HCM Issue 4 2025

CLUB GROWTH STARTS IN YOUR STUDIO

Scan to download Club Growth Guide: 7 key plays to a profitable studio.

Whether your facility is looking to acquire or retain members, or build an unbreakable community, a thriving studio holds the key to these goals. Your group training studio is a ready-made solution for driving new growth, with the ability deliver on retention, member acquisition and generating new revenue streams with programming.

By creating an irresistible group training environment, you’re laying the foundations for better engagement with members. A well-oiled group training experience compels members to return for the social bonds formed, leading them to tell their friends about it and creating a flywheel of momentum that recruits new members and in turn strengthens your community.

We’ve created a seven step plan to help your club create a strategy for its studio, identifying the key areas to focus on to start driving growth. By considering key member touchpoints ranging from capacity to marketing, the guide helps your facility identify areas for improvement, and crucially, shares how to start driving change. As well as actionable strategies, there’s world-leading operator insights to help inform your game plan. Are you ready to send studio numbers soaring and boost your bottom line?

WDoom scenario

Research from the University of Oxford has found people on weight loss drugs revert to their original weight after 10-20 months, making it vital we champion the role of exercise and behaviour change

hen weight loss drugs hit the market, clinical trials showed their use led to loss of muscle mass unless the user exercised, yet the only reference to this came in the small print, along with the contra-indications, leaving consumers unaware of the trap they were walking into.

It quickly became clear that up to 40 per cent loss of muscle mass was being experienced if people took the drugs without exercise, with an impact on heart muscle.

Now, research from the University of Oxford has found weight loss which occurs as a result of drug use is not as enduring as that achieved by conventional dieting.

Bearing in mind the clinical limit of two years for taking weight loss medication, the research team found people returned to their original weight between 10 and 20 months after stopping injections, depending on the drug. This contrasts with 60 months with conventional dieting.

The difference is attributed to the fact that taking weight loss drugs doesn’t require behaviour change, so people revert as soon as the drugs are stopped.

People studied lost an average of 8kg on olderstyle drugs and 16kg on newer ones, such as Wegovy (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide), regaining all the weight in 10 months after the use of the older drugs and 20 months after the newer, stronger ones.

This new insight must change the way we approach the optimisation of weight loss drugs, while the overall response to this news – with its lack of reference to the importance of exercise – is concerning.

We can run a doom scenario where the worst outcome for people on these drugs – who do not exercise – will be to lose muscle mass and heart muscle and then regain their body mass with a greater proportion of body fat within a year or two.

They will have less energy-producing lean muscle tissue, meaning their metabolic rate will drop, so they will not be able to consume so many nutrients.

We can run a doom scenario where the worst outcomes will be to lose muscle mass and regain fat within two years

There will also be a greater burden on a weakened heart, less resilience, less stable joints and rapidly accelerated physiological ageing.

If this outcome transpires, within as little as two years we’re likely to have a growing cohort of people who are experiencing rapid ageing and a whole raft of metabolic and heart-related health issues and reduced quality of life.

The industry must step up to be part of the solution to this, to help individuals and society avoid catastrophic outcomes at a time of falling health budgets.

Liz Terry, editor lizterry@leisuremedia.com

Exercise and behaviour change are vital

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK_PEOPLEIMAGES.COM

CONTENTS

Uniting the world of fitness

12 David Tewksbury, CEO, Chelsea Piers

05 Editor’s Letter

As new research from the University of Oxford shows weight loss from medication is not enduring, Liz Terry asks how the industry should respond

12 HCM people

David Tewksbury

The CEO of Chelsea Piers Fitness gives insights into how the business has evolved since the 1990s and shares his vision for international growth

18 HCM people

Madeleine Jago

Seven Lion Yard’s founder tells us how her holistic wellness centre in London addresses the mind-body connection

24 HCM news

Sarah Luna launches Pilates Addiction, Zinédine Zidane is the face of exercise and recovery at Palace Merano and PureGym reveals global growth plans.

34 Interview

Jordi Bella

The MD of Spain’s Synergym, talks to Kate Cracknell about the company’s strategies for organic growth and how he’s hitting 50 per cent EBITDA

42 Everyone’s talking about Generation anxious

With a mental health crisis among young people, how can the industry help? Kath Hudson asks the experts

50 FIBO

The 40th FIBO has taken place in Cologne, Germany, as Kath Hudson reports

54 All rise

Price increases and openings are driving growth in the European market, according to a report from Deloitte Germany

60 Market intelligence

A UK Active market report by Deloitte shows positive growth and increasing consumer demand, says Matthew Wade

66 Life Lessons

Tony de Leede

The serial entrepreneur shares lessons learned in tough times with HCM

PHOTOS:

76 Innovating Pilates

Consumer demand and product innovation is making Pilates an exciting proposition for health clubs, finds Julie Cramer

90 Environmental

factors

Small group PT product manufacturers are managing sustainability and helping health club customers do the same with a range of innovations, as Julie Cramer reports

98 Show preview Elevate 2025

Taking place from June 18-19 at London’s Excel, Elevate will bring together 6,000 visitors, 200 speakers and 200 exhibitors to further the growth of the sector

110

Product innovations

Julie Cramer rounds up the latest health, fitness and wellness kit from leading suppliers

112

Reader services HCM Directory

If you’re in procurement, the HCM Directory is part of a network of resources designed for you that includes www.HCMmag.com/CompanyProfiles

114 Research Cancer care

A new study from China Medical University offers robust evidence to support the clinical application of exercise for cancer patients

76 Boom time for Pilates

66 Tony de Leede

18 Madeleine Jago

34 Synergym’s Jordi Bella

50 High energy at the 40th FIBO

PHOTO:

PHOTO: SYNERGYM

PHOTO: SEVEN LION YARD

www.HCMmag.com

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Copyright details: HCM (Health Club Management) is published 12 times a year by Leisure Media, PO Box 424, Hitchin, SG5 9GF, UK. The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the publisher. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recorded or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright holder, Cybertrek Ltd 2025. Print and distribution Printed by The Manson Group Ltd. Distributed by Royal Mail Group Ltd and Whistl Ltd in the UK and Total Mail Ltd globally.

©Cybertrek Ltd 2025 ISSN 1361-3510 (print) / 2397-2351 (online)

23 OCTOBER

2025

Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London

GLOBAL EVENT

Fitness, health, wellness

Excitement is building for the all-keynote HCM Summit 2025 from Leisure Media, HCM magazine and Spa Business magazine.

The event will bring together a powerful lineup of speakers and contributors from across the industry to share creative insights and experience, with a focus on business success and innovation.

You’ll go away inspired and informed, with ideas to implement in your own professional life, as well as valuable contacts and access to best practice to drive your success as we head into 2026.

In addition to the summit talks, a carefully curated exhibition will showcase the latest innovations, while summit networking events, including the After Party, hosted by Les Mills, will give the opportunity to connect, make new contacts and do businesses.

All this, along with product sampling, book signings and activations make the summit a powerful and useful event for the sector.

Liz Terry HCM editor and CEO of Leisure Media

We believe our fitness club model could work in any densely populated city in the US or internationally

David Tewksbury

CEO, Chelsea Piers Fitness

When did your organisation launch?

Our first facility, Chelsea Piers New York, opened its doors to the public in 1995, so we’re celebrating our 30th anniversary this year.

Tell us a little about this history of the Chelsea Piers

The Chelsea Piers, on the west side of Manhattan, were originally passenger ship terminals for the White Star and Cunard Lines. With their grand pink granite facades – designed by Warren and Wetmore, who were also responsible for Grand Central Station –they were the docking point for transatlantic liners and the intended destination of The Titanic.

What are the piers used for today?

Today, Chelsea Piers is a 28-acre waterfront sports village situated on Piers 59, 60 and 61.

The complex has a health club, as well as a golf club with a multi-story driving range, numerous sports and training facilities and two full-sized ice rinks.

The venue also has bowling, event venues, TV and film studios and a marina.

How did it all come about?

My partners and I were involved in running a not-for-profit ice rink located on the 16th floor of a building on the west side of Manhattan.

We initially looked at the Chelsea Piers in 1992 as a possible option for relocating and expanding the ice rink business.

Tewksbury is rolling out the Chelsea Piers brand

Chelsea Piers began as a 28-acre waterfront sports village in Manhattan

As we engaged in the process of trying to secure a lease for the space, we learned that there were many sports and recreation uses that were struggling to either survive in New York or didn’t exist in the city. We eventually embarked on a plan to redevelop the entire one million sq ft Chelsea Piers property into a sports and entertainment complex called The Chelsea Piers Sports Club. That plan was successful and people flocked to get experiences and activities that had not previously been available in the city.

Tell us more about the health club element

The business model for our first health club was simple – create a large-scale luxury fitness and sports club on Chelsea Piers in Manhattan, something that wasn’t available anywhere else in the city. Our community was strong and committed, even back then. Because of this, we’ve been able to expand and we now run a growing portfolio of standalone health and sports clubs.

How many clubs do you have currently?

We currently have five clubs open with a lease signed for a sixth location.

Chelsea Piers Fitness currently has five health clubs open

In addition to the original location at Chelsea Piers, we have two clubs in Brooklyn – downtown and Prospect Heights, as well as Chelsea Piers Fitness Flatiron in New York, which opened in August 2024. We also have a club in Stamford, Connecticut.

Our goal is to open a new club every year in the New York City market.

Who did you look to for inspiration?

Many of the existing premium quality fitness clubs in the US, including the Bay Club in San Francisco, the East Bank Club in Chicago and the Equinox clubs which started in New York City.

We were also inspired by leaders in the hospitality business, including the Ace and Kimpton Hotels. We sensed there was an opportunity to establish

We sensed there was an opportuniy to establish fitness clubs that offered more than a 60-min workout

fitness clubs that offered more than a 60-minute workout and thus if you visit our clubs, you’ll see communities of like-minded individuals spending time together in classes, in our member lounges and co-working spaces and at club-organised member events that take place throughout the week.

What services do members enjoy?

We offer many of the traditional experience you’d expect at a luxury fitness club, such as top-quality strength and cardio equipment, but we also offer 150 group exercise classes per week, have an active members lounge and co-working space, as well as luxury amenities, such as hotel-quality locker rooms, steam/sauna and in some locations swimming pools, hot tubs and cold plunge.

Our main goal is to create spaces our members choose to stay and use in multiple ways, as opposed to popping in quickly for their workout.

What are the membership options?

You must have a membership or be a guest of a member to enter the club. We also offer day passes to the public for a charge. Our membership options are simple and easy to understand and we offer discounts for corporations, senior citizens and students.

The goal now is to open a new club every year in the NY market

1995

Chelsea Piers Sports and Entertainment Complex

The 28-acre club opens in New York City with a health club, golf, sports and training facilities, two full-sized ice rinks, bowling, event venues, TV and film studios and a marina

2012

Chelsea Piers Connecticut

A second location opens in Stamford, Connecticut, with indoor courts, sports fields, tennis and squash, an Olympic indoor pool, two ice rinks, a Ninja and Parkour training centre and a full service fitness club. There’s also an adventure centre with trampolines, batting cages and a rock wall, a dance academy and an event space

2018

Rebrand

The original Chelsea Piers Sports and Entertainment Complex rebrands as Chelsea Piers Fitness.

Chelsea Piers downtown Brooklyn

The 52,000sq ft space offers hot yoga, Pilates, cycle, strength and cardio, as well as sportsspecific fitness options such as swimming, boxing, rock climbing, basketball and sand volleyball

2023

Chelsea Piers

Prospect Heights

The second location in Brooklyn opens, with an extensive gym, group fitness studios, members’ lounge and co-working space, an outdoor terrace and childcare facilities. Classes include yoga, Pilates, Barre, Cycling, HIIT, strength and boxing

2024

Chelsea Piers Flatiron

Located in the One Madison building, the 60,000sq ft club spans four floors, with a gym, members’ lounge, coworking space, childcare facilities and community events. There’s also a sauna and steamrooms and a contrast therapy suite with cold plunges and an infrared sauna

The original sports village is located on Piers 59, 60 and 61 in New York City

And the rates?

Chelsea Piers Fitness has a Single Club membership (US$260), including a complimentary fitness assessment, six Guest Passes, unlimited group fitness classes, and a seasonal new member gift package.

The club also offers an all access membership (US$290) that includes full access to all tri-state area clubs, including the flagship club in New York City –Chelsea, downtown Brooklyn, Prospect Heights and Flatiron, as well as our club in Stamford, Connecticut.

What’s your target market?

Our target market is people of all ages and genders. The majority of our fitness club members fall within the 25-45 age range, but we have some extremely active members in their 70s who’ve been members

There are 150 group exercise classes offered each week

Most club members fall within the 25 to 45 age range

PHOTO: CHELSEA PIERS

Sporty

for nearly 30 years since we opened. We also have babysitting available at our fitness clubs, so members can drop off their children while they work out. In addition, we have extremely popular youth sports programmes available at our sister businesses at Chelsea Piers Field House, Golf Club and Sky Rink.

Which services are most popular with members?

Yoga and Pilates classes are two of our most popular modalities, alongside our strength and HIIT classes, which are called Strength 3D and Amp’d. We have a team of personal trainers at each club who specialise in traditional training, mobility and sports-specific training in boxing, rock climbing, swimming and more.

Yoga and Pilates classes are two of our most popular modalities, alongside our strength and HIIT classes

Could this model work elsewhere?

Right now, we’re focused on expanding our New York City network of clubs, but we believe our fitness club model could work in any densely populated city in the US or internationally, so we’re open to these opportunities. l

activities include climbing, basketball and sand volleyball

PHOTO: CHELSEA PIERS

The body isn’t built to operate under stress for a prolonged period of time and unresolved, negative emotions are not good for health

Madeleine Jago

Founder, Seven Lion Yard

Tell us about Seven Lion Yard

It’s a holistic health and wellbeing centre in South London that combines traditional psychological therapy with somatic approaches, to integrate the mind and the body to enhance wellbeing.

The psychology clinic offers a range of talking therapies, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing).

The group studio has been designed with relaxation, calm and restoration in mind and offers breathwork, mindfulness and meditation classes, as well as one off events, such as sound baths and workshops.

By using the two approaches of talking therapy and somatic exercises we empower individuals to develop coping skills, resilience and self-awareness to promote long-term mental health and wellbeing.

What inspired you to launch?

As a clinical psychologist, I’ve worked for a long time in an NHS burns unit, helping people adjust to scarring and overcome PTSD after injuries. This experience sparked an interest in the way trauma impacts our physical health. I'm interested in the coming together of the body-based and cognitive

Clinical psychologist Jago works with the mind-body connection

approaches, both within the therapy room and other parts of life. Even 10 years ago, this crossover between mental and physical health might have been thought of as a bit wacky, but now there’s so much research about how the psychological state directly impacts medical diagnoses.

Why is this?

The body isn’t built to operate under stress for a prolonged period of time and unresolved, negative emotions which sit in the body are not good for health. In my experience, people who struggle with personal boundaries – such as being assertive and saying no – often find their bodies take the brunt of their people-pleasing behaviour. They avoid setting boundaries because of the guilt that

For people who struggle with always pleasing others, guilt can be a positive sign that they might finally be setting boundaries and listening to their own needs

The

accompanies it, but the alternative can be a build-up of resentment towards those one prioritises over oneself. This in itself can have an impact on relationships and also put a lot of stress on the body.

For people who struggle with always pleasing others, guilt can be a positive sign that they might finally be setting the boundaries and listening to their own needs.

In my therapeutic practice I found that sometimes less talking is better and tuning into our bodies can give the clues to getting unstuck. A lot of anxiety can start in the body, with a sense of unease and then our minds make a story out of it, which may or may not be true, but which perpetuates the anxious feeling.

Often anxiety comes about from something triggering a past situation, as opposed to reacting

studio is designed with relaxation and restoration in mind

PHOTO: SEVEN LION YARD

Creating a safe, inclusive and traumainformed environment is important to supporting members – offering choices, avoiding physical touch without consent and using non-judgmental language

to what is actually happening and that’s very much in the nervous system. In that scenario thoughts can soothe the body, or they can make it worse. When dealing with emotions, the environment is also very important. A calm, containing space encourages people to open up, which can have a real impact on what comes out in a session. Seven Lion Yard is intentionally designed with lots of plants, neutral colours and nature-based pictures.

Were you inspired by any other centres?

There are some lovely studios in London, such as Re:Mind which offers sound therapy, breathwork and energy healing in a serene setting and 7 Breaths which offers yoga qi gong, breathwork, and mindfulness meditation.

There are also some interesting mental health clinics popping up, including The Soke, which offers therapy

in an environment which is designed to enhance a sense of wellness, comfort and security. There are reflection rooms where people can lie on a lounger after their session to digest what came up for them.

