WellNation issue 5 2025

18-19 JUNE

200+ Exhibitors

1000+ Products

200+ Speakers

Chard

news & trends

Fitness First and EGYM partner for AI training offer

Health club chain, Fitness First, has partnered with fitness tech specialist, EGYM, to roll out the UK’s first AIpowered, fully personalised training offering across its gym estate.

Called “Able by Fitness First”, the training solution delivers bespoke fitness programmes that adapt to and evolve with each member, helping them achieve their individual health and performance goals.

Once fully implemented at a club, Able will offer four comprehensive onboarding sessions to all new and existing members. These include a deep-dive into the member’s goals and preferences, as well as a series of cardiovascular, strength and body composition assessments.

The data is then synthesised through EGYM Genius, which generates a personalised training programme that adapts as the member progresses. All training plans are accessible via the Fitness First app and supported by regular in-person check-ins with expert coaches. Able will be made available at

all Fitness First clubs and is already live in the majority of them – including the flagship Marylebone club in London, which reopened in February 2025 following a £2 million renovation.

Early feedback from users has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting both the intuitive

nature of the technology and the motivational boost it provides.

Philipp Roesch-Schlanderer, CEO of EGYM, said: “Able by Fitness First brings together the best of both worlds — smart technology and human expertise — to deliver truly personalised fitness journeys.”

Edmonton Leisure Centre reopens after 17 month redevelopment

Edmonton Leisure Centre in north London has reopened as part of a phased, £7.5m redevelopment of its facilities.

Phase one has included the installation of a new health club, featuring a large gym floor, a dedicated cycling studio, sports hall and fitness class studio. A soft play area has also opened. Improved swimming facilities are set to open at the centre in late summer 2025.

The centre is owned by Enfield Council and the reopening marks a major milestone in its ongoing investment in community wellbeing. The centre is operated by GLL.

Councillor Sabri Ozaydin, said: “We’ve worked closely with our colleagues at GLL and the new gym and group exercise spaces will provide accessible and inclusive options for people of all ages and abilities.”

The EGYM and Fitness First teams PHOTO:

Phase one has included the installation of a new health club

The centre will include two swimming pools and a large gym

Planning approved for Sandwell’s new £24m leisure centre

Sandwell Council has given planning permission for the redevelopment of Haden Hill Leisure Centre in Cradley Heath. The proposals will see the existing facility being demolished and rebuilt.

The new centre will feature a main swimming pool, learner pool, two multi-purpose studios, a 100-station gym, a 27-station indoor cycling studio, a four-court sports hall and a dedicated community room.

The £24m redevelopment is being funded by UK Government funding, Sport England and Sandwell Council. It was procured using Alliance Leisure, part of the UK Leisure Framework, which is owned and managed by Denbighshire Leisure Ltd.

Councillor Suzanne Hartwell, Sandwell Council’s Deputy Leader, said: “I’m glad to see further progress on the Haden Hill site and look forward to it opening to the public. Over the last decade, we have built five new leisure centres, including the magnificent

Sandwell Aquatics Centre. This investment at Haden Hill Leisure Centre will ensure we are maintaining our high-quality leisure offer to all residents of Sandwell across the six towns.”

Mark Braithwaite, CEO of Sandwell Leisure Trust – which will operate the centre – said: “We are delighted to see further progress towards the rebuilding of this much-loved facility, and we will continue to support all project partners to deliver another fantastic investment for Sandwell.”

Contractor, Speller Metcalfe, has joined the design team and has successfully completed the design up to RIBA Stage 3. The project is expected to break ground in November 2025, with an anticipated completion date of Spring 2027.

Lisa Dodd-Mayne, Executive Director for Place, Sport England, said: “Redeveloping Haden Hill Leisure Centre will give more people in Sandwell the chance to play sport and be active, helping them to lead healthier lives.”

Dudley Council ends search for external operator

Dudley Council has decided to take direct control of its leisure facilities and services, cutting short a tendering process to find an external operator for them.

The council had been carrying out a tender exercise for leisure provision in recent months. However, the council said that “significant work” had been made since the turn of the year to improve the local authority’s financial position, which had “delivered on identified savings”.

As a result of the cost-cutting, Dudley Council leader, Patrick Harley, said the council would now look at options for retaining leisure provision within its direct control.

Harley added that, following the review of tender applications, the council is no longer seeking to award an external contract.

“The council has been and remains committed to ensuring high-quality, inclusive and accessible leisure services in the borough that also deliver value for money for council taxpayers,” he said. “Over the last few months, we’ve carefully considered the tenders put forward by external providers. Our due diligence suggests that the best value for money in leisure centres does not lie with outsourcing at this time.”

Dudley Council owns three leisure centres – Duncan Edwards Leisure Centre, Crystal Leisure Centre and Halesowen Leisure Centre – and an outdoor sports venue, Dell Stadium.

PHOTO: ALLIANCE LEISURE

PHOTO: DUDLEY COUNCIL

Funxtion appoints Stephanie Yip to its product development team

Digital fitness content platform, Funxtion, has appointed Stephanie Yip as Product Manager.

Yip’s appointment is part of the company’s plans to drive product development and further expand its foothold in the content delivery market for the health and fitness industry. Funxtion specialises in enabling fitness chains to offer their members personalised digital fitness experiences at scale.

In Memoriam: Norman Basson

The health and fitness industry is mourning the loss of one of its most respected pioneers, Norman Basson, who has sadly passed away at the age of 79.

Norman was the visionary founder of Premier Training International, launching the company in 1992 and growing it into one of the UK’s most prominent and respected health and fitness training providers. His journey began in the Army Physical Training Corps, where he served as a physical educationalist, sports coach and physiotherapist. After leaving the Army, Norman established his own physiotherapy practice, which he later expanded into a full-service health and fitness club and training centre – laying the groundwork for his future impact on the industry. In 2010, Norman announced his retirement, after opening Premier Training’s first flagship academy, a £550,000 facility in Finsbury Park, London.

Norman was more than an entrepreneur – he was a trailblazer. He was instrumental in establishing one of the UK’s very first structured educational

programmes for personal trainers, helping to set the standard for professional development in the sector. Through his passion and leadership, he inspired and motivated thousands of individuals, laying the foundation for the careers of countless health and fitness professionals across the country.

Debra Stuart, former CEO of Premier Training International, paid tribute: “Norman’s passion for highquality learning, his belief in people and his drive to raise standards made a lasting impact on our industry.”

In her new role, Yip will look to utilise her experience in leveraging data-driven insights and crossfunctional collaboration to deliver intuitive user experiences.

With expertise across the entire product lifecycle, she will support Funxtion’s product development team by overseeing an ambitious product roadmap while ensuring workstreams align with the company’s aggressive growth plans.

Myzone strengthens leadership with Jo Walker

Fitness tech specialist, Myzone, has appointed Jo Walker as its new Head of Brand and Communications.

Walker, a fitness and wellness marketing expert who has extensive experience in the software as a service (SaaS) sector, joins the business as it prepares for a new phase of growth and expansion. During her career, Walker has held senior marketing roles at Xplor Technologies and EverCommerce and most recently served as CMO at BOX12.

Stephanie Yip

Norman Basson

PHOTO: FUNXTION

PHOTO: NORMAN BASSON’S FAMILY

PHOTO: MYZONE

news & trends

Sentire Pilates offering personalised wellness experiences

Sentire Pilates, located in Belgravia, London, has invested in Balanced Body as part of its strategy to offer a bespoke Pilates experience to customers. The studio, which opened its doors in late 2024, was founded by Iza Recelj, whose vision was to create a calming space in the heart of London, where clients could explore their physical potential and transform their health through movement.

“Movement has always been a cornerstone of my life,” explains Iza, who has a background in kinesiotherapy.

Taylor Made Designs awarded ISO14001 accreditation

Taylor Made Designs has announced that it has recently been awarded ISO14001 – the global sustainability standard.

