Workout Weekly July 21

WEEKLY

Issue 145 - 21 July 2023

YOUR REGULAR ONLINE UPDATE FOR THE UK FITNESS SCENE

Bournemouth gym set to be transformed – page 3

Free NHS fitness platform seeks leisure partners to champion growth – page 4

Bournemouth gym set to be transformed

BH Live, the registered charity which operates leisure centres across Dorset and Hampshire, is transforming the health and wellbeing facilities at Pelhams Park this summer.

The North Bournemouth site comprises of a large gym, two swimming pools, daily classes in its three group exercise studios, 3G rubber crumb football pitches, outdoor tennis courts, a café, FeelGood Factory and more.

Rob Cunningham, BH Live’s associate director of leisure, said: “With so many great facilities and activities, Pelhams is an incredibly popular community space enjoyed by thousands of customers each week.

“We know this investment will be welcome news indeed and we can’t wait to get started.

“Once completed, customers and residents will have access to even better local sports facilities right on their doorstep – providing an inclusive, motivating, safe and welcoming space for people of all ages and abilities and enjoy their leisure time and focus on improving fitness, mobility, strength, physical health and mental wellbeing.”

Over the summer holidays the firstfloor gym and group cycle studio are to be completely revamped to create bright, welcoming and accessible facilities for all.

New high-specification cardio fitness equipment will appeal to those looking to improve their overall fitness, strength and mobility.

Strength training is being powered up with lifting platforms, plate-loaded

machines and functional equipment.

There will also be improved space for pre and post-workout stretching and mobility work too.

On the upgraded gym equipment, customers will be able to track their progress, log essential body stats, personalise training and sync with other health apps such as Apple Health, FitBit and Strava.

There will also be a complete suite of touchscreen entertainment and streaming.

Furthermore, the centre’s group cycle experience is being relaunched with new high-spec training bikes from Technogym, with interactive features, plus Myzone fitness tracking.

Pelhams has been operated by the charity in partnership with BCP Council

since 2010.

This transformation, coupled with the reopening of BH Live Active, Queen’s Park, new attractions at Littledown, plus essential investments at other local leisure centres demonstrates how BH Live, as a registered charity, uses any surplus to invest in local facilities for the benefit of the community.

The rest of the centre and activities at Pelhams, including the FeelGood Factory, pools, sanarium, café, soft play, football pitches and tennis courts will all remain open as usual.

During any temporary closures customers will be able to use other facilities as part of their BH Live Active multi-site membership at Corfe Mullen, Queen’s Park, Littledown, Stokewood and Sir David English Sports Centre.

Blu Leisure set for growth with Tiffany’s promotion

LEISURE retail and bespoke uniform specialist Blu Leisure has promoted Tiffany Barritt to the role of business development manager to support the brand’s ongoing commitment to expanding its presence in existing markets whilst also venturing into new, international territories.

Tiffany started her Blu Leisure journey back in 2021 when she joined as retail executive, swiftly moving into the role of retail manager, supporting Blu’s diverse portfolio of clients, assisting with all aspects of stock selection, product management and payment processes.

As the business has grown in terms of new client acquisitions and the expansion of existing client requirements, an opportunity to proactively amplify its influence and

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

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promote its developing retail collections has emerged. Tiffany has been appointed to spearhead this part of the growth strategy.

In addition to actively seeking new

retail partners in the fitness, spa, attractions and hospitality markets, Tiffany will also drive the company’s marketing activity and playing an active role in the design and development of captivating new retail lines. She said: “Blu Leisure is at a transformational point in its evolution. In response to operator needs, the company has developed a new ecommerce service providing a quick and easy means of ordering retail apparel and accessories around the clock, with no minimum order requirement.

“Sourced from our network of  carefully selected international suppliers, we are offering high-quality, eye-catching products at a price that allows for a mark-up price of at least 50 per cent. This

creates significant profit opportunities for our clients.

“This service is gaining momentum and my role will be to harness the growing interest from operators to strengthen an already thriving retail division.”

Tiffany’s new role has come into effect this month.