However, I'm not aware of anyone else offering psychological therapy alongside a meditation, mindfulness and breathwork studio.

What can people expect from the classes?

They’re a blend of meditation, mindfulness and breathwork, encouraging people to connect with their senses and tune into any physical sensations going on in their bodies, guiding them to be present and noticing what emotions come up.

Our sound baths create an amazing, meditative atmosphere, which can bring about a different state. It’s all aimed at getting people to tune into their bodies again.

PHOTO: SEVEN LION YARD

People are guided to tune into their bodies

The interior’s neutral colours, plants and nature images calm the senses

Therapies offered include CBT, CFT and EMDR

Most of us block out what our bodies are telling us, so emotions don’t get processed and things build up, until suddenly you have a reaction to something and you think, where did that come from?

We give people the tools to listen to their bodies in a manageable, guided practice which prevents that build up, so they react to things differently and generally cope better. It also empowers them to access that state for themselves outside the session.

Is this type of offering likely to become a trend?

Going forward I think therapists using the more traditional talking therapies may move into the body-based realm. People are realising there’s more to both healing from trauma and improving your wellbeing than talking therapy. It’s an interesting time for mental health in terms of treatment, with all the research going on around psychedelics, as well as the more spiritual practices, which have always been used in other cultures and are sacred and ritualistic.

What are your plans for Seven Lion Yard? I'd like to do more psychology group work. Creating a therapeutic provision in a group

setting makes it more financially-accessible and there can be some really lovely effects that you miss out on in one-to-one sessions.

Further down the line, we might look at streamed classes to be accessible to more people and I would love to host a retreat offering psychology, breathwork and mindfulness.

What advice do you have for operators who want to support members’ mental health?

Health and fitness operators can play a valuable role in supporting their members’ mental health through somatic interventions such as breathwork, yoga, or mindful movement.

However, it’s essential to approach these practices responsibly and within the scope of their expertise. Operators should focus on general wellness such as

The Seven Lion Yard holistic centre is located in South London

PHOTO: SEVEN LION YARD

Operators should focus on general wellness such as stress reduction and body awareness, rather than attempting to address deeper issues

stress reduction and body awareness, rather than attempting to address deeper mental health issues such as trauma which require specialised training.

Investing in trauma-informed certifications and understanding when to refer participants to qualified mental health professionals is key to ensuring members’ safety and wellbeing.

Creating a safe, inclusive and trauma-informed environment is important to supporting members. This includes offering choices, avoiding physical

touch without consent and using non-judgmental language. Collaborating with mental health professionals for workshops or co-facilitation can add depth and credibility to offerings, while ensuring members receive appropriate support.

By fostering self-care practices, building a referral network, and being transparent about the scope of services, operators can provide meaningful mental health support without overstepping their professional boundaries. l

PHOTO: SEVEN LION

Anthony Geisler is back with Sequel Brands

Former Xponential Fitness

founder and CEO, Anthony Geisler, has been revealed as the founder of new boutique franchisor, Sequel Brands, and has recruited a number of big Xponential names, including Sarah Luna, Verdine Baker and Ryan and Lindsay Junk.

Sequel Brands has four concepts up and running with at least one more on the way.

The mission is to provide ‘innovative, science-backed and community-driven health and

I’m committed to driving meaningful change through bold ideas and alliances

Anthony Geisler

Zinédine

Pilates Addiction has kicked off in West Hollywood using the WundaFormer

wellness concepts that deliver long-term, sustainable results’.

Rapid franchise expansion is already underway in major US cities, with flagship sites opened.

The company is the backer of the recently announced reformer franchise, Pilates Addiction with Sarah Luna at the helm and the portfolio also includes iFlex Stretch Studios

with 23 locations, Beem Light Sauna with 63 and Body20 EMS with five. A statement said Geisler is “committed to driving meaningful change through philanthropy, bold ideas and facilitating alliances. CEO of Xponential, Mark King, is retiring for health reasons.

More: http://lei.sr/5M3V6_H

Zidane is new face of Palace Merano

Palace Merano, the Italian medispa has launched a new Sport Recovery Lab which focuses on exercise and physical recovery while also revealing a tie-up with French football legend, Zinédine Zidane.

Palace Merano is known for its Revital Method, which blends functional, allopathic and energy medicine with Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for preventative care, while also delivering fitness and wellness programmes and cuisine using seasonal ingredients.

Zidane was among the first to experience the Sport Recovery Lab, which is a space dedicated to muscle recovery and rehabilitation for athletes. Going forward, he will support and advise on new wellness programmes.

It’s a place that completely recharges me, where I can truly disconnect and refuel

Zinedine Zidane

Zidane says: “It’s a place that completely recharges me, where I can truly disconnect and refuel. After just one day, I already feel like a new person, thanks to the extraordinary team that has been looking after me for almost 30 years.”

More: http://lei.sr/7t7x3_H

PHOTO:

The Revital Sports and Recovery facilities have just launched

EoS Fitness snapped up by TSG Consumer

Private equity firm, TSG Consumer Partners, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire US-based EoS Fitness.

CEO, Rich Drengberg will retain a vested interest and continue to head the company.

The high value, low cost company has been owned by BRS for 11 years, and during this time it has grown from 16 sites to 175. There are plans to reach 250 locations by 2030 with 28 new sites on the cards for this year. So far this year US$3.2 million has been invested in existing clubs, with plans for a further $14 million this year, mainly focused around introducing the Refresh recovery concept.

Drengberg said: “We’re honoured to partner with TSG

Consumer Partners, that shares our vision to make high-quality fitness available to everyone.

“The team’s experience partnering with leading brands in the industry and helping them deliver long-term value to their customers makes them an ideal partner for our next chapter.

“With TSG Consumer’s support, we look forward to expanding our footprint while delivering exceptional value, experiences and a sense of community to our more than 1.5 million loyal members nationwide.”

“Partnering with EoS at this pivotal point in its journey opens exciting avenues for growth and innovation,” said Michael Layman, MD at TSG Consumer Partners.

More: http://lei.sr/E6U4G_H

Planet Fitness reveals healthy growth in Q1

On announcing its Q1 results, Planet Fitness revealed it’s developing mitigation plans to deal with the potential impact of the Trump tariffs.

The US operator said the exposure is limited at the current level, but during this period of uncertainty it is reiterating expectations of 160 to 170 new club openings for 2025 and increased revenues of approximately 10 per cent.

During the first quarter, year-onyear revenue increased by 11.5 per

cent to US$276.7 million. Nineteen new clubs opened – 16 franchise and three corporate-owned – bringing the estate to 2,741 as of 31 March.

Colleen Keating

“We ended the first quarter with approximately 20.6 million members, an increase of approximately 900,000 from the end of 2024 and we grew system-wide same club sales by 6.1 per cent,” said CEO, Colleen Keating.

“Given the strength and durability of our model, we delivered this healthy growth against a backdrop of increasing volatility in the macroeconomic environment. Our new marketing campaign highlights our increased strength offering and our supportive community environment.”

More: http://lei.sr/a2t6Z_H

We delivered this healthy growth against a backdrop of increasing volatiliy

PHOTO: LANET FITNESS

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK/E MURPHY

PHOTO: BILL TRUSLOW

EoS Fitness is aiming to reach 250 locations by 2030

Planet Fitness expects to open 160 to 170 clubs in 2025

Pillar Wellbeing creates concept for The Round

Awellness-focused mega residential development in London has received full planning consent, with the scheme expected on-site this year and a completion date of 2030.

The Round, at 18 Blackfriars Road in Southwark, London, has been designed by architects Foster + Partners for global real estate developer Hines.

The £2bn (US$2.6bn, €2.3bn) development will cover 1 million sq ft (92,903 sq m) and include wellness features designed to enhance the physical and mental wellbeing of both residents and visitors.

Included are two residential skyscrapers and a third for ‘wellbeingled’ office space for 5,000 people over 45-floors. There will be a 300-seat auditorium, cultural space, a public plaza, retailing and wellness amenities.

Pillar Wellbeing, led by Oli Patrick and Harry Jameson, is driving the development of the

Residential towers will deliver both private and social housing

wellness facilities, collaborating with designers to establish an offering that will address social isolation, depression and anxiety via a wellbeing matrix spanning environment, movement, mindset, social, nutrition and recovery.

These will include hot and cold therapy rooms, napping pods,

digital detox spaces, as well as sports and fitness facilities and activities such as art therapy, breathwork and meditation classes. With a rooftop terrace and garden every three floors, there will be more terraces than any London tower.

More: http://lei.sr/x5J9s_H

The Newman goes all in on fitness and wellness

Details have been revealed for the wellbeing concept for The Newman in London – the first hotel to be operated by new hospitality management company, Kinsfolk and Co.

Slated to open in Q3 this year, the 81-key property will have an entire floor dedicated to wellness.

Wellness at The Newman will have four treatment rooms and a wet area with a Finnish sauna, ice lounge, Himalayan salt room, multi-sensory experience showers and a hydrotherapy plunge pool.

There will also be a fitness studio for yoga and Pilates and a 76sq m gym by Technogym.

“We’re launching The Newman to introduce a reimagined kind of hospitality experience to

We see a gap in the market for high-end hotels that offer a local experience Paul Brackley

London, one that feels thoughtfully connected to its surroundings,” says Paul Brackley, founder and CEO. “At Kinsfolk and Co we see a gap in the market for highend hotels that offer a local, neighbourhood-driven experience.”

More: http://lei.sr/E3r7X_H

PHOTO: THE NEWMAN

The Newman will have a full floor of wellness managed by Kinsfolk and Co

Justin Musgrove to leave Fitness First UK

Justin Musgrove, CEO of Fitness First UK, has announced he is moving on from the company to pursue non-executive and consultancy work.

Musgrove was appointed CEO in September 2023, shortly after a challenging restructuring case, when the court used cross cram down powers to push through rent reductions to save the business from liquidation.

Industry veteran, Musgrove, had just returned from the Middle East where he had been CEO of Leejam and then Core Life for Kun Holdings. Prior to that he was CEO at Bannatyne, where he had overseen a £50 million refresh of the estate.

Known as an effective and dynamic operator, Musgrove set in

motion a premiumisation drive for the Fitness First brand: bringing in higher service standards; EGYM’s AI smart circuit; the HealthHero telehealth service and IV drips, as well as investment across the estate.

The first new club in more than 10 years opened in January in central London, featuring Hyrox and contrast therapy.

Musgrove said: “After nearly two thoroughly enjoyable years at Fitness First, I want to thank Scott Best, his family and all the wonderful people at Fitness First. This journey was always planned to be a relatively short one.

“I leave the company in fantastic hands, in good shape and ready for its next chapter of growth.”

More: http://lei.sr/X9d8r_H

Strong results and more growth for PureGym

Following strong full-year results, PureGym has revealed it’s planning to launch 70 gyms this year, focusing primarily on the opportunities presented in the UK, Switzerland and the US.

“We have a clear strategy for each of our markets,” says CEO, Clive Chesser. “In the UK and Switzerland, we’ll continue to expand and invest in our existing gyms. In Denmark the re-branded, consolidated portfolio is on a good profit trajectory and in the US, the integration of the 56

We have a clear strategy for each of our markets

Clive Chesser

Blink Fitness gyms is well underway.”

As well as the Blink Fitness acquisition, 2024 saw the launch of three franchise gyms in the Middle East and 46 new gyms in other markets, bringing the estate to 680, with more than 2.25 million members: a year on year rise of 21 per cent.

Total investment in the year was £134m, including £48m

in new gyms and £29m in the Danish business to drive growth in profitability. Full year revenue was up 10.2 per cent to £605m.

Chesser says in the UK, he sees a pathway to open over 300 more sites and the USA represents a tremendous opportunity.

More: http://lei.sr/7B2F8_H

PHOTO: PAUL CALVER

PHOTO: JUSTIN MUSGROVE

Justin Musgrove is leaving Fitness First

PureGym has unveiled strong results for 2024 and insights into global growth plans

Active IQ to launch a wellbeing qualification

Active IQ is preparing to launch a Level 3, nested wellbeing qualification that covers coaching for positive behavioural change, mental resilience and lifestyle programming.

The guided learning for the diploma totals 270 hours and any one module gives CPD credits. Completion of modules one to four leads to a certificate and individuals will be awarded with a diploma in Health and Wellbeing Coaching if they complete all six.

Coaches will be informed on how to build mental resilience in their clients

Wellbeing coaches will be trained in behaviour change

Module five covers working with people living in larger bodies and there is potential for this to be spun off as a standalone unit to inform coaches who work with people taking GLP-1 medications.

Wellbeing consultant and resilience expert, Dr Glenda Rivoallan, has written the qualification and is

excited about its potential: “The qualification is designed to inform coaches on how they can build mental resilience and wellbeing in clients in order to help them thrive. We also cover the scientific evidence of the approaches used.”

More: http://lei.sr/A9K5j_H

Places Leisure dives into social prescribing

In a drive to target hard-toreach groups, Places Leisure has introduced a team of social prescriber link workers as part of its Healthy Communities strategy.

The new team is establishing close links with Northumberland County Council’s Public Health team and will be an additional resource to support the current social prescribing network, ensuring residents get access to the right activity to fit their needs.

Alison Elsender has joined from the NHS to head up the team. Having previously worked in the prison and probation service, with unemployed people and those living with addictions, she has experience of working with hard-to-reach and hard-to-engage groups.

“Cost is a common barrier,” she says, “but there’s also a big issue around having the confidence to come into our leisure centres.

“People with serious mental health issues and offenders tend to have access to a lot of support, it’s the people with the low level problems who tend to miss out the most.”

Elsender says she’ll be looking to make the exercise referral process more streamlined and support people through the process, even if that means meeting them at the leisure centre for their first appointment. In Northumberland, which is rural, more activities will be taken out into the community and Elsender will be identifying those opportunities.

More: http://lei.sr/h5A2C_H

Dr Glenda Rivoallan

PHOTO: PLACES LEISURE

Alison Elsender is heading up the Places Leisure social prescribing team

Moving Communities incorporates the Wellby

The Moving Communities social value dashboard has been updated to enable more powerful reporting around the value of participation in physical activity.

One of the changes is the addition of Wellby Standard methodology (WELLBY) that quantifies an individual’s subjective wellbeing on a score from 0 to 10, in response to the question: “Overall, how satisfied are you with your life nowadays.”

As well as the inclusion of the Wellby, the new model includes

For the first time we distinguish between the value to individuals and society

Moving Communities is using the Wellby standard to calculate the value to people

updated health outcomes; the social cost of inequalities value; the most recently available evidence and the latest guidance for measuring and valuing social impact from the UK government’s HM Treasury.

Jack Shakespeare, director of strategic projects at 4Global says: “The updated Moving Communities

Social Value dashboard marks a step-change in how we measure the impact of sport and physical activity. For the first time, we distinguish between the value to individuals – through improved wellbeing – and the value to society.”

More: http://lei.sr/P8Q2k_H

Work starts on Caerphilly wellbeing hub

Work is underway on a £38m leisure and wellbeing hub in Caerphilly, Wales, transforming an area of disused scrub land into a vibrant community hub.

Part of the Caerphilly Town 2035 placemaking regeneration plan, £20m of the project funds have been secured through the government’s Levelling Up Fund with the remainder are being covered by reserves held by Caerphilly County Borough Council.

Facilities will include a six-lane swimming pool and wet play area, a state-of-the-art health suite, a comprehensive fitness suite, two flexible studio spaces, a group cycle studio, two squash courts and a power-assisted wellness suite.

There will also be a café, a large adventure play facility, a TAGactive Arena, lounge area, two flexible consultation rooms, and a dedicated social space for community groups. All facilities will be fully accessible, including the swimming pool.

Alliance Leisure has been appointed by Caerphilly County Borough Council, overseeing the project through the UK Leisure Framework, owned and managed by Denbighshire Leisure Limited.

“The Alliance team has been working with the council on this project since 2022 so it is fantastic to finally see a vision being turned into a reality” says Julia Goddard, regional director, Alliance Leisure.

More: http://lei.sr/Q2H5C_H

Jack Shakespeare

PHOTO: WATSON BATTY PHOTO:

Architects, Watson Batty, have designed Caerphilly’s new wellbeing hub

Whoop launches “clinician in the pocket”

Whoop has unveiled a new upgrade which offers clinical grade insights along with actionable recommendations.

It is the first wearable to monitor blood pressure, giving around the clock readings for an accurate picture. Added to this, it tracks the heart’s electrical activity and can take on demand ECG readings, as well as screen for heart issues, such as atrial fibrillation.

Other features include Healthspan, which informs the user if they are doing behaviours that will work against their health and longevity goals and gives them recommendations.

Menstrual cycles are also tracked so women can understand how they’re affected by their hormones.

In other news, Solidcore, which offers a strength training workout on a reformer, has partnered with Whoop, to enable members to track their workouts.

