Workout November

November 2012

The UK’s No 1 fitness industry magazine

Owner calls for a level playing field for gyms

By Christina Eccles AN independent operator has written a letter to the government appealing for more support for independent clubs, which he feels are a ‘much neglected and underrated British business sector.’

Owner of Sundance Ladies Health and Fitness in Bristol, Steve Hammond, wrote to culture secretary Maria Miller to ask for a more level playing field for independent gyms.

In the letter, Steve, who has owned a gym for 19 years, raised concerns about issues affecting him and other privately owned clubs – including paying VAT on memberships, lack of opportunities to get involved in schemes such as GP referral programmes and the cost of business rates.

He also said he would like to see more government backing and recognition for the important role independent clubs play in communities.

In the letter, Steve said: “I speak regularly to other gym operators around the country and I believe that our problems are similar.

“All across this country there are gyms like my own, staffed by people who are passionate about health and fitness, and to use a phrase currently popular with Government media departments,

real ‘Community Hubs.’ With a little backing by Government we could really do so much more.”

The reply Steve received from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s ministerial support team,recommended other government departments which he could approach for help and he has since written to his local MP Kerry McCarthy to ask for her support.

He added: “In my opinion, the government should look at what it is spending on improving the health of the nation and look at how much it would cost to assist independent operators.

“I’m sure it would be a tiny amount in the grand scheme of things but it would empower independents to carry on in business.

“Everyone in business has to compete but we should be competing on level ground. I cannot think of another industry with a parallel to this one.

“I would love to get an invite to go to the House of Commons to put the case forward for independent operators.”

What do you think of Steve’s quest to get more support for independent gyms? Contact our editorial team on 01226 734463 or send your comments to Christina Eccles at ce@scriptmedia.co.uk

No 230 £3

Webinars help FIA to pass on its expertise

Trainer to the stars Riccardo Scala is aiming to change the face of personal training by being one of the first coaches in the country to offer a revolutionary new system, which looks at clients’ immune systems. Riccardo, who has trained the likes of Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson (pictured), is now making blood testing system ImuPro an integral part of the 90 day training package at his company, FitBody BootCamp Scotland.

For full story see page 22.

THE FIA is offering members a webinar series to expand their knowledge and expertise on key issues related to the sector.

The events will cover a diverse range of topics including music licensing, the FIA rebrand, code of practice, using technology to drive footfall, retention, secondary spend and business development.

CEO David Stalker said: “The FIA is passionate about getting more people, more active, more often and to do this effectively we know we have to work harder and smarter to make sure that knowledge and best practice moves smoothly across the sector.

“We are conscious that everyone is busy, everyone wants value for money and more importantly value for time – yet the changes within the sector are happening at an unprecedented pace.

“Our new webinar series is ideal for our busy members who still want to keep up-to-date with these new developments and to engage with the FIA and their fellow members.”

Sessions take place every Thursday at 2pm, with full schedule and booking details available on the FIA website.

UK FITNESS SCENE

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Budget clubs among topics at IOU forum

By Christina Eccles BUDGET clubs and the importance of community involvement were among the topics up for discussion at the first session of the 2012 IOU forum.

A panel of independent operators, which included Dublin gym owner Barry Walsh, FeelGood Fitness’ coowner Chevy Kelly and Pete Todd from Pontefract Squash and Leisure Club spoke to delegates at the event, offering practical tips for fellow gym owners to apply in their clubs.

Barry, who owns three clubs within a six-mile radius in Dublin, spoke about community involvement, revealing one of his clubs sponsors the local rugby team and why that engagement with local people is so vital.

He explained: “There is a huge opportunity for independent operators to integrate into the community instead of being generic. (At the start) we wasted a lot of money – we have now got a lot smarter in how we market. The best advice I could give is to become part of your community.

We’ve worked with local charity groups, hospitals etc and that good-

will comes back to us.

“We have people who come to socialise – it’s not just about fitness.

You need to create an atmosphere and environment so people enjoy coming.”

The panel was also asked about the rise in popularity of budget clubs, with Pete saying he believed the model may not work long term.

He added: “Budget chains are around but they are a flawed business model – the less you charge, the more members you need. They are never going to work ultimately.

“We have been here for 35 years and I will never undersell the quality of my service.”

But Barry added that low cost gyms do have a role to play in getting more people into exercise – and it’s up to independent clubs to stand firm against the competition.

He added: “Budget gyms have a part to play. It’s about getting people active and into the industry. We have the most expensive gym in Dublin city and when a budget club opened, we stood our ground. You have got to believe in your product and your team.”

Active IQ launches new qualifications AWARDING organisation Active IQ has created two new qualifications aimed at people who want to develop a career in sales. Both the Level Two Certificate in Principles of Sales and the Level Two NVQ Certificate in Sales are aimed at apprentices aged

14 and over, but the latter would be appropriate for sales executives responsible for undertaking sales activities under supervision.

Assessment combines both the practical and theoretical aspects of working in a sales environment.

The Pineapple Dance Studios team with their award for best fitness facility.

Facilities recognised at ceremony SOME of the Capital’s best health and fitness facilities have been recognised at the third annual London Lifestyle Awards.

Pineapple Dance Studios was named London fitness facility of the year – beating off competition from runners up The Third Space and Stephen Price and Co – while Chuan Spa at the Langham Hotel picked up the trophy for health and beauty facility of the year.

Founder Jason Gale said:“This year

www.workout-uk.co.uk

we have had an even more amazing response to the awards with such an overwhelming number of businesses nominated and voted for by the public.

“By honouring the admirable personalities and businesses that make London the best city in the world this autumn, we have most definitely seen 2012 with a bang.”

The awards, sponsored by Hot Diamonds, were held at the prestigious Hurlingham Club.

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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

Script Media 47 Church Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire S70 2AS

UK FITNESS SCENE

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Stadium launches MYZONE scheme STOKE Mandeville Stadium has become the latest facility to offer MYZONE to the local community.

The physical activity belt, which is available for members and non members to buy, can store 18 hours of movement monitoring, allowing users to measure performance both in and out of the gym environment.

The stadium is also offering a ‘data drop in’ service in conjunction with the product, where users can download their data.

MYZONE will also be incorporated into gym classes and PT sessions to allow more accurate group training and one to one mentoring.

Business development and marketing manager Ian Seabrook said: “Accurately monitoring our members’ activity levels is extremely important to us.

“The launch of the MYZONE scheme at Stoke Mandeville Stadium will provide our members with a hassle-free system, which we are confident will help them to achieve their health and fitness goals.”

If you’ve got a story for Workout magazine then call our editorial team on 01226 734463 or email Christina Eccles at ce@scriptmedia.co.uk

All smiles as gym owner expands

By Christina Eccles A KENT independent gym owner is looking to expand his successful secondary business model and eventually franchise to other clubs looking for ways to boost their incomes.

Dr Tony Stevenson, owner of Lifestyles Gym in Chatham, introduced a laser teeth whitening clinic about three and a half years ago and has seen this side of the business boom as demand for the service has grown.

The club, which has been open since 2005, already operated a successful slimming clinic when Tony saw an opportunity in the market to establish a stand alone, complementary business within an underused treatment room.

The result was the Hollywood Smile Laser Teeth Whitening Clinic, with Tony investing in specialist training for himself and wife Penny, the latest state-of-the-art equipment and a bespoke website to ensure the venture was a success.

He explained: “We found that there was tremendous interest almost immediately from our direct gym membership base and very quickly exceeded all of our initial expectations of sales for the first six months, with over 100 treatments sold.

“We made a return on our total investment and moved into profit in less than two months, which was incredible.”

Tony added the business has been so well received, he is now looking at increasing the number of treatment rooms in his club as well as installing a dedicated treatment station to treat couples at the same time.

Tony Stevenson and staff member Sharon Baker at the gym. teeth whitening alone at present is The next phase will then be to between £3,500 – £4,000 per month, launch a franchise model, which he is with around seven per cent costs, hoping will appeal to other clubs looking to introduce something difmaking it an extremely attractive secondary revenue stream for any size of ferent for their members and potengym to contemplate. tially generate useful secondary spend.

“We are offering a complete packAnd he told Workout, he is happy to age including training, equipment, bespoke website and marketing camhear from any other clubs who are paign with guaranteed customers interested in finding out more. each month, to ensure our franHe added: “Our revenue from laser chisees are as successful as we are.”

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New club offers family fitness for a pound a day

By Christina Eccles A NEW multi-million pound club has been encouraging the local community to get fit by offering a year’s family membership for £365 – the equivalent of £1 per day.

Greenvale Leisure Centre aims to be the best and largest leisure facility in Northern Ireland and has been developed by Magherafelt District Council, in partnership with appointed leisure management operator Pulse.

To make sure the facilities are accessible to local people, they launched the offer, with more than 1,600 households – equating to over 10,000 adults and children – taking advantage of the £365 per household pre-opening membership deal.

Centre manager Robert Byrne said: “£1 a day membership for the

whole family is such a strong opening offer but the uptake even surpassed our expectations.

“It’s great to see such a mix of families joining, some of whom have never been to a leisure centre before and are pledging to improve their lifestyle together as a family.”

Features at the new leisure centre include: Northern Ireland’s first 50m swimming pool, plus a new water slide, play pool and dedicated learner pool for coaching and swimming lessons.

Rejuvenating thermal suite featuring sauna, steam room, four heated loungers, two snail showers and a feature ice station.

State-of-the-art 100 station fitness suite featuring new 2012 generation Pulse Fitness equipment.

Comprehensive virtual trainer

software programme that educates, records and informs users of the best performance for increased motivation and targeted results.

Four court sports hall and separate squash court providing a mix of sports facilities including badminton, football, basketball and netball.

Children’s only circuit gym and interactive fitness room featuring dance mats, Active wall and floor.

