ISSUE 322 November 2020 £3
Technogym’s Let’s Move Week aims to regain momentum for fitness industry page 3
We need to change the narrative so that we can stay open and provide a vital service page 5
Navigating the data landscape of your club – how can data be used to grow your business? page 14
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UK FITNESS SCENE
Technogym’s Let’s Move Week aims to regain momentum for fitness industry TECHNOGYM’S worldwide social campaign promoting wellness and fight sedentary lifestyle is back with a new format developed for fitness and wellness clubs. Let’s Move For a Better World is the most awaited event of the year for thousands of fitness facilities around the world, and 2020 will not be an exception. Technogym, a world leader brand in fitness, wellness, sport and health, announces Let’s Move Week 2020, a new format full of fitness events, challenges, online and offline activities. From November 9 to 15 people from all over the world will join forces to promote wellness in all its forms and places. Let’s Move Week 2020 announces itself as one of the most attended fitness events of the year. During Let’s Move Week 2020, fitness clubs by joining the global campaign will be able to engage their members with custom on site events, create live and on demand workouts thanks to the new streaming opportunities offered by mywellness 5.0, promote the event with social media activities and challenges and take advantage of Technogym workouts available on mywellness and Technogym social networks. Technogym will offer the clubs joining the campaign the possibility to download the Let’s Move Week marketing kit with all the promotional contents artworks: images, videos, posters and more. Within the actual scenario, the aim of the campaign is also to support the fitness industry to regain momentum after these months, involve members and activate new ones, promote the physical and mental Group Editor: Judith Halkerston Tel: 01226 734639 jh@scriptmedia. co.uk Group production editor: Dominic Musgrave Tel: 01226 734407 dm@scriptmedia. co.uk
Sales and marketing director: Tony Barry Tel: 01226 734605 tb@scriptmedia. co.uk Sales manager: Louise BristoweHarrison Tel: 01226 734699 workout3@ scriptmedia.co.uk
Studio manager: Stewart Holt sth@scriptmedia. co.uk
www.workout-uk.co.uk
health of people by expanding the fitness community. Whether working out in the facility or at home, it is possible to take part in Let’s Move Week.
The engaging aspect of the initiative also shows how it can help in increasing customer loyalty, motivation, and attendance. By focusing on the community of each centre, the campaign helps in boosting team spirit by encouraging the achievement of a common goal. The 2019 edition led to important developments for the participating gyms showing how attendance increased on average by 26 per cent, new memberships by 15 per cent and 86 per cent of the people involved in the centre (trainers and staff) noted an improvement in team spirit during trainings, which consequently enhanced the working environment and ensured a better atmosphere among customers. Alongside its important social message, the campaign also represents a very effective tool for fitness centres to increase activity. Thanks to the online communication plans, both on the web and social media, the campaign has proven to attract new members through participants sharing their training experiences online. The “Let’s Move for a Better World” campaign perfectly sums up the Technogym mission of spreading Wellness on a global scale. Technogym believes that educating the younger generations is essential to reach this goal and to create a more sustainable society that has well-being as one of its founding values. More info on www.technogym.com/ letsmove-week-2020/
Tell us about your lockdown heroes IT’S BEEN a long hard year so far and many of us have faced unprecedented challenges. But, as the saying goes, when the going gets tough, the tough get going … and that has certainly been the case in the fitness industry. Following our announcement that, unfortunately, we can’t proceed with this year’s National Fitness Awards, we decided that so many amazing things have been going on during the difficult months of lockdown and beyond, we still needed to recognise these. For that reason we have launched the WorkOut 2020 Roll of Honour – this will appear in our January 2021 issue and will pay tribute to the lockdown heroes who have gone over and above in these most testing of times. Do you know someone who has worked tirelessly to help those in need?
Or an individual who has used their energy and innovation to help their members stay strong and fit during the closures? Maybe they have used the time to innovate and plan for the future so they can bounce back stronger for their members? Whatever their contribution we want to hear about it. Please send your nomination to events@scriptmedia.co.uk and we will be featuring some of your stories in WorkOut magazine, and our WorkOut Weekly digital newsletter. Closing date for entries is Friday December 4. There will be a place on our Roll of Honour for the most inspiring nominees and they will all receive a certificate to mark their achievements. Ready, steady, get nominating …
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UK FITNESS SCENE
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Advertiser’s announcement
Matrix Fitness transform Wigan Warriors’ gym MATRIX Fitness has been a proud partner of the Wigan Warriors team for more than five years, providing fitness equipment for the club’s world-class training facility, and have renewed this relationship for a further five years. Paul Johnson, Wigan Warriors’ head of strength and conditioning, said: “Matrix has been really accommodating throughout the course of the partnership and have always catered exactly to our needs. “They have fitted out our gym twice now and their service has always been
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first-class.” The new gym facility is much bigger and includes an increase in the variety of fitness equipment on offer, allowing the coaches more flexibility and versatility when planning sessions. For strength and conditioning work there are four Magnum series mega racks, two Magnum half racks with cables and several Magnum posterior chain machines. There are also isolated Aura stack machines, free weights, treadmills and bikes from the 7xi range, S-drive, S-force
and Matrix rowers. Paul added: “We’re really pleased with the gym; I think it is on par with any of the facilities I’ve seen in professional sport. The equipment is used consistently throughout the season. “In pre-season we’re doing around eight resistance sessions a week so the kit can really take a hammering – another reason we need to rely on the quality and durability that Matrix offer. “Through the season we average around three resistance sessions a week, but the gym is also key for rehabilitation
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THE NEW FACILITIES WE HAVE AT ROBIN PARK ARE WORLD-CLASS. THE MACHINERY IS CUTTING EDGE AND I KNOW THAT THE PLAYERS ARE HAPPY WITH HOW OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH MATRIX HAS PROGRESSED. Adrian Lam, Head Coach, Wigan Warriors.
