Gym Flooring
Suppliers of flooring solutions to suit any sporting and fitness space, including:
Impact-resistant rubber tiles for free weight areas.
Rubber rolls for functional fitness zones and studios. Customised sled tracks. Synthetic surfaces for indoor and outdoor sports.
Artificial turfs and shock absorbing underlays.
Acoustic solutions to control noise, vibration and reverberation.
Operator and council invest more than £118,000 in leisure centre
CROSBY Leisure Centre, operated by leading leisure provider Parkwood Leisure on behalf of Sefton Council, has completed phase two of its gym refurbishment, which has seen its health suite spa transformed into an extended gym area.
The newly completed second phase saw the largest investment with more than £79,500 spent on Life Fitness equipment to replace the centre’s old cardio machines.
This includes a total of seven new treadmills, five cross trainers, three upright bikes, two recumbent bikes and a PowerMill.
Following this, new Life Fitness resistance equipment has also been introduced including a multi-jungle cable system, replacement resistance for the smith machine, an arm curl, hip abductor/adductor machines, an Olympic lifting rack and dual adjustable pulley system. £12,500 was spent on new flooring throughout the upper level of the gym which is home to the cardio and resistance area.
Lee Carnwell, general manager at Crosby Leisure Centre, said: “We are really excited about the gym refurbishments, and the additional benefits it will have on the local
Member-centric retention and growth platform launched
ATHLO, a free app where members and class pack holders can rent out and make cash back on their gym membership when not using it, has launched.
It comes as research found that Britons have wasted up to £4billion a year on unused gym memberships.
Founder Matthew Mansell said: “One of the main reasons people give up their gym membership is because they are not using it enough and, as such, don’t see it as good value for money.
“We have built the first membercentric retention and growth platform.
“Our solution gives members more flexibility to get the most out of their membership, and ultimately helps gym providers to better retain their member base.”
Athlo’s marketplace sees members post their gym membership when not using it, and provides a one-stop solution to members, consumers and health clubs alike.
Athlo users can earn back up to 90 per cent of their membership or class pack fee.
For consumers it provides access to gyms and classes on demand and at preferential rates rather than one off flat fees, with the choice of yoga, cycling, barre, boxing and many more.
Athlo works with gyms and solves a number of industry issues, aiming to place the control back with gym owners. It helps gyms reduce
Athlo founder Matthew Mansell.
member churn, stop memberships being frozen, improves retention and adds recurring revenue opportunities.
Launching in London initially before targeting international expansion, Athlo has 4,500 pre-registered users.
Partnered gyms currently signed up to the platform include Sweat by BXR, The Manor, MoreYoga, Paola’s BodyBarre, The Altitude Training Centre, and Milo and the Bull.
Alex Nicholl, director at BXR, added: “Athlo’s offering will help us to further grow our membership numbers and give existing members more freedom to use their membership in a way that suits their lifestyle.
“From early conversations with the Athlo team we could really see how the platform would add value.”
community and our members’ fitness journeys.
“The refurbishments have already received great feedback, and the continued investment shows our commitment to providing members with a positive experience that caters for a wide range of people’s needs.
“After a tough few years for the fitness industry, we are proud to have bounced back so positively, with visitor numbers continuing to grow.”
Phase one of the refurbishments were completed earlier this year in partnership with maintenance contractor Seddon Construction, marking the official
opening of the new strength room gym extension.
Hammer Strength equipment including a HD Elite Half Rack with platform, a dual adjustable pulley, and adjustable benches were installed, alongside new dumbbells and weight plates.
A functional training area was also built, with new equipment including punch bags and battle ropes.
Phase three of the facility’s renovations will take place next year, with a further £70,000 investment to include resistance equipment upgrades, plus 31 new indoor cycles from ICG® to enhance members’ group cycling experience.
BRANDED
The leisure industry’s ‘one stop’ clothing and merchandise provider.ukactive and Myzone announce Parliamentary Physical Activity Challenge for MPs and Peers
MPs, Peers, and their teams in Westminster have been invited to take part in an exciting new initiative to promote the role physical activity plays in the physical, mental and social wellbeing of the nation, ukactive and Myzone have announced.
Set to run from October 19 to November 16, the Parliamentary Physical Activity Challenge is being organised by ukactive, the UK’s trade body for the physical activity sector, and supported by global fitness tracking provider Myzone.
Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, said: “Physical activity is crucial for our physical, mental, and social wellbeing, something which the pandemic has served to highlight.
“Today, many of us are faced with growing pressure at home and work, so it is more important than ever that we put our health first and keep active.
“Recognising that working in Westminster can be demanding, we hope this challenge provides an opportunity for Parliamentarians and their staff to consider their physical activity levels, as well as its importance to the constituents they serve.”
The challenge is backed by the Parliamentary authorities and is designed to raise awareness among Parliamentarians of the importance of physical activity for their own physical and mental wellbeing, and that of
their constituents. In addition, the role of activity in boosting workplace wellbeing is also shown to help improve productivity.
The initiative has already been endorsed by Parliamentarians, including Kim Leadbeater MP, and Crossbench Peer, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, both of whom have a passion for sport and physical activity.
The challenge has been announced following the recent National Fitness Day which saw thousands of free events taking place in gyms, swimming pools, leisure centres, sports clubs, schools, workplaces and online.
There remain significant inequalities in physical activity levels across the nation, with almost a third (27 per cent)
of people in England classed as inactive (less than 30 minutes of physical activity a week), and figures showing that the least affluent groups have far lower levels of activity, with only 52 per cent classed as active (at least 150 minutes of activity a week).
The Parliamentary Physical Activity Challenge will see MPs, Peers and their staff handed MZ-Switch heart rate monitors to measure their activity levels accurately through the month, with the technology tracking ‘effort’ levels using a points system, rather than focusing on volume or distance – making it proportionate and inclusive for all.
Myzone Effort Points (MEPs) are earned by exercising in your target heart rate zones over a period – the more effort
you put into each of your workouts, the more MEPs you earn.
By registering with the Myzone app, MPs, Peers and their teams will be able to see if they are meeting the World Health Organization’s guidelines for physical activity – at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity or at least 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity per week.
Individuals and teams in Parliament will be able to track their progress thanks to a weekly leader board which ranks participants by the average MEPs scored, meaning they can engage in friendly competition within Parliament.
At the conclusion of the challenge, ukactive will provide a final leader board showing those with the highest scores.
A similar initiative from Myzone has already proven successful in Washington DC, where more than 500 members of Congress, Senate, and their teams have just completed their second annual challenge.
Dave Wright, CEO of Myzone Group, added: “This challenge follows the Congressional Physical Activity Challenge in the USA earlier this year that had more than 500 participants leading by example earning Myzone Effort Points.
It would be wonderful if our leaders and their teams in Westminster were to also lead by example.”
An all-in-one service you can trust
OUR gym logistics service includes CAD design of your new gym floor layout, the removal of your existing gym equipment, pre-build of your chosen machines, and of course, installation.
ServiceSport UK has worked with many of the major gym operators across England, Wales and Scotland and has more than 10 years of experience designing gym layouts and installing gym equipment.
Our team expertly, and safely, deliver, build and install a range of gym equipment, whether it’s cardio, strength, functional equipment or multifunctional rigs.
CAD design comes first and is necessary for visualising the space for your fitness equipment as well as creating a blueprint for installation.
It allows you to visualise what your gym will look like and gives you a better understanding of the customer’s journey.
As well as being able to visualise the space on your own, you can get a much better feel for your likes and dislikes regarding colours, finishes, flooring, and textures, and also get a clearer picture of sizes and measurements.
This way you can make all the right choices before you even spend £1 on the wrong products, materials, or colours, whilst ensuring that you not
only attract new gym members but also retain existing members.
Our removal team understand how valuable time is to you and their main focus is to remove the equipment with minimum disruption to you, your customers and your business.
Our team is flexible and can work outside of your normal operating hours to avoid disrupting your daily operations.
The loading and unloading of your equipment on the day leaves you free to concentrate on other, more important things, like your customers.
The installation process includes setting up your chosen gym equipment and we have access to a full catalogue of cardio, strength and functional gym equipment from all manufacturers including Technogym, Life Fitness, Precor, Matrix and Concept2.
The pre-build of equipment takes place at our warehouse in Lancashire, or on site, with our experienced engineers who have worked on projects for many gym operators across the UK including the MOD, Nuffield Health, Oakhill Leisure, Bannatyne Health Clubs, GLL and many more.
Our team will assess and test all equipment and install where the blueprint states to ensure a smooth and efficient installation process.
Contact us on 01257 264 738 or email info@servicesport.co.uk to arrange for a member of the team to visit your site and discuss options with you.