Robert added: “Interest in the new leisure centre has been phenomenal, we have had in excess of 7,000 people within 14 days of opening.

“The reactions from the local community, councillors and other stakeholders has been fantastic.

They are astounded by the quality of the centre and incredible facilities available.”

Sir Matthew Pinsent has officially opened a luxury hotel’s new spa and fitness facilities.

The spa at Stanley House in Lancashire includes treatment rooms, relaxation rooms, thermal suite and hydro pool with mood lighting, a Pilates studio and gym and is the final chapter in the hotel’s major redevelopment programme. Over 350 guests attended the opening ceremony with a drinks reception. Hotel director Simon Glassbrook said: “The opening of the spa and our new Woodland bedrooms will see us diversify our offering and make Stanley House a genuine national destination of which we are extremely proud.”

Maggie Ayre

Plans to get girls active FITNESS coach Maggie Ayre has teamed up with supplier ZTrainer to offer a new programme aimed at teenage girls.

Ztrainer, manufacturers of the ZTrainer and ZBands, have signed up to sponsor 3G Programme, a fitness, nutrition and goal setting scheme designed to re-engage teenage girls with physical activity.

3G sessions take place in secondary schools in place of traditional PE lessons. First teen girls are re-engaged with school PE through specially designed workouts, workbooks and tuition, before being introduced to activities available in the community to help keep them active long term.

Maggie, pictured, said: “I have a goal to get every teen girl active and eating well. I am excited to have teamed up with ZTrainer to deliver the 3G Programme.”

The programme has already been successfully rolled out at Glenmoor Girls School in Bournemouth.

LIW ROUND-UP Organisers UBM are celebrating another successful Leisure Industry Week, where visitors gathered to hear about the latest issues affecting the sector, try the hottest products on the market and take advantage of useful networking opportunities. Here Workout rounds up the best of the 2012 show.

LIW organisers hail ‘fantastic’ atmosphere

By Christina Eccles EXCITEMENT is already building for Leisure Industry Week 2013, according to event manager David Sanvoisin, who said the atmosphere at this year’s event was ‘fantastic’.

Visitors to the NEC in September got the chance to take a sneak peek at the hottest new products on the market, as well as mixing with some of the heroes of the London Olympics and attending a range of popular seminar sessions.

David said: “All of the key fitness suppliers really invested in the event, not only in terms of building and managing some of the most vibrant stands we’ve seen but also in terms of their unwavering enthusiasm for showcasing their ideas and products to the visitors walking around the exhibition.

“In an economic climate when it can be difficult for operators to justify time out of the office it was great to see so much business being done on the show floor.”

David added that feedback from visitors has been positive and the LIW team is already thinking about next year’s event, which will see some important changes.

He added: “The increased group exercise content has been very well

received and as always, we’ve had some great feedback from fitness professionals who rely on this show to be able to try out numerous new bits of kit all in one place.

“Next year will see LIW move from halls 17, 18 and 19 to the bigger hall four which will result in a completely different and more inclusive floor plan representing the synergies between the different sectors on show.

“The health and fitness and pool and spa sections of the exhibition will run along the left hand side of a 4m runway with the leading suppliers forming the front row of this new format. The right hand side of the runway, opposite health and fitness will incorporate the eat and drink, play and attractions and leisure facilities exhibitors.

“This change will mean that the products which cross the entire leisure industry and represent secondary spend, like food, drinks, facilities etc will be closer to the largest sectors which are health and fitness and play and attractions, thus making the whole show feel more inclusive and representative of the industry.

“We’ve already sold 60 per cent of the space so we’re really excited about developing the feature and education areas in the coming months.”

Take a walk – Nordic style NORDIC Walking UK used LIW as a platform to encourage people to train as instructors and develop their own community walking groups.

The fitness technique – which originates in Finland where it was first used by cross country skiers – is an enhancement of ‘ordinary’ walking, using poles to encourage functional movement, balance and upper body strength.

Programmes are used by PTs, health clubs and physios as well as over 150 local authority, charity and NHS schemes, and there is a network of over 2,000 instructors.

The company’s Gill Stewart demonstrated the technique at the show.

She said: “The right person from any background can train to help others become more active – and we provide them with all the elements to create a successful business.”

Qualifications on offer include

Gill Stewart Community Activator, Community Walk Leader, CYQ Level Two Certificate in Fitness Walking and Training for Exercise Referral.

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LIW ROUND-UP

Adam Corbally and Stephen Brady

The Apprentice duo fire off business tips

By Helen Williams TWO candidates from The Apprentice 2012 offered business tips during a presentation at Leisure Industry Week.

Adam Corbally and Stephen Brady were both ‘fired’ from the show, but said it had created great opportunities for them.

Adam, who runs a wholesale and retail fruit and veg business and manages his own property portfolio, said he was getting up to 300 messages a day following the programme, where his team’s task was to launch an affordable luxury product – a confectionery range.

Stephen, a national sales manager, has lived in New York and is inspired

by Muhammad Ali. He has a passion for sport and the outdoors and once played in the FA cup as a semi-professional footballer. On The Apprentice, his team had to seek out discounts for a daily deals website.

He said: “Adam and I both share a passion for whatever we do. We are both positive and try to succeed. Will we make mistakes? Absolutely. But being on The Apprentice brought us to somewhere very different than

where we were before. Then, I didn’t start my conversations or my day with any structure.”

He added: “It’s all about action.

We’re all good at analysing problems, we know what we want to achieve, we can find solutions to achieve the goal, so why don’t we improve?” The reason, he said, was that co-workers were often not starting from the same page – and failed to communicate.

Adam and Stephen acted out a role play of a typical working day to demonstrate this and to illustrate the ROSA system which stands for Reality, Objective, Solution, Action.

Stephen said: “Keep it simple and give positive feedback, set a ‘baby’ goal for your next meeting and a ‘guru’ goal.

“Think of what else you can do now to reach the solution. Can you make calls, send e-mails, or organise a charity or networking event?

Establish when the action is going to be done by, who is accountable, and what’s stopping you.

“It’s about people finding their own solutions rather than always looking to a manager. Pick a problem, come up with 20 solutions, choose your favourite three and act on them.”

Industry urged to focus on Olympic legacy THE FIA’s keynote Leisure Industry Week speech focused on Olympic legacy, with chief executive David Stalker urging the fitness industry to work together to ensure the Games have a lasting impact on the health of the nation.

He said: “The NHS is a key part of what we are proud of in this country, but it is going to be bankrupt if we do not change the way we promote health to move the focus from cure to prevention.

“Working in partnership, we can make a difference. If we don’t, then

we will have missed the biggest opportunity, but we need the industry to totally support what we are doing.

“Some of us doing it is not enough. It’s all or not at all.”

Other topics mentioned in the presentation included the importance of the FIA code of practice and an update on the FIA Research Institute. David also spoke about the FIA’s impending re-brand, which will be unveiled at the organisation’s annual summit on November 22 in London.

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LIW ROUND-UP

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Leisure Industry Week 2012 in pictures ...

The Workout team on the stand at Leisure Industry Week.

Stars of The Apprentice Stephen Brady and Adam Corbally launch their new fitness class, The Groove Train on the LIW Live stage.

Presenter Caroline Pearce interviews winner of The Biggest Loser, Kevin McClernon.

Escape Fitness demo their latest products to LIW visitors.

Olympic medallist Christine Ohuruogu joins guests on the Technogym stand.

Bokwa Fitness demonstrate a high energy class.

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IOU ROUND-UP

One of the biggest highlights of Leisure Industry Week was the annual Independent Operators Unite event where visitors enjoyed a series of informative panel discussions and open debate, as well as the popular IOU party.

Christina Eccles joined them.

IOU: the ‘satnav’ for independents TOPICS up for discussion at this year’s IOU forum included secondary spend, social media and practical ideas which work for independent operators.

Taking place over the course of two days at LIW, each of the sessions was made up of a panel of independent gym owners representing all areas of the UK – with each one chaired by IOU founder, CFM’s Dave Wright.

He said: “Once again this was a well attended programme for independent operators.

“The initial feedback was that the same room had Olympic athletes speaking but only a handful of people in the room, whereas the majority of the sessions for the IOU were to a packed room.

“Of course it would have been better if a lot more clubs could have made the sessions and really picked up on the great learning experience.

“There are over 2,000 independent operators in the UK, so ideally I wouldn't be happy until we had at least a 90 per cent attendance/representation from those clubs.

“It’s also very hard with LIW being during the week which suits many of the big chains who can easily take that time off work to attend. But independent operators don't have that same luxury – so if it was on a weekend I think the attendance would be better.”

Dave said feedback from visitors was that this year’s new format – where every panel was made up of

One of the independent operator panels. independent gym owners – was well received by visitors who found suggestions made were useful, relevant and could be applied to their own clubs.

He added: “It is a very lonely world for an independent operator and as consolidation continues with chains/ budget operators/ trusts and local authorities, the independent operators need a platform to connect, share and learn what is possible to improve their clubs.

“It's like trying to go from point A to Point B and not having a satnav. The IOU provides that satnav and advice on travelling the fastest and best route to a destination. It does not mean that you have to follow that route, but you might as well be aware of it.

“It is also very important as competition grows in the market to belong to an organisation that will help improve your business. Having that information at your fingertips is criti-

cal. For example, if you are not an FIA/IOU member from March of next year, and you run 20 classes per week, then it will legally cost you an extra £100 per year in PPL licensing.

“So the value is well and truly outstripping the small investment in membership to the FIA/IOU. “And the idea is to continue to add more value and support for the members to help their clubs improve their service, safety and professionalism to the industry.”

The IOU event culminated in a party for members and supporters at the Hilton Metropole in Birmingham, designed to thank independent operators for the role they play in the industry.