“This ISO14001 accreditation is a massive milestone for us – I’m so proud of everybody who has been working hard behind the scenes on our application,” says Ed Taylor, MD of Taylor Made Designs. “ISO14001 accreditation can take years to achieve.

Jake Harvey, Operations Director, added: “Sustainability is not just an afterthought for us; it’s truly at the very heart of what we do.”

First phase of £8.6m Health Hydro revamp to be completed by end of 2025

Work to bring Swindon’s historic Health Hydro back to life has seen “significant progress”, two years on from its closure.

The first phase of an £8.6m restoration is due to be completed by the end of the year and it is anticipated that the pool will reopen to the public in early 2026. Since the closure of the historic site in 2023, works have been progressing to make the site safe and to refurbish the former Washing Baths Hall, changing rooms and plant areas.

Once complete, the first phase of works will create an accessible route through to the newly-restored changing rooms and the main pool hall, which houses the 33m-long pool. Due to the age of the Grade II* listed building, work has been slow on the project. Investigations – which were only possible after the building had been closed to the public – have revealed a series of challenges which have had to be overcome by redesign, with consideration given to the best approach to respect the building’s

heritage. The controlled removal of asbestos has also added time to the programme. The site is owned by Swindon Borough Council and when completed, will be operated by leisure management company GLL.

According to councillor Marina Strinkovsky, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Planning, the restoration project is taking “longer than originally anticipated, but added that there is “light at the end of the tunnel”.

“Like many residents, I am desperate to see this beautiful building reopened to the public,” Strinkovsky said.

“The Health Hydro is a nationally significant heritage site and the story it embodies of workers selforganising to provide services to their community is one that should make all Swindonians proud.”

Progress is also being made on developing the next phase of works, which will focus on restoring the main pool hall.

The studio was founded by Iza Recelj

PHOTO: SWINDON BOROUGH COUNCIL

The Grade II*-listed building was closed in 2023

PHOTO: SENTIRE PILATES

More than fitness equipment

Matt Aynsley, Operations Director at D2F, explains how D2F’s Bespoke division creates high quality custom apparel and accessories to help ��tness and leisure businesses enhance their brand

D2F has a long history of delivering fitness equipment, so what’s different about D2F Bespoke? Most people associate D2F with providing commercial fitness equipment and flooring, but we’ve recently rebranded our merchandising arm as D2F Bespoke to really highlight the extensive work we do in the clothing space. D2F acquired BrandCo, the leading supplier of premium branded apparel and merchandise, with more than two decades of heritage. Since acquiring BrandCo, we’ve gone on to work with some of the world’s most prestigious sporting brands to create incredible bespoke collections, including the Olympics, the Boat Race, the Football Association (FA), English Cricket Board (ECB), Premiership rugby clubs and more.

At D2F Bespoke, we specialise in creating premium custom apparel and accessories to help set brands apart. We partner with brands of all sizes in the health, fitness and lifestyle market and with over twenty years of industry expertise we know that custom merchandise or uniforms can really elevate a brand.

Tell me a bit about how you work with brands It’s probably easiest to explain through an example. We worked closely with the Boat Race to design a clothing range designed for commercial success, but that also represents the race’s identity as a prestigious sporting event steeped in centuries of history.

Our product range is fully bespoke and covers everything from stylish outerwear and comfortable leisurewear, to socks, hats and everything in between – including branded accessories, delivering premium quality at competitive prices. For The Boat Race, we used the crossed oars and the boat race colour detailing to customise zip pulls, as well as back neck tapes and labels. All of these small details help the products stand out and create a sense of attachment between the brand and the products, beyond the base logo itself.

It’s also worth mentioning that we pride ourselves on our strict code of ethical and eco-conscious sourcing policies and hold ourselves to the highest standard, as we want these brands to feel completely safe with us.

What are the key opportunities for operators when it comes to custom merchandise and apparel?

Nearly all brands and operators have their own branded clothing and products, but often these are off-the-shelf products where only the logo can be customised. This means its often lowquality and becomes a distress purchase.

With D2F Bespoke, you’re not

just

getting a product; you’re investing in a comprehensive branding experience

Members are proud to belong to their gyms and are willing to spend on quality items, so operators are leaving money on the table. Choosing bespoke over off-the-shelf products offers numerous advantages. While bespoke items might have a slightly higher initial cost, they deliver far greater value in the long run. Custom details and unique branding elements add perceived value, allowing you to command significantly higher retail prices or create an unmistakable brand identity. With D2F Bespoke, you’re not just getting a product; you’re investing in a comprehensive branding experience that ensures your range is commercially successful.

Is D2F Bespoke just for bigger organisations?

We’re continuing to grow and secure bigger partnerships, but no project is too big or small for us. Whether it’s a huge global event, a multimillion-pound fitness centre or an owner-operated personal site, we’ll continue to deliver with the same unwavering dedication regardless of size. Anyone looking for branded products should get in touch, whether it’s high quality uniforms

or a collection for retail, we can deliver across the board. We also have very competitive minimum order quantities and can work on the basis of creating just two or three products.

What does the future look for D2F?

We’re on an ambitious journey to become synonymous with high-quality craftsmanship at a reasonable price, while being able to deliver almost anything someone in the fitness space might need for their business. We’re seeing growth across D2F Fitness, Equipped and Bespoke, which is incredible to see and is recognition of the fact that we have such a broad offering to help any fitness or leisure business.

We’ve got big plans for the business, but ultimately it’s all driven by ensuring we deliver for our clients. Whatever it is, we’ll always bend over backwards to make it happen.

Find out more about how D2F Bespoke can elevate your apparel and accessories at www.d2ffitness.com

D2F worked closely with the Boat Race to design a clothing range designed for commercial success

news & trends

London’s oldest spa reopens following £500k revamp

What is believed to be London’s oldest spa, located at the historic York Hall, has reopened following a £500,000 investment from Tower Hamlets London Borough Council.

The newly-branded “Be Well the Spa” in Bethnal Green is one of the last remaining traditional Turkish baths in London and one of the only council-operated spas in the country.

Formerly called York Hall Spa, the facility is joint oldest in London, along with the Porchester Spa, with both opening their doors to the public in 1929. Photographs from the Tower Hamlets Local History Library and Archives show the original opening of the historic public baths and washhouses in 1929 by the Duke and Duchess of York (later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth), alongside then Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald. The council’s investment has seen the site retain its historic features, including one of the oldest Turkish baths.

Facilities include a thermal spa with three hot rooms, two aroma steam

rooms, a traditional sauna, infrared sauna, ice fountain, monsoon shower, plunge pool, hammam and a relaxation lounge. The spa offers a range of modern treatments, provided by suppliers such as HydraFacial and Elemis.

Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets Lutfur Rahman said: “I’m delighted

that we’re reopening the historic York Hall spa, home to one of the last remaining Turkish baths in London, and to offer this as one of the most affordable spas in the city. This is also one of the only spas in the country which is not only owned but also directly operated by the council.”

Barnsley’s Health on the High Street initiative set for next stage

Work is underway on the next stage of a pioneering Health on the High Street programme, described as the UK’s largest relocation of hospital outpatient services. The initiative will see Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council work with partners to transform the first floor of the Alhambra Shopping Centre into a health and wellbeing hub.

Set to open later this year, the new satellite centre in the heart of town will receive outpatient appointments, which will be transferred from Barnsley Hospital.

The hub will serve some of Barnsley Hospital’s outpatients and hosts a range of facilities, including a gym and wellbeing centre provided by Barnsley Premier Leisure (BPL) and mental health services through South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SWYPFT).

The council’s investment has seen the site retain its historic features

PHOTO:

The hub will host a range of services

news & trends

The programme will create a Lived Experience Network

Campaign launched to get more disabled people active

Sport for Confidence CIC has teamed up with the Activity Alliance to launch a joint campaign designed to create more opportunities for disabled people to take part, volunteer and work in sport and physical activity.

Called Include to Improve, the twoyear programme is backed by Sport England’s Recover and Reinvent fund and will look to tackle the barriers hindering disabled people’s full participation, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and cost-of-living crisis.

