ISSUE 1 May
WEEKLY
Issue 78 - 03 December 2021
YOUR REGULAR ONLINE UPDATE FOR THE UK FITNESS SCENE
Trust expands its senior leadership team PAGE 2 Chain strengthens coaching offer with new partnership PAGE 3
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WORKOUT WEEKLY
Trust expands its senior leadership team FREEDOM Leisure, a not-for-profit charitable leisure trust, has strengthened its senior leadership team in Wales following a period of positive performance coupled with an impressive business reactivation post Covid-19. With three local authority partnerships in Wales, the community focussed charitable organisation is now looking to build on this success and make an even greater impact within the communities it serves. In partnership with the local authorities of Powys, Swansea and Wrexham – Freedom Leisure has invested more than £13m in facilities, activities and services to date. This includes investment in energy efficiency measures, resulting in a cumulative saving of almost 2,000 tonnes (CO2) across the three contracts between 2015 and 2020. The facilities operated by the not-forprofit trust across Wales recorded 4.4 million visits during 2019-20, including 30,000 visits from participants of the National Exercise Referral Scheme. The organisation is also at the forefront of swimming in Wales with 11,000 children and adults learning to swim across Powys, Swansea and Wrexham on a weekly basis. This had led to numerous accolades, including Swim Wales Learn to Swim provider of the year, and more recently –
Andy Harris, the newly appointed regional manager (Wales) for Freedom Leisure. partner of the year. Andy said: “Since transferring to In a bid to spearhead its operations and Freedom Leisure in 2016, the investment enhance its delivery in the region, the into facilities and the growth in not-for-profit trust has introduced a new participation across the Wrexham regional manager (Wales) role. contract has been significant. Andy Harris, who started his leisure “This investment and improvement has career in 1985, joined Freedom Leisure in also been evident within our two other 2016 as part of a transfer from Wrexham operating contracts in Wales. County Borough Council as the leisure “A key objective for Freedom Leisure trust embarked on a new contract to is to work in collaboration with our operate the leisure services in Wrexham. local authority partners to ensure that
bespoke programmes and outcomes are delivered within the different areas of Wales. I am extremely excited to continue the progress and strengthen the support network across Wales in my new role of regional manager.” Andy will be supported in his new role by Jeremy Rowe, who was recently promoted to operations director – with responsibility for Freedom Leisure operations across the UK. Jeremy has a wealth of leisure experience from working with both local authorities and trusts; and is proud of the success, impact and investment that has been made in Wales. He added: “Having joined the business in 2015, I am very proud of the impact we have made on the communities and partners we work with in Wales. “As a passionate Welshman, I am keen to extend our footprint in Wales and as a not-for-profit trust – seek out and work with new partners across the leisure, health and education sectors. “By working together in Wales we can achieve more and I very much look forward to playing a key part in the well-being of future generations and improving lives through leisure.” Freedom Leisure operate 108 leisure, cultural and entertainment venues across England and Wales working on behalf of 25 local authority partners to deliver their services.
Advice for including people with sight loss FITNESS professionals have a new opportunity to explore the most effective ways to include people with sight loss in their physical activity sessions thanks to free expert advice from Rashmi Becker MBE, founder of inclusive dance company Step Change Studios. Following a series of free webinars and training to upskill fitpros, Rashmi has created a sheet of advice and tips to encourage instructors to invite visually impaired people to join their classes. The advice covers how to reach out to visually impaired people and tips on making them feel welcome and ready to take part. It also covers guidance on managing front-ofhouse, familiarising people with the studio/space, key considerations around the use of voice and music and the importance of visual and contrasting language. This advice and free training is in direct response to research that Step Change Studios undertook among 128 fitpros as part of its Dance Dosti programme in partnership with Metro Blind Sport. The responses revealed a clear lack of inclusive 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: Paul Hopkinson ph@scriptmedia. co.uk
www.workout-uk.co.uk
training and very low confidence in being able to support people with sight loss in physical activities. The research also showed a desire among fitpros for training and written advice, in order to be able to work with this demographic, and recognition that it is currently not well catered-for within the leisure sector.
Key findings from the research showed: n Only 12.5 per cent of fitpros felt ‘very confident’ teaching someone with sight loss. n 77.3 per cent cited their lack of specialist training in supporting people with sight loss as a barrier to them being fully inclusive. n 72 per cent said hearing from someone with sight loss would be most helpful to them in supporting people with sight loss. Furthermore: n 73.4 per cent rated the dance/fitness sector as ‘poor’ in terms of access and inclusion of people with sight loss. n The top three factors that fitpros believe are barriers for people with sight loss to take part in physical activity are: Accessibility of venue and equipment – 85.9 per cent. Finding information about opportunities – 85.2 per cent. Low confidence in the activity provider – 80.5 per cent.
Operator powers up its training experience FITNESS First Germany has created a circuit of digital coaches on its gym floors to enable trainers to focus less on relaying instructions and more on delivering personal cues and motivating members. “Digital coaching is the next phase in gym floor group training,” said Martin Seibold, CEO LifeFit Group, owner of Fitness First Germany. “Group training has been central to our offer for many years and is still extremely popular. “The recent move to provide digitally delivered exercise demonstrations at each workout station in a circuit helps ensure all participants are instructed to perform the correct technique, whilst freeing up the trainer to address individual participant needs, creating
an environment that is geared towards goal attainment for each and every member.” The experience has been made possible through a partnership with the Netherlands based fitness innovator, FunXtion. Multiple screens (provided by FunXtion) are strategically positioned in functional training spaces and are connected to the Virtual Player, a digital platform hosting thousands of professionally shot and perfectly executed video exercise demonstrations. The exercises featured can be programmed to run concurrently, creating a circuit of digital instructors that provides every member with constant visual prompting. Martin added: “We never stand
still. To maintain our position as an innovation forerunner, we are constantly assessing the market to ensure or offer remains relevant to the lives, expectations and needs of our members, whilst remaining one step ahead of the competition. “This latest investment takes a popular training format and turbocharges it, helping to maintain the interest and motivation of our members.” The roll out began during lockdown at the end of 2020 and will complete this month, giving all the brands’ members across 50+ clubs, access to the new experience. The Virtual Player and the multi screens are all fully custom-branded, displaying Fitness Firsts own backgrounds, fonts and logo.