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purposes.” Julian Taylor, marketing director at Matrix Fitness, added: “Fitness is obviously key to the success of any sporting team so we’re hopeful that the new facility will provide the Wigan Warriors with a strong platform to continue to win trophies. “We’re proud to partner with a club that prides itself on always striving to be better and hope that they’re new, world-class facility will give them the opportunity to do just that.” www.matrixfitness.com/en
UK FITNESS SCENE
We need to change the narrative so that we can stay open and provide a vital service By David Stalker
AT THE time of writing, gyms and leisure centres in Liverpool City Region were given the green light to reopen after the government bowed to pressure to standardise its Tier 3 lockdown restrictions. Lancashire’s gyms had been allowed to remain open as the region went into Tier 3 lockdown, after long negotiations by council leaders, but it was a different picture in neighbouring Merseyside where they had been forced to close as part of Tier 3 restrictions, causing huge frustration for owners and operators. The region’s leaders, including mayor Joe Anderson, whose own brother died of Covid-19 in October, called on the government to provide the scientific evidence behind its decision to close gyms in Liverpool, while allowing them to stay open in Lancashire, just 35 miles away. This was a less than promising start to the government’s new model of Local Covid Alert Levels, but does show just how strongly people feel about the need to keep gyms and leisure centres open. Our centres are vital assets for communities. The latest data from around the world shows that gyms and leisure centres offer safe spaces to exercise, and if there’s one thing that’s been in the
David Stalker spotlight during the entire pandemic, it’s the importance of regular exercise for improving immunity and bolstering our defence against Covid-19. So, why were gyms closed in the first place? Well, I believe it’s because our industry has an image problem. We are still viewed as fitness, rather than health. As a sector, we need to change our messaging so that we are recognised for the contribution we make to keeping the public in good physical and mental health. I was delighted to hear the health secretary, Matt Hancock, say he loved the idea of a ‘Work Out to Help Out’ scheme to help people in Tier 3 lockdown get fitter, lose weight and
improve health outcomes. Well, Mr Hancock it’s already here. Clubs and centres across the globe have united behind our #WorkOutToHelpOut campaign after its launch during the summer. Day in, day out, they are demonstrating the impact of exercise on physical and mental health, its ability to make us feel happy and to keep us socially connected.
We know the value we offer to people’s health and wellbeing, but we need the country’s leaders to understand that too. As an industry, we must change the narrative so that gyms and leisure centres can continue to remain open and provide a vital service to communities everywhere. n David Stalker is the CEO – EMEA at Myzone.
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UK FITNESS SCENE
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Advertiser’s announcement
University enhances its testing, education and research with AtomX and Nucleus LEEDS Beckett University has innovated its indoor cycling offering with the installation of six Wattbike AtomX and nine Wattbike Nucleus bikes to enhance performance, research and education of its students. The Wattbike AtomX is the pinnacle of indoor cycling and builds on the huge success of Wattbike’s award winning consumer product, the Wattbike Atom, the first smart bike in the world. As the evolution of the Wattbike Pro/ Trainer, the Wattbike Nucleus was created to elevate the user experience with the all new Performance Touchscreen, the high definition display delivers the most advanced performance feedback for a fully connected user experience.
Dr. Barney Wainwright, senior research fellow in the School of Sport at Leeds Beckett University, said: “We chose to install the new Wattbike AtomX and Wattbike Nucleus bikes as we strive to provide our staff and students with the best performance equipment available. “Wattbike is a well-known, reliable and trusted brand and we chose these latest products due to the increased functionality and control provided by the electromagnetic resistance as well as the versatility and data the Wattbike Hub app offers.” With patented technology and innovative new advancements, the AtomX gives riders a fully connected, immersive cycling experience. Including in-built, interactive workouts,
tests, training plans and climb mode all accessible from the 11” Performance Touchscreen, AtomX automatically changes resistance to follow structured workouts, simulate gradient changes and mimic real climbs from around the world. The new Wattbikes will be utilised for health and fitness assessments for both athletic and clinical participants, to help educate the undergraduate and post-graduate students on how the human body functions and adapts to physiological demands as well as in research projects as a means to accurately assess functional capability. “These Wattbike installs have come at a pivotal time in the science of sport, health and exercise,” Barney added.
“With Covid-19, and a great focus to prioritise fitness and health there is an increased and engaged population who are putting a greater emphasis on the importance of benchmarking and improving fitness and health. “Thankfully, there is an increasing number of digital applications which interact with Wattbikes that can help guide users to train efficiently and effectively.” AtomX smart technology enables seamless third-party connectivity so members can train their way. They can connect to the Wattbike Hub app or via their own smart devices to use apps including Zwift, The Sufferfest and Trainer Road. www.wattbike.com
“We gained an extra £4,000 per month in direct debits” Wave Spa, Crowne Plaza, Gerrards Cross.
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UK FITNESS SCENE
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Advertiser’s announcement
Fisikal founders Pip Black and Joan Murphy.
Frame partners with Fisikal on digital offering FRAME, best known for its feel-good approach to fitness, has partnered with Fisikal, experts in digital business solutions, to ensure a seamless digitalisation of the business and a website that can accommodate studio, on-demand and live-stream classes. Frame co-founder Pip Black said: “We had been considering venturing into the online workout space for some time, but lockdown was the catalyst that made us leap to digitalisation quickly.
“Having launched Frame 11 years ago, our technology was a ‘filo pastry’ of multiple layers and needed to be simplified and restructured in order for success. This is where Fisikal came in. “Thanks to Fisikal we can now have our studio, on-demand and live-stream classes all in one place. “We have streamlined our payments and bookings through Fisikal’s one solution, which has already provided significant savings, both in software and
professional fees.” This project also involved Fisikal developing some bespoke functionalities for Frame including: dynamic pricing of the ‘Frame Card’, a pre-paid top-up option (similar to an Oyster Card) via the member portal; the interactive option for Framers to tag classes by moods which has proved hugely popular and a waterfall filtration system so Framers can find specific classes based on FRAME filters.