“Everyone has a right to experience physical activity and sport, which, for the individual can empower, provide meaningful choice, and a sense of belonging whilst also strengthening communities and driving economic growth,” explains Aimee Nuttall, Occupational Therapist and Include to Improve Lead, Sport for Confidence.

“This new programme embodies this ethos by prioritising the needs, aspirations, and lived experiences of disabled people, working with partners to reshape the landscape of physical activity and sport.”

Disabled people continue to face significant obstacles in accessing these opportunities. In 2023, the employment rate for disabled people stood at just 53 per cent compared to 82 per cent for non-disabled individuals.

Parkwood Leisure to launch five new MSK Community Hubs

Leisure facility operator, Parkwood Leisure, is launching five new musculoskeletal [MSK] Hubs.

The company is expanding its services after its MSK Community Hubs initiative was deemed to be “instrumental in enhancing the quality of life for participants”.

Surveys of its original pilot sites revealed that nearly two-thirds (62.5%) of participants reported improvements in their wellbeing, with many achieving significant relief from their MSK conditions.

Parkwood now has 33 locations across England and Wales including new sites in Bromley, Boston, Ilfracombe, Leeds and Milton Keynes.

Parkwood says the new sites are part of it reaffirming its commitment to MSK support and driving “impactful change” in its communities across England and Wales.

MSK Community Hubs were developed as part of the Government’s Healthy Ageing Challenge, initially a

pilot project driven by a consortium of partners; ukactive, Good Boost, Orthopaedic Research UK, ESCAPEpain and Arthritis Action.

After a successful two-year pilot – in which 30 leisure centres in the Parkwood Leisure group became MSK Community Hubs – Parkwood Leisure, in partnership with Legacy Leisure, Lex Leisure, Creating Active Futures and 1Life, is now actively growing sites and training MSK leads to manage the programmes.

Managing Director of Parkwood Leisure, Glen Hall said: “It’s not often that you get to be involved in a pilot project that has such a demonstrable impact, the numbers speak for themselves with an estimated £981,000 of social value generated during our 10-month live pilot period across 30 of our sites.

“Parkwood Leisure continues to expand the MSK Hubs and we have plans to continue on this path and open more hubs in the future.”

PHOTO: PARKWOOD LEISURE

Parkwood now has 33 MSK locations across England and Wales

PHOTO: SPORT FOR CONFIDENCE

fitness solutions to

Soho Works

WORK MEETS WELLNESS

iFIT partners with Soho Works to make fitness a seamless part of everyday life

Global fitness giant, iFIT, has teamed up with Soho Works to launch an exclusive fitness space that redefines what wellness in the workplace can look like. Located at Soho Works 55 Water in Brooklyn, New York, the modern facility blends Freemotion and NordicTrack equipment with the immersive iFIT platform – bringing members a dynamic, ondemand fitness experience wherever they are.

At the heart of this partnership is a shared mission: to seamlessly integrate health and fitness into daily life. Whether you’re jumping on the Incline Trainer between meetings or unwinding with a guided yoga session at home, iFIT makes it easier than ever to prioritise your well-being.

Inside the space, members will find top-tier equipment including Freemotion’s GENESIS Dual Cable Cross and NordicTrack’s Studio Bike, giving them access to strength, cardio, flexibility, and recovery options that

suit every goal. But the experience doesn’t end there.

With the iFIT app, Soho Works members can take their fitness journey beyond the office walls. The subscription unlocks thousands of personalised workouts, available on any device. From high-energy HIIT to calming mobility sessions, members can tune in anywhere, anytime.

Mark Watterson, CEO at Freemotion, said: “We’re proud to bring our cutting-edge fitness solutions to Soho Works. Together, we’re redefining what it means to combine work and wellness, offering members a truly holistic experience.”

As the lines between work and life continue to blur, iFIT and Soho Works are leading the way in hybrid wellness—creating a future where fitness fits effortlessly into every lifestyle.

For more information about the Soho Works x Freemotion fitness space, watch the launch video: youtu.be/LhxApW4nlIM?si=4ABkW3iR_3LM2T8i or visit freemotionfitness.com.

news & trends

David Lloyd Leisure to open club at Wirral Waters

David Lloyd Clubs has submitted plans for a new club at Wirral Waters, one of the country’s largest regeneration projects. The proposed club would cover an impressive six acres, offering a wide range of facilities.

Outdoor facilities are set to include three weather-protected tennis courts, six canopy-covered padel courts, heated indoor and outdoor swimming pools, an indoor spa and an outdoor spa garden.

Inside the club, there are plans for a large health and fitness area and gym floor, a sports hall with two indoor courts, a children’s play area and a vibrant café lounge.

The planning application has been officially submitted to Wirral Council, with the proposed site located in Peel Waters’ Bidston Dock site off Wallasey Bridge Road, in the heart of the Wirral Waters regeneration area.

As part of David Lloyd Leisure’s commitment to become carbon neutral by 2030, the new club will incorporate the latest in sustainability technology to ensure it operates as efficiently as

possible. The Wirral Waters site is part of a broader strategy to accelerate new club openings across the country, with additional sites confirmed in Gloucestershire and Buckinghamshire.

Wirral Waters is part of Peel Waters, a portfolio of waterfront developments, delivering large-scale projects.

Stuart Caswell, New Clubs Acquisition Director at David Lloyd Leisure said:

“Our plan is to construct a health and wellness club that not only enhances the area and creates a range of new jobs and opportunities for the local community, but also reflects the needs of people living in the area”.

FOD taps up Olympic gold medallist for rowing workouts

Fitness On Demand (FOD) has partnered with twotime Olympic gold medallist, Alex Gregory MBE, to deliver new rowing workouts on its platform.

As part of the partnership with Gregory and his Row Like A Champion content, Fitness On Demand will introduce more than 20 highperformance workouts featuring a mixture of outdoor and studio-based rowing sessions designed and hosted by Gregory. Indoor rowing has experienced a huge surge in popularity in recent years, with the global rowing machine market expected to reach US$1.8 billion by 2031.

“Rowing is an incredible full-body workout that improves cardiovascular health, strength and endurance,” Gregory said. “Partnering with Fitness On Demand allows us to bring elitelevel rowing instruction to more people.”

The club will house extensive indoor and outdoor facilities

PHOTO:

PHOTO:

Indoor rowing has seen a huge surge in popularity

news & trends

Ten Health & Fitness enters franchise market

Health and wellness operator, Ten Health & Fitness, has launched a boutique franchise brand focusing exclusively on Reformer Pilates classes.

Called “tenreformer”, the brand has been designed to be “accessible, scalable and community-driven”.

Franchised sites will offer studios equipped with 16-20 reformers, paired with coaches to provide personalised hands-on guidance to members. All instructors at tenreformer studios will be required to go through the Ten Education training programme.

For an initial investment of £25,000, franchisees will get a licence to operate under the tenreformer brand with a turnkey ‘studio-in-a-box’ solution available for those looking to launch their own site – covering everything from location selection and studio design to training, marketing and operations. With the franchise concept, Ten Health & Fitness looks to capitalise on the growing popularity of Pilates, with ambitious growth plans underway following an initial investment from

Franchised tenreformer sites will offer studios equipped with 16-20 reformers

Foresight VCT of £1.5m. The aim is to secure tenreformer sites across the UK and internationally. Launched in 2007, Ten Health & Fitness currently operates 10 studios across London.

Joanne Mathews, Founder of Ten Health & Fitness, said: “Launching a franchise strategy fits with our

mission of delivering more Pilates to more people in more places.

“It feels like a natural progression for Ten, expanding the reach of our Pilates expertise and giving more people the opportunity to celebrate endorphins. We’ve already had interest in franchises thanks to our legacy in London.”

Plans to build a new leisure centre in Finsbury set to be withdrawn

Plans to build a new leisure centre and around 200 homes in Finsbury, North London, will be withdrawn amid “significant economic uncertainty”.

