Weekly Workout - 8 April 2022

ISSUE 1 May

WEEKLY

Issue 95 - 8 April 2022

YOUR REGULAR ONLINE UPDATE FOR THE UK FITNESS SCENE

A healthy future set for Stockport’s Life Leisure – page 3 The future for gyms post lockdown – page 6

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05/04/2022 16:07

3

WORKOUT WEEKLY

Personalised experiences for the entire fitness floor THE new Open Mode for EGYM’s Smart Strength equipment is this year’s innovation highlight of the Munich-based fitness tech company.

At FIBO, EGYM will present its latest workout solution for the entire fitness floor to the broader public of fitness professionals for the very first time.

EGYM CEO Philipp RoeschSchlanderer said: “Our new operating mode “Open” unlocks a unique workout experience for experts and marks the beginning of a new era of workouts with EGYM.” With EGYM Smart Strength in Open Mode, all its popular benefits are now available beyond a dedicated “digital” area at the gym and can be used across the entire fitness floor.

Members of all experience levels now benefit from smart features, including automatic settings, various training methods, smart weight profiles for more effective workouts than with traditional weights, and intelligent training programs.

Advanced users enjoy a completely new workout experience tailored precisely to their needs.

Exercisers select the equipment on the fitness floor freely for each session and simply adjust repetitions, weights, or training methods.

Workout routines, such as pyramid training or drop sets, are

automatically saved and preset.

A newly designed expert live feedback, the EGYM Bar, motivates advanced users during each workout for continuous progression. As a result, body and workout analytics via

the EGYM Fitness Hub, Trainer App, or Branded Member App will also be made available to a wider audience for the first time.

Beginners can continue to work out with the established guidance of the EGYM Curve and intelligent training programs.

The Open Mode unlocks new opportunities for effective upselling for operators because the EGYM Smart Strength machines now offer members of all experience levels a completely personalised workout experience across the entire fitness floor.

Those who do not yet have an account can work out on Smart Strength in Open Mode as a guest.

This works just like with conventional equipment, without a card or bracelet.

All FIBO visitors will have the opportunity to experience the Open Mode of the EGYM Smart Strength machines for themselves in a dedicated Innovation Area directly at the EGYM booth without needing an appointment or registration.

A healthy future set for Stockport’s Life Leisure LIFE Leisure has confirmed that the formation of a new Community Interest Company will see its vital health, fitness and neighbourhood activity services continue to go from strength to strength.

Life Leisure, the trading name of Stockport Sports Trust, has provided a valuable service for residents for 20 years.

Its operation of 12 local leisure centres and delivery of active communities programmes – including youth Satellite Sports Clubs, I Wish I’d Tried, SMILE and Active Aging - have made a real difference to people’s lives.

Like many leisure providers Life Leisure was heavily impacted by the pandemic and, while centres and activities resumed 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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Michaela Pennington

operation in line with easing restrictions, it had faced an uncertain future.

Stockport Active CIC, a new Community Interest Company, has been established by Stockport Council to remove this uncertainty and ensure

a bright future for the popular local provider.

Michaela Pennington, Life Leisure’s CEO, said: “Our mission has always been about helping people to become more active, whatever their age, circumstances or familiarity with fitness.

“It’s why we’ve developed such a breadth of different services and community initiatives.

“Today, this mission has taken on a new level of importance – the pandemic highlighting just how crucial services that promote health and wellbeing are.

“We are delighted to have been able to work so closely with Stockport Council to find a way forward that will enable us to keep making a difference by helping people to live more active lives.”

Stockport Active CIC will take over responsibility for Stockport Sports Trust’s leisure’s operations in Stockport, and will continue to trade as Life Leisure.

It will maintain Life Leisure’s ethos, principles, current centres and activities.

All of which means customers should see little difference to their experience of using sites and facilities.

Jen Connolly, chair of Stockport Active CIC, added: “Life Leisure has a great reputation in the community and has worked hard over the years to support the people of Stockport.

