Workout Weekly February 24

WEEKLY

Issue 130 - 24 February 2023

YOUR REGULAR ONLINE UPDATE FOR THE UK FITNESS SCENE

Work begins on £24m community leisure, health and wellbeing hub

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Major study on physical activity support for long Covid patients launched

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Work begins on £24m community leisure, health and wellbeing hub

WORK gets underway this month to replace Sharley Park Leisure Centre in Clay Cross with a new community hub including leisure and health services in a project led by Alliance Leisure.

The £24.1m scheme forms a key part of North East Derbyshire District Council’s Clay Cross Town Investment Plan, which aims to deliver a number of projects to ensure Clay Cross is a thriving place to live and work.

Designed by GT3 Architects, the new Clay Cross Active hub will deliver fit-forpurpose activity, health and support services in one site for the 20,000 residents of town and the surrounding area.

It aims to provide a space where the public can be active, both physically and mentally, which offers opportunities to learn and develop and a site to improve health and wellbeing and social interaction.

The development will be coordinated by Alliance Leisure through the UK Leisure Framework, which is managed by Denbighshire Leisure, with ISG acting as principle build contractor.

Julia Goddard, senior business development manager at Alliance Leisure, said: “Through Clay Cross Active, North East Derbyshire District Council is demonstrating how public sector leisure can provide integrated services that

meet the social, health and wellbeing needs of the whole community to ensure a successful and sustainable future for public leisure provision.”

Built on land next to the existing 1970s built Sharley Park Leisure Centre, the low carbon centre will feature solar PVs and air source heat pumps.

Facilities will include a 100-station gym, group cycling studio, four court sports hall as well as a 25m swimming pool with six lanes, plus a learner pool

with spectator seating. Designed with accessibility in mind, the changing village will include a Changing Places facility.

A wellness suite installed with Innerva power-assisted equipment arranged in a 12-station circuit will cater for people of all fitness levels, particularly those who are less mobile, suffering from illness, or who are undergoing post-operative rehabilitation.

Other facilities will include soft play, a

TAGactive indoor adventure play area, treatment rooms, a multi-purpose room for community activities and a café with a viewing gallery for the swimming pool.

Outside, the large park will be reinvigorated with social areas, improved play equipment, a full size 3G floodlit pitch plus a walking/cycle route around the park’s one mile perimeter.

Medical services will be delivered from the new hub, while organisations such as Citizens Advice will also operate from the centre.

Craig Johnson, project manager from ISG, added: “This will be a new facility for the local community that will be unrivalled within the area.

“The setting for the centre is ideal to offer a wider external appreciation for sports in addition to the state-of-the-art facilities that the centre will offer.

“The journey began with our preconstruction team and Alliance and will finish with a first-class facility delivered by project manager Sean Smithson and his team.

“We look forward to the day when members of the public can use the facility and enjoy everything that our team has worked so hard to create.”

The development is expected to complete in winter 2024 when Sharley Park Leisure Centre will then be demolished.

Blake Fletcher named Freemotion Fitness country manager

BLAKE Fletcher has joined the global iFIT team as new Freemotion Fitness country manager for the UK.

Blake has spent the past 17 years working in the UK fitness market and brings a wealth of experience in operations, commerce, and strategic sales.

His career includes five years at Les Mills, where he was part of the live and digital group exercise experiences team.

Blake also previously worked for global health club operator Fitness First and fitness solutions provider Life Fitness.

Most recently he was managing director for SCL Active business division,

Director of Operations: Dominic Musgrave Tel: 01226 734407 dm@scriptmediagroup.co.uk

Studio manager: Paul Hopkinson ph@scriptmediagroup.co.uk

Assistant studio manager: Scott Firth sf@scriptmediagroup.co.uk

Sales: Tony Barry Tel: 01226 734605 tb@scriptmediagroup.co.uk

www.workout-uk.co.uk

part of SCL Education Group.

Chris McGill, senior vice president of global sales, said: “Freemotion is committed to supporting the UK market and responding to key trends and developments. Blake is highly versed in the market and perfectly placed to drive the next phase of Freemotion’s growth.

“Over the past 12-18 months Freemotion has developed a growing number of strategic installations and offers operators and fitness brands a truly connected and omnichannel fitness solution through its iFIT platform.

“Freemotion facilities are able to provide immersive, content-driven

experiences that engage, excite and motivate its members whether they are in the facility or at home.

“This ultimately leads to greater member engagement and retention and an improved bottom line. The industry is becoming more technology-driven and we have the chance to not only take advantage of this but also to use it to maximise results for our customers.”

Blake will be responsible for the continued growth of Freemotion in the UK, working to support existing partners as well as identifying and developing new opportunities within the traditional operator market and other sectors.

Swimmers make a splash at leisure centre

ASKERN Leisure Centre has reopened to the public following a major refurbishment.

The £6m investment in the centre has seen the old coal heating system replaced with a more environmentally friendly and sustainable water heating solution, as well a new roof, windows and doors to make the venue more energy efficient.

The pool has had its lining replaced and a new air handling system installed, and a new changing village including a Changing Places facility.