WORKOUT WEEKLY
Chain strengthens coaching offer with new partnership ANYTIME Fitness UK has partnered with Premier Global NASM to enhance the brand’s support to its members and franchisees and provide further learning and development opportunities for its club teams. With more than 180 clubs across the UK and Ireland, Anytime Fitness franchisees will benefit from access to Premier Global NASM’s portfolio of world renowned fitness and nutrition education. This will give its club teams the opportunity to advance their own learning and development, as well as supporting franchisees who are employing their own in-club coaches. Anytime Fitness and its franchisees can access additional recruitment support and utilisation of Premier Global NASM’s internal careers platform, providing a direct line to freshly qualified and motivated graduates who are eager to start their career in the fitness industry. “Our clubs pride themselves on the coaching and support they provide our members and this partnership will allow us to further enhance that,” said Neil Randall, CEO of Anytime Fitness UK. “Our franchisees are eager to develop the coaching, personal training and group training provisions within their
clubs and working with Premier Global NASM will give them the necessary support to do that. “Whether it’s creating a development pathway for its current team or looking to recruit additional coaching resource, it will have a significant effect on the experience we provide to our members. “We believe that by adding further qualifications and specialisms to our club teams’ skillsets, we can successfully help shape the future and success of our network and make healthy happen for our members.”
As well as the provision of fitness qualifications, Premier Global NASM offers specialist nutrition qualifications to Anytime Fitness coaches, equipping them with the knowledge to coach theirs members beyond just exercise. “Premier Global NASM is focused on creating long term career pathways for our graduates and network of fitness professionals,” added Dan Rees, managing director of Premier Global NASM. “This new partnership with Anytime Fitness not only provides a credible route
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into the sector, creating opportunities for our graduates to work with one of the industry’s largest and most reputable employers, it also enables us to provide ongoing professional development to those already on their career journey with Anytime Fitness.” “CPD is absolutely vital in a world that is constantly changing, especially now as we transition into the digital age. “Working with Anytime Fitness, we will be able to help ensure the skills and experience of individuals, working within the organisation, evolve with the needs of the consumer.” The new partnership forms part of Anytime Fitness’ commitment to supporting the overall health and wellbeing of its members, even when they’re unable to be within one of its clubs. This is reflected by its ‘Hand of Wellbeing’, which is how it works with its members to help their overall health across six key areas; rest/sleep, work-life balance, family and social environment, mental wellbeing, exercise and nutrition. Anytime Fitness is enjoying a successful end to the year, with 10 new clubs opening their doors in the final two months of 2021 and the operator is set to exceed the 200-club landmark in 2022.
Advertiser’s announcement
Upholstery 2 U – gym upholstery repair Upholstery 2 U provides a quick, hassle free, on-site upholstery repair service for the fitness industry within the UK. The usual process for damaged pads within any gym,would entail the gym owner having to contact the manufacturer for a like for like replacement. This would result in out of service machinery, a costly experience as well as disappointed gym members. Upholstery 2 U has a cost effective, efficient and reduced time management solution. Our experienced upholsterers will ensure any machinery is only out of service for a maximum of 30 minutes, always ensuring our best quality of work and no disruption to the working day. We pride ourselves on building and maintaining long standing relationships with our customers. Customer satisfaction is at the heart of the business. We believe people invest in people and this is what builds great relationships. We have three options available, which we feel covers all areas of what may work best for you and your business:
Option one – The quote-as-you-go plan This plan would be perfect for you if you only require our services ‘as and when’. Upholstery 2 U has an experienced team at head office to deal with any enquiries you may have. A quote will be provided for each site and scheduled into our programme once approved.
throughout the year on several visits. Spreading the costs over the year helps you to manage your spends with no surprise invoices. Under the rolling contract we will attend your site(s) and carry out an assessment of the gym and repair any pads that are worn on the day. We will return on a set timetable which works for you and carry out the same service. The upholstery maintenance contract helps gyms save money, time and the additional stress trying to find an urgent upholsterer when needed. A weight will be lifted knowing your upholstery is completely looked after and you can focus on the gym operations and member experience. To obtain a quote all we will need is total quantity of pads within the gym, a photo showing the colour and the gym address - It’s as easy as that!
Option two – The maintenance plan Upholstery 2 U understands the need for gyms to look their best but also having to work within budget. We provide an upholstery maintenance contract (rolling monthly contract) with no ties. We will work with you to provide
a service within a monthly budget you can afford. Once we understand your requirements, a monthly figure will be calculated and we will work with you to create a bespoke plan, to attend your gym and carry out the necessary repairs
Option three – The in-house repair plan Upholstery 2 U also provides an inhouse service for customers who would prefer to send their pads to our head office for a cheaper quote. The pads will be repaired and sent back on a next day courier service. We will aim to repair your pads on the same day we receive them to ensure as little downtime as possible. We work with some fantastic brands and some of the biggest companies in the UK. For any further information or to receive a quote email us at info@upholstery2u.com and we will be happy to help.