Workout Weekly March 10

WEEKLY

Issue 131 - 10 March 2023

YOUR REGULAR ONLINE UPDATE FOR THE UK FITNESS SCENE

PM is urged to intervene as facilities face ‘final straw’ if energy relief ends

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Boxer’s new sportswear brand proves to be worthy contender

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PM is urged to intervene as facilities face ‘final straw’ if energy relief ends

A COALITION of more than 200 bodies and individuals from the worlds of health, sport, recreation and leisure has written to the Prime Minister with an urgent plea for greater support for grassroots facilities and clubs amid the ongoing energy crisis.

With energy costs relief for the UK’s swimming pools, leisure centres, community facilities, and gyms ending on March 31, thousands of facilities and clubs are at risk of permanent closure or reduced services, as public and private sector organisations of all sizes face unprecedented financial challenges, with bills remaining up to 200 per cent higher than normal.

For public leisure operators running services within local authorities, the latest data from ukactive’s members shows that 31 per cent of council areas in England remain at risk of losing their leisure centre(s) or seeing reduced services at their leisure centre(s), from April 1, with around 350 facilities nationally already having seen service restrictions, temporary and permanent closures since October 2022.

Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, said: “More than 200 organisations and prominent individuals are united in

urging the Government to safeguard essential community facilities across the country that remain under threat of service restrictions and closure, impacting people of all ages and backgrounds.

“Pools, gyms, leisure centres, and community facilities form part of our social fabric, and they are vital for our nation’s health and the economy.

“Action must be taken to protect our facilities, and to help them recover and grow so they can in turn support the growth of a healthier, happier, more productive nation.”

The signatories of the letter range from major health bodies to sport’s national governing bodies, and the nation’s biggest fitness and leisure groups, while athletes such as Rebecca Adlington and celebrities including Davina McCall have also added their support.

The letter warns that: “Failure to identify bespoke support for the sector (and schools operating sports facilities) as part of the Energy Bills Discount Scheme will be the final straw for many facilities and services – especially swimming pools.

“Without national intervention, communities will see the loss of essential local services, including swimming lessons for children which are vital for water safety; multi-sport offerings; mental health services; bespoke programmes for older citizens, ethnically diverse communities, women and girls, and disabled people; and long-term health programmes including cancer rehabilitation and support for those with musculoskeletal conditions and type 2 diabetes.”

Within the letter, the coalition calls for the Government to:

n Reclassify swimming pools as energy intensive as part of the Energy Bills

Discount Scheme so they have access to the higher level of discount on energy prices.

n Set out what tangible support it will provide to the wider sector – including gyms, leisure centres, sports facilities, and clubs – to help navigate the energy crisis across 2023 so that service restrictions and facility closures can be minimised.

n Set out a “plan for growth” for the sector by aligning the proposed new Sports Strategy with the Spring Budget to unlock the potential of the sector to support the economic, health, educational and social wellbeing of the nation.

The letter was coordinated a group of bodies, including: Active Partnerships, the Association for Public Service Excellence, the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity, the Chief Cultural and Leisure Officers Association, Community Leisure UK, District Councils’ Network, the Local Government Association, Sported, the Sport and Recreation Alliance, the Sport for Development Coalition, Swim England, the Swimming Teachers’ Association, the Youth Sport Trust and ukactive.

Charitable trust appoints new chief executive

BPL has appointed Michael Hirst as its new chief executive.

Michael joined BPL in 2004 as a marketing manager and since then has seen the trust go from strength to strength.

BPL now operates 10 health and fitness facilities across Barnsley, Bassetlaw, Mansfield and Pontefract, including its flagship site Barnsley Metrodome.

Michael said: “It’s an absolute honour to be awarded this position and lead such a talented group of people.

“It’s been such a proud year for BPL. Winning the marketing campaign award at the UK Active Awards and then two National Fitness Awards for best membership campaign and local

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: Tim Deighton

Tel: 01226 734605 sales@workout-uk.co.uk

www.workoutuk.co.uk

authority/leisure trust gym of the year for our Your Space Mansfield site was fantastic.

“The past three years have been incredibly challenging for the leisure industry and the people who work in it.

“At BPL we’ve all helped each other through these challenges, which has enabled a quick return of customers, giving us the financial capacity to manage the incredible utility charges experienced this year.

“We’ve also used this time to hone our purpose, vision and values as we set out to become a force for good in our local communities.

“The health statistics of communities are shocking, and for the first time in 100 years, getting worse. Leisure centres are vital if we are to reverse these trends, and BPL are up for the challenge.

“We already welcome hundreds of people a month onto our health referral schemes and we are developing

innovative new products and services to attract more.

“Our centres are so fun, friendly and welcoming, and when people come to us, we know we can change their lives for the better.