The event, which was free for IOU members, was funded by sponsorship, ticket sales and LIW – with CFM MyZone again being the main sponsor.

Dave Wright added: “The party was once again the talk of the town and there were many a sore head in the morning!”

IOU ROUND-UP

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How to spread your news with social media INDEPENDENT gyms can shout about their clubs – and interact more closely with existing members – by utilising social media sites and blogs, according to a panel of operators who are successfully doing just that.

classes and post examples on YouTube so potential members can see them.

Sol Gilbert from ZT Fitness in Hove, Andy Peacock from Warehouse Gym near Holmfirth and Dave Carter from Dave’s Gym in Cardiff formed a panel of independent club owners who spoke at the 2012 IOU forum.

The Instagram App can be a useful tool for taking pictures, editing them and posting online.

The trio, who are all using social media and the internet as useful ways to promote their clubs and services, revealed to visitors how it’s done and offered their most useful tips to operators who want to get started.

These include: Write specific articles on your blog which can be used by people in the gym and post things which are relevant to their training.

Have a link on your website which connects straight through to your blog Make your blog page personal – and also make it something that anyone can access.

Film clients training or during

Demos you post on sites such as YouTube can also be linked back to your blog, Twitter or Facebook accounts.

Know your local demographic and the online channels and type of content which will appeal to them.

It’s free to use social media sites so if you aren’t already, make the most of them.

A Twitter or Facebook account gives people personal access to you and gives your brand a ‘face’ – these personal relationships can prove valuable when potential prospects think about joining a club.

Shout about celebrities/well known faces which use your gym and encourage them to promote it via their own online channels – Sol trains Katie Price at his club who regularly Tweets about her gym visits and PT sessions, getting the word out about ZT Fitness to a wider audience.

Tips on boosting revenue from ‘the other stuff’

By Christina Eccles OFFERING extras such as slimming clubs, supplements and ‘buddy training’ could all help independent gyms generate useful secondary income – and improve the overall product they are able to deliver to members.

According to a panel of independent operators, it is possible for clubs to do well from ‘extras’, allowing them to boost their income and keep members happy by offering more services The club owners – Simon Harvey from Everybody’s Gym in Spalding, Wil Lovelock of Clwb 21 in Anglesey and Jamie Cartwright from Ladyzone – spoke at the IOU forum, sharing with visitors their tips for making money for your club from ‘the other stuff’.

Simon said: “We have been there for 19 years and feel we have as many members as we should have. In our area, there are about 3,500 people who are going to want to join a facility and there are four or five of us here. Being realistic, there’s not much point in trying to get more members. We are now trying to make more money from our members.”

Simon added that although Spalding is a low income area, local people still

aspire to have the same level of facilities which would be on offer at clubs in other areas around the country.

To capitalise on this, he found an opportunity to introduce a lower cost version of personal training into his club, which suits the needs of his members – and makes money for him and his instructors. He added: “With buddy training, they get £5 for half an hour and these sessions are taken within a member of staff’s shift. The member of staff gets 15 per cent of that amount and it pays for 30 to 50 per cent of my wage bill. The customer knows that at £5, it is an interrupted service – they will have to break off to answer the phone etc. If they want one to one service, we also offer ‘exclusive training’ at a higher rate. Buddy training makes the instructors be instructors and interact with clients. People can see them in the gym and it looks like they care, the club’s getting a fiver from it and the instructor’s hourly rate goes up by £1.50 by them doing their job.”

Wil and Jamie also shared stories about the success of their latest ventures – a weight loss club at Clwb 21 and non invasive liposuction at Ladyzone clubs, which are both proving popular with their members.

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NATIONAL FITNESS AWARDS

Clubs share their excitement after being shortlisted

By Christina Eccles

Owner of The Exercise Clinic Jason Croucher and member Terry Broom chatted to us about Terry's forthcoming climb up Mount Kilimanjaro.

We took a look at Pennyhill Park Hotel and Spa's new outdoor pool area.

Workout team tours the country to find the best THE Workout team has been scouring the country to find the UK’s best gyms – which will be rewarded for their achievements with a National Fitness Award.

Members of staff have been covering thousands of miles visiting all of this year’s shortlisted clubs – taking a look around the facilities, chatting to staff and members and compiling detailed reports which will then be passed on to our expert panel of judges to decide the lucky winners.

Trophies will be handed out in cate-

CLUBS in the running for a National Fitness Award have been revealing their excitement at being shortlisted for a trophy.

Gyms around the country have been shouting about their achievements since the shortlist was revealed in last month’s Workout – saying how pleased they are to have made the finals and how much they are looking forward to the event.

Director at Crow Wood Leisure Oliver Brown said: “We were delighted to win the health club of the year award last year and we’re very excited to be shortlisted again.

“We’ve taken the title seriously and we’ve raised the bar even higher this year. Our ambitious plans will see Crow Wood become one of the premier health and well-being centres in the country and The Woodland Spa redevelopment will see Crow Wood offer one of the very best spa experiences in Europe.”

Andy Peacock’s gym Warehouse Gym near Holmfirth has also been shortlisted.

He added on Twitter: “Looking forward to the Fitness Awards again this year and very proud that we have

been shortlisted for Gym Of The North.”

Pontefract Squash and Leisure Club and Ladybird Fitness Club for Women have both been shortlisted for two awards.

Gym manager Pete Todd said he was “very proud of the club and all the staff” at Pontefract Squash and Leisure Club while the team at Ladybird told their Twitter followers: “We are pleased to announce that we have been shortlisted for Gym team of the Year and Ladies only gym of the year. Yay!!!!”

Trainers shortlisted for gym based PT have also been sharing their joy at making the finals.

Swansea based Tara Hammett said: “So excited to find out I've made the short list of Personal Trainer of the year!” while Matthew Miller also lent his support to the others on the list, adding: “Wow! Just found out I am short listed for PT of the year! Huge shout out to the other PTs!” Last year’s winner in that category was Simon De Burgh from Michele White Fitness Centre, who is looking to defend his title on the awards night – November 30 – in Leicester.

He added: [It’s an] honour to be shortlisted and down to the final six.”

gories including regional gym of the year, member achievement and best gym based personal trainer, with all shortlisted clubs and individuals invited to attend a glittering awards ceremony where trophies will be handed out.

The event takes place at The Athena in Leicester on Friday November 30 and promises to be a spectacular celebration, as well as the chance for guests to celebrate another successful year in the fitness industry.

We celebrated the achievements of Curves Wokingham with owner Bev Gellard, staff and members.

We got a warm welcome at ZT Fitness in Hove.

Time is running out to book your place at the industry’s most spectacular awards ceremony. Tickets are now on sale for the 2012 National Fitness Awards which will take place on November 30 at The Athena in Leicester. Top personal trainer and TV personality Charlotte Ord (pictured above) will be the evening’s host, with the event including the awards ceremony, drinks reception, dinner and a chance to network with other shortlisted clubs and industry professionals. To book your place visit www.nationalfitnessawards.co.uk

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New training venue opens in Teesside PREMIER Training International is to open a new venue at Total Fitness Teesside, taking the number of new openings to 11 since January 2012.

Perform nets top facilities

By Christina Eccles THE Football Association’s new national training centre has opened its doors following a £100m investment in state-of-the-art facilities.

Perform at St George’s Park will act as the training home for Club England and its 24 representative teams, as well as a number of world class teams, individual athletes and members of the public.

The centre – situated in Burtonupon-Trent – has a range of features including an anti-gravity treadmill, altitude centre, underwater treadmill and dedicated hydrotherapy suite and biomechanical assessments.

Chairman David Sheepshanks

said: “Perform at St George’s Park combines elite medical expertise with the latest cutting-edge technologies with the aim of enabling anyone to perform at their very best.

“The centre will be home to the England medical teams and I have no doubt that it will help England football teams of all age groups maximise their performance, both on and off the pitch.

“I look forward to Perform becoming an internationally renowned centre of excellence and a hub for sports performance experts, innovation and thought leadership.”

Business director Ruth Paulin

added: “Perform at St George’s Park can offer a complete service to any visitor, with state-of-the-art facilities all available under one roof.

“Whilst the centre is designed with elite athletes in mind, any client can have access to our elite level sports physicians, therapists, trainers, sports scientists and of course, our advanced exercise equipment, allowing us to create a specialised, personalised programme to help everyone maximise performance or recover from injury or surgery.”

Perform at St George’s Park is part of Spire Healthcare’s growing network of elite sports medicine centres.

The new location will give those wanting to enter the health and fitness industry the opportunity to study in a state-of-the-art fitness facility, which boasts three 25m swimming pools, a running track and a fully equipped fitness centre.

The first course to run at the new venue will be the full-time International Diploma in Fitness Instructing and Personal Training, which starts on November 5.

Area development manager David Raynor said: “The new Total Fitness venue is a fantastic move for us, and we are really excited to bring learners into what is essentially an ideal environment to deliver our range of health and fitness courses.

“The health and fitness industry in the north east is growing and therefore needs a pool of talented, fit for purpose and qualified professionals.

“We think this will provide an excellent opportunity for both learners and employer.”

UK FITNESS SCENE

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The industry came together to celebrate the second annual National Fitness Day, with events taking place around the country to encourage more people to get active. Here Workout rounds up the best.

Industry unites for fitness day

In London, a Fit4less by énergie gym in Tower Hill took teams of instructors to the streets to stage ‘hot spot’ fitness classes, where members of the public were invited to join in and take part in mini exercise classes.

Instructor Dimitra Moscha said: “Whether you walk at a faster pace, take the stairs instead of escalators or take part in a running event, we all have a responsibility to ourselves and others to engage in fitness. National Fitness Day is a great time to kick-start your fitness routine.”

