WorkOut September 2012

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September 2012

The UK’s No 1 fitness industry magazine

Enter your gym now for the NFA celebration

Olympics had a positive effect, claim operators

By Christina Eccles EARLY signs show the London 2012 Olympics had a positive effect on UK gyms, with operators around the country reporting success with their themed events and membership offers.

A number of gym owners have contacted Workout to reveal how their clubs got into the Olympic spirit – organising popular sporting challenges or offering special rates to anyone who signed up during the Games.

Success stories include London-based studio Yotopia, which offered free sessions for every medal won by Team GB for anyone who bought membership before the opening ceremony.

The offer, which had three tiers depending on length of membership purchased and colour of medal won, saw the studio giving away 132 free days of yoga – rewarding members for signing up and encouraging them to stay longer.

Elsewhere, free themed circuit classes helped independent gym Oxygen Fit encourage the local community to get more active during the Games, while personal trainer Robin Williams also saw an increased uptake in business, adding on Twitter: “I'm running new exercise classes at the University of

Brighton and teaching a lot more stand up paddleboarding! Direct result?”

Team GB’s success also encouraged The FIA to urge the industry to unite and create a lasting Olympic legacy – by making the UK the most active nation in the world.

CEO David Stalker added: “Rising to this opportunity will not be easy: embedding and sustaining volunteering and community sports structures across the country; establishing exercise as medicine; innovating to capitalise on the first “Digital Olympics”; nailing a consensus on school sport; tooling up our army of professionals and volunteers with the skills they need; and, most importantly generating cross Government support and investment. We are arguably now the pound for pound most successful major sporting nation in the world. Can we become the most active as well?

“That’s a national challenge we’re excited about taking part in and want everyone who has similar goals to support us to achieve it.”

Were the Olympics good for your club or did members stay away to watch the sporting action elsewhere?

Tell Workout by contacting 01226 734463 or emailing ce@scriptmedia.co.uk

No 228 £3

The fitness industry is gearing up for one of the highlights of its calendar – Leisure Industry Week – which takes place later this month. The event, at the NEC from September 18-20, brings visitors together for three days of informative seminars, the latest new product launches and networking opportunities. Attractions to watch out for this year include appearances from Olympians Greg Searle (pictured), Gail Emms and Beth Tweddle, visiting as part of a new initiative, LIW Live.

For more LIW news see our dedicated show preview, starting on Page 52

GYMS from all corners of the UK have been invited to celebrate their achievements by entering the 2012 National Fitness Awards.

The awards, organised by Script Events in partnership with Workout, recognise excellence across the fitness industry, with nominations received so far from clubs all around the country.

But time is running out to put your club in with a chance of winning an award, so make sure you get your entries in now by visiting www.nationalfitnessawards.co.uk Once nominations have closed, the Workout team will decide which of our worthy entries will make the shortlist, with the results announced in a future issue of the magazine.

Trophies will be handed out at a spectacular awards evening where the entire industry will come together to recognise the achievements of our winners.

This year’s event takes place on November 30 at the Athena in Leicester, hosted by top personal trainer Charlotte Ord. So to make sure you don’t miss out on the ultimate end-of-year party, visit www.nationalfitnessawards.co.uk and look out for more on the NFAs inside this issue of Workout.

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Olympics experience has ‘created a good legacy’ THE manager of a Kent gym, which was chosen as a pre Olympics training camp, has told why the experience will leave a lasting legacy for members of the club.

The Australian Athletics team chose the gym at Tonbridge School Centre to prepare for London 2012, with athletes using the facilities for up to six weeks before they journeyed to the Olympic Village in Stratford.

To accommodate the needs of the Olympians, the club invested in new facilities – with funding coming from the school, local authority and Australia Athletics – which included extending the long jump, upgrading pole vaulting facilities and converting one of the changing rooms into an ice bath.

With help from suppliers such as ESPT TotalPower Lifting Platforms, the club also converted half of its stu-

The Australian athletics team behind the school’s chapel. dio area into a temporary gym, meaning the athletes had their own dedicated space to train and school pupils and regular members could access the dual use facilities as normal.

One of the school’s main objectives

when getting involved in the project was to give something back to the local community and health and fitness manager Oli Martin believes they have been able to do just that.

He explained: “The school is a registered charity so we need to invest into the local community. This has created a good legacy for the school and going forward, we can use it to reach out to the wider community.”

Children from nearby schools could also get involved in the visit by attending meet and greet sessions

www.workout-uk.co.uk

with the athletes, including Australian track star Sally Pearson. They also held an open track session for press and the public, which Oli added was a great day.

Since the visit and the success of the Games, Olympic fever has swept through the gym and Oli told Workout the event has been great for inspiring members’ exercise regimes.

He added: “Everyone enjoyed the experience. Our classes are fully booked again and people are showing a big interest, which is great.”

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Sales and marketing director: Tony Barry

Group Editor: Judith Halkerston Tel: 01226 734639 jh@scriptmedia.co.uk

Sales manager: Daniel Lloyd Tel: 01226 734699 dl@scriptmedia.co.uk Field sales executive: Chris Hartley Tel: 01226 734709 ch@scriptmedia.co.uk

The temporary Australian gym designed by health and fitness manager Oli Martin.

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Chief reporter: Christina Eccles Tel: 01226 734463 ce@scriptmedia.co.uk Reporter: Helen Williams Tel: 01226 734694 helenw@scriptmedia.co. uk

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Conference for gym operators

By Christina Eccles

Top fitness model Carly Thornton got a taste of the limelight when she appeared as an extra on hit TV show The Only Way is Essex. Carly, who is also a healthy eating ambassador and one of the judges for Workout’s National Fitness Awards, got involved in the show with her friend – and fellow fitness fan – Laura. She said: “We got involved in a cinema scene, which was a lot of fun. It was a great experience and we’ve been asked to become regular extras on the show. All the casting crew were fantastic and really down to earth and I look forward to being part of the epic reality TV show again.”

SECONDARY spend, sales and marketing and social media will be among the topics up for discussion at a conference dedicated to independent operators who want to improve their businesses.

The conference – Maximising Potential with Minimum Outlay – will include presentations from some of the biggest names in the fitness industry, with a packed programme of sessions designed to help gym owners get the best out of their clubs even in tough economic times.

The event has been organised by Script Events, the company behind the successful National Fitness Awards, in conjunction with Workout – the UK’s number one magazine for independent gyms.

It takes place at the Hilton Hotel in Blackpool on October 18 and will include presentations from some of the biggest names in the fitness industry.

Speakers appearing on the day will include international fitness presenter and head of product development at energie Group Dean Hodgkin, social media expert Matt Bradney, managing director of CFM Chevy Kelly, CEO of CFM/MyZone Dave Wright and successful independent

Andy Peacock operators Andy Peacock, Michelle Matthews and David McCorkindale.

There will also be opportunities for delegates to network with other operators and industry suppliers, who will be showcasing their latest products and services and explaining to club owners what they can do for them.

Time is running out to book your place at the event. To make sure you don’t miss out, visit www.scriptmedia.co.uk/events for all the information and to book online.

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Louie’s fat-burning workout takes off

By Helen Williams A FITNESS instructor in the west of Scotland who invented his own fatburning workout is seeing his creation take off.

Louie Fecou, who has almost 30 years’ experience in the industry, launched Cardio40 (C40) last year.

Over the last few months it has taken off so well that when Workout spoke to Louie, he was preparing to host his own instructor workshop at Inverclyde National Training Centre in north Ayrshire – with plans to spread C40 nationally.

Cardio40 is a back-to-basics format reminiscent of aerobics and the fast and furious moves can help clients burn up to 1,000 calories per session.

Louie explained: “It’s a continuous 40-minute workout based on 32count choreography punctuated with plyometric moves. We teach the moves in sequence to up-tempo music so they all stack and flow together. For example, a heel dig would be number one. No two classes are the same because you can reorder the moves – it’s only limited by the instructor’s imagination.”

The first male Zumba instructor in his area, Louie also teaches step aerobics.

Louie with members of one of his Cardio40 classes.

He added: “Zumba is great but some people in my classes said ‘we can’t really dance’ and wanted something more aerobic. Since the advent of boot camps and workouts like Insanity people want a workout that is fun but also physically challenging.”

Now Louie gets up to 70 people attending his classes, including men.

“Because it’s just called C40 there are no preconceptions. Guys stick to the programme and seven or eight attend every week.”

Louie also writes a fitness blog and is working on two more programmes, Cardio40 Extreme and C40 Dance. He has also been in talks with the aerobic music service Pure Energy about creating a CD especially for Cardio40.

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Gym chain launches soundtrack

LONDON-based gym chain Gymbox has joined forces with leading dance music brand Defected to create a new workout soundtrack.

Bodymusic presents Gymbox – Workout one contains two 60 minute mixes – cardio and conditioning – plus a 10-minute warm up and cool down mix and will be available exclusively on iTunes.

Gymbox fitness trainer Pierre Pozzuto said: “The goal-specific cardio mix is at a 138 BPM tempo and the conditioning mix is at 128 BPM – each designed to accompany your individual workout.

“When music is used as a 'pace maker', a constant that is always followed in my class, all other variables can then be more accurate. I use music on the single, double or 'freestyle count’. It’s one major way to change intensity.

Using the beat helps everyone feel part of the music and part of a team in class. So if the resistance is fixed (say to effort level seven out of 10) then intensity can be controlled simply by using the single, double or freestyle pace...”

Gymbox hosts Bodymusic sessions at each of its gyms.

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Northern Irish women lead the way WOMEN in Northern Ireland are getting the most physical activity in the UK – with 35 per cent making sure they get the recommended 30 minutes a day.

Research by the World Cancer Research Fund shows Northern Irish women are leading the way – getting more exercise than those from England, Scotland and Wales.

According to the study, 33 per cent of women in Scotland achieve the recommended activity levels, as do 29 per cent of women in England. But Welsh women are lagging behind, with just 24 per cent exercising for 30 minutes each day.

WCRF’s head of health information Kate Mendoza said: “Women in Northern Ireland are leading the rest of the UK when it comes to getting the required level of physical activity but nationwide activity levels are worryingly low.

Women need to be more physically active and hopefully the Olympics will provide a boost.

“We’d like to see changes in areas such as food labelling to make healthy eating choices easier for people, or town planning to make physical activity safer and more attractive.”

Gym marks 20 years with new equipment

By Christina Eccles A LONDON independent gym has celebrated 20 years in business by investing in new equipment and completing a successful membership campaign.

Neil Withington and his team at Physicals Fitness Club have been providing a central hub for the Wood Green community since they took over in 1992.

Although coming up with something new and fresh can be a challenge, Neil has recently invested in five new Watt Bikes for the club where he runs fitness classes incorporating both the bikes and rowing machine for a high intensity calorie burn.

The club has also just completed its 10th successful member drive with CFM, helping the gym to capture over 4,500 hard-to-reach members in the market place.

Neil said: “We bring CFM in because they drive new members that would not normally walk through the door.

We have the expertise to help these people but not the time nor manpower to go out and get them.

“It means we get a consistent and new income stream into the club and a company that makes a real song and dance about all our good quali-

Neil Withington with Steffi Crouch and Bruce Blackwell from the CFM Memberdrive team. ties as a club. With our expertise, we get the new members results and look to generate loads of referral business.”

Neil, who is also the fitness coach for Stevenage FC, takes huge pride in the knowledge that he and his staff have in all things health and fitness and has managed to maintain a successful business – even in tough times – by keeping up to date with the latest trends.

He added: “It is ok to merely have

the knowledge to help someone achieve their fitness goals however it is how this is passed on to the everyday person in terms they can relate to which will make them feel comfortable and see their goals as attainable.

“Just because we have been around since 1992 doesn’t mean we know everything. We are forever learning and keeping up to date with the latest education so it shows in the results that we get our members.”

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FIA responds to gym staff customer survey

By Christina Eccles

Kiss Gyms has opened its third 24-hour budget club, following a £650,000 design and build programme by development partner Createability. Work on the 15,500 sq ft Acton club included the conversion of two floors of offices to provide changing rooms and a fit out of the adjoining warehouse into a new 150-station fitness suite, employing a combination of soft mood lighting with red-coloured gels in keeping with Kiss Gym’s theme. The gym, kitted out by Matrix, includes a functional training zone complete with four bodycore functional training platforms from Dynamic Activity.

Premier opens venue at Knowsley facility PREMIER Training International has opened a new venue at David Lloyd Knowsley.

The first course taking place at the new venue will be the Diploma in Fitness Instruction and Personal Training – a six-week course which began on August 6.

The venue replaces Premier’s previous Liverpool location at the David Lloyd Speke, providing Premier learners with the opportunity to study in the heart of the city, being 15 minutes from Liverpool

town centre and next door to the Liverpool FC Academy Area development manager Kayley Tobias said: “The demand for health and fitness courses in Liverpool has grown consistently in the last decade, and we wanted to make sure that we provided learners in the city with a location that is both accessible and state-of-the-art.

Liverpool is a big, vibrant city and we are keen to ensure that our facilities reflect that.”

GYM employees are lagging behind other professions when it comes to delivering high standards of customer service, a survey has claimed.

A study of 1,000 UK consumers conducted by customer service training firm, Results International, and published in HR Magazine, found that gym employees received one of the lowest scores for ‘good customer service attitude.’

Gym staff secured only nine per cent of the vote for good service and were more likely to be noted for their bad customer service approach, which scored 12 per cent, according to the survey.

But CEO of the FIA David Stalker disagreed with the findings – claiming that according to the FIA’s own research, gym members are more satisfied with their clubs’ staff than the survey suggests.

He added: “These findings are contradicted by our own surveys conducted into customer service and performance of leisure facilities.

“As part of the assessment process for our annual Flame Awards, which are the benchmark of excellence in this sector, we survey the members of the public using our facilities. This year of nearly 5,000 gym users surveyed, 86.3 per cent voted their club eight/nine or 10 out of 10 for satisfac-

David Stalker tion across a range of criteria.

“The consistently high quality and volume of the entries for our Flame Awards each year actually would suggest that exercise professionals working in health clubs and leisure centres have a strong customer care ethic, positive relationships with their members and local community and a desire to develop a culture of professional development within their facilities. A key role of the FIA is to protect and promote our members working in this sector, and to support them in upskilling their workforce and understanding the evolving demands of their consumers.”