“Community leisure charitable trusts are so important, as we’re not for profit and play such a valuable part in improving the wellbeing, health and fitness of our local communities.

“I’m very much looking forward to us building on the great work we’re already doing in our centres, forging stronger relationships with our key partners, and reaching out and helping even more local people. That’s why BPL is a force for good.”

Cabinet approves solar car port plans at The Reef

PLANS for a two bay solar car port at The Reef Leisure Centre in Sheringham have been approved by North Norfolk Council’s Cabinet.

The provision of a solar car port was outlined within the Council’s Corporate Plan and the Net Zero Action Plan.

Councillor Nigel Lloyd, portfolio holder for environmental services, climate change and the environment, said: “Introducing innovative measures to our assets is a vital step towards our Net Zero ambitions.

“The solar car ports are a fantastic concept, utilising existing public space with opportunity to use renewable energy to power the surrounding assets, in this case, our energy-efficient leisure centre.

“With a successful implementation of a solar car port at The Reef, we

can look to roll out this to other car parks in North Norfolk.”

The solar car port will generate renewable electricity to help supply The Reef Leisure Centre and assist the Council’s transition to Net Zero.

Although The Reef was designed with sustainability in mind, this project will reduce the leisure centre’s carbon footprint further, as well as providing protection against

future energy price fluctuations and a return on investment to the Council.

This car port will also demonstrate the deliverability of renewable technology, which will, if successful, be rolled out at other locations around the district.

The Council has committed to achieving Net Zero Carbon Emissions by 2030 and is exploring options for reducing energy usage and maximising efficiencies across its estate.

Solar car ports are an innovative way to use functional space while generating energy to power the Council’s assets.

The Reef was designed to maximise energy efficiency including such measures as air source heat pumps and solar thermal collectors, which naturally heat the water.

Michael Hirst

Huw Edwards

Women – are you truly confident?

By Tiffany Clark

IN 2017 I had the pride of winning the Business Woman of the Year award for Sxefit and the development of revolutionary fitness methods.

I have worked in the health and fitness industry for more than 20 years and have had the opportunity to experience the highs and lows of building and developing my fitness business with my own bare hands for 10 of them.

Sxefit is now approaching its 10-year anniversary, and as the CEO I could not be prouder of the achievements that we have made and the lives that we have changed.

I have had the pleasure of gathering so much evidence, showing that the Sxefit methods and ethos have been and continue to be effective for changing the lives and mindsets of women.

Some of our members have been coming to Sxefit for up to 15 years, which in itself proves how successful the methods are and how addictive selfimprovement can be.

As many of my followers know, I have not had an easy life and have had to experience first-hand some of the worst hardships that life can throw at you.

But from that I have been provided with a deeper insight in how to support, empower, and inspire women from all backgrounds, ages, sizes, shapes, abilities, and levels to change their lives without judgement and put themselves first for once; as we are all guilty of tending to everyone else’s needs before those of our own.

I have met some of the most inspirational women from all walks of life, who I have been able to take under my wing and support them to become who they have wanted to be, and someone they are proud of themselves. That in itself is such a massive achievement, and makes me strive to continue changing as many lives as I possibly can.

At Sxefit we are taking steps to get our methods worldwide. Not only that, we have also started up our Nutrition

Mission to educate the world on food, healthy eating and to tackle some of the worldwide issues we see today such as child obesity and diabetes.

By having a platform to inspire and empower we want to make a true difference to the health and well-being of each and every person we can reach with the approved methods that we have developed.

We have had the pleasure of witnessing so many transformations, such as one of our ladies who walked through the door after trying so many fad diets and failed exercise plans. She had completely lost her confidence and her motivation to continue with her fitness.

This lady found that she had lost weight for a few months and then regained it and it was a continuous cycle for her, which it is for most of us isn’t it?

We supported her to implement the Sxefit methods and Nutrition Mission

education into her daily life and she lost three stone, reaching her overall target weight for the first time.

Not only did she achieve what she wanted but her confidence was completely rehabilitated – something which we always focus on at Sxefit as greatness is born from your confidence in yourself and your abilities.

Her body had completely changed, her fitness and performance significantly improved, but more importantly her mindset and confidence had been transformed.

We always preach that the Sxefit methods are life changing, because this lady (like many others) has made this a way of life, that’s how brilliant they are, you can make it a lifestyle.

This has meant that her weight is consistently managed and she does not regain the pounds but she also does not feel that she is always on a diet or having to sacrifice all the things she loves.

As we always say, the smallest changes to your habits make dramatic changes to your life.

She also does not have to feel the disappointment of having to start from scratch again as the knowledge she has gained from us about her body, fitness, and diet, she will carry with her for the rest of her life.