Advertiser’s announcementBack to school with a bang after summer of fun with Life Leisure
STOCKPORT parents have praised a summer camp hosted by Life Leisure which provides children with healthy meals and fun activities during the holidays.
Each year the Stockport leisure provider runs special summer camps at Brinnington Park, Avondale, Dialstone and Stockport Sports Village, as part of the Department of Education’s Holiday Activity and Food programme to provide healthy food and enriching activities to all children.
Among around a hundred youngsters taking part were siblings Chloe, 11, Isla, eight, and five-yearold Leo, who return to the camp each year.
Their dad Dave Needham, who works full time, said it’s a fantastic resource for all families in Stockport.
He said: “Its brilliant. Our kids have been coming a few years now and it’s something they always look forward to. It’s an outlet for them to go and play, enjoy themselves and make new friends.
“The staff are amazing – they have great patience. I think it takes a special kind of someone to look after kids and keep coming up with new ideas to keep them entertained and in line.”
Dave added: “Lots of parents have to go out and work over the summer
holidays so it’s reassuring to know that their children are safe and being fed, and that you don’t have to worry about them. For a lot of parents, it takes away the burden of finding things for them to do, and of sourcing childcare.”
Children and young people who
are entitled to benefits-related free school meals were prioritised for places on the camps which hosted more than 2,000 sessions over the Summer.
Funded places were also awarded to children and young people from disadvantaged areas, classed as
vulnerable, and those with special educational needs or disabilities.
Almost 200 children took part in the sessions run by Life Leisure’s Active Communities Team, with qualified coaches Ethan Pietkiewicz, Mason Barry and Bethany Platt coming up with a range of activities.
The summer events also included a specific camp aimed at children with special educational needs and disabilities.
Ross McGuigan, active communities manager from Life Leisure, said: “With the rise in the cost of living and more financial pressure on families than ever before, these camps have been a lifeline for lots of families in the area.
“Staff at Life Leisure look forward to the HAF camps as much as the children! It’s part of our role to show children how being active is fun, and working with so many children over the summer holidays really does make us feel proud. We already can’t wait for next year!”
The camps were support by Cracking Good Food, who supplied the meals, together with the Manchester United Foundation and Stockport County Community Foundation, who supported the activities alongside Life Leisure’s Activity Communities Team.
Gym Logistics Made Easy
Isla, Chloe and Leo Needham.Excitement builds for fitness sector’s biggest end-of-year awards party
EXCITEMENT is building for the industry’s biggest end-of-year party, with plans in place to make this year’s National Fitness Awards the best one yet.
Nominations for the 2022 awards are now closed and the full shortlist of finalists appears on page 20 of this issue of Workout.
The awards, which are now in their 12th year, recognise excellence and achievement in all corners of the fitness industry – from independent gyms to local authority facilities, health clubs and hotels – with more than 20 categories up for grabs.
Organised by Script Media in partnership with Workout and headline sponsor ServiceSport, this annual celebration of success will culminate in a glittering ceremony – taking place at the Athena in Leicester on Friday December 1 –where host Diane Youdale (Jet from the hit TV series Gladiators) will reveal
the lucky winners who will take home an award.
Previous winners have reported a boost in membership, an increase in profile and positive media coverage; with sponsors, judges and hosts already looking forward to the big night.
This year’s illustrious panel of judges includes Leisure DB director David Minton and Steve Johnson –co-owner of the multi award winning Tops Fitness and Rehabilitation.
Completing the line-up is Ragdale Hall Spa senior manager Dean Hodgkin, fitness entrepreneur Mike Hind OBE and multi-talented fitness professional Joey Bull.
Steve said: “I’ve been involved in the NFAs from its very beginning to the present awards.
“My centre has proudly received four different awards in the past, which has helped our business get recognised in the media many times.
We are now seen as a centre of excellence to our clients.
“I am now an experienced and proud judge of the Awards and each year I’m impressed by the level of entrants.
“The Awards themselves are a celebration of everything that is good about the fitness industry and I would urge anyone to always enter and attend the glitzy awards ceremony event. It’s the highlight of our year.”
Event organiser Dominic Musgrave added: “We’re delighted to report that we had a record number of entries for this year’s National Fitness Awards.
“Once again we were overwhelmed with the standard of entries we received and we’re looking forward to making this year’s ceremony on December 1 the biggest and best yet.”
Tickets for the event are now available from https://script-events. co.uk/nfa/
Web shop launches for gym and leisure operators
BLU Leisure has opened a new online shop to make it easy for gym owners, leisure centres, spas and holiday parks to order high quality, competitively priced retail stock.
Available products are all clearly listed with accompanying imagery and detailed product descriptions.
There are no minimum order requirements and orders will usually be dispatched anywhere to mainland UK within 24 hours of order receipt. Filters are also in place to make searching for product types quick and easy.
“In these tricky economic times, retail sales can provide leisure operators with a significant secondary income whilst also providing an added-value service for members and guests,” said Vicki Peck, managing director, Blu Leisure. “
All Blu products arrive at site ready priced to deliver around a 50 per cent margin. It’s then just a case of moving stock from box to display and letting the sales start to flow.
“Over the years, Blu Leisure has
Publishing manager: Dominic Musgrave
Tel: 01226 734407
dm@scriptmediagroup.co.uk
Studio manager: Paul Hopkinson ph@scriptmediagroup.co.uk
Assistant studio manager: Scott Firth sf@scriptmediagroup.co.uk
Sales and marketing director: Tony Barry
Tel: 01226 734605 tb@scriptmediagroup.co.uk
www.workout-uk.co.uk
developed a portfolio of commercial clients.
“We work with these clients on an ongoing basis to service all their retail requirements but there are many other
operators out there who could benefit from a service that enables the order of retail stock items from a trusted supplier on an ad hoc basis.
“This new shop is designed to service
this segment of the market. We then very much hope, a percentage of operators using this service will see value in a more strategic partnership with us.”
For operator partners, Blu runs a norisk sale or return model. This means, operators only pay for stock when stock is sold.
Vicki added: “New commercial partners do not need to buy products to stock their retail space. We work together to decide on an introductory order based on the operator’s requirements, their environment and their customer base, selecting items that are most likely to sell well.
“We then supply these products, only raising an invoice once sales are made.
“The product range includes Blu Leisure branded fitnesswear, swimwear and accessories, with products linked together via seasonal colour palettes to achieve optimal display effect.”
For more information about Blu Leisure visit bluleisure.co.uk or to visit the Blu Leisure online shop go to bluleisureshop.co.uk
DaySmart Software acquires TeamUp
DaySmart Software, a provider of vertically-focused business management software, has announced the acquisition of TeamUp, a provider of fitness studio and gym management software.
Through this acquisition, DaySmart expands its presence further into the fitness and recreation verticals.
TeamUp is an SaaS-based software solution that empowers fitness facilities and instructors to flexibly manage their businesses in-person, online or on-demand.
Supporting more than 3,000 customers, the company has facilitated 50 million class bookings across studios in Europe and the United States.
TeamUp is known for its ease of use, superior customer service and
broad feature set focused on helping fitness facilities and their customers thrive.
As part of this merger, TeamUp will look to grow its presence in North America and invest in accelerated product development.
The combination of TeamUp with DaySmart Recreation (acquired in 2021) positions DaySmart to serve fitness and recreation facilities of all sizes and disciplines.
DaySmart is committed to investing in an expansive set of integrated solutions otherwise not offered in the recreation and fitness market today.
“Bringing TeamUp into the DaySmart portfolio allows us to enter a new market segment as we grow and diversify our reach into the fitness and recreation verticals,” said
“I am thrilled to partner with Matt and the entire TeamUp organization to bring this powerful software to more fitness facilities.”
“Over the last 10 years, TeamUp has established itself as a leading software for studios and gyms by providing best-in-class technology and superior customer support,” added Matt Pegler, CEO of TeamUp.
“I am proud of what the team has accomplished and excited to start this next chapter with the support and experience of the DaySmart team. Through this partnership, we will continue to prioritise our customers and provide the seamless experience they are used to while investing in expanding our presence in North America.”
Patrick Shanahan, CEO of DaySmart.Active Nation partners with Wexer to launch Active Nation Anywhere
ACTIVE Nation has launched its first mobile app as part of its ongoing strategy to extend reach and influence beyond the walls of physical leisure facilities.
Active Nation Anywhere delivers a huge and varied library of workouts and classes directly to the palm of subscribers via either an Apple or an Android mobile device.
With a mix of regularly updated, self-produced content performed by its very own in-house instructor team, Active Nation Anywhere will also offer a huge library of content provided by some of the world’s best known fitness brands, giving subscribers the flexibility to work out in a style they enjoy, whenever they are able, from wherever they choose.
The white label app has been produced in partnership with Wexer, making Active Nation the first operator in the UK to adopt Wexer’s new mobile app product revealed earlier this year.