How do you ensure customer service standards remain high in your club? Send your comments to ce@scriptmedia.co.uk and you could appear in a future issue of Workout.

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The USA diving team which held its pre Olympic training camp at Ponds Forge.

Thirteen-medal haul for SIV at London Olympics

By Christina Eccles

SHEFFIELD International Venues is celebrating after its facilities helped athletes at the 2012 Olympic Games win a total of 13 medals.

Six GB athletes who train at EIS Sheffield secured medals at London 2012, with Sheffield’s own golden girl Jessica Ennis leading the medal charge in the heptathlon.

The GB boxing squad, which is also based at EIS Sheffield, achieved the country’s best boxing performance for over 100 years, coming away with three golds for boxers Luke Campbell, Anthony Joshua and Nicola Adams, a silver for Fred Evans and bronze for Anthony Ogogo.

SIV facilities also played host to a number of training camps before the Games.

The USA diving team, which held its final training camp ahead of London 2012 at SIV’s Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, won a

total of four medals including one gold, two silver and one bronze.

In the rhythmic gymnastics events, the Russian team, which prepared for the Games with a training camp at the Motorpoint Arena, topped the medal table with two golds and a silver. And Canada’s synchronised swimming team, which made a final stop at Ponds Forge before heading to London for the Olympics, narrowly missed out on a medal finishing fourth.

General manager of SIV Events, which is responsible for procuring major events for the company, Dominic Stokes said: “We are extremely proud of the important role that SIV has played in supporting these athletes to achieve their Olympic dreams.

“Our iconic, multi-use facilities have contributed to 13 medals for individuals and teams at 2012, which is an incredible achievement and testament to quality of our venues.

Jessica Ennis “From major televised sporting championships and training camps to concerts and exhibitions, our diverse and flexible facilities provide one of the widest choices of event spaces in the UK.”

Precor takes over business

A luxury boutique hotel in London has chosen Keiser equipment to kit out its gym.

The company installed M3 bikes and a functional trainer into the gym at Blakes Hotel in Kensington and Chelsea. Co-owner Meir Abutbul said: “Keiser’s equipment ticked all the boxes for us. We were looking for compact equipment for a small space but it still needed to look smart and sophisticated. The quality of Keiser’s equipment was also fantastic.”

PRECOR has taken over the distribution of its products in Scotland and Ireland.

The company agreed with Inspirit, which previously distributed Precor’s equipment within these areas, a smooth transfer of all supply, service and support of existing customers to Precor UK. Sales director Jez Whitling said: “Precor has enjoyed steady growth in Scotland and Ireland through its partnerships with major customers.

“Having these areas sit within our offices alongside all other UK business will allow Precor to build closer relationships and greater understanding of customer needs so that we can develop the most suitable package of support including finance, integrated software solutions, service and marketing.”

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The new gym at Fit4less in Canterbury.

Demand leads to gym doubling size A CANTERBURY gym has moved premises to a location twice the size, following an increase in demand from new members.

Fit4less reached its maximum capacity for membership in March but new requests to join continued to come through.

To cater for this, manager Andrew Ingham and his team have now relocated to a unit in the St George’s Centre, which occupies 8,000 sq ft – double the size of the original gym.

Andrew said: “The demand for a low-cost gym has been more than we

could ever have anticipated.

“We find that many customers tell their friends, colleagues and family about us and they then reciprocate, which has seen us expand quicker than we knew.”

The new gym features brand new Precor equipment, a cardio theatre, resistance machines, free weights area, functional training area and personal training.

Andrew added: “Due to the increase in size, we have much more equipment and the location gives us a more central and modern feel.”

Twist set to take fitness by storm

By Helen Williams A FORM of functional training called Twist Sport Conditioning has hit the UK from Canada – and is forecast to take the fitness world by storm.

Twist is about getting the body fit for purpose, whether that is running a marathon or simply running for the bus. It aims to build ‘smart muscle’ that is not only responsive but works in sync with other muscles and the brain.

Training can benefit everyone from ‘couch potatoes’ to athletes and can be adapted for young children to older people and used in rehabilitation and school curriculums.

The technique uses a variety of kit such as TRX, Power Plate, medicine balls, and BOSU (a half ball to stand on which improves balance).

Justin O’Halloran, who owns the Performax Fitness Studio in Pannal, near Harrogate, recently became the UK’s first Twist Conditioning Master Trainer. When Workout spoke to him, he was heading off to Canada to finish his Twist training. On return, he will head up the education and rollout process across the UK and teach the techniques to PTs, sports coaches and teachers.

Justin explained that the training challenged the body’s ‘hard drive’ (muscles, heart, lungs) as well as its ‘software’ (brain and nervous system).

It aims to develop athleticism by focusing on ‘secondary components of fitness’ such as balance, speed, agility and multi-joint strength.

Among Justin’s clients are elite athlete and Leeds Ladies footballer Leah Galton and a woman who is disabled following a serious accident.

Justin, who has a degree in sports science, started as a personal trainer but became disillusioned and moved out of the job. A chance meeting with Twist founder Peter Twist, an elite hockey player, changed his perspective.

Justin said: “He is the most innovative guy in the world in functional training. He is also a really inspiring person – he is just recovering after a battle with late stage nasopharyngeal (head/neck) cancer that had spread through his lymph system.”

Peter Twist has shared his training in 10 books, 18 DVDs, and more than 400 articles. Twist Sport Conditioning is based in Vancouver with franchises in the US and Canada. The company has four divisions – training, products, education and franchise.

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UK FITNESS SCENE Independent gym Heart and Soul Fitness lies in London’s trendy Kensington and Chelsea, but with membership costing a maximum £25 per month, owner Sarah Colbourne is proving that keeping fit in the capital doesn’t have to be expensive.

Christina Eccles took a look around.

Sarah Colbourne with some of her team.

Reluctant Sarah puts her Heart and Soul into gym MEETING lycra-clad fitness guru Mr Motivator and a line from the iconic Rocky films are just some of the things which have inspired Sarah’s career in the fitness industry and led her – at first reluctantly – to opening her own gym.

When her promising javelin career was cut short by injury, Sarah, who was coached by Olympian Tessa Sanderson, decided to bow out of the sport – but still wanted to find a career that incorporated fitness.

Through Tessa, she was introduced to Mr Motivator, who inspired her to become an aerobics instructor, before progressing to be a personal trainer and launching her own PT business in 2003.

From this, Sarah opened Heart and Soul Fitness in partnership with her husband just over a year ago, but admits when she first launched the business she had no intention of it even being a gym.

The facility was meant to be a studio devoted exclusively to personal training, but after local people kept coming in and asking if they could join, she realised she was missing a trick and adapted the model to offer gym membership as well as PT.

Heart and Soul fact-file: The club is split into three floors – weights on the bottom, cardio in the middle and a functional training area – where most of the personal training sessions take place – on the top floor.

The cardio area started off with treadmills, rowers and bikes, with Sarah also introducing a cross trainer and stepper after six months following requests from members who said they would like them.

The gym has linked up with a range of local businesses including hairdressers and beauty salons who now offer discounts to members.

Secondary spend works well for the

The extensive weights area at Heart and Soul Fitness.

The first 50 memberships sold out so quickly, she kept allowing people to join and the club is now going from strength to strength with over 1,000 members so far.

Sarah said: “If we had stayed as just a PT suite, we would have closed by now. I had to roll with it – I didn’t want it to be a gym but it’s worked out for the best.”

The affordable price, no contract

and friendly, family atmosphere are keeping members happy and Sarah added as the club is independent, it also means they can be more flexible with making changes and trying new things.

She added: “We thought £25 was fair and that price just stuck. We did a £14.99 offer and took £8,000 in one month. We are brave at trying things – it’s all about trial and error.”

club, with products on offer including fresh fruit, protein shakes, drinks and towels for hire, as well as personal training sessions. Sarah says because membership is lower than members would pay elsewhere, they are prepared to spend on other things in the club.

Two people can buddy up with a personal trainer to make it more affordable and the gym also offers a scheme where if someone has pre-paid for a block of personal training and doesn’t turn up to a session, that session is offered free of charge to another member who can’t usually afford personal training. iPod docking stations are used in the club – with members able to bring their

own music and take charge of the playlists.

The walls are covered with pictures of inspirational athletes and quotes, providing members with additional motivation to get the most from their workouts.

Sarah thought of the name after watching one of the Rocky films, which has a line mentioning ‘heart and soul’. The phrase stuck with her and she named her club after it.

Future plans include looking for a second site to expand the business, although Sarah has stressed she doesn’t want to own a chain of clubs and will be happy to stick at two.

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Functional boxing zone set for LIW

A&D Sports will exhibit a new functional boxing zone at Leisure Industry Week after seeing an increase in demand for MMA products.

The company, home to brands including Exigo, has seen rising demand particularly in mixed martial arts and has now expanded to a point where it has moved into a new 14,000 sqft factory, showroom and offices in Rochdale, Lancashire.

Managing director Darren Golden said: “MMA is bigger than boxing in the States and that trend is coming over here. Cage fighting has also become more popular. Our new boxing zone offers a ‘one stop shop’ for all kinds of functional training, incorporating a boxing ring, monkey bars, a conditioning zone and an area for personal training.”

Darren said the company – which also has the brands Fit-equip and Fitbox – was targeting the new product at bigger club chains which may not yet have developed their functional training facilities.

He added: “Because so much is included in the new product, it will save clubs money – we can also offer them bespoke branding with, for example, digitally printed branding on the floor of the ring.”

Darren set up the business as a one man operation in 1995 and now has over 20 staff.

UK FITNESS SCENE

Oxygen hosts Olympic themed circuit classes AWARD winning independent gym Oxygen Fit has been doing its bit for the local community by holding free Olympic themed circuit classes and securing funding to help young people get fitter.

The London based club – which scooped the trophy for best newcomer at the 2011 National Fitness Awards – recently received a grant from Sportivate to encourage young adults aged 24 and under into exercise.

The project has been running since June, with the funding enabling the gym to waiver its joining fee for young members who commit to attending regular gym sessions.

Owner Neil Godly said: “We noticed what seemed to be stopping young people from joining was the initial start up cost. We contacted Pro-Active North London to see if there was something we could get on board with for funding.

“Sportivate is normally for sport sessions, but we said that if people agreed to coming to the gym at least five times we could waiver the start up joining fee.

“We worked on a target of getting 100 young adults in a year and we have probably hit about 70 per cent of that already.”

Neil, who owns the club with wife Emma, added that there is funding out there available to help gyms who

Oxygen Fit’s owners Emma and Neil Godly. want to get involved in this type of project – if they take the time to look for it.

He added: “It’s not always crystal clear. There are things you can apply for but they are not always advertised that well. The sports and coaching industries are worthy of tapping into to put yourself out there as offering ‘fitness’.

“There are lots of different sections but it’s all part of the same bigger picture. Hopefully the Olympics will help with tying everything together.”

Since winning the National Fitness Award last November, the club has gone from strength to strength, with

other recent achievements including organising a leg of the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile in their local park where over 300 people participated.

Staff have also been embracing the Olympic spirit by hanging inspiring pictures and Union Jack flags in the club during the Games and holding free Olympic themed circuit classes in the gym and nearby park.

Neil and Emma are also hoping that using the slogan ‘Get Fit for an Olympic Summer’ on marketing materials, including 30,000 leaflets, will encourage local people to be inspired by the athletes’ Games’ success.

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UK FITNESS SCENE

Group set up for fitness journalists

Plates and Poles are a hit at boutique studio

A NEW, members only group has been set up for fitness writers and industry experts who want to take the next step into fitness journalism.

The Fitness Writers Association has been set up by Fiona Bugler, a journalist and editor with over 20 years’ experience and specialist fitness PR agency, Action PR. The association, which will hold networking events for writers throughout the year, aims to connect fitness journalists and bring them closer to the rest of the industry.

There are also memberships on offer for fitness experts that want to take the next step towards journalism and there will be an education programme to support their professional development as writers.

The association held its first event at Dolphin Square Fitness Club in Pimlico, where around 30 professional fitness journalists enjoyed an evening of networking, champagne and canapés and a series of Olympic inspired talks by top fitness industry professionals.

Special guests included model and fitness writer Nell McAndrew and FIA CEO David Stalker, whose organisation will be official partner of the association. The next event takes place on October 17 and will welcome guest speaker Sally Gunnell.

POWER Plates and pole dancing are proving a winning combination for a boutique studio in Manchester, which has just celebrated its first birthday.

PolePlate Studios is located in the Deansgate area of the city and specialises in fitness pole dancing lessons and small group training classes using Power Plate machines.

The studio is also aiming to offer something different by offering an unusual range of workouts which can be done on the Power Plate, including incorporating hula hoops, ballet and yoga moves into classes.

Currently about 90 per cent of the studio’s clientele are women, with students and young professionals being the biggest target markets.

But owner Beth Roberts said this is slowly changing, as men begin to release how they can also benefit from working out on the machines.

She said: “Once we get the guys in, they love it, but it’s getting them through the door to try it.

“We started with our male friends and originally we had male classes but have mixed it up a bit now. We’ve given away taster sessions and also had people come in through word of mouth.”

To market the club, Beth has used a variety of different tools including paid for advertising, special offer

The Power Plate studio at PolePlate in Manchester. vouchers and linking up with local bars and restaurants to offer hen party packages.

One of her most successful campaigns was the Freshers’ Fair at Manchester Metropolitan University – something which she is hoping to attend again this year.

She added: “The Freshers’ Fair was the best thing we spent money on and we have had a lot of re-bookings from that. It has been a bit harder than I thought it would be. The last month or two has been a bit quieter

but I think it’s the time of year.

September will be a big month as we have got the students back.

“We are offering something different, especially with the Power Plate side of things. And we offer 25 minute sessions so it’s good for people who are struggling to fit exercise into their lifestyle.”

Future plans include offering new courses in the run up to Christmas including a ‘little black dress’ themed course, as well as holding a first birthday celebration event for members.

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Do you sharpen your saw?

By Dave Wright A FARMER was cutting a tree with a hand saw – huffing and puffing and exerting a lot of effort sweating over his action – when a guy walked up to him and asked “what are you doing?”

The farmer replied: “Can’t you see?

I’m cutting down this tree and it’s taking me ages!”. So the man commented “Why don’t you sharpen your saw?” at which the farmer replied: “I haven’t got time to sharpen my saw, can’t you see – I’m too busy sawing.”