Solidcore workouts are now trackable via Whoop wearables

This is in response to Solidcore members being frustrated at not being able to log their workouts on wearable devices, as the slow, controlled movements don’t trigger the same heart rate spikes as traditional strength or cardio workouts, despite being strenuous with participants pushing to failure.

Solidcore master coach, Louisa Glynne, says: “Whoop has transformed my understanding of strength training and puts figures to the feelings. Seeing my strain and recovery data eliminates the guesswork in recovery.”

More: http://lei.sr/A9y7Z_H

Freeletics and Decathlon to launch new range

Global sports retailer, Decathlon, has partnered with fitness app, Freeletics, to offer a training solution that combines a new range of equipment and AI-generated coaching for a personalised experience.

Decathlon – which has 1,750 stores worldwide, selling a wide range of exercise and sports products – identified that almost 70 per cent of the users of fitness equipment purchased in its outlets don’t know how to use it properly or integrate it effectively into their routine. As a result, almost 50 per cent reduce or abandon their training after just three months.

The five-year partnership will see the launch of equipment branded as Decathlon x Freeletics, which comes

with Freeletics programming. Those buying the equipment will either get a free three-month subscription, or a 50 per cent off Freeletics subscription (from Q2 2025).

The first product is a pack of three training bands and by the end of 2026, more than 100 fitness products will benefit from this equipment and coaching offer.

Freeletics – which has a presence in 175 countries –will adapt its training to the equipment and Decathlon will fine-tune its product offering to meet the needs of the users.

Going forward, the goal is to expand the sports practices, products and coaching on offer.

More: http://lei.sr/q9F8Z_H

PHOTO: DECATHLON/FREELETICS

PHOTO: SOLIDCORE

Freeletics is teaming up with Decathlon on a product range

Define your strength, fitness and functional training zones with one of our anti-slip rubber floor coverings or maybe utilise our bespoke, seamless polyurethane surfaces to transform your health and wellbeing spaces.

Whatever your flooring requirements are we can help to create exceptional training environments for your members.

PHYSICAL AND COGNITIVE ASSESSMENT:

MIND

BODY COMPOSITION

MOBILITY

BALANCE

STRENGTH

CARDIO

Jordi Bella

At Synergym, profi tability is underpinned by an exclusively organic growth strategy. Its managing director speaks to Kate Cracknell

Tell us about your model

Before we look at the specifics it’s important to acknowledge what’s happened in the Spanish fitness market over recent years, with a very significant rise in the number of youngsters coming in. Ten years ago, the average age of Synergym members was 35–40 years. Now it’s 30.

So, what are these young people looking for? They’re looking for value for money, which breaks down into ‘value’ and ‘money’.

We aim to deliver on both by offering highly affordable, all-inclusive prices ranging from €20-30 a month. There are no tricks, no commitments, no contracts or joining fees. Just a flexible, member-friendly approach that’s suited to the needs and expectations of young people.

We also deliver on value, partnering with Technogym and Life Fitness to install premium equipment across all our gyms. Each club also offers

50-plus live group exercise classes a week across five categories: endurance, cross-training, dance, mind-body and cycling. All classes are signature programmes designed by our R&D department.

Our gym design and installation are incredibly high-quality, with a club-in-club feel across our distinct training zones: strength, free weights, cross-training, cardio and live classes. Each zone – and the programming offered within it – is designed to target a specific member persona, ensuring every profile and age group is catered for.

Finally, we have a very strong focus on staff training and education, so our team can support all members – especially new joiners – in getting the results they want.

What size are your clubs?

Our model is based on 1,000sq m premises, typically in urban areas, with 2,000 – 3,000

PHOTO:

We have the most profitable business model in the industry. We can deliver up to 50 per cent EBITDA margins

members per club. Members normally live or work within walking distance of the club. So ours aren’t huge facilities, but we focus a lot of time and resources into optimising the layout. Efficiency Ratio is an important KPI that sits at the heart of our planning for any new club. What I mean by this is that we measure what percentage of a club’s total square meterage is devoted to fitness, looking to maximise this as far as possible. This allows us to maximise the number of members who can use the club at any one time and, in turn, maximise the EBITDA.

What are your USPs in this segment?

The value segment has grown rapidly in Spain, with ourselves, VivaGym and BasicFit the key players. However, I believe Synergym has some strong USPs.

We see plenty of white space to grow by 40–50 clubs a year for the next seven or eight years

The model is based on fitness facilities of 1,000sq m

There's growing awareness in Spain about healthy lifestyles

Operationally, we can talk about the quality of our equipment and our group exercise offering. We can talk about zones and programming that target specific member personas. We can talk about our lack of contracts and joining fees. These are some of the key differentiators that allow us to believe we offer the best value for money.

If we then look from a business point of view, Synergym’s growth is 100 per cent organic. This is a very deliberate strategy on our part: we don’t do acquisitions and we don’t do franchising. Organic growth allows us to maintain the same quality across our entire chain.

In turn, this enables two things. First, it allows us to always deliver the best value and service to our members without any tweaks or improvisation. We have a clear business model that we repeat in each new location. Of course we keep learning, improving the process and the method, but at this point everything is fairly automated.

Second, it means we have the most profitable business model in the industry. We can deliver up

Synergym in numbers

Number of clubs 125

Number of members 250,000

Projected growth 40–50 clubs a year

Revenues

€49.1m

(forecast) €70m

EBITDA

€17.1m 2025 (forecast) €25m

EBITDA per club Up to 50 per cent

NPS

70 per cent

PHOTO: SYNERGYM

to 50 per cent EBITDA margins in each club and even remained profitable throughout the pandemic.

In February, this profitability – along with our strong growth plans – saw us become the first value fitness chain in Spain to raise financing from the traditional, highly risk-averse banks: a €70m syndicated financing agreement led by Banco Santander.

Tell us about your growth plans.

We’re in replication mode, repeating what we know works: 1,000sq m premises in urban areas with the correct population density and so on. It’s a model that enables us to operate successfully both in the big cities such as Madrid and Barcelona and in smaller cities starting at 40,000 population.

We now operate in every region of Spain and are well-structured to grow here. While we believe our business model could work perfectly in other markets, our focus will be on Spain for the foreseeable future.

When I joined in 2018, we had 10 gyms. We now have 125 and expect to end 2025 with

160. We then plan to reach 200 locations by the end of 2026 and see plenty of white space to continue to grow by 40–50 clubs a year for the next seven or eight years.

So, we’re planning for substantial growth: we took 10 years to grow from one to 100 clubs and will take just two years to go from 100 to 200. All that said, 40 clubs a year is similar to what we’ve already achieved over the last two years. We’re well set-up for rapid growth.

Financially, we’re in a very healthy position to grow. In addition to the new support from Santander and the banking syndicate, we have very supportive shareholders. Founders Sergey Miteyko and Leonard Lvovich remain majority shareholders and are involved if not day-to-day, then week-to-week and in all major decisions. Along with our other shareholders – Growth Partner, Oxy Capital and All Seas Capital – they have supported and helped us continue to improve our business plan.

Then there’s the market opportunity in Spain, especially in the value-for-money segment – for

Synergym is now present in all regions of Spain

Synergym’s growth is 100 per cent organic. We don’t do acquisitions and we don’t do franchising

our model, there’s huge opportunity: there are big cities in Spain, but also a lot of cities with populations of 40,000 through to 70,000 where our business model will work very well.

The key is how we leverage our strong position to take advantage of this opportunity – and that’s all about our organisation. We have a huge focus on operations. We’re results-orientated, data-driven and highly structured with clear protocols and a ‘make things happen’ culture. When we open a new club, every department and every position in the company knows exactly what needs to be done.

My expectation is that the business model and systems will just keep getting better and better, allowing us to open more clubs with better results every time.

We're forecasting growth in revenues from €49.1m at the end of 2024 to €70m by the end of

2025 and EBITDA growth from €17.1m to €25m. Our existing clubs are already mature, so while there will be some like-for-like increase, the main driver of this growth will be new openings.

How big is the opportunity in Spain?

We believe there’s space for approximately 1,500 gyms in the value segment in Spain, with only around 700 open at the moment. So, there’s a lot of white space.

This market opportunity is being driven by a number of trends, the first being the growth in fitness penetration: over recent years, we’ve seen penetration grow from 10 to 12 per cent and expect that growth to continue over the coming years.

That’s partly because people are more aware of the importance of fitness in leading

We’re results-orientated, data-driven, highly structured with a ‘make things happen’ culture

a healthy life – the market will grow itself –but it’s also down to the growth of the value segment. So as long as the value for money segment grows, market penetration will also grow; if you’re new to fitness, value for money gyms will likely be your entry point.

At the moment, the value segment accounts for around 20 per cent of the Spanish fitness market, but we see that figure growing to 30 per cent in the coming months and years. It’s a winning model: it attracts newcomers to exercise, caters to people’s preferences for flexibility and affordability and even works during a recession.

Additionally, the Spanish market is currently quite fragmented and will likely follow other more mature markets in consolidating. While Synergym will continue with its organic-only growth strategy, we see the value segment as a whole benefiting from this consolidation.

Are you investing in your existing clubs?

We have a dedicated team for new openings, so we don’t ever have to divert resources from existing clubs. They are effectively separate capsules.

Our key departments – operations, product, service, training – all focus exclusively on our existing clubs. Our growth never gets in the way

of evolving our business model, improving the equipment or layout in our clubs, developing our class offering or enhancing our members’ digital experiences. We continually improve the member experience in our existing clubs, with the result that our Net Promoter Score is 70.

Our main focus recently has been on enhancing our offering in strength, free weights and cross-training, creating larger and more prominent areas. There's been a real boom in interest here, not only from young people but from members of all ages. Our various programmes ensure there's something for everyone, helping our members incorporate more strength training for their health and wellbeing.

Any more secrets to success?

Our founders created a very clear business model from the outset – one that has been brilliantly executed ever since, with great agility and a culture of making things happen. Success comes from that winning combination.

Our main challenge now is to keep this up as we grow. If we're able to maintain this management style, attracting great people to HQ and to our clubs, we'll have all the ingredients we need to continue to succeed. l

PHOTO: SYNERGYM

Everyone’s talking about

Generation Anxious

The mental health of our young people is in crisis and the fitness and sports industries have the power to help. Kath Hudson reports

During the pandemic there was a 300 per cent increase in eating disorders in the UK and a recent report published in The Lancet shows an alarming increase in hospitalisations among young people – especially teenage girls – for eating disorders and self harm. If we don’t take decisive action now, the next statistic we’re going to be up against is a spike in young people taking their own lives, or dying from starvation.

Eating disorders are more prevalent in athletes than the general population and according to the University of Loughborough, 20 per cent of athletes suffer, compared with 1 to 2 per cent of the general population, making this especially relevant to our sector.

There’s a great deal that the physical activity sector could do to deliver positive change. Importantly, fitness professionals need to know enough to not exacerbate the problem and be trained to recognise the signs of disordered training and food restriction and then feel confident to make an intervention and signpost to expert help.

In many ways, eating disorders are incredibly complex, which is why education is needed, however, they are also quite simple. They can grow from a feeling of not being enough, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy and even self-hatred. They end when the

individual allows themselves to feel they are enough, so they can love themselves out of the darkness.

Helping members believe they’re enough is something fitness professionals could do. In turn management and owners can support their own staff in making them feel enough too.

Although people often join gyms because they want to make a change in their life, anything gyms can do to foster self-acceptance can have far reaching benefits, especially among young people whose self-perception is increasingly likely to have been warped by social media.

Why are these shocking statistics occurring? What can operators do to help? We ask the experts…

There’s a great deal that the physical activity sector could do to deliver positive change

PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK / DRAZEN

Almost 40,000 children are admitted to general hospital wards every year in the UK for acute mental illness

Excessive exercising could be one sign of an eating disorder

Tim Jack Adams

Founder. GreenX7

Igrew up in a time before smartphones and social media – before filters, likes and endless scrolling.

Born in 1982, my world existed within my local community. Life was lived outdoors, friendships were face-to-face and comparison didn’t stretch across the globe, it stopped at the end of your street.

Sure, there were challenges – bullies existed then too – but when the day ended, you could come home, shut the door and feel safe.

Now imagine being a teenager who has never really known that kind of peace.

Tim Jack Adams

Today’s youth carry their critics in their pockets. Their value is measured by views, not by the depth of their character. Their influencers are untouchable, their self-worth filtered and their nervous systems constantly activated by a world that never switches off.

It’s no wonder we’re facing a youth mental health crisis. Almost 40,000 children are admitted to general hospital wards every year for acute mental illness. That’s not just alarming, it’s heartbreaking. But there is hope and I believe it starts with us. As leaders in the fitness industry, we’re in a unique position. We don’t just help people look good, we help them feel. We provide community, consistency and connection and right now, that connection might just be the most important thing we offer.

Connection fosters belonging, it creates meaning, makes young people feel seen and valued beyond their appearance or achievements. Sometimes it’s as simple as asking, “How are you, really?” and sticking around for the answer. It’s putting our phones down and being fully present, inviting them into spaces that build them up not tear them down.

Let’s not just model physical strength, let’s model emotional resilience, vulnerability and realness, because when we show up like that, we give permission for the next generation to do the same.

Let’s help them remember happiness isn’t something you scroll to find, it’s something you feel when you’re truly connected to yourself, to others and to real life. Let’s create an environment that says, I see you and I hear you.

EATING DISORDERS

What to look out for

Spending a lot of time thinking about food, weight or body shape

Becoming stressed or anxious when they aren’t able to do as much exercise as they think they should

Irritability and low mood

Excessively counting calories or restricting their diet

Binge eating

Excessive exercising

If you’re working with someone who’s disclosed that they’ve had an eating disorder, BEAT recommends having an open conversation with them before you start training or coaching them. You can ask questions such as:

What kind of impact does exercise have on you, and why are you interested in participating in exercise now?

What are your triggers?

What do you do to look after yourself, and how can I support you in that?

We’d encourage those working in the fitness industry to engage with eating disorder and nutrition specialists

Tom Quinn Director of External Affairs, Eating disorder charity, BEAT

The relationship between exercise and eating disorders is complex and while not every person will struggle with exercise as part of their illness, it’s important to recognise that over-exercising can be a symptom. When someone has an eating disorder, decisions around exercise should always be made with the input of a medical professional. Many people who are unwell will be asked to stop exercising, but some can develop a more positive relationship with exercise when further along in their recovery journey.

Eating disorders don’t have a ‘look’ and can affect anyone, regardless of gender or background. We estimate that around one in four people with eating disorders are male, and the majority of eating disorders don’t cause weight loss.

If you think somebody you’re working with is unwell, we’d recommend reaching out sensitively.

Around one in four people with eating disorders are male

Tom Quinn

Have a plan for what you want to say and arrange for a private place to speak. Try to avoid talking to them before, during or after mealtimes as these tend to be particularly stressful for people with eating disorders. Don’t focus on weight or food – instead, you should focus on their changes in behaviour and sensitively express concern for their wellbeing. It’s also very important that you know where to direct them for help. Anyone who thinks they may have an eating disorder should contact their GP as soon as possible. Fitness and nutrition are complex, and everybody will have a different relationship with their food and body. We’d encourage those working in the fitness industry to engage with eating disorder and nutrition specialists who could help with understanding how to support people.

Recovery is always possible and we’d like to reiterate the importance of encouraging people you think may be unwell to speak to their GP. Advice and resources on how to speak to a medical professional about eating disorders and what to do if a person is being denied care they’re entitled to are available on the BEAT website at www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk.

Suggested code of conduct for health club operators

Fitness professionals should receive training in how to spot eating disorders or overtraining and how to intervene

Under-18s should join in-person, not online, with a parent/caregiver present so the gym has their contact details and the permission to contact them with any concerns

Operators should demonstrate a duty of care towards young people and forge more than a transactional relationship with them. Fitness professionals should monitor their training, how often they are coming and look out for signs of overtraining and undereating

If there are any concerns, the operator should speak to the young person and the caregivers. Anyone suffering from an eating disorder is likely to be in denial, and potentially defensive, so it’s important that caregivers are made aware, signposted to agencies who can help and encouraged to engage with GPs and ask for a referral to the local eating disorder service as soon as possible. The waiting lists are long and once eating disorders take hold there can be a swift deterioration

Have awareness posters in the club – for example on toilet doors about the signs and where to go for help

Invite experts in to give awareness talks

Do whatever you can to let young people feel they are enough

Make sure recovery and relaxation is built into their programme

Coach young people in tools to cope with anxiety, for example the physiological sigh – a long inhale through the nose, topped up by another short inhale and then a long exhale through the mouth

The industry should call out the fitfluencers spewing out harmful ideas and creating unrealistic standards

Cerian Harries

Former elite swimmer and campaigner for eating disorder awareness

DEating disorders take away your sense of self and change who you are work

uring lockdown, when I was waiting to see a gynaecologist because my periods had stopped and I couldn’t allow myself to eat a piece of my 18th birthday cake, I finally accepted the fact that I had an issue with overtraining and undereating. I reached out to my strength and conditioning coach and he adapted his PT skills to help me gain weight and work on my mental health to get over my fear of food. He literally saved my life.