Another lady in particular that massively inspired me walked through the Sxefit doors as a marathon runner. She had already completed five marathons and was about to attempt her sixth.

This lady had been trying to train at home to improve her own performance and had a goal of beating her personal best time but was struggling to do so.

When she came to us we worked out the exercise she is already doing and how to work on muscles that she might not be using in order to improve her performance, agility, and stamina.

We used our method to suit her specific needs and goals.

Then with her own hard work, dedication, and consistency she went

on to improve her own personal best running time by 25 minutes on her sixth marathon, which is an amazing result. She was absolutely over the moon with what she had managed to achieve and the timeframe which she had managed to achieve it in.

Not only have we made a difference to the lives of women, we have also transformed the lives of many children. We have specific classes tailored for the younger generation where they can ‘Learn to Fly’ through using Aerials and Poles.

It is truly inspirational to be a part of the journeys of young ladies that come through the door.

Many of them enter shyly, not wanting to say much and hiding behind their parents but when they leave, it is like they have found their inner voice, they have been provided with a safe space to unleash who they are and be confident in themselves.

Being able to positively influence children enables us to guide them to always believe in themselves and their abilities, and to recognise that they are more powerful and skilled than what they could ever imagine; creating women who know their worth and capability. The ingredients of greatness.

In my 20-year long career in the fitness business I have been able to support more than 10,000 women and children to achieve their goals and personal targets.

I have been able to completely rehabilitate the confidence of each and every woman who has walked through the Sxefit doors and show them that there is a different way of life to which they are currently living.

There have been many heart wrenching moments from the stories of the women and true warriors that have been a part of my own journey and that of Sxefit, so much so that we have our own community based on empowerment and support.

n Tiffany Clark is the founder and CEO of Sxefit Limited and Sxefit Studios.

Free gym and swim for people on lower incomes

RESIDENTS who are being priced out of using leisure facilities in Wandsworth due to the cost of living crisis will be able to use a gym and go for a swim for free from this summer.

The changes are part of the council’s work to make the borough fairer and more compassionate and are the start of a wider review of council services to ensure concessions are targeted at people who need them the most.

Council leader Simon Hogg said: “We are working hard to make Wandsworth a fairer borough.

“I am proud that, for the very first time in Wandsworth, residents who receive Universal Credit will be able to swim and use the gym for free during the daytime and at the weekend.

“Young people who receive free school meals will also be able to swim for free anytime – including at Tooting Bec Lido.

“We are clear in our determination to end the unacceptable gap between the health outcomes and life expectancy of people living in

Wandsworth. Ensuring no-one is priced out of accessing our gyms and swimming pools is a key part of that. We will review all our policies so that this council serves our residents

more fairly.”

Through leisure centre contractor Places Leisure, the initiative will mean that anyone receiving Universal Credit will be able to enjoy free off-peak

adult gym and swim sessions (off peak is before 5.30pm on weekdays and all day at weekends).

The initiative will also ensure that young people aged 15 and under who receive free school meals will be able to swim for free.

A parent or guardian looking after one or two children will also be able to join them for free so that families can enjoy a swim together.

They will also be able to use the free junior gym, which is open to young people aged 11-15, and they can make a free sports booking, such as squash courts, during off peak hours. The offer will be in place in time for the start of the summer holidays.

The council recently announced that fairness will be at the heart of all its policies, making sure that everyone is able to access the opportunities the community creates.

And as part of this work the council is now looking at a wider review of how fees for sports and leisure facilities can be made fairer so that they are more affordable for people on lower incomes.

Tiffany Clark

Boxer’s new sportswear brand proves to be worthy contender

A FORMER warehouse worker who defied the odds to successfully open his own boxing gym is hoping to inspire others to try martial arts and has launched his own brand of sportswear.

Charlie Green and his sportswear brand Retro Fitness supplies football kits to clubs across Yorkshire, whilst his range of boxing equipment is used by semiprofessional fighters across the world.

Charlie first launched his Wombwellbased gym in 2018 and called upon the Launchpad Business Support Programme to help him transform his dreams of running his own business into a reality.

He said: “I’d never really thought about running my own business, but I’ve always been passionate about boxing.

“It’s not just a great way to keep fit,  it can teach youngsters important life skills, from discipline to improving willpower and perseverance.

“When the space became available I felt it offered a great opportunity to do something for my local community. I didn’t know the first thing about running a business, so I reached out to the Launchpad team for help, half expecting them to laugh at me.

“They didn’t, they listened to what I had to say and they’ve been incredibly supportive as the business has grown and evolved.”

Charlie’s journey began when he successfully secured the keys to a damp, dilapidated basement at Wombwell Working Men’s Club and turned it into a haven for fitness enthusiasts.