This story is so relevant to club owners today who get caught up in the day to day operations of their club that they don’t actually get the time to stop, take check and look at ways of improving (sharpening) what they do.

Obviously the purpose of this column over the years has been to try and share some of that knowledge from good practices from clubs around the globe with the ambition to improve the overall standards of clubs in the industry.

Personally, I’m old enough, young enough and certainly ugly enough to know that I can improve my own health clubs and my businesses and therefore always have an open mind to learn from others.

On Wednesday September 19, we have IOU at Leisure Industry Week.

Once again this will be the largest collection of independent operators in one place at one time to share ideas, learn industry secrets and most importantly ‘sharpen the saw’.

Those that attend will be ready to improve and grow and have the opportunity to take back ideas that can give members a better experience that will hopefully result in more members and therefore more profits for their clubs.

This year’s format provides an exciting ‘twist’ to the educational programme for IOU. This year’s ‘presenters’ comprise carefully hand-picked owners from differing clubs in size, services and markets who have unique offerings that they can help share with others.

Tips that range from practical ideas for clubs to secondary spend initiatives that generate ‘cash’ to those clubs that have been able to easily and cheaply use the internet to make more money.

We all know that no one is perfect, but if there is one idea that can add an extra one, 10 or 100 new members to your club (if implemented) then that could mean an extra lat pull down, treadmill or trip for the family to Egypt! Merely by sharpening that saw! Hopefully I’ll see you there!

Dave Wright is the CEO of

Dave Wright CFM/MYZONE, a company with over 300 staff that have served the international fitness industry for over 21 years in 10 different countries; focussing on either getting new members and/or keeping existing ones.

Dave is also the owner of 11 health clubs across two continents, a board director of the UK’s Fitness Industry, founder of IOU (Independent Operators Unite), an IHRSA presenter and the creator and global distributor of a new monitoring device used by clubs around the world called MYZONE. He may be contacted on Dave.Wright@cfm.net

Over 35,000 people visited an Everyone Active leisure centre as part of the first National Everyone Active Day. The day was created to inspire locals to become more active by welcoming them through the doors of their local club to take part in a range of free sessions including swimming, Zumba and badminton. Commercial director Neil King said: “This momentous year of sport gives the fitness industry a real opportunity to encourage activity and offer people a chance to not just spectate but participate in something new. We wanted to show everyone how easy it can be to achieve their 30 minutes of activity five days a week, which is the recommended level of activity we should all aim for to achieve health benefits.”

Chain celebrates its Team GB athletes GYM chain David Lloyd Leisure celebrated after 36 athletes who had been training at its clubs were picked for Team GB and Paralympics GB. The Passport Scheme, which has given some 200 BOA athletes complimentary access to David Lloyd clubs to prepare for major sporting events, is part of the group’s Team

Family initiative – aimed at giving the whole family easier access to sport and exercise.

About 100 athletes currently train at clubs across the UK on this basis, with a third of them having made the Team GB Olympics and Paralympics squads.

Head of sports, health and leisure Rob Beale said: “With 2012 being a

massive year of sport, our athletes are an inspiration to everyone to get involved – whether it's taking up a new sport or achieving a personal health and fitness goal.

“Both as fitness industry leaders and as established parts of so many local communities across the UK, David Lloyd clubs are proud of supporting our sporting heroes.”

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Online training platform to debut at LIW

By Christina Eccles

Olympic legend Michael Johnson (pictured above) is inspiring people to get into fitness by launching two smartphone apps. Michael Johnson’s Motiv8 is a GPS running app, which includes a warm up from Michael – who also coaches users through their run. The second app, Michael Johnson’s Fun Run, is a running game aimed at kids of all ages, which comes with an educational message that eating junk food can slow you down while eating healthy alternatives will speed you up. The aim of the game is to sprint through a range of environments and beat your personal best to claim the gold, silver and bronze medals.

EQUIPMENT supplier Physical Company is launching a new online training platform at this year’s Leisure Industry Week – designed to help gym owners maximise their investment in new kit.

Physical EX:CEL will initially be available for customers purchasing BOSU, The Human Trainer, freeFORM, kettlebells and medicine balls and combines new equipment with the appropriate training into an all in one package.

Clubs which purchase equipment will get access to REPs accredited training modules, via a private online account, meaning instructors can learn how to effectively use the kit without having to take time out to go on external training courses.

New modules will then be added on a regular basis to keep programming fresh for instructors and allow them to regularly offer different workouts and classes to members.

Physical Company’s sales and marketing director John Halls said: “The need for this came about from me approaching clubs to buy equipment,

who said how can I make sure my investment doesn’t fizzle out?

“We invested in Physical EX:CEL which provides equipment with training.

“This means the club is safe in the knowledge their staff are fully trained on how to use it.”

The company has seen this kind of support network work well with one of its other products, GRAVITY Training on Total Gym equipment, which uses a similar system and hopes in future to roll Physical EX:CEL out to some of the other products it supplies.

John added: “It’s about giving clubs options – we are the only people really to do it on a multiple equipment approach.

“It’s about clubs making the most of their investments.

“That could be an independent gym which has a slot on its timetable and wants to give something back by investing in this system and offering a new class.

“We are trying to make it as accessible as possible – our strapline is click, certify, engage.”

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CEO Richard James with Tim Witherspoon.

Gyms set for refurb TWO of YMCA London South West’s Y+ Fitness gyms are set for refurbishment this year, with YMCA Surbiton leading the way.

The gyms’ transformation includes redecoration and rebranding, featuring giant Y+ logos, plus new equipment from Precor.

Surbiton’s Y+ Fitness suite was reopened at the end of June, by two time World heavyweight champion Tim Witherspoon and features 32 Precor CV stations including treadmills, recumbent and upright bikes.

Refurbishment of the IFI accredited YMCA Hawker Centre’s gym is part of a larger development that will continue over the next 18 months and will eventually feature a new purpose built studio, refurbished café and soft play facility, as well as the redecorated fitness area showcasing new Precor

CV and strength equipment.

Director of corporate services and Y+ Fitness at YMCA London South West Debbie Camp said: “We are really excited about the redecorating and refurbishment of our Y+ Fitness gyms.

It will allow us to be even more competitive in the sector, while ensuring we are still able to offer good value memberships and remain inclusive.

“Being competitive and offering a great service is important to us because all surpluses (profits) that we make from Y+Fitness and our other social enterprises are used to fund programmes for the young homeless people we house and other work with local disabled groups or vulnerable children.

“So each gym membership or class fee can make a real positive difference in our community.”

The Reynolds fundraising team.

Clubs’ staff take to the streets for charity event STAFF from Reynolds Health and Fitness clubs took to the streets of Kent for a charity run and ride event in support of Demelza House.

The team completed the route, which started at Reynolds Fitness Spa at Bexley, through to the Rainham and Sittingbourne clubs, in less than five hours on what was one of the hottest days of the year.

The staff at Demelza recently had

to shut off the children’s playground for maintenance and to fix the equipment but the team are hoping the money raised from the event – over £700 – will mean the work can now be completed.

Manager Amy Casey said: “As a local business, it's important for us to support an amazing local charity like Demelza house and the work they do. We want to raise as much money and awareness as possible.”

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PT Brian uses mobile studio to train clients

By Christina Eccles

A luxury independent gym has become the first in London to invest in the Spinner Blade, the latest Spinning bike from Star Trac. thirtysevendegrees has installed 24 of the bikes in its Tower Bridge site and added three Spinning classes to its timetable to help members to make the most of the new equipment.

Gadget to become must-have A GYM in Milton Keynes has successfully trialled a new gadget, which experts believe could become the latest must have piece of gym equipment.

Fit4less by énergie installed the CardioWall by Rugged Interactive, a tough moulded panel with a number of interactive LED pads.

The wall uses a range of programs that can challenge hand-eye co-ordination, endurance, core strength, reactions and flexibility

énergie marketing manager David Beattie said: “We are delighted to hold the first ever CardioWall trial at our flagship gym in Milton Keynes.

“The initial feedback has been extremely positive and we are confident that the product offers real fitness benefits for our members.

“The concept also fits well with our Fit4less brand values and we look forward to working together in the future.”

EDINBURGH based fitness expert Brian Dickson has found an unusual way of training clients – a mobile GRAVITY Training studio he takes into clubs or people’s homes for workouts.

Brian, who started in the industry aged 20 working in sports centres, before setting up his own business Maximize in 1994, specialises in personal training and the corporate gym market.

After finding out about GRAVITY Training, he purchased the kit for himself and now uses the machines to run successful classes in a variety of locations in his local area.

He said: “I became aware of the units two or three years ago and fell in love with them. I realised their potential was only limited by my knowledge.

“I invested in four units over a year ago and now have classes running at the local squash club, golf club and I go out to people’s homes.”

Business is booming so much, that currently Brian’s biggest constraint is not having enough hours in the day – something which he hopes to address

by recruiting more trainers to work alongside him.

He added: “The trouble I’ve got is a lack of time. I’m doing 20 to 30 PT sessions a week and running my own business.”

As well as training clients, Brian also works hard to find the time to continue his own learning and he told Workout he is always keen to progress and expand his knowledge base.

He regularly goes on courses – the next two coming up are Pilates and Spinning – and feels it is important for himself – and his clients – that he keeps up with the times.

“I try and get feedback from clients.

Our benchmark for service is 4.5 out of five and 4.8 for value for money.

“My rate goes up every year and that allows me to reinvest in myself and improve my equipment. If you don’t value the work you do, that will come across to the client. But I know what I can do for them.

“Trust is one of the biggest elements. I have a guy I have trained for 12 years and now he’s brought his wife and three boys to me.

“That’s the way it can work – but you have to go back to basics.”

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Someone who knows absolutely squat

By Allan Collins

Gail backs campaign OLYMPIC silver medallist and mum Gail Emms (pictured above) is backing a campaign encouraging parents to check their local leisure centre facilities are accredited by Sport England’s quality scheme, Quest.

Quest ensures leisure centres meet a number of standards including health and safety, child protection, lifeguarding and cleanliness of pool water – rating them according to their overall performance.

Gail said: “As a mum myself I know that safety is parents’ number one concern. With many of our kids heading down to their local swimming pool or holiday camp at their nearby leisure centre, we are asking parents to do the ‘Quest check’ which will give them peace of mind that their leisure centre is committed to safety and quality.”

WE teach hundreds of attendees each week on our CPD courses that we run in the UK and Europe, and one of the most contentious topics is that of squatting – in particular whether knees should go in front of the toes and what is an appropriate depth.

The squat movement pattern is one of the most versatile of all the human movement patterns, and can be defined as a sitting motion.

It has been used since primal times as a resting position, with the hips resting on the heels or lower leg, and has also been adopted as a position for urination, defecation and childbirth. In the modern world, squatting to a full depth is more common in Asian cultures than western.

The squat pattern involves the parallel squat, split stance, the lunge, the single leg, the step-up, the jump, the landing and the hop.

The squat pattern is used extensively by strength and conditioning specialists and health practitioners because of its carryover to running and jumping.

This movement pattern and the exercises that are classified under this pattern promote optimal range of motion in the lower body; improve sports performance that require

speed, acceleration, power and jumping ability; can improve improves strength and hypertrophy and is used for both prehabilitation and rehabilitation.

Historically, the squat has been an exercise surrounded by controversy.

Research conducted in the 1960s by Klein showed that training with full squats could weaken the knee ligaments and make the knee more vulnerable to injury.

Since Klein’s work in the 1960s, there has been a significant amount of research in the area of squatting, which has proven this research to be incorrect, including a comprehensive review of all the squat research published by the NSCA in 1991.

It shows that keeping the shins perpendicular has been shown to increase the stress on the lower back near ten-fold; that knee stress did not vary at varying degrees of knee flexion; and deep squats did not negatively affect knee stability.

In fact many authors conclude that full squats should be trained over half squats because of the increased activation of the vastus medialis obliquus (VMO), a major knee stabiliser, at full flexion.

There is no reason why an athlete cannot squat down through a full range of motion and undertake full

Allan Collins depth squats, including loaded, unless they experience pain or have pre-existing conditions that may inhibit them, or that could be worsened with this exercise.

There is no valid argument why the squat differs from any other exercise where fitness professionals advise to ‘always work through a full range of motion’.

Allan Collins is director of education at Jordan Fitness and author of The Complete Guide to Functional Training.

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As a gym owner, are you simply advertising your club? Or do you actually communicate with potential members about why they should join? In the first of a series, Cheryl Hersey explains how raising your profile will, in turn, improve your sales.

How raising your profile will improve your sales IF you only communicate with your members and potential customers via sales messages you’re missing a trick.

Whilst sales messages are important, generating news stories about what is happening within your facility is far more interesting and will allow you to engage members/ potential members in a different way.

Managing the reputation of your facility – how you are thought of by your members and the wider community – is paramount to hitting your monthly sales targets, and for long term success.

Shouting about all the things you’re doing well, both locally and to the rest of the fitness industry, will raise the profile of your facility/ brand.

It’s not necessarily going to lead to an instant sale but it will help keep a

steady stream of people coming through the doors.

It can also help you to win awards – both locally and nationally – and to develop your relationship with your stakeholders.

It also allows you to present your organisation in the right light.

If one of your core values is ‘inclusivity’, for example, your stories would focus on the community groups you work with and the funding you’ve secured for disability sport.

Use news stories to get more people into your club. Think about what you can do to turn a straight forward advert into a news story.

If you have an open day coming up, focus on the free taster sessions, high profile guests and goodie bags and all of a sudden you have a story fit for

the local paper – that and publicity that you haven’t had to pay a penny for. Ask yourself if you want to be thought of as the gym that posts constant ‘special offer’ leaflets through the door, or the one you’re always reading about in the local paper for the fantastic work it does with children. Once you’ve decided it’s the latter, revisit your marketing plan and identify the activities which would make good news or ‘PR’ stories.

Developing a PR strategy that dovetails with your sales campaigns will bring you better results in the long run.

