Weekly Workout - 1 April 2022

ISSUE 1 May

WEEKLY

Issue 94 - 1 April 2022

YOUR REGULAR ONLINE UPDATE FOR THE UK FITNESS SCENE

ukactive unveils new digital programme with ITN – page 3 Freedom Leisure to achieve first Net Zero leisure centre by 2023 - page 6

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WORKOUT WEEKLY

SFC works with ERS Medical to reduce health inequalities SPORT for Confidence CIC is partnering with ERS Medical, the UK’s leading healthcare transport provider, to reduce health inequalities via a national programme of physical wellbeing sessions.

The programme, which will be free for participants to join, will cater to anyone from disabled, elderly and other marginalised groups. It is designed to improve activity levels, increase confidence as well as promote mental wellbeing.

Sessions will be held virtually to begin with and will run for one hour.

All sessions will include an occupational therapist from Sport for Confidence providing guidance around self-care, sense of belonging, the negative impact of inactivity and how physical activity can be used for occupational outcomes.

A Sport for Confidence coach will then provide the physical element in each session, which is called “Love to Move” – a programme specifically designed to get older people moving more and functioning better, utilising gymnastic foundation skills, cognitive stimulation

therapy and social interaction activities.

New participants will also get an opportunity to hear from people who have previously benefitted from the “Love to Move” programme.

Andrew Pooley, chief executive of ERS Medical, said: “As part of ERS Medical’s social value model, we wanted to partner with a progressive organisation to help us do more in the way of

reducing health inequalities – a key priority for the healthcare sector.

“As a national provider of specialist transport services, we want to help our patients get access to these physical health sessions, which can not only improve physical health, but can also contribute to mental wellbeing and reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness.

“We’ve invested in the expertise of Sport for Confidence as we believe there are many synergies between our company values.

“We very much look forward to rolling out this programme with them and hopefully helping as many people as we can.”

Jake Turner, operations director at Sport for Confidence, added: “Our mission is to break down barriers to sport and physical activity in order to create a more equitable society.

“This partnership with ERS aligns perfectly to this ambition and reiterates our focus towards our Environmental, Social and Governance model.

“It also enables Sport for Confidence to extend our influence beyond our own growing network, helping us to support groups of people and individuals on a national level that we would otherwise struggle to reach and demonstrate the value and role our team of occupational therapists and coaches have within the wider eco system.’’

Sessions are due to commence from May 1, with the first one being held in the south of the country.

ukactive unveils new digital programme with ITN ukactive and ITN Productions Industry News has announced the co-production of ‘Fitness for Everyone’: a news-style digital programme with the aim to encourage people to get more active through inspiring case studies, promoting physical activity across all ages to help improve the health of the nation.

The programme will launch on National Fitness Day which this year will take place on Wednesday, September 21.

It will be hosted by broadcaster and journalist Louise Minchin from the ITN London studios and will include stories from around the UK showcasing the benefit of physical activity.

It will also look at the impact the Publishing manager: Dominic Musgrave Tel: 01226 734407 dm@scriptmedia.co.uk Studio manager: Paul Hopkinson ph@scriptmedia.co.uk Assistant studio manager: Scott Firth sf@scriptmedia.co.uk Sales and marketing director: Tony Barry Tel: 01226 734605 tb@scriptmedia.co.uk

www.workout-uk.co.uk

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pandemic has had on our wellbeing and how the physical activity sector has a vital role to play in the Government’s levelling up ambitions.

Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, said: “I am delighted that ukactive will be working with ITN Productions to show the power of physical activity to improve the physical and mental wellbeing of the nation.

“Launching this new programme on National Fitness Day this year is important, and this is one of the highlights of the physical activity calendar, which will see our members work hard to inspire communities across the UK to become more active – having a positive impact on the health of so many

people.

“I hope this year’s event will again see participation levels hit another record and I am excited that ITN Productions can help promote the positive messages of National Fitness Day.” ‘Fitness for Everyone’ will raise awareness, champion partnerships and inspire people to get physically active by speaking to people who have used physical activity to change their lives.

Exploring fitness in the workplace, the programme will look at what businesses can do to encourage fitness among their employees.