At the time I was very underweight but I was convinced I was really fat and that eating would slow me down in the pool. I always felt sad and my relationships were breaking down with my family, who were very worried about me. I felt like I was losing my identity – eating disorders take away your sense of self and change who you are.

My eating disorder awareness video shows what goes on behind the scenes in many elite sports. It can be a toxic environment where many athletes just feel like a number to get results, which in turn makes you feel like you’re not enough and that feeling of unworthiness is at the root of eating disorders.

Elite sport is a highly competitive environment and you are praised if you’re lean and driven. Athletes do whatever their coaches say, but many coaches are outdated with their knowledge, especially around female physiology. Until education and safeguarding is put in place no sport is entirely immune to these kinds of problems.

Swimming had always been my safe place, but it was also the place that was causing me harm. I didn’t realise it at the time, but I was always so drained and kept getting colds. As athletes we keep pushing through even when our bodies are screaming at us to stop. The hunger gave me a feeling of power. I felt like if I could ignore it then I could do anything. There was something comforting about being hungry, especially given the intense feelings of guilt, shame and fear I felt about eating. Sometimes it would take an hour to convince myself to eat a meal and then the guilt and shame could go on for a whole day, or sometimes two. I think the rise in eating disorders has a lot to do with social media, as well as unrealistic expectations and standards around body image. Social

like then being shame and

Cerian Harries

PHOTO: CERIAN HARRIES

media can be good, because there are people out there trying to raise awareness and share their stories to create change, but there’s also the darker side where eating disorders are glamorised.

Education must be focused on the coaches, as they have power and influence and this needs to go hand in hand with action. We also need national governing bodies to recognise the issues that are going on and not just brush them under the carpet until something really bad happens and they are forced to change.

For the fitness industry, the emphasis should be put on health and strength and sustainable habits

The National Eating Disorders Association has a toolkit to help coaches and trainers understand how to support clients with eating disorders. www.nationaleatingdisorders.org

urtherhel p

Chartered Physiotherapists in Mental Health has produced a leaflet with information around exercise and how to judge when exercise is becoming compulsive. www.hcmmag.com/PEDPM

The BEAT website has helpful resources and the helpline is open from 3pm to 8pm every weekday. www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk

Harries says her swimming coach ‘literally saved her life’

rather than a quick fix. I’m glad to see there is now more messaging about women being strong and powerful and not the smallest version of themselves. I think certainly we have better role models than I ever had when I was growing up. Now I’ve stepped away from elite swimming I really enjoy Crossfit and the community aspect of it and just doing sport for enjoyment. I track my strength progress in the gym to see if I’m getting stronger, but I won’t count anything else. I stopped wearing a watch when I was recovering to stop the constant fixation on how many calories I’d burned. ●

FABULOUS FIBO

Celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, FIBO welcomed visitors, exhibitors and stakeholders to Cologne, Germany recently, as Kath Hudson reports

FIBO, the world’s biggest trade show for health, fitness and wellness, saw nearly 155,000 visitors arrive from 129 countries to experience the latest innovations in fitness and wellness and attend conference sessions which were packed with more than 80 presentations.

The energy of the show was off the charts – so many inspiring speakers, so many enthusiastic exhibitors, so many fit people running around the Hyrox hall. A real showcase of innovation, purpose and the desire to do good.

Founded in 1985 by bodybuilder, Kurt Thelen and judo champion, Volker Ebener, FIBO has come a long way since the first show, which had 79 exhibitors and an emphasis on body building.

FIBO is an acronym of FI tness and BOdybuilding and while expanding into many different areas, the show has stayed true to its roots by continuing to host competitions for amateurs and professionals.

Event director, Silke Frank, said FIBO 2025 set new standards, with international policymakers using

it to address key topics. One example is Antoaneta Angelova-Krasteva, director for innovation, digital education and international co-operation at the European Commission, who spoke at the opening press conference, acknowledging the importance of sport and physical activity for health and business, economic growth, creating jobs and driving innovation through digital technologies.

European Health and Fitness Forum

‘Growing the health and fitness sector together’ was the theme of this year’s EuropeActive European Health and Fitness Forum (EHFF), which took place the day before FIBO.

GoFit’s Steve Ward welcomed 560 delegates to the 12th iteration of the event, thanking outgoing EuropeActive president, David Stalker and welcomed interim president, Basic-Fit’s Marcel Boots.

Stalker co-chaired the event with paralympian, Denise Schindler who later in the day awarded

Event director, Silke Frank, said FIBO 2025 set new standards, with international policymakers using it to address key topics host

Dave Stalker, co-chair, EHFF

is global media partner of

two industry awards, one to EGYM founder, Philipp Roesch-Schlanderer – the 2025 Rainer Schaller Entrepreneurship Award recipient and the other to Michelle Dand from David Lloyd, who received the EuropeActive Citizenship Award.

Latest research

The conference kicked off with Karsten Hollasch from Deloitte and EuropeActive’s Herman Rutgers, presenting insights from the 2025 European Health and Fitness Market Report (see HCM ’s report on page 54).

The new study includes operator case studies, as well as city-specific reports of major capitals across Europe including Paris, Milan and London. Regional cities, such as Manchester UK, were also included.

Sondre Gravir, CEO of SATS and Rebecca Passmore, COO of PureGym then took to the stage to discuss growing the health and fitness sector.

Gravir spoke about the industry uniting behind a shared purpose: “We’re not competitors, we can work together to grow the market,” he said. “It’s much more fun to talk about how we can unite to stimulate growth than it is to compete – 20 per cent market penetration is just the beginning.”

Gravir and Passmore spoke about the Nordic countries having a higher IQ around fitness than

‘Growing the health and fitness sector together’ was the theme of this year’s EuropeActive European Health and Fitness Forum

other countries, with the government being more vocal about the benefits of exercise, which fuels demand, especially in older people.

Ben Roth CEO of Urban Sports Club; Doron Dickman CEO of Holmes Place; Michelle Dand and Jarett Perelmutter, senior VP at Purpose Brands, then joined HCM editor, Liz Terry, for a panel on boutiques.

Budget boutiques were identified as a trend, while the enduring popularity of club-in-club boutiques, such as David Lloyd’s Blaze and Spirit were also discussed. Holmes Place incorporates sister brands TRIB3 and PILAT3s in its offering and Dickman said: “We don’t want our members to feel they have to have a number of memberships, but aim to provide everything under one roof. We’re not educating the market, but responding to it.”

Dand said a mix of two or three modalities makes the boutique model more robust and also gives the option of switching one out if it loses popularity.

Hyrox ran alongside all four days of FIBO

PHOTO: FIBO

Fireside chat

David Stalker had a fireside chat with the CEO of Purpose Brands, Tom Leverton who talked about Purpose Brands being made up of 7,000 ‘laboratories’ in the form of its studios.

“Each of our locations is doing business somewhat differently, so we ask how can we take those best practices and apply them everywhere?” he explained.

Next, Brian Robinson from Havas, gave an overview of GLP-1s, saying they’re here to stay. “Thirty per cent of Equinox members are already using them. The industry is predicted to have a global market value of US$470 billion by 2030 and innovations are coming down the line, including pill versions and injections which only have to be taken once a month instead of weekly,” he said.

Lucien Engelen, CEO of TransformHealth, wrapped up the day with a talk on how tech can create a more personalised approach to medicine and healthcare and how the fitness industry should be targeting health.

Just 20 per cent of health is a result of our DNA, he revealed. Postcode accounts for 22 per cent and behaviour for 37 per cent, so there’s an enormous amount people can do to change their health outcomes and the industry can do to support them. More at www.HCMmag.com/EHFF2025

Longevity and Hospitality Summit

As the fitness industry converges with wellness, for the first time a Longevity and Hospitality Summit ran alongside the FIBO exhibition, organised by FIBO’s Anke Brendt.

For the first time a Longevity and Hospitality Summit ran alongside the FIBO exhibition and conference programme

Among the speakers were futurist John Sanei, who spoke about the importance of meditation in upgrading the mind and how catastrophising about the future hardwires the brain with a negativity bias. He said longevity is not about supplements, but about state.

He pointed to transformative hospitality as a trend, where guests “arrive as person A and leave as person B.”

Dr George Gatainos from Chenot Health and Wellness retreats spoke about its sleep rooms which have been designed to be insulated from noise, feature nature sounds to help people sleep and a sun on the ceiling to help them wake up naturally, as well as technology to measure sleep.

Sleep was also addressed by Mia Kyricos, CEO of Kyricos and Associates, who said the global sleep economy is worth US$538 billion, including products such as sleep tech and supplements, while wellness tourism is worth US$830 billion.

Noise pollution, light exposure, uncomfortable temperatures and bedding were the crimes frequently committed by hospitality operators, Kyricos said.

Kevin Ebener and Kurt Thelen

The offi cial cake of FIBO’s 40th birthday is cut by co-founder, Kurt Thelen

PHOTO: LIZ TERRY

PHOTO: FIBO-WACHENFELD

FIBO 2026 will run from 16 - 19 April in Cologne, Germany

For the third year, FIBO organisers, RX Germany, celebrated exceptional young women in the industry with the RX Female Award

In the Future Forum, clinical director of Pillar, Oli Patrick, said that while fitness is the foundation of wellbeing, there are so many other elements which impact health: quality of light and air, the environments we spend our time in, the people we are surrounded by and how we think about ourselves.

RX Female Award

For the third year, FIBO celebrated exceptional young women with the RX Female Award. HCM editor, Liz Terry, was one of the judges and the ceremony took place at the FIBO Ladies’ Lunch on 11 April. This year’s category of Youngster went to Frances Weber, co-founder of Femnetc, which creates scientifically-backed sports and nutrition concepts tailored to the female menstrual cycle.

Anna Martin-Niedecken, CEO and founder of Sphery AG, took the Role Model award. Her creation, ExerCube is a concept that combines gaming with physical and cognitive training to stimulate both the mind and body.

“The RX Female Award is more than just recognition – it’s a powerful statement for female empowerment in the fitness economy,” said Frank. “In an ever-evolving industry, we need women who are bold, who set new standards, and who uplift others. That’s exactly what these winners represent.”

COO of Leejam, Shaden Alsagri, gave an inspirational talk about her journey to the top: being one of just three women in a company with 3,000 men when she joined, she was reliant on men for mentorship and now wants to be a role model for other women in Middle East. ● FIBO 2026 will run from 16-19 April. www.FIBO.com More on FIBO Arabia at: www.hcmmag.com/FIBOArabia

The group fitness stage was busy all show

Judges, winners and supporters of the RX Female Award at FIBO 2025

PHOTO: FIBO

ALL RISE

The EuropeActive and Deloitte 2025 report fi nds price increases and expansion are driving growth in the European fi tness sector. Kath Hudson reports

Memberships of health clubs in Europe increased by almost four million in 2024 and revenues by 10 per cent.

These are the findings of the 2025 European Health and Fitness Market Report (EHFMR) from EuropeActive and Deloitte, which were presented recently at the European Health and Fitness Forum in Cologne, Germany.

The growth in memberships from 67.7 million in 2023 to 71.6 million in 2024, was driven in part by large increases in the UK, which now has 11.5 million members (an increase of 6.1 per cent); Germany (11.7 million, up 3.6 per cent) and Spain (6.2 million an 8.7 per cent rise.)

Total European revenues increased by around 10 per cent to €36bn in 2024, including the UK (€6.7bn, up by 11.8 per cent); Germany (€5.8bn, a 7 per cent increase) and Spain (€2.6bn, plus 11.1 per cent).

This increase was mainly driven by a combination of additional price increases that were implemented in response to ongoing inflationary pressures, along with growth in the number of clubs and a significant rise in memberships.

Business is good

There was a two per cent increase in the number of clubs, to 64,000. This upward trend is also evident in the positive business climate among European operators. In January 2025, 80 percent of all European operators surveyed for the report rated their current business situation as good, which is a 20 per cent improvement on January 2023.

Kath Hudson

A clear trend can be observed towards greater health awareness within the population

In terms of membership, the top three operators remain Basic-Fit (4.2 million), PureGym (around 2 million) and RSG Group (1.8 million). Basic-Fit generated the most revenue (€1.2bn), followed by David Lloyd Leisure (€1bn) and PureGym (€695m).

The top 20 health and fitness operators collectively generated a total of €7.4bn in

The top 20 fitness operators collectively generated €7.4bn in revenue in 2024 –a 15 per cent increase

revenue during 2024 – a 15 per cent increase –with club membership up by almost 1.5 million to 18.8 million (an 8 per cent increase).

A record number of merger and acquisition transactions were also completed.

The three largest deals by club volume included the acquisition of Germany’s LifeFit Group (140 fitness clubs) by financial investor Waterland Private Equity; the sale of VivaGym Group (104 fitness clubs) to Providence Equity Partners, as well as the acquisition of operator Altafit (70 fitness clubs in Spain) by VivaGym Group.

Overall the penetration rate was up by 0.5 per cent to 8.9 per cent of the total population, and 10.6 per cent of the population over the age of 15 (10.1 per cent in 2023).

Since the penetration rate in the US is 23.7 per cent of people over the age of six, these numbers illustrate the growth potential for the sector.

Waterland’s acquisition of LifeFit Group was the biggest deal of 2024

David Lloyd generated the second highest revenue at €1bn in 2024

PHOTO: DAVID LLOYD LEISURE

Consumer interest is growing

Consumer research conducted on a sample of 13,000 people in 19 countries in January 2025, confirmed that while participation in home and outdoor fitness among regular fitness practitioners has decreased by two and five per cent respectively, club-based exercise is up two per cent on the previous year.

This year location ranked as the most important factor when choosing a gym, ahead of price. This reverses last year’s order and suggests consumers across Europe feel inflationary pressures are easing, or they have become accustomed to them.

Results from the UK study (UK Health and Fitness Market Report , by UK Active and Deloitte) found price still leads over location in the UK.

More respondents without a regular fitness routine indicated a strong desire for improvement in their physical and emotional wellbeing and those who consider themselves to be in very good physical health scored 30 per cent higher on the wellbeing scale than those without a regular fitness routine.

A clear trend can be observed towards greater health awareness within the population, with the fitness industry increasingly valued for physical and also mental health and wellbeing. As a result, many chains are broadening their services to incorporate wellbeing and recovery options, reflecting a shift towards a more holistic approach.

New in the report this year is the inclusion of an analysis of the industry in major cities in Europe. The 150-page report includes a full description of key operators and key countries.

A record number of M&A transactions were completed. The three largest were LifeFit Group, VivaGym Group and Altafit

Herman Rutgers, EuropeActive ambassador and co-author of the report says: “Based on the growth shown in our research and the outlook for 2025 and beyond – as expressed by the operators we interviewed – we’re confident of reaching EuropeActive’s ambition of getting to 100 million members of health and fitness facilities across Europe by 2030.” l More: www.HCMmag.com/EHFMR2025

Footnote: The launch of the European report follows the publication of the 2025 UK Health and Fitness Market Report, from UK Active in partnership with Deloitte, 4Global and Sport England. www.HCMmag.com/UKHFMR2025

VivaGym Group’s 104 clubs were sold to Providence in 2024

Membership of a health club is strongly linked to physical activity, with 33 per cent of non-members classed as ‘inactive’, compared to 3 per cent of members

Market intelligence

Leaders from across the sector gathered with city analysts and media in London recently for the launch of the UK Health and Fitness Market Report from UK Active.

The report was created by bringing together data, expertise and partners to deliver the sector’s most authoritative source of market intelligence.

It’s not a one-off publication, but will serve as an annual benchmark, enabling year-on-year comparisons and deeper analysis over time.

The launch event was hosted by Deloitte, which conducted the analysis behind the new report and also produces EuropeActive’s European Health and Fitness Market Report

These two industry studies enable operators to understand quarterly trends across the UK and Europe, helping them benchmark and track their performance, which can ultimately help refine strategies and improve member engagement and retention.

A new report for the UK market

The UK Health and Fitness Market Report covers the calendar year 2024 and data was collected from operations of all sizes, from multinational chains

The new UK Health and Fitness Market Report shows positive growth and increasing consumer demand, as UK Active’s Matthew Wade explains Matthew Wade

to independent businesses and across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This was then integrated with consumer insights, so operators, investors, and policymakers can make informed decisions based on the fullest picture of the market.

Supported by Sport England and 4Global, the annual study is the first to provide quarterly trends for the UK fitness sector, bringing together data from all sectors based on recorded customer visits – members ‘swiping’ into facilities at the front desk – so we can be confident about the accuracy of the data.