Cheryl Hersey is a founding partner of Action PR, a specialist agency supporting the health and fitness industry. For more information visit www.actionpr.co.uk

Cheryl Hersey

Stamp of approval for development team

Village Health and Fitness Clubs has become the first UK operator to offer SH’BAM by Les Mills. Members can now enjoy the new dance class in all 25 sites along with other existing Les Mills products BODYCOMBAT, BODYATTACK and BODYPUMP. National group exercise manager Tracy Sollitt said: “SH’BAM compliments our current timetable perfectly because it’s so vibrant and varied in content. The basic dance choreography, fused with chart, dance, familiar classic and modern Latin tracks, makes it appealing to a wide range of fitness levels and musical tastes. After trialling the programme we received astoundingly positive feedback from our members, and we are so pleased to be the first operator in the UK to be offering SH’BAM across all of our sites.”

THE Hounslow community sports development team has been given the stamp of approval by Quest, after being awarded a highly commended result in an independent review.

The assessment was based on best practice principles set by Quest on behalf of Sport England and covered areas such as work in facilities with target groups, support of the voluntary sports sector and work with related partnerships in education and health.

The sports development team, managed by Fusion Lifestyle for the London Borough of Hounslow, were rated highly for all areas of their work, receiving an overall score of

79 per cent.

Quest sports development manager Paul Brivio said: “The sports development service in Hounslow is a model of good practice in the capital.

“The team's work around school and youth sport is highly valued by partners, and they work very effectively to ensure that new sports opportunities are provided that reach the whole of the community.

“This work is critical to the success of legacy planning around the Olympics and the sports development team play a vital role in aiming to secure long lasting participation benefits in the borough."

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Dedicated martial arts area created as part of refurb A SOUTH Wales gym has extended and turned an unused area into a martial arts area and dedicated gyms for children and ladies.

Unique Health and Fitness in Blackwood, which has been run by brothers Richard and Andrew James and their mum Barbara for the last 15 years, have redeveloped the upstairs area after seeing an increase in interest for martial arts facilities.

Children from the age of eight will be able to use the machines for general fitness in the first kids’ only gym of its kind in the area, and can also go through the motions of using a shoulder press without any weights on so they can learn about the biomechanics.

Richard said: “My brother went to train at a wrestling gym in America with Glenn Jacobs, who went on to become Kane in the WWE. “When he came home we went training together to the local gym and decided to try and open our own, with the help of our parents.

“A lot of the gyms locally are

offering MMA now and have had cages installed. We don’t want to go down that route because there are a lot of them about and we don’t want the type of client that these places can sometimes attract.

“The testosterone can be bad enough when the weights are being thrown around so to have that up in the martial arts area is a no no.”

Judo is the only contact sport that will be held in the new Impact Zone, with these classes being led

by Dave Spettle, one of Wales’ leading coaches. The Zone is affiliated to The British Judo Association.

Other classes being held will include MMA, boxing and circuit for all ages.

“We’ve got all the equipment and areas so now the aim is to increase the membership,” added Richard.

“We’ve got approximately 300 at the moment so will hope to build on that.

“The new areas have attracted a lot of interest, and we are confident that we can achieve our aims going forward.”

Ryan Faichney puts a youngster through his paces.

Boxing beats the bullies at Ryan’s classes

By Helen Williams EDINBURGH-BASED personal trainer Ryan Faichney has introduced oneon-one boxing training to help children develop self confidence.

Ryan, who runs Ufit Fitness Edinburgh, said boxing was one of the most physically demanding sports but also instilled discipline and confidence. He believes this kind of training can help address various problems affecting young people, from sedentary lifestyles and obesity to bullying.

He has previously run successful boxing classes at Edinburgh Boxing Academy to encourage young people in the area to become more active and to socialise with each other.

He said: “I had success in obtaining funding to train in local schools – initially with the focus on tackling obesity – and that training inspired me to push in a slightly different though related direction.

“Self confidence is a big problem and holds some kids back from exer-

cising. They shy away from group exercise because they are afraid of potential bullying.

“My one-on-one sessions are aimed at kids who may be getting bullied or are too afraid to go to boxing clubs because they worry it will be an intimidating environment. I also wanted to introduce something more affordable.” Sessions are £6 per hour with £1 going to Barnardo’s.

Ryan, a wellbeing advisor for Nuffield Health as well as a PT, added that there could be distractions in group training where some of the kids were “a bit wild” while others were shy.

He has had a good response to his adverts for the one-on-one sessions and is preparing to bring in extra staff if needed. Currently, he has 10 students aged from four to 15 who train at a local martial arts dojo.

What are you doing to inspire young people to get into fitness? Let us know by emailing ce@scriptmedia.co.uk and your story could appear in a future issue of Workout.

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Time-saving classes popular at studio

By Christina Eccles WORKOUTS which combine interval running with conditioning exercises into a time-saving half-hour class are proving popular with fitness fans at a London studio.

Fitness company Frame, which specialises in offering a strong class timetable, has just opened a second studio in Queen’s Park, following the success of its first Shoreditch venue. Workouts on offer include dance, fitness, yoga and Pilates classes, with one of the most popular – Frame Camp – designed to appeal to running enthusiasts.

The class mixes interval running with conditioning exercises and uses Star Trac E-TRX treadmills.

And the sessions are proving so popular that the studio has now also created a 60 minute version, dubbed the ‘Hour of Power.’

Co-owner Pip Black said: “Our clients are young and busy, so we have created classes that are fun, but also short and effective.

“Frame Camp, our high intensity treadmill and conditioning class, allows our clients to get the same benefits as running outdoors but

Everton sign to gym chain DAVID Lloyd Leisure has signed a two year deal to become Everton Football Club’s official fitness club supplier.

As part of the partnership, season ticket holders will be offered the chance to redeem a free five day trial at David Lloyd clubs in the area.

General manager at David Lloyd Knowsley Kris Ball said: “It is fantastic news that David Lloyd Leisure and Everton Football Club are now official partners.

“There are so many ways that Everton and David Lloyd Leisure can work together, not only now as the team are preparing for the new season, but across the year.”

New venues PREMIER Training International is opening three new venues in Birmingham – with courses beginning this month.

Birmingham Central, at the Stirchley Fitness First, and Birmingham North, on Shady Lane, Great Barr, will join Birmingham South, at the Solihull David Lloyd, as official Premier Training locations in the city, reflecting the growing demand for health and fitness training provision across the region.

All three venues will offer a range of courses, including the Diploma in Fitness Instructing and Personal Training.

Frame’s new studio in Queen’s Park. without being seen working up a sweat in the street.

“In fact the results will be even better as the class uses high intensity intervals, encouraging participants to really push themselves.”

Frame is built on a pay-as-you-go

model, with a Frame Card, which gives discounts for topping up in a similar way to the Oyster Card.

Membership options include monthly membership for £199 and casual users can also just drop-in and pay as you go.

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Yoga has developed a stereotype in Western society, which leads many gymgoers to assume it is only for monks, hippies and yummy mummies in leotards. In a special column for Workout, Yoga teacher Nicola Hobbs explains the benefits and reveals why gyms shouldn’t be afraid to include it in their timetables.

Yoga has many benefits for fitness enthusiasts YOGA has evolved since it was developed over 5000 years ago, and has multiple benefits to athletes, fitness enthusiasts, body builders and anyone who is looking to improve their strength, boost their sporting performance, reduce injury or lose weight.

As a yoga teacher and trainee sport psychologist, I know the physical, mental and performance benefits that can be gained from incorporating yoga into a fitness regime.

Professional sports people, such as Andy Murray, Ryan Giggs and the New Zealand All Blacks, have embraced yoga and are proof of the edge it can give to sporting performance.

‘I’m not flexible enough’, ‘I’m not religious’ and ‘I’m not vegetarian’ are the most common excuses I hear from the yoga-averse. So, to bust some myths, yoga in the 21st century is non-religious (you don’t have to be spiritual), non-judgemental (i.e. there are no rules around food, alcohol or supplements) and yoga is not about being able to bend into the shape of a pretzel (there is no pre-requisite to be able to touch your toes.)

Yoga is about mastering your own body. It is a form of functional train-

ing; a physically challenging, breathsynchronised, body weight workout using your own body as dynamic, living resistance.

What’s the point in being able to deadlift 200kg if you haven’t conquered your own bodyweight? And how beneficial is it to be able to heavyweight squat if you blow your back trying to pick a pencil up off the floor?

Aesthetics is a key motivator for many gymgoers.

As a fitness model and Reflex nutrition ambassador, yoga is a key part of my training, and sculpting ‘yoga abs’ is just one of the many benefits of regular practise.

For those wanting to lose weight, research has shown that yoga, especially sun salutations, is great for cardiovascular health and weight management – burning over 500 calories an hour (Mody, 2011).

And for those looking to build muscle and make strength gains, yoga has the ability to work muscles that don’t respond to single plane weight training and stretch fascia, providing the muscles beneath with larger space to grow.

Reduced flexibility occurs as we age and can be even more of a problem if Former Olympic coach Terry O’Neill has designed a new workout to help fitness fans achieve the ultimate rowers’ body, following the success of Team GB in the sport at London 2012. In the guide, Terry – who is also a fitness consultant at Concept2 – provides his top tips on rowing and advises how to adopt the correct technique to gain the best results from a rowing programme. It is designed for those who are new to rowing or who want to improve their technique and comes after athletes including Sophie Hosking (pictured left) achieved rowing Olympic glory.

you run or lift heavy weights. Yoga helps to lengthen muscles and connective tissues throughout their entire range of movement, developing functional strength and reducing risk of injury.

Yoga postures increase blood circulation to muscles, promoting better exercise recovery.

And the focus on body and breath awareness in yoga can be transferred to other areas of sport training, allowing the body to work at maximum fitness capacity for peak strength and performance gains.

Stress relief, improved focus and improved mood are just a few of the psychological benefits of yoga which will enhance all areas of sport, training and life.

The stereotypical yogi is slowly disappearing and yoga classes are becoming more popular as an additional stream of revenue for gyms, fitness centre and MMA schools.

I focus on contemporary styles such as Fitness Yoga, Combat Yoga and Macho Yoga, working with rugby and football teams, fighters, and even competitive bodybuilders and the most yogaphobic of strongmen – all of whom have become addicted to the yoga high once they let go of their

Nicola Hobbs assumptions and enjoy the physical and mental challenge that a yoga workout brings.

So step away from the smith machine, trot past the treadmill, drop the dumbbells, grab a yoga mat and give it a go.

Nicola Hobbs is founder of MindMuscle Yoga – www.MindMuscleYoga.com

Centre undergoes refurb MEMBERS at Putney Leisure Centre are to benefit from new changing facilities, following a redevelopment by leisure build and design expert Createability.

The new dry changing rooms, for all inclusive kinetika members, will be accessed via a swipe entrance and will include top-of-the-range vanity units, benches, lockers, flooring, tiling, toilets and showers.

Non members and other members

not on the all inclusive package will still have to change in the village area.

The £400,000 investment by DC Leisure, which manages the leisure centre on behalf of Wandsworth Council, also includes new CV equipment for the kinetika gym, which will feature 60 stations from Precor’s next generation Experience Series, as well as Vplate Pro vibration machines and TRX total resistance exercise equipment.

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UK FITNESS SCENE Making women feel great about their bodies inspired Charlie Wall to set up the allfemale Cambridge Bootcamps. Three years on, her business has grown to over 700 members aged from 16 to over 60. Charlie spoke to Helen Williams.

A group taking part in one of the all-female Cambridge Bootcamps.

Bootcamps aim to educate women “GET on the treadmill and lose those bingo wings.” A personal trainer once said to Charlie Wall – and she was not impressed.

“It was patronising,” she said. “PTs are more knowledgeable now but some do not always empathise with issues that women have with lack of confidence and with their bodies.

Women come to me who have a fear factor because they have not exercised for 20 years. They believe they are ‘too old’ or ‘too fat’ to exercise.”

Charlie wants to educate women about safe exercise and the dangers of starving themselves on fad diets.

She added: “It’s all about debunking myths like lifting weights will make you look bulky or doing crunches alone will get rid of your belly. I’ve seen women who jog for an hour, do crunches and then drink a bottle of wine. And they don’t understand

where they’re going wrong.”

A former psychiatric and addiction nurse she started her bootcamps as a single mum. “I needed to work but had to have somewhere to take my son,” she explained. “I was newly qualified in fitness, but couldn’t work gym hours.”

In Charlie’s bootcamps, women say the friendships they make do a lot for motivation.

“One of my groups is pretty hardcore. They’ve been out doing crossfit at 6.15am in temperatures of minus 14.”

Bootcamps can be “a bit more expensive” she said but offered a good return on investment. “In many cases, our women lose huge amounts of weight. They develop confidence and that results in achievements like getting a new job, as well as fantastic new friendships.”

Charlie is now working with Kettlebell expert James Breese to offer a Kettlebell/ Primal Move workshop in Cambridge.

Gyms versus bootcamps

Charlie prepares a member for a race.

CHARLIE’s bootcamps are not intended to compete with gyms.

“It’s each to his own,” she said.

“Some people like exercising outside while others prefer indoors. Saying that, I do think gyms need to be aware of just how much competition is out there. When I started, the only options were the gym or going for a solo run.”

Increasingly, people did not like being tied into club contracts and there was the issue of poor retention.

Charlie, who has high retention in her bootcamps, said: “At the gym I was never sure if anyone cared if I turned up – but I phone or e-mail my girls if they don’t show.”

Some gyms had set up their own bootcamps while many were enjoying

Charlie Wall success with classes, she said.

“I liked classes because it was a group of women and I enjoyed the music. But I was intimidated by the weights area which was always full of men.”

Charlie believes bootcamps are filling a gap between gyms and PTs. “You might not be able to afford a PT,” she said. “However, I do think some people are scared off by the military connotations of the word ‘bootcamp’.”

About the bootcamps CAMBRIDGE Bootcamps started with 12 members. It is not a military-style bootcamp but offers a ‘fun, friendly’ programme to help women lose weight and inches and increase strength and stamina.

Women of all ages and fitness levels take part in 45-minute total body workouts over a four-week block with training three times a week. Sessions are in seven outdoor locations, and if childcare is an issue, children are welcome to join in. Charlie’s three trainers use all kinds of kit from kettlebells to cross trainers.

The price of £75 for four weeks includes a full nutrition plan and a members’ interactive website. There is also a mentoring system where people who have been in the group a while help newer members.

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Technogym master trainer Grant Powles got the experience of a lifetime when he was chosen to work in the Olympic Village gym throughout the Games. Christina Eccles met him in Stratford at the heart of the London 2012 action.

Athletes using the well-equipped gym in preparation for their events at the Olympic Village.

