROUPEX podcast, Tony has a deep understanding of the challenges of studio management and the latest industry trends.

He added: “I want to help maximise the potential of group exercise; it’s the most important tool venues have for retaining members, but only when its firing on all cylinders.

“CoverMe plays a vital role in customer satisfaction allowing clubs to run a dynamic group exercise schedule delivered by professional, skilled instructors, thereby minimising class cancellations and inadequate instructor cover.

“The time is right for CoverMe in Australia; the fitness industry has been crying out for a solution like this for some time.

“I’m looking forward to engaging with cub owners and instructors, understanding their challenges and providing a solution to what can be one of their biggest problems.

“Statistics show that group exercise managers and club owners spend on average 4.6 hours per week managing timetable changes and instructor cover.

“Reclaiming this valuable time will allow them to focus on business operations and elevating their offer.”

Construction work well underway at new health and wellness club

CONSTRUCTION is underway at the highly anticipated David Lloyd Bury St Edmunds at Marham Park, with the new facilities opening in late 2024.

Located on the new Marham Park development, on the north edge of Bury St Edmunds, the new Club will offer a wide range of state-of-theart health, fitness, racquets,and spa facilities for families and adults of all ages. The centrepiece of the Club will be the 100+ station gym.

Stuart Caswell, new club acquisitions director at David Lloyd Clubs said: “We’re excited to see the development at David Lloyd Bury St Edmunds progress at such a great rate.

“While the opening of the new Club isn’t due until this winter, we’ve already seen a lot of enquiries from those interested in joining which is fantastic news.

“Offering a wide variety of premium health and wellness facilities, our new Club has something for people of all ages, and we look forward to welcoming the local community in 2024.”

Bespoke group exercise studios will host more than 100 classes each week including the David Lloyd Clubs’ exclusive Signature Classes

Collection.

Members can take part in highenergy workouts such as IGN1TE, find balance in Mind and Body classes including SPIRIT, Pilates and yoga, pedal through RHYTHM and CYCLONE group cycling classes, and experience the adrenaline rush from the new and exclusive HIIT class BLAZE.

Other facilities include heated indoor and outdoor swimming pools, indoor tennis courts and

padel courts.

In addition to the fitness facilities, the new Club will include an indoor and outdoor Spa Retreat, David Lloyd Clubs signature wellness offering, boasting a range of experiences and rooms including a Himalayan Salt Sauna, Rainforest Experience Shower, citrus steam room, ice cave, plunge pool and a hydrotherapy pool, all in a space designed to aid relaxation and rejuvenation. Plus, a tranquil Spa

Garden.

The new Club will offer structured, progressive swim and tennis coaching and DL Kids after-school and holiday clubs.

Plus, for little ones aged eight years and over, the David Lloyd Clubs “Rebels” classes offer kids a chance to enhance their fitness and wellbeing, get active and spend quality time working out alongside their parents and guardians.

The Rebels classes include BLAZE, Battlebox, IGN1TE and Spirit with a combined offering of yoga, pilates, strength, agility, cardio and martial arts.

David Lloyd Clubs has an ambitious target to become carbon net zero by 2030 – two decades before the country as a whole. By the end of 2024, they are set to install solar pV systems in 40 Clubs, one of which will be the newest site at Bury St Edmunds.

The new Club will generate more than 75 jobs, and the group will explore opportunities to develop local community partnerships over the coming months.

The development was granted planning permission in July 2023, following an extensive consultation with the local community.

wealth

Tony Zonato

outdoor

Operator celebrates as Bingham Arena records 350,000 visits in first year

PARKWOOD Parkwood Leisure and LEX Leisure have reported a successful first year of managing Bingham Arena, delivering significant leisure, activity, commercial and sustainability benefits to the local community as part of the Rushcliffe Borough Contract.

Opening its doors in February 2023, the £13million Bingham Arena has quickly become a cornerstone for health, wellness, and community events for people in the Nottingham community.

With 343,000 visits in the first year and an additional 32,000 visits to Toot Hill Sports Centre for dryside activities, the Rushcliffe contract has seen an increase of more than 200,000 visits per annum.

Health and fitness memberships have increased by 200 per cent in the contract and the learn-toswim programme has grown by approximately 500 participants.

Casual swimming has seen a dramatic increase, with 38,635 visits compared to 16,940 during the same period last year.

The building’s design contributes to a 78 per cent reduction in carbon emissions

compared to other leisure centres in the area, reinforcing all parties’ commitment to sustainability.