“Fisikal has helped future-proof our business,” added Frame co-founder Joan Murphy. “We have had so much feedback to say how our digital classes got Framers through some really dark days of lockdown. “Digital options allow us to reach more people, in the UK and globally, and will be an important part of our brand moving forwards.” www.fisikal.com
UK FITNESS SCENE
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Advertiser’s announcement
The family-run facility with no limits First-year in industry 25/08/2018 Throughout the first year in industry, the Kiss Fitness Centre has been recognised on multiple occasions being shortlisted twice for the national fitness awards, multiple media responses and most importantly to the brothers the community which have now become apart of the Kiss family. The facility leaves its doors open to all with the facility membership, including 48 per cent female and 52 per cent male statistics. This entails both first-time users and world-class athletes such as George Ford (international rugby union fly-half), Paul Scholes (Manchester United and England football legend) all training alongside one another in unity as a feature in the Kiss family. The facility offered (pre mezzanine); three sets days for class (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) for general functional circuit classes available to all, onsite personal trainers, huge array of equipment continuously being added to and much, much more available at the fitness centre. Initial customer reviews: “First session, unreal gym the amount of variation of machinery was the main thing! Great atmosphere with brand new machinery and weights. Good range of weights for all types of men and women and also plenty of cardio machinery. I highly recommend it”. From opening the facility, it was clear there wasn’t much more they could offer within the available space, but the demand and so was the drive was
the member’s had something to look forward to and taking full advantage of the facilities downtime to minimise the disturbance. Provided all current members with the opportunity to loan equipment if desired without any charges, classes remained to schedule completed live over the social media platforms, and the directors shared in-depth guided handbooks to give the client the flexibility to train around the new restrictions of Covid.
there to ensure facility catered for all demands. Just three month’s with being established as a facility the discussion of business development began and “The only way we can build is up” utilising the height of facility structure. The project at hand was to develop a mezzanine floor which expands the facility to a further 3,000 sq ft adding to an already generous 5,500 sq ft. Not only reinvesting into themselves as a business the brothers have done multi act’s of kindness amongst the community spreading their success such as becoming the main sponsors
of childhood rugby club ‘Saddleworth Rangers’ later used towards club kit, equipment and invested into coaching courses. Lockdown – 20/03/2020 When the gym industry came to a standstill, and the facilities closed their doors. Throughout the uncertain times it was tough for anyone and any business to know what’s best to do, but the ethos and the business ambitions remained the same. The installation of the mezzanine floor was brought forward, ensuring
Reopening – 25/07/2020 The facility owns the largest studio space in the Saddleworth Burra. Kiss Fitness Centre is now offering both a world-class almost double the floor space with a vast array of products to cater for all needs from industry-leading branding which include; TRUE, ROCKIT, FORCE, FREEMOTION and much more. As well a full daily class calendar with classes such as Legs bums and tums, Spin, EMOM (every minute on the minute), glute camp and many more. When you join the Kiss Fitness Centre, you become a member of the family, and your envision is our desire. Here at Fitness Systems we are proud to have been amongst the project working with the brothers to manufacture and create the equipment to meet to facility requirements, purchase cycle). Armed with the knowledge of which actions convert the most prospects, and in the best lead times, operators can then optimise their funnels and doubledown on the most efficient tactics to drive more memberships and revenue.
UK FITNESS SCENE
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Retention Convention goes virtual for 2020
Help boost your turnover during challenging times WE are all facing challenging times, and with gyms being one of the industries hardest hit since the outbreak of Covid-19, we all must take great optimism from gyms in Liverpool finally being allowed to reopen while the city is still condemned to Tier 3. Ultimately, the Government seems to be opening its eyes to the genuine importance of what positive effects our gyms and fitness centres play on the nations overall health and wellbeing, both physical or mental. We must all stand together and adhere to the government guidelines to help fight the virus, any positives in such dark times must be taken as a step in the right direction. While the nation can now tentatively rejoice with the premise of local Ggyms keeping their doors firmly open, now is the time to ensure you’re not only able to advise your members with expert training advice, but you are also able to supply the latest sports nutrition products to help maximise your members full potential. With 40 years’ experience of providing all of the biggest and best sports nutrition brands to thousands of gyms, websites, supplement shops and personal trainers, Tropicana Wholesale is proud to be the UK’s leading sports nutrition distributor. Our success over these years has been down to one thing: satisfying all of the key, basic needs of our customers by offering the best prices with the fastest, most reliable delivery and comprehensive customer service, evolving Tropicana Wholesale as the UK’s leading distributor in the fast paced
market of sports nutrition bringing you the latest brands and product trends. Our massive holding of the very best national and international sports supplements brands, with more than £2million of stock provides a perfect ‘one -stop shop’ experience and our buying power ensures we get the best deals that we can pass on to our customers. Just as importantly, our customerfriendly service means that you can buy one or two items or hundreds of units and as long as you order before 4pm, you’ll receive it – guaranteed – the next working day. Tropicana Wholesale, the largest and longest-serving UK distributor of health and sports nutrition supplements, has been expanding quickly - and for a very good reason… 1. Protein bars, drinks and powders are portable and convenient in that they don’t need refrigeration and require little or no preparation and can be consumed anywhere, any time. 2. Higher protein foods increase metabolic rate, reduce appetite and diets higher in protein result in more successful weight loss in scientific studies. 3. Gym goers and health-conscious consumers are increasing, as more and more health-conscious people regularly go to the gym and are adopting the fitness lifestyle. So if you are yet to get on board with this strong market trend, we strongly encourage you to get in touch with one of Tropicana Wholesale’s account managers. Call 0121 313 6738 or visit www.tropicanawholesale.com
GLOBAL retention expert, Dr. Paul Bedford, will host his annual Retention Convention virtually for 2020, bringing together speakers from around the world to form a documentary-style event around Building Communities on Thursday 3 December. He said: “During lockdown I attended so many online seminars – usually a mix of live and pre recorded sessions, that just didn’t work for me. “I knew, if I was to run a Retention Convention for 2020, I had to do it differently. “So this won’t be a series of talking heads on a screen, it will be a documentary-style event where the presenters will be creative to ensure content is more engaging. “As well as talking to the camera they will include interviews with customers and videos of clubs to demonstrate their point. “All the speakers are operators and all the speakers are women; it wasn’t a conscious decision on my part, just a group of experts I identified on building communities that I believe our sector can learn an awful lot from.” Award-winning Australian studio owner, Amanda Bracks, will open the Convention with her session ‘Making People Feel Like They Belong’, which will enlighten viewers on how to build a tight community of members using fun retention activities, attendance driven competitions, a postcard programme and referral programmes, including examples used during lockdown. The all-female cast for 2020 also includes Stacey Seward Vandiver, owner and CEO of US-based group fitness education and subscription brand, SoulBody Fitness. The brand, which develops innovative, smart and results-driven classes for operators, is used by more than 300 clubs worldwide. Stacey will lead a session called ‘The Power of Community through Group Fitness’. Originally from Australia, UK-based Lauren Moate will explain building communities through the franchise model, with her session ‘Creating a community, not just a club’. Lauren is currently learning and