Opportunity of a lifetime for master trainer Grant DURING the Olympics, all eyes were on the capital as some of the biggest sporting stars on the planet took to the stage and the quest for those all important medals got underway.

For athletes living in the Olympic Village, having a spacious, well equipped gym was a key part of their preparations – and as the official fitness equipment supplier to London 2012, Technogym was tasked with making this happen.

As a master trainer, Grant’s dayto-day work involves educating other trainers on how to use the company’s kit so they can help clients get the best out of their workouts.

And because of his vast knowledge of the product range, Grant was one of the lucky ones asked to work in the gym – giving him the

opportunity to train some of the world’s most elite athletes and get a ringside view of the Games.

As part of the role, he worked shifts in the athletes’ gym throughout both the Olympics and Paralympics, and he told Workout he was delighted to be asked.

He said: “I jumped at the chance – it’s a fantastic thing to be involved in. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

While working in the gym, Grant was able to give advice to athletes looking to try new pieces of kit, as well as explaining how the range of equipment in the facility – including his own favourite product Kinesis – could add to their training.

Athletes he worked with ranged from those familiar with the latest

technology, right down to someone who had never been on a treadmill before, with the gym open 24 hours a day so they always had somewhere to train.

The club was manned by staff from 5am until about midnight each day and Grant added that with athletes coming in and out all the time, one of the most challenging – and interesting parts of the job – was striking the right balance between being on hand to help with training but not interfering too much with their existing routines.

He added: “Everyone has said what a fantastic gym it is and we have had such positive feedback from the athletes who love the equipment.

“London 2012 will never be repeated – it’s phenomenal to have been asked.”

Grant Powles

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REFURBISHMENT, LOCKERS AND WETSIDE

State-of-the-art gym part of renovation

The new gym at Rainbow Leisure Centre in Epsom and Ewell.

Centre reaping rewards after £1m overhaul

By Christina Eccles

A £1M refurbishment is paying off for an award-winning Surrey leisure centre, which is reaping the rewards of a recent investment.

Rainbow Leisure Centre in Epsom and Ewell is operated by GLL on behalf of the local council and currently has almost 4,000 members.

The club completed an ambitious development earlier this year – overhauling the facility by adding new features such as state-of-the-art equipment, a new spa and revamped changing rooms.

Features in the spa include four treatment rooms, a relaxation room and monsoon shower GLL’s Simon Sen told Workout, adding the facilities has further improved the club’s already successful offering.

He said: “Spa London is an awardwinning brand which we already have at another site, York Hall. We knew the product was successful so we wanted to combine it with our fitness product.

“As a charitable social enterprise, we invest all of our profits back into the business. Our plan was to create a very high-end product, which can go head to head with the private sector, but make it affordable and accessible to the local community.”

Changing rooms throughout the centre have also been updated with

new lockers, benches and shower cubicles and Simon added that redesigning these areas was a key part of the plans.

He added: “It was important to get the changing room spec up to what the private sector can offer.

“We’ve included things like bigger lockers and granite worktops to compete with the local competition and make sure the changing rooms are inkeeping with a high-end fitness club.”

Typical membership at the site, which has previously been named leisure centre of the year at the FIA’s FLAME awards, costs about £45 per month.

But reduced rates for over 55s, kids and students are making sure all cross sections of the community can afford to try out the facilities Simon added: “The take up has been really positive. We have attracted a new customer base as we’ve widened and deepened our product offering.

“Since the improvements, there has been a big uptake in our membership base – both pay as you go and members paying by direct debit – our attrition has improved and and our yield has gone up as we are offering a better quality product.

“Off the back of it, we have also been awarded a seven and a half year extension with the council on our contract.”

Centre opens after redevelopment ALBANY Leisure Centre has opened its doors following an eight-month redevelopment programme to upgrade the 20-year-old site.

After extensive works and an investment of over £2m from Enfield Council, the centre, managed by Fusion Lifestyle, now includes modern facilities such as a large well

equipped gym, two new exercise studios, an indoor cycle studio and a 25m pool with separate learner pool.

Visitors can now also benefit from new changing rooms, café and completely refurbished entrance and reception area, plus a timetable of over 50 different exercise classes a week.

WYCOMBE Rye Lido has reopened to the public, following a £2m makeover from sports and leisure management company Fusion Lifestyle.

The renovation included installing a new state-of-the-art gym, indoor cycle studio, group exercise studio, and revamped changing facilities for the gym and studio users.

The opening marks the second phase of renovations at the site, following on from the reopening of the 1930s designed heated outdoor pool in May. Fusion, which operates as a registered charity, was awarded a 50year lease of the site on the basis of its proposal to invest over £1m in

refurbishing the pool and providing new facilities to make them selffinancing and secure their future.

Fusion Lifestyle’s director of business development Tim Mills said: “We are extremely proud of Wycombe Rye Lido, this has been a major development for Fusion and to see the new gym and studios open and looking so good is very rewarding. The response from the local population has been very encouraging and I am sure that the new Lido will flourish and become the top fitness facility in Wycombe.”

The final stage of the makeover, which includes a cafe and purpose built meeting room, is due to be completed shortly.

The Paradise Pool in Ely has benefited from improved changing rooms, a refurbished break out area and other enhancements, as part of a £50,000 makeover. The investment has been made by East Cambridgeshire District Council and Everyone Active, which has recently taken charge of the pool. Everyone Active will also be introducing a range of activities from an award-winning swimming lesson programme to results cards to use for fitness swimming, designed to help people achieve 30 minutes of activity five times a week and encourage everyone to have fun swimming.

Go keyless and make the switch to digital locks LOST another locker key? Go keyless and make the switch to digital locks.

Do you have lockers to maintain in your gym, health club or spa? Do you find that keys get lost, stolen or broken on a regular basis?

KitLock is a digital access solution that uses a four-digit pin code to secure and open lockers.

Fitted in place of standard cam locks, KitLock provides simple keypad access without the hassle of keys, tokens or coins.

Lockers used for short-term occupancy in changing rooms often have missing keys.

Using a KitLock in this environment is ideal as the user is free to enjoy their fitness session without having to remember where they put their locker key.

If a KitLock code is forgotten, then entering an eight-digit master code

will open the door.

From a maintenance perspective, having no more keys to replace saves a great deal of time and money.

KitLock is available to order in any standard RAL colour.

So as well as being convenient to use, KitLock is also a colourful solution to locker management.

To go keyless and switch to digital locks visit www.kitlock.com or call 0800 393405.

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Personal trainer Adam Powell has set up Fetish Bike Company.

Adam rides on the retail road PERSONAL trainer Adam Powell is riding down the retail road – and has set up the Fetish Bike Company in Cheltenham, Gloucester.

A PT for over 10 years, Adam started the company in December last year with the aim of combining retail and fitness under one roof. His 4,000 sq ft unit is near the Leckhampton Hill trails and some of the Cotswolds’ most popular roads for cyclists.

He said: “We have a full retail section aimed at providing the best products that will improve a cyclist’s performance. From nutrition supplements, wheels and components to the bikes, we sell everything – it’s all about making cyclists faster and more efficient.”

Adam’s fitness background inspired him to install a gym area so he can carry out fitness tests for cyclists and then provide bespoke training plans specific to their sport whether it is road racing, time trials, triathlon or mountain bikes.

He offers fitness sessions, one on one training, group sessions, and organises rides throughout the week.

Extra facilities include a chill out area with sofas and a TV showing the latest cycling DVDs, showers and changing rooms for a post ride/workout change before cyclists head back to work. There is also a therapy room where clients can receive a sports massage and a fully equipped workshop.

Clubs around the country have been urged to take part in the second National Fitness Day UK – taking place on September 28. The date aims to become the biggest nationally celebrated fitness focused day of the year, where as many people as possible are being encouraged to take part in an empower half hour at 12pm, consisting of 30 minutes of physical activity. On this day, the énergie Group also opens its 100 clubs to the public for free.

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Disabled campaign launched

Kane Academy owner Rebecca Kane with staff Chris Furness and Chloe Roberts.

Staff’s day with a twist AN independent gym owner, her staff and members enjoyed a day out with a fitness twist when they took part in a bootcamp style challenge.

World martial arts champion Rebecca Kane, who runs Kane Academy near Huddersfield, was asked to open the Spartan Race at a military base in Ripon with her Olympic flame after she was success-

fully chosen as an official Games’ torchbearer.

She then went back to the start line to complete the competitive race with two members of her team who entered, Chloe Roberts and Chris Furness. Ten of the club’s members also came along and Rebecca added they enjoyed the day and entering the non-competitive heats.

THE English Federation of Disability Sport is launching a new promotional campaign, which aims to encourage all disabled people to become more active.

Off the back of the excitement of the Paralympic Games, EFDS has created the ‘pass the baton’ campaign to celebrate inclusive sport and inspire disabled people to do more physical activity.

The poster element of the campaign will run across nine London Underground stations and three in Newcastle and emphasise the idea of sport for all.

It features Ben Rowlings, a 16year-old junior athlete from Telford, who has come through the Playground to Podium initiative and the EFDS events programme, Disability Sport Events.

Chief executive Barry Horne said: “Our recent research study showed that the biggest hurdle for disabled people in taking part was a psychological barrier.

“The perceptions, opinions and attitudes of and towards disabled people are stopping participation on a national scale. “Pass the baton” campaign celebrates inclusive sport at every level.”

The poster calls for the public to support the campaign in numerous ways, including using the Twitter hashtag #passthebaton

New plate range set for LIW AMONGST the many exciting product launches and new leisure solutions Pulse will be showcasing for the first time at Leisure Industry Week 2012, the company will also be unveiling a new plate loaded range.

Described as “A simple design, built to maximum integrity the Pulse plate loaded range is packed with features for exceptional strength training”.

Pulse will be demonstrating to visitors at the show how the equipment performs a controlled natural exercise motion that targets specific muscle groups safely, for peak results. The range consists of eight machines, all plate loaded with weight increments from 1.25kg up to 25kg thus appealing to advanced users and sports specific training but the stylish look and comfortable feel of the machines doesn’t intimidate beginners.

National sales manager at Pulse Richard Sheen said: “We needed to offer the next level of strength training to our customers and this range is perfect. It is easy to use and the biomechanical design offers great training diversity with converging and diverging movement options.”

To see it in action visit us on stand H360 at LIW or visit pulseleisuresolutions.tumblr.com

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LEISURE INDUSTRY WEEK PREVIEW

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Leisure Industry Week returns to Birmingham NEC this month for what promises to be another inspirational and innovative showcase for the leisure industry. Workout spoke to event manager David Sanvoisin to see how plans are going and what visitors can expect to see this year.

Meet Olympians and see what’s new at exhibition How are plans going for this year's Leisure Industry Week?

We’re delighted with the way the show’s shaping up this year. I’m especially confident that the fitness side of the show will be really buzzing.

We have all of the leading fitness providers showcasing their products so visitors will be able to take a look and have a go at all of the newest innovations to the market.

It’s also great to be hosting the IOU education programme and party, supported by Workout.

It’s vital that LIW supports and caters for independent operators just as much as the larger brands – they make up a really important segment of the marketplace and we welcome them to the show.

their agendas.

So, in that vein, we’ve launched the Innovation Trail which will highlight the products which have either been launched this year or are being launched at the show.

LIW Live is also brand new for 2012.

This live stage element of the show will allow the exhibitors to really show what they can do, so far we’ve programmed some great class demos, a fashion show, some celebrity appearances and a few surprises which you’ll have to attend the show to see.

and to ask questions of the experts face to face.

What are you most looking forward to this year?

Well although I’ve been involved with LIW for many years, this is my first year as event manager, so I’m really looking forward to seeing my team’s hard work come to life.

I also know that our exhibitors have plenty planned to keep visitors entertained on their stands and also on LIW Live.

Why should visitors come to the How have you built on the success of David Sanvoisin show? last year's show?

Whether you’ve been working in the Last year’s show was a real success. leisure industry for many years or We saw numerous product launches Beth Tweddle MBE will also be on have just started out it’s always and that’s certainly something we the show floor with her company important to take every opportunity expect to see more of this year.

Total Gymnastics.

What new additions should visitors to learn what’s new and network with We were also excited to have All three will be giving keynotes and watch out for this year? your peers. LIW provides the perfect Olympic rowers James Cracknell and addressing the crowds on our new Well our tag line is ‘where innovation opportunity to do just that – and it’s Zac Purchase on site last year. This live stage LIW Live. meets inspiration’ and we know visifree to attend. year Precor are bringing 2012 bronze This live element of the show is certors to LIW come with new products LIW presents a chance to try out the medallist Greg Searle MBE and tainly one way we’re making the show and technologies right at the top of newest equipment to hit the market Badminton star Gail Emms MBE. even better.

Venue: NEC, Birmingham. Dates: September 18 - 20. Opening Times: Tuesday: 10am – 5pm, Wednesday: 10am – 5pm, Thursday: 10am – 4pm.

Registration: pre-register for the show for free at www.liw.co.uk

Varied free seminars on offer THE show will once again deliver more than 150 hours of varied seminar sessions in the Education Village, sponsored by Matrix, which will be positioned on the show floor.

This year's highlights include the Fitness Industry Association Keynote, Olympian speaker sessions and The CPD-accredited REPs’ National Convention.

Event manager David Sanvoisin said: “It is vital that LIW continues to provide a combination of high quality free seminars and reasonably priced CPD opportunities to our health and fitness visitors.

“We work hard to represent the

breadth of the leisure industry and also to highlight the vibrancy and creativity evident every day in health clubs across the country every day.

“We’re very proud that many of our visitors come to LIW with an open mind, ready to be inspired by something that they may never have considered before.

“It’s also great, of course, that we represent an annual meeting place for the industry so many of our visitors come along each year knowing that they will have the chance to meet up with their peers and share best practice.”

New for this year is LIW Live – a platform for exhibitors to display the best of their stand and services on a live stage in the middle of the show floor. Some of the UK’s leading Olympic faces will be joining exhibitors on their stands and making an appearance on the stage, answering questions based around the fitness industry and trends which they are noticing. Already lined up are 2012 medallist Greg Searle and badminton ace Gail Emms, both attending with Precor, Team GB legend Daley Thompson attending with Les Mills and Beth Tweddle, founder of Total Gymnastics who will be showcasing Gym Stars.