Karen Mason, senior customer experience manager at Wexer, added: “Our white labelled Web Player has been integral to Active Nation’s community engagement strategy for several years so when we started development on our new white label
mobile app, the organisation was an obvious partner to launch to market in the UK.
“All Web Player content and features – including live-streamed, on-demand, own brand content
and Class of the Day are all now accessible via the app, creating a seamless user experience for those wanting to tap into content via a mobile device.
“The app also offers enhanced casting functionality, enabling users to cast cross-platform via an AirPlay or Chromecast-enabled device.”
Active Nation is committed to empowering everyone to improve their health and wellbeing through regular physical activity.
The introduction of this new mobile app breaks down barriers to participation, enabling everyone to work out on their terms.
The app will be promoted to Active Nation’s membership and user community but is also available to everyone via a download from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
“If we are to get a higher percentage of this nation moving, we need to make it as simple as possible for people to access the support and content they need to succeed,” said Stuart Martin, managing director, Active Nation.
“Physical facilities remain the go-to destination for many people who want to get involved in structured activity but they are not for everyone.
Advertiser’s announcement“Delivering easy access, quality content direct to people not only supports our facility users but also provides a new channel through which we can engage those who do not current have a relationship with our brand, extending our influencer to a much wider segment of the community.
“We also see this as an opportunity to better engage with the corporate market. Offering Active Nation Anywhere as part of an employee wellbeing package provides corporations with a simple, costeffective means of delivering highly professional fitness content to their workforce, wherever they are located.
“We can also tie in use of our facilities in locations where it makes geographical sense to do so.
“The Wexer white label app also enables us to send those who opt in, automated push notifications. The app collects behaviour data so we can create target groups and ensure they receive only information of relevance to them.
“This creates a highly personal experience for the user and helps us to build a stronger relationship between our brand and the individual.”
Raise the standards of health education in your community
PLAYERS and staff at Wigan Warriors are pioneering performance benefits in their community, but it’s not just for the professional players, and that’s the big difference-maker.
Alliance Leisure adds to its team
ALLIANCE Leisure has appointed Gareth Liversedge as delivery manager as it continues to expand to meet increasing demand for innovative leisure, recreation and play facilities across the UK.
Gareth will support the team’s business development managers to deliver projects in the South West region.
He brings 25 years’ health and fitness experience to the role having worked in both fitness operations and sales.
He joins Alliance from Technogym where he worked for seven years, most recently as regional key account manager. Prior to this, Gareth spent five years as leisure manager at Nuffield.
“I’ve worked with the Alliance team ever since I started at Technogym,” he added.
“In fact, half of my projects every year involved Alliance in some way, so it’s exciting to be joining the team to work on developments from the other side.”
Myzone partnered with Wigan Warriors following a previous conversation with Wigan legend and England Rugby World Cup winning captain Jason Robinson.
Even following their great successes, the club is always striving for improvements both on and off the field.
Having incorporated Myzone into the Warriors’ high-performance programme, the team is extending these partnership benefits to the wider community.
The 12-week free touch rugby programme has been offered to help a group of 20 men in the community to lose weight and learn a bit about nutrition, as an extension of what Wigan Warriors and Wigan Council do to support people.
With heart rate training, Myzone has helped cement the social bond between participants, rewarding every effort.
“By the time you get home, you’re getting likes and comments on your workouts,” said Kevin Burgess, who is taking part in the programme.
“It’s pretty cool. It added another level of competition within the lads.
“At the end of each session we’re looking at how hard we’ve all worked. You can tell when your mates have put a shift in your if you have. It’s always
good to get a bit of feedback from your peers. It’s another insight on top of your workout.”
Any fitness facility can partner with its local council and offer this kind of support within the local area. It’s something that will be a steadfast commitment to positioning yourself as a leader of health for the benefit of everyone, and it’s vital to getting more
people moving.
“It changes your life,”added Stephen Taylor, another member of the community programme.
“It’s changed my life. Myzone becomes an obsessive thing that makes you push yourself to the absolute limit. It’s definitely something I’m keeping and I’m encouraging other people to buy one as well.”
Active IQ and BTN Academy team up to launch
new Level 4 certificate in nutrition coaching
ACTIVE IQ has launched a new Level 4 certificate in nutrition coaching with BTN Academy, a specialist training provider in nutrition run by top UK nutrition coach and educational speaker, Ben Coomber.
According to Ben, nutrition is routinely one the top skills that coaches want more training in but historically, options for high quality education in nutrition have been limited.
With this new partnership, the BTN Academy and Active IQ is set to change that.
Training providers across the UK can now offer the BTN Academy course to their own learners helping to upskill and train more PTs and fitness professionals keen to master nutrition.
This Level 4 certificate will help give them an edge, providing important skills that can help change people’s lives through the power of food and lifestyle change.
“For coaches to be highly effective at helping clients transform their health, body composition and performance, they need the skill of nutrition coaching and behaviour change,” said Ben.
“Getting in the gym and exercising is a great step, but far more impact is had long term with how clients eat and engage with food and their
environment.
“Many coaches lack the competence, confidence and qualifications to coach clients effectively in this area. We needed a more accessible but thorough offering for coaches to upskill as a nutrition coach enabling them to strengthen the package they can offer their clients and the results they can ultimately get them.
“Nutrition coaching is a powerful skill, and we’re excited to work with Active IQ to roll this out to other training providers and together, elevate the impact that this industry can have on the end client.”
The Level 4 certificate teaches
learners the science and application of nutrition to help clients improve their nutritional intake in line with the current scientific research.
The certificate enables learners to assist a wide variety of clients regardless of their goals or health state while also maximising their overall health.
The course material includes a wide range of topics including behavioural aspects of nutrition change, nutrition for weight loss, muscle gain and performance, male and female health, sports nutrition, diabetes, child nutrition, sports team coaching and much more.
“We are privileged to work with
BTN Academy on this Level 4 qualification,” added Gavin Baxter, head of business development at Active IQ.
“The team at BTN are experts in nutrition and they share the same values as Active IQ when it comes to education.
“This launch will allow other Active IQ centres the opportunity to become approved and deliver Nutrition Coaching to their graduates, providing opportunities to operate as a nutrition coach.”
Learners must have a basic level of nutritional knowledge in order to enrol in the course. This can be in the form of an accredited qualification like Active IQ Level 3 Award in Nutrition for Exercise and Health or Active IQ Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training, or non-accredited training like The BTN Foundation Academy.
Aside from that, learners will simply need basic IT skills, at least GCSElevel reading comprehension and access to a computer as the course is taught online.
Once qualified, a nutrition coach will be able to work alone or with a fitness professional.
They can also work as part of a multidisciplinary team to help clients implement prescribed advice from a dietician or other medical professional.
STAY AT THE FOREFRONT OF MODERN TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES THAT KEEP MEMBERS COMING BACK TO YOUR GYM.
TOUCH
AND
Leisure centre sees participation and membership numbers boom
TARKA Leisure Centre welcomed more than 33,800 visits in August – a 43 per cent increase from the same month the previous year, following the opening of the new £15million leisure facility in June.
Since its launch, the Centre has also recorded a 74.5 per cent increase in health and fitness members, and 119 per cent increase in annual memberships, with demand for the state-of-the-art gym and extensive group exercise offering high.
The new site, which is operated by Lex Leisure, combined the town’s existing leisure facilities into one to create the all-new Tarka Leisure Centre.
Alongside the gym, the facility is home to two swimming pools, including a 25m eight-lane competition pool with moveable floor, outdoor 3G pitches, a large sports hall and the county’s only endless ski-slope.
A large indoor soft play, outdoor play area and cafe complete the multi-million pound leisure facility. The existing tennis centre was also upgraded as part of the new development.
The opening of the new site marked almost 20 years’ partnership between the facility’s owners, North Devon Council, and leisure operator Parkwood Leisure.
Glen Hall, managing director of Parkwood Leisure, said: “Summer is typically a quieter time for gyms and leisure facilities, so it’s fantastic to have welcomed so many people through the doors over the past two months and see the rise in memberships; a clear indication of how well
received the new facility has been in the local community.
“The aim when designing Tarka Leisure Centre was to offer something for everyone; whatever age, interest, or ability, we wanted the Centre to be at the heart of its community and help as many people as possible get active.
“The feedback so far has been fantastic, and we’re confident that our reach within Barnstaple and the surrounding areas will only grow as more people experience all that Tarka Leisure Centre has
to offer.”
Leader of North Devon Council, councillor David Worden, added: “I am thrilled by the news that participation levels have increased by 33 per cent in July 2022 in comparison with July 2021, and by 43 per cent in August 2022 in comparison with the same month last year.
“This is a huge growth in participation since Tarka Leisure Centre was built and I’m really pleased that residents of North Devon are getting active and making the most of the new facility.”