development manager for énergie; her journey with the company has been unique. Her first experience with any gym was joining the énergie Fitness Club in Tynemouth as a member back in April 2010. Three months on Lauren, previously a biomedical scientist, started working at the club and within six months was promoted to manager. Her next step was head office where she became the first pre-sale manager, in charge of opening new clubs, before transitioning to learning and development where she has created and delivered many énergie courses, including a three-day residential énergie Basic Management Course, training every aspect of running a gym franchise business, and the award-winning Take the Stage programme, focusing on delivering the best customer service and creating communities at the heart of each of énergie’s clubs. Marisa Hoff, named one of IHRSA’s Women Who Inspire in 2019, will talk about building communities through social media. Previously Marisa was general manager of Stevenson Fitness, the Californian boutique health club owned by 2019 Retention Convention speaker Chris Stevenson, where she oversaw club operations, including an NPS consistently in the 90s, retention rates over 70 per cent, high active user rates and a booming group exercise programme. She now runs Stevenson Consulting alongside Chris, helping fitness professional and their businesses achieve growth and continued success. Also confirmed to speak is long-time friend and colleague of Dr. Bedford’s, Gillian Reeves, who used to volunteer at the YMCA where Paul worked as the general manager back in the 1990s. Since then, Gillian has been responsible for 122 Virgin Active group exercise programmes, increasing participation from 25 per cent to 40 per cent during her seven years as National Group Exercise Manager. The event will start at 1pm on Thursday December 3 and anyone interested can register at https://retention-guru-online. mykajabi.com/retentionconvention
Offering the highest buy back values for your kit Gym-Revamp International Limited was established in 2017, offering the highest value for your second-hand commercial fitness equipment. I began my career as a fitness instructor, then moved into personal training and fitness classes. I have always been passionate about the fitness industry. I loved working on the gym floor and taking classes. I then moved into management and worked for Virgin Active as the sales manager. It’s there my passion for sales was born. I started selling commercial fitness equipment, I could relate to my customers. I understood budgets and the importance of value for money. After working with a few of the large commercial fitness suppliers, I became very interested in used equipment and trade customers.
From the knowledge and experience gained, Gym-Revamp International LTD was born and has become very successful. Gym-Revamp International offers the highest buy back values for your secondhand commercial gym equipment, due to very small overheads and years of experience in the second-hand market, with a highly trusted team. Gym-Revamp specialise in full gym trade outs and have worked with many leisure trusts, hotels, NHS, and Independent gyms. With fully insured removal specialists, we provide a full removal and a logistics service that is hassle free. The more you get for your old equipment with no hassle, the more you can put back into the business. In these current times we know how important this might be. Telephone 07468 427125 or email melanie@gym-revamp.com
For everyone who loves to know how they are doing, and for everyone who knows they should be doing more. Provide all the motivation your members need to stay committed to their goals and your club. Talk to us about going digital. Your members will thank you.
myzone.org
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UK FITNESS SCENE
Navigating the data landscape of your club – how can data be used to grow your business? By Andy Hall
DATA-driven decision making is the future for all businesses, but the fitness industry has been slow out of the blocks. For decades, operators have been focused on the ‘brick and mortar’ model – throwing money at getting as many members in the building as possible, then growing the business and expanding revenue by opening more sites or studios. However, technological advancements over recent years have completely shaken up the way we live and consequently think about fitness, meaning the world of data can no longer be ignored, and operators must be quick to embrace digital technology to both survive and thrive in the years ahead. But technology doesn’t develop all by itself, so what’s been driving this? One of the key factors has been the change in consumer behaviours and expectations, orchestrated by Millennials and Gen Z – typically, the ‘want it all, want it now’ generations. As we know, they value speed of service and personalisation, are moneyconscious, tech-savvy, and generally prefer to invest in experiences over material assets. A digital future Even before Covid-19 struck the globe, 85 of all gym members were doing workouts at home. This trend increased amongst the wider population during lockdown, with 44 per cent of people doing home-based activity (including 23 per cent doing online workouts). Interestingly, 20 per cent of those doing home-based fitness online were doing it with children in their household, introducing the next generation to
Andy Hall digital, at-home exercise. Older generations, too, were learning how to use Zoom and other platforms to meet up and work out – creating an altogether more ‘digitally aware’ global society. With people’s growing love of digital and at-home workouts it’s not hard to see why it’s essential for today’s operators to adjust their business models to include a strong digital offering, otherwise you could be waving goodbye to a large portion of their potential audience and a share of the wallet. So, why haven’t more operators gone digital sooner? The answer is usually ‘change paralysis,’ aka the fear of change. There’s the common misconception that to change, upgrade or implement a new data system, it’s going to take endless amounts of time and cash, but that’s often not the case with the right data partner in place.
Can I make the change? Regardless of size or scope every operator has the potential and demand to go digital. However, if you are doing this it’s important to understand the impact and look towards data to help you understand this. Even the world’s smallest gym will have hundreds of thousands of lines of data. Using the trends found in your data can help you to understand, on a minute level, what your members are doing, so you can provide a much better service that keeps them motivated, engaged, and, ultimately, retained.
which messages, delivery times, journey stages, and channels get the most engagements, and, ultimately, lead to the most member conversions. With the dashboards featured in our services, operators can quickly see their funnel metrics (number of prospects in the awareness, interested, consideration, intent and decision phase of their purchase cycle). Armed with the knowledge of which actions convert the most prospects, and in the best lead times, operators can then optimise their funnels and doubledown on the most efficient tactics to drive more memberships and revenue.
Don’t take the first digital concept you see During COVID-19, it’s understandable that many operators have taken the first digital concept they’ve seen, and not really thought about it in as much detail as they could in terms of post-Covid and their long-term strategy. This is dangerous to the brand and indeed the future success of the business.
