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January 2019

The UK’s No 1 fitness industry magazine

Rigs crowned best gym in the country RIGS Fitness has been crowned the UK’s best gym at the National Fitness Awards 2018. The Birmingham gym won both National Gym of the Year and Regional Gym of the Year Midlands and Wales at the awards, held at Leicester’s Athena venue at the end of November. For owner Sam Smith, it was the pinnacle of a long history with the NFAs. Rigs now has a grand total of five National Fitness Awards on their shelf since opening in August 2012 with only Sam as a full time staff member. Along with co-founder Paul Gilmore, brother Ben and a handful of coaches and family members, they embarked on a dream of creating a successful functional fitness centre. Sam said: “Winning National Gym of the Year and Regional Gym of the Year Midlands and Wales for the second time at this year’s NFAs has been the single best moment of our six-and-ahalf year journey at Rigs Fitness. “I am now one of 15 fitness staff at the gym, we’ve developed and opened our very own performance arm of the gym, athlete development programme, Youth Athlete Academy. We have in-house physiotherapists,

sports massage therapists and nutritionists and have had sports stars from all over the world come and train with us. “But we still have our tagline of Train Like An Athlete and pride ourselves on the quality of our coaching and friendly environment that genuinely allows people from all backgrounds, ages and levels of fitness to come and train in an approachable atmosphere and achieve their fitness goals.” The gym won Newcomer of the Year in 2013 and came Regional Gym of the Year Midlands and Wales runner up in 2014. In 2016, they won Functional Training Gym of the Year, before taking home regional Midlands and Wales and coming runner up in strength last year. “We never thought we would officially be the best gym in the UK when we opened, but we have consistently worked hard every single minute we have been open and this award gives our amazing members, coaches, staff and owners recognition for that hard work, its amazing,” Sam added. n For a full roundup of our 2018 NFA winners, read our feature starting on page 31.

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Middlesbrough trainer recognised PERSONAL trainer Mike Hind received recognition for his outstanding contribution to the fitness industry at the NFAs. The Middlesbrough trainer, who made headlines nationwide this year for his lifesaving work with client Darren ‘Dibsy’ McClintock, took home the Outstanding Achievement award at this year’s ceremony. He also took home Personal Trainer of the Year for the second year in a row. Mike, who runs gym MAS Body Health and Fitness and launched his Macro Based Diner this year, said he never dreamed of being honoured with the accolade. “Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to walk away retaining the title of the UK’s best PT but also the pinnacle which was the Outstanding Achievement Award. If I’m honest it still hasn’t sunk in, nor do I think it ever will,” Mike said. “When the words ‘and the winner is... Mike Hind’ were read out, my head dropped between

my knees, I was gobsmacked. My team, who were there with me and who have always been there since the day I started, were also ecstatic. “In 2011 I was selling shoes on a car boot sale, trying desperately to fund a dream and a passion. Seven years on, I was stood on the stage surrounded by my amazing team, celebrating the success that was beyond my wildest dreams.” Mike thanked his entire team when he accepted his two awards. “This year has seen me work with professional footballers, boxers, athletes, I have appeared on national TV, in newspapers and in media across the world. “But without a doubt the highlight of my year has been the 2018 National Fitness Awards, so from the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank all the judges who have taken the time to acknowledge the work that we love and and will continue to do.”

UK FITNESS SCENE

World-leading university reaches new heights By Oliver Dyson A WORLD-LEADING suite of 20 altitude bedrooms has been created at Loughborough University by UK Altitude Company, Sporting Edge. The 20 rooms at Loughborough’s Elite Athlete Centre can each reach simulated altitudes imitating those of the Sierra Nevada or Kenya, where top class athletes previously had to travel to experience the same benefits. But now entire sports teams can experience bespoke altitude experiences and maximise the benefit across the squad. The altitude rooms help increase red blood cell count in the body, boosting oxygen carrying capacity and making it possible to deliver more oxygen to the muscles. This means athletes such as Mo Farah and Zlatan Ibrahimovic who have previously benefited from Sporting Edge’s technology, can go harder and faster for longer. Sporting Edge key account manager Kevin Gillespie said: “The rooms are the most technically advanced altitude dormitories in the world and each have their own individual stable flow of air.