Data is also included from 4Global’s DataHub, which serves as the foundational dataset for Sport England’s Moving Communities platform for the public sector.

This is complemented by UK Active and 4Global’s Private Sector Benchmarking work, alongside data shared from three

PHOTO:

UK Health and Fitness market 6.1% More members 16.9%

£5.7 BILLION

Total income

11.5m Members

Penetration rate 0.9% More clubs

Growth is not only being achieved through the performance of operators, but also through the improving health and motivations of consumers

independent sector leisure management systems, ClubRight, GymOS and ClubWise.

UK Active’s Consumer Engagement data, which is delivered by Savanta and Deloitte’s investment, mergers and acquisitions analysis is also in the mix.

Collaboration and credibility

The UK Health and Fitness Market Report can be used by operators to demonstrate success and seek investment, providing a clear picture about the growth of the industry as an investment opportunity and the market trends that can be used to target investment. It also provides government and stakeholders with evidence that can be used to help shape public

policies promoting physical activity and sector sustainability, while also strengthening the position of the sector in its role delivering better health for the nation and improving the economic landscape.

Industry data

Total income of the sector was £5.224bn in 2023 and grew to £5.686bn (rounded to £5.7 billion) in 2024. Increases in memberships and revenues has occurred despite a backdrop of cost-of-living pressures, with the ONS Household Expenditure Insights finding discretionary spending has been slower to recover post COVID-19 pandemic than non-discretionary expenditure.

Consumers are continuing to invest in their health post-COVID

PHOTO:

This means we’re seeing many consumers prioritising their health and continuing to invest in our sector’s services.

Membership numbers increased by 6.1 per cent in 2024, reaching 11.5 million members – the highest number ever recorded and consumer engagement data suggests this is a trend being driven by the 16 to 24 age group.

Penetration rates across the UK reached 16.9 per cent. Penetration rate in this case is the proportion of the total population that hold a health and fitness club membership and these increases show that the uptake of memberships across the UK is growing steadily.

The number of health and fitness clubs grew, from 5,555 in 2023 to 5,607 in 2024 – a rate of 0.9 per cent. This is despite a challenging economic backdrop and pressure on businesses, with operators still managing to improve services and expand their offerings to both maintain and grow their facilities.

What does consumer polling show?

Membership data is complemented by consumer polling data, with UK Active’s quarterly Consumer Engagement Survey, providing additional supporting evidence. This includes analysis of more than 8,000 individual respondents who took part in the quarterly polling in 2024.

The consumer data included in the report shows growth across the sector is not only being achieved through the performance of operators, but also through the improving health and motivations of the nation.

For example, researchers found that membership of a health club is strongly linked to increased levels of physical activity, with 33 per cent of non-members being classed as ‘inactive’, compared with 18 per cent of past members and just 3 per cent of current members.

Having a membership was highest among younger respondents and those aged 25-34 were the most likely to be a current member, followed by those aged 16-24. This suggests younger people are placing increasing importance on physical, social and mental wellbeing, while also demonstrating that memberships are becoming more of a ‘must have’ than a ‘nice to have’.

The consumer research also highlights some of the preferences and barriers individuals have when it comes to taking out memberships and staying active within facilities. For example, the research found that exercising at home and at the gym appear to complement each other rather

Memberships are becoming ‘must haves’ rather than ‘nice to haves’ in many age groups

than compete. People who frequently exercise at home are also more likely to hold a membership.

Price is still the biggest hurdle and barrier to taking out a membership for those that are not currently members, while for those that do have a membership, the biggest pull factor is location.

Growth in the global market

The new UK-focused report represents a milestone in the growth and development of the sector in the UK, and the findings will also be included in the European Health and Fitness Market Report delivered by EuropeActive and Deloitte, further enhancing the standing of the UK within the global health and fitness industry.

Looking ahead, UK Active and its various partners plan to expand data collection, include more operators and refine methodologies to ensure ever greater accuracy.

By consistently tracking quarterly trends, the report will continue to provide the sector with the essential foundation that it needs to grow and thrive. l Matthew Wade is interim director of research at UK Active More: www.hcmmag.com/UKHFMR2025

Looking ahead, UK Active and its partners plan to expand data collection, include more operators and refine methodologies

PHOTO: THE GYM GROP

If you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much space

Life lessons ____

TONY DE LEEDE

Entrepreneur Tony De Leede launched a stamp trading business at the age of 12, opened a surfboard shop at 16 and ran a fashion business with his mum before moving into the fi tness industry in 1982. He talks to Kath Hudson

My biggest life lesson was way back in the beginning, in the early 1980s, when I first got into the fi tness industry. It taught me the importance of marketing, promotion, selling and doing things a little differently: putting the sizzle on the steak.

I invested a lot of money in a womenonly aerobics club in Atlanta, Georgia. It was 10,000 sq ft with the biggest aerobics room in the city, accommodating more than 100 people. It had magnificent locker rooms, two whirlpools, the best aerobics teachers brought in from Australia and all our classes were pre-choreographed to give

De Leede has been launching wellness businesses since 1982

PHOTO: DANIEL TJONGARI PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO: DANIEL

I decided to double down by opening a second club. It was a risk, but I knew the product was good.

consistency. It was also in a great location. I thought ‘build it and they will come’. Guess what. They didn’t. We gave free classes for the first 10 days and were packed and then after that we were empty. Even though it was self-funded, fortunately money wasn’t a problem. I’d already made a lot of money from a family-run fashion business and property investments, so I decided to double down by opening a second club. It was a risk, but I knew the product was good.

I found a site that was a quarter of the size, in a better location and built it for a 10th of the price. We kept the fitout simple and ran consistently good classes. That club had far lower expenses and took off a lot more quickly, but I still needed to do something to promote the first club. So I decided to make a statement.

I was good friends with a nightclub owner who was opening a new club in Atlanta and I approached him to run an aerobics competition, which at that point had never been done in the world. Olivia Newton John had just released the hit song Let’s Get Physical so we held a competition to find Atlanta’s most physical woman. The idea took off.

Brilliance and bullshit

I say that if you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit, and I’m not sure which one I used, but I managed to convince a car dealership to give me a car as the prize for the winner.

Retreat guests can enjoy wellness in the outdoors

Tony de Leede cv

1982: Launched Australian Body Works, which was sold to LA Fitness in 2000

1989: Started Cardio Theatre Holdings which was sold to Precor in 2002

1996: Designed, built and staffed the first ever Olympic Village Health Club for the Atlanta Olympic Games

2000: Acted as Olympic Village manager at the Sydney Olympics

2000: Worked with Fitness First CEO, Mike Balfour, to negotiate the purchase of Healthland Australia Group. Became partner and MD of Fitness First Australia. On his watch the group had 37 per cent EBITDA and 42 per cent on mature clubs

2000: Launched Gwinganna eco retreat on the Gold Coast with Hugh Jackman as an investor

2010: Left Fitness First and launched Fit ‘n’ Fast gyms

2011: Opened Komune surf retreat, yoga and wellness resort in Bali and Coolangatta

2015: Launched HIIT concept Qmax

2016: Launched two digital content brands Move123 and Mind123 as well as YogaBar

2021: Launched wellness centre, Club W

2023: Launched Wello Works in Sydney, followed by a site in Atlanta

Other investments include Somadome meditation pods, the O2 Breathing and Meditation Chair, media businesses, restaurants, a nightclub in Mexico, a micro brewery and small airline.

Komune has retreats in Bali and on Australia’s Gold Coast

Instructors can run their own retreats at Komune

PHOTO: NELBALI PHOTOGRAPHY

PHOTO: DANIEL

The place was packed, we had to run the competition over two nights and it got a lot of publicity in the press and on TV. It really put us on the map. I subsequently gave away five more cars in other competitions.

The lesson I learned is the importance of promotion and needing to do something different. Just building a great facility isn’t enough. Those two clubs developed into a successful 23-site chain, Australian Body Works, with a membership of 50,000, before I sold it to LA Fitness in 2000.

Thirty years later, having launched multiple fitness businesses, I’m putting the same lessons into practice. The co-working and wellness business I’m running with my daughter – Wello Works – is having a slow start because the concept is new. Wellness and co-working are growing trends, but we’re the first to put them together. Now, as then, we’re having to promote and sell.

Know when to quit

Sometimes businesses don’t work out and it’s a gut call about whether or not to keep backing them. My advice is if you’re going to fail, fail fast. Take the hit, lick your wounds and move on. If something doesn’t go right, pivot and head in another direction, or restructure, or let it go and look around to see what else is out there.

My view is that if you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much space. I’ve lived on the edge all my life, but not quite as close now as I did 20 years ago. I’ve always risked things and I’ve had some failures, but I’m resilient and thankfully I’ve had a hell of a lot more winners than losers, including the Australian Bodyworks business.

At the ripe old age of 72, I’m not slowing down and still teach the occasional Bodycombat class

I grew Fitness First Australia from 11 clubs to 88. My Gwinganna retreat [which has actor Hugh Jackman as an investor] continues to do incredibly well, as does my surf resort in Bali – Komune – and I’m launching another destination retreat venue on the Gold Coast.

At the ripe old age of 72, I’m not slowing down and still teach the occasional Bodycombat class, but I don’t play golf, don’t enjoy watching the cricket too much and don’t go fishing.

Business is what I enjoy – talking to people and meeting people. I’ve promised my wife I won’t invest in too many more businesses – other than our own stuff, of course… but maybe occasionally… l

Komune in Bali has a

PHOTO:

DANIEL

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SCAN IT. WORK IT. TRACK IT. REPEAT.

Optimise processes, redefine strength training and harness the power of AI for results that make a difference. Only with the latest EGYM innovations.

Explore more

EGYM has been working with Magna Vitae Trust for Leisure and Culture to introduce its Smart Strength system in Mablethorpe

Smart strength

Located in Mablethorpe, the Station Leisure and Learning Centre opened its doors in Q2 2024, with its state-ofthe-art facility offering a unique fitness and leisure experience.

The gym, equipped by Life Fitness, features a dedicated floor space with eight EGYM Smart Strength machines, a Fitness Hub and a Tanita body composition monitor.

Naomi Wilkinson-Baker, operations director for the operator, Magna Vitae Trust for Leisure and Culture, explains, “We chose EGYM as a key part of our gym offering because we wanted a solution that would be accessible to everyone.

“We specifically positioned the equipment in a highly visible area to optimise usage and encourage all members to benefit from its

“As an organisation, it’s crucial to report on how we’re benefiting the local community”

Naomi Wilkinson-Baker

user-friendly design, helping them achieve their fitness goals.”

She further highlights the advantages of EGYM, saying: “The usage data provides valuable insights, for us and our members, enabling them to track their progress, increase their strength, and reduce their overall BioAge.”

Members of all ages are using the equipment, allowing the centre to monitor workout activity across demographics.

They reduce their BioAge by 8.8 years, on average, within three months of using EGYM Smart Strength.

Strength improvements are also significant, with an average increase of 16.5 per cent in the same period. For members over 61, the results are even more impressive, with an average strength improvement of 24.3 per cent after three months.

A key reason for choosing EGYM was its data-driven approach, as Wilkinson-Baker explains, “As an organisation, it’s crucial to report on how we’re benefiting the community, addressing inequalities, and providing evidence-based results.”

More tech for members

Looking ahead, the centre aims to increase adoption of the EGYM app, ensuring members can visualise their progress, track results and integrate their data with other wearables.

After just nine months, the centre has surpassed expectations, now boasting over 1,500 members, 190 per cent more than the initial membership projection.

Wilkinson-Baker reflects, saying: “We want to build on this success by enhancing the member journey, integrating more personalised EGYM programmes and encouraging new user groups to experience the benefits.” ●

More: www.EGYM.com

Members have increased strength and reduced BioAge

PHOTO:

INTRODUCING THE NEXT GEN 8 & 10 SERIES CARDIO where a renewed design blends robust construction with the luxury feel that enhances your brand and elevates your facility.

Core Health and Fitness has supplied Nautilus Inspiration to Club 24

Inspired installation

Core Health and Fitness has supplied Nautilus equipment to Club 24 in Bangor, Northern Ireland working with local distributor, Balance Leisure

Core Health and Fitness is proud to showcase a recent transformation at Club 24 in Bangor, Northern Ireland, which is a testament to its strong partnership with Balance Leisure.

The installation highlights the power of collaboration, with Club 24 now equipped with the industry-leading Nautilus Inspiration line and multi-stations.

The installation showcases sleek design, top-tier durability and innovative functionality, ensuring that members have the best possible fitness experience.

A positive collaboration

This installation at Club 24 demonstrates the strength of the partnerships and the partners’ shared commitment to elevating the fitness industry.

Danny Djakovic, Core Health and Fitness dealer manager, commented, “It’s been a pleasure working alongside Mark Smyth and the team at Balance Leisure. The Nautilus

“Partnering with Core Health and Fitness and Balance Leisure has been a fantastic experience”

Gary Brown, Club 24

Inspiration range is a perfect fit for Club 24, offering an impressive combination of advanced features and aesthetics that enhance any gym space. The versatility of the multi-stations ensures that Club 24's members can achieve their fitness goals in a dynamic environment."

Smyth said: “The Nautilus Inspiration line is a game-changer for fitness spaces such as Club 24. The quality and functionality of

the equipment align perfectly with the club’s commitment to offering the best to its members.

“Our collaboration with Core Health and Fitness has been seamless,”he said. It's exciting to see the gym come to life with this state-of-the-art equipment."

Happy

client

Gary Brown, owner of Club 24, shared his enthusiasm, saying: “Partnering with Core Health and Fitness and Balance Leisure has been a fantastic experience. The Nautilus equipment not only enhances the aesthetic of our gym, but also boosts member engagement and results.

“The feedback from members has been overwhelmingly positive and we’re excited to continue offering them the best fitness experience in Bangor.” ●

Find out more

See the gym in action at www.hcmmag.com/Club24 and visit www.corehandf.com

PHOTO: GARY BROWN/LINKEDIN

PILATES Innovating

Consumer demand is making Pilates an exciting business opportunity for health clubs. Julie Cramer talks to leading suppliers about what’s coming next

Technogym is entering the Pilates market with a range of products and programmes

Nerio Alessandri Technogym

The new Technogym Reform has been created by our in-house design and innovation team and reinvents and improves many traditional reformer features, in line with our 40-year legacy of innovation in the health and fitness and wellness markets.

Technogym Reform features sustainable wood, aluminium and vegan leather and comes in three new colourways. It has an easy-to-adjust footbar with nine settings, designed to be thicker for improved grip, as well as adjustable shoulder pads, a headrest and cables.

The innovative, easy cable rewinding and adjustable resistance springs ensure quiet operation and seamless movement transitions without users needing to get off the bed. These features collectively elevate the overall member experience, comfort and operational efficiency, while the Reform’s sleek design will enhance a club interior’s aesthetic appeal.

What innovations are you working on?

We’re releasing new accessories, including tri loops, handles, ankle straps, box, jumpboard and foot straps. Clubs can also choose to add an extension pad, mat converter, ring, spine corrector, half cylinder cushion, roller, moon box, tower and chair. These additions enhance versatility and functionality of the Pilates equipment, providing users with a comprehensive and accessible workout experience.

Marketing tips for operators

Health clubs can boost Pilates demand by offering themed classes such as ‘Pilates for Runners’ or ‘Stress Relief Pilates’ to attract diverse groups, while hosting workshops and special events, such as ‘Pilates + Brunch’ to create a buzz.

Integrating the Technogym app for virtual classes and personalised programmes enhances accessibility and engagement.

The new Technogym Reform elevates the member experience, while also delivering operational efficiencies

Social media campaigns showcasing success stories and educational content can boost interest. Collaborating with local businesses for cross-promotions and implementing referral programmes can expand the Pilates community, while member challenges with rewards can motivate and retain participants. More: www.technogym.com

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Pilates’ capacity to improve movement boosts retention, says Puleo

Group Pilates classes are hugely popular with consumers

Expansion of the whole Pilates equipment system is the future

Joy Puleo Balanced Body

We’ve been innovating Pilates equipment since 1976, enhancing functionality while honouring Joseph Pilates’ original intent. An example is the Infinity Footbar, which spans the length of the reformer frame, providing far greater exercise options.

All equipment is made in-house, giving full control over materials, assembly and quality.

Balanced Body equipment is optimised for the health club environment. Our bespoke instructor training programme is designed specifically for existing fitness professionals, enabling them to design and deliver effective, engaging classes.

What innovations are you working on?

As the Pilates industry grows, we’re focused on delivering high-quality solutions that support customer success. This includes refining our equipment – adjusting the placement of the eye hook on our towers, for example.

We’re also committed to education, continuously developing to upskill instructors and activate spaces effectively in a fast-moving, group reformer market.