Islington Council has said that instead of building a new facility, it will put forward plans to invest in and modernise the existing Finsbury Leisure Centre, as well as protect and improve the existing sports pitches – making them more accessible and inclusive to maximise their use. The redrawn plans could also include a new neighbourhood health hub.

In a statement, the council said: “Over the last few years, major projects across London have faced rocketing construction costs such as more expensive materials, new fire safety regulations and an unstable housing market. Recent increases in inflation, supply chain disruption and global trade tariffs meant the project faced significantly increased risk.”

Facilities at the current centre include four squash courts

news & trends

Grants will range from £500 to £3,000

Snap launches grants programme for athletes

Franchised fitness operator, Snap Fitness, has launched a grants programme designed to support emerging athletic talent across the UK and Ireland. Grassroots to Greatness will award grants ranging from £500 to £3,000, supporting essential costs such as training, competition fees, equipment, travel and specialist coaching.

According to Kevin Yates, CEO of Lift Brands EMEA – parent company of Snap Fitness UK & Ireland – the company has an ethos that financial constraints should “never be a barrier” to sporting success. Yates said the programme had been developed to be more than simply financial aid and support, adding: “it’s a commitment to nurturing local talent who live and train within the Snap communities and strengthening these local ties”.

“At Snap Fitness, we are dedicated to helping our members achieve their personal fitness goals, whether that’s improving their health, building strength, or pushing their limits in sport,” Yates said.

“This commitment extends to the next generation of athletes, who often face financial barriers on their journey to success. Through this grant programme, we’re providing vital support to help talented individuals reach their full potential while inspiring our wider community to pursue their own ambitions.”

GLL secures Gateshead contract and plans to make centres more inclusive

Facility operator, GLL, has secured a contract to manage four venues owned by Gateshead Council – Blaydon, Dunston and Heworth leisure centres, alongside Gateshead International Stadium.

GLL will operate the facilities under its Better brand. One of the key aims for the partnership with Gateshead Council is to make activities more accessible for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

As part of a commitment to make the venues more inclusive, the charitable social enterprise will introduce a range of new services at the centres, including:

• a multi-sensory lighting system at Dunston Leisure Centre to support children with sensory processing needs

• a new soft play area and café at Gateshead International Stadium, creating a welcoming space for families

• a new junior facility at Heworth Leisure Centre, replacing the Flow Rider

• a multi-functional space at Dunston Leisure Centre, converting existing

squash courts to provide a flexible area for a variety of activities.

There will also be SEND Champions at each centre, who will work closely with young people and families to understand their needs and provide additional support for children with disabilities to ensure they feel comfortable and included.

The SEND Champions will also offer advice and training to staff, ensuring all team members are equipped to create an inclusive and welcoming environment. All leisure centre staff, including instructors and coaches, will receive specialist training in areas such as neurodiversity, autism awareness, disability awareness, British Sign Language (BSL), and inclusivity in physical activity.

Councillor Angela Douglas, said: “Our partnership with GLL is underpinned by our commitment to provide accessible and affordable opportunities for Gateshead residents to get physically active.”

GLL will operate the facilities under its Better brand

news & trends

CoverMe and Jebra join forces for management tools

CoverMe Fitness has partnered with Jebra to deliver an end-toend solution for team management and payroll in the fitness industry. Designed to reduce operational stress, the partnership merges two tools into one streamlined experience for operators and fitness professionals.

CoverMe brings scheduling, team management and lastminute cover into a single, intuitive platform. Jebra powers accurate and automated payroll. Together, they provide a fully integrated solution for fitness businesses.

Rosanna Tucker, CEO, CoverMe, says: “CoverMe reduces the stress of operations and connects the fitness industry in a smarter way to cut friction in recruitment and help teams grow. Payroll should be just as effortless, and thanks to our partnership with Jebra it is.”

Jebra is the first payroll platform built exclusively for shift-based teams. With AI-powered automation, Jebra handles everything from variable

pay rates, bonuses and overtime to tax deductions and invoicing with speed and precision. Its dedicated employee app gives staff real-time access to payslips, payment history, tax information and savings tools.

Both CoverMe and Jebra are integration partners of Mariana

Active IQ publishes Quality Charter

Awarding organisation, Active IQ, has introduced its 2025 Quality Charter.

Setting out a framework for professional and ethical standards, the Charter has been designed to ensure consistency and integrity across all providers delivering Active IQ qualifications.

Lisa Skelton, Head of Business Development at Active IQ, said: “The newly launched Active IQ Quality Charter ensures that approved training providers maintain standards, helping learners and professionals gain real credibility in the sector and beyond.”

The Charter mandates a commitment to promoting and upholding standards in several key areas, including ethical standards and integrity: professional competence and behaviour; and health, safety, education and training.

Tek, connecting with the software to ensure fitness businesses run as smoothly as possible so that teams can focus on driving revenue.

Tufool Alnuaimi, Co-Founder of Jebra says: “The realities of shift work – variable pay, bonuses, split roles –needs a dedicated payroll platform.”

The app gives staff real-time access to their payment history

PHOTO: COVERME

The charter looks to maintain and promote standards

EPIC PLATE LOADED

The Freemotion Plate Loaded line provides ergonomic strength-training machines designed to target key muscle groups. With adjustable seats, non-slip platforms, smooth pivot bearings, and durable stainless steel storage, these machines ensure comfort, stability, and long-lasting performance for upper body, lower body, and core workouts.

SH1FT is overhauling group fitness with the goal of delivering a more sustainable operations model for clubs

Reimagining group fitness economics

For club operators, SkillSync creates an unprecedented opportunity: every experienced instructor on your team can be certified in up to six SH1FT formats for free. This immediately expands your programming options without the substantial investment typically required for instructor training. But the cost advantages don’t stop there. SH1FT’s comprehensive overhaul of the traditional group fitness model extends to two of the industry’s most persistent expenses: programme licence fees and music licensing costs.

LICENCE FREE PROGRAMMING: SH1FT’s licencefree model eliminates the substantial monthly payments clubs have traditionally paid to Group Fitness programme providers.

SLASHING MUSIC LICENCING COSTS: Through SH1FT’s partnership with Pure Energy Music, clubs can now use rights-included music for all SH1FT workouts— completely bypassing PPL and PRS fees while delivering the high-quality soundtracks members expect.

This cost-effective approach to group fitness programming is central to SH1FT’s philosophy of creating more sustainable operational models for clubs - a philosophy proven through their successful national rollout with PureGym in the UK, where they rapidly deployed multiple formats across hundreds of locations while maintaining quality and efficiency.

It’s simple. It’s modern. And it’s exactly what the industry needs now

A future-ready solution

SkillSync is part of SH1FT’s comprehensive approach to modernising group fitness. Their custom-built app gives instructors immediate access to hundreds of workouts, coaching tools, and teaching support in one place.

“We don’t just give instructors a choreography booklet – we give them a complete system,” explains Brereton. “Our technology guides instructors through each class, reducing preparation time by 90% while ensuring quality.”

For forward-thinking operators seeking to optimise group fitness economics while maintaining exceptional member experiences, SH1FT’s combination of SkillSync, zero licence fees, and rights-included music presents an unmatched value proposition that is already transforming operations for leading clubs worldwide.

● Join the growing number of forward-thinking clubs embracing SkillSync. Learn more at https://skillsync.groupfitness.pro/ or reach out directly at info@sh1ftfitness.com.

news & trends

HealthHero hits milestone with 50,000 gym users

Over 50,000 gym members across the UK are now accessing healthcare services through their gym in partnership with HealthHero. Seven operators, including Everyone Active, Village, Fitness First and Bannatyne, are empowering members to achieve their health and wellness goals by offering convenient access to doctorled GP consultations, as well as support from other healthcare professionals, including physiotherapists, dietitians and mental health experts.