REPS to host National Convention REPs will be running its National Convention over all three days of LIW, with highlights including three keynote speakers and 40 interactive workshops.

Keynote speakers will be weight loss guru Pete Cohen, Tim Fearon

from The Extraordinary Coaching Company and Bob Laventure of Later Life Training. Workshop speakers will include international fitness presenter Greg Sellar, YMCA Fit’s Christine North and Life Fitness Academy’s global master trainer Keith Smith.

Workout will also be exhibiting at Leisure Industry Week. Come and see us on Stand H30 to talk to the team about upcoming editorial and advertising opportunities and to hear more about how plans are going for The National Fitness Awards.

Les Mills UK is set to launch its first High Intensity Interval Training product at this year’s show. Les Mills’ GRIT SERIES includes three 30-minute high intensity workouts, which each have a unique set of benefits for members. GRIT STRENGTH builds muscle, GRIT PLYO builds a lean, athletic body and GRIT CARDIO burns fat. During the show, the company will also be running daily demonstrations within the Les Mills Group Exercise Arena.

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IOU INTRODUCTION After three successful years, Independent Operators Unite (IOU) is returning to Leisure Industry Week even bigger and better than ever.

The event is designed to bring independent gym owners together for informative seminar sessions, discussions and networking opportunities where they can share their stories of running a club and get to know their fellow operators.

The event was thought up by Dave Wright from Creative Fitness Marketing (CFM) who spotted an opportunity for independents to form a collective voice and it has gone from strength to strength each year.

ASHBOURNE Who to contact: Grant Harrison How to contact: Tel: 0871 271 2088 Email: memberships@ashbournemanagement.co.uk Website: www.ashbournemanagement.co.uk What we do: Hundreds of fitness clubs improve and simplify membership management and retention by outsourcing payment collection to us. We can save you time, money and stress – why not try us?

What we can do for independent operators: We can increase your secondary spend with our touch-screen till system, fully integrated with membership payment verification, allowing direct debit collection of all purchases. Deals available for IOU members.

LIW takes place at Birmingham’s NEC from September 18-20.

JORDAN FITNESS

NATIONAL FITNESS AWARDS

Who to contact: Sales director Zak Pitt How to contact: Tel: +44 (0)1945 880257 Email: sales@jordanfitness.co.uk Website: www.jordanfitness.co.uk

Who to contact: Liz Lee, event manager How to contact: Tel: 01226 734459 Email: ll@scriptmedia.co.uk Website: nationalfitnessawards.co.uk

What we do: For over 25 years, Jordan Fitness have been at the forefront of design, manufacture and supply of quality commercial grade, functional fitness equipment, in the UK and internationally.

All Jordan branded products are made to our own design and specifications after thorough product development and market research.

What we do: The National Fitness Awards are now in their third year and have quickly become an established part of the fitness industry. Organised by Workout, this year’s event takes place at The Athena in Leicester, hosted by top personal trainer and TV personality Charlotte Ord.

What we can do for independent operators: From inception to finance, installation and then on-going staff training, Jordan Fitness can create a fully functional training environment package that is unrivalled within the industry. Exclusive offers available for IOU independent operators.

What we can do for independent operators: The awards are free to enter and give you the chance to shout the achievements of your club. Attending the event is also a great way to reward members of your staff for their hard work, and acts as an end of year party which the whole industry can enjoy.

ENDSLEIGH Who to contact: Account executive Andy Lyons How to contact: Tel: 01242 866789 or 07917 145401 Email: sports@endsleigh.co.uk Website: www.endsleigh-business.co.uk/health-fitness What we do: Endsleigh is one of the leading sports and leisure insurance intermediaries.

We work with specialist insurers to provide comprehensive and competitively priced insurance solutions tailor-made for independent gym operators across the UK. What we can do for independent operators: Endsleigh can offer members of the IOU a guaranteed saving on their insurance premium of up to 50 per cent.

Our dedicated sports team are on hand to provide expert advice and support to independent gym operators on all insurance-related matters, including health and safety and risk management.

We also provide a full claims management service and support.

JOHN ANSELL Who to contact: Craig Smith How to contact: Tel: 0207 251 6821 Email: ansell.co.uk/Fitness.aspx Website: enquiries@ansell.co.uk What we do: We are the original fitness industry insurance brokers providing a cost effective, comprehensive package designed especially for the industry.

Backed by a household name insurer you can be sure of quality and financial security.

What we can do for independent operators: No call centres; just experienced professionals who understand your business and the protection you need. FIA members benefit from additional premium discounts. We have the flexibility to cover most types of gyms or health clubs.

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PHYSICAL COMPANY Who to contact: Sales and marketing director John Halls How to contact: Tel: 01494 769 222 Email: john@physicalcompany.co.uk Website: www.physicalcompany.co.uk What we do: Physical Company is a market leader in the provision of forward thinking fitness equipment to fitness professionals.

With over 20 years in the industry we have all the knowledge in house to help you create functional, innovative training spaces within your facilities.

Also, as a certified Skills Active training provider we can keep all your staff up to date with the latest exercises trends.

We can provide training from our purpose built training studio or we can come to your venue.

What we can do for independent operators: To help support IOU members we will provide a 10 per cent discount off all Physical Company fitness equipment and training.

CLUB MANAGER

WORKOUT Who to contact: Advertising: Daniel Lloyd Editorial: Christina Eccles How to contact: Advertising: Tel:01226 734699.

Email: dl@scriptmedia.co.uk Editorial: Tel: 01226 734463. Email: ce@scriptmedia.co.uk Website: www.workout-uk.co.uk What we do: Workout is distributed monthly to over 11,000 key decision makers in the fitness industry.

Covering the latest news, hottest products and industry events, the magazine is a must read for every club owner – whether they are running an independent gym or part of a large national chain.

What we can do for independent operators: Workout provides independent operators with all the latest fitness industry news, as well as details on the hottest products and services on the market, all of which will help them improve their businesses and stand out from the crowd.

DEBIT FINANCE

Who to contact: Wayne Heath

Who to contact: Mark Jordan / Ryan Jones

How to contact: Tel: 01245 352 000 Email: info@clubmanagecentral.com Website: www.clubmanagercentral.com

How to contact: Tel: 01908 422000 Email: sales@debitfinance.co.uk Website: www.debitfinance.co.uk

What we do: “I chose ClubManager as my software provider.

ClubManager is amazing, allowing me to spend much more time on my business and enabling me to grow to a stage where we’ve opened another gym.”

Chris Elms – Elms Fitness Group

What we do: DFC is the industry leader and most trusted and transparent Direct Debit payment collection specialist within leisure. We have been providing a specialist service efficiently collecting Direct Debit payments for thousands of facilities and clients across the UK for over 37 years. Our solutions enable our clients to maximise income and reduce the strain on in house admin resources, leaving you free to concentrate on your core business, looking after your members. Every client has their individual needs; therefore, when you outsource your Direct Debit collections to Debit Finance we provide you with a comprehensive solution encompassing; signup, collection, default management, and a full reporting solution Data Retrieval.

What we can do for independent operators: Free: first three months usage. Free: training with best practice.

What we can do for independent operators: As part of DFC's commitment to IOU and independent operators we are offering a free collections audit and a 40 per cent saving on the cost of our online direct debit portal, FASTDD Platinum.

NATIONAL FITNESS SEMINARS Who to contact: National events coordinator Lauren Osbyrne How to contact: Tel: 01226 734475 Email: lo@scriptmedia.co.uk Website: www.scriptmedia.co.uk/events What we do: Taking place on October 18 at the Hilton Hotel in Blackpool, the National Fitness Seminar is a must-attend conference for independent operators.

The day will include presentations from some of the biggest names in the fitness industry, plus the chance to network and share ideas with fellow club owners.

What we can do for independent operators: The event gives independent gym owners the chance to gain top tips from experts in their field, all designed to help them maximise the potential of their clubs with minimum outlay.

There will also be carefully selected exhibitors showcasing what they can do for independent operators and networking opportunities.

SPORTSOFT Who to contact: Paul Duncalf How to contact: Tel: +44(0)1423 873873 Email: sales@sportsoft.co.uk Website: www.sportsoft.co.uk What we do: SportSoft has been in business for 20 years and is a leading supplier of leisure management software and membership systems to fitness clubs, hotels, schools, colleges, universities and local authority leisure centres.

What we can do for independent operators: IOU members receive up to 25 per cent discount on software.

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CFM

MYZONE

Who to contact: Ryan Kildare How to contact: Tel: 0115 777 3333 Email: Ryan.Kildare@cfm.net

Who to contact: Jonathan Monks How to contact: Tel: 0115 777 3333 Email: Jonathan.Monks@cfm.net

What we do: CFM have been driving traffic into health and fitness clubs globally for 21 years, converting large-scale awareness campaigns into bottom line profits. CFM's six-week campaign utilises tried and tested marketing techniques to attract hard to reach populations in your market. With no outlay and no risk to you, CFM are the only company to put their money where their mouth is (and it’s a big mouth!) and simply take a commission on results!

Could you handle 250+ new members in off peak times, £50,000.00 or more in bottom line profits and a long-term legacy of positive awareness?

What we do: MYZONE is an innovative heart rate based system that uses wireless and cloud technology to accurately and conveniently monitor physical activity. Focussing on rewarding effort rather than fitness, MYZONE can help anybody regardless of age, size or ability to lead an active and fulfilling life. MYZONE offers revenue generating opportunities for clubs, and improves the health of their communities by encouraging exercise and providing measurable and reportable data for every user. Simply, MYZONE is the “pinnacle” of customer interaction, enabling clubs to have relevant discussions with members about their activity levels 365 days of the year.

What we can do for independent operators: Organise the annual IOU Party and seminars for independent operators at LIW giving true opportunity to learn, network and grow as a business.

MATRIX FITNESS Who to contact: Sales director Chris Austin How to contact: Tel: 01782 644900 – option three Email: info@matrixfitness.co.uk Website: www.matrixfitness.co.uk What we do: Matrix Fitness is the commercial division of Johnson Health Tech UK Ltd, a supplier of a complete range of premium commercial grade cardiovascular and strength-training equipment for health clubs and other fitness facilities.

What we can do for independent operators: The Matrix team will work with you to help your business succeed; from helping you find the right finance solution, through to facility design and providing the very best service support. Visit us on Stands H370 and H370A at LIW to discover how our ‘added-value’ service could make a difference to your business.

IOU SEMINAR PROGRAMME 2012

What we can do for independent operators: Offer you a one-stop powerful solution for the three R’s of your business; Recruitment, Retention and REVENUE.

FITNESS INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION Who to contact: Senior account manager Alex Smith How to contact: Tel: 020 7420 8581 Email: alex@fia.org.uk What we do: The FIA is the UK trade body which stands for getting more people, more active, more often. We promote and protect the interests of our members and the health and fitness sector, establish partnerships in pursuit of a healthier nation and are a government delivery partner. We currently represent over 3,000 members, 500 of which are independent operators.

What we can do for independent operators: FIA/IOU membership offers independent operators, as a collective 'independent group', the exclusive opportunity to benefit from purchasing discounts on supplements, equipment, training, marketing as well as access to documents such as employment contracts, risk assessment forms and legal pre-activity questionnaires.

If you are not a FIA member you will not be able to access any of the IOU offers from the listed suppliers.

IOU PARTY 2012

Each of the sessions taking place as part of this year’s IOU seminar programme will include a panel of independent operators who will share tips on how fellow gym owners can get the best from their clubs.

The sessions are: Wednesday September 19 Session one: 14:00-14:40 Practical ideas that work for the UK independent operator.

Session two: 15:00-15:40 Making money for your club from the ‘other stuff’ (not actual memberships) Session three: 16:00-16:40 Easy ways to use the internet to make more money for your independent club.

Thursday September 20 Session four: 10.30 The great debate – strengths/weakness/opportunities/threats of being an independent operator in today’s climate.

The annual IOU party will take place on Wednesday September 19 at the Hilton Metropole Birmingham. The event, which gives visitors the chance to celebrate the industry and enjoy an evening of networking opportunities, is free for FIA/IOU independent operator members and will be funded by sponsorship, ticket sales and LIW – with CFM MyZone again being the main sponsor. The party is a non-profit making event, which recognises the hard work independent operators put into their business and the integral part they play in the fitness industry.

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The Athena in Leicester will host this year’s glittering ceremony.

The SD School of Martial Arts team celebrate their double success at last year’s NFAs.

Good fortune follows for victorious Essex gym WINNING a double honour in last year’s National Fitness Awards helped underline the top quality of an Essex combat gym – and now the club is expanding.

SD School of Martial Arts in Colchester scooped best combat gym and best children’s facilities in the 2011 awards, organised by Workout. Since then, the club has been enjoying good fortune.

Owner and chief instructor Sean Doyland, a former England karate international, said: “We have won lots of business awards but to win something from within our own industry – and be recognised for the quality of our instruction – was so much better.

“We have a good reputation already but these awards, which we use on our website, really underline the fact that we are exactly what we say we are. We are entering the

awards again this year.”

Sean is also planning to expand the business with further clubs due to open this month in nearby Witham and then later on in Ipswich.

SD School of Martial Arts has a dedicated ‘Character Building with Life and Safety Skill’ for children aged three to 14 and special groups for younger members including Little Dragons – some of those who started as Little Dragons are now black belts.

The club has been selected by the English Karate Federation as a regional training centre for the England karate squad.

If you want to join the National Fitness Awards hall of fame, or you are a gym that wants to put your area on the map, enter the awards by visiting www.nationalfitnessawards.co.uk

We want to hear from you ...

IF you are a past winner of a National Fitness Award, we would love to hear how winning a trophy has boosted business at your club.

If you have successfully used the win to generate positive local publicity or mentioned it as part of a

campaign which has brought you more members, tell us how you did it.

Contact the Workout editorial team on 01226 734463 or by emailing ce@scriptmedia.co.uk and your club could appear in a future issue of the magazine.

Time is running out to get your nominations in EXCITEMENT is building for the third National Fitness Awards, with gym owners being urged to enter their clubs before it’s too late.

The awards, which will once again recognise excellence and achievement throughout the entire fitness industry, are organised by Script Events in conjunction with Workout – the UK’s number one magazine for independent gyms.