What future do you see for the Pilates market?

Expansion of the whole Pilates equipment system is the future. Towers are a natural progressive step and are easily added to reformers. For circuit-style training, the Pilates chair offers a compact yet powerful addition. Both tower and chair provide standing options, giving members variety, challenge and results.

Marketing tips for operators

Pilates’ capacity to improve movement, longevity and overall wellbeing boosts retention, satisfaction and new member attraction.

Instead of treating it as just another gym offering, operators can make Pilates a foundational component of members’ fitness routines.

Understand your audience, optimise reformer count for ROI and upskill trusted instructors to expand their value, while leveraging their followings to grow participation.

More: www.pilates.com

Niche verticals are being created

Matthijs Wilhelmus BASI Systems

We create our Pilates equipment by blending scientific precision with the artistry of movement – from our smooth, quiet carriage ride to the use of orthopaedic cushioning and our patented F2 socket system. BASI equipment is designed to elevate strength and wellness and also deliver support for an individual’s Pilates practice and rehabilitation, helping them unlock their full potential.

What innovations are you working on?

The Pilates market is evolving fast, while group reformer classes and hybrid Pilates-based training is also growing in popularity. We launched our Compact Reformer last year – maximising space usage and minimising hassle. Recently we also launched a new range of accessories – to make Pilates sessions even more complete.

What future do you see for the Pilates market?

We believe Pilates is set for continued growth and democratisation.

Health club operators are increasingly interested in offering Pilates, creating vast distribution potential, while specialised boutique studios are increasing in numbers and Pilates for rehabilitation is only in its infancy.

Several hybrid forms are emerging and new niche verticals are being created every day, incorporating Pilates-like exercises.

Marketing tips for operators

We’ve seen many creative solutions already – from breaking through walls to increase the space for reformer group classes to incorporating reformers and wundachairs in hybrid circuit classes.

Creating workouts specifically for dedicated athletes (be they runners or golfers) or specific target audiences, beyond pre/post natal Pilates, is a logical next step. Also the ‘busy worker workout’ – preventing frequent desk-job injuries, is very likely to be a big hit. Finally, combining group lessons with individual workouts will be attractive – optimising small space usage.

More: www.basisystems.com

Creating workouts for dedicated athletes is a logical next step

Joe Edwards Box Step Fitness

We place importance on combining form and function so our reformer range focuses on a smooth, quiet and comfortable performance with a high-end aesthetic.

Reformers are the most identifiable piece of kit in Pilates studios so it’s important they’re durable and can withstand the test of time.

We offer a custom design service so operators can choose bespoke colours of wood or leather and have their branding on the machines.

We also pride ourselves on speed of supply. We stock our products in the UK so lead times are only a matter of days, not weeks, as is typical for the market.

What innovations are you working on?

We’re constantly analysing the market and talking with gym operators to ensure our products remain industry-leading and to find ways in which we can evolve the range. We’ve introduced tower and chair add-ons for our machines to offer a greater variety of workouts, as well as more customisation options.

The love for Pilates that was sparked by Reformer will naturally guide operators towards other apparatus

Consumers are looking for Instagrammable settings for their workouts

What future do you see for the Pilates market?

Boutique Pilates studios and micro gyms are helping the Pilates market thrive. The dedication and love for Pilates that was sparked by Reformer (and made it so popular) will naturally guide operators towards other apparatus such as the Pilates chair, ladder barrel and tower/cadillacs.

Marketing tips for operators

We’re seeing huge growth in lifestyle-led Pilates classes that focus on wellbeing and mindful workouts. People are looking for a more intimate, comfortable, stylish, ‘Instagrammable’ setting rather than the large classes that are sometimes found in chain health clubs. Inclusivity is important. More men are also getting into Pilates, recognising its benefits alongside their regular workouts to build stabilising strength, flexibility, endurance and improve overall training performance. Including accessories in a Pilates session can create a more fun workout.

More: www.boxstepfitness.com

James Anderson

Physical

Physical is the UK’s authorised reseller of Merrithew – a global leader in Pilates equipment for over 35 years. Its equipment is safe, effective and built to last, using only the highest quality materials and supported with full commercial warranties. Education delivered under the Stott Pilates umbrella, is another USP for Merrithew. But it’s also about authenticity and member safety. In this booming sector, it’s important to navigate the influx of innovation, ensuring products are safe, effective and rooted in Pilates principles, as well as able to make way for programme innovation. Merrithew’s Cardio-Tramp Rebounder, for example, transforms any reformer into a Pilates cardiovascular machine.

What innovations are you working on?

From reformers to barrels to a wide range of accessories, health clubs and studios have what they need to deliver the full spectrum of Pilates programming – and so innovation is often subtle, fine-tuning best-in-class equipment to be better still.

Pilates is entirely adaptable to the individual, enhancing whole-body functional fi tness

What future do you see for the Pilates market?

Invented in the 1920s, Pilates is no flash-in-the-pan fitness fad. Entirely adaptable to the individual, enhancing whole-body functional fitness as well as mental wellbeing, this is fitness for life – tried and tested, embraced the world over and unquestionably here to stay. If anything, its future is brighter now than ever as more people prioritise self-care, develop a mind-body understanding and make healthier lifestyle choices to enhance their quality of life.

Marketing tips for operators Marketing and education are key, building awareness among a wider audience of what reformer Pilates is and what it can do. For rehab and older audiences, reformers support movement and help restore mobility. For everyday athletes through to elite sportspeople, springloaded resistance means challenging full-body workouts that build strength, endurance and agility. So share the why as well as the what. This will support sustainable growth and maintain interest in the long term; do it right and you’ll also migrate members into mat Pilates, further optimising your response to demand. More: www.physicalcompany.co.uk

People are prioritising self-care and mind-body modalities,

says Anderson

PHOTO: PHYSICAL

Jim Heidenreich Merrithew

We prioritise quality, durability and comfort in every piece of equipment we make and believe that designing equipment that’s easy and safe to use makes a huge difference in performance. Our products are thoughtfully-crafted to be versatile, supporting everyone from beginners to advanced users. We seamlessly integrate our equipment with our education programmes, enabling health club operators to attract and retain members, create additional revenue streams and offer exceptional experiences that set their facilities apart.

What innovations are you working on?

We’re currently refining our reformer designs for a smoother, more dynamic ride and improved exercise flow. Upgrades to our patented Retractable Rope System will enhance control and adjustability.

Our education programmes go hand in hand with our equipment and we’re incorporating advanced training and exercises into new product features. We’re also exploring new materials, design elements, and digital and AI solutions to boost durability, movement efficiency and the overall Pilates experience.

Many of our products are also CE-Certified for clinical use in Europe, trusted by fitness and medical professionals.

Pilates will play an increasingly bigger role, in fitness, rehabilitation and active ageing

What future do you see for Pilates?

I envision it continuing to grow, becoming more accessible and inclusive for diverse audiences and believe the future involves Pilates playing a bigger role, not only in fitness but also rehabilitation, athletic conditioning and active ageing.

We’re committed to providing high-quality, flexible and affordable equipment that supports new users, instructors and small studios, enabling them to expand and adapt as their skills and needs evolve.

Marketing tips for operators

Operators can drive growth in Pilates by focusing on quality experiences and making the practice more accessible. Growth isn’t about offering more sessions – it’s about delivering consistent, exceptional results through the right equipment, solid training and science-based methods.

More: www.merrithew.com

PHOTO: MERRITHEW

PHOTO: MERRITHEW

Many Merrithew products are CECertified for clinical use

Yvette McGaffin Reform RX

Over the last 50 years, there’s been very little innovation in the Pilates industry and it’s remained largely untouched by technology.

We’ve been pioneers by combining the traditional modality with advanced technology and design to introduce the world’s first digitally-connected Pilates reformer featuring an in-built content system that includes more than 300 guided workouts.

Pilates is booming, bringing more choice than before

We’re now exploring new integrations with additional wearable technology to provide deeper insights into user progress and recovery.

What future do you see for the Pilates market?

The RX Reformer also tracks user movement to the thousandth of a second, offering realtime biometric feedback data to give instant insights. This means users can personalise their workout, tailoring it to their goals and needs.

What

innovations are you working

on?

On the design front, we’ve ditched the hospitalgrade feel for something more modern.

Inspired by Formula 1, our reformer is ergonomic and includes push buttons instead of the traditional exposed springs – a safer and less intimidating way to control the resistance.

The reformers allow operators to provide 24/7 access to reformer Pilates workouts. Guests experience a choice of routines and it bypasses timetabling, staffing or minimum number concerns

There’s no doubt reformer Pilates is booming, bringing more choice to consumers than they’ve experienced before. There’s also a growing demand for flexible workout environments that cater to users’ time, availability and preferences while still fostering a sense of community.

We’re committed to bringing reformer Pilates to new verticals and spaces where it hasn’t traditionally been available, helping more people experience the benefits of this transformative workout.

Our technology is designed to integrate into hybrid studio models, allowing users to engage in reformer Pilates in a way that suits their lifestyle – whether that’s dedicated boutique spaces, within larger health club environments or on-the-go in hotels.

We’ve seen an increased interest in the system from buyers in the hotel space, particularly with the rise of people shaping their holiday around fitness and wellness travel, whether that’s marathons, Ironmans or other sports challenges, or a stay at a wellness-focused property. More: www.reformrx.co.uk

The RX Reformer has a built-in screen with 300 guided workouts PHOTO:

As awareness of holistic fitness spreads, Pilates is well-positioned for sustained growth and broader global adoption

Howard Braband

Peak Pilates/Gymkit UK

For over 25 years, Peak Pilates has honoured Joseph Pilates’ original equipment designs, blending them with modern technology. The result is a versatile line of equipment from handcrafted sustainable wood to advanced metal, all of which offers superior performance, safety and adaptability. We provide a package of premium equipment and expert instructor education. Partnering with both boutique studios and major fitness chains, we focus on helping operators boost member engagement, achieve better results and build a more successful Pilates or fitness offering.

Peak’s handcrafted, contemporary reformer designs enhance any studio space with style and function, while our FitCore instructor training programme ensures teams can deliver consistent, high-quality sessions that will inspire member satisfaction, loyalty and studio growth.

What innovations are you working on?

We recently launched a range of accessories to elevate the Fit Reformer experience. These include a platform extender and carriage mat, which expands functionality of the reformer. We’ve also developed an exclusive on-demand pilates workout – Studio Connect – in conjunction with US Pilates expert and celebrity trainer Meghan Fittler, enabling studios to maximise use of their facilities between scheduled instructor-led classes.

What future do you see for the Pilates market?

The future of the Pilates market looks incredibly promising. With continuous innovation in product development and more dynamic, flexible training options, engagement is rising across both home and professional settings. Demand is growing rapidly, as seen in the surge of customer enquiries and instructor certifications with Peak Pilates. As awareness of holistic fitness continues to spread, Pilates is well-positioned for sustained growth and broader global adoption.

Marketing tips for operators

Operators can diversify offerings beyond just the mat and reformer. Offering innovative styles such as cardio Pilates with small equipment training will ensure studios are keeping the schedule dynamic and inclusive. Demand is also increasing for other classical equipment pieces, in particular tower Pilates. More: www.peakpilates.co.uk

PHOTO: PEAK

PHOTO: PEAK PILATES / ©ROBERT KITTILÄ

Pilates will remain a practice for all bodies and abilities, not just the flexible or elite

Jonathan Whitby Align-Pilates

We offer scalable, cost-effective solutions for health clubs and studios aiming to grow with demand. Designed in the UK, our modular designs let operators start small and expand easily without needing to reinvest in entirely new systems. Whether adding a few Reformers or building a full studio, our equipment adapts to any space and membership base. Clubs benefit from lower upfront costs, fast UK delivery, great customer service and versatile equipment that suits both group classes and personal training sessions.

What innovations are you working on?

We’re focused on refining adaptability and producing equipment that evolves with users over time. From backwardcompatible accessories shaped by market trends to quick-adjust systems, our innovations aim to make our equipment more intuitive, versatile and future-ready. Whether for clubs, gyms or home use, we’re committed to delivering solutions that grow with demand and keep pace with how people practice Pilates.

What future do you see for the Pilates market?

The future of Pilates is both inclusive and global. As awareness of the method continues to grow and equipment becomes more affordable, Pilates will remain a practice for all bodies and abilities, not just the flexible or elite. We expect growth well beyond traditional studios, with Pilates becoming a staple in gyms, corporate wellness spaces and rehab settings around the world.

Marketing tips for operators

Operators can grow Pilates by offering flexible, highquality experiences that fit a wider range of users. With Align-Pilates’ equipment, for example, can easily tailor setups for group classes, rehab or private training – maximising both space and investment. More: www.align-pilates.com

PHOTO: ALIGN-PILATES

We’re part of a global Reformer Pilates market that’s projected to reach US$521m by 2031

Tom McClelland Fold Reformer

Our signature product is the Original Fold Reformer. The bed’s foldable design enables it to be both space-saving and compact, while maintaining aesthetic appeal and studio-quality design. We launched it to expand the accessibility of Reformer Pilates by making it available at home, but since then we’ve witnessed substantial growth in the commercial market. Operators recognise the advantages of our compact Reformer bed, which easily fits into smaller, unique spaces or mixed-use studios. Beds can be folded and stored against the wall or even built into a bespoke storage. This allows operators to build a Pilates Reformer offering without compromising other popular classes. We also recently launched our own range of gripsocks which are essential for Reformer classes.

What innovations are you working on to elevate your products?

We’re currently working on new products to add to our range, as well as some exciting developments to our signature Fold bed. These include innovations in features, new colourways and finishes, as well as enhancing our digital experience.

What future do you see for the Pilates market?

With internet searches for ‘Reformer Pilates’ up 50 per cent, and a continual compound growth rate of 14 per cent in the UK, we’re part of a global Reformer Pilates market that’s projected to reach US$521m by 2031. We expect to see the Pilates market continue to grow on an international scale. l More: www.foldreformer.com

The Fold Reformer can be stored against the wall or in bespoke storage

Circularity is a key part of Eleiko’s strategy

How are fitness equipment and product manufacturers managing sustainability, and helping clients do the same? Julie Cramer asks key suppliers

Simone Rishede Eleiko

Sustainability is embedded in our operations, guided by our core values of performance, learning and kindness. We focus on developing durable, long-lasting products while minimising environmental impact through conscious material choices. Through our partnership with Ovako (a leader in low-carbon steel production), the steel used in our barbells has an 80 per cent lower carbon footprint than the global average. We also implement circular design principles to extend product life and reduce waste. In delivery, we prioritise sustainable packaging and minimise air freight to lower transportation emissions. Our commitment spans every stage — from material sourcing to final delivery — ensuring we continuously reduce our carbon footprint and collaborate with partners who share our sustainability vision.

How are you helping operators to be more sustainable?

A truly sustainable product should last for generations, reducing the need for frequent replacements

We design our products with durability, longevity and circularity and these truly sustainable products should last for generations, reducing the need for frequent replacements. Our Prestera Strength System embodies

this philosophy – its modular, customisable and scalable design ensures long-lasting performance and safety. By eliminating nonessential components, we reduce material use and minimise waste without compromising quality or the lifting experience.

Operators benefit by investing in high-quality, long-lasting equipment that requires less maintenance and replacement, lowering their environmental footprint while enhancing financial sustainability.

Our focus on subtraction over addition ensures every product is optimised for function and longevity, supporting operators in creating sustainable, efficient and responsible training environments.

What are your sustainability ambitions?

We’re committed to continuous innovation to meet the highest sustainability standards. We’re streamlining our product range to reduce complexity and resource consumption, and aiming to widely adopt low-carbon steel and expand our sustainability initiatives across product design, sourcing and delivery. Our fundamental focus remains on producing durable, long-lasting equipment while reducing emissions and material usage.

MORE: www.eleiko.com

Eleiko is prioritising use of low carbon steel for equipment

PHOTO: ESCAPE / JOHN OWEN

PHOTOGRAPHY

Energym bikes

connect to an onsite energy storage system so the power created is fed directly into the building

Harry Tafota-Nash

Absolute Performance

Sustainability for us isn’t about ticking boxes, it’s about building smart, future-ready solutions into gym design and operation. That means selecting equipment that not only performs at the highest level, but also contributes meaningfully to energy efficiency, carbon reduction and long-term environmental goals.

As an ISO 14001 accredited organisation, we take our commitment to sustainability very seriously. To maintain this accreditation, we have a clear and concise environmental policy for the business as a whole. This is assessed annually, with a recertification audit every three years. Our policy is designed to highlight potential environmental impacts and ways to mitigate them. This includes auditing suppliers on their sustainability and encouraging those we work with to attain their ISO 14001 certification.

How do you help operators to be more sustainable?