HealthHero has seen exponential growth in the fitness sector since launching its first operator partnership with Everyone Active in November 2023. Duncan Jefford, Regional Director of Everyone Active, commented:

“HealthHero is undoubtedly one of the main attractions for customers considering purchasing or upgrading to our wellness membership. We recognised back in 2023 that having quick access to GP services would be a game

changer. Our yield has increased and HealthHero is definitely key to that.”

Introducing a ‘wellness membership’ has become a popular move in the sector, reflecting a shift towards operators expanding their offering to support the broader health and wellbeing goal of their members.

“Through our operator partners, we’re seeing a keen interest in creating membership packages which offer more than the traditional fitness options,” said Sanjay Chada, Strategic Partnership Director at HealthHero. “We’re helping operators to meet consumer demand.”

Leisure centre transformed into a health hub by hospital staff

The drive to establish the physical activity sector as a key part of the healthcare sector took on a practical turn in north London recently, as physiotherapists at Chase Farm Hospital swapped the hospital’s clinic rooms for the sports hall of a local leisure centre.

Over two days in March, staff from the hospital took over Southbury Leisure Centre in Enfield intending to empower patients to take ownership of their health and meet various community and health teams. More than 200 patients who had self-referred to the NHS service were provided with an hour-long slot to attend the event at the leisure centre, where they had a conversation with a physiotherapist, followed by an assessment. Patients were then invited to speak to other teams about health issues, with dietitians, respiratory, long COVID-19, heart failure and bone health teams.

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Seven operators now have access to digital healthcare through HealthHero

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Staff from the hospital took over Southbury Leisure Centre

news & trends

Legacy runs 24 UK leisure centres

ReferAll secures

Parkwood

Leisure deal

ReferAll has secured a partnership deal with Parkwood Leisure, which will see it provide health programmes and exercise referral schemes at Parkwood’s Legacy Leisure sites.

Legacy Leisure is a not-for-profit organisation that is subcontracted by Parkwood Leisure to run 24 leisure centres in England and Wales.

Already in use across some of the portfolio, ReferAll’s software will now help Parkwood to manage and report on its wellbeing services and referral-based activity schemes under the Legacy Leisure banner.

“We are already using ReferAll at four of our Lex Leisure facilities in Bexleyheath, North Devon, Rushcliffe and Torbay,” says Katie Lupton, Head of Health & Wellbeing at Parkwood Leisure.

“Legacy Leisure has now provided funding to allow us to introduce the software to manage our exercise referral schemes across 20 of their sites.

“We run multiple exercise referral schemes including cardio, stroke and cancer rehab, our GP referral scheme ‘Steps to Health’ and MSK Hubs – Good Boost and Bump Boost.

“In the last 12 months, we have had 4,417 people through our referral programmes. Using ReferAll is going to be a game changer for unlocking our data and proving the good we do.”

The collaboration has delivered significant positive impacts

Active Sussex’s stroke rehab pilot improves patient recovery

An innovative stroke rehabilitation programme designed to address inactivity among stroke patients has been hailed a remarkable success after improving patient recovery. Funded by the Active Partnership, Active Sussex, the pilot has the potential to reshape the role of exercise within hospital care nationwide.

Delivered in partnership with East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, Active Rother, East Sussex Public Health, and 20/20 Health, the Active Sussex Reconditioning Pilot provided 26 weeks of supervised physical activity sessions led by health instructors from 20/20 Health, alongside physiotherapists at the Irvine Rehabilitation Unit at Bexhill Hospital, part of East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust.

The initiative also supported patients in transitioning to community-based exercise programmes to ensure longterm, active lifestyles. Patients benefited from four sessions a week in the hospital in addition to community-based

provision in Hastings, Bexhill, Lewes and Eastbourne. Running for six months, the pilot included 54 exercise sessions, giving patients an average of nine extra hours of exercise during their stay.

Early data analysis shows patients experienced a 50 per cent improvement in balance, a 34 per cent increase in sit-to-stand ability, and a 22 per cent reduction in rehabilitation complexity – offering them greater independence and improved recovery.

Karen Poole, AHP Rehabilitation Consultant for East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust and Strategic Clinical Lead for Rehabilitation & Reablement at NHS Sussex, said the collaboration between the NHS and a local community health instructor provider has delivered significant positive impacts. The activity groups increased access to physical and social activity for patients recovering at the Irvine Rehabilitation Unit, contributing to their mood, wellbeing and a positive culture across our workforce.”

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policy

Time for government to match our sector’s ambition

Huw Edwards CEO ukactive

The latest Active Lives Adult Survey shows a continued and steady increase in physical activity levels across the country and is a further reminder of the essential role the sport, recreation and physical activity sector plays in supporting the nation’s physical activity levels. For the second year running, fitness activities continue to drive activity levels and when combined with swimming figures, mean that gyms, pools and leisure centres provide the biggest source of activity other than walking. Combined with our recent market report, which showed a record number of gym members in the UK, these figures provide irrefutable evidence of the essential role our sector is playing in driving physical activity levels, and demonstrates the growing demand from consumers to improve their physical, mental and social wellbeing through exercise in these spaces.

However, despite the headline numbers, much more needs to be done to ensure more people can reap the benefits of engaging in physical activity and ensuring our sector can play its fullest role in

It’s time to unlock our sector’s full potential to transform national health

driving this uptake. The UK is currently 11th out of 15 comparable European nations for activity levels, and small increases such as the one shown in the Active Lives survey are not enough to make the UK the most active nation in Europe, with all the associated health and economic benefits that this would bring.

Our sector is responsible for generating £107.2bn in social value in England each year, including £10.5bn in secondary value by reducing cases of disease and relieving the huge pressure on health and social care every year. Studies show that physical activity helps to prevent 20 chronic conditions, including type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart disease, many types of cancer, MSK conditions, depression and anxiety, and dementia.

But significant inequalities remain in physical activity levels across demographics, and an alarming decrease among younger people aged 16 to 34. It is clear the current policy approach is failing to deliver meaningful increases in physical activity. As a nation we must demand more to ensure people from lower socio-economic and ethnic minority groups are supported to be active.

The outcome of the Government’s upcoming Spending Review, due to be announced in June, is pivotal to ensure the sport, recreation and physical activity sector can drive up these levels and provides the Government with an opportunity to demonstrate the value it places on the nation’s health and wellbeing and reducing the pressure on the NHS. The Spending Review represents a clear opportunity for the Government to recognise our sector’s potential and put in place the measures to capitalise on consumer demand, reduce our barriers to growth and turbocharge physical activity levels. Doing so would ensure the physical activity sector is a solution to help transform our nation’s health and economic growth.

DATA IN MOTION

Few people know more about data and the physical activity industry than David Minton. The Leisure DB founder says that, while data has become an important decision-making tool, there is still plenty that the sector can do to improve the way they utilise the insights it offers

With more than 30 years of experience in the health and fitness industry, David Minton has a unique understanding of how the physical activity market has developed. As founder of Leisure DB (formerly Leisure Database Company), he has spent three decades delivering accurate, detailed data for the sector.

Leisure DB’s reports, such as the annual State Of The UK Fitness Industry Report, are widely adopted by industry professionals, operators, government bodies, media outlets, investors and financial institutions. Thanks to his passion for providing the industry with accurate insights, David and his views are also sought by organisations and leisure investors worldwide.

If you look back at the past 30 years, how would you describe the relationship that both you and the physical activity/fitness industry in general have had with data and insight? I would have to say that for the industry in general, it’s been a slow burn. We are coming from the days when Sport England, for example, only opened their information centre on a Tuesday and a Thursday afternoon. Today, they collect data via Moving Communities.

At Leisure DB, we started with the Apple II computer, donated by Steve Wozniak in the early 1980s. By the early 90s we had upgraded to a McDonnell Douglas main frame computer to hold all the supply data we were collecting. That was followed, in the mid-90s, by us investing in one of the first geodemographic systems in order to profile the population using more than 60 different types – and start understanding propensity to participate.

We have been refining and making the calculation between supply and demand more granular each year since.