Vicki Peck, MD at Blu Leisure, added: “Tiffany has been a valued member of our team for the last two years. Her boundless creativity, meticulous attention to detail and her unwavering determination means she is perfectly placed to propel the business forwards.

“With our ecommerce service flourishing and an exciting new range of eco-friendly products on the brink of launch, I am excited to steer the business into the next phase of its development.”

Plans submitted to update leisure centre

PLANS to replace a 50-year-old leisure centre which is no longer “fit for purpose” have been unveiled.

Durham County Council has submitted a planning application to replace the current Woodhouse Close Leisure Complex, in Bishop Auckland.

The council said the proposed building will also house a new library as well as children’s services. Two new swimming pools, a gym and a wellbeing hub are also proposed for the site.

Councillor James Rowlandson, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for resources, investment and assets, said: “Woodhouse Close has been popular with residents since it opened.

“However, after serving the community for more than 50 years, the building is no longer fit for purpose.

“We remain committed to supporting

the health and wellbeing of our residents through the delivery of leisure services and our plans are to create a new, modern facility which will support the health and wellbeing of our communities.”

He added the building would be greener than the current facilities with carbon-saving measures incorporated

into the design.

Residents and stakeholders were consulted on the proposals which has helped shape the design of leisure services.

If approved, the planning and design process will be carefully arranged to minimise disruption to the current centre’s services wherever possible.

Tiffany Barritt

Free NHS fitness platform seeks leisure partners to champion growth

DOING Our Bit – the award-winning, free to participate 24-7 one-stop shop for fitness, health and wellness for NHS and social care staff – is calling on leisure sector businesses and individuals to do their bit to champion its next stage of growth and future-proof its services.

Launched three years ago to support NHS staff during the first 2020 Covid pandemic, Doing Our Bit has recently formed a not-for-profit company, relaunched its platform and created an App for users.

Its next goal is to offer in-person sessions at leisure centres and gyms before embarking on a series of activities designed to improve the health the 1.4 million NHS and social care workers who, among them, are responsible for the nation’s wellbeing.

Doing Our Bit is the largest ‘free to participate’ portal providing a blueprint for improved wellbeing of workers across the UK. Created by the NHS for the NHS, its purpose is to provide content, classes and a community.

At a time when sickness levels among NHS staff are at an all-time high, Doing Our Bit is completely focused on driving forwards the Preventative Health movement through free access to physical activity sessions and mental wellbeing resources.

So far more than 140 healthcare employers have registered with Doing Our Bit giving more than 750,000 NHS

and social care staff access to free wellbeing information and on-demand videos.

The updated platform, new App, free In-person activities and communitybased activities will combine to engage many more of the NHS and social care workforce. But Doing Our Bit needs support from the leisure sector to scale this and make it a reality.

At the outset in March 2020, three founding partners – Active IQ, fibodo and Study Active – pledged their help to Doing Our Bit’s founder, Julie Davis. Their unwavering support, underpinned by Leisure Net since 2022, has enabled Doing Our Bit to evolve and keep pace with people’s changing healthcare needs.

Now registered as a not-for-profit organisation, Doing Our Bit Limited is looking once more to the leisure industry seeking partnership support and sponsorship funds to invest into growing the reach of the platform, introducing dedicated staff and engaging with as many as possible of the 1.4m NHS and social care staff across the UK through providing:

n On-demand video workouts.

n In-person exercise and wellness classes.

n Group activities.

n Training buddies.

n Community events.

A number of opportunities exist for stakeholders across key leisure sectors who not only recognise and support the social value of Doing Our Bit to the NHS, but also want to contribute to its success.

Doing Our Bit ensures organisations are uniquely placed to benefit from being associated with the wellbeing of the nation’s key workers across the NHS and social care

“When I came up with the idea to

help my NHS and social care colleagues manage during the pandemic, I couldn’t have imagined how far the Doing Our Bit platform would come,” said Doing Our Bit founder Julie Davis.

“The support from the founding partners was phenomenal but just the start of an incredible journey. The pandemic may be behind us now but the need to protect the wellbeing of NHS and social care staff has never been greater.