Generating secondary spend One of the brilliant things about data is that it allows you to spot opportunities for generating secondary spend amongst your most engaged members (those most likely to spend money) by understanding what they like to do when they’re inside the facility and then capitalising on this. At Volution, we understand that every business is different and benefits most from a bespoke data solution, which is a lot quicker, cost-effective, and hasslefree than many people would expect. Data is an evolving product, so we never just sell a product and walk away, but instead like to become an operator’s data partner, investing our time in your success to build that relationship. We are able to create your own open ecosystem, which will connect and integrate all your tech, digital, data and partner solutions and systems in the one place, so you can have one simple dashboard to monitor your business and focus on doing what makes you successful. n Andy Hall is the chief operating officer of Volution.
Fine-tuning the sales journey to boost member acquisition As marketing scientist Dan Zarrella said: “Marketing without data is like driving with your eyes closed.” Thankfully, one of the major benefits of data is that it allows you to better understand – and fine-tune – the customer sales journey. How do you get the lead in? Where does it come from? Who talks to the prospect? How does that then play out? All questions that data can answer. By digitising and automating as much of the sales process as possible, operators can track the engagement with prospects across all channels (phone, social media, email, etc) to learn
Advertiser’s announcement
The smarter, shorter, safer solution POWER Plate is encouraging its community to stay fighting fit this winter with a campaign intended to encourage comfort and confidence as well as boosting health and wellness. With ukactive research declaring that facilities are ‘almost risk free’ environments and consumer data showing that people intend to exercise more due to the pandemic (University College London report), the fitness industry is perfectly positioned to meet this new appetite for health and wellness. Fitness consumers, staff and facilities are all concerned about ensuring safety and managing anxiety on top of maintaining their usual practices and routines, and Power Plate wants to make it easy for clubs to create trust and drive adherence. The ‘Smarter, Shorter, Safer’ campaign encourages engagement, health integration and diversity to help facilities stay relevant, drive satisfaction and operate with ease. To complement this approach, Power Plate is running a limited time Trade in Trade up initiative to help health
clubs upgrade their older models to a new premium version and drive value by adding a vibration training area for members to prepare, perform and recover. The new sleek Matte Black commercial Power Plate models are the stand-out choice for a variety of different health and wellness environments, such as
health clubs, hospitality, healthcare, corporate fitness, and performance facilities. Whatever the requirements, Power Plate has a solution that will increase engagement levels, promote PT sessions and provide members with a more personal fitness experience. As fitness continues to evolve,
Power Plate works seamlessly with today’s clients and members to deliver incredible versatility to a wide variety of demographics. For more information contact sales@powerplate.com, call 0207 317 5000 or visit daretobe.powerplate.com/
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As a club who has now been with you just over a year I wanted to say the way you have handled COVID-19 has been fantastic. Your support on the phone has never let me down, email response is always prompt and both the website and the app has always been on point. With having to freeze the club, then unfreeze with just days’ notice, your team in a matter of hours identified the members that were on a ‘ different kind of freeze’, asked for me to check them and sorted out the club as a whole in terms of direct debit collections. Upon looking through the app you have also added the handy COVID notifications before booking EVERY class! This has made going back into work so much easier so I just wanted to say a massive thank you! Every person I have spoken to has been on the ball and I couldn’t have chosen a better company to help me run my business!
”
Mandy Boyd, The Base Bridgend
Find out how ClubWise can free you up to focus on your members. Book a no obligation demonstration today!
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upholstery solutions
Are You Using Covid Resistant Gym Pads? Our range of anti-microbial fabrics and vinyls are treated with a permanent germ-free solution that destroys bacteria on contact, almost entirely eliminating the risk of human contamination from the material. Rips and tears in gym upholstery, however small, allow viruses such as Covid-19 to survive and potentially contaminate equipment users. In these difficult times, our upholstery solutions can help protect you and your members.
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REFURBISHMENT AND INSTALLATION
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Advertiser’s announcement
Newcastle Academy gets new look thanks to TVS THE flooring of Newcastle Academy’s sports hall was showing its age following more than a dozen years of intensive use. TVS addressed areas of localised damage and sanded the floor to create better layer-bonding – all in preparation for a rapid flooring makeover. Next TVS installed a new, self-levelling and seamless polyurethane performance wear layer. It was finished with a new sports grade polyurethane topcoat in RAL 7000 ‘Squirrel Grey’ designed to give the sports hall a more updated look. Then, following discussions with the Academy, priority sports were identified and a customised line marking plan agreed for the compact sports hall. Finally, new, extra wide cover details
were supplied and installed to ensure protection at all points of entry. The total installation took just five days and delivered an instant transformation. For those looking to update, replace or refurbish sports facilities after a decade or more of use, this project underlines the distinct advantages of selecting TVS polyurethane sports flooring, namely: n No necessity to fully remove the existing sports flooring, saving time and expense. n No need to re-screed the subfloor or install new shock-absorbing layers. Providing existing surfaces still perform to required standards, TVS can rejuvenate surfaces with a new hard-wearing polyurethane layer that transforms its appearance and provides
significant time and cost savings. “This is our first time working with the team at TVS Group and its safe to say it certainly won’t be the last,” said Trust director Vickie Keeling. “From start to finish we have nothing but praise for the great level of communication, professional advice and guidance we received from the onset of this project. “What we found to be particularly helpful was the number of questions and communications that took place to ensure we had the right installation for the Academy, that the specification met with Sport England criteria and, as importantly, that our students and community groups would have an exemplary sports facility available to
them. “Pre contract health and safety information was provided timely and without issue. “The installation team worked fantastically and from a contract management perspective were excellent to work with. “Post installation we were provided with the O&M manual. “The installation itself is fabulous and our students and staff are amazed at the transformation of the sports facility in just a small number of days. We look forward to many years’ use of our fantastic new facility.” For more information call 01706 260 220, email sales@TVS-Group.co.uk or visit www.TVS-Group.co.uk
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REFURBISHMENT AND INSTALLATION
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Advertiser’s announcement
Providing a top-notch service to clients FitKit is the leading UK supplier and installer of new and used commercial gym equipment on the market. We are committed as ever to provide the most extensive and high-quality range of fitness equipment at the most competitive prices. We take pride in being able to continuously provide top-notch service to all our commercial and private clients. We hold the largest variety of new and used gym equipment in the UK so all our clients can find something to satisfy their requirements and to suit their budget.
