Weekly Workout - Issue 18

ISSUE 1 May

WEEKLY

Issue 18

18 September 2020

YOUR REGULAR ONLINE UPDATE FOR THE UK FITNESS SCENE

Digital transformation services – are you missing a trick?

page 3 Online festival to raise money and spirits

page 4 Call for sector to support National Fitness Day page 5

WORKOUT WEEKLY

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Active IQ to sponsor annual virtual Fitness Trainer Competition ACTIVE IQ is proud to be sponsoring the AOC Sport’s Fitness Trainer Competition for the sixth year in a row.

The competition, which usually takes place at the World Skills Show, has a slightly different format this year, taking place virtually due to coronavirus disallowing face-to-face contact.

The virtual competition will run from October 17 to 23.

Now in its ninth year, the competition aims to showcase and test the skills, knowledge and ability of personal trainers to deliver excellent fitness instruction to clients. It’s open to anyone studying a PT qualification and competitors can enter from colleges, training providers and employers as an apprentice.

The finalists will take part via Zoom either from home or in a gym environment. They will be tested across a range of tasks with a huge focus of course on at home and online workouts, reflecting the demands on PTs at this current time including: n Core fitness skills. n Instructing skills. n Online marketing skills (this will include a video showcase in which finalists will need to market themselves and will be judged by a panel including Active IQ’s head of marketing, Kerry Fearnley) n Written skills (finalists will need to write a workout plan which they could then sell as a product in the future) n A virtual job interview. n A home equipment challenge where they must select objects from around the house that could be used as part of a workout.

“I am proud to say that Active IQ has been supporting this important competition for six years now,” said Jenny Patrickson, managing director for Active IQ. “I say important because it gives nearly and newly qualified PTs the chance to learn and develop while also showcasing their skills. Entrants learn a lot from the process and gain valuable feedback and insight from the judges.

“Not to mention the fact it brings a Group Editor: Judith Halkerston Tel: 01226 734639 jh@scriptmedia. co.uk Group production editor: Dominic Musgrave Tel: 01226 734407 dm@scriptmedia. co.uk

Sales and marketing director: Tony Barry Tel: 01226 734605 tb@scriptmedia. co.uk Sales manager: Louise BristoweHarrison Tel: 01226 734699 workout3@ scriptmedia.co.uk

Studio manager: Stewart Holt sth@scriptmedia. co.uk

www.workout-uk.co.uk

fantastic opportunity to really spring board their career.”

This year’s finalists, in no particular order are: n Anne Chinoy – Trafford College. n James Allen – Coleg Gwent. n Libby Ward – Burnley College. n Freya Bourne – Burnley College. n Hazel Madoc Sutton – Trafford College. n Ruth Gordon – City of Glasgow College. n Claire Gibbs –Coleg Gwent. n Catherine Spencer – Coleg Gwent. n Craig Ward – Trafford College. n Robin Hammett – Coleg Gwent. n Alfie Smith – Havant and Southdowns College. n Martin Sweeney – City of Glasgow College.

Dean Hardman, director of sport and student experience for AoC, said: “Year after year we have seen how the competition provides a superb opportunity for aspiring fitness professionals to showcase their skills and in these most challenging of circumstances it is great that we are still able to offer this opportunity in partnership with Active IQ. “Indeed, the current public health crisis has allowed participants to further demonstrate their wider skillset, with online delivery testing them in new and different ways.

“We’re sure that all of the contenders will enjoy and learn from this process and wish them all every success in the competition and their future careers.”

Jenny added: “This year of course has been particularly challenging for everyone, so it’s fantastic to see the determination of every competitor. “ I’m delighted that the competition is still able to go ahead albeit virtually and I’d like to wish each finalist the very best of luck.

“It’s vital that we support those young people coming into our industry: encouraging them and recognising their skills. Competitions like this aren’t just about celebrating excellence, they are equally important to raise and retain industry standards.”

Digital transformation services – are you missing a trick?