Action PR hosted a mixed netball tournament at the Everyone Active Watford Leisure Centre Woodside on National Fitness Day to raise money for Disability Sports Events. Six mixed teams from across the fitness industry participated in the tournament including players from MYZONE, Everyone Active, Fit for Sport, Action PR, The Training Rooms, Trixter, Fit Bitch Bootcamps and the FIA. Together the teams raised over £500 for the charity.

FIA proud to support national initiative SUPPORTERS of National Fitness Day, which raised funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust, included the Fitness Industry Association.

CEO David Stalker said: “As a proud supporter of National Fitness Day, the FIA welcomed the interest across the UK in taking part in events,

with thousands of people being inspired to try a new form of exercise.

“We hope in the long term that they will make activity a bigger part of their lives and improve their health and wellbeing; the FIA’s members are well-placed to support people in continuing to make these positive changes.”

Cybex sites support cancer charities A MONTH of fundraising has taken place across Cybex sites in aid of cancer charities.

Participating gyms recorded the number of miles run on each facility’s Cybex pink treadmill throughout October, with a donation made to their chosen cancer charity.

Sites taking part included Energise Leisure Centre in York, the

Accrington Academy and World Fitness Gym in Doncaster.

Managing director of World Fitness Alicia Carrera said: “We have a comprehensive range of Cybex equipment in our gym and one of the stand-out pieces is our pink treadmill. Whilst it gets a lot of use all year round, October’s Pink Ribbon Run is a great way of encouraging our members to use the treadmill and

raise money for a great cause.”

Cybex UK’s commercial director Rob Thurston added: “This is the fourth time Cybex has run this campaign and each year we see more and more facilities taking part.

“It doesn’t matter if members walk, jog or run – every mile counts and we’ve found that it’s a great way

of getting involved those who might not ordinarily use treadmills, whilst raising a significant amount of money for a very good cause.”

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UK FITNESS SCENE

Celebrity trainer to incorporate new system in training plans

By Christina Eccles CELEBRITY fitness guru Riccardo Scala is to become one of the first coaches in the UK to incorporate a revolutionary new system, which looks at clients’ immune systems, into his personal training.

ImuPro is a blood test which analyses the reaction to nearly 300 different elements to create a personal immune system profile and Riccardo, who has trained famous faces including Hollywood actress Scarlett Johansson, is making the product an integral part of his 90 day training package.

Clients taking part in his extreme body transformation programme will undergo the test to identify foods and additives which their bodies are adversely reacting to. Using this information, Riccardo will enhance his current nutritional programme to advise them on what they should be eating – and the things to avoid.

Throughout the 90-day programme, constant coaching will be on offer to participants, with Riccardo’s team of dedicated personal trainers at the end of a phone – or email or text – 24 hours a day.

Clients will also have personal train-

Riccardo Scala has trained numerous famous faces including Scarlett Johansson. ing sessions five days a week – and the luxury of Blytheswood Spa to relax in when they have finished.

He said: “We already have established and comprehensive nutritional training sessions, but the input from ImuPro will help clients understand the rationale for eating healthily – not just the foods to eat but the foods which they, personally, should avoid.

“We will take people out of their

Adult swim plan making waves

By Helen Williams TAKING part in a new adult swimming framework could help leisure centres and clubs maximise revenue – and meet a “latent demand” for adult swimming.

Chris Rinder, head of commercial products for England’s governing body for aquatics, the ASA, said it was about to launch a national Learn to Swim Pathway for anyone looking to learn to swim regardless of age or ability.

The programme would deliver confidence, competence and enjoyment in the water, safe swimming, and increased likelihood of leading a healthy lifestyle. It would also boost take up of other aquatic sports like sailing, canoeing and windsurfing.

The programme has three stages with the tag lines ‘Be A Swimmer,’ Be A Better Swimmer’ and ‘Be A Great Swimmer’. Adults taking part will get an ‘Adult Swimming Passport’ and a certificate. They can choose their own goals from 12 suggested outcomes and would start in the water with half an hour for beginners, up to 45 minutes.

Operators like leisure centres, clubs and private pools taking part would have access to marketing around the three messages, support from an aquatic officer, and online continuous professional development.

Speaking at Leisure Industry Week

Chris Rinder at Birmingham NEC, Chris said adults wanted to learn to swim for many reasons such as keeping fit, a desire to swim on holiday, and to swim with their children and grandchildren. There was also demand from runners and cyclists who could not swim but wanted to compete in triathlons.

Over 30 per cent of adults can already swim 200m but others have not learned because they have never had the opportunity, they are afraid of water from past experiences, they have illness or injury or they feel embarrassed to be seen in the pool.

Chris said: “In 2010 over 100,000 adults came forward to have a free set of swimming lessons, but there are probably about 2m people out there who would like to swim.”

The ASA is now working with its sponsors for the launch of the adult swimming framework.

comfort zone with the physical training and the ImuPro results will allow us to analyse what's happening inside the body as well.”

Riccardo added the 90-day programme will be aimed at people with extreme obesity, as well as people with poor body image, lack of confidence and lack of motivation who might have tried other programmes and consistently failed.

Competent message is ‘a myth’ SCHOOLS are giving the message that children are competent in water if they can swim just 25m – but that is ‘a myth,’ according to Chris.

Speaking at the show, he said: “If we’re teaching kids they are competent in the water when they can swim 25m, then they are not going to be safe if they end up falling into a river or quarry.”

He said 10 per cent more children were joining private learn to swim programmes but 15 per cent fewer remained in lessons after two years. Research showed reasons for this were that children had more hectic, demanding lives, there was less money because of the recession, there were fewer awards and a lack of motivation or challenge.

Three million children were learning to swim each year, generating around £200m in revenue to the industry directly from lesson programmes.

But Chris added: “Only 27 per cent of children can swim 200m.

30 per cent are aerobic swimmers. We think it should be a joint challenge to ensure that all children learn to become aerobic swimmers. There is also a potential revenue loss from non retention of swimmers.”

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UK FITNESS SCENE

Understanding a SWOT analysis in your market

By Dave Wright EVERY now and then all businesses must take stock and look at their current situation and that of the horizon.

A simple way to do this for any club of any size is through a simple SWOT analysis. A SWOT analysis highlights the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats from a strategic point of view, enabling you to identify a clear strategy on how you can move forwards with your club, maximise its potential, and ensure your business moves forward.

A thorough understanding of the issues being addressed is important for a successful instance of SWOT analysis and it is so much more beneficial if you involve your whole team.

Strengths Identifying your strengths is a good place to start, highlighting what is not the most important area to work on (don’t fix what isn't broken) and also whether or not these strengths are clear to your members and potential customers.

Some examples of strengths would be: The fact you provide a high/ personable level of service with the great location.

Having the flexibility and speed to quickly change/adapt particularly with decision-making and by proceeding a sense of community and belonging.

Weaknesses Weaknesses are always a very important part of a SWOT analysis, identifying key areas that are potentially holding your club back. Weaknesses will require immediate attention if you are to move forward.

Some examples of weaknesses for clubs are: Old, broken equipment.

Low marketing and brand consistency.

Having the financial power, time and resources.

Opportunities This is the exciting part, what can your club achieve? What is possible?

Try to keep an open mind, as this is the future.

Make sure that your team performing the SWOT analysis are aware of emerging lifestyle and fitness trends so that you push the boundaries.

Some very simple opportunities are: Working out the population of your town and how many will not be members of a club.

Identifying the increased public awareness of obesity and health related sicknesses and help solving the

Dave Wright problem and capitalising on the legacy of the London 2012 Olympics.

Threats A thorough analysis of the threats to your club are essential, and while many may link to your weaknesses, many may also be from external environments beyond your control.

Keep these in mind when you layout your plan following your successful SWOT analysis and make sure you stay one step ahead.

Examples of this can include: The economic slowdown could reduce demand and the market may be more responsive to lower price.

Realising that there is a need for results in the marketplace and that unless you act, the diet sector capitalises on the obesity epidemic.

Either way, by acting upon the SWOT analysis, clubs can constantly move forward and adapt, improve and evolve so that the result is that the end user will get a better product and only the smart operator will survive.

Dave Wright is the CEO of 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

If you’ve got a story for Workout then email it to Christina Eccles at ce@scriptmedia.co.uk

2 Established in 1987 Spirit Fitness has produced fitness equipment for 25 years offering premium quality and affordable fitness equipment coupled with an unrivalled service and warranty across their product range.

Spirit Fitness equipment hits the UK!

Spirit Fitness equipment is now available in the UK offering the same quality, value and service since its UK launch in 2011. Spirit Fitness has built an impressive client portfolio including hotel chains, local authority, schools and independent gyms amongst others, valuing the smallest equipment installations the same as they do the largest.

Why we all chose Spirit Fitness equipment ...

“The equipment is spot on, no issues at all” “We’ve enjoyed using the equipment very much, I provide all the fitness inductions in our gym and receive all feedback from users, most of the feedback is positive comments on the kit.

New starters to exercise love the cardio equipment we have on site as they find it user friendly/ easy to control.

“The equipment is spot on, no issues at all, good quality machines. We had a lot of members join the gym who have never used exercise machines before and we have received good feedback on how easy to work and understand the functions are on the machines.

“We also have some hard core gym users on site which have also complemented the range of functions the machines provide.

“It’s always a worry that when you buy equipment from a company the service you get after the sale deteriorates but here it definitely hasn’t.

“If ever we need help or advice we have always received a professional quick response.

“The customer service has been great, from day one when contacting the company for quotes or available dates to come on site they have been friendly, fast and effective. The response time for ordering, delivery, installation and all round service has been impeccable.

“Our project for an on-site gym at Capital One was very short notice and sometimes we asked to order equipment last minute, the company kept up with our deadlines with ease.”

“The installation was very smooth” “Thank you Spirit Fitness … I’m really happy with all the Spirit equipment we have received at Shoreham Academy.