Losing those pounds isn’t always a good thing
IN THE world of fitness, health and exercise, a refresh of your gym equipment is like a tactical manoeuvre.
It has a distinct impact on the way that your company and brand feels, sound, and looks to your customer.
That means choosing the right company to help you with this process is key.
At ServiceSport UK we have been doing exactly this for more than 20 years across the UK for our customers such as the MOD, Nuffield Health, GLL, Oakhill Leisure and many more.
We believe that refreshing your existing gym equipment can be one of the best choices a gym makes.
Rather than buying brand new kit, you will save money that you can then reinvest back into the business and keep your running costs low.
Refurbished commercial exercise equipment from ServiceSport UK can give you as close to a new workout machine as possible while you save potentially half the cost, or better, from buying new.
With gym equipment changing so fast and new models being released every year, it can be tough to stay on top of
it all.
Often, you install new equipment and soon thereafter the manufacturer comes out with a new version.
That’s why, for many businesses, choosing over the OEM makes financial sense, particularly in tough economic times, not only does this ring true with a
refresh but also servicing.
After your contract has expired with the OEM, you are going to run into potential downtime and large bills.
Having ServiceSport UK refresh and service your kit makes complete sense.
ServiceSport UK can arrange for your gym equipment to be extracted
from your site and transported to our headquarters in Lancashire.
Our professional team then get to work to:
n Strip the used gym equipment down.
n Replace any worn parts.
n Sandblast the frame.
n Powder-coat the frame in a colour of your choice.
n Our upholstery team then replace your pads in a colour of your choice with the option of an embroidered logo in the pad.
Our team then reinstall on-site to bring your gym back to life, all in a matter of a few weeks.
All of the gym equipment that has been refreshed by our team is fully inspected and tested before heading out to the site by one of our qualified service engineers.
We have so much faith in our refreshed gym equipment that each piece includes comprehensive 12-month parts and labour warranty.
Contact us on 01257 264 738 or email info@servicesport.co.uk to arrange for a member of the ServiceSport UK team to visit your site and discuss options with you.
MEET YOUR MEMBERS WHERE THEY CHOOSE TO WORK OUT.
Myzone helps you offer more with every membership, through tailored workouts that suit how, when and where your people want to move.
Learn more at
Tackling Inequalities in Leisure Standard to replace Inclusive Fitness Initiative
SPORT England has launched a new assessment to replace the Inclusive Fitness Initiative and support leisure operators in providing more inclusive and accessible physical activity opportunities for people from different inequality groups.
The Tackling Inequalities in Leisure Standard can be undertaken stand alone or as part of Quest, Sport England’s continuous improvement tool for leisure, which measures how well a facility is operating and how effective organisations are across a range of different areas.
Co-written with Activity Alliance, Tackling Inequalities will help facilities assess how they plan, communicate and serve the local community to help them become more physically active.
It focuses on five key inequality groups including people from lower socioeconomic groups, people with longterm health conditions, culturally diverse communities, disabled people and socially excluded groups.
If management choose to go for the Tackling Inequalities in Leisure Standard as part of Quest Plus, the centres will complete two modules.
On day one, the Tackling Inequalities module considers evidence such as strategies based on local needs and priorities, accessible activities, partnership working, reviews, training and resourcing, as well as demonstrating the impact made in tackling inequalities.
On day two, operators will complete Accessible Facilities, an assessment of the facility from a user’s perspective against key inclusive focal points,
including the provision of accessible changing rooms, working hearing loops and other inclusive equipment, to help facilities meet their design and operational obligations for different user groups.
To achieve the Standard, operators must score Very Good in both modules.
Further elements linked to Tackling Inequalities (Workforce & Venue Accessibility) are also covered in other day one modules, as well as part of the Quest Mystery Visit.
Sarah Maxwell, head of external accreditations for Right Directions, which manages the scheme on behalf of Sport England as part of Moving Communities.
She said: “IFI was focused on disability
and long term health conditions, which are now integrated into all aspects of Quest.
“Through the Tackling Inequalities module we have widened the categories to include more of the local population – it’s more holistic and a lot more fit for purpose, assessing whether a facility is set up to serve a wide ranging and diverse community.
“Do you know the demographics of your area? Do you know the profile of your current customer base and staff members? Is there a synergy between your area and your users?
“And, if not, what can you do with your products, programmes, services, stakeholder engagement, staff training
and communications to make them more inclusive to the community you are supposed to serve?
“For instance, programming that’s not all focused on fat burning – how about Tai Chi for older people, Mums and Tots classes and even offering a carer card to enable easier access to activity for people and their carers?”
The new Tackling Inequalities in Leisure Standard will complement the ongoing work of Activity Alliance in its aim to improve the way organisations think and act upon disabled people’s experiences, and to support facilities to include more disabled people in sport and activity.
Ray Ashley, director of partnerships at Activity Alliance, added: “The new Tackling Inequalities in Leisure Standard sees inclusion fully embedded in Quest, which will crucially enable leisure centres to think about inclusion in a more holistic way.
“By offering our experience, learning and resources through the new modules, we can continue in supporting the sector to break down barriers to being active, which have existed for far too long.”
To support the new Tackling Inequalities in Leisure Standard, Activity Alliance has created a helpful new resource for leisure operators.
The new factsheets provide clear and simple guidance, useful resources and top tips on how the leisure workforce can embed better inclusive practices within facilities and programmes.
This includes leisure centre and gym managers, facility management teams, marketing specialists and many others.
Taylor Made Designs celebrates adding Oldham Active to its portfolio of clients
TAYLOR Made Designs has added Oldham Active to its portfolio of leisure clients.
The charitable trust, focused on ‘Inspiring people to lead active, healthy lives’, is responsible for the management and development of swimming pools, gyms, exercise spaces and synthetic pitches across its six leisure centres in Oldham, Greater Manchester.
Taylor Made designs has become the supplier of choice for the provision of custom-branded merchandise across the estate.
Stuart Lockwood, CEO of Oldham Community Leisure, said:
“Ensuring our multiple sites have the merchandise they need when they need it is an ongoing logistical challenge.
“I’m pleased to say though, working with Taylor Made Designs, this process has been incredibly smooth and efficient.
“So far, the company has supplied a range of products including drawstring bags, water bottles, towels and trolley tokens – all high quality and professionally custom-branded
to reflect our wider corporate image and extend our brand presence beyond the walls of our facilities.
“Working with Taylor Made Designs, I am confident we can deliver custom branded accessories to customers across multiple sites, quickly and effectively, ensuring everyone has what they need when they need it.”
Taylor Made Designs has been supplying workwear and merchandise to leisure providers for almost 30 years.
With a warehouse, workshop and offices located on the south coast,
Taylor Made Designs connects with a global supply chain to ensure clients are provided with a huge choice of cutting-edge products.
Managing director James Taylor added: “We are delighted to welcome Oldham Community Leisure into our fold. We look forward to supporting further over the coming months.”
For more information on workwear and merchandise available from Taylor Made Designs either visit the website www.taylormadedesigns.co.uk or call 01202 473311.
Advertiser’s announcement A disabled fitness instructor supporting a client on a rowing machine. Photo credit Activity Alliance.Award-winning gym lifts off in Leicester
BODY Fit Training, Australia’s fastestgrowing fitness franchise, has opened its doors on Granby Street in Leicester.
Founded in 2017 by Princess Diana’s personal trainer Cameron Falloon, BFT specialises in progressive 50-minute functional strength, cardio, and conditioning-based classes across 13 different workout programmes, each designed to reduce fat and create lean muscle.
The state-of-the-art gym, which is the first of its kind in the UK, is being launched by Brian Saund and James Kotak.
“We’re so excited to be launching the UK’s first-ever BFT here in Leicester,” said Brian.
“This style of training offers something
different to your regular gym or PT sessions, and we can’t wait to welcome new members in for a taster.
“We first became aware of BFT during a trip to Australia and were blown away by their innovative training methods, which not only produced incredible results but did so whilst staying fun and motivational for all participants.
“With our huge variety of workouts, there’ll be no plateaus and no chance of workout boredom creeping in.”
BFT’s group fitness offering is based on Cameron’s unique methodology and combines cardio with resistance programmes to train different energy systems every session.
The unique technology used in the gym includes a bespoke heart rate
monitor system – ‘BFT³’, which allows members to track their progress and compare their performance to previous sessions, ensuring they are getting optimum results from each programme.
“We use science and technology to drive positive outcomes – at all fitness levels.
“And through our scientifically proven training techniques and highly accredited coaches, who will be by your side to motivate, educate and push you to achieve your goals, we aim to provide the perfect environment for the people of Leicester to work out,” said James.
“We are all about creating a great community that pushes each other to be better every day.
