ISSUE 1 May
WEEKLY
Issue 79 - 10 December 2021
YOUR REGULAR ONLINE UPDATE FOR THE UK FITNESS SCENE
Anytime Fitness wins top franchise award PAGE 2 Community coffee morning relieves lockdown inactivity PAGE 3 Maximise your studio offering -
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WORKOUT WEEKLY
Anytime Fitness wins top franchise award FITNESS organisation, Anytime Fitness, has taken home the Gold Business Resilience award at the bfa HSBC British Franchise Awards 2021. 2021 marks the 32nd year of this leading bfa hsbc franchising award, a flagship event for the UK franchising industry. The glittering event took place at The Vox in Birmingham, where the UK’s best franchisors and franchisees were celebrated. Commenting on the win, Tom Bowers Anytime Fitness franchisor, said: “The past year and a half has been particularly challenging for us. “We were only able to trade for a little over 80 days between March 2020 and March 2021 and during that time, our franchisees certainly felt the pressure. “As a result, we knew we had to do all we could to support our franchisees through this difficult period. “This award win is such a special one for us as it’s such an honour to see our efforts so well recognised. “I’m incredibly proud of the whole team.” Anytime Fitness is the UK’s largest fitness franchise. It has more than 180 health clubs
across the UK and Ireland, providing its members with convenient club locations and opening hours to suit all lifestyles. The Business Resilience category celebrates businesses that show creativity and resilience in the face of exceptional challenges. Anytime Fitness battled it out against
a record number of entries for this category to secure the accolade for its ‘Together We Rise’ campaign. This included offering virtual classes to its members as well as providing a strategy for franchisees to get through lockdown. Pip Wilkins, CEO of the British Franchise
Association, added: “The UK fitness world was one of the hardest hit industries by the pandemic, with many left with no choice but to close their doors. “However, the team showed exceptional determination and a real dedication to supporting their franchisees through the difficult times they faced. “To be awarded the Gold Business Resilience accolade is a huge achievement and serves as a badge of honour for any franchise, highlighting excellent levels of franchisee care. “Massive congratulations to the whole Anytime Fitness team.” Andrew Brattesani, head of franchising at HSBC, said: “All businesses will face their fair share of challenges over the years, but it’s how a business deals with those challenges that will set them apart. “Anytime Fitness’ persistence and hard work has really paid off and they are a true example of how a franchise can support and help franchisees weather any storm. “It’s no surprise then, that they have won this very well deserved Business Resilience award and we congratulate them for all their hard work.”
Everlast to open its first gym in Manchester EVERLAST is set to open its new concept club, combining the best of fitness studios, strength training and functional gym floor space. The gym in Denton, Manchester showcases strength, HiiT and boot camp style classes for all fitness levels – as well as a free weights area with no shortage of top of the range equipment from the brands within the Core Health and Fitness equipment portfolio; Star Trac® cardio equipment, StairMaster® HIIT products including the Gauntlet, Nautilus® strength including Inspiration, Impact and Leverage ranges, AC Sport Schwinn® bikes in the group cycling studio, plus Throwdown rigs and accessories for functional fitness. Denton will also see the creation of new jobs in the area, for gym staff, personal trainers and class instructors. The gym will open on December 27 Group Editor: Judith Halkerston Tel: 01226 734639 jh@scriptmedia. co.uk
Sales and marketing
Group production editor: Dominic Musgrave Tel: 01226 734407 dm@scriptmedia. co.uk
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Studio manager: Paul Hopkinson ph@scriptmedia. co.uk
director: Tony Barry Tel: 01226 734605 co.uk
Sales manager: Louise BristoweHarrison Tel: 01226 734699 workout3@ scriptmedia.co.uk
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to the public and the first month will be just £5 for the first 500 who join. Daniel Summerson, head of Everlast Gyms for Frasers Group, said: “I’m
really proud to be a part of this new project for Frasers Group. “Designing the new branding and concept for Everlast Gyms has
been exciting and we are absolutely delighted to open our first elevated Everlast Gym in Denton. “The new site will combine the design and product of a boutique studio and the space and equipment of a luxury gym, creating a hybrid feel. “This new concept will provide the people of Denton with an affordable yet luxury hybrid gym experience “This is a huge moment for the Everlast brand, and with at least 38 further clubs to be transformed over the next two years, this is just the beginning. We can’t wait to get started.” All clubs will feature the latest MyZone heart rate technology, giving gym-goers the opportunity to track exactly how hard they are working whilst in the gym. Future openings have also been announced, starting with Preston in early 2022.