And what about currently – how important is data (and the way it is used) for the industry?

Today the devil is in the detail. On the surface we and lots of other organisations collect more data, more often. But we are still nowhere near supplying a daily feed on Bloomberg, nor were we able to answer the key questions asked by the Government during COVID-19 when it came to making a case to get gyms reopened.

Have there been any “watershed” moments when it comes to data and the way it is utilised by the fitness sector in the UK?

The first watershed moment was when Tony Blair was Prime Minister. He had Tessa Jowell, possibly the best Secretary of State for culture and sport we’ve ever had, serve the sector from 2001-2007 (and also as Minister for the Olympics between 2005 and 2010). She served together with Richard Caborn, Minister of Sport from 2001 to 2007, who together provided the longest continuity the sector has ever known. Compare this to the most recent, 14-year Conservative Government which had eight different sports ministers. As well as crediting Tony Blair’s government for pushing the bid for the super-successful 2012 London Olympics, we have to thank his government for the very first audit of all indoor and outdoor sports and fitness facilities, which became known as Active Places. I’m proud that Leisure DB provided the

The first watershed moment was when Tony Blair’s government commissioned the first audit of all indoor and outdoor sports and fitness facilities – a turning point for data in our sector

backbone and definitions of sports and fitness data, a first for Sport England and the fitness sector.

The second watershed moment was the democratisation of data last year (2024). Thanks to our wonderful partners, who all agreed that the industry needs to be more transparent and to build more bridges, not walls, all our reports were provided free of charge for the first time.

The third watershed is discovering that access to all these facilities, even if they are free, does not drive action and action alone does not drive commitment.

Leisure DB offers a number of industry reports that offer granular data on the fitness sector

do – to the customer and also to the finance sector and to local, regional and national governments. The Treasury has decided that the only social value calculation they will accept is from State of Life. Social Capital, the strength of the local networks, is vital to understand and develop too.

You are a passionate advocate for active ageing. Do you think the fitness industry is missing an opportunity when it comes to attracting more people aged 50+ into their facilities?

Last month, my father in law died, aged 101. He had a very active, healthy life with only one month of morbidity, compared to an average of 17 years in the UK. Yet, selling fitness hasn’t succeeded in reversing sedentary lifestyles or reducing obesity or the number of overweight people, so the message, or the messenger, needs to change.

I wrote my first article, Fat Chance, in 2006 and concluded the research is there, if you want to build a case for doing more for the ageing population.

The Kings Fund estimates that the Government spends around £22bn a year on adult social care. Meanwhile, the growth of the fitness sector comes from Gen Z which provides minimal unidentified savings to the government.

In the US, not one exercise intervention has been shown to save dollars for the government. How do we prove the good we do?

As an industry we have to accept that while physical activity is the only component that will improve your health, and the more you do the better, medical research has proven that physical activity may not account for the largest percentage of energy expenditure. Doctors and nutritionist have calculated that the largest amount of calories is burned while sleeping and watching TV. This resting energy expenditure can account for up to 60% while physical activity will be around 35%.

Exercise is good because it builds muscle and muscle burns energy even at rest. While cycling at events such as E’tape and Sportive, I thought an ‘active-rest day’ was an oxymoron until this was explained to me.

Today, I know that physical activity and nutrition are foundational, while key components like adequate sleep, stress and weight management, social capital/ connections, mental health and injury prevention are essential for overall wellbeing and long term health. Personal fitness is just a part of the multi dimensional lifestyle to remain healthy and live a long life.

Minton says active ageing is one of the biggest growth areas for the sector

How the nation’s gyms came to love Speedflex

Speed��ex has gone from ‘unusual-looking-equipment’ to become the latest must-have purchase. How did that happen?

It’s been a long journey for Speedflex. Launching in 2011, the unusual-looking fitness equipment wasn’t an immediate hit with operators, who hadn’t seen, nor tried, anything like it before.

“Speedflex brought an entirely new concept to the fitness industry,” explains CEO Paul Ferris, “the machine is unique in that exercisers of all ages and fitness levels can workout to their preferred intensity without changing any settings. It also provides both cardiovascular and strength work in the same workout, all while minimising muscle soreness. It has taken us some time to educate operators on this new way of exercising.”

Breaking ground

Speedflex’s first major milestone was the launch of FORTIS, in partnership with Everyone Active in 2019, a group class concept using the Speedflex machine. There are now eight FORTIS studios within Everyone Active centres around the UK.

All Speedflex exercises are concentric, meaning that minimal muscle soreness is created, even during the most intense workouts, allowing the exerciser to go hard again the next day. With HIIT workouts gaining in popularity but also coming with the unfortunate side effect of delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), the strapline – and registered trademark – Speedflex; HIIT Without The Hurt was born.

“We learnt early on that the only way to demonstrate the capabilities of the Speedflex concept was to get operators to put their hands on it. I’ve seen even the most sceptical of customers transformed from naysayer to superfan in a

Speedflex: HIIT Without The Hurt

matter of minutes,” explains Ferris. “The magic of the Speedflex machine is it instantly meets you exactly where you are in terms of fitness and ability, and that’s a very powerful experience.”

Building up speed

The launch of the Speedflex Blade in 2020 was a game changer for the company. The Speedflex Blade delivers the same HIIT without the hurt style workouts, but with the addition of a built in tablet offering more than 100 guided workouts, all coached by master trainers. Overnight, Speedflex moved from studio machine to the gym floor, creating an exciting new prospect for operators.

“The Speedflex Blade bridges the gap between gym floor workouts and personal training, delivering effective exercise and great results and keeping members coming back for more,” says Ferris. “It also works brilliantly as part of a gym floor HIIT circuit, which is something we’ve seen becoming popular with operators.”

Shortly after launch, Village Gyms placed an order for a Blade roll out across its entire estate; “Speedflex Blade has been a brilliant addition to our gym-floor HIIT circuit, helping us to further elevate member

experience with this unique equipment,” explains Leisure Director, Chris Southall. “Members of all fitness levels can use the Blade and immediately workout at the right level for them, without needing to adjust any settings, since the machine responds to the force of the user. The addition of on-demand workout content via a built-in touchscreen, means the equipment is popular outside of timetabled sessions too.”

Expanding horizons

Now with machines in more than 80 venues across the UK, it’s fair to say that the nation has fully embraced this unique piece of equipment. Speedflex’s customers span local authority, private sector and hotel gym markets with key customers including David Lloyd, Village Gyms, Everyone Active, Q Hotels, Places Leisure, Freedom Leisure, Bannatyne and Serco.

“We now have an offering to suit any operator,” says Ferris “Speedflex works brilliantly in both the studio group environment and on the gym floor. We even have a client who’s putting our original studio machines on the gym floor, circuit style, so Speedflex really can work for everyone, no matter their space or vision.”

● Speedflex are official sponsor of the Debate Stage at Elevate. Also find them on stand G41.

Exercisers of all ages and fitness levels can workout to their preferred intensity

Pu ing Plymouth on the active map

Rhys Jones, CEO of Plymouth Active, is on a mission – to establish Plymouth as the UK’s most active coastal city by 2034. Jones spoke to WellNation about how a partnership with EGYM is helping his vision to become a reality

Where does the motivation for making Plymouth one of the most active communities in the country come from?

Like many communities in Britain, Plymouth faces inactivity, health inequalities and obesity, all leading to chronic disease and reduced life expectancy for some groups. To create a more prosperous city, we must foster an environment that supports wellness and prevents ill health across the entire population.

Increasing physical activity plays a crucial role in driving positive health outcomes. By building the proper infrastructure and collaborating effectively, we can create a city that caters to everyone’s wellbeing and health needs.

According to the Sport England Active Lives Survey, 18.4 per cent of adults in Plymouth fail to meet the government’s minimum target of 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week. The activity leaderboard is an ever-evolving target. Currently, Plymouth sits eighth on the Physical activity Adult Health and Social Care leaderboard, behind Brighton and Hove in second place.

