Work spaces at health clubs can help people fit exercise into their busy lives Hilary Rowland, founder, Boom Cycle There is currently a strong focus on how to get people moving more, particularly those who are relatively inactive. One of the main reasons people give for not exercising is that they simply don’t have the time – with work and family
Hilary Rowland
commitments taking priority, and especially with millennials where it’s becoming a common trend to have two or three careers at once. Without exercise, I know I would not feel as happy or mentally strong. Yet in an ever-more competitive world, and even though we all know how important it is, it’s hard to fit everything in. To help people overcome this challenge, we at Boom Cycle are aiming to provide multi-use spaces that save time for our customers. An entrepreneurial way of life is very common within our community of riders and we wanted to create a space
“Gyms should be welcoming places that people feel comfortable hanging out in, whether to work or relax”
where the creative vibes can keep flowing. Our newest studio locations will provide lots of charging points and seating to enable people who are leading those busy lifestyles to catch up on their all-important work, before or after they work out. These spaces allow us to strengthen our community
feel and welcome everyone into Boom Cycle. I believe that, if more health clubs offer work-friendly environments, collectively we can begin to change the way people interact with fitness. Gyms and studios should be welcoming places that people feel comfortable hanging out in, whether they want to work, relax or meet friends.
Clubs could offer work-friendly spaces
Welcoming people with disabilities into health clubs can benefit the local community Lyndsey Barrett, senior occupational therapist and founder, Sport For Confidence
PHOTO:SHUTTERSTOCK.COM
I was encouraged by the letter in HCM April 17 (p17) from South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture, outlining its work in mental health care provision. There is a huge opportunity for leisure centres to open their services up to a much wider demographic, through better engagement with
Specialists and coaches lead the sessions
community groups and the healthcare sector. Sport for Confidence works in partnership with leisure operators to deliver fully inclusive sport and physical activity sessions for people with and without learning disabilities. The sessions, led by a specialist healthcare
professional and a sports coach, measure and assess occupational outcomes. Since launching in 2011, the programme has grown to cater for 150 participants per month across six sites in Essex, and offering 12 sports. Everyone can benefit from these initiatives. We’ve collated evidence, independently audited by the College of Occupational Therapists, that proves there are significant economic savings to the community. Many regular participants reduce the level of support they need from social care and public health.
Lyndsey Barrett Operators benefit from more customers, an uplift in secondary spend and the delivery of a fully inclusive local service.
“There is a huge opportunity for leisure centres to open their services up to a much wider demographic” ©Cybertrek 2017 healthclubmanagement.co.uk May 2017
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