“All the equipment works well and the installation was very smooth.”

Scott Pulling, Shoreham Academy

Why we all chose Spirit Fitness equipment ...

“This exemplary customer service has further extended to after care support” “The vision of MY:UK is to provide a safe and accessible recreational and Health Fitness resource for young people and the wider community in Gloucester City, whilst engaging with them in activities and projects that enriches the residents and members into more active and confident citizens.

“MY:UK was successful in their grant bid to Safer and Stronger Partnership and received a sum of £50,000 to refurbish and equip a health and fitness suite.

“At the stage of sourcing cardio and fitness equipment the executive committee needed to provide commercial equipment at a very competitive price.

“New Level excelled in every department, not only offering commercial equipment which was

affordable for local charitable organisation but a dedicated commercial sales team that offered optimum and informed service, namely Rebecca Mellor who from the outset of interest, purchase to installation of product provided an excellent service that was clear and efficient.

“The service was consistent to the installers on the day who were flexible in coming to a school site on a weekend and with the help of a local crane, installed the equipment promptly and professionally.

“This exemplary customer service has further extended to after care support and fixing minor faults as well as attending our community launch.

As the project grows we would like to offer and purchase more and more equipment, so we will most surely be back!!”

MY:UK Studio Gym, Gloucester.

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UK FITNESS SCENE

Content is king in social media

By Helen Williams

Jumeirah global brand ambassador Rory McIlroy and the GolfZon simulator.

Rory inspires new simulator A LUXURY Knightsbridge club has introduced a new golf simulator – inspired by its brand ambassador Rory McIlroy.

The Peak Health Club and Spa at Jumeirah Carlton Tower is inviting golf enthusiasts to try out its new state of the art GolfZon golf simulator

LEISURE businesses should be using social media as a platform for “a comprehensive and interesting content strategy,” according to a digital expert.

James Fairweather from Coast Digital advised businesses to measure return on investment from Facebook and Twitter activity just as they would from any other marketing channel.

Giving a presentation ‘Proving the Value of Social Media’ at Leisure Industry Week 2012 at the Birmingham NEC, he said: “Social media is only as good as the content you use and the biggest mistake people make is not considering what success or failure look like.

“Marketers are still unsure of how to calculate social media return on investment and the difficulty is in selecting relevant metrics to measure beyond followers and shares.”

A further challenge was, he added, in the breadth of social media – businesses could use it for customer service, marketing and PR, market research, business development, and recruitment.

Companies such as Speedo were

promoting products on Pinterest – a content sharing service allowing users to ‘pin’ images and videos to their pinboard – while others were using the services Rapleaf and SocialBro to find influential customers.

James added: “Getting five key people in your sector to post content or tweet it will have value. Ask who are the key players in social media in your sector? People trust human recommendations.

“There are also free tools to measure sentiment, or how your brand is portrayed. Social media should always be a two-way conversation and that will influence your content.”

Keeping online material fresh was important, he added: “Content used to take three weeks to index but now it goes up within a minute on Google.”

He offered these tips: Review and learn what works. Keep testing. React and refine.

Invest in a steady stream of new social media initiatives.

Choose metrics carefully, measure them meticulously, and map them to business objectives.

in its Swing Factory, the only one of its kind outside South Korea.

Peak members can join the Swing Factory for £60 per month, while non members can purchase monthly membership for £95 or choose from a number of pay and play options.

Firm manufactures Jump Gyms PINEAPPLE Leisure Ltd is the leading manufacturers of inflatable play products in the UK. We manufacture a kids’ sports inflatable called Jump Gym, which is excellent for holding fitness classes.

We only sell one per area, so when purchasing one of our Jump Gyms you never get any competition. The Jump Gyms are portable and can be quite easily transported.

Full complimentary training and help for people starting up – www.jumpgym.co.uk Our range of inflatable tumble tracks, mini mountains and catchers

for gymnasts is huge and we offer any colour combination, free branding/signwriting and a five year guarantee.

We can make any size of crash mat and offer folding models and mats with carry handles – www.pineappletumbletracks.co.uk Inflatable play products are our biggest selling line and we manufacture bouncy castles, slides, activity units, obstacle courses, ball-ponds and sumo wrestling along with a large inflatable Christmas range – www.bouncycastlesales.com For more information call 01952 585859.

A leisure centre in North Yorkshire is aiming to become more environmentally friendly by installing a system which could reduce CO2 emissions by over 70 tonnes a year. Supplied

by Shentongroup, a Tedom Micro T30 CHP system is to be installed at Ryedale Leisure Centre in Pickering, as part of operator, Ryedale District Council’s policy to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by adopting renewable and low carbon energy sources wherever possible.

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UK FITNESS SCENE The media relies on expert advice to bring features to life and give articles credibility.

This means there are plenty of opportunities for knowledgeable fitness professionals to get involved and raise their own media profile. Here Cheryl Hersey and Jon Lipsey explain how.

Use your knowledge and raise your media profile IF you regularly read advice from other PTs in magazines and papers and think ‘I could do that’ then what are you waiting for?

“Don’t wait to be asked to contribute. Go direct to fitness editors and pitch them ideas,” says Jon Lipsey, editor of Men’s Fitness. “They get fewer pitches than you might think, so a well-constructed suggestion – explained in a paragraph, with a second short paragraph about who you are and any previous media work you’ve done – will put you in the mix.”

As an editor, Jon also sees some bad pitches, usually from PTs who haven’t done their homework.

“The biggest mistakes you can make are not targeting the magazine’s readers (by either pitching something that is too basic or too advanced, for example), pitching something generic (such as a story about training for a triathlon) or writing the story and sending it to an editor,” he explains.

“The reason you don’t want to do the last one is because even if they like your idea, the publication will want to do it in their own way, so they’ll have very specific requests about what they need. The chances of you getting it right on spec are miniscule.”

To increase your chances of success, he suggests calling or emailing beforehand to ask if they accept ideas and find out who you need to contact.

“You may also want to start small, by

approaching your local paper or smaller websites, and build from there. The larger publications may want to see evidence of media work before they accept anything. Once you get commissioned, keep your advice as direct and jargon free as possible and follow any instructions you’ve been given in the brief.”

Top tips for raising your own media profile: Think in coverlines – imagine how your idea would appear on the cover.

Is there a snappy, intriguing way it could be presented?

Say it in a sentence – make sure you can describe what your idea is in a sentence. If you can’t, either it’s too complex or you don’t have a clear enough idea about what it is.

Specialise – You'll be more attractive to the media if you are a specialist. It suggests you have more authority and quality than a generalist.

Be quick – If you get asked to do something, get it back to them as soon as possible. Miss your deadline and you’ll never be used again.

Create your own media empire – You can start to build your own media empire by taking advantage of social media and creating a great website without spending huge amounts of money. Go direct to clients and potential clients and get your message across.

Leverage your coverage – When you

Cheryl Hersey get media coverage, make the most of it. Put logos and PDFs of what you’ve done on your website. When you approach new publications, mention what other media work you've done.

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 Jon Lipsey is editor of Men’s Fitness.

To get his free 72-page eBook on how to raise your media profile, visit www.jonlipsey.co.uk

Olympic champion Sally Gunnell cuts the ribbon to open Snap Fitness in Milton Keynes.

Sally opens chain’s new flagship site FORMER Olympic champion Sally Gunnell was the star guest at the launch of Snap Fitness’ flagship site in Milton Keynes.

The club offers members 24 hour access via electronic key card entry and includes state of the art cardio and strength equipment from suppliers including Matrix Fitness, as well as affordable prices and no long term contracts.

Managing director Puneet Walia said: “At Snap Fitness we are very pas-

sionate about health and well-being.

“We are very serious about fitness and want to help our members reach their goals. We provide a facility that is available for our members at their convenience right in the heart of the community, with luxury private bathrooms, free personal training sessions and no long term contracts. We know our members’ names and our members know us. We are not too big, we're not too small, we are just the right size.”

Founder of Snap Fitness Inc Peter Taunton added: “We have a huge international presence with over 1,400 open clubs in five continents and we are delighted to have launched our first two UK clubs this summer, Sittingbourne in Kent and our flagship venue in Milton Keynes.

“We have plans to open 100 UK venues over the next five years, which will create over 500 jobs as well as thousands of fit and healthy people and workforces.”

PRODUCT NEWS

Youngsters meet gold medallist

By Christina Eccles YOUNGSTERS at David Lloyd Maidenhead got to meet a Paralympic heroine when triple gold medal winner Sophie Christiansen visited the gym.

Equestrian star Sophie, who is a member at the club, won her impressive haul in the individual, team and freestyle dressage events for Paralympics GB, and delighted the kids by bringing along her medals for everyone to see.

General manager Neil Austin said: “There has been a real buzz in the club since the Games and Sophie is a true sporting hero to so many people.

“We are very proud to have her as our member and were absolutely delighted that she visited the club with her gold medals to show the children, who have been inspired by the Paralympics and really look up to their very own champion athlete – they will never forget such a special day.”

Triple gold winning Paralympic equestrian Sophie Christiansen meets Charlotte and Sophie Oldroyd during her visit to David Lloyd Maidenhead (photo by Professional Images).

Ffittech introduces its new brand to UK IS your current gym equipment looking tired and worn? Could you do with a few extra machines to match the demand of your members? Don’t think you can afford what you need... think again.

Ffittech has introduced its new brand to the UK with a bang, installing the new concept warrior Gym – H3 Performance Nottingham.

They are now offering facilities across the country the opportunity to upgrade, impress current members and wow new ones with a fantastic special offer on 10 pieces of commercial kit.

The offer includes two pieces of excellent cardiovascular equipment, four Silver Line Pin Loaded Strength Machines and four Heavy Duty Plate Loaded Machines; all of this for the amazing price of just £11,999.