A new café area in the venue’s undercroft will serve hot and cold beverages, hot food and cakes, while an extension to the car parking area has opened the venue up to the neighbouring Campsall Country Park.

Michael Hart, chief executive of Doncaster Culture and Leisure Trust,

said: “We are thrilled to welcome customers back to Askern Leisure Centre and we know that having the pool open will be welcomed by local families who

are looking for activities to enjoy this half term.

“We’re excited to have created a hugely improved and much more environmentally friendly leisure facility for the local community. The refurbished facilities and our newlook activity programmes will benefit residents in and around the area for years to come.”

The improvements were delivered in partnership between DCLT and Doncaster Council, and funded through a combination of local authority capital, government decarbonisation and Sport England grants.

The new look centre will have a swimming pool programme to meet the needs of the community including lane swimming, inflatable fun and swimming lessons. Aquafit and ladies only sessions will also feature.

Blake Fletcher

DCLT board members and team were joined by Mayor Ros Jones, local councillors, representatives from Askern Town Council and Norton and Campsall Parish Council ahead of the reopening.

First UK leisure centre achieves award for its commitment to tackling inequalities

ACTIVE Nottingham’s Ken Martin Leisure Centre (part of Nottingham City Council) has become the first in the country to achieve the Quest Tackling Inequalities in Leisure Standard.

The Tacking Inequalities in Leisure accolade was bestowed on the centre as part of its Sport England Quest assessment, which measures how well a facility is operating and how effective organisations are across a range of areas.

First established more than 20 years ago, the renowned Quest award has evolved over the years to keep pace with the ever-changing sport and leisure industry, now including aspects such as the Tackling Inequalities assessment and an Exercise on Referral Standard.

Councillor Pavlos Kotsonis, Nottingham City Council’s portfolio holder for leisure and culture, said: “I’m thrilled that our efforts and the ongoing work at Ken Martin Leisure Centre have been recognised with the Tackling Inequalities in Leisure Standard.

“This is a fantastic achievement and a testament to the dedication and hard work of our team.

“As a service, Active Nottingham is committed to providing accessible leisure facilities and I hope this encourages more local residents with disabilities and those with long-term health conditions to be active.”

Ken Martin Leisure Centre was recognised for working hard to ensure all demographics of the

local community are welcome and find the centre accessible, which includes partnering with trusted local organisations, such as housing associations, primary care networks, social prescribing teams and mental health services.

The Sport and Physical Activity team has also been working with the community to help remove any barriers to access through campaigns such as Get Out Get Active, This Girl Can and the Disability Sport Insight and Participation project, which invited people living with a disability to try the facility for free in exchange for honest feedback.

Kirsty Worthington, general manager at Ken Martin Leisure Centre, added: “As well as proactively

researching the demographics of our area so we can anticipate some of our community’s needs, we take a more holistic and individualistic appreciation of their requirements by working with partners, such as My Sight Notts, Disability Direct and the Women’s Centre, and local projects, including community-based sports groups, to directly engage with people living in the local area.

“This includes attending local meetings and events, such as community fun days, inviting groups to attend the centre and help alleviate first-time visit anticipation, as well as offering virtual tours and subtitled centre walk-through videos on our website and social media, so people know what to expect in advance.

“The area around the centre has some of the highest levels of deprivation across the UK, experiencing a number of health challenges.

“Added to this, the area has a mixed population of ethnicities, including new and emerging communities, a large proportion of families and single parent families, as well as a significant population of older people.

“We need to offer programmes and activities that truly cater for everyone.”

Some of the activities that ticked the boxes for the Tackling Inequalities in Leisure Standard assessment team include Swim for Health, a 50+ morning and line dancing classes, which all attract a diverse attendance, as well as low intensity mental health mindfulness classes, which enable customers to learn mindfulness meditation practices to help relax, reduce stress, slow down and live their life in the present.

Along with Active Nottingham’s other leisure centres, Ken Martin also boasts CredAbility accreditation; an independent quality mark run by disabled people, and the CredAbility Access Card, a national scheme that commits organisations to providing a quality service to people with a disability.

The CredAbility Access +1 card scheme also allows holders to gain free access for essential companions or carers at Active Nottingham leisure centres.

Major study on physical activity support for long Covid patients

A MAJOR study has been launched to understand how the sport and physical activity sector is supporting people suffering from long Covid, ukactive has announced.

The ukactive Research Institute, Sport England, and Sheffield Hallam University’s Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre are working together to explore how organisations are delivering physical activity to people with long Covid, and the relationships with local health services that may be commissioning these activities or referring patients to them.

The researchers hope to gain a better understanding of the support available and provide initial insights into what helps patients to manage or improve their symptoms.

Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, said: “This study will provide vital guidance to our fitness and leisure organisations so they can best support people suffering from long Covid symptoms.

“The physical activity sector could play a fundamental role in people’s

recovery from long Covid, which is another example where the sector has huge potential to work together with the NHS and support people’s health in community settings, to relieve pressure on our healthcare system.”

