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24/10/11
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November 2011
The UK’s No 1 fitness industry magazine
Call for tax breaks for gymgoers By Christina Eccles REGULAR gymgoers should be given tax breaks to reward their commitment to living a healthy lifestyle, it has been claimed. James Shillaker is a director at Incorpore, which runs Gymflex – a programme which works by companies paying upfront for gym memberships and employees then having the price deducted monthly through their salary, choosing to be a member of whatever gym is most convenient from Gymflex’s network of 2,500 clubs. And James believes if the UK introduces a proposed ‘fat tax’ on unhealthy foods in order to combat the obesity epidemic, then the reverse should apply to people who go the gym – meaning they could gain financial rewards for exercising regularly. He explained: “At the moment there are only two tax break benefits – childcare vouchers and the cycle to work scheme. “But the government has created a massive initiative to tackle the obesity crisis, so it seems logical to have a tax break for people who pay gym
memberships through their salary. “It seems crazy that when the government is putting such an effort into tackling obesity, it is not giving tax breaks to something which is getting people fitter.” James told Workout he thinks the industry would ‘embrace the idea wholeheartedly’ as it would mean cheaper prices for members without the clubs losing any of the revenue themselves. He added: “It is a wonderful way to encourage people to join a gym. To get a tax break in the possibility of a double dip recession, could see many more people keeping their gym memberships or joining up. “We have a network of 2500 gyms and about 250 very large companies already use it. But I know that if the government gave tax breaks, the take up would massively increase. “Everyone in the industry believes this would encourage more people to join a gym, especially in this price sensitive climate.” Do you agree with James’ comments about tax breaks on gym memberships? Send your views to ce@whpl.net, contact us on Twitter @WorkoutUK or call the Workout newsroom on 01226 734463.
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Hundreds unite at event
Independent gym owner Michelle Matthews rubbed shoulders with retail guru Mary Portas at a networking event in London. Michelle, who runs Ladies Only Ltd in Rochdale, joined other small business owners from around the country, who heard a speech from Mary urging them to compete with the big corporations in their sector by focusing on service and customer care. Full story, Page 3
HUNDREDS of independent gym owners gathered together at this year’s Leisure Industry Week for a day dedicated to helping them improve their businesses. Independent Operators Unite returned to the show for a third successful year, kicking off with seminar sessions on how gym owners can make the most of secondary spend opportunities and why the FIA’s Code of Practice can help them raise their game. A packed afternoon session included the first ever UK presentation from American fitness guru Thomas Plummer who urged operators to look closely at their business models and change them where necessary before it’s too late. The day drew to a close with a club owners’ forum – giving delegates the chance to question a panel of independent gym owners on what it takes to run a successful club. An evening networking event at the Hilton Metropole then gave visitors the chance to network and share ideas with each other as well as enjoy food, drink and entertainment laid on by organisers. For a full round up of IOU news see inside.