“I believe the updated platform, new App, in-person sessions and the formation of a Doing Our Bit community has huge potential to bring about lasting change.”

The variety of Doing Our Bit activities will continue to be curated and expanded as the platform develops, limited only by the imagination of its partners and the NHS.

On-demand content already includes yoga, HIIT and bodyweight sessions, meditation, dance and Pilates. Doing Our Bit is actively seeking more sessions from more PTs to grow this further and keep things fresh for participants.

“I would like to thank everyone who has stepped up to help Doing Our Bit reach this stage and am looking forward to working with more partners and sponsors who share our vision to support the health of those who work tirelessly to support our nation’s wellbeing,” added Julie.

Southwark celebrates new leisure centre at Canada Water reaching full height

BUILDING works have reached the roof level of what will be Southwark Council’s new leisure centre at Canada Water.

The new public leisure centre will open to residents in early 2025.

Facilities at Canada Water will include:

n An eight-lane 25m swimming pool.

n A learner pool.

n A four-court sports hall.

n A 150+ station gym.

n A spin studio.

The new leisure centre’s ‘topping out’ came as the council recently took back management of all leisure centres. The move will mean an injection of investment into upgrades across the borough’s leisure offer and greater accessibility to facilities for everyone within Southwark.

Councillor Catherine Rose, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, leisure and parks, said: “It’s so exciting to be one step closer to residents enjoying the new state-of-the-art leisure centre at Canada Water. We’re delighted to celebrate this progress in the same month as we are taking back management of all our leisure centres to allow us to continue supporting more people to live healthier.

“We want everyone to be within easy reach of life’s essentials within thriving neighbourhoods, including green spaces, a choice of shops and services, and excellent health and fitness facilities.

“At Canada Water, this ambition is

already becoming a reality.”

Prioritising the health and wellbeing of residents also sits at the heart of Southwark Council and British Land’s plans to deliver a new town centre at Canada Water.

Their masterplan will deliver 12 acres of new parks and squares.

There will be a whole host of places

for residents to meet, connect and relax with up to one million sq ft occupied by shops, restaurants, entertainment, education and community space.

The new leisure centre sits on plot A2 which will provide more than 180,000 sq ft of new workspace and is the first part of a thriving new high street – the first in a generation for London.

Easy access to everyone’s daily necessities, including green spaces, is the blueprint at Canada Water where the new leisure centre will offer a wide range of activities to help people get active.

Southwark councillors joined British Land and contractors Mace to celebrate the new leisure centre’s building milestone with a ceremony.

Theme for National Fitness Day 2023 revealed as campaign partners named

ukactive has announced Movember and Endurance Zone as the campaign partners for National Fitness Day 2023, taking place on Wednesday 20 September with the theme ‘Your Health is for Life’.

The partners will work with ukactive to help the campaign reach new audiences, building on the reputation of National Fitness Day as the UK’s most active day of the year. Millions of people across all communities will be inspired to be more active, with thousands of free activities for people to try, hosted by gyms, swimming pools, leisure centres, sports clubs, workplaces, schools, and online providers.

The theme for this year’s campaign is ‘Your Health is for Life’, encouraging people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to recognise and celebrate the life-long physical and mental benefits of being active.

With the support of Movember and Endurance Zone, National Fitness Day will encourage millions of people to take the first step in their health journey.

Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, said: “The message behind National Fitness Day has never been more important for the nation’s physical and mental health, so we are delighted this year to welcome Movember and Endurance Zone as our campaign partners.

“Your health is for life, so we want the benefits of National Fitness Day to extend far beyond our big day, and for everyone to experience the fun and the power of fitness throughout the year.

“There is no one-size-fits all, so

ukactive’s members will be hosting a huge variety of free events for people to try something new and take the first step to a healthier, happier life.”

This year’s campaign will take a holistic view of the importance of health and wellbeing, focusing on three key areas: mental health, nutrition and recovery, and physical activity itself.

There has never been a greater, evidence-based understanding that moving our bodies is essential for us to feel well, both mentally and physically.

In the UK today, physical activity is helping millions of people to fight cancer, type two diabetes, skeletal and muscular pain, depression, anxiety, and many other conditions.