You name it: from treadmills and crosstrainers, to dumbbells and medicine balls – we have it all under one roof from all the major brands including Life Fitness, Hammer Strength, ICG, Technogym, Matrix to Precor, Jordan Fitness and many more. For almost a decade we have been offering reliable and durable products to companies and individuals alike all over the world. All the used gym equipment we have to offer undergoes a rigorous inspection and service by our expert engineers
who work their special blend of magic to make sure every used product we sell is thoroughly serviced and tested prior to dispatch. We are also the preferred gym equipment servicing company for many of the UK’s leading manufacturers and leading leisure centres across the country. Our installation team has a wealth of experience in installing gyms in all types of environments ranging from commercial gyms, studio gyms, school gyms, university gyms, hotel gyms,
Specialists in new & used commercial gym equipment
Free delivery over £199 0% Interest Free Finance Available Installation service available ALL used items serviced & tested
www.fitkituk.com 01455 245720 Sales@fitkituk.com
@fitkituk_ltd @FitKitUKLtd
home gyms and yachts. As your total fitness solution provider, FitKit UK offers facility layout, gym designs, financing options, technical support, installations, relocations as well as purchasing your old equipment. One stop source for all your equipment needs, FitKit UK will be with you every step of the way. Give us a shout what have you got to lose? Call us on 01455 245720, email sales@fitkituk.com or visit www.fitkituk.com
UK FITNESS SCENE
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Advertiser’s announcement
Gyms discover benefits of using Panatta as their fitness equipment supplier of choice
GYMS across the UK have discovered the benefits of using Panatta as their fitness equipment supplier of choice, adding quality customisable equipment that delivers the best true movements combined with innovative function. Gyms of all sizes are learning that every part of the gym floor is important and must generate a return, in function or income. Many gyms are now seeing the benefits as a business and for its customers, training with high performance fitness equipment with superior biomechanics. And in gyms where members come first, the investment in quality training machines have considerably increased the gym retention, customers satisfaction and business growth. One of the best-selling pieces of equipment is the Panatta Standing Multi Flight machine, truly unique in design and function, a gym must have.
Stackhouse Gym – Raleigh “We introduced several machines from Panatta earlier this year and have benefited from the positive impact of the machines quality and movements, with the Panatta kit enabling more clients to get detailed training results while providing the maximum function in a small area of gym space.” Latif Boukbasi – Gym owner
Muscle Unit Gym – Barnsley “I have chosen Panatta because I believe they provide the best quality equipment and movements to enable me and my clients achieve the best, especially the Panatta Standing Multi Flight as it helps me get round my shoulder injury. My members love the Panatta machines as it enables them to target the muscles you want to work much more than other brands I/they have used.” Robert Taylor – Gym owner
Hard Labour Gym – Warrington “Over the last four years I have upgraded my equipment to Panatta and benefited from its correct true movements and quality build, one of my latest additions is the Panatta Standing MultI Flight that is helping provide all my members to achieve targeted results, even those that traditionally couldn’t as it would set off joint problems. “ Dave Pritchard – Gym owner
PureMuscle Gym – London “Our ethos is about the complete client training journey, detail of equipment build, look and function, plus the benefits it adds to our overall gym concept. Now with several orders of kit from Panatta, we truly provide the multifunctional options desired with many unrivalled movements.” Imran Vali and Najum Baig – Gym owners www.panattasport.com
UK FITNESS SCENE Advertiser’s announcement
Panatta Hip Thrust is a real must-have to keep up with the current trend of glutes workout and complete the training offer of your club. This innovative machine joins the wide range of Panatta equipment for training the backside of thigh muscles, with a targeted workout on glutes while performing the traditional hip thrust exercise in supine position. The Hip Thrust Panatta is designed according to the most modern criteria of ergonomics. It ensures the correct posture of the back and allows performing hips thrust being more comfortable compared to the exercise with the barbell, even more in case of big loads lifting. Muscular Activation: The workout focuses on the back muscles of the thigh, with targeted activation of the glutes. The bending of the knees reduces the hamstrings involvement and facilitates the isolation of the Gluteus Maximus. You can perform the Hip Thrust exercise both in bilateral version (two legs) and in mono-lateral version (one leg), for a greater stimulation on the Gluteus Maximus and on the stabilising muscles of the hip. In any case, the exercise performing requires the control of the core stability to ensure the correct posture of the back. The Panatta Hip Thrust is made of four main elements: n A central seat for the beginning stage to get into the position. n A wide and height-adjustable footrest platform (optional). n A comfortable gas-assisted and adjustable thrust roller for easy access to the machine. n A moving backrest to follow the user movement during the exercise. The Hip Thrust creates an increasing load curve. This curve ensures an efficient and physiological training on glutes muscles while stretching simultaneously the trunk and the hips, opening and closing the hip joints. In the next Workout issue you will find all the info and technical details on this amazing machine! ✔www.panattasport.com
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UK FITNESS SCENE
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Online fitness – risk and insurance
Reach Wellness with Solid Infinity System garage and PT gyms REACH Wellness has the perfect solution for garage gyms and PTs for functional training. Solid Infinity System is a patented wall mounted functional training and storage solution. The space saving modular design means that SIS can be incorporated into any space to facilitate suspension training, battle ropes, resistance bands, bodyweight exercises (e.g. chins / dips) while efficiently storing dumbbells, kettlebells, Swiss balls etc. SIS has already proved popular in private gyms, leisure centres and schools / colleges, however the versatility of it lends itself well to other applications. “The impact of Covid-19 to personal trainers’ business has been significant, with many taking the opportunity to set up their own facilities or working from home with their online following while their host clubs and leisure facilities were temporarily closed,” said Jeff Davis, managing director of Reach Wellness. “The great advantage of Solid Infinity System is that it is wall mounted and does not take up any floor space essential for training clients. “All the accessories are manufactured
from marine plywood making them light weight but durable and easy to reposition on the wall.” A patented lock mechanism secures them in position. When not in use (and if you need to get your car or bike/s back in the garage) it is easy to do so by moving all the SIS accessories to the top of the wall. The ‘Infinity’ element refers to the modular nature of SIS given that any number of SIS Panels (each 2.40m high x 1.20m wide) can be fitted together seamlessly to create a continuous functional training wall that can be added to or even relocated as required. Furthermore, the SIS boards (manufactured from lightweight polymer) have inherent insulation and soundproofing qualities and can be cut to size to accommodate windows and doors etc. Commercial SIS clients include Barnsley Premier Leisure (Worksop Leisure Centre), Nuffield Health Clubs, Atrium Fitness Club, Liberty Physiotherapy and many more. For further details and a free quotation without obligation, please contact Jeff Davis on 01777 711798 or visit www.reach-wellness.com
F45 Training invests in Decontami LONDON centric gym company F45 has praised workplace disinfection Specialists Decontami for its gold standard disinfection and decontamination service at their Chiswick Park gym. In line with the Government’s coronavirus guidance, F45 gyms across the country had to close their premises. However, with the recent easing of the restrictions, F45 hired Decontami to disinfect and decontaminate its Chiswick Park premises. These precautions have allowed customers to return to a safe environment with the knowledge that the gym has followed all the safety steps. F45 training is a global fitness
community specialising in innovative, high-intensity group workouts that are fast, fun and results driven. A F45 Chiswick Park spokesperson said: “Decontami was extremely professional and cost competitive in a challenging environment. They have provided a safe environment for our Chiswick Park members and all the equipment has been disinfected and decontaminated.” Decontami managing director Freddie Fison added: ”Decontami services include residential, professional and vehicle disinfection and decontamination which includes antibacterial fogging that kills 99.99 per cent of pathogens including coronavirus.”