It will also focus on how health pathways work, the vital role of the health and fitness sector, and how

community grassroots initiatives are inspiring all age groups to become more active and have a happier and healthier lifestyle.

The programme will be supported by an extensive communications campaign by ukactive and ITN Productions.

It will feature inspirational interviews, news items and sponsored editorial profiles filmed on location.

National Fitness Day 2021, on its 10th anniversary, increased participation on previous years, with 22.67 million people active on the day, according to figures from ukactive and Savanta ComRes. This came after a poll revealed that less than a third of Brits are happy with their fitness levels following Covid-19.

New Power Plate warehouse now open POWER Plate, the global leader in advanced whole body vibration equipment, has a new fully operational EU warehouse in the Netherlands.

As a direct response to market demand and opportunity, this new distribution hub will position the business and its partners for fast fulfilment and an excellent end to end logistical experience.

Also facilitating a strengthening of its networks across Europe and an opening up of new opportunities thanks to onthe-ground support, this signals a move by the business to maximise market growth and development.

Steve Wright, vice president – EME, said: ‘’We are strengthening our supply chain capabilities and logistical network not just in Europe, but globally, by working with U‑Freight Holland BV to enhance responsiveness and

Steve Wright

transparency at a time where many are finding it challenging to deliver at all.

“As we see territories opening up again post-pandemic, we are now ideally positioned to support these markets.’’

Lee Hillman, CEO of Performance Health Systems, owner and manufacturer of Power Plate added: “Having seen rapid expansion across health and fitness during the pandemic as well as Power Plate’s

own unprecedented growth, we are creating further momentum for peak performance with continuing global expansion and product development for both at home and in club markets.”

With a diversified mix of products ranging from its category-defining vibration plate models featuring the company’s PrecisionWave™ Technology, to its targeted vibration products such as the Roller, DualSphere and Pulse massage gun, Power Plate has been the dominant innovator and driving force for vibration training and programming for more than 20 years.

Power Plate is utilised and accepted by professional sports teams and athletes, celebrities, major medical and rehabilitation centres, health and fitness professionals, leading health clubs, fitness and wellness enthusiasts, and everyday consumers around the world.

29/03/2022 16:51

Unlock the power of effective marketing for your fitness business Gyms, pools, studios and leisure centres are having to deal with a major loss in both revenue and footfall caused by the pandemic, leaving many operators on the brink of survival.

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With our knowledge and expertise of the industry, Script Fitness Marketing from Script is with you every step of the way and we can tailor a marketing package to save you time and to suit your needs and budget.

With our knowledge and expertise of the industry, Script Fitness Marketing is with you every step of the way and we can tailor a marketing package to save you time and to suit your needs and budget.

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So what are you waiting for? It is vital that your fitness business stands out from the crowd to attract new members and staff.

Who better to help you do this than the team behind the country’s most successful B2B magazine for the industry.

We’ll take away the hassle and provide professional marketing which will deliver results for your business. Based in Yorkshire, we have an award-winning team that prides itself on producing a range of top-quality work at competitive prices.

To find out how we can help your business, contact Dominic Musgrave today by calling 01226 734407 or email dm@scriptmedia.co.uk

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WORKOUT WEEKLY

Life after lockdown – group exercise

By Louie Fecou AS FAR as the fitness industry was concerned, the lockdown had a devastating effect on business.

As well as the actual closure, the aftermath and restrictions were just as bad.

Track and trace, social distancing and eventual public hesitancy was unfortunately too much for many facilities, and some just found it impossible to continue operating.

While the media focussed on high street trade and pubs and clubs, there was not too much coverage of the massive impact that closing fitness facilities had on the general well being of a large percentage of the population.

Gym closures left many bereft of not only their fitness needs, but their social ones too.

As the problem of mental illness continues to rise in the UK, the closing of gyms and fitness facilities only exasperated the problem and the question now is can we return to normal?

Group exercise has a myriad of beneficial qualities for those that attend, and arguably the two main contenders are of course maintaining fitness, and the social aspect of a session.

Group exercise, regardless of the context, provides those that attend with many benefits, and as a teacher in this field, it has been evident since the easing of lockdown, that the long road to returning to “normal” is a rocky one.

I am sure that many of you reading this, that teach, will have seen trends developing since lockdown has eased.