WHEN Joe Wicks released his new, 90 day meal plan this summer he attracted 13,000 sign ups in just six weeks and generated £1.3million, highlighting a significant consumer appetite for short term goal oriented health and fitness applications.

Yet few in the fitness industry are offering such services.

“Currently the fitness industry is missing out on a huge opportunity” said Rob Lander, CEO at Fisikal.

“Offering a fixed term, digitally available solution to a specific health or fitness goal can provide a perfect opportunity to connect with a member and build rapport creating the perfect environment to encourage a longer term subscription based investment.

“Currently this opportunity is being exploited by celebrity trainers and social media influencers but very few fitness operators and personal trainers are embracing the opportunity.

During these unprecedented times, when many people are working from home and yet to return to their physical

training facility, these goal oriented, app based services can provide a perfect means of remotely supporting exciting members and clients whilst also engaging with new audiences.

While these services can provide a healthy standalone revenue stream, they also work well as part of a more ambitious acquisition strategy.

At the end of the programme users can be encouraged to continue their fitness journey via a longer term subscription based service, that can include access to a physical facility or online coaching services.

Recently, Fisikal worked with Jessie Pavelka, fitness expert and television host, to create the new JP4 app, a premium 12-week personal health and fitness transformation programme that takes the user on a journey of change through four key elements of health. Eat, Sweat, Think and Connect.

If you would like to find out more about this opportunity visit https:// fisikal.com to book a free, no obligation, demonstration.

and service for Myzone products across Japan as well as high quality video content through the Myzone platform.

Mike added: “Bravo was the obvious partner to bring Myzone into Japan.

The team’s extensive experience and strong network, together with their infrastructure, will ensure Myzone customers receive the high level of service and support associated with the Myzone brand.”

John Boardman, chair and founder of Bravo Group, said: “I have been closely following the incredible growth of Myzone and its positive impact on the fitness industry for many years, and the Bravo team is genuinely excited to be able to offer this highly effective technology to the industry here in Japan.

“The wearable market continues to boom and while there are many

wearable options out there, Myzone is the only technology built specifically for the fitness club and fitness professional market, and built by a team which intimately understands the challenges of member acquisition, on-boarding, and retention and the value of upselling programming and personal training.

“In addition, Myzone has recently launched the world’s first virtual live group workout, MZ-Remote, that is integrated with Zoom, and displays the heart rate feedback of all participants on one screen, allowing everyone to work out together from their smartphone, wherever they are.

“This feature will enable clubs, trainers and instructors to offer members ‘live’ experiences with real-time feedback encouraging increased competition, motivation and results.”

Digital platform launches in Japan Myzone will be available in Japan for the first time this month thanks to a new partnership with the fitness content company Bravo Group.

Japan is a large and important market for Myzone’s digital platform, and forms a key part of its long term growth strategy for Asia.

“This exciting partnership allows us for the first time to offer this technology to operators in Japan,said Mike Beeney, director of Myzone Asia Pacific.

“We have already identified demand for the product, both from local operators and from global clients who operate in the country.”

Myzone has been working with Bravo Group over the last year to bring the brand to the Japanese market.

Bravo Group, which represents a number of world-class complementary brands, will offer all aspects of support

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WORKOUT WEEKLY

Online festival to raise money and spirits classfinder, the UK’s largest directory of group exercise classes, is holding an online group exercise festival from Friday September 25 to Sunday September 27 as part of the Great British Week of Sport.

The festival will showcase more than 40 fitness brands and guest presenters with the aim of getting 2,000 households across the nation active.

Fitness festivals are a big feature in the fitness calendar, especially in the group exercise world.

With these not being able to run this year, classfinder has taken the festival format online to ensure people can still enjoy the festival feel.

All sessions of the online festival will take place on Zoom, making an accessible platform for attendance.

The three-day festival boasts a timetable that everyone can enjoy.

Classes include dance sessions for toddlers, children, teens, and adults, as well as seated exercise and wheelchair dance.