NEIL Adebowale of fitness sector insurance specialist Partners& highlights the importance of the right insurance advice for online fitness. Following Covid-19 the market has been transformed, with gym operators adapting fast to meet changing market needs. Online fitness is here to stay – from live-streamed classes to one-on-one personal training, and multi-channel classes. But innovation brings new risks – and it’s important to connect with the right insurance advice to protect your evolving business. What if… …a member injures themselves at home during a class? …the platform crashes due to a hack/ virus and you can’t deliver the service customers have paid for? …there’s a data breach involving credit card numbers, addresses and medical information in your PARQ database? …you suffer a “phishing” attack? …you give the wrong advice during an online PT session because your camera view is limited? Getting the right insurance advice can make all the difference to the outcome of a claim – and to the financial robustness of your business. Does your public liability insurance cover carry restrictions on online class numbers? If you give online advice, do you have the right professional indemnity
insurance? A cyber-attack is now a “when” not an “if”, so cyber insurance is key to your financial protection. But one size doesn’t fit all – it’s important you have the right cover against data or privacy breach costs, your liability for customer/user financial loss, network failure, down-time, extortion. At Partners& we’ll support you with the right advice to protect your business as you innovate. Email neil.adebowale@partnersand.com or call 0118 987 5100.
New features to improve membership collections and increase revenue MEMBERSHIP revenue is the lifeblood of your business, so implementing a good strategy to optimise collections is a smart move. ClubWise has recently launched several new features within the FitSense Member App, designed to help improve your collection rates and increase your revenue: 1. In app arrears payments If your member falls into arrears, how do they bring their account up to date? In this day and age, it’s a great idea to offer an arrears payment facility that’s integrated into your members app, providing members with a frictionless solution to clearing their arrears and avoiding potentially embarrassing conversations with club staff. ClubWise has made this option available in FitSense. Members receive a mobile push notification if their membership falls into arrears and can bring their account up to date via the secure in-app payment portal. 2. Encourage members to reinstate cancelled Direct Debits Providing the ability for your members to reinstate their cancelled Direct Debits via their member app reduces administration time. Most importantly, it improves the number of successful Direct Debit collections as more members will have a valid Direct Debit instruction in place. The FitSense Member App has this feature built in. This is particularly useful following the recent enforced closure, as many members made the decision to cancel their direct debit during this
period, so providing them with a low touch solution to reactivating their membership will help you win them back. 3. Increase revenue by offering non-members a ‘Pay as you Go’ option If you have prospects that are reluctant to commit to a full monthly membership at this time, offering a pay as you go option provides a great ‘no commitment’ alternative, while still allowing you to benefit from additional revenue ClubWise has recently made this option available in FitSense, whereby a prospect can create a guest account and book and pay for sessions directly through the app and when it comes to gaining access to the club, the guest can do so via the integrated mobile check-in feature. If you would like more information on how the ‘All in One’ ClubWise Club Management System can help optimise your membership collections and increase your revenue, contact us on 01844 348300 or email clubsupport@clubwise.com Alternatively, you can visit our website www. clubwise.com
UK FITNESS SCENE
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Powered by ServiceSport IT’S no mean feat completing a 26-mile virtual marathon at the very top of the London Eye (with the help of one of ServiceSport’s trusty remanufactured Life Fitness treadmills) but to then go on and run the actual London Marathon shortly afterwards is literally breath taking This was the story for Sally Orange who, to raise awareness of mental health, completed this inspiring challenge on October 4. Sally is a multiple world record holder, veteran, endurance runner, adventurer and mental health champion, and it is clear just how close to Sally’s heart the day meant. “It was a day that showed me that even though it might be a bit dull, grey and wet, with the help of good people you can still quite literally bring a bit of colour into the world and have the time of your life.” Sally is a huge advocate of mental health awareness and it is so important to put her achievements into perspective. “I’m not too proud to say that during lockdown I was really unwell with my mental health and sadly found myself in A&E,” Sally added. “It will always serve as a day to look back on and will be a memory I can use to remind myself to shout back at
those negative thoughts. “I can tell them that I can make a little difference as well as letting others know they can too. The power of sport has genuinely been a lifesaver for me.” ServiceSport is so proud of what Sally achieved on the day and it hasn’t stopped there as she has since gone on and entered the Guinness World Records by completing the deepest underground marathon on World Mental Health Day. To find out more about Sally’s bid to raise awareness of mental health visit www.sallyorange.com or if you have any requirement for remanufactured gym equipment contact 01257 264 738 or email sales@servicesport.co.uk
Has your health club suffered a major hit over the past six months due to coronavirus? DUE to the government enforced closures of gyms this year and surrounding events, sadly many clubs have lost between 20 and 30 per cent of their members almost overnight, with some being forced to close for good. For a business model with such high fixed overheads it comes as no surprise many couldn’t make it through. With 30 years’ experience in the industry, we have seen many ups and downs. From the complete disruption of the industry by low-budget gyms, the neverending appearance of ‘trendy’ boutique clubs, to the current trend in online training, this pandemic is the toughest yet. There has been one consistent factor, that has helped many clubs to weather the various storms along the way. Long term members. Consistent income. The no-contract membership model, driven by the large franchise clubs really threw a spanner in the works, however. Many independent club owners have followed suit and are now paying the price. But you don’t always have to follow the crowd, sometimes there is another way.