Long Covid is a complex, multisystem disease that adversely affects the day-to-day activities of 2.1 million

people, with the number of patients experiencing chronic symptoms placing unprecedented demand on the NHS.  Given the complexity of long Covid and the lack of clarity about how best to treat the condition – including the role of physical activity – it is essential that the physical activity sector is equipped with the skills and knowledge to support

people, and to avoid causing harm. Some people with long Covid experience an increase in symptoms after exertion (termed post-exertional symptom exacerbation); it is important that physical activity professionals are knowledgeable about PESE and are able to recognise this in patients to ensure that their advice on physical activity is appropriate.

Researchers will look at how health services are referring people with long Covid to organisations delivering physical activity, and the options and strategies available to support their recovery.

The first phase of the study will involve interviews with clinical, community, and physical activity sector professionals.

An online survey will then be used to determine how the sector is currently integrating physical activity safely into rehabilitation pathways.

The final phase will seek to understand the relationship between long Covid clinical referrers and the physical activity sector, before the full results of the study are published in the summer.

Trust to open new health, fitness and wellbeing facility following £1m refurb

HORIZON Leisure, which currently manages Havant and Waterlooville Leisure Centres in Hampshire, has made its first acquisition of a private gym; the former Sports Direct site in Guildford.

The move forms part of the charitable group’s long-term strategy to improve the health and wellbeing of people in the South of England through acquisitions and expansion.

The charity is preparing to reopen the doors of its new health, fitness and wellbeing facility in the summer following a million-pound refurbishment of the 9,000 sq/ft facility.

Mike Lyons, CEO of Horizon Leisure, said: “We are passionate about bringing this facility back to life and are creating a high-quality community hub where everyone is welcome.

“Horizon is committed to inspiring

healthier and happier communities and providing community benefit for all regardless of background.

“We have a history of delivering a family-friendly offer, with a premium feel at an affordable price.

“We put our customers first in every decision we make and part of this is to remove barriers to participation.

“More than ever, the benefits of being active are huge, and a key commitment of Horizon Leisure and its latest acquisition is to improve the health and wellbeing of the people of Guildford for the long term.

“Our memberships are inclusive and are suitable for everyone.

“A healthy lifestyle is the foundation to a happy life and transforming this facility, along with our team providing expert support, we will encourage the

community in Guildford to make positive decisions about their health.”

Building works, due to start in imminently, will include a complete overhaul of the facility including a refresh of the front exterior of the building.

Inside, a large gym area will be created with high-specification equipment, as well as an exercise studio, which will incorporate studio cycling, a new sauna and steam room, and an overhaul of the changing facilities.

The new-look health and wellbeing hub will also include a Learn to Swim programme for local children and group exercise classes, including Les Mills, to cater for a variety of abilities and interests.

Horizon Leisure is a charitable trust and any operating surplus will be reinvested

back into community benefit for local people.

Horizon will also provide a range of community health initiatives, including sessions tailored for people with specific health needs, as well as access to its GP/ Health Referral Scheme.

Horizon is actively looking to develop connections within the local NHS, social prescribers and local sports and community groups in the Guildford area.

In preparation for opening, Horizon Leisure will be looking for a new team of staff to ensure the delivery of its service.

Mike added: “Our team will be focused on delivering the very highest standards offering support and guidance.

“We are looking to recruit enthusiastic people who are passionate about health and wellbeing.”

énergie Fitness partners with WellnessSpace Brands to add recovery products to clubs

WellnessSpace Brands, the company known for developing massage beds and chairs that utilise hydrotherapy, cryotherapy and relaxation methods, has announced a partnership with énergie Fitness, a leading fitness franchise brand with more than 90 locations across the UK, Ireland and Spain.

énergie Fitness UK has selected WellnessSpace Brands as a recovery and wellness partner to provide members with a premium service by dedicating spaces for HydroMassage Lounges and other recovery methods.

Following a successful trial at the Wokingham club, énergie Fitness UK has since installed HydroMassage products at the Wolverhampton facility, with plans to expand its partnership with WellnessSpace Brands to bring wellness and recovery products to more of its franchised locations.

énergie Fitness UK will use the Lounge 440X chair, a product that uses hydrotherapy (water massage) technology to offer an effective recovery experience to gym members.

The installation of HydroMassage across énergie Fitness gyms will provide both an enhanced member experience and commercial return for franchisees.

“We saw the impact of HydroMassage right away,” said Anthony Cromack, franchise owner of énergie Fitness Wokingham.

“Our WOW package upgrades had been 47 per cent, but after we added HydroMassage, that number increased to 63 per cent for new members. Plus, many upgraded to a 12-month contract as a result.”

The agreement comes as énergie Fitness UK continues to focus on meeting the growing demand for physical and mental recovery within its gyms.

WellnessSpace Brands will work with each franchisee within the énergie Fitness UK network to highlight the importance of how their products can help meet the ongoing need for recovery.

“As more gym-goers continue to prioritise total mind and body wellness, our suite of recovery and wellness products including HydroMassage, RelaxSpace and CryoLounge+ are wellpositioned to meet those needs,” added WellnessSpace brands founder and CEO Paul Lunter.

“We’re thrilled énergie Fitness UK shares our commitment to provide these services to members.”