When I joined Plymouth Active in February 2023, Plymouth City Council had already recognised the potential of its leisure facilities to support public health. Services moved from external management to a LATCO model and I was brought in to optimise the opportunity and drive the city towards its activity target – a challenge I embraced wholeheartedly.

What actions have you taken to drive the change towards getting people more active?

We have appointed William Hickey as our Active Health Manager, to develop partnerships with community health and wellbeing providers, creating a wholesystem approach to health. Plymouth already benefits from an active social prescribing network and a proactive Active Partnership, so we are leveraging these while strengthening additional links with organisations such as The Wolseley Trust, YMCA Plymouth, Goodboost, Swim England and University Hospitals NHS Trust.

We are also investing in infrastructure. As part of its wider Thrive Plymouth strategy to tackle health issues, Plymouth Active Leisure and Plymouth City Council have joined forces to commit £480,000 to the regeneration of the Plymouth Life Centre. My role is to ensure this investment delivers a return by increasing physical activity levels and improving health outcomes.

Over the past 18 months, I have researched partnership opportunities and explored the latest equipment and technology innovations to develop a solution that supports our ambition. We ultimately decided to work with EGYM to create an environment at the Plymouth Life Centre that serves everyone—from first-time exercisers and those with long-term health conditions to regular gym-goers and competitive athletes. Today, Plymouth Life

Summary of first three month outputs recorded by EGYM

Membership Net Gain of 693

1292

members

onboarded via EGYM (439 in the first 30 days)

Of the 90 people who completed an eight week, EGYM driven, physical activity intervention at Plymouth Life Centre, 38 are continuing on a paid membership

Collective strength increase of 10.7% (10.6% in the over 59 age group)

Centre offers the most diverse and inclusive physical activity and sports facilities in the city, supported by cutting-edge technology and expert guidance.

Tell us more about the environment you are creating at Plymouth Life Centre

The centre boasts a 50-metre swimming pool, a sports hall, a climbing wall, squash courts and a large fitness suite. While all facilities play a role, the fitness suite is the engine room of our activity strategy.

Our ‘gym for everyone’ launched in December 2024 and is built on EGYM’s flexible open-platform digital ecosystem. Powered by the AI-driven intelligence of EGYM Genius, it provides members with hyper-personalised training plans that adapt and update to their performance, goals and lifestyles in real-time. EGYM has become the heartbeat of our fitness, health, and wellness provision, supporting our city-wide activity and health ambitions.

On the main gym floor, our 8-piece EGYM Smart Strength suite offers a fully automated setup, digital coaching, performance monitoring, and workout progression—ideal for both performance athletes and those new to exercise, managing long-term conditions or recovering from injury.

Complementing this is EGYM’s Fitness Hub, the centrepiece of our ecosystem. Here, members can be easily onboarded to their fitness journey, access personal performance data, track progress, and receive AI-generated workout plans tailored to their needs. The Fitness Hub plays a crucial role in onboarding, benchmarking flexibility and biometric data, and providing ongoing support to ensure safe and effective training.

The true magic of EGYM lies in the fact it is built on an open platform and integrates seamlessly with

Gender split 59% female to 41% male

Collective reduction in BioAge is 5.2 years (7.4 years in the over 50 age group)

Average number of visits per month is 4.3

Driving a healthier Plymouth by getting more people active, more often.

external partners to create a truly connected hybrid experience. This creates a fully connected experience. Whether in the gym using Precor equipment, Speedflex, Box 12, InBody body analysis, or outside in the park or at the beach using fitness trackers, EGYM Genius collates data from multiple sources and personalises workout plans for members that help them achieve their goals faster and more sustainably.

How are you measuring success?

Data is central to our strategy. We need statistical evidence to demonstrate how our interventions are delivering results. This data will also help us secure future partnerships and funding to expand our impact. EGYM makes this process seamless. Alongside providing personal performance feedback through BioAge assessments and strength tests via the EGYM Member App and Fitness Hub, EGYM generates collective outcome data.

In just three months, Plymouth Life Centre has completed over 1,200 EGYM onboarding sessions with new and existing members, representing 20 per cent of gym users. We are committed to increasing this percentage in the coming months. Every new gym user is now onboarded into EGYM, enhancing data collection and strengthening our insights.

What impact(s) are you seeing so far?

It’s early days, but the results are promising. From December 1, 2024 until the end of February this year, we recorded a net gain in membership of 693, smashing our engagement targets, and reiterating the community’s interest in our regenerated Centre. Our attrition rate has also improved by 1.5% since the new installations and we expect this to increase as more people join the EGYM ecosystem.

In the same timeframe, EGYM users have achieved a 10.7 per cent improvement in strength, with the over 50s demographic logging a 10.6 per cent improvement.

EGYM data also shows a collective reduction in BioAge of 5.2 years, with over-50s achieving an even greater reduction of 7.4 years. Imagine what could be possible after six months or a year!

Furthermore, members using EGYM visit the gym an average of 4.3 times per month. Since visit frequency directly impacts length of stay, knowing and monitoring this statistic allows us to identify those at risk of dropping out and apply interventions that keep them engaged. This benefits not only health outcomes but also our bottom line.

What’s next for you and Plymouth Active?

Now we have created a data-driven health and wellbeing hub catering to all community segments, our focus is on continuing to grow engagement. EGYM’s data capture and performance monitoring put us in a strong position to collaborate with community partners in the health, sport and third sectors,

delivering measurable activity-driven health pathways alongside servicing our traditional customer base.

Our next priority is expanding our partnership network and welcoming more people into the EGYM Ecosystem, where they receive personalised support to achieve their health and wellbeing goals. Even if members complete most of their activity outside the gym, that’s okay – we encourage people to move in ways they enjoy, whether that’s walking in the park, swimming in the sea or jogging along the coastline.

Every step towards increased activity is a step towards our mission: getting more people, more active, more often, and cementing Plymouth’s place as the UK’s most active coastal city.

Members using EGYM visit the gym an average of 4.3 times per month

Powering Movement

Operators across the UK are investing in power-assisted exercise studios to promote active ageing, enhance wellbeing and engage people who are underserved by traditional gyms

Power-assisted equipment is becoming increasingly popular as a way of encouraging an ageing population to get more active. Leisure operators such as Pendle Leisure Trust, Bolsover District Council, Lincs Inspire and Durham County Council are leading the way in active ageing by creating inclusive exercise spaces that boost mental and physical wellbeing and reduce social isolation. And all while delivering impressive returns.

These power-assisted exercise studios are helping operators reach a previously untapped demographic: people who would never walk into a traditional gym. Whether it’s due to age, mobility issues, chronic illness or anxiety, many people feel excluded from mainstream fitness. Power-assisted exercise suites offer an inclusive and welcoming alternative. Innerva’s specialist equipment supports movement ensuing users can exercise safely regardless of age, fitness level or mobility issues.

Reaching new audiences

Pendle Leisure Trust’s Feelgood Suite serves more than 230 members, typically aged 60 to 70 and living with a wide range of conditions including stroke recovery, balance and coordination issues and cardiac conditions.

“These are members we wouldn’t have otherwise; they just wouldn’t use a traditional gym,” says centre manager, Shaun Grant.

Likewise, Durham County Council’s Move Hubs are designed to encourage non-traditional exercisers to embrace physical activity. Equipped with Innerva’s power-assisted exercise machines, the Hubs are safe, supported and social wellbeing spaces where people can improve their mobility and manage chronic health

conditions. The council has invested £750,000 in three Move Hubs to date. Located across the county, the suites offer an affordable, non-intimidating entry point into exercise. More than 77% of users are aged 66+, with many in their 80s and 90s.

More than exercise

For many members, the appeal of these suites extends beyond physical health. Social connection, which often reduces as people age, retire or suffer ill-health, is vital for mental wellbeing. Bolsover District Council’s Wellness Hub works hard to create a strong sense of community in one of Derbyshire’s most deprived areas. Members arrive early to socialise before sessions and regular events such as day trips and lunches help to cement connections.