Dance fitness is huge part of the timetable, as are yoga and Pilates.

The variety of sessions gives families and households the opportunity to try as many different sessions as they like, find a new favourite class, and enjoy the social aspects that exercise can bring.

Brett Pearson, head of sales and marketing for EMD UK, the owners of classfinder, said: “We wanted to create a festival that anyone can enjoy.

“Whether you are a fitness fanatic or have two left feet, you will find a class to enjoy at our classfinder online group exercise festival.

“Holding it on Zoom breaks down some huge participation barriers, especially around confidence to attend

and feeling self-conscious.

“Having the option to attend an online class, with full control over whether you share your video or not, encourages more people to try a new activity and create a pathway for regular activity.”

Covid-19 has hit the physical activity arena hard, especially face to face classes and projects.

One such project is Community Fitness Network’s Get Yer Kit on.

Designed to tackle the mental, physical and social health of young women and girls in communities, the initiative focuses on four key areas to improve participation: a pop up shop where girls and young women can access free active wear to attend classes; access to free group exercise session from Clubbercise; training opportunities to become a group exercise instructor; and virtual access to a resources platform created

by, and aimed at women, to support their mental health.

With physical activity being at the heart of classfinder, the ticket sales revenue of this festival is being donated to the Get Yer Kit On project.

Claire Goodliff, managing director of Community Fitness Network, said “Get Yer Kit On was created to tackle the confidence gap in women.

“After a delayed start due to Covid-19, having fundraising support means we can progress with parts of the project which do not rely on live delivery.

‘Thanks to EMD UK and the classfinder online Group Ex Festival, Get Yer Kit On will be able to provide funded training opportunities straight away giving an exciting career path for young women in areas of low income.”

Knowing this year has been hard for everyone, classfinder has teamed up

with Raffolux on this event.

Every ticket sold will be entered into a prize draw to win a £2,000 Virgin Holidays voucher for UK and abroad holidays.

The voucher has a two-year time frame in which to be used, making it a great prize for future leisure escapes.

Prior to the pandemic, nearly five million people in England were taking part in group exercise on a weekly basis making it the third most popular activity to participate in.

Brett added: “To support continued participation and the Sport England Stay In Work Out campaign, we switched our classfinder search engine to display virtual classes that could be done at home.

“We also ran a classfinder 12-hour group exercise marathon in May, raising money for Women’s Aid. “The event was a huge success, with over 1,300 households involved raising over £5,000 for charity.

“This, coupled with the emphasis on home workouts in the new This Girl Can advert gives us confidence that our classfinder Group Ex Festival will exceed this and help to keep the nation active.”

Tickets for the online group exercise festival are £5 per session or a weekend pass costs £15, giving buyers access to as many classes as they wish to participate in.

Tickets for the festival are now on sale at https://bookwhen.com/ classfinderfestival For more information on Community Fitness Network’s Get Yer Kit On project, visit https://www. communityfitnessnetwork.org/get-yerkit-on

Life Fitness unveils Axiom Series LIFE Fitness has unveiled the Axiom Series, a comprehensive and versatile line of strength equipment featuring 10 single-exercise and eight dual-exercise selectorised machines, a dual adjustable pulley, and 12 benches and racks.

Now available globally, Axiom Series delivers simple and reliable biomechanics with an inviting, eyecatching design ideal for many fitness facilities, from health clubs to multi-unit housing, hospitality and more.

Axiom Series single and dual exercise selectorised machines are designed with a low-profile tower that allows for clear sight lines across the floor and can upgrade the appearance of any facility.

To ensure exercisers have a smooth and comfortable experience, Axiom Series

utilises high-quality weight stacks, guide rods, pulleys and cables, in addition to a standard accessory tray on top of each tower to store a water bottle, towel or mobile phone.

Customers can also choose between a rear shroud only or full shroud solution depending on the design of their facility.

“We are thrilled to expand our industry-leading strength portfolio with the Axiom Series to offer fitness facilities a single, complete solution for strength training,” said Dan Wille, global vice president of marketing and product development at Life Fitness.