With new year approaching, one of the busiest times within the fitness calendar, why not give your venue a little gift too with some new equipment to accompany your new members.

Ffittech UK can provide you with all of your commercial gym equipment

requirements from one off pieces to full gym suites. Their corporate video can be viewed by scanning the QR code below or by visiting the website www.ffittech.co.uk For further information contact 0115 7529548 or email sales@ffittech.co.uk

Protein drink to ‘shake up’ RTD category A NEW protein recovery drink from Real Nutrition Co is launching in January 2013.

Set to ‘shake up’ the protein RTD category – the drink will deliver 26g of protein, a three stage carbohydrate blend.

In addition, it will be fortified with vitamins and minerals to deliver the ideal drink for recovery after exercise.

Kevin Milnes from RNC said: “We wanted to deliver a product that delivered not only the content and great taste we have become recognised for, but also delivers on price point. Especially in the current climate where the VAT on protein drinks is driving prices higher than consumers are willing to pay on many existing products.”

The drink will be priced at an RRP of £2.75 for 500ml and be available in three flavours upon launch.

Contact Real Nutrition Co for more information on 0800 321 3487.

New product offers a unique full-body workout THE CoreFitnessRoller is an innovative new fitness product that delivers a unique full-body workout in a compact package. It was launched in Europe in September 2012.

The versatility of the CoreFitnessRoller makes it ideal for clients of all fitness levels and allows for limitless programming including PT, group exercise, Pilates, multiplanar training, barefoot benefits, intensive core work, cardio, strength, and self-myofascial release.

The CoreFitnessRoller is used in health clubs and studios in 10 countries outside of the USA with CoreFitnessRoller distributors in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, United Kingdom and mainland Europe.

The CFR is distributed in the UK by Fitness-Mad (www.fitness-mad.com) with certified education from Mbodies. The gateway to the education is the CFR Foundation eight hour course. The next CFR Foundation is in Witney Oxfordshire on Saturday November 24.

Workout magazine has secured five places to the event with a massive 75 per cent discount from the £200 list price for the first five readers to email info@mbodiesacademy.com and request a £50 place quoting WOM5 as the offer code.

For more details call Mbodies Training Academy on 01865 522292 or visit http://www.fitnessmad.com/FMCoreFitnessRoller

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For furtherr iinformation n ccall Andrew w Loades on: n: 01226 734482 or email 73 em al@scriptmedia.co.uk ript o.u

UK FITNESS SCENE

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Competition and the economy have meant that health clubs and gyms are under increased pressure to keep the cost of membership fees down. As a result, gym owners are using retail opportunities to create a secondary revenue stream.

Here, Stuart Tilley explains how health and fitness centres can maximise profit through product sales by investing in retail displays.

Why gym shops have the sales advantage gory stands, gyms can also develop their own point of sale for each product category to make finding products easier for customers. This also allows stores to build their own identity as a retailer, without being overshadowed by the collateral offered by supplier brands.

AS a hub for target customers, gym shops have an advantage over sports retailers and present the ideal opportunity for sales of industry products.

Selling to its members, a gym also benefits from customers already having built trustworthy relationships with staff, and perceiving the store as a knowledgeable and reliable source for products.

However, while the majority of gym and health club owners invest in marketing activities to attract customers, many do not allocate budget towards developing impactful retail displays to encourage profits from the retail arm of the business.

Stuart Tilley

Take a stand Gym owners, in both independent and chain businesses, have two options for retail display, either to use point-of-sale displays from suppliers or invest in bespoke display solutions.

Display units funded by suppliers are often a free option for smaller fitness centres with limited budgets. However, they allow suppliers to dictate product presentation and in-store positioning. Retailers that give the responsibility for

point-of-sale displays to big-name suppliers can also find themselves tied to such brands for a period of time.

Independent stores that supply their own impactful freestanding display units retain control over where they display high-margin products, what they display, how they display it and the quality of the point of sale used. This choice is something that is priceless in today’s retail sector.

Rather than having branded cate-

Forest Pines shines at ceremony A LINCOLNSHIRE resort has been crowned the region’s best health club in a national awards ceremony.

Forest Pines Hotel and Golf Resort, which is part of the QHotels Group, was presented with the gold award at The Members’ Choice Health Awards at Birmingham’s Metropole Hotel.

Leisure club manager Phil Lake said: “Here at Forest Pines, we pride ourselves on delivering the complete luxury leisure experience, from relaxing spa treatments to personalised fitness programmes, and to have been recognised as the best in the region is testament to the investment we have made in providing the highest level of service to our guests.”

Knowledge is mission critical Identifying the methods customers use to find the products they want allows gym owners to place retail displays in the best locations. For example, low value impulse purchases such as energy bars and drinks can be placed in high traffic areas to make it easier for customers to ‘grab and go’.

While there may be upfront costs when taking control of in-store point of sale displays, over time this cost is negated. By giving greater control and flexibility on floor space, gym owners are able to position products in locations that best suit their customers, increasing sales and profits as a result.

Stuart Tilley is sales and commercial director at SDI, a company which creates, makes and installs point-of-purchase, point-of-sale and retail displays for some of the best-known retailers in the UK. www.sdidisplays.co.uk

Trainer launches Christmas fitness plan PERSONAL trainer Aimee Rogers has launched a new fitness programme designed to help users shape up in time for Christmas.

Features of the programme, which has been created to fit into busy lifestyles with no specialist equipment needed, include a home workout plan and support through a dedicated Facebook group.

Aimee said: “Christmas is a time when people generally ease off from their usual training schedule or even postpone starting a new one until the New Year. With my new 90-day programme you start in November to get results before Christmas, meaning you can ease off over the festive period and then use January to lose those extra pounds you may have acquired.”

Sheffield-based Aimee, who runs PT company Revitalize Fitness, specialises in training women and was named one of the Top 100 Mums in Business in 2011.

Centre move PLANS for an £11m leisure centre and swimming pool in West Bromwich have moved forward with the signing of a contract between Sandwell Council and DC Leisure.

The company has been chosen to design, build, run and maintain the complex, due to open in summer 2014. The centre will include a 25m pool with learner pool, sauna and steam room, four-court sports hall, 100-station fitness suite, two dance studios, indoor children's adventure play centre and café.

A planning application has been submitted and a decision is expected later this year, with building work expected to start early next year.

Monitoring on the move ...

USERS at a Derbyshire gym can now monitor their progress while on the move thanks to the introduction of a new exercise and training programme.

The mywellness cloud application has been installed as a pilot in Creswell Leisure Centre’s fitness suite – making it only the second centre in the country to have this, the other being the Olympic Village in London.

The application allows users to create their own training programme in seconds without supervision.

A programme can be selected from a library according to the users’ needs, sports or aspirations, level of experience, time available and the equipment currently installed at the centre.

Every time the user

undertakes a workout, it is stored on a ‘key’ which also gives advice and guidance on each workout. Once a user has completed a workout, the data is automatically sent to a server where it can be accessed at anytime from the mywellness.com website or mywellness mobile app.

Bolsover District Council’s leader, Coun Eion Watts said: “This is the very latest in technology and we are delighted that Creswell has been chosen as a ‘pilot’ centre. Improving people’s health and wellbeing is a top priority for us and this technology will give the user a totally different experience and allow them to set and monitor their own training programme and goals at a pace that suits them.”

Councillor Eion Watts (centre) with the centre’s Fitness Referral Officers and Fitness Suite users.

REFURBISHMENT

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The gym at K2 Crawley has benefited from a £100,000 refurbishment, becoming one of the first centres in the country to include the new Synrgy360 from Life Fitness. The new equipment was funded by local authority, Crawley Borough Council, and will expand the venue’s already impressive offering as an Olympic training venue. The centre is operated by Freedom Leisure and general manager Chris Lovelock. He said: “The system has allowed us to bring a multitude of functional fitness training trends to the gym floor in one compact unit. The kit is being used by customers of all ages and abilities and has already been nicknamed ‘the playground’ by our regular users.”

Refurbished kit installed TEK Fitness has successfully installed a selection of fully refurbished treadmills and bikes for Geoff Hatt at In Fitness and In Health gym near Upminster in Essex.

Geoff decided it was time to upgrade his tired cardio equipment with refurbished Life Fitness treadmills and bikes along with a selection of new free weight machines to match into his existing equipment.

As well as providing new equipment, some of the club’s existing equipment was removed prior to the install to be refurbished as well.

Geoff said: “I’m very pleased with the new equipment and will get you to quote for my next premises, hopefully soon.”

Tek Fitness have over 13 years of experience in the industry and can provide refurbished fitness equipment to customers with savings of over 50 per cent off new prices.

Refurbished equipment always arrives looking like new, with reputable guarantee and piece of mind that it’s going to last.

Director of Tek Fitness Mark Simms added: ”We’re very pleased to have supported Geoff over the last 12 years and provide him with quality refurbished equipment that his members will appreciate and help the club grow.”

Contact 01553 777513, email: mark@tekfitness.co.uk or visit www.tekfitness.co.uk

The Precor AMT with Open Stride at Reading University’s SportsPark VO2 fitness suite.

Equipment first for new suite READING University’s SportsPark VO2 fitness suite has installed new equipment, making it the first facility in the South of England to feature the new Precor AMT with Open Stride.

The redevelopment included reconfiguring the gym and increasing the number of stations from 100 to 120.

Precor sales director Jez Whitling said: “The addition of the new AMT’s with Open Stride within the VO2 fit-

ness Suite at Reading University was a natural extension to their gym offering.

“This is a high usage level facility and it is imperative that members have access to equipment that is not only reliable but also provides up to date technology and offers a greater variety of training routines for all levels of fitness.”

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UK FITNESS SCENE

Emmerdale actress Rokhsaneh Ghawam-Shahidi.