“Our coaches develop great personal
relationships with our clients and understand their goals.
“That way, we can provide constant motivation and encouragement to get them where they want to be.”
As well as owning BFT, Brian is also a wellness coach and mental health advocate.
He expects BFT to impact more than just people’s physical fitness.
“I’m a stage four cancer survivor and know all too well what happens when you neglect yourself.
“Now, my personal and professional focus in life is to develop myself and lift up those around me.
“So, the new BFT gym is a great tool to improve the mental health of the people of Leicester.”
Staycity Aparthotels unveil new gym in its biggest property to date
EUROPEAN aparthotel operatorStaycity Group has opened the doors to a cutting-edge gym in its newest and biggest property yet, Staycity Aparthotels Dublin City Centre, right in the heart of Dublin.
The new 340-room property located on Little Mary Street in Dublin, comprising of a new gym provided by fitness solution provider Gym Gear, has become an essential part of the group’s offering.
Nasser Shaher, director of procurement at Staycity Group, said:
“Our latest Staycity Aparthotel in Dublin, which opened this month, is our biggest property to date, so it was essential that we incorporated a gym that would not only meet the requirements of our guests, but that would also be robust enough to handle regular and sustained use.
“We are delighted to reveal that our new gym certainly meets the needs of our corporate guests and our leisure guests alike.
“It is a cutting-edge gym, and it offers a range of workout options for
all of our guests.”
UK fitness solution provider Gym Gear has been Staycity Aparthotel’s preferred gym supplier for six years.
Director David Bulcock added: “To date, we have provided nine gyms to the Staycity Group, and we have even more planned for the next 12 months.
“This new gym has something for everyone, from strength machines to cardio equipment and free weights.
“As a fitness solution provider we are seeing an increasing trend in all types of leisure providers who are
looking to incorporate gyms in their offering, from boutique hotels through to aparthotel groups like Staycity.
“A regular workout is becoming an essential part of people’s daily routine, as health and well-being are increasingly front of mind for us all.
“So, whether travelling for business or leisure, a quality gym with a range of equipment, is an important facility to offer to guests, and we are delighted that Staycity Aparthotel guests in Little Mary Street will be able to make use of this new gym.”
Game changing content powering precision training experiences
EMBRACING digital software has become an essential part of business, particularly when it comes to delivering the very best personalised training experience. Technogym, within its ecosystem, including connected equipment, offers members a completely personalised training experience accessible in over 85 thousand wellness centres, and 400 thousand private homes.
A core component of the Technogym ecosystem is the Technogym Live platform, featuring on-demand workouts for fitness, sport and health needs available via mobile and on Technogym equipment, including the latest innovation in cardio equipment the Excite Live range, which has a simple and intuitive interface that guides and motivates users to reach their goals with a personalised training experience offering relevant content to elevate their training experience and help users reach their goals faster.
a third in Los Angeles – has also directed and produced all of the sessions, with over 700 hours of original content available to motivate and encourage members through their workouts.
One simple log in Logging in to equipment has never been easier with Mobile Bluetooth Smart connectivity, Mobile app QR code, as well as Technogym bands and keys, once logged in Technogym Live personalises to the user.
Additionally, personal devices such as Bluetooth headphones are automatically connected to Technogym equipment once synchronised, helping users tune in and be guided by the music and coaching cues from the trainers.
Goal setting
Endless training possibilities
Technogym Sessions, part of the Technogym Live platform offers users over 700 readily available workouts that best match their needs.
The Technogym Live content (sessions, routines, outdoors and more) is automatically and constantly updated to provide users with the very latest training experiences to keep them engaged and motivated to exercise for longer to achieve superior results faster.
Training with a Pro
There are six progressive sessions in each series of goal-based training such as Drills & Technique, Your First 5K, Fitter and Faster, Endurance and Efficiency.
Technogym Sessions are led by over 40 top Talent Trainers who are leading social media influencers and personal trainers from around the world.
Not only will they engage your users in an engaging workout, but they’ll also guide them through correct exercise form and execution and deliver motivation when needed the most.
Along with delivering Sessions, the Technogym Content Factory – with two studios in Italy and
Alongside the six progressive sessions, users can also train in a time-based goal session and once in
beginner, intermediate and advanced intensities.
Along the top of the display, users can see the overall class profile and instantly control the effort levels and speed on either side of the screen with on-the-fly fast-track controls, ensuring they stay true to form.
Meet Technogym Coach
Built into every piece of equipment and across the entire Technogym ecosystem is the Technogym Coach, the first Artificial Intelligence (AI) applied to fitness equipment that provides motivation, guidance, and progression to help users train better and make the most of each workout.
Technogym Sessions Recap
n 700+ hours of original content.
n Over 700 readily available sessions.
n 40+ talent trainers.
n 7 languages.
n 3 content studios.
Technogym partners with University of Portsmouth to unveil state-ofthe-art Ravelin Sports Centre gym
The University of Portsmouth is a dynamic, forwardthinking University with ambitions to be the top modern University in the UK.
The all-new Ravelin Sports Centre building is a multi-purpose site open to staff, students, and the local community.
Along with teaching facilities it contains a 175-station Technogym gym, studios, climbing wall, ski simulator, a 25m pool and an 8-court sports hall.
The University of Portsmouth’s priority is providing a quality education experience to its 25,000 students, which includes supporting student welfare and wellbeing throughout their time in higher education.
Investment in the campus and in student services is vital to achieving these visions and ambitions.
The new sports centre and gym will encourage active lifestyle participation, support elite athletes in their goals, and help members of the community improve their fitness and wellbeing.
The new sports centre is an outstanding facility with a focus on sustainability, a diverse and accessible range of facilities, and state of the art equipment.
Situated at the heart of the campus which is itself in the centre of the city, it serves as a welcoming beacon for participation in physical activity.
Fully equipped Technogym gym
The University worked in partnership with Technogym to design and equip the new gym space. It features 175 stations, with the most cutting-edge equipment Technogym offers including Technogym Bike and Bench, Skillrun and Skillmill, Skillrow format and Skillbike formats.
The cardio area is complete with the full Excite Live cardio range, with its motivating content and large digital displays.
Resistance equipment includes Technogym Pure Strength and Selection product lines.
The project makes great use of Technogym’s most advanced digital solutions including Mywellness and the Group Cycle format for classes and on-demand content.
A long-term partnership with shared values
The sports department at the University is committed to delivering an outstanding student experience in sport, whether that is encouraging first-time users of the gym or supporting elite athletes in competition.
Charlotte Doyle, deputy head of sport at the University of Portsmouth explained why partnering with Technogym was significant to this groundbreaking project.
“It’s important that we align with companies with similar values,” she said.
“Technogym are committed to wellness in everything they do, and we knew they could support us in our goals.”
Paul Tilley, head of sport and recreation, agreed that the University’s long-term partnership with Technogym enables them to deliver excellence and offer the highest standards to students, staff, and the community.
He added: “Technogym offer us close support across many areas including technology, marketing, customer feedback, and equipment mix.
“They offered us the best solution to meet our needs, and it’s a perfect fit for us and our sector-leading building. We really feel part of the Technogym family.”
session.”
It’s not just sports students who are enjoying the new gym facility.
Engagement is high across the whole student body, proving that the centre is helping tackle serious issues such as student loneliness by giving students a feeling of connection whether they are on or off campus.
The quality and variety of facilities is encouraging students onto campus and motivating them to try new ways of engaging with fitness and sport.
Leah Lewis is an International Business Student who thinks the Ravelin gym is world-class.
“I absolutely love the gym, the equipment is so accessible with easy instructions and digital content,” she said.
“We’ve got equipment I’ve never seen before! I like coming to the gym to let off steam and get a break from studying as well as keeping fit on all this amazing equipment.”
Blending technology and sustainability for a ground-breaking site
The new sports centre is built to the highest standards of technology, innovation, and sustainability.
The University hopes it will welcome one million visitors a year and engage around 8,000 members per year.
Bernie Topham, deputy vice chancellor and chief operating officer, is immensely proud of the unique new facilities.
She explained how the new sports centre helps the University support its students and the wider community.
“We have a high performing sports and exercise programme, and these facilities will support existing students and encourage future students to study with us,” she said.
“The new sports centre also helps us play our part in making Portsmouth a healthier place to live.
Enthusiastic feedback from across the student body
Since it opened at the start of the new academic year, feedback for the Ravelin Sports Centre gym has been enthusiastically positive.
Users report being amazed by the facility’s equipment mix, and innovative technology offered by Technogym’s kit.
Students in particular are delighted that their University partnered with a forward-thinking and technology led provider like Technogym.
Having such an incredible facility in the heart of their campus is helping connect students and bring valuable structure to their days.