Clubs from as far afield as Essex, Paisley, Devon, London and Cheshire have entered the NFAs this year and we’ve received nominations from independent gyms representing all corners of the UK, including Krunch Gym in Waltham Abbey, Kane Academy near Huddersfield, Advance Gym in Reading and Club Kingswood in Basildon – a club hoping to retain its title of Southern Gym of the Year for the third year running.

Once the shortlist has been drawn up, it will be published in Workout, before our team takes to the road to visit each club which has made the grade.

Comprehensive reports will then be compiled and passed on to our panel of expert industry judges who have

the tough task of picking the best in each category who will be crowned our winners.

Trophies will be handed out at a glittering awards ceremony taking place at The Athena in Leicester, where the whole of the industry will be invited to celebrate the success of our shortlisted clubs at the ultimate end of year party.

In previous years, clubs have used the awards evening as an opportunity to reward staff and members for their hard work and loyalty and to network with key industry figures and special celebrity guests, which have included cage fighter Alex Reid, nutritionist and TV presenter Caroline Pearce, top fitness model Carly Thornton, Olympians Sharron Davies and Jennifer Stoute and Coronation Street actress Katherine Kelly.

This year’s ceremony is on November 30 and will be hosted by independent gym owner and trainer on hit TV show The Biggest Loser Charlotte Ord. For last minute entries, contact event organiser Liz Lee on 01226 734459 to make sure your club doesn’t miss out.

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Julie’s DVDs for elderly are ‘working miracles’

By Helen Williams THERE is “a huge gap” in the market for exercise designed for older people and those with disabilities, according to a fitness expert.

This is the view of Julie Robinson, whose exercise DVDs called Move it or Lose it! have been commended as “working miracles” for older people.

Julie has spent most of her life teaching exercise to older, less mobile people. She started out teaching PE to teenagers and has since taught keep fit, aerobics and women’s weight loss classes.

She retrained in exercise for older people about five years ago after losing her father to a stroke.

She said: “My dad had rheumatoid arthritis before he passed away and my mum had dementia so I saw both the physical and mental sides of ageing.”

Julie did an Extend course for six months learning about exercise for older people. Her clients now include people in hospices.

She said: “I set out with a 12-week

trial at our local hospice – and we have been going for over four years now.

“Even if you have secondary cancer you need to keep mobile. If you can keep active, it is helping manage that element of normality that everyone wants to hold on to for as long as possible.”

Much of the exercise is chair-based with Julie using resistance bands, catch and throw games, and foot exercises with footballs.

“This kind of exercise has to be done very carefully, but older people do need to keep exercising to maintain their independence so they have the strength and dexterity to, for example, open a carton of milk or do up their shirt buttons.”

Julie’s DVDs enabled one 90-yearold resident of a Leeds care home to get out of his chair and walk after seven years of immobility.

Carer Louise Summers who works at the home, Rosewood Court, said: “Jim and his fellow residents aged 73 to 90 get together once a week for a class using the DVDs. They were reluctant at first but all of them have

Julie Robinson with Monica and Gordon who star in DVD 1. seen a massive difference. Even family members have commented on how good the exercises have been both physically and emotionally.”

The routines are all fully endorsed by the Centre for Healthy Ageing Research headed by gerontology

expert, Professor Janet Lord.

According to The British Heart Foundation, the greatest fear for people in their 50s is loss of independence through failing physical and mental health – yet one in 20 people over 65 cannot remember when they last exercised.

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Joining up is a ‘no brainer’ says Shane

By Christina Eccles THE manager of Barnsley’s first budget gym has revealed why he is so confident the club will be a success – claiming the decision to join will be a ‘no brainer’ for local people.

Shane Williams is general manager at the town centre’s new Lifestyle Fitness club, which offers membership for £17.99 per month.

1700 members have already been tempted by a pre-sale offer of £12.99 per month. An open weekend, which included an appearance from a local radio DJ, fitness challenges and prize giveaways, also encouraged another couple of hundred people to sign up before the gym even opened.

Workout visited the club on the day it first opened its doors and Shane, who worked for a rival fitness chain before joining Lifestyle

Fitness, said he believes the combination of price, facilities and location will prove to be a winning formula.

He said: “It’s impossible for it to go wrong. For anyone who uses a gym, it’s a no brainer. The equipment is better than anywhere in the area, the price is a lot cheaper and it’s in a better location. We will have 4,500 members by January.” £2m has been invested into the club to make sure it can compete with local rivals, not only on price but also on the standard and amount of equipment on offer to members.

Facilities include 200 pieces of cardio and resistance kit from manufacturers such as Technogym and Life Fitness, over 40 classes per week which will increase in line with membership numbers, an indoor cycling studio and separate ladies’ only area.

Twenty years, 20 per cent off BADGEMASTER, the UK’s largest name badge manufacturer, celebrated its 20th anniversary in July 2012 and to mark the occasion is offering a 20 per cent discount off list prices for all orders placed by September 20 2012. This closing date has been extended to October 20 for readers of Workout Magazine.

Many changes have happened since Badgemaster started trading from a portable cabin in July 1992. Most notably, founders John and Vicky Bancroft have steadily grown their workforce to 88 full-time staff at the company’s state-of-the-art 12,500 sq. ft. facility in Newstead, Nottinghamshire.

The Bancrofts are delighted that their first employee still remains on the team and this year collects his 20year long service award.

John said: “From the outset, our mission has always been to invest in our people and processes to make the

highest quality badges at the lowest cost for customers, and to deliver products fast.”

To receive the 20 per cent anniversary discount off list prices for name badges, customers just need to quote 20YEARS WORKOUT MAGAZINE READER on their order before October 20 2012.

For more information, contact Badgemaster’s customer services team on 01623 723112 or visit www.badgemaster.co.uk

Pulse unveils circuit range PULSE will be demonstrating their exciting new circuit range at LIW 2012, offering operators a safe and comfortable strength training activity.

Consisting of eight key machines, each one targeting a key muscle group, users seamlessly move from machine to machine to achieve a total body workout.

Whilst the new Pulse Circuit range is available to all ages and fitness ability levels, the design and function of the equipment has many key benefits which are appealing to key user groups such as children, medical rehabilitation, senior and ladies.

Those benefits include: Ideal introductory exercise method to increase physical strength.

Personal training will also be on offer, with the club hoping that as members are paying less for membership, they will be more likely to spend on extras such as small group PT classes, drinks and protein shakes from their vending machines.

And Shane added that although

the price may place the club in the budget category, the equipment and service on offer will still be of the best quality.

He added: “We have the concept of a budget gym but not budget equipment.

“If other gyms are not worried, they are daft.”

Escape Fitness leads the way ESCAPE’S SBX T600 Rubber Dumbbells were developed to combine functionality, durability and contemporary aesthetics.

Made with a unique synthetic rubber, they create less noise, are hardwearing, impact absorbing and compact. The rubber mix used has been developed over a period of almost 10 years to provide a low odour, hardwearing coating that reduces damage to equipment when in use. These rubber dumbbells are an excellent alternative to rubber coated multiplate or cast iron dumbbells and are available from 2kg right up to 50kg.

To prove that the Escape SBX T600 Dumbbell is best in class, Escape Fitness funded the development of a brand new testing program for dumbbells. The bespoke testing equipment puts each dumbbell through rigorous testing, including dropping them from various heights over 10,000 times to emulate the kind

of abuse they receive in gyms.

These SBX Dumbbells passed all of the tests with flying colours and have successfully now received the TÜV Certificate that defines the benchmark for dumbbells. TÜV SUD is one of the largest independent certification organisations in the world and tests a huge range of products from mobile phones to cars to children’s toys. The bespoke testing TÜV SUD created is the first official testing for dumbbells.

For more information see www.escapefitness.com

25 per cent go on to become new members Hydraulic cylinder design provides a softer, smoother workout thus reduces stress on joints and connective tissues.

Ergonomically designed for natural movement, easily accessible and offers a comfortable seat position.

An optimum and safe workout in minimum time.

Not only increases muscle strength but also tones and shapes for an appealing look.

Easy to use and less intimidating than traditional strength equipment.

Group led activities can be made fun with the use of lights and music.

To see it in action visit us on stand H360 at LIW or visit pulseleisuresolutions.tumblr.com

THE world’s largest online lead generation service, www.payasUgym.com has found that one in four people using the service have subsequently gone on to take a full membership at the club they used.

CEO Jamie Ward said: “We carried out an exit survey to ask all customers that had stopped using payasUgym.com the reasons why they had stopped and found that more than 25 per cent had actually taken out a full membership at the gym.

“This proves that payasUgym.com is a great way to get new faces into gyms and health clubs of all shapes and sizes, as well as providing high quality leads that are genuinely interested in becoming full members.”

There is no cost for gyms and health clubs to add their facilities to the

payasUgym.com website and over 450 have already done so since the award-winning service launched just 18 months ago.

For more information visit www.payasUgym.com

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Sasha set to make her bodybuilding debut

By Christina Eccles FITNESS model Sasha Larner is gearing up for her first ever bodybuilding competition after being spotted by the owners of her local gym – who pledged to help her get in shape.

Sasha will compete in the natural figure category of an NPA competition later this month, after being coached by the owners of Rhinos Gym in Gravesend, where she currently teaches a children’s fitness class.

Gym owners Jo Cutts and Kevin Davenport have been helping Sasha with her fitness regime and diet plan after they saw the good shape she was already in and said they could get her competition ready.

When Workout spoke to her, Sasha had been training for 14 weeks, with just 25 days left before the competition. And she said although she was a bit nervous, she was looking forward

to taking part.

She said: “I have been in the gym doing weight training as well as my Karate and have had to maintain a special low carb, high protein diet.

“It’s all new to me and the diet has been extremely hard work. But I am enjoying it and it has been a great opportunity. The gym has been fantastic to me.

“I am excited but also a little bit nervous – but I’m just taking it as it happens.”

Sasha, who is already lined up to compete in two more competitions later this year, is also a black belt in Karate and aims to represent her dojo at the World championships in Milan this October and grade for her second Dan black belt next January.

Look out for the next issue of Workout when we will be finding out how Sasha got on in her first competition and hearing more about her diet and training regime.

Sasha Larner

Eating same food takes its toll, research claims THE monotony of eating the same range of foods could be taking its toll on the UK’s nutritional intake, new research has claimed.

According to a study by PAGB, the UK trade association for over the counter medicines and food supplements, the majority of British people eat the same foods at breakfast and lunch every day.

Nearly half (48 per cent) rely on a small bank of evening meals such as spaghetti bolognese and chicken tikka

masala.

State registered dietitian and member of the British Dietetics Association Helen Bond said: “Eating the same type of food every day is not only boring but could lead to deficiencies in certain nutrients if the foods are lacking in key nutrients.

“Not eating a variety of food groups, including lots of fruit and vegetables can also compromise the immune and digestive systems and, ultimately, long term health.”

Diet benefits THE British Dietetic Association has contributed to a new campaign by restaurant chain Strada and the Italian Trade Commission, which highlights the benefits of a Mediterranean diet.

Visitors to Strada’s website will find an entire section dedicated to championing the diet including a downloadable booklet with helpful information, hints and tips, an illustrated eating guide and a video with insight from the association and Institute of Food Research.

There are also recipe cards, competitions and details of the new menu.

Guru Lisa launches her first book HEALTH and fitness guru Lisa Gawthorne has written a new book – designed to help readers achieve the body of their dreams.

Gone in 60 Minutes breaks down into four simple sections to help shed fat, lose weight, stay healthy and be happy.

Sections focus on workouts, diet, supplements and positive thinking, all fitted into a bite sized book, which can be read in one hour and then referred back to over time for support, inspirational advice and tips.

Lisa said: “I wanted to encourage people to learn about four key areas, which if given enough focus, can help to deliver that dream body.

“I also wanted to inspire those who have doubts about their fitness as I once had SVT – Supraventricular Tachycardia and I thought my fitness aspirations were just a dream but I couldn’t have been any further from the truth, I am now fitter and stronger than ever.

“Some of my ideas might seem controversial but they are very realistic,

Lisa Gawthorne well researched and easy enough to practice.

“I want to help shift stagnant thought patterns and stimulate new ways of working out, eating, using

supplements and staying motivated through it all.

“I’m hoping readers will come away, after just one hour, empowered to get fit fast.”

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Carb cycling has been a ‘secret weapon’ fat loss trick of bodybuilders for decades and also one of top fitness model Carly Thornton’s favourite methods. Here she explains why.

Carb cycling for fat loss explained ...

So what is it exactly?

Firstly, let me start by saying, it’s not a magic diet and does not mean you can eat lots of junk food and rotate with low carb days – but you can achieve fantastic results from it.

Carb cycling is not necessarily going to give you faster results than normal fat loss. You should be looking for the same type of results you normally would. What carb cycling IS spectacularly good at doing is keeping the fat loss going without plateaus – both in terms of sustaining your motivation (psychological benefit) as well as keeping your energy levels high and your metabolism cranking (physiological benefits).

When is the best time to use carb cycling?

For people who are just getting started, who still have fairly high levels of body fat, carb cycling is not really even necessary. The best way to start out on a fat loss programme is to simply establish a caloric deficit and hold it steady.

In fact, if you've just started a fat loss program and can't even get out of the gate, you're doing something very wrong with nutrition 101, let alone the advanced stuff like carb cycling. Early stage weight loss should always be the easiest.

Carb cycling is probably most helpful for “end-stage” fat loss when you're already fairly lean and you're working on the last of the stubborn fat. This is when you've been dieting a long time, your metabolism is at the most risk of slowing down and you are at the most risk of falling off the wagon due to feelings of hunger, deprivation and lack of energy.

How carb cycling works: physiological benefits.

Remember that without a calorie deficit, carb cycling doesn't guarantee you will lose fat at all. In fact, think about what happens to your weekly deficit with carb cycling.

If you were on a deficit four out of every four days and then you go to deficit three out of every four days,

then technically you have a smaller cumulative weekly deficit don't you?

So you can see that carb cycling /zig zagging doesn't work by increasing a calorie deficit.

The idea here is that it’s NOT a good idea to always be in a deficit. Bad stuff happens if you are always calorie-deprived.

The problem with prolonged and aggressive deficits, especially after you're already lean, is that your metabolism tends to slow down as an adaptation to the caloric restriction.

Your body also tricks you into eating more by increasing appetite. Both of these effects can be controlled hormonally. The way carb cycling works is that by raising calories and decreasing them in a zig zag motion (carbohydrate calories in particular), you help restore metabolism-regulating, appetite-stimulating, satiety-inducing and anti-starvation hormones closer to normal levels.