Lincs Inspire’s Wellness Hub is a social lifeline for many of its more than 1,200 members, says Health Improvement Co-ordinator, Ian Shorley-Harlow.

“The social element is enormous. A lot of individuals present with mental health issues or even just weight gain, which has led to unhappiness and caused them to become withdrawn and isolated. The Wellness Hub offers an avenue to get back out into the community and re-engage.”

ELEVATING EXPERIENCES

Elevate, one of the UK’s largest physical activity events, is returning to London’s Excel for the eighth time in June. WellNation spoke to Event Director, Lucy Findlay-Beale, about this year’s show

What is Elevate?

Since launching in 2016, Elevate has grown into the UK's flagship event for uniting the physical activity, fitness and sports therapy sectors around a shared vision: improving national health and wellbeing. Taking place over two days, the event brings together more than 6,000 decision-makers from health clubs, gyms, sports clubs, universities, health practices and beyond – all united by a shared commitment to improving the nation’s health through movement.

At the heart of Elevate 2025 is the exhibition floor, featuring more than 200 suppliers showcasing the latest innovations in equipment, technology and physical activity solutions. 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+ industry associations, media partners and national governing organisations, Elevate serves as an annual meeting point for professionals looking to connect, learn and lead the way forward. Importantly, Elevate remains free to attend, ensuring accessibility for all professionals committed to driving meaningful change.

How is this year’s event shaping up?

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. The sector is evolving – more connected, more ambitious, and more impactful than ever. The momentum is reflected at Elevate 2025, mainly

because the event is built by and for the industry. We are once again incredibly grateful to our sponsors, partners, exhibitors, and speakers, whose insights and commitment shape every part of the event.

What can you tell readers about the educational programme?

The 2025 programme features 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.

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.

DEBATE – SPONSORED BY SPEEDFLEX

Elevate’s main stage theatre, which hosts highlevel discussions on the most pressing issues in the industry. This year’s topics include a deep dive into whether the sector’s data adds up, discussions on GLP-1s and the increasing overlap between the fitness and health sectors.

GENERATE – SPONSORED BY HIREBOB

The Generate theatre focuses on the business of physical activity, providing insights into market trends, innovation and commercial success. A particular strand will look at both workforce and staff – including how to attract people to a business, what makes them tick and how to keep them.

ACCELERATE

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

COLLABORATE

The Collaborate 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, effective use of data and joinedup, place-based leadership. Strategic insight, community case-studies and inspiration combined.

Elevate will also host FitPro LIVE – what is it?

FitPro LIVE is designed with fitness instructors across the UK in mind, offering trainers an education and networking experience packed with inspiration, insight and innovation.

This year’s FitPro LIVE will be bigger and bolder than ever before, with an immersive, hands-on learning experience. It will offer a mix of practical workshops, expert-led sessions and trend-focused talks delivered by a stellar line-up of global educators and industry 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 technique-driven classes; Insight Arena, featuring deep dives into research, coaching and industry insight; and Showcase Space, spotlighting innovative concepts reshaping group exercise.

Aquatics will also be taking a centre stage?

Yes, the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), Swim England and the Swimming Teachers’ Association (STA) are joining forces for the second, successive year to ensure aquatics are firmly at the heart of Elevate 2025. Together, they are sponsoring the Active Aquatics theatre area – an essential

ELEVATE 2025

DATES: 18-19 June 2025

VENUE: Halls S7 - S8, Excel London

OPEN TIMES: Wednesday 9.30am – 5.30pm Thursday 9.30am – 4.30pm Register for free – elevatearena.com

hub within the Elevate exhibition highlighting aquatics’ vital role in health and wellbeing and encouraging aquatics enjoyment in communities across leisure and fitness centres nationwide. Located at the rear of the exhibition and surrounded by top aquatic suppliers, this year’s expanded area will feature two dedicated theatres, creating a dynamic space for learning, discussion and networking. The theatres’ programmes will address industry challenges, provide innovative solutions from leading experts and operators, as well as deliver a wide range of strategic and operational sessions relevant to aquatic professionals. Topics will range from apprenticeships, technology and new industry guidance to advice on how to maximise movement in swimming lessons for neurodiverse learners.

CLOUD GYM

Cloud Gym introduces GYM, a custom AI designed to transform customer service in gyms through WhatsApp. Available 24/7, GYM automates interactions, boosts sales and builds customer loyalty leading to up to 62% higher conversion rates. It also enables personalised offers and updates, streamlining communication and improving member satisfaction.

PULSE FITNESS

Pulse will showcase two major innovations: its new Step Mill and the upgraded TRAKK 2.0 ecosystem. The Step Mill delivers a low-impact, high-intensity cardio experience, offering OnDemand 10, 20 and 30-minute workouts to suit all fitness levels. Meanwhile, TRAKK 2.0 evolves Pulse’s digital ecosystem with the launch of a new web-based app.

WATTBIKE

Wattbike will bring its new Air-Pro to Elevate – the ultimate indoor cycling solution for gyms and health clubs. Building on the legacy of the Wattbike Pro/Trainer, the Air-Pro features upgraded magnetic resistance, a powerful new performance touchscreen, and seamless integration with the Wattbike Hub and third-party apps.

COSMED

At Elevate, delegates will be able to discover Q-NRG Max, an advanced metabolic system developed by Cosmed. It has been designed to eliminate the limitations of traditional metabolic carts, offering user-friendly, efficient experience for both clinicians and fitness professionals. Designed for precision, it provides accurate assessments of VO2 Max and Resting Energy Expenditure.

SUNTORY BEVERAGE AND FOOD

KEEPME

KeepMe has introduced two free guides specifically for UK fitness operators. The State of UK Lead Gen pulls together insights from recent industry research data to help fitness businesses understand what's actually working when it comes to generating leads today. Implementing AI Sales Agents is a hands-on guide that shows how AI is already being used by forward-thinking operators to manage and convert leads more effectively.

Suntory is the #1 supplier of functional sport and energy drinks to the UKs health and fitness industry. At Elevate, delegates can learn about Suntory’s latest product innovations –including Lucozade Sport in partnership with Jude Bellingham and the fastest growing energy drink Celsius.

STERLING TURF

Sterling Turf designs and manufactures high-tech, durable synthetic turf for gyms and sports venues. Its DuraMax sled track turf is a market-leading, high density, heavyweight sports turf, which combines the latest fibre technology, resulting in a high performance gym surface that’s built to last. Created for both indoor and outdoor installations, it can be used as a sprint track or complete gym flooring to enable functional fitness over large areas.

INDIGOFITNESS

At Elevate, IndigoFitness will set up a fully functional flexible studio training space at its stand, designed to be immersive, adaptable and experience-led. Throughout the show, Indigo brings the space 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.

HELMSMAN LOCKERS AND CUBICLES

Helmsman will be exhibiting its range of lockers, cubicles, benches, IPS and vanity units. A UK-based company, Helsman takes pride in bespoke solutions designed and manufactured to suit customer requirements and specifications.

TAYLOR MADE DESIGNS

Taylor Made Designs (TMD) supplies activewear, corporate clothing and brandenhancing merchandise to the health & leisure industry. At Elevate, delegates can explore TMD’s Leisure Essentials range – a performance clothing line designed specifically for people who work in the physical activity and fitness sectors. The range can be custom branded and shipped in low minimum quantities to multiple sites.

ROYAL LIFE SAVING SOCIETY UK (RLSS UK)

RLSS UK – the leading authority on lifesaving, lifeguarding and water safety – is on hand to talk about its qualifications, training and the latest industry guidance. At the RLSS stand, delegates can learn from a wide range of topics, from the latest in swimming pool supervision technology guidance to vocational training opportunities. RLSS UK is also co-sponsoring the Active Aquatics theatre, alongside Swim England and the STA.

CUSTOM-BRANDED & VACUUM-INSULATED

HOT & COLD DRINKS BOTTLE

Keeps drinks hot or cold for hours

360° wraparound branding