Finlay Morgan is a Sport and Exercise Science student. He has been enjoying the high-tech nature of the Technogym equipment.
“The Technogym kit is really advanced,” he said. “The interactive displays (Technogym Live) help with motivation and I like being able to challenge myself against my friends.
“Technogym Bike is great for intense training, the display really helps me get the most out of my
“We work closely with residents and key partners there, and also use the facilities to train young people who will go on to careers in helping others.”
Functional
FIT Club, Northwood
KCT Community Fitness, Dingwall Project Fitness GB, Houghton-le-Spring Synergy Group Fitness, Edinburgh
The Shredquarters, Tilehurst Unit 29 Fitness, Washington
Scotland & Northern Ireland
Aberdeen Sports Village
AKR Fitness, Aberdeen Claire Adams Total Health, Edinburgh Diamond Fitness, Edinburgh HUSH Private Gym, Aberdeen Personal Best: Health, Fitness and Well-being Limited, Armadale SGF Gym, Wishaw Think Fit, Belfast
Midlands and Wales
Elements Fitness and Wellbeing, Stafford Enderby Leisure and Golf Centre, Leicester Hoar Cross Hall, Burton upon Trent NRG Gym, Walsall
PHIT Fitness Academy Ltd, Erdington
The PIT Gym JQ, Birmingham
Your Space Mansfield Health Club
South
B! Health and Fitness, Honiton FitLife UK, Haddenham Fitness Rush, Huntingdon Horfield Leisure Centre, Bristol Luxe Fitness, Bristol
NRG Gym, Lewisham Vision Fitness, Henham
Strength
Fierce Gym, Milton Keynes FIT Club, Northwood Fit24 ‘Hessle Road’, Hull Hamiltons Fitness Centre, Colchester Old School Jim’s Bodybuilding and Fitness, Newcastle-under-Lyme Red Beard Barbell Club, Maidenhead Unit 29 Fitness, Washington
North
Compass Fitness, Scarborough Hello Fit, Lytham
MyGym, Stockport Premier World Fitness, Garforth RS Total Fitness, Sunderland Scarborough Sports Village
The Lab, Liverpool
Outstanding Achievement
Amy Atkins, BFit Lincs Gym, Caistor Jamie Groves, Denbighshire Leisure Ltd, Denbigh Sandip Ghattaora, Eleven Air Ltd, Harrow Javeno Mclean, J7 Health Centre, Manchester Jude Morgan, Oak Tree Leisure Centre, Mansfield Sam Summer, Watford Leisure Centre – Central Sion Lee, Savage Danzfit, Swansea
Customer Service
AKR Fitness, Aberdeen
B! Health and Fitness, Honiton
CPASE Health Club, Knutsford Fusion Fitness, Fareham Think Fit, Belfast Waterfront Leisure Complex, Greenock Waterside Leisure Club, Didsbury
Boutique
CPASE Health Club, Knutsford FitLife UK, Haddenham
HYPE Fitness, Sutton Sleven Fitness, London
The PIT Gym JQ, Birmingham
The Studio Fitness Boutique, Saltcoats Vision Fitness, Henham
Education
BFit Lincs Gym, Caistor
HMP Peterborough Male and Female Health and Wellbeing Centre
The Fitness Education Academy Ltd, Penicuik
National Gym of the Year
The winners of the gym categories will automatically be entered for the National Gym of the Year Award.
Best Outdoor Facility
Bravehearts Boxing Gym, Hamilton Fit Body Farm, Kilmaurs
Mike Munds Fitness, Bodmin Open Air Zone at Tameside Wellness Centre, Denton Over Power Fitness, Cambridge Rhyl Leisure Vision Fitness, Henham
Personal Trainer
Aled James, Fit Club, Northwood Amy Murray, Synergy Fitness, Edinburgh Andy Coulson, Unit 29 Fitness, Washington Callum Taylor, YourGym Lytham
Jamie Kirk, Diamond Fitness, Edinburgh Leanne Bierton, Winners 2000 Fitness, Paignton Sean Hibbert, Project Fitness GB, Houghton-le-Spring
Steven McMillan, Bravehearts Boxing Gym, Hamilton Group Exercise
Aberdeen Sports Village
Amy Pounder Personal Training Ltd, Middlesbrough Central YMCA Club, London
Ribby Hall Village Health Club, Preston Synergy Group Fitness, Edinburgh Waterside Farm Leisure Centre, Canvey Island YourGym Lytham
Ladies Only
Amy Pounder Personal Training Ltd, Middlesbrough Claire Adams Total Health, Edinburgh EK Fitness, Cheadle Fitcamp Women Ltd, Whitefield Fitness4Females, Gloucester Fitology Hub, London The Curve Fitness, Bradford
Member Achievement
Gary, FitLife UK, Haddenham Kerrie Money, B! Health and Fitness, Honiton Kimberley Phillips, SavageDanzFit, Swansea Kim Seccombe, Lean With Leanne at Winners 2000 Fitness, Paignton Michael Fagg, Knowsley Leisure and Culture Park, Huyton Nicola Parkin, Water Meadows Swimming and Fitness Complex, Mansfield Ross Robinson, YourGym Lytham
Local Authority / Leisure Trust
Bolton Arena Fareham Leisure Centre Maidstone Leisure Centre Oak Tree Leisure Centre, Mansfield Two Riversmeet Leisure Complex, Christchurch Westminster Lodge Leisure Centre Your Space Mansfield Health Club
Community Involvement
Central YMCA Club, London Fierce Gym, Milton Keynes Fitness Plus, Longridge J7 Health Centre, Manchester Ladywood Leisure Centre, Birmingham The Sweat Hut Ltd, Crick Trojan Fitness, Bristol Two Riversmeet Leisure Complex, Christchurch Health Club
Breedon Priory, Wilson CPASE Health Club, Knutsford Ribby Hall Village Health Club, Preston The Hogarth Club, Chiswick Unique Health Clubs, Durham Waterside Farm Leisure Centre, Canvey Island Waterside Leisure Club, Didsbury
Newcomer
Fuse Active, Stafford GRNDHOUSE, London Ignite, Cuffley MH Studio, Rothley Move HQ, Winnersh TNT Fitness, Carnforth Whitwick & Coalville Leisure Centre XCELERATE GYM, Edgware
Hotel and Spa Foxhills, Chertsey Rockliffe Hall, Darlington Rookery Hall, Nantwich Spirit Health and Fitness Club, Milton Keynes The Club @ Chilworth Manor, Southampton The Health & Fitness Club at Bedford Lodge, Newmarket The Spa at Fawsley Hall, Fawsley Gym Team
Alton Sports Centre Anytime Fitness Welwyn Garden City Basingstoke Aquadrome Dual Strength And Fitness, Horsham Lanes Health Clubs, Angmering X20 St Asaph YourGym Lytham
Best Membership Campaign NRG Gym, Manchester Synergy Group Fitness, Edinburgh Waterfront Leisure Complex, Greenock XCELERATE GYM, Edgware Your Space – Barnsley Premier Leisure
Help your gym to stand out from competitors
WE ALL know there are gyms and health clubs all over the place–and, at their core, they all offer essentially the same thing: a place to work out and improve physical health.
With so much variety among competitors, it can be challenging to figure out how to attract potential clients and retain your existing ones.
To remain competitive, it’s important to stand out rather than to fit in.
So, what can you do to differentiate your gym from competitors?
In this issue, we bring you the final two of our four ways you can make your gym shine and stand out amongst your competitors (if you missed the first two then check out September 2022 issue).
3. Showcase online reviews and member testimonials
When it comes to business, nothing speaks louder than results. And in the fitness industry, customer reviews and testimonials are a powerful way to showcase results, build trust, demonstrate your ability to deliver an exceptional member experience, and offer social proof that you’re able to help clients achieve their goals.
Your online presence will affect everything from how many people follow you on social media to your company’s bottom line. For fitness businesses, a positive reputation can help attract new potential clients, entice a better selection of prospective employees, create
more business opportunities, improve your local search engine rankings, and more. Conversely, a negative reputation can lead to loss of sales, membership churn, high employee turnover, and other costly consequences.
When a potential client is considering making a purchase decision, they want to make the best choice—and they base their
decision on which product or service appears to be superior. Nearly 90 per cent of consumers worldwide make an effort to read reviews before buying products, and 86 per cent of customers rely on word of mouth recommendations and online reviews. These statistics illustrate the importance of your online reputation and digital footprint, as well the impact of positive reviews.
4. Streamline operations
Gym management software continues to grow in popularity given its ability to increase efficiency and productivity, reduce the risk of human error, save time and money, and enhance the member experience.
On top of that, the low upfront cost structure of a cloud-based software solution makes it a financially attractive option for fitness businesses of all sizes.
Gym management software— also sometimes referred to as membership management software, a facility management system, or a gym software solution—is a platform of tools that will centralise and streamline your facility’s operations.