First of all, the habit breaking 18 months of lockdown, has led to many seeking their exercise elsewhere.

Online classes, either pre recorded or live on social media platforms, served to fill a void when there was nowhere to go, and apps such as Zoom helped teachers deliver sessions from their home to their clients.

Zumba very early on, developed their own studio app for the use of their instructors during lockdown, and despite initial problems, it helped Zumba teachers to stay connected with their students, on a global level.

However, now restrictions have been lifted, I constantly hear of people that

have acclimatised to online classes, and are reluctant to return to live sessions.

This of course proves problematic for teachers that are returning to their facilities, and find numbers are decreased.

The lure of outdoor exercise, without the need of instructors, has also saw many people return to walking, running or even wild sea swimming to get their exercise fix.

All brilliant to do, but leaving group exercise teachers to worry about continuing on.

So are there any answers?

Well it seems that for those that still run classes, the best bet is to try and ride

the wave till public perception of group exercise improves.

Covid-19 is still a real and dangerous threat to many people, and it will take a while for people to truly feel safe while participating in group training.

Perhaps instructors can continue to help clients feel safe at classes, by keeping a level of social distancing up where possible.

Masks are never going to be welcome while exercising, but wearing them on the way in and on the way out may help others feel comfortable, and of course, keeping the instructor distanced from the group will help relieve anxiety for participants worried that their fitness guru is projecting just a little too close for comfort.

Of course, everything is subjective in such contentious matters, and each class will find their own way, but for those of you returning to teaching, do your best to make clients feel safe, and hope that the downturn will reverse soon.

Group exercise teachers are more and more essentialised in society post pandemic, and it’s important to remember that the work you do effects many in diverse ways.

Fitness may be the entry point, but support and socialising, creating bonds and giving people a place to feel safe and healthy is often more important in a world that has shifted on it’s axis.

Are you a group exercise teacher that can share an experience with others? Get in touch and let us know. n Louie Fecou is the owner of a facility in Scotland that specialises in group exercise. He has more than 30 years’ experience in the industry.

Freedom Leisure to achieve first Net Zero leisure centre by 2023 FREEDOM Leisure has announced the launch of its Environmental and Sustainability Commitments, targeting net zero across its operation by 2030.

These commitments demonstrate the ongoing focus the award-winning leisure trust has on its environmental performance and how it continues to build on its past successes.

Freedom Leisure will achieve net zero at its first leisure centre and its support hub in Sussex by March 2023, with its first swimming centre being net zero by 2024.

Freedom Leisure is the first leisure operator in the sector to announce such ambitious targets.

Leisure centres can contribute as much as 40 per cent of a council’s carbon footprint and Freedom Leisure is actively playing its part in helping its local authority partners to realise their net zero targets.

Freedom Leisure is committed to working with its local authority partners, customers and, crucially, its staff teams to achieve these ambitious targets.

A robust sustainability culture is already embedded into the organisation, with the senior

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leadership team at the not-for-profit trust prioritising environmental management and sustainability as a core business objective in its medium-term plan.

Ambitious targets have been set to reduce carbon in all its leisure centres and supply chain, reduce waste, increase recycling while adopting renewable energy sources.

CEO Ivan Horsfall Turner said: “Through these commitments we aim to play our part in reducing emissions and contributing to the global target.

“We acknowledge that we cannot do this in isolation and are committed to supporting and working alongside our partners in the public sector, as well as our

suppliers and customers to ensure that through a collective journey we make this happen.”

To strengthen its focus Freedom Leisure recently announced the appointment of Angela Brown as sustainability and environmental manager who will play a key role in driving the sustainability and environmental efforts in over 100 leisure facilities across England and Wales.

Angela added: “To reach our net zero target, we have developed our commitments to accelerate our pace and scale so that we meet, if not surpass, our ambitious environmental targets.

“Our core business of supporting healthy lifestyles goes beyond just people’s physical activity goals but extends to our communities and the environment. It is therefore becoming crucial for us to do everything we can to play our part in tackling the global climate crisis.”

Freedom Leisure has already been recognised for its achievements to date winning the National Energy Managers Partnership Award in 2021 and has been shortlisted in the National Energy Efficiency Awards.

30/03/2022 11:13

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24/03/2022 10:27

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