“We are committed to building on this legacy so that local people can enjoy the fantastic facilities and great level of service they have come to expect for years to come.”

New infinity rope training system launched ESCAPE Fitness has launched the CRUX, the ultimate in infinity rope training equipment.

With its unique, easy-switch adjustable resistance system, the CRUX makes rope pulling a viable exercise for almost any ability, creating a training aid that enhances any workout for anybody.

Traditionally, rope training systems have employed fixed resistance meaning this form of training has been largely reserved for those who already have a good level of upper body strength.

By introducing variable resistance options Escape has opened accessibility to everybody and hugely improved the versatility of the infinity rope.

This functional piece of kit is intuitive, beautifully designed and requires zero setup. Durable and versatile, It can be used for speed work to build explosive

power on a lower resistance and then switched-up to apply heavier concentric loads for muscle building.

CEO Matthew Januszek said CRUX is a game changer in rope training.

He added:“Whether performing a high-low chop, a standing crunch, a seated pull or a high energy combination of functional patterns, CRUX provides the flexibility trainers need to be able to open up this performance-driven style of training to all abilities.

“The quick and easy resistance adjustments keep workouts fluid, even in mixed ability groups. Maintaining heart rates throughout the session delivers optimal results and an experience that everyone will benefit from and enjoy.”

Constructed from a heavy-duty steel case and polypropylene rope, the CRUX is built to withstand a high level of repeated punishment, making it the perfect addition to any training environment.

Designed to ergonomically complement Escape’s own brand Octagon frames, the CRUX can be wall mounted or attached to a variety of training structures, adding a new dimension to strength training or metabolic conditioning workouts that cannot be matched by any other rope training system on the market.

05/04/2022 16:44

WORKOUT WEEKLY

4

Advertiser’s announcement

Designing great training spaces ...

INDIGO Fitness recently designed Strive Gym on the island of Jersey.

The gym is part of a new purpose built 32,000 square foot health club that has the ambitious goal of becoming an elite training hub.

Strive want to attract the UK’s best teams, players and potential future athletes.

The vision from Strive was to build a ‘playground to podium’ training facility that would cover 10,000 sq. ft. This challenged us to create intelligent and engaging gym spaces that would cater for regular members and professional

and developing athletes. Covering Functional Strength and Conditioning, diverse group training ,Combat, yoga, Pilates, and outdoor training.

Indigo worked closely with Strive senior management, architects and main building contractors from the early stages of the project.

Details such as room shape, size and layout, floor constructions and build-ups were considered so we could design and manufacture tailor-made equipment to perfectly fit the space and utilise the building fabric, delivering a feel of greater space.

Showstopper pieces were the ceiling and beam mount aerial yoga rig for the yoga studio, a truly unique solution that maximised exercise possibilities and use of floor space.

Also overhead gliding rail systems for the members’ studio and dojo allowing boxing bags to be traversed into the open training spaces as required.

Outdoor, Indigo installed within the fence line of the five-a-side 3G pitch our fitbox container gym opening onto the Turf delivering outdoor strength and conditioning.

The result was a fantastic training space

and unique member experience.

The 10,000 sq. ft. now includes separate member and academy training facilities, group training studios, two altitude rooms –one for athlete strength and conditioning and the other part of the group cycling studio experience – separate Pilates and yoga studios and an outdoor training space with 3G pitch and a container gym.

The initial dream and vision for the site was met.

Strive has already impressed the British and Irish Lions who visited to prepare for its 2021 tour of South Africa.

Landlords seeing potential of gyms as industry set to lead high street revival GYMS and health clubs are set to benefit from the reinvigoration of the property market post-pandemic, with leading health club provider Anytime Fitness aiming to open more than 20 new clubs in 2022.

The UK’s largest fitness franchise is enjoying the change in perception of the health and fitness industry among landlords and property agents, with many of these openings to be in sought-after city centre locations which previously wouldn’t have been obtainable due to unsustainable rents.