Gym software makes it easy for members to update payment information, pay outstanding balances, view your calendar, schedule sessions, purchase packages or memberships, register their kids for summer camps, and more—all online, and all on their own.
To learn how EZFacility’s comprehensive gym management software can help you easily connect with members and potential clients, convert leads into longlasting relationships, and streamline operations so you can focus on the most important aspects of running your business, schedule a free demonstration and personalised product tour today.
www.ezfacility.co.uk
How can I start filling my gym’s sales funnel?
By Wayne HeathEVEN if you think you’ve got a solid membership base, complacency is dangerous. Circumstances can change overnight.
Look at how the pandemic affected the fitness industry. In 2019, the global fitness industry revenue was worth just shy of $100 billion – however that shrunk to $54 billion in 2021 due to closures and lockdowns.
If you read our last post, you’ll already have your sales funnel built, so now it’s time to start filling it.
There are many different methods to start filling up the awareness stage of your funnel, so we’ve put together the ones we think are most effective for gyms, health clubs and so on.
Run an airtight referral campaign
The reason referrals are a fantastic opportunity to generate leads for your sales funnel is because the hard work is already done.
Your customers have already bought into your business and trust your gym as the place to go, so those new leads have got all the proof they need.
The referrals will also be hot, meaning they’re much more likely to convert into paying customers.
Plus, it’s free to ask your customers if they wouldn’t mind spreading the word about your club to their friends.
Even if you asked 50 of your members to refer a friend and only 10 of them do it, that’s still 10 more paying customers –and you haven’t had to lift a finger.
You could go one step further and offer rewards in exchange for referrals, such as getting free access to a class or money off a membership, which offers an incentive for your members to engage with the campaign.
Although it introduces some level of cost, it’s likely to be more cost-effective than trying to acquire a brand-new member.
Use social media to build awareness
If you don’t already have one social media account dedicated to posting about your club, you should seriously consider creating one.
Think about your target audience and which platform they spend most of their time on if you’re not sure where to start.
Our best advice for posting on
social media is whatever you do, do it consistently. Once you’ve got into a good routine of sharing updates, review how the posts are performing and do more of what works.
You can share things like gym updates, video tours of your site, equipment and membership options, member achievements and general health & wellness advice.
Offer value for free
Now that you’ve got an online platform for your club, you can give out highvalue content that your audience can access in exchange for entering their details and keeping for themselves.
Think eBooks, guides, tips and tricks; stuff that educates your audience and transforms your business into more than just a gym – you’ll become a thought leader in the industry and a trustworthy source of help for your audience.
Great ideas we’ve seen from some of our users include meal plan templates, workout routines and recipe eBooks.
After they’ve given you their email and downloaded their content, you can nurture them through your sales funnel.
The great thing about offering free, valuable stuff is that your prospects will be far more receptive to the future information you send them.
Engage with your local community
Whilst the emphasis nowadays is very much on digital, in-person networking isn’t dead.
We always recommend attending community events so that people can put faces to names.
Engage with local businesses and see if there’s a way for you to develop mutually beneficial partnerships that raise awareness for both organisations.
You could even host fun days or charity events to give back to the community.
Not only is it great PR, but it shows your prospects that you care about doing good and showcases your business values. You can get to know the people in the area and what they like so you can better serve them.
Conclusion
Whichever method you choose to start with, consistency is vital. Even if you think the top stage of your funnel looks to be full enough - circumstances can change overnight and it’s always a good idea to keep tipping new leads into your sales funnel, especially in the current economic uncertainty.
With a little time and patience, you’ll have an endless list of prospects to market to.
IndigoFitness create on gym floor group training experience
BOLTON Arena is a leisure centre that sees more than 1.2 million visitors a year utilising their fitness, tennis, football and gymnastics facilities.
Bolton Arena Gym aims to stay at the forefront of modern training opportunities and approached IndigoFitness to provide an on gym floor HIIT experience.
The aim of this project was to keep members and customers inspired to go to the gym, by launching a new group training session.
IndigoFitness was tasked design, manufacture and install an on gym floor group training concept specifically for small group training to suit all abilities.
The IndigoFitness solution
We approached this project from the ground up, with a specific and relevant flooring solution for the HIIT area.
The mix of strength training and heavy pieces of cardio kit required a flooring that could handle high intensity and reduce noise and vibrations.
We chose PaviFLEX Pro Eco 10mm Blackstone which includes a speck of blue throughout to strengthen the Bolton Arena brand theme.
The bespoke storage rig stores all the functional equipment required for the group training concept, as well as being
able working from it.
This includes wall ball targets, battle rope loops and boxing bags.
The rig also create a light barrier to the main gym floor to differentiate the space.
We used hex panels to allow a visual into the into the HIIT space so that general gym users can see what’s going on in the new classes.
On the other end of the new HIIT training space we lined up RAZE
Renegade and Concept2 cardio machines to supplement the conditioning element to the session.
Finishing touches included adding in bespoke colouring and logos to assist with the aesthetics of the gym and bring the concept to life with it’s unique ‘MOTIV8’ branding.
The result IndigoFitness designed and installed a brand new small group training concept for Bolton Arena Gym.
They have now successfully launched ‘the ultimate group training session MOTIV8’.
A modern on floor training experience for customers to enjoy a new functional style of training. The bespoke elements fit perfectly with the gyms environment and the classes are already improving the attendance and retention of members.
Bolton Arena Gym has now been announced as finalists at the National Fitness Awards for the ‘Leisure Trust of the Year’.
Stay at the forefront of modern training opportunities that keep members coming back to your gym. Get in touch for free design advice and consultation.
For more information on this project please visit www.indigofitness.com
Peloton Commercial’s Precor StairClimber
turns small steps into giant leaps ...
PELOTON Commercial has welcomed a new Precor StairClimber to its premium fitness equipment portfolio.
The Precor StairClimber is designed to cater for exercisers of all shapes, sizes and fitness levels with thoughtful, easy-to-negotiate step-on and step-off platforms, its trade-marked Dynamic Step Control – which creates a consistent step for each exerciser’s size and speed – and an impressive range of between 20 and 165 steps per minute.
It also has a unique design feature
that protects both the machine and users’ personal belongings.
Anything dropped through a gap in the steps falls onto the ‘lost item slide’ and is returned to the user at the foot of the StairClimber, rather than getting lost in the workings of the machine. Part of Precor’s 800 line of products, the StairClimber is available in both Black Pearl or Storm Grey colourways to match Precor’s other cardio and strength equipment.
The ever-dependable StairClimber, which is the only US-made
StairClimber, has been three years in development.
It was put through its paces with testing beyond industry standards, negotiating 30 different assessments and more than 10,000 hours of lab and field trials to ensure its durable, high-performance components withstand the test of time.
Scott Trinder, Peloton Commercial UK sales leader – clubs and other verticals, said: “Our premium StairClimber turns small steps into giant leaps, enabling operators to
stay one step ahead thanks to a range of important benefits.
“It’s all about our vision to ensure fitness is foremost by providing the best fitness experience possible, whether that’s ease of use for the exerciser, with the largest step surface in the industry or reliability and simplicity for the operator, through features including Dynamic Step Control™, an Active Status Light and a maintenance-free driver system based on our proven Elliptical components.”
Advertiser’s announcementThe Oaks Hotel Leisure Club get 520 new members in just eight weeks
48 per cent Facebook, 18 per cent direct mail 15 per cent referrals, 10 per cent Instagram and four per cent Google.
The marketing breakdown from the recently completed membership drive campaign at The Oaks Hotel Leisure Centre. During this campaign the membership base at the club more than doubled.
If you’re interested in growing the membership base of your club, this article may interest you.
So how did they do it?
The campaign was designed and carried out by agency Creative Fitness Marketing over a period of eight weeks.
CFM use a value-based marketing approach to appeal to the deconditioned local market.
The messaging and imagery used in the campaign attract those who wouldn’t normally consider joining a fitness centre.
While many clubs use intimidating imagery featuring super fit young ladies in crop tops and topless men, CFM take a non-intimidating approach to their design.
Jonny Packard, a member of the CFM management team, said: “Over the past 30 years in the industry, CFM have tested many approaches.
“The reason we achieve such high
numbers in such a short time is we know how to reach and motivate the ‘untouched’ market in local communities.
“We understand the fears and insecurities many people have when it
comes to starting their fitness journey.
“Breaking these down and presenting the club as a place where they will be supported to reach their goals in a nonintimidating environment is vital.
“We also understand that it can take
up to five marketing exposures for this market to act, which is why our campaigns are always multi-faceted.
“We use up to 10 different marketing mediums during our campaigns, such as digital marketing, direct mail, outdoor signage, community outreach and inclub referral campaigns.”