Actress launches first yoga DVD EMMERDALE actress Rokhsaneh Ghawam-Shahidi has launched her own yoga DVD, as part of IMC Vision’s Fit for Life series.

The star, who played Leyla Harding in the ITV soap, has been a keen student and practitioner of yoga for 12 years.

Her DVD, Roxy's Bite Size Yoga, is made up of six 15-minute yoga work-

outs, each designed for optimum results with minimal time input.

Each workout targets key areas of the body and delivers programmes that tone, strengthen, improve posture, energise and relax.

Also included is a recipe book, made up of healthy dishes such as heavenly granola, super food salad, coconut stir fry and fruit cookies.

PRODUCT NEWS

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Extend the life of your kit

Courses launch USING the TRX Suspension Trainer and Rip Trainer from Escape Fitness with your clients in group or PT sessions can help really improve their fitness levels, stave off exercise boredom and being able to offer group sessions can improve your earning potential.

Clients of any fitness level can benefit from the all-over body workout using either the TRX Suspension or Rip Trainer, making sure they get results. But making sure you know how to program your exercise sessions and progress or regress your clients is as important as making sure you have the right equipment. TRX and Escape Fitness have now launched education in the UK with three one-day TRX Rip courses and two one-day TRX Suspension courses planned between now and the end of the year, with more dates being added for next year.

For more information and to book your place go to www.trx-fitness.com

REGULAR maintenance and servicing can extend the life of gym equipment, helping operators to get maximum value for money in a difficult economic climate, according to an expert.

Service Sport is an independent company that maintains and repairs fitness equipment to optimise its performance and measure its value.

Commercial director Susie Marriott (pictured) said: “Looking after your equipment is a really important part of protecting your estate and ensuring it maintains its reliability and maximises its life expectancy. We audit our client’s equipment, hold detailed records of each piece, refurbish and redeploy where needed and create a service log booklet that tells a gym

exactly what checks they need to do on each piece of equipment daily, weekly and monthly.

We then supply an engineer to train the gym on how to use the log ensuring each piece of equipment is being looked after to its optimum performance.

Any issues with equipment are given a priority rating which helps the gym owner decide how to spend their money on putting problems right.”

For more information contact Service Sport on 08454022456 or sales@servicesport.co.uk.

Mike endorses Unikurve ENDURANCE athlete Mike Buss has endorsed one of the hottest new products to hit the market – Unikurve.

Mike spotted the functional training equipment at LIW and the company offered to let him try out and review the product.

He said: “There are many gimmicks in the fitness industry but Unikurve is definitely the real deal.

“I’ve had some serious core workouts with Unikurve and by the end of the routine, I’ve not needed to use any other pieces of kit.

“After using it for a month I don’t think I’ve even scratched the surface of how much you can do with this

great piece of kit.

“Cardio – core – functional – endurance – power – strength, it really hits all aspects of training, small enough to chuck in the car boot and take to the hotel for a workout if your hotel doesn’t have a gym, great for the home for the individual and as for a personal trainer, this really is a must have tool.

“As a personal trainer, I love to give clients not just a full thorough workout to achieve their goals, but also to make it fun and inventive, motivational and varied, Unikurve gives me that with just one fitness tool.”

For more details visit www.unikurve.co.uk

New addition USN are proud to announce the launch of the latest addition in their performance range.

USN Spike is a 500ml, carbonated blended fruit drink which contains 25 per cent natural fruit juice.

It has a high caffeine content, which allows athletes to instantly enhance their mental and physical performance.

This winning combination of Taurine and L’Carnitine is backed by research that suggest the two combined may have positive effects on mood, performance, concentration, reaction speed and vigilance.

Available to order now, this conveniently packaged drink is perfect for those wanting a quick boost to their system before an event.

For more information visit www.usn.co.uk

A ‘First’ for Spectrum Leisure with SportsArt Green System® FOLLOWING the launch of the first revolutionary Green System by SportsArt Fitness UK at Leisure Industry Week 2012, the first UK order has been placed by the Spectrum Leisure Complex at Willington for the new cardio system that turns human energy into useable power.

Under the management of SLAM CDT (Spectrum Leisure And Management – Community Development Trust), chief executive officer Ian Hirst reported: “At the centre, we strive to provide innovation in the way that we operate and constantly look to reduce our carbon footprint where feasible.

“The new SportsArt Green System provides the technology to assist us in supporting the environment plus the community we serve, and believe that our customers will appreciate the new equipment and the efforts we are going to at the centre.”

The SportsArt Green System uses a “pod” of elliptical trainers and cycles, attached to an inverter, that harnesses human-generated power from the exerciser and feeds this back into the power grid as useable energy.

This energy can then be used to save facilities thousands of pounds in energy costs.

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.

On being informed of the new Green System and having a positive experience of purchasing SportsArt equipment in the past, this only fuelled their interest in the new revolutionary system.

Ian immediately made arrangements to visit the company’s Lancashire based premises with his health club manager Danny Boulton.

He added: “SportsArt MD Mark Turner demonstrated the new elliptical trainers and cycles that are used to generate the energy, plus the inverter that harnesses and turns human energy into useable power.

“From seeing and listening to what was on offer with regards to the green credentials, I immediately realised that this was just the sort of innovation that SLAM CDT were looking for and if I had my way, I would have signed immediately for the equipment. However, I needed the support of the board and presented the details and proposals to acquire the SportsArt Green System and this was ratified within 24 hours and initial orders placed.”

An order was placed with SportsArt for a ‘pod’ of equipment to generate power on the Green System (four G872 Ellipticals; four G572U Upright Bikes; two G572R Recumbent Bikes),

10 being the maximum number of products that can be attached to a single converter. One green system inverter is capable of generating 2000watt-hours of energy from exercises every hour. At the same time, Spectrum Leisure purchased one Upper Body Exerciser and one refurbished S770 Pinnacle Trainer.

Ian added: “In the early days of the install we would hope that we can be seen by others as a leader in change and innovation, working with SportsArt in making the first steps into the future of gym equipment generating power.

“This green equipment is just one of the first stepping stones for us to

introduce more traditional styles of renewable energy through energy efficient L.E.D. Lighting, Solar PV and Biomass.

“It will be the aim of SLAM to continue a rolling programme of replacing our original fitness equipment with that of SportsArt as we have been more than satisfied with their quality and reliability of equipment, plus their after sales service that is second to none.

“Hopefully, subject to the market place staying stable we will be looking to expand our business into new venues in the future and without doubt, it will be SportsArt that we are looking to help us in that direction.”

SUPPLEMENTATION AND NUTRITION

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Fresh protein

Rachael Hayes

Rachael wins top US title INDEPENDENT gym owner and natural bodybuilder Rachael Hayes has won a top competition.

Rachael, who owns Evolution Gym in Sheffield with her husband Jon Clark, scooped the first ever Drug Free Athletes Coalition Miss Universe Athletic title in the USA. Rachael started training originally to keep fit but has progressed through the amateur ranks and is now in contention for the World Pro Miss Athletic title, to be held in Miami, Florida later this month.

GYMFISH is a well established fish delivery company specialising in fresh and frozen training packs.

We are now offering lean white frozen fish training diet packs specifically designed to help you get the best value nutrition and the best results.

If you are a gym owner/manager and would like to provide your members an alternative source of good value high protein with the knowledge that you are offering your members real food then contact us to find out more about how we can work with you to deliver this superb source of protein direct to your gym members.

Gymfish has recently launched training packs comprising of frozen white fish fillets for as little as £1.28 per portion and with up to 45g of lean protein. You can now make up your own bespoke frozen fish diet packs to suit your specific training needs. With over 65 years’ experience of buying only the highest grade fish, we would like to pass on our knowledge and experience to anyone who takes pride in eating healthily and keeping fit.

To find out more visit www.gymfish.co.uk, contact 0772 399 3036/ 01584 879 790 or email info@gymfish.co.uk

UK rapper and actor Ashley Walters has endorsed a healthy drink made from 100 per cent natural coconut water. The star is seen drinking a bottle of Go Coco in the video for his new single, Your Love, which features singer and Britain’s Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon.

Online programme passes landmark AN ONLINE weight loss programme, which encourages participants to eat fresh, natural foods, has passed the 200,000 downloads mark.

Fat Loss Factor, the brainchild of Dr. Michael Allen and wife Lori, starts with a two week detox where participants eat natural foods to prime the body for fat burning.

They then have the option of choosing to incorporate the Master Cleanse – a diet consisting of fresh lemon juice, maple syrup and cayenne pepper – or moving on to their Lifestyle

Un-Diet, consisting of low glycemic carbohydrates, fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy fats and lean proteins.

Although whole, natural foods are a cornerstone to the program, cheat days containing favourite foods like pizza or ice cream are also considered to be an important key to success.

Besides the main e-book, the program also includes other important tools including a 90 day meal plan, trackers, software, goal setting guide, recipe book and videos.

Secondary spend boosted with link AN independent gym owner has told how teaming up with an internet supplements company has boosted his business.

Speaking at the Independent Operators Unite forum at Leisure Industry Week, Simon Harvey revealed to fellow gym owners how he has increased secondary spend at his club – Everybody’s Gym in Spalding – by selling supplement products onsite.

Simon said that linking up with an online supplements company – and

New protein drink launched at LIW A NEW protein rich drink was launched at Leisure Industry Week, available in vanilla, strawberry and chocolate flavours.

Grace Foods UK is building on the success of Nurishment, with the creation of Nurishment active, a low-fat, high-protein milk drink, enriched with a blend of 22 vitamins and minerals.

Head of marketing Nyree Chambers said: “With growing interest in the use of milk as an aid to sporting activity, milk-based drinks are becoming even

agreeing to just stock their products – means he has been able to strike a better deal on price – and entice both members and non members to spend.