This is a view shared by global real estate advisor, CBRE, who are seeing landlords engaging with the health and fitness sector more collaboratively and seeing their potential as commercial tenants. Gyms are now seen as valuable additions to attractive retail mix ambitions of landlords.

Despite gyms being closed for the first three-and-a-half months of 2021 and significant supply chain delays, Anytime Fitness opened 16 new clubs throughout the year and is set to surpass the 200-club landmark this year.

“Having worked in the health and fitness industry for over 15 years, we’ve never been in a better place to access the property market,” said Ben Dixon, chief development officer at Anytime Fitness UK.

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“It’s fair to say that we’ve often been an afterthought when it comes to property and the likes of retail and hospitality have traditionally been the preference as commercial tenants.

“However, we’re now in a position to open health clubs in properties that were previously beyond our wildest dreams, and we’re well placed to take advantage of that.

“Our growth last year and ongoing performance has shown that health

clubs are an attractive investment opportunity and we’re looking forward to playing an important role in revitalising high streets across the UK and Ireland.”

CBRE puts the health and fitness sector’s increased potential down to several factors, including the repositioning of retail assets as a result of the pandemic and in turn, landlords reassessing their options. For many, combining commercial returns and

wellbeing is now seen as a winning combination.

“Rental values on strong-performing high streets and retail parks have traditionally restrained gyms from being able to trade there; higher rents, when combined with other property costs, were unsustainable,” added Adam Caplan, director at CBRE. “The pandemic has created a situation where rents have been rebased to be more affordable in many areas, making it more viable for gyms to operate there.

“Add that to the sustained demand for health club memberships and the sector’s ability to be a consistent footfall driver and you can see why gyms and health clubs are seen as a long-term, viable occupier.

“Some of the openings in the pipeline from Anytime Fitness really are testament to this – of which you perhaps wouldn’t have seen pre-Covid.”

As well as city centre sites, Anytime Fitness is set to enjoy growth in a broad range of locations, including within business parks and shopping centres.

As they look to rebuild after the past two years, shopping centres are looking to innovate to maintain footfall and increase dwell time within their locations, with wellness hubs comprising gyms and massage offerings an increasingly popular option.

05/04/2022 15:47

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05/04/2022 16:10

6

WORKOUT WEEKLY

The future for gyms post lockdown

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?

There is no denying that the fitness industry was massively impacted by the lockdowns, however, it is good to see that many have now reopened and continue to try to re grow their membership.

The most obvious problem with the closing of gym facilities was membership and how to handle the crisis.

Many froze memberships, keeping the customer’s payment details ready to be reactivated when the

doors could open again, however, customers looking to keep their finances in order in unprecedented times, took the time to cancel any payments that were considered by them to be luxuries.

Gym memberships are often cited as one the first regular payments to be cancelled when the nations belt’s needs tightened, so gyms were faced with an uncertain future as restrictions were lifted.

With lockdown regulations often drip fed into society, gyms slowly returned to trading, but the need for social distancing meant often

debilitating pre cautions having to be introduced. Screens between stations, booking systems to stop over crowding, constant cleaning and of course, finding staff willing to work, was problematic and let’s face it, a logistical nightmare, and gym owners and managers must have spent many weary nights trying to negotiate with the constantly moving goal posts of regulation.

Somehow though, gyms are most definitely back, and if you have managed to find a way through the maze, then take a bow.

With the industry rebounding,

it seems that this is perhaps a revitalisation for facilities that we should take full advantage of.

Although in Scotland, at the time of writing, mask mandates are still in place, gyms are once again open for business, and quite right too.

We all know the social advantages of gyms, there are many papers on the subject, but perhaps facilities can proudly advertise that their space is there to help people in many different aspects of their lives, with fitness being the draw, but the social aspect, and the state of the mental health of the nation, being just as important.

Moving forward with the current situation, there may be a rebranding of gyms that will lend itself to not only keeping our muscles, hearts and lungs healthy, but offering a sanctuary for clients that may need a place to socialise, meet friends and improve their own mental health.

The lockdown has shown that people need to integrate and socialise, and your gym may be the best place to do this in.