Since that time he has successfully overcome all the odds, including overcoming a life-threatening illness, as well as navigating his fledgling business through the Covid-19 pandemic, when it was unable to trade due to local and national lockdown restrictions.

Today, Retro Fitness provides a space for people of all ages to take part in boxing, kickboxing and self-defence

classes. The busy gym counts children as young as six to individuals enjoying their retirement amongst its regular visitors, who are given the chance to perfect their boxing skills, learn new martial arts as well as shedding the pounds by taking part in a range of intensive bootcamps.

As the business grew, the future of Charlie’s business was plunged into uncertainty when he was diagnosed with sepsis and pneumonia. The experience left him in a coma for three weeks and unable to work for six months; he turned to partner Rebecca, his sister and parents to keep the business ticking over. During his recuperation, Charlie began to notice a gap in the market for boxing equipment that was capable of meeting the rigorous training demands placed upon it. He decided to take a chance and contact a specialist manufacturer to produce a range of boxing equipment designed to his own specifications. The

gamble quickly paid off, and inspired by the success he achieved, he used the experience to launch his own fitness brand.

To help him grow his business, Charlie continued to work closely with Launchpad business adviser Kiran Antcliffe, regularly taking part in one-toone advice sessions as well as attending workshops designed to help him master the skills needed to build and grow a successful business, from getting to grips with the finances of his business to recruiting staff for the first time.

Today, Retro Fitness sells a range of gloves, protective headgear and specialist shin protectors, used in kickboxing, and employs five people. He is also hoping to add two additional members of staff to his workforce in the near future to meet the growing demand for his specialist sportswear.

Charlie added: “As the gym began to

grow I began to realise that there was a gap in the market for high quality boxing equipment.

“ It appeared to be very easy to purchase budget gloves, or premium ones aimed at professional fighters, but there wasn’t really anything in between. Working with Launchpad taught me to trust my instincts more, but crucially, research your ideas.

“This proved to be the foundation of the Retro Fitness brand. It’s incredible to think that not only is the gym helping others to stay fit and healthy, but my products are now being used by semiprofessional fighters across the world. I couldn’t have achieved that without help from Launchpad.”

Launchpad is a business support programme for new businesses. Financially supported by the European Regional Development Fund and delivered by local authorities within South Yorkshire, Bassetlaw and The Prince’s Trust, the programme provides free help and support to budding entrepreneurs who are thinking of starting their own business or looking for help to achieve business growth.

Kiran Antcliffe, business adviser at Launchpad, added: “The challenges Charlie has faced since he launched his business would have tested even the most seasoned business owner.

“The hallmarks of any entrepreneur are being able to spot opportunities when faced with adversity, as well as being unafraid to try new things.

”Like many business owners, Charlie was passionate about sharing his love of boxing with others, but he knew very little about running a business.

“ By working with Launchpad over the past few years, Charlie has not only been able to master the skills needed to build a successful business, but the solid foundations he has built have given him a great platform to grow and scale his business further in the future.”

Multi-million pound leisure centre project complete

DRONE footage of Neath’s new town centre leisure centre gives a breathtaking fly-through of the completed multi-million pound project.

The development has delivered a major leisure, wellbeing, shopping and learning zone for Neath’s town centre.

The striking building features a six-lane 25m swimming pool with associated learner pool, two group exercise studios, a 100-station gym, a health suite, retail floorspace, child care facilities a café and a modern library.

The scheme, built by Neath Port Talbot Council’s appointed contractors Kier, is designed to have a major beneficial impact on the town centre, increasing sustainability, vitality and footfall and providing a major boost for health and wellbeing.

Neath Port Talbot Council leader Councillor Steve Hunt, who can be seen paying a visit to the new development in the drone images,

said: “It will also drive the recovery of the town centre post Covid-19, increasing vibrancy and visitor numbers in the centre of Neath, helping the delivery of a commercially viable redevelopment at a time of uncertainty for Britain’s traditional

town centres.

“The leisure centre, library, gym and retail space will bring new activities and investment into Neath’s town centre.

“It will strengthen the town’s commercial core and will help more

people lead a healthy lifestyle while improving wellbeing facilities for the town and surrounding areas.

“This development will attract many thousands of additional people into the heart of the town centre, including many families, every week and we look forward to welcoming them.”

The scheme has been part funded by The Welsh Government’s Transforming Towns fund.

Neath Port Talbot Council’s cabinet member for economic and community regeneration, Councillor Martyn Peters, added: ”I am sure many other local authorities across the UK will be looking at this development to see how it can help town centres recover after Covid and as the shift towards buying online continues.

“The idea is to radically change footfall figures in the town centre, to give a new dynamic by bringing in students and those looking to exercise and relax in what is a really spectacular attraction for Neath.”

Charlie Green