He said: “We were able to negotiate prices so we can sell them for the same price as they are on the website.

“This also pulls in trade from other clubs – we are probably making more money from supplements than they are making from memberships.

“We also price check to make sure the provider doesn’t undercut us online.”

Revamp for Vooma Gel USN Vooma Gel has been revamped and is now available in delicious Mocha or Vanilla Caramel flavour, in convenient 36g sachets.

Caffeine free and easy to swallow, the gel contains 66.0g carbohydrates per 100g and is one of the only gels on the market to contain performance boosting L Carnitine and Creatine Monohydrate.

Vooma Gel has been pharmaceutically researched and its unique formula indicates that it is an ideal supplement for any person participating in any endurance sporting activity.

The basic USN Vooma Gel formulation has been designed around these demands, and it contains both shortchain and long-chain carbohydrates for energy re-load and availability.

Additionally the USN Vooma Gel provides energy and electrolytes and contains functional ingredients, aiding in reducing cramping and speeding-up recovery.

USN Vooma Energy Gel comes in two flavours: Mocha and Vanilla Caramel. It retails at £1.59 for a single sachet or £37.99 for a box of 24.

For more information visit www.usn.co.uk

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Chain creates menu for its health conscious members DAVID Lloyd Leisure has created a new menu for health conscious members, which has been designed by a dedicated team of chefs, nutritionists and health and fitness experts.

DLicious: Fast Fitness Food is a result of feedback from members who suggested they wanted to enjoy healthier dishes in their clubs in a fast casual dining environment.

The DLicious approach to eating is based on: Paleo-inspired dishes – high quality, grain-free, natural foods that deliver better fuel for efficient digestive function, improved regulation of blood sugar levels and more energy all day.

Healthy and balanced – a variety of choices to meet a daily intake of 40 per cent good carbohydrates, 30 per cent quality proteins and 30 per cent essential fats, providing optimum nutrients and burning fuel more efficiently.

Every now and then – a choice of meals, snacks and indulgent treats

offered for 20 per cent of the time.

A children’s menu has also been specially developed to complement the adult menu and make it easier for parents to make healthy choices for their youngsters.

David Lloyd Leisure’s head of food and beverage Andy Lowe said: “We are incredibly excited about DLicious.

No mainstream operator on the high street is offering a truly healthy approach to eating and lifestyle.

“We pride ourselves on listening to our members and in their highly valued feedback they asked us for healthier choices, supporting market predictions that healthy eating concepts will be the fastest growing cuisine trend over the next three to five years.

“We are using ingredients that are more natural, pure and therefore better quality, with less processed food, salt, sugar and additives. There are now fewer starchy carbohydrates and more good ones, and options comprising ingredients free from gluten

are also available. We will only be using the best quality proteins like fresh meat and fish and, as an example, we’ve replaced curly fries with healthier – but just as tasty – baked sweet potato wedges.

“Our menu will gently guide members on how to make healthy choices, but we also recognise that people like a treat now and again, and we’re saying that if they indulge – say 20 per cent of the time – then that’s perfectly OK.” Head of sports, health and fitness Rob Beale added: “We recognise that being healthy and fit is not just about going to the gym, taking an exercise class, swimming or playing tennis but about what you’re eating, too.

“Our aim is to help people reap the benefits of eating healthy and balanced meals that will give them energy throughout the day and can be easily prepared in our clubs to fit around their exercise routines and busy lifestyles.”

Rachel launches healthy eating project TOP fitness guru Rachel Holmes has launched a new weight loss and healthy eating project, Kick Start Fat Loss Live Club.

Kick Start Fat Loss was created by Rachel back in 2007 as an online programme just for fellow fitness professionals, but is now being rolled out to the public, as a franchise taught by fitness instructors across the UK. The slimming club focuses on the community and clients are encouraged to buy locally from their butchers, fishmongers and greengrocers.

Rachel said: “Our programme is all about eating clean with no sugary diet food in sight. It’s time for a change in the diet world.

“We want people to be eating locally, home-grown food from their local butchers, grocers, and fishmonger.

“You can’t beat it and it will give them all the kick start they need to healthy eating and a bit of a kick start to the local economy too.

“Times have changed and we are bringing a whole new concept to people that is right on their doorstep. Out go the hour-long workouts and in come the High Intensity Interval Training sessions we all know work so well.

“Half an hour and you’re out of there

Rachel and Yvonne at Leisure Industry Week 2012. to carry on with your busy lives.”

Rachel has also teamed up with media expert Yvonne Radley for the launch of the club, who will help the instructors to get the message out about what they are offering.

She added: “I am so happy Yvonne

has come on board with us to help us get our message across and all the KSFL fitness instructors are learning so much from her too about how to push themselves into the media spotlight which can only be good for them and ultimately for their business.”

Olympics leads to sharp sales rise AN online sports supplements store is celebrating the success of the Olympics after noticing a sharp rise in visitor numbers and sales during and post London 2012.

Bodybuilding Warehouse has seen a 21.6 per cent increase in monthly non-branded search traffic to its site and a 24.4 per cent increase in nonbranded transactions.

The company has also seen a 3,767 per cent increase in sales from a Pay Per Click campaign after asking search and social media agency SiteVisibility to optimise its online content to drive new traffic to its website.

Founder and managing director Kieran Fisher said: “With people from all walks of life taking up vari-

ous sports and wanting to get fit as a result of watching the Olympic athletes competing in London, it is good to know that, due to our work with SiteVisibility, they know exactly where to come for sports nutrition advice and to buy the most suitable supplements that will aid their fitness.”

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FIA brand to be unveiled BATH based Mr B & Friends has been selected as the agency to develop the new FIA brand, which will be unveiled at the organisation’s annual summit on November 22. The rebrand is in response to feedback from stakeholders who said they would like to see the FIA championing its ‘more people, more active, more often’ mantra and physical activity in all forms more overtly.

CEO David Stalker said: “Our new brand will exist to accelerate the advancements of the sector and to deliver our unchanged mission: to get more people, more active, more often. To achieve this, we need to develop more, learn more, innovate more and deliver more. As the sector’s representative body, this is our promise to our members, stakeholders and consumers.”

Power Plate first for York THE City of York Council has become the first UK local authority to install the new Power Plate pro7 machines.

The council has chosen two machines for its Energise York facility as part of the centre’s £370,000 refurbishment.

Leisure centre manager Paul Bickle said: “The Pro7 is far more user friendly and the embedded videos will enhance interaction and user experience; whilst the upper body device in the base will facilitate a full body work out for members to achieve their wellness and sport specific goals.”

Bikes purchased AN increase in member participation has led to an investment in new Spinning bikes at a Chelmsford based gym.

Excel Health and Fitness, situated in Riverside Ice and Leisure, has increased the number of Spinning classes on the timetable to cope with demand and has also invested in the new Spinner Blade bikes from Star Trac.

Party to mark re-launch

Freedom Leisure sports development manager Richard Bagwell.

Swimathon raises money FREEDOM Leisure centres in Surrey and Sussex raised a massive total of £62,790.92 over the 2012 Swimathon weekend.

The amount was double what the group achieved last year and is the result of 669 swimmers taking part.

Group sports development manager Richard Bagwell said: “Swimathon

brings a positive energy to participating centres and reaches everyone: from individual swimmers to clubs, members to non-members and children to adults.

“It is a terrific fundraising tool for the various charities who benefit each year but it’s also a terrific membership and marketing tool for us.”

SMALL group and personal training club The Fit Box held a re-launch party for members to celebrate its new facilities.

The club originally opened its doors in January 2010 as an alternative to the traditional gym format and has now upgraded its premises, which are shared with Bracknell Hockey Club, to benefit both parties.

Improvements include a new floor and ceiling, lounge area, reception desk, training frame and new kit.

The celebratory evening included food and drink – with one member even providing a themed Fit Box cake – plus the chance to meet local swimming ace Oliver Leonard who trains at the club.

According to owner Paul Russell, the improvements have been well received, with the club gaining some great feedback from members.

Devolution launch site DEVOLUTION Training has enlisted the help of industry specialists Emerald Frog Marketing to enhance their brand identity, including the launch of a new website.

The site provides fitness professionals with the information they need to access an industry recognised qualification – in order to either further their education or keep their CPD skills up to date through extensive Life Fitness accredited courses and workshops.

Emerald Frog Marketing creative consultant Cheriee Chater said: “We are thrilled to be working with Devolution Training on this exciting launch project. The fitness industry is where our experience lies, and it has been a real privilege to work with a company whose main goal is to improve the level of training and education across the board.”

A group of fitness fans set a new world record for the longest non-stop aerobics class, taking it turns to complete a 36-and-a-half-hour Zumbathon. The event took place at Freedom Leisure’s Clair Hall in Haywards Heath, where 250 participants danced their way into the record books, also raising about £20,000 for the St Peter and St James Hospice in Chailey.

Freedom Leisure event manager at Clair Hall Erica Martin said: “We were overwhelmed by the level of support from participants and spectators. The night shifts were the toughest as people fought their body clocks but if anything is going to keep you moving in the small hours of the morning, Zumba will.”

CLASSIFIED EQUIPMENT

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CLASSIFIED EQUIPMENT

CLASSIFIED PARTS

DIRECT DEBIT COLLECTIONS

CLOTHING AND MERCHANDISE

AUDIO / VISUAL

MAINTENANCE

FOR SALE

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CLASSIFIED LOCKERS

MANAGEMENT

SOFTWARE

CLASSIFIED FLOORING

MARKETING

MARKETING

LIGHTING

SUNBEDS

MIRRORS

INSURANCE

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CLASSIFIED

50 SUPPS & NUTRITION

INSURANCE

FINANCE

TRAINING

HYGIENE

UPHOLSTERY

WANTED

TRAINING