A better way. Creative Fitness Marketing has developed a proven strategy to help health clubs create a consistent income stream, by generating long term, committed members. Their marketing campaigns are multi-faceted and are designed to attract the inactive segment of your local community to become long-term members of your facility. Typically, these are low-use members which allows clubs to grow their membership base while not overcrowding their clubs (which is vital during the current climate). Long-term memberships are not a thing of the past. Now more than ever, the public know they need to exercise. And they know they need to make it a lifestyle. The best thing about CFM’s model is that they upfront the costs required to generate new members. So, your club won’t have to spend a penny on any upfront marketing. CFM work with many types of clubs, from smaller independent health clubs to large hotel leisure centres. To find out more about how they could help your club, visit website today www.cfm.net
Engage the fitness community outdoors to quash virus fears
Revive, refresh and reuse LOCKDOWN created a series of new challenges for operators and, as we all try to navigate an uncertain landscape, there is still pressure on operators to provide their members with the best possible fitness experience. For most, now is not the time to invest in brand new OEM equipment, however for many there is still equipment in the gym that requires attention – whether servicing and/or repair of cardio and resistance kit or upholstery repairs to pads. Refreshing your existing equipment is an affordable way to enhance your
gym environment and breathe a new lease of life into your club. Taking a tired, worn and well used selection of cardio or resistance equipment, having it sandblasted, choosing the final colour and having it powder coated to match has an immediate impact in the gym. As part of the refresh process, our team will give the kit a health check and advise whether any parts need to be replaced so that when it is reinstalled in the gym, it literally is as good as new! Call 01257 264 738 or email sales@servicesport.co.uk
WITH gyms and leisure facilities around the country asking their customers to wear masks while not exercising, there is a worry that it may be a deterrent for some users. While research has shown that, with the appropriate social distancing measures in place, gyms pose no greater health risk than any other situation, effective tracing and engaging the fitness community outside of the four walls of the gym will be the key to longevity. Anthony Franklin is managing director and founder of sports and activity booking platform, fibodo, which is included in the ukactive Fit Together reopening digital toolkit. He said: “We should be looking outside the gym rather than inside. “There’s an opportunity for trainers to lead by example and play a key role in community fitness by engaging the public outdoors, which will ultimately
promote use of gyms in the long run. “No matter how safe you make being indoors in a gym, until the pandemic is over customers will always have questions. “So, while large community events like Parkrun are sensibly postponed, personal trainers and gyms should be using the opportunity to take small, socially distanced classes outdoors and in a safe environment. “By personal trainers and gyms taking the initiative, they can ensure the safe operation of classes and futureproof their businesses at a time where up to 300,000 sports and leisure jobs are at risk. “A properly organised class will involve the use of digital tools and tracking to ensure safety and to enable contactless booking and payments too, all adding to the safety of operation as we learn to live with the virus.”
TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT
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Advertiser’s announcement
In her bi-monthly column, Jenny Patrickson, managing director of Active IQ, reflects on this year’s UK Fitness Trainer Competition and why its important to be celebrating excellence of those just starting out in our industry
Celebrating excellence and raising standards DESPITE the challenges faced this year, learners within our sector have been working hard. Among them, a select few have really excelled to reach the final stages of the UK Fitness Trainer Competition. The competition, which usually takes place at the World Skills Show, had a different format this year, taking place virtually due to the Coronavirus
Jenny Patrickson
disallowing face-to-face contact. The virtual competition finals took place from October 19 to 23, with the heats starting back in April. Now in its ninth year, the competition aims to showcase and test the skills, knowledge and ability of personal trainers to deliver excellent fitness instruction to clients. It’s open to anyone studying a PT qualification and competitors can enter from colleges, training providers and employers as an apprentice. I am proud to say that Active IQ has been supporting this important competition for six years now. I say important because it gives nearly and newly qualified PTs the chance to learn and develop while also showcasing their skills. Entrants learn a lot from the process and gain valuable feedback and insight from the judges. Not to mention the fact it brings a fantastic opportunity to really springboard their career. This year’s different format saw finalists taking part via zoom either from home or in a gym environment. They were tested across a range of tasks with a huge focus of course on at
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home and online workouts, reflecting the demands on PTs at this current time including: n Core fitness skills. n Instructing skills. n Online marketing skills. n Written skills where finalists needed to write a workout plan that they could then sell as a product. n A virtual job interview. They also faced a home equipment challenge where they had to select objects from around the house to use as part of a workout. With this new format, we were invited to join the judging panel for the online marketing skills showcase. What struck our team was that despite the turbulence of coronavirus, there was a sheer determination within everyone. Throughout the interviews we discovered that the finalists have gone on to do great things like completing their qualifications, starting their own businesses and complete further studies, all throughout lockdown. It’s fantastic to see that determination and ‘get up and go’ spirit from learners within our sector. I am of course delighted that the competition was able to go ahead albeit
virtually and I’d like to take a moment to congratulate each finalist. It’s vital that we support PTs coming into our industry by encouraging them and recognising their skills. Competitions like this aren’t just about celebrating excellence, they are equally important to raise and retain industry standards.
ARE YOU LOOKING TO BECOME A FITNESS PROFESSIONAL OR TAKE YOUR FITNESS PATH TO THE NEXT LEVEL? We have over 100 qualifications in the fitness industry to start you on your journey.
Contact us: T 01480 467 950
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2019.09.11-John Ansell - Workout Magazine Advert- ST-v1.0 PRINT READY FILE.pdf 1 16/09/2019 16:02:38
INSURANCE
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LOGISTICS
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