When it comes to the day-to-day running of the campaign, it’s important to note that CFM also manage the new member sign ups, to ensure a high sale to appointment rate (around 85 per cent).
Whilst some marketing companies will often provide hundreds of leads, typically the ‘close rate’ of these leads can be as low as 10 per cent, as it is often left to the clubs themselves to sign up the new members.”
Kabz from the Oaks added: “The team blended in very well with existing staff and supported us in the day to day running with members.
“Fun and passionate about what they do and overall excellent achievement at the end of the promotion.”
The CFM model is unique in that they don’t charge their clients upfront, and they work on a commission only basis, so there is no risk for the gym.
To find out if your club is suitable for a CFM campaign, check out www.cfm.net or call Jonny or Harry on 0115 777 3333.
While you’re running around trying to make ends meet, smart gyms are doing this:
YOUR most expensive purchase is gym equipment, so if you’re not tracking cost of ownership then your gym could be one of hundreds predicted to fail this year.
Orbit4 is a clever platform that can provide total visibility of the behaviour of your fitness equipment so that data can drive much better-informed decisions when it comes to triggering the perfect time to trade-in and purchase new.
There’s always a risk of spending too much money on servicing and maintenance on aged assets so Orbit4 can pin-point the perfect time so you maximise the value of your equipment.
Daniel Jones, CEO of Orbit4, said: “There are gym operators ignoring vital data which just isn’t viable when ukactive says more than half of all public and private facilities will be forced to close some or all of their sites.
“Right now, we all need to make decisions using data to make every penny count.
“We’re proud of how much Orbit4 is supporting our industry but this year it’s gone from being just a great idea to a life-saver for many businesses.”
Orbit4 won’t just tell you the best time to trade-in and buy.
It is also the worlds’ first digital ecosystem that fully automates the entire commercial fitness equipment journey.
For the first time ever, gym operators can use a bespoke asset management system that also automates procurement processes for the future – all data driven via historic asset behaviour and cost of ownership.
What is total cost of ownership?
Total cost of ownership is the purchase price plus the amount you spend to maintain and service that commodity.
In many industries, we track cost of ownership via digital systems so we can make the right decision to maximise the residual value and replace for new at the right time.
In the automotive sector, this process has been sophisticated for many years.
Most gym owners don’t have a digital focus on asset management.
Considering fitness equipment is one of the largest capital expenses, due diligence has been poor across our sector.
With Orbit4, operators will have their own asset management portal and can make prescriptive decisions for future equipment and service contract purchases.
Don’t go over budget Owners and management can allocate a ‘cap spend’ for each product category – i.e. treadmills spend cap could be £1,750.
When service and repair tickets are generated and completed over the lifespan of the assets, cost is attributed to each asset and eats into the ‘cap spend’ and products eventually hit ‘maturity’.
At this point, operators are alerted and presented with automated fitness equipment quotes, finance options and instant trade-in valuation via the Orbit4 connected procurement system.
Find out for yourself how much you can save at www.orbit4.org
Advertiser’s announcementShredquarters opens latest club and eyes UK market leadership in functional training
FAST-growing functional training franchise The Shredquarters has reached the 10-site milestone with the opening of its latest club in Twickenham, south-west London.
The 3,500sq ft club is located directly opposite Twickenham train station in an eye-catching “high street retail-style” environment, said Shredquarters owner and founder Adam Waters.
On offer is the brand’s signature ‘Shred’ gym floor HIIT class, created with member results in mind. Also on offer at the new club is boxing, yoga and strength classes.
Physical has supplied a full complement of flooring and free weights, rigs and punchbags, TRX, battle ropes, Olympic bars and storage racks.
Twickenham is the third London site for Shredquarters. A 10-strong pipeline, signed and scheduled to open over the remainder of 2022 and into 2023, include a further four London locations – in Purley, Clapham, Kingston on Thames and Sutton – as well as five clubs in Greater Birmingham and one in Bristol.
“We continue to see huge interest from prospective franchisees,” added Adam. “I believe we’ll become UK
market leader in this space within the next two to three years.”
Shredquarters’ growth comes in spite of the franchise only launching during the pandemic, and Adam attributes this success to the brand’s highly transparent, affordable model.
“Our ethos is all about getting franchisees up and running and turning a profit,” he said.
“We ripped up the rule book that says you should make money from your franchisees upfront – charging a mark-up on kit and so on – because that isn’t how we believe franchising should be done.
“Ultimately, we want our franchisees to quickly enjoy a great return on investment. We want them to succeed. That’s good for them, good for our brand, and ultimately the right thing to do. We’re out to do things differently and we’re pushing hard for UK market leadership.”
“It’s hugely exciting to be on this journey with Adam and the team at Shredquarters,” concluded Physical account manager Paul Farrell.
“We’re delighted to have signed a five-year exclusivity agreement with this dynamic brand and are very much looking forward to continuing to support this fantastic ‘made in Britain’ growth story.”
Panatta – Ecorow rowing machine
The Ecorow Panatta is a rowing machine totally designed by Panatta technicians and produced in Italy within the same Panatta factories, as it is for the entire production process.
It is a faithful reproduction of athletic rowing and it is studied to minimise rough movements compared to classic air rowers as well as the rebound effect that could affect the lumbar region.
This rowing machine is ideal for indoor rowing exercises both at home and for professional use at gym.
It is energy-free and does not require power supply or considerable maintenance.
Like all the others Panatta products, Ecorow is built and designed to last over time and allow every user target to train safely.
The benefits of using the Panatta Ecorow are the following:
n Overall total body training session with a single rhythmic and fluid movement; this will increase both strength and endurance and, especially, will improve the burning calories process;
n No –impact discipline whose resistance is proportional to the user’s muscular effect.
n Suitability for people of every age and ability target.
n Functional and cross training principles applied.
Compared to most rowing machines on the market, the Ecorow Panatta provides much higher resistance thanks to an innovative magnetic system that does not require electricity and it is also not subject to wear and tear. With a simple and quick four-level adjustment mechanism, you can switch between agility and additional load, combining and alternating cardiovascular and power training into the same session.
Furthermore, the magnetic resistance compared to air resistance gives the user a much smoother and more realistic paddling sensation with a load progression proportional to the intensity of the paddling the robust and precise chain drive system is not prone to slipping and requires no maintenance other than lubrication and cleaning.
Specifically, the load progression of the Panatta magnetic system is much better than that of a common air resistance system because the latter develops maximum force at the start of the rowing motion and then decreases dramatically due to the inertia of the flywheel. This physical phenomenon does not occur in the magnetic resistance system in which, on the other hand, the load always remains proportional to the intensity and speed of the rowing motion.
The minimum seat height of about 42 cm is specially designed to make the machine easily accessible even to users with reduced joint mobility and at the same time keep the user not too far from the ground in order not to generate instability while performing the exercise.
The machines proportions, as well as the technical details, allow a physiological posture the user can keep throughout the exercise.
The machine colour is fully customisable except for the rail and printed components.
The machine is equipped with front wheels for easy transport and a display that shows the following information: time, time per 500m, distance, number of paddles, calories, power, speed and heart rate (for which a heart rate monitor is required).
The Pulse Recovery function is also available, which tests the heart rate recovery capacity based on the decrease in heart rate measured over one minute. The display is not optional but is always supplied with the machine.
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Sport for Confidence founder accepts honorary degree
LYNDSEY Barrett has been awarded an honorary degree by Writtle University College in Essex.
Lyndsey founded Sport for Confidence in 2015. The organisation has created opportunities for more than 3,000 individuals who face barriers to participation in sport.
Sport for Confidence’s healthcare professionals, namely occupational therapists, work collaboratively with sports coaches with the aim of making society active and more equitable.
In 2021, Lyndsey was awarded a British Empire Medal in recognition of her work.
Writtle University College’s vicechancellor Professor Tim Middleton said: “We were delighted to confer honorary awards as part of our graduation ceremony. Lyndsey is an inspiration to our students and has made incredible contributions to removing barriers to participation within sport.”
Lyndsey, who worked as a senior occupational therapist for the NHS
before launching Sport for Confidence, has extended occupational therapy practice into mainstream communitybased settings, such as leisure centres.
Her work enables more people to enjoy community spaces that promote movement, activity, wellbeing and relationships.
Her ambition to influence nationally and to reimagine physical inactivity from an occupational perspective has recently resulted in a system partnership investment from Sport England.
Lyndsey said: “‘I am absolutely delighted to receive an honorary degree from Writtle University College. It is a privilege to be an occupational therapist and to be able to apply an occupational perspective to tackling inequalities in physical activity participation.”
Sport for Confidence now operates at multiple leisure centres across Essex and London, bringing occupational therapists together with sports coaches to deliver goal oriented, person-centred sporting experiences.