For example, a higher calorie, higher carb spike can boost leptin, the anti starvation hormone.

Carly Thornton This tells your body that you are no longer "starving" and brings metabolism back to normal, at least temporarily.

Look out for the next issue of Workout, where Carly will be revealing more about carb cycling and how she uses it to keep in shape.

150 stations installed in a year GOPROTEIN’S innovative ‘Go-ProStation’ is continuing to be in great demand.

Head of UK sales Nick Mills said: “The system has come to the market at the right time. Gyms are under pressure to increase secondary spend, and crucially make that secondary spend profitable.”

In just over a year we have installed 150 Go-Pro-Stations in a wide range of locations, gyms, health clubs, spas and sports centres, from independents to national chains, all giving us the same fantastic positive feedback.

Nick added: “You can blend and serve a fresh shake from start to finish in less than 20 seconds, and because you blend in the serving cup, you

have no washing up. Who wants to blend a shake that creates more work, with the ‘Go-Pro-Station’ you simply blend and go.”

For further information contact Goprotein on 01778-560868, Nick Mills directly on 07894-619686 or email nickmills@goprotein.com

Reap the profits of our work CLUB Diet Plate is launching in 2012 – it will offer members of the public a new way to lose weight and fitness professionals a new way to earn money.

This is not the typical weigh and pay club but a comprehensive nine, weight management week course to be delivered by personal trainers, dietitians, nutritionists or practice nurses. It will cover all aspects of weight management from understanding food groups to psychology and attract a membership of 20 – 22 people per course. These will come

from inside club membership and the general public, plus referrals from CDP. The opportunity to earn more and increase bottom line profits is tremendous. For instance; if you were to run 10, full one hour courses a week, five times a year, the earning potential would be £61,600 per club.

If your name is Virgin Active that’s £7,515.200 on the bottom line and the cost to the club of a PT (who is paid anyway) to run the course and a room to seat 20-22 people, although there will be nominal training and literature disbursements for consideration.

High hopes for fitness menu THE manager of an independent gym who designed a fitness menu for Novotel is hoping to see it roll out across 40 of the chain’s hotels.

Adam Stowell, who manages Advance Gym in Reading, Berkshire, originally put together the ‘InBalance’ menu when the gym started a partnership with its local branch of Novotel. The menu complemented other initiatives from the two businesses, such as Advance Gym With Swim – a membership combining the gym facilities with the pool, sauna and steam rooms at the hotel.

The healthy menu featured starters such as oak smoked salmon and avocado, mains including a ‘Fat Burn Meal’ of Thai infused sea bass

wrapped in rice paper, and fresh fruit desserts. Prices ranged from £7 for starters to £18.95 for mains and there were also open sandwiches for £7 including chilli Asian prawns and rocket tartine on rye bread.

Adam said: “We had great success with the original menu and we’re now doing a new one. The plan is to look at the amount of covers sold after the change to see what people want more of.”

Advance Gym, which has over 1,200 members, was also celebrating after being shortlisted for a Reading Retail award.

The gym is looking forward to the finals later this month to see if it comes out in top place.

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LIW launch for Green System SPORTSART Fitness is leading the way, not only in eco-friendly manufacturing operations and development of energy efficient fitness products.

The company now plans to launch the new revolutionary Green System at Leisure Industry Week 2012, turning human energy into useable power.

The SportsArt Green System uses a “pod” of fitness products attached to an inverter that harnesses humangenerated power from exercisers and feeds this back into the power grid as useable energy.

This is claimed to be the first "plug and play" solution of its kind for health club owners who want to offset power costs by freely harnessing human energy.

Managing director Mark Turner said: “The power inverter attached to the Green System is about the size of a stereo receiver and has a regular 240VAC plug. To operate the system, a person would simply plug it in to a

240VAC outlet and start exercising.

Each pod can generate up to 2000 watts per hour during full use and calculations based on a typical health club that replaces all of its ellipticals and cycles with SportsArt Green Systems could make savings of between £1500.00 – £2000.00 per year on electricity bills. With that kind of saving on energy, it’s certainly worth health clubs investigating the possibilities further.”

Multirig training stations – designed for way you move LAUNCHING at LIW 2012 as an extension to our already successful HALO Performance range introduced in 2010, Multirig is backed by over 25 years of Leisure Lines engineering know how.

Designed as a robust, stable, flexible, scalable platform, no matter what your training methodology and goals, Multirig may easily be configured to meet your specific space and training needs and to accommodate a wide variety of popular small equipment, creating a focal point in your gym space.

Suitable for small or large group/team training.

Bolt together construction using a standard range of sub assemblies, you create your own Multirig.

Available in a choice of colours and finishes.

Also at LIW 2012 will be improved Powerbags, as well as the Powerbag PT. In response to customers’ requests, we have developed a new Powerbag system, the PT, targeted at the personal use sector offering great flexibility in one product.

This next generation Powerbag training system incorporates ‘dual fuel’ cells as its key feature.

This means it can incorporate either two water filled options or any combination of three sand filled cells, thus giving massively increased flexibility to the user in weight from 6-25kg and in training effect.

Why Nichola created guide to choosing the right course DIRECTOR of Evolve Leisure, Nichola Curran, has told Workout why she has created The Three Step Guide to Choosing the Right Course.

She explained: “As a training provider we work with fit pros who are keen to expand their skills and boost their earning potential.

“Typically those we work with struggle with feeling frustrated or bored with their current situation; they feel they deserve much more but are unsure about how to move forward.

“Having personally delivered training courses for 16 years and qualified over 1,500 instructors, I understand your frustrations of wanting to earn more, without working 24/7 and risk burning out. I totally appreciate, when you commit to doing a training course you want to be sure you’re going to get a return on investment.

“At Evolve we take your personal success seriously and it’s why we go

through the three steps in the guide. We want you to be clear about what you want to achieve, the types of clients you want to work Nichola Curran with, what you want to earn etc.

“From the very start we’ll help you to work out a plan that’s right for you and what you want to do.

“People we work with not only gain qualifications, they also get to do what they want, work with the clients they choose to work with and build successful fitness businesses.”

To download your free three step guide go to www.evolveleisure.co.uk

Functional wall panels launched FREEDOM Climber has launched its functional wall panels to add to its revolutionary rotating climbing trainer system.

With the success of the Freedom Climber in functional training zones it has extended its appeal and usage to health clubs and leisure centres, by creating wall mounted activity stations. These include mounting points for suspension band systems, elastic stretch bands and adjustable hand and foot holds designed for allow multiple functional exercises. These can be used in personal training ses-

sions or incorporated into circuit classes for added variety.

Freedom Climber has recently launched into Virgin Active’s flagship club at 200 Aldersgate in central London. The Aldersgate club has created an innovative, state of the art functional training zone which includes the Freedom Climber.

Fitness manager Craig Moores said: “It has been well received by the demanding and knowledgeable members and has been programmed into circuit classes and personal training sessions with great results.”

The L-Train unveiled at LIW Talk Twenty expands its portfolio PULSE is delighted to introduce a truly revolutionary fitness product at LIW 2012 – the new innovative lateral aerobic trainer – L-Train.

Stylish, unique and undoubtedly efficient in movement, the new Pulse L-train features a distinctive 360 degree, multi directional movement that engages all lower body muscles as well as delivering a peak performance cardiovascular workout.

Scientific research has already proven that the unique side to side lateral motion of the L-Train will interact with more key muscle groups and will burn more calories simultaneously than other traditional cardiovascular machines that use a front to back motion.

Used independently or part of an instructor driven class, members will be shown how to perform key exercise positions and movements to isolate and target key muscles and for increased heart rate training. Used in a figure of eight motion the L-Train will target and tone the lower body, in a clockwise motion it will isolate the outer thighs and glutes whilst a

counter clockwise motion will isolate the inner thighs and glutes.

Plus, the new L-Train also features all the benefits of the Pulse Fusion Cardio-vascular range including self powered integrated entertainment, quick access controls, multiple workout modes and SmartCentre connectivity.

To see it in action visit us on stand H360 at LIW or visit pulseleisuresolutions.tumblr.com

TALK Twenty 1 have added to their portfolio.

As well as telemarketing services generating leads for suppliers to the leisure industry, and also helping with increasing memberships within clubs, we are now offering tt1 Digital. tt1 Digital can assist you in developing a custom strategic social media marketing campaign that leverages solutions on platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn + blogs and other social community sites to achieve your marketing goals.

Our services include consulting, training, technical set-up, content creation and social profile management.

With this in mind we have created a bespoke free marketing and website audit that will review: Website design and development Creative campaigns Search engine optimisation Social media marketing Membership retention (via the Retention People) Social referral online (increasing

membership through our smart social media software) Telemarketing (expired member and prospect calling) Handling of incoming calls We will then make suggestions on how to improve them so that your marketing and website can work harder for your organisation.

For more information go to talktwenty1.com/free-audit/ or scan the QR code and complete the form on the website.

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Members happy with new kit

Firm gives kit to orphanage CHARTEX Products International did its bit for charity by donating items to help young people in an orphanage in Jordan.

Recognising the need for the 5070 resident boys as well as other orphans in the community, the orphanage decided to build a gym that could help them deal with their social, academic and emotional struggles.

They applied for grants, wrote to businesses, asked affluent community members and wrote letters to strangers asking for assistance.

Only a small percentage of those they reached out to responded – but Chic Carvell from Chartex was one of those who did.

As few products exist in Arabic to explain to the children the best ways to use the equipment, Chartex Products offered nearly 30 large, colourful and highly visual posters.

The posters demonstrate how to use the kit, what areas of the body the equipment benefits and why – helping the boys to get the best out of their time in the gym.

‘Fitness Saver’ website QUALIFIED personal trainers are invited to join a new website ‘Fitness Saver’ – which is building an interactive knowledge base of sports and fitness. www.fitness-saver.com offers an online community of experts, a search facility allowing people to, for example, ‘find a personal trainer’ in their area, and a shop to access and compare products from different online retailers. The site already includes 100,000 products from over 100 stores including Adidas, Reebok, JJB Sports and Powerhouse Fitness. Among experts on the database are coaches in swimming, football and other sports, golf pros and physiotherapists.

Each expert has their own profile and can earn points/medals by using the site, through writing articles,

forums, answering questions and commenting on posts. Material can be linked to Facebook, and the more points people earn, the more local advertising they get on the site.

Fitness Saver managing director Stuart Burge said: “I realised there was no real common link between different sports and fitness activities in the UK. There was also nowhere to search online and compare products specifically for fitness and sports, with a community of experts alongside offering support.”

Interested PTs can register at http://www.fitness-saver.com /personal-trainers

Festival’s Olympic legacy aim THE Sportex Festival presents a fantastic sporting platform to encompass the Olympic legacy, showcasing seven national tournaments across one weekend of awe inspiring entertainment.

An amplified enthusiasm for a sport-fuelled lifestyle, will keep the Olympic legacy torch burning at Manchester’s EventCity on October 20 - 21. Get caught up in the Olympic aftermath and get your brand in front of a 10,000 strong, freshly inspired target audience. Over 1000 competitors will take part in sports such as Judo, Badminton and five a side football and will run alongside both the

IFBB British Grand Prix and the UKBFF British Championships – two of the most prestigious bodybuilding events that the UK has to offer.

Visitors and competitors alike will be buzzing around the stands, prepared to buy. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the North’s largest sports exhibition. Exhibit at the Sportex Festival and become part of the Olympic legacy campaign to encourage sport and fitness in Britain.

For more information visit www.sportexfestival.co.uk

A POPULAR Manchester gym has benefited from new equipment, provided by Fitness Warehouse.

The Y-Club has been refurbished with the latest kit, including the Gym Gear Strength range, which has gone down well with members at the gym.

David Bulcock from Fitness Warehouse said: “We’ve been successfully working with Y-Club Manchester for over two years supplying equipment and the service and maintenance. Over that time we have developed a great relationship with the club, and club manager Andy. When Andy told me of his plans to modernise the gym, we were asked to provide a new state of the art strength suite and remove the old equipment.

The Y-Club has now been fitted out with the latest Gym Gear Strength range, over 20 machines have been provided to give members a great variety for training any part of the body. The new flooring, lighting, colour scheme and equipment have made the Y-club one the most popular gyms in Manchester.”

Club operations manager Andy Higham added: “Fitness Warehouse are a fantastic company – over the last two years they have supplied us with a great service. Recently I refurbished the gym and Fitness Warehouse kitted the gym out for a fantastic price. I have had great feedback from the members on how impressed they are about the kit.”

Unikurve Fitness System USED for cardiovascular fitness, strength and core training. Unique, unisex and universal, Unikurve conditions the whole body.

It is a simple framework that comes in three weights, either light 4kg or heavy and the new XTRHV which is a chunky 18kg.

Unikurve grows with the user so the better the user gets at using it, the harder it gets to use. This is accomplished by different hold positions to increase instability and leverage, which inturn increase virtual weight and difficulty.

Now the product has come on so much there are some new developments.

Unikurve Trax is a circuit training class combining all three Unikurve models, while Unikurve Beatz is a

dance based fitness class using the lightweight Unikurve.

Check out the demo at LIW on Thursday September 20 on the main stage where the Unikurve Beatz instructors will be strutting their stuff or to talk to inventor Mike Curry, visit stand H619 and have a go for yourself.

For more information visit www.unikurve.co.uk

New balls please ...

CHECK out these brilliant new Dynamax balls that are coming soon to Escape Fitness.

They are an exciting, dynamic new addition to our range and are suitable for any level of training because they come in such a fantastic range of weights and we are very proud to be the sole UK distributors for them.

These balls are a superb, high quality product to get your clients active and their hearts pumping with a great range of possible exercises.

They come in nine different weights – 4lb, 6lb, 8lb, 10lb, 12lb, 14lb, 16lb, 18lb, and 20lb and are 14” in diameter.

Absorbing impact is a key feature for any medicine ball and the Dynamax balls have a very high absorption level, are moisture resistant, made from 70 per cent recycled material

and have a very long 18 month warranty. Use these balls to give your clients a fun, interactive workout that builds core strength, cardio fitness and improves explosive movement.

These very functional balls will get their UK debut at LIW 2012 – will you be there? Come and see us on stand H250.

For more information visit www.escapefitness.com

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