The clearest example is our partnership with Energym, a UK-based engineering company developing clean energy-generating fitness equipment. This allows operators to transform human power into low carbon electricity, while creating a facility that’s good for the planet.

Energym bikes connect to an on-site energy storage system so the power created by pedalling is fed directly into the building. This represents a tangible opportunity to reduce energy costs while making a meaningful contribution to carbon reduction. Manufactured in part using recycled polymers, bikes can be traded in at the end of their lifecycle, refurbished, and redistributed.

We’re also the only official UK and European distributor of patented DC Blocks, which

are stackable weightlifting blocks made from 100 per cent recycled plastics. Their multi-purpose design makes them suitable for use in a wide variety of training exercises, negating the need for other, less environmentally-friendly equipment.

What are your sustainability ambitions? It starts with our in-house operations. We already operate from an energy-efficient building with high-performance insulation. We’ve also invested in electric forklifts and reach trucks, and all our vans meet the highest European emission standards. Continually working on targets to reduce waste and carbon emissions and increase recycling by splitting all waste, we strive to source new, more sustainable products to help gyms become more eco-friendly. more: www.aperformance.co.uk

Energym offers clean energy-generating fitness equipment for clubs

Every lift, squat or press should support a cleaner, greener future

Ritchie Januszek Escape Fitness

Sustainability is built into every stage of our Evergreen product range. We’ve reimagined manufacturing by replacing iron with a durable, high-performing composite made from locally recycled, end-of-life materials. These are processed at our UK manufacturing centre in Cambridgeshire using a cold, low-emission method, eliminating the need for fossil fuels. Evergreen plates are made from 85 per cent recycled materials. Localising operations significantly reduces the carbon footprint associated with global shipping, shortening fulfilment times and boosting the UK economy by creating jobs. We also manufacture our Octagon Frames and soft-touch consumables locally. Our logistics model ensures minimal environmental impact while maintaining quality and speed. This end-to-end sustainable approach helps operators reduce their own emissions and demonstrate progress in their environmental initiatives.

How are you helping operators to be more sustainable?

Our Evergreen range is a major leap towards sustainable fitness, reducing reliance on carbon intensive materials and long distance shipping.

For example, the Eco Disc – our first Evergreen product – is produced in the UK from recycled waste that would otherwise go to landfill. It matches the performance of traditional iron-based equipment but has a fraction of the environmental impact.

Operators benefit directly – less carbon from supply chains, faster fulfilment and a clear sustainability story to tell their members. This allows operators to hit sustainability goals without compromising performance

What are your sustainability ambitions? We’re transitioning away from fossil fuel-reliant manufacturing and materials.

This year we’re expanding our Grip Disc and Eco Rep Set ranges to include a performance Bumper Plate made from 85 per cent recycled, end-of-life materials. Longer term, we’ll replace oilbased polyurethane with plant-based alternatives, further enhancing the environmental profile of our products.

We want eco-conscious equipment to be the standard – not the exception. By bringing manufacturing back to the UK and investing in sustainable innovation, we’re creating products that are good for business, better for the planet

We believe every lift, squat or press should support a cleaner, greener future.

Operators

We champion sustainability through UK-based manufacturing and local supply chains, supporting local people and businesses. Our production facility prioritises energy efficiency and we exclusively source our energy from renewables.

Our robust ESG strategy stands up to scrutiny and is externally-audited by the Global Reporting Institute, and includes a pathway to reducing GHG emissions in meaningful ways. You can’t just plant a few trees and offset, there needs to be carbon reduction.

We’ll be releasing our full ESG report and strategy in 2025 after two years’ work capturing data.

How are you helping operators to be more sustainable?

Operators should demand to know exactly where products are sourced and suppliers should be transparent

We maintain high levels of compliance to ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001:2018 and ISO 50001 which support sustainability claims we make through external auditing.

What are your green ambitions?

To set ambitious yet attainable targets and achieve net zero. We’ve set out these targets in our ESG strategy.

UK-manufactured products help enhance sustainability by default. Flooring is a good example where awareness will assist operators in making sustainable decisions. Most gym flooring is produced outside the UK from recycled rubber, which can sometimes contain contaminants. Just because a material is recycled doesn’t always make it environmentally-friendly.

By contrast, the vast majority of IndigoFitness Flooring is LEED, Floorscore, and BREEAM-certified, ensuring high environmental standards. Operators should demand to know exactly where products are sourced from and suppliers should be transparent.

As an MOD-contracted supplier where high levels of compliance are expected, we’re already assessed within the top one per cent for ESG and top five per cent for environmental compared with other defence suppliers of similar size.

Evidence and accountability are key, not just empty gestures. To produce and supply more sustainable products it’s necessary to benchmark using data. We started this process in 2023 so we could capture our GHG data then set reduction targets. In 2024 we commissioned a peer review against 10 competitors for ESG, and have already established we’re in a strong position. As an industry we have to stop trading on price and move to affordable value which promotes a good relationship between sustainability and ESG. more: www.indigofitness.com

Rob Coleman

Indigo Fitness

PHOTO:

PHOTO: INDIGO

Aiming for sustainability isn’t a marketing exercise – it has to be genuine

Elena Lapetra Stronger Wellness

Sustainability for us is about questioning the norm. We always ask: “We know how it’s done today, but what if we looked at it through a sustainability lens? What alternatives haven’t been explored yet?” That applies to everything – raw materials, packaging and processes. It’s easy to stay on autopilot, but we actively switch that off and push for better solutions. Operationally, it’s the same mindset.

Sustainability isn’t a marketing exercise – it has to be genuine. That’s how we achieved beyond net-zero certification. We worked with scientists to measure, offset and manage our footprint as we grew and now it’s an ongoing process, but one we’re fully committed to.

How are you helping operators to be more sustainable?

We’re always scouting for alternative materials, challenging our vendors, and sharing what we’ve learned – especially how we offset our own carbon footprint – to help operators

seeking to do the same. On the product side, we focus on reuse and longevity. Take plyo boxes, for example – we’ve put plans in place to help customers recycle and reuse them rather than discard them.

Wherever possible, we make products last longer, even if it means lower margins for us. It’s simply the right thing to do for both the customer and the environment. That said, metals and rubber – key materials in our industry – pose challenges, but we keep pushing our vendors to explore better options. Sustainability isn’t about perfection; it’s about making continuous progress and helping operators take meaningful steps in the right direction.

What are your sustainability ambitions?

We’re focused on using fully recycled compounds, especially for high-use materials and reducing travel miles wherever possible. Every product iteration is an opportunity to improve – whether that’s more sustainable packaging, less packaging or smarter designs, such as switching moulds to reduce ink use. It’s about making every detail count.

The drive is always to find better, smarter solutions. But real progress takes collective effort. If we, as an industry, don’t keep asking the right questions and prioritising genuine solutions, we won’t move fast enough to tackle climate change. Our ambition is simple, keep pushing for better and take operators along with us. more: www.strongerwellness.com

Lapetra: ‘Every product iteration is a chance to improve’

Physical becomes the UK commercial distributor for all Power Plate products. Power Plate’s Whole-Body Vibration (WBV) solutions promote ‘Healthy Longevity’ amongst multiple sectors including Physiotherapy, Medical, Healthcare, Clinical and Health Clubs. They are well-established in the Fitness sector, proven to enhance Strength, Cardiovascular Performance, Flexibility, and of course Activation and Recovery.

PHYSICALCOMPANY.CO.UK

Physical, The Works, Wycombe Road, Stokenchurch, Buckinghamshire HP14 3RR 01494 769 222 - sales@physicalcompany.co.uk

Fitness, activity and sports therapy businesses will attend

Welcome to Elevate 2025

As Elevate returns for its eighth edition in 2025, we remain proud to stand at the forefront of powering the future of physical activity.

Dates: 18-19 June 2025

Venue: Excel, London halls 5-8

Train station: Custom House Register for free: www.elevatearena.com

The sector is evolving – more connected, more ambitious and more impactful than ever.

than

Since launching in 2016, the event has grown into the UK’s flagship event when it comes to uniting the physical activity, fitness and sports therapy sectors around a shared vision: improving the health and wellbeing of the nation.

This year, the sector’s momentum is unmistakable. We’re seeing increased collaboration, rising standards and a deeper alignment with the health agenda. From non-referral pathways to hospital-based movement programmes, it’s clear that physical activity is becoming a vital part of the wider health conversation.

In 2025, Elevate will continue to be built by and for the industry. We’re grateful to sponsors, partners, exhibitors and speakers, whose insights and commitment shape every part of the event.

This is the arena of opportunity, a space where innovation, ideas, and technology come together under one roof and, importantly, Elevate remains free to attend, ensuring accessibility for all professionals committed to driving meaningful change. Together, let’s continue to elevate the role of movement in our national story..

Lucy Findlay-Beale, show director

All about Elevate...

Taking place over two dynamic days, the event brings together 6,000 decision-makers from gyms, studios, sports clubs, universities, schools, health practices and beyond—all united by a shared commitment to improving the nation’s health through movement.

At the heart of Elevate 2025 are more than 200 top-tier suppliers showcasing the latest innovations in equipment, technology, and solutions designed to elevate physical activity at every level.

Alongside the exhibition, attendees gain access to an unrivalled programme of education and insight, with over 200 expert speakers delivering

sessions across multiple theatres. With the backing of 50-plus industry associations, media partners, and NGOs, Elevate continues to serve as the annual meeting point for professionals looking to connect, learn, and lead the way forward.

FitPro LIVE returns

FitPro LIVE is making its long-awaited return – and this time it’s bolder than before.

Taking place at Excel London on 18–19 June and hosted in collaboration with Elevate 2025, this reimagined event promises an immersive, hands-on learning experience tailored for fitness instructors and practitioners.

With just 300 places available, FitPro LIVE offers access to a mix of practical workshops, sessions and talks delivered by global educators and influencers, including Rachel Holmes, Cherry Baker, Faye Edwards, Helen Carpenter-Waters and Adam Daniel.

The programme will be split across three spaces – Skill Lab, for live demonstrations and techniquedriven classes; Insight Arena, featuring deep dives into research, coaching, and industry insight; and Showcase Space, spotlighting the innovative concepts reshaping group exercise. “This event has always been a source of inspiration, learning and

Elevate collaborates with lead bodies such as CIMSPA

The event offers a full programme of education and insight

PHOTO:

This event has always been a source of inspiration, learning and connection for fitness professionals

The free education programme will see 200 speakers present

connection for fitness professionals,” says Teresa Wheatley, executive director at FitPro. “FitPro LIVE will provide an opportunity for instructors to gain hands-on experience, engage with top educators and stay ahead of industry trends.”

Attendees will receive full access to the wider Elevate event, including 120+ hours of free CPDcertified education and the opportunity to explore the show floor with 200 suppliers, showcasing the latest in fitness equipment, tech and training tools.

Elevate

and Future Fit extend education partnership

Elevate has renewed its official education partnership with Future Fit for three years, starting with Elevate 2025.

The collaboration, which began in 2022, has grown into one of the most influential in the sector, helping shape and elevate industry education across the UK.

“Future Fit has been an invaluable supporter of Elevate,” says Findlay-Beale. “Its expertise and commitment to education have helped shape the event into the industry’s leading platform for knowledge-sharing and professional development.”

Future Fit has continued to curate sessions across all four of Elevate’s main education theatres,

contributing to wider education discussions and maintaining a visible presence throughout the event.

Rob Johnson, founder and CEO of Future Fit, says: “We’ve always believed in Elevate as the premier platform for education and professional development in the fitness sector. Our continued partnership reflects our shared commitment to elevating standards and ensuring fitness professionals have access to the best learning experiences.”

The London event connects leaders and professionals

Elevate offers a place to learn from the best in the industry

Elevate Curated Theatres

A cornerstone of Elevate’s mission to inspire innovation and excellence, the 2025 programme will once again be free to attend and offers delegates access to more than 200 expert-led sessions across four newly curated theatres: Debate, Generate, Accelerate and Collaborate. Each theatre delivers unique content streams tailored to different areas of the sector, designed to provoke discussion, share best practice and explore the ideas and trends shaping the industry’s future.

Lucy Findlay-Beale, event director at Elevate, said: “Elevate has always been about more than just products on a show floor. It’s a place to learn from the very best, both from within our industry and beyond. This year’s education programme is our most ambitious yet, carefully curated to provide meaningful, actionable insight for professionals working across every part of the physical activity landscape.

“This year, we have gathered a stellar speaker line up with some of the industry’s most respected thought leaders all sharing their experience and vision for the future to help grow, develop and strengthen the sector. Elevate is the only event in the industry that offers delegates such extensive open access to the most influential minds in the business.”

The 2025 programme reflects the fast-evolving needs of the sector, shaped in collaboration with an expert content team, Future Fit official Education Partner and a network of partners. The four Elevate curated theatres are:

Debate

The main stage hosts high-level discussions on the most pressing issues in the industry. This

We have gathered a stellar speaker line up with some of the industry’s most respected thought leaders all sharing their experience and vision for the future

year we take a deep dive into whether our data adds up, continue our discussions on GLP-1s and why we need to know about them, reflect on the increasing overlap between the fitness and health sectors and look at why investing in female fitness is vital. Plus the popular trends session.

Generate

Content focuses on the business of physical activity, providing insights into market trends, innovation, and commercial success. Generate considers both workforce and staff, including how to attract people to your business, what makes them tick and how to keep them.

Accelerate

This theatre is dedicated to supporting the wellbeing and performance of the already active, delivering expert-led discussions on fitness, health and rehabilitation and covering everything from bio-hacking and breathing techniques to sleep strategies and peri-natal training.

Collaborate

This stage brings together expert voices to explore public sector and community initiatives aimed at improving the health of the nation through accessible physical activity programmes,

Attendees will gain access to 120-plus hours of free CPD-certified education at the event

effective use of data and joined-up, place-based leadership. Strategic insight, community case-studies and inspiration combined.

Expanded programme

In addition to our theatres, education partners will bring expanded programmes to this year’s event: Active Kids , in partnership with Kidztivity, will spotlight innovative ways to keep children active and engaged through play, education, and movement Active Aquatics will deliver two dedicated theatres curated by STA, RLSS and Swim England. Attendees can expect a mix of strategic insight and practical application, supporting the growth, safety, and sustainability of aquatic activity in the UK. Third Space will return for the fourth year with high-quality, practical education designed to upskill PTs and coaches at every stage of their careers. Technogym will deliver cutting-edge insights on the show floor via expert-led sessions from their stand, showcasing innovation in movement, health and performance.

Get Active at Elevate

Start Elevate with something different. On the morning of Wednesday 18 June, CoursePro will host an open water swim and networking breakfast at the London Royal Docks, just a short walk from ExCel. A refreshing and informal way to begin your day, the event will involve a swim in the docks (all levels welcome), followed by pastry and tea or coffee with fellow attendees.

Open water swim key points:

Venue: London Royal Docks

Date: Wednesday 18 June 2025

Time: 7:00am – 9:00am

Pastry, tea or coffee, and changing facilities provided Free to attend

Safety support provided by Love Open Water, HUUB and the CoursePro team

Book your free spot at www.hcmmag.com/OpenWater

PHOTO: ELEVATE

Exhibitor news

■ Alliance Leisure

Alliance Leisure has over 25 years’ experience delivering leisure facilities that serve the needs of communities.

From working with stakeholders to analysing the local population’s requirements, to supporting the pre-construction, construction and launch phases, Alliance Leisure supports its partners with projects. The company is the appointed development partner of the UK Leisure Framework which streamlines pre-construction work.

Recent projects include the fully electric Knaresborough Leisure and

Wellness Centre,and Warsop Health Hub, which are based on Sport England’s ‘Leisure Local’ model. www.allianceleisure.co.uk/new-builds

■ Balanced Body

Balanced Body is synonymous with Pilates. With a heritage spanning more than 45 years and a philosophy closely aligned to Joseph Pilates’ original principles, the brand provides equipment, professional education and resources for a journey of movement and vitality. It empowers professionals to deliver exceptional instruction, with delivery and content constantly reviewed and evolved to ensure it remains aligned to the needs of the market. www.pilates.com

■ Cloud Gym

Cloud Gym will be introducing Gym, a custom AI that’s delivering customer service in gyms through WhatsApp.

Available 24/7, Gym automates interactions, boosts sales and builds customer loyalty, leading to up to 62 per cent higher conversion rates. It also enables personalised offers and updates and streamlining communication. Fully integrated with Cloud Gym’s management system, including access control, class streaming, gamification, and digital marketing

tools, Gym turns WhatsApp into a powerful platform for engagement and growth in the fitness industry. www.cloudgym.com

■ COSMED

Cosmed’s Q-NRG Max is a metabolic monitor for VO2 Max and resting energy expenditure. It eliminates the limitations of traditional metabolic carts, offering user-friendly, efficient experience for both clinicians and fitness professionals.