need, and we can see this in the new GBTT range. “We can’t wait to get the gym open and see our members using the kit.” Manufactured from the finest leather and to the highest spec, Sweeney Dodge Fightwear is serious about becoming a household name in the combat sports industry in the same manner that Great Britain Top Team has its sights set on being the premier professional Mixed Martial Arts team in the UK. A barber by trade and an avid MMA fan, Sweeney Dodge Fightwear founder Daryl Dodge first launched the brand in 2020, before the pandemic forced him to put his plans on hold. As well as regularly training in MMA, Daryl sponsors GBTT fighter Rob Earls, and supplies gloves to Cage Warriors
Academy South East, one of a network of academies invested in by Europe’s leading and longest-running MMA promotion, Cage Warriors. Daryl’s products are also trialled by and fed back on from those who know the sport best, ensuring the highest quality design and product development. Commenting on the new partnership, Sweeney Dodge founder Daryl Dodge said: “I am very excited to be working with GBTT and collaborating in designing products to create something unique. “I love the ambition of Brad (Pickett) and the GBTT brand and I am very proud to support it.” GBTT Academy will be opening in Morden, South London in January.
GBTT joins forces with Sweeney Dodge GREAT Britain Top Team has partnered with Sweeney Dodge Fightwear to create an exclusive co-branded fightwear range for aspiring and professional MMA athletes. The premium kit, which includes boxing gloves and pads, sparring and pro gloves, kick shields, shinpads and headguards, will be available to buy from the GBTT Web Shop later this month, and from the GBTT Academy retail store when the gym opens in Morden, south London, in January. GBTT co-founder and head coach Brad Pickett commented, “The quality and design of the Sweeney Dodge Fightwear products is exactly what we want to offer our GBTT fighters and Academy members. “Daryl’s background plus his network means he knows what fighters want and
WORKOUT WEEKLY
Community coffee morning relieves lockdown inactivity A VOLUNTEER has set up a community coffee morning to help encourage people in Brinnington get socially active after lockdown. Jim Glindon, 54, said joining the walking football project, delivered in partnership by Age UK Stockport and Life Leisure, has worked wonders for his physical and mental health after the restrictions of the pandemic. Now he is hoping to inspire others by hosting a weekly community coffee morning at Brinnington Leisure centre, which will focus on providing people with a place to socialise as well as open up opportunities to get moving. Dad-of-one Jim, from Brinnington, said: “Joining the walking football has given me a much needed pick-meup, both mentally and physically. I’ve noticed a real difference. “I’ve had to move a few notches in my belt and I no longer ache for days after each session, but I also feel so much brighter and happier day to day. “I think a lot of people have struggled during lockdown and perhaps don’t know where to start, so I thought a community coffee morning could be a good way of
Dominic Bell, Jimmy Glindon and Gareth Ball at Jim’s coffee morning. encouraging people to get out and about to socialise and get a little more active. “It’s a free coffee morning where you can just come a chat, if you’re interested in taking part in some of the community events that’s great, but there’s no obligation at all. “For some people just walking down
each week will be enough to get moving a little more.” Jim, who volunteers with Age UK Stockport, added: “Being active has really changed my mental health and sense of wellbeing, so I hope that this coffee morning can do the same for some others who maybe don’t know where to start or feel a little
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overwhelmed to commit to a new class or sports session.” Jim runs the weekly coffee morning with support from Age UK Stockport’s ageing well lead Dominic Bell and Life Leisure, which provides the space in the Community Room. Dominic said: “It is amazing to see what Jimmy has achieved so far and we look forward to seeing how the café evolves to improving the health and wellbeing of the community”. Gareth Ball, active communities officer for Life Leisure, said: “We are really happy to support Jim’s weekly coffee morning. “Being active isn’t always about taking part in an exercise class, it’s about being motivated to try something new which can get you moving a little more. We think the coffee morning is a brilliant idea and we are more than happy to support it.” The coffee morning, which is open to all residents, takes place in the community room at Life Leisure in Brinnington every Thursday from 10.30am to 12.00pm and visitors are welcome to drop in. There will also be a special Christmas event on Thursday, December 16.
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