Despite this, more than a quarter of the population in England is classed as inactive – averaging fewer than 30 minutes of exercise a week –according to Sport England’s latest Active Lives Survey.

Men’s health charity Movember will be National Fitness Day’s mental health partner, highlighting the importance of looking after our

wellbeing and celebrating the role of physical activity in building mental strength and resilience.

Endurance Zone, the world’s largest sports reward platform, has been named as the physical activity partner for the 2023 campaign.

The partnership will incentivise users by rewarding them for taking part in any form of physical activity, helping to motivate more people to be more active.

It works by way of an intuitive app that utilises the growing popularity of fitness trackers – turning exercise into points that can be redeemed on competitions to win health and fitness related products.

On top of this, the app will be full of exclusive offers from top sports brands, to save people money throughout their fitness journey.

In 2022, National Fitness Day saw participation reach an estimated 11 million people, including over four million children and young people, and the total audience for the campaign hit more than 50 million through social media, TV, radio and the press.

Centre to benefit from £222,000 of new equipment

ARMLEY Leisure Centre in Leeds is set to benefit from £222,000 of new cardio and resistance equipment, a council report has said.

Council chiefs hope the new equipment will attract an extra 300 members a year at the leisure centre.

A report approving the expenditure said: “The gym equipment and wider development will help to support healthy, physically active lifestyles, ensuring the equipment matches the needs

and demographics of the area, whilst keeping up to date with the latest fitness trends.

“The development provides greater opportunity to engage will all user groups to increase their activity levels and improve the health of people in and around Armley.”

Armley has higher than average rates of childhood and adult obesity, childhood asthma, serious mental health issues and COPD, along with lower life expectancies.

Alliance Leisure makes new board appointment

MARKETING specialist John Leaver has been promoted to Alliance Leisure’s Development Board as the company strengthens its leadership to deliver in excess of £500m of leisure projects across the UK.

Promoted from head of marketing, John’s new role as marketing and framework director will see him work alongside fellow directors Sarah Watts, Paul Cluett, Tom Fairey, James Foley and Paul Woodford to position the business as the UK’s leading leisure development partner.

His new position leads to a change in title for Paul Woodford who assumes the role of strategic engagement director. In his new role, John will drive the marketing strategy to ensure the continued growth of Alliance, which has delivered 220 developments to date representing more than £300m of investment in local authority leisure facilities.

John said: “Having worked for Alliance for 17 years, I sometimes feel like a stick

of Blackpool rock – if you cut me in half you’d see Alliance running through me.

“Our services have evolved over the years, but the core of Alliance remains the same – to deliver innovative buildings and environments that

promote physical activity, are relevant to the audiences they serve and ultimately deliver maximum benefits to partners, clients and the public.”

John joined the business in 2006 as an account manager following a successful career in both public and private leisure.

As head of Alliance Digital he spearheaded the digital transformation of the company, and in 2018 he and strategic engagement director Paul Woodford established TA6, Alliance Leisure’s results-driven, marketing and training brand providing sales, marketing and retention services to leisure operators.

The TA6 brand has gone from strength to strength and now primarily supports Alliance Leisure projects through a range of services including feasibility, branding, customer engagement, launch campaigns, impact sales and people development. Maximising on the success of the UK Leisure Framework is core to hiss new role. Working with Denbighshire Leisure Ltd, the UKLF has

the potential to deliver up to £2bn of leisure projects across the UK.

Sarah Watts, CEO of Alliance Leisure, added: “Succession planning is critical as Alliance Leisure continues to evolve. John’s expertise and 17 years of service will be a valuable addition to the board as we take the business forward to ensure strong continued growth.

“The timing is absolutely right for this appointment; John brings a different set of skills and management style to the board that will strengthen the organisation at all levels.”

In 2022 John implemented Alliance Leisure’s new wellbeing strategy, which will further align the company’s vision and values with its wellbeing agenda to promote the health and wellbeing of the team, which has grown five-fold in the last five years.

Initiatives so far have included a new employment assistance programme to support colleagues with their mental health alongside move challenges to encourage physical activity.

Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive.

John Leaver

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