Glen Hall, managing director of Parkwood Leisure, said, “We’re incredibly proud of the success we’ve achieved in our first year working with Bingham Arena.

“The increase in visits, memberships and community engagement is a testament to the enthusiastic support from the Bingham community. We

look forward to continuing this positive impact and providing an exceptional leisure experience for members for years to come.”

The centre features a 25-metre six-lane swimming pool, a teaching pool, an 80-station fitness centre, two group exercise studios, a community hall and a café. The facilities are designed to cater to a wide range of activities, from fitness classes to community events. The site

features Changing Places facilities to support those with disabilities and offers successful Goodboost Aqua sessions.

The community hall, named to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, has become a vibrant hub for local events. It can host up to 300 people and has welcomed a variety of activities, including pantomimes, school productions, Bingham Town Markets, evening music events and soft play parties.

Rushcliffe Borough Council’s cabinet portfolio holder for leisure and wellbeing, ICT and member development, councillor Jonathan Wheeler, added: “It has been a pleasure to witness firsthand the impact Bingham Arena has had on the physical and mental wellbeing of its users .

“Over the past year the centre has truly become a staple for the local Bingham community and beyond.

“We look forward to working with Parkwood Leisure and LEX Leisure going forward to continue promoting a healthy and active lifestyle, and giving people access to state-of-the-art facilities – right on their doorstep.”

Exos adds Wattbike to its network as an official supplier

WATTBIKE is now included as an official supplier with Exos, global experts in human performance and corporate wellbeing solutions.

This agreement sees Wattbike added to the Exos network as an official supplier and comes at a time of continued US growth for the indoor bike specialists.

Tom Crampton, head of commercial at Wattbike, said: “Wattbike has been established in the US for over a decade, supplying elite sports teams across the NFL, NHL and NBA, D1 Colleges and

military outfits via our distributor, Woodway.

“We are now starting to expand our US focus. We launched our direct-to-home business last year and this is our first direct agreement with a US operator.

“With Exos, we see an alignment of goals; both Wattbike and Exos work to unlock new levels of performance, from a corporate wellness level right the way through to the world stage of professional athletes with evidence-based and science-backed methods that reveal the potential in

everybody.”

Exos prides itself on a holistic, results-driven programming approach to health, and is a trusted workplace wellbeing partner for Fortune 100 companies, military operators, elite sports teams and world champions.

Phil Cole, vice president of design and development at Exos, added:

“We have been aware of Wattbike for a long time as a trusted performance training tool and we are excited to include them in as a part of our official supplier list.”

First all-wheelchair-user event in the UK planned

THIS summer’s inaugural Hambo Throwdown is the first allwheelchair-user functional fitness event in the UK.

The Matt Hampson Foundation charity is organising the event to give active wheelchair users an opportunity to satisfy their demand for competition within an inclusive, specifically-adapted fitness competition.

As an inclusive event, the Hambo Throwdown will also bring together top athletes in the world of para sport alongside first-time competitors.

Hosted at The Panic Gym in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire on August 10, the Hambo Throwdown will be open to spectators, with food

and refreshments available, plus DJ alongside the high-quality para sport.

There are four seated divisions in the competition – with hip function, without hip function, without core function and quadriplegic – and entry is via the sign-up link at

https://competitioncorner.net/ events/13146

The Matt Hampson Foundation inspires and supports young people seriously injured through sport and sporting activity.

Through expert physiotherapy, specialist personal training, support, mentoring and advice, the Foundation helps people with lifechanging injuries to ‘get busy living’ again.

The Foundation’s Get Busy Living Centre in Leicestershire was opened in 2018 as the brainchild of founder and former Leicester Tigers rugby player Matt Hampson who himself experienced a life-changing injury during training with England Under 21s in 2005 which left him paralysed

from the neck down, aged just 20.

He established the Foundation to help others after similar catastrophic injuries to receive the support they need to rebuild their lives. He was awarded an OBE in 2022 for his services to achievements.

Beneficiaries of the Foundation are able to draw on the experience and knowledge of people who have been on the same journey. They develop the tools and skills they need to move on as they start to rebuild their lives.

At the Centre they can also be part of a strong social scene as they retrain to focus on what they can do – not what they can’t – and where they can progress to the point where they provide support to others.

Contact us now: T: +44 (0) 1706 260 220 E: Sales@TVS-Group.co.uk W: www.TVS-Group.co.uk