Encourage members to return, and integrate new clients by being a safe place to meet, a friendly environment to visit and an exciting and vibrant venue to be part of.

We have all been affected by the lockdown, and the way forward is to make sure our gyms can become central premises in the hearts of every community. 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.

ukactive report reveals largest national Covid safety data set

THE UK fitness and leisure sector has reported the most comprehensive national Covid-19 safety figures for the industry in Europe, in a new report published by ukactive.

The release of the report follows a meeting when ukactive joined representatives from the arts, sports, heritage and leisure sectors to support the upcoming UK Covid-19 public inquiry.

Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, said: “This report shows the power of our sector when it unites, to drive public health outcomes, to improve standards and to lobby collectively for a fitter, stronger nation.

“The UK has set the benchmark for Covid-19 reporting, thanks to the largest sector safety data monitoring operation in Europe, allowing us to analyse more than 240 million visit data points and shine a light publicly and politically on a sector that is both safe and essential.

“The past two years have been incredibly challenging for our members and I want to thank them for their unity, collective evidence and support behind our cause.

“We want to take these lessons forward, to further enhance our information sharing and collaboration

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ukactive CEO Huw Edwards

to support, protect and inform the sector so that together we can achieve our shared ambition for growth.”

The new summary report, titled ‘Safe and Essential’, shows extremely low rates of Covid-19 among people using fitness and leisure facilities throughout the different phases of the pandemic, using data aggregated from thousands of ukactive members across the UK. Total figures from the ukactive Research Institute show 241,154,977 visits to facilities from July 25, 2020 to February 27, 2022, but just 2,605 reported cases of Covid-19 among visitors, meaning an overall rate of 1.08 cases per 100,000 visits.

The case rate is based on a user

making one visit to a facility while infected with Covid-19 (with facilities including a mixture of gyms, leisure centres and boutiques, and different operating models, including private multi-site chains, public leisure trusts and independent operators and studios).

The figures tell the story of the sector’s safety reporting throughout the whole of the pandemic to date.

By combining stringent safety measures with weekly data, the sector was able to reopen at the earliest possible phase in the Government’s roadmap last year, with facilities opening on April 12, 2021, ahead of other sectors.

Gym and leisure centre operators were well positioned to capture real-time data effectively, based on membership details held within their databases, as well as recording details for all users, in line with relevant data protection requirements.

This allowed quick and relevant contact tracing if there is a case reported by someone who has visited a facility and then gone on to test positive.

The data provided by the sector was used in comparison to rates among the

general population to show the relative safety of facilities to the Government and its advisors.

It was instrumental in the public campaign delivered by ukactive and members throughout the pandemic, urging the Government to allow facilities to remain open for as long as possible in order to play their essential role in supporting the nation’s health and resilience.

A full timeline within the report reflects five phases of the pandemic in total, with the sector lobbying for financial support at each stage of closure and restrictions.

The data formed part of a four-stage strategy by ukactive which also included the development of an industry-wide safety framework for operators to reduce the spread of the virus; business modelling to demonstrate the potential for financial difficulties, reduced services and closures; and policy support for members. ukactive will continue to work closely with the Government to monitor population level case rates, ensuring a clear and efficient process remains in place to re-open its safety data reporting mechanism if and when required.

05/04/2022 15:04

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05/04/2022 16:16

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.

Whether you are from a small independent gym or a large operator with numerous sites, all businesses in the fitness industry have the same objective and are facing the same challenges.

The best possible marketing campaign to make your business the most attractive to potential new members has never been more important, and this is where we can help. At Script we know fitness, backed up by more than 20 years of serving the industry through Workout magazine, as well as the highly successful National Fitness Awards that are now in their 12th year.

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.

Powerful Print

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Professional printed matierials for your gym such as;

Our team of experienced journalists and PR specialists can offer;

Show your professionalism and a consistent brand image with;

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• Social media graphics and content

• Social media post content writing • Copywriting • Blog / newsletter content writing

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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