“We’ve listened to feedback from our customers and we’re excited for them to experience the full breadth and versatility of this line.

“The Axiom lineup features a fresh, inviting design with upgraded biomechanics and is the perfect solution to upgrade the look and strength training experience of any facility.”

Life Fitness Axiom Series benches and racks offer wide-ranging solutions for both storage and training.

There are five racks dedicated to dumbbell storage, a barbell rack and a vertical medicine ball storage rack.

Other key products include a Smith rack, flexibility trainer, abdominal bench and a dip and leg raise.

In addition, the Axiom Series dual adjustable pulley is a centrepiece for functional strength training with limitless training options used for individual workouts, personal training or

group training applications.

An optimised weight stack position narrows the footprint without sacrificing function, and a pair of long adjustable handles, an ankle strap and a triceps rope all come standard with the unit.

The line is also user-friendly and approachable to all exercisers.

All selectorised units include graphic placards to help exercisers learn what muscle groups they are training and proper exercise motion.

QR codes are also scannable via a smart phone to show a video of how to use each machine.

Simple, reliable, and aesthetically designed, the range will elevate the strength training experience for any facility with its breadth and versatility.

WORKOUT WEEKLY

Call for sector to support National Fitness Day NATIONAL Fitness Day, on Wednesday September 23, is the perfect opportunity to bring the fitness community together and showcase the valuable contribution we all make to the health of the nation.

This is why, this year, Premier Global NASM has joined ukactive as the campaign’s official activation partner and is appealing to all gym owners, suppliers, fitness professionals and consumers to join together in celebration of sport and physical activity.

“Covid-19 has knocked the sector for six and tested our resilience to the limit,” said Dan Rees, managing director at Premier Global NASM. “As we look towards a rather uncertain future, now is the perfect time to take stock, join together and remind ourselves why we are all so passionately involved in helping get more people, more active more often.”

Throughout the day, Premier Global NASM will be showcasing talent from its network of fitness professional graduates who will be hosting bite-sized online workouts, across a broad spectrum of disciplines from group fitness and Pilates to nutrition and pre and post natal.

National Fitness Day sits in the middle of ‘The Great British Week of Sport’ running from September 19 to 27, with Premier Global NASM’s activities spanning the entire week.

There will be opportunities to enjoy ‘a day in the life…’ stories from Premier Global NASM current students and graduates on Instagram, motivational messages and blog posts from high profile ambassadors across social channels, and a chance to win an array

of fitness goods supplied by supporting partners.

Dan added: “Working together, through education, expert support and the provision of safe training environments, we can help the nation develop an effective defence against Covid-19 and many other virus’ and infections.

“What better way to showcase the value of our sector, than through a

demonstration of solidarity and strength right now as we all face this pandemic together.

“Through our market leading Live Learning Through Digital Technology platform, we are committed to ensuring that fitness education is truly accessible, ‘uniting’ learner and education even when physical contact is not possible.

“Despite lockdown restrictions, all our students enjoyed an uninterrupted

learning journey. We also fully supported the CIMSPA #strongertogether programme and provided free education resources to help fitness professionals expand their skills and knowledge while unable to deliver traditional services.”

To find out more about National Fitness Day and The Great British Week of Sport activities, visit https:// www.premierglobal.co.uk/campaigns/ national-fitness-day-2020

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In partnership with

FRIDAY 26TH NOVEMBER 2021,

THE ATHENA,LEICESTER

We are so sad to announce that we have taken the difficult decision to cancel this year’s National Fitness Awards.

All nominations for this year’s awards will be carried over to next year – and nominees will have the opportunity to update their nominations should they wish to ahead of the closing date. Nominations will remain open throughout the year closing on August 31 2021.

Thank you for all your nominations and support and we look forward to celebrating your achievements in 2021. Thanks too to our sponsors for your continued loyalty and support.

WWW.NATIONALFITNESSAWARDS.CO.UK

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