Designed for precision, Q-NRG Max provides accurate assessments of VO2 Max and resting energy expenditure, making it a useful tool for understanding metabolic performance. It also delivers personalised insights to help athletes and fitness enthusiasts optimise their performance and achieve their health and fitness goals. www.cosmed.com

■ EGYM

EGYM is redefining club management with the new EGYM Business Suite 2.0 which simplifies operations with a centralised, data-driven platform featuring single sign-on access to all EGYM products and services. The EGYM Ecosystem is built for continuous learning and adaptation, and at its core is EGYM Genius. After launching

Around 200 suppliers will display their latest innovations at the show

in 2024, the latest developments of this industry-leading AI tool are set to further streamline and optimise the training experience for operators and members alike.

EGYM will also be introducing the new Smart Strength Squat at Elevate 2025.

Squats are widely recognised as one of the most effective exercises for building strength, stability and mobility. EGYM is celebrating this essential movement with the latest addition to its Smart Strength series.

The machine combines digital resistance, guided movement and automated adjustments for a safe, effective and fun training experience that delivers results, while its intelligent technology adapts to individual needs, utilising advanced training methods, including explonic, negative and isokinetic modes – only achievable with electronic strength machines.

Other things on show include The Fitness Hub, EGYM’s flagship onboarding machine, which enables

fast onboarding, intuitive body analyses, flexibility tests and the visualisation of training progress to elevate member support.

The test generates a BioAge Flexibility Score, correlating mobility with biological age and providing an essential metric for tracking progress.

Integrated with EGYM Genius, these insights feed directly into AI-driven training plans, ensuring members receive precise, goal-oriented workout recommendations. www.EGYM.com

■ FitnessKPI

FitnessKPI is a Business Intelligence system for the fitness industry and has now arrived in the UK, helping the fitness sector improve the decision-making process; enabling better results in retention, sales and revenues by going from data to actions. The system integrates automatically with any database, collects all

the important data and shows it in a user-friendly way.

The system’s AI – called Anna –analyses business metrics before giving pointers, making predictions on KPIs and identifying likely leavers, while a CRM module transforms this data into automated actions with leads, to make sure the customer journey is as personalised as possible. www.fitness-kpi.com

■ Freemotion

Freemotion is introducing the Epic Plate Loaded Series, a new era of industrial equipment designed for the most effective full body strength training.

The new line has been launched to cater to the growing strength trend, particularly for females. Equipment is tested beyond industry standards and designed with ergonomics in mind.

Also new, the Ultra 1 premium treadmill, developed under the NordicTrack brand will launch

Recovery products will be on show as the trend accelerates

soon. Ultra 1 is paired with the Freemotion Reflex Treadmill deck, reducing impact by 52 per cent and has been designed and tested for commercial spaces. www.Freemotionfitness.com

■ Future Fit

GLP-1 medications are transforming weight management and metabolism, and with 64 per cent of UK adults classified as overweight or obese and over half a million more people recently identified as at risk of Type 2 diabetes, the demand for effective, science-backed lifestyle interventions is on the rise.

A new course from Future Fit offers practical insights into GLP-1 medications, helping fitness and wellness professionals understand their impact on weight management and how they integrate into a broader approach to training and lifestyle coaching. Fitness professionals can stay ahead in the evolving landscape of fitness and weight management with expert-led training designed for fitness and leisure settings

Join Dr Hussain Al-Zubaidi on Elevate Day 1 at the Debate Stage as

he explains the opportunity for the physical activity sector to be part of an integrated weight-loss solution. www.futurefit.co.uk

■ Helmsman Lockers and Cubicles

Helmsman Lockers and Cubicles offers a complete solution that includes design, supply, installation and after-sales services of bespoke storage lockers and cubicles, designed and manufactured to suit customer requirements and specifications.

Helmsman is based in Bury St Edmunds and operates from offices and a factory with a committed local team to assure high-quality manufacturing. Working across the sport and leisure sectors, Helmsman has knowledge and experience in the industry and is able to recommend solutions.

The company offers off-the-shelf products as well as bespoke solutions, in materials including metal, steel, aluminium, glass and solid-grade laminate, in a wide range of colours and styles and with options from charging points to various locking systems.

■ Indigo Fitness

At Elevate 2025, IndigoFitness will be transforming its stand into a fully functioning flexible studio training space, designed to be immersive, adaptable and experience-led.

The space will come to life with Les Mills Ceremony classes, Hyrox-inspired hybrid sessions and mat Pilates, demonstrating how a single space can flex to meet a wide range of training and wellbeing goals.

We’ll also launch our latest innovation in space-efficient cable strength training, designed for flexible studios and small group training spaces. This smart solution supports enhanced programming, increases member interaction and enables better use of floor space.

We’ll be showcasing design mood boards, featuring materials and finishes used in gym environments from Third Space to Southwark Leisure so visitors can see, touch and feel what goes into creating beautiful, practical training spaces.

Finally, the IndigoFitness coffee bar is back, so drop by for coffee and a chat about reimagining your training space. www.indigofitness.com

PHOTO:

ELEVATE / SEAN MCGARRY

The show offers two days of

■ Keepme

Keepme will be sharing two free guides for UK fitness operators: The State of UK Lead Gen, which pulls together insights from recent industry research data to help fitness businesses understand what’s working when it comes to generating leads, and Implementing AI Sales Agents: a practical guide for fitness operators ready to grow – a hands-on guide that shows how AI is being used to manage and convert leads.

Both of the new guides are sales-focused and they’re intended to educate and give health and fitness operators greater clarity around areas that can often be complex or misunderstood. www.keepme.ai

■ Leisure Loop

Leisure Loop has launched a circular swim equipment recycling scheme dedicated to transforming used swimming equipment into innovative, recycled changing room facilities.

Things like goggles and flip flops are recycled into plastic panels, which are used to build changing rooms. At the end of their lifecycle, these materials can be recycled again.

leisure Loop is collaborating with Aaztec Washrooms, a company that is changing the way leisure

centres contribute to a sustainable future by preventing swimming gear from ending up in landfills and giving it a new lease of life. www.leisureloop.co.uk

■ Merrithew

Merrithew, the supplier of Pilates equipment and creator of education programmes such as Stott Pilates, Zenga, Total Barre and Halo Training, has recently acquired TL Elliott and Co, owner of AlignPilates and supplier of Pilates equipment and accessories for professional studio and home use

Merrithew Connect, a video streaming platform featuring new and signature Pilates, fitness and mind-body workouts and training from its internationally-recognised team of presenters. www.merrithew.com

■

MT3 Fitness

MT3 Fitness will be showing its Torque strength and conditioning equipment at Elevate, including the Tank, Relentless Rope, Stealth Air Bike and Relentless Ripper. Also on show will be two new products, Tank M3 with patented Mag-Force Resistance, ergonomic multi-position handle and real-time performance tracking and the Stealth Air Rower, with air resistance and space-saving upright storage. www.mt3fitness.co.uk

■ Origin

Origin will be showcasing a number of new products at Elevate, including the Impulse 970 Touch-Screen Cardio system, which provides the user with an immersive and customisable fitness experience, connected applications and devices and entertainment solutions and

Merrithew is also known for

Try out all the latest fitness innovations

PHOTO: ELEVATE / SEAN MCGARRY

PHOTO: ELEVATE / SEAN MCGARRY

the 15-piece Impulse Evolution Curve Plate Loaded Series that incorporates a linkage-adjustable force structure designed to match the strength curve of each specific muscle group. www.originfitness.com

■ Peak Pilates

Peak Pilates will be promoting its Metal Line range, including the stackable Fit Reformer, MVE and PPS Deluxe models which offer a space-saving, cost-effective solution. Designed for versatility and portability, Fit Reformer maintains traditional dimensions and functionality, making the equipment suitable for group classes, studios and health clubs seeking efficient apparatus that supports both classical integrity and modern studio demands.

The company will also be sharing news on The FitCore Group Reformer Speciality Education Programme, a certification designed to fuse classical Pilates principles

with modern functional movement. FitCore delivers a pre-programmed, balanced workout with a high sweat factor, equipping instructors to lead results-driven group classes in a creative way. www.peakpilates.co.uk

■ Pulse Fitness:

Pulse Fitness will be showcasing two innovations: the new Step Mill and the upgraded Trakk 2.0 ecosystem. The Step Mill delivers

a low-impact, high-intensity cardio experience, with on-demand 10, 20 and 30-minute workouts to suit all fitness levels, as well as connectivity via Apple GymKit, Strava and Miracast to deliver immersive training sessions.

Trakk 2.0 is an evolution of the Pulse digital ecosystem with a new web-based app, giving operators and trainers real-time, cloud-based access to member activity, performance data and streamlined

Meetings can take place at the Networking Hub

The event will be a place to discover new and fresh ideas

PHOTO:

operational tools from any device, designed to future-proof facilities and elevate the fitness experience. www.pulsefitness.com

■ Henshaw Hyperbarics

Henshaw Hyperbaric Chambers offers a range of hyperbaric oxygen chambers that are ISO 9001 accredited – both hard shell and inflatable.

There’s also an option to add Super LED light therapy inside. This approach enhances traditional Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) by combining it with low-level light, allowing for focused, localised therapy. The result is reduced pain, improved blood flow and enhanced performance in fewer sessions. www.thewellnesstreegroup.co.uk

■ Speedflex

Speedflex will be highlighting its latest iteration of the Blade at Elevate 2025, featuring a new design that includes refinements to the platform, screen and dials for an optimal user experience for club members.

A variety of new on-demand workouts have also been added to the Speedflex library, based on customer feedback and usage data on the most popular sessions.

The library now also features ‘partner-workouts’, allowing two users to train together, while the new exercise library allows health and fitness club operators to run group classes featuring the Blade as part of a broader session, with exercise demonstrations looping on screen. www.speedflex.com

■ Wattbike

Wattbike will be showing its new Air-Pro indoor cycling solution, which builds on the strong legacy of the Wattbike Pro/Trainer.

The Air-Pro has upgraded magnetic resistance, a new performance touchscreen and

integration with the Wattbike Hub and third-party apps.

It also delivers built-in testing protocols including the Wattbike Health Assessment Submax Test – providing users with their Cardiorespiratory Fitness (CRF) score, which is a predicted VO2max benchmark. This gives members a clear view of their fitness levels compared to their peers, driving motivation and retention.

With science-backed tools for personalised training, progress tracking and benchmarking, the model has been designed to create meaningful fitness journeys. www.wattbike.com

■ Xplor

Xplor will be showcasing its recently launched gym member app.

Powered by customers’ Xplor Gym software, the app helps

Speedflex will be showing its new on-demand workouts

health clubs engage, motivate, and retain members and is available in two options – a standard branded option and custom-branded.

The custom-branded option helps operators differentiate themselves by providing a fully branded experience to build recognition.

Both options let members manage their memberships, book classes and receive updates. Clubs can use dynamic QR code technology for secure access control, tracking visits, and preventing unauthorised entries.

Xplor has also invested in creating a secure, in-app shopping experience, so clubs can sell memberships, products, and services, as well as in member experience-enhancing integrations, such as giving members access to personalised AI-powered training and nutrition plans. www.xplortechnologies.com l

PHOTO: ELEVATE / SPEEDFLEX

For more insight, or to get in touch with the companies featured, visit www.fitness-kit.net and type in their keyword

Product innovation

Julie Cramer rounds up the latest health, fitness and wellness kit

Connect

gives

operators the freedom to relocate equipment, says Simon Clarke

Pavigym has launched its new Connect flooring system designed to enhance safety, organisation and fl exibility. Connect integrates a cable management system directly into flooring tiles, allowing electrical cables to be routed safely and invisibly under the floor.

“Connect offers a solution to futureproof layouts”

Simon Clarke

This eliminates trip hazards and improves the look of spaces, while giving the freedom to or locate equipment away from wall sockets.

Pavigym’s Simon Clarke says: “Connect offers a practical,

long-term solution for gyms looking to future-proof their layouts as equipment evolves and user needs change.”

fitness-kit.net KEYWORD

Pavigym

Lumina combines design with commercial-grade durability, says David Barr

Dumbbells can be displayed as sculptural elements

The new Ziva Lumina Line has been designed with designconscious gyms, rehabilitation spaces and boutiques in mind –where there’s a desire for aesthetics to match performance Lumina Dumbbells feature scratchresistant, chrome-finished handles with secure grips. Solid steel heads, encased in a corrosion- and tearresistant urethane gives a resilient finish and a controlled bounce for floor protection and durability.

The Compact Dumbbell Rack features glass-filled nylon

“Lumina brings a simple elegance to functional fitness”

David Barr

saddles that cradle dumbbells, protecting them from wear and tear.

Ziva founder and CEO, David Barr, says: “These new releases blend strength with style and offer plenty of surprises to enhance any training environment.”

fitness-kit.net KEYWORD

Ziva Fitness

Connect was launched at FIBO 2025

PHOTO:

PHOTO:

We’re creating a space where music and healing converge, says Ray Kelly

Health tech company Tersa has launched its Sava Sound Pod in Europe. Designed to promote relaxation, stress reduction and holistic healing, the cocoon-like bed merges sound and vibration with AI.

“It will take you to a higher state of consciousness”

Ray Kelly

The

The human-sized pod was created by Tersa founder and CEO, Ray Kelly, a specialist in “celebrity pain management” and injury rehabilitation for the music industry.

It’s designed to envelop the user in sound and vibration, delivered via 10 bass transducers beneath the legs, hips, back and shoulders and four surround speakers near the top of the head.

The experience is accompanied by soundscapes that harness

‘solfeggio’ frequencies to enhance mental and emotional wellbeing. Users can personalise their experience through an app, selecting journeys based on mood and wellness goals.

“We’re redefining holistic wellness by merging music and healing, creating a transformative space for mind and body,” says Kelly. “Sava will take you to a higher state of consciousness.”

fitness-kit.net keywords

Tersa

new Nautilus Belt Squat delivers strength without compromise, says Ali Kemp

Core Health and Fitness has introduced the Nautilus Belt Squat, a new strength addition to the Nautilus brand.

Offering users a spine-friendly alternative to traditional squatting while delivering advanced performance and ergonomic adjustability, the lower-body solution is engineered to deliver results with precision for regular uses and rehab.

“The launch of the Belt Squat signals another exciting chapter in

The new kit was launched at FIBO 2025

the evolution of Nautilus Strength,” said Ali Kemp, director of product at Nautilus. “As the first in a series of new additions, it sets the tone for what’s to come: intelligent, inclusive strength solutions that perform at every level.”

The Nautilus Belt Squat has a 1:1 weight ratio, nonslip ergonomic footplate and integrated plate storage.

“The launch signals another exciting chapter in the evolution of Nautilus Strength” Ali Kemp Core fitness-kit.net keywords

Sava’s founder comes from the music industry

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Exercise, yoga and spiritual growth decreased depression among women with breast cancer

Cancer care

A new study at the Shengjing hospital of China Medical University set out to provide robust evidence to support the clinical application of exercise in cancer care

Exercise can counter the detrimental effects of cancer and its treatment, according to an umbrella review published recently in the British Journal of Sports Medicine

The research – Impact of exercise on health outcomes in people with cancer: an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials – was led by a team at Shengjing hospital of China Medical University (SJH), and is the most extensive study of its kind to date.

The work was undertaken to investigate the associations between exercise and overall health outcomes in patients with cancer, with the aim of providing robust evidence to support the safe clinical application of exercise in cancer care.

Eighty studies with 485 associations were reviewed by the team with these having originally been peer reviewed and published between 2012 and 2024.

Mitigating the adverse effects of cancer

Researchers concluded that exercise significantly mitigates adverse events associated with cancer and its treatment, for example brain fog, chemotherapy-induced nerve damage and dyspnea (a sensation of running out of air).

Exercise also modulates body composition and biomarkers, including insulin, as well as enhancing sleep quality, psychological wellbeing, physiological functioning, social interaction and improving quality of life.

One analysis demonstrated that exercise enhanced the psychological wellbeing of of elderly people with colorectal cancer who are undergoing chemotherapy

Mind-body exercises, such as Tai Chi, Qigong and yoga were recommended by the research team for their ability to integrate mental focus, physical movement, breath control and stress reduction. Yoga improved the short-term, health-related quality of life for people with breast cancer, lung cancer and older people with colorectal cancer, while there was moderate certainty evidence that post-diagnosis and post-radiotherapy exercise, combined with yoga or spiritual growth was linked to decreased depression among women with breast cancer.

Older people also benefi t

High certainty evidence from one analysis demonstrated that exercise also enhanced the psychological wellbeing of elderly people with colorectal cancer who are undergoing chemotherapy. In addition, there was evidence of high to moderate certainty that pre-operative exercise reduced the risk of post-operative complications and pain, as well as the length of hospital stay and the risk of death after surgery.

More: www.HCMmag.com/coldwater

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