“This development is prestigious because Loughborough is one of the world’s most renowned and respected sports science institutions and we have been able to create something which will form a key part of their future. We already have a chamber with the English Institute of Sport, which is based on site, so to be able to strengthen our association with Loughborough University too is great for us.” Each room can be programmed from 0-5,000m, with a dimmable repeater screen to reassure clients of the room conditions. They can reach 5,000m in less than four hours and can produce the same altitude of the High-Altitude Training Centre in Iten, Kenya in around 90 minutes. “The hotel can individually prescribe each room for each member of the squad and make sure it is at the ideal level for them to see the most benefit,” Kevin added. “But it isn’t just for Elite athletes. If someone was taking on the challenge of climbing Everest, this can help with acclimatisation too. “Alongside things like the nutrition and performance packages the centre

is offering, the altitude bedrooms are part of the full package.” British Athletics’ endurance coach David Harmer said: “To have the opportunity to do simulated altitude

makes the Elite Athlete Centre the last piece in the puzzle, in terms of a complete network of support providers driven towards winning more medals.”

At Script Media, we try to get things right but occasionally, we make mistakes. If you have a complaint about a story featured in our magazine or on our website, please, in the first instance, contact us by email: od@scriptmedia.co.uk We abide by the Editors’ Code of Practice as demanded by the Independent Press Standards Organisation. For details on the code and what to do should you be unsatisfied with the way we handle your complaint, please visit www.ipso.co.uk

UK FITNESS SCENE

Serco Leisure to launch bespoke New fitness ‘digital workshop’ programme partnership... By Oliver Dyson GYM staff from Serco Leisuremanaged facilities are training up on digital tech. Created in partnership with Life Fitness Academy, the digital workshop will look at how the use of technology, apps and wearables can enhance engagement and improvement physical activity levels for members. Launched last month, the training teaches gym floor teams how to encourage members to get the most out of their tech as part of a health and fitness plan. Instructors are taught about current and upcoming trends in digital fitness, as well as how best to interact with members and the challenges they might encounter in implementing new tech. Serco Leisure commercial director Jon Hymus said: “We want our gyms to become the facilities of choice for those people who might recognise the value of technology but not always know how best to use it – whether that’s getting started with a wearable or finding the right app to support their bespoke training requirements. “By working with Life Fitness Academy, our aim is to equip our gym staff with the knowledge, skills and confidence to best support our members to achieve their personal health and fitness goals, and I believe we are the first leisure operator in the

UK to offer this important add-on to the training suite we already offer our gym teams.” Serco Leisure has worked in partnership with Life Fitness for more than 20 years, with 50 Life Fitnessequipped gyms across its estate. The digital workshop is the latest education programme to be created by LFA for the company and will prominently feature Serco Leisure’s

new exercise tracking app, More Fitness, which launched in June last year and already has over 31,000 registered users. “The opportunities that exist for gyms that embrace technology are huge, yet there’s a big gap in the market for education that improves instructors’ understanding of how digital can enhance a member’s training experience,” said Adrian Nash, digital experience manager for Life Fitness. “The team at Serco Leisure identified this and they’ve been central to the development of the digital workshop programme now in place.” In an extension to this, LFA is set to launch the digital workshop as part of its wider education offering, which can be tailored to suit customers based on their own technology and/ or apps. Adrian added: “We are focused on being at the forefront of the digital space in fitness and a big part of what we do is to bring people and technology together to achieve the best outcome for our customers and their members. “Training and education are central to this, and the work of Life Fitness Academy aims to support our customers in encouraging members to get the most out of their facilities and consequently, their health and fitness activities.”

WORKOUT sessions will be offered on demand at home thanks to a new partnership between Hero Wellbeing and Les Mills. Technology and service company Hero has teamed up with Les Mills to provide Les Mills On Demand via its technology platform, as well as live classes across the UK. Hero Wellbeing CEO Joe Gaunt said: “We know that more and more people are choosing to work out at home as well as within the gym environment so it’s important that we can offer the same great experience where ever they choose to train. “The Les Mills On Demand service gives non-gym users the opportunity to get an effective and enjoyable workout at a time and place that suits them thus removing barriers to physical activity. We’re thrilled to have Les Mills on board as a partner and look forward to working with them.” The partnership comes after Sport England’s Active Lives, Active Sport survey revealed an increase in the number of people doing interval training such as HIIT classes, with 75 per cent of those done in a group environment. Hero will also be looking to launch Les Mills live classes within its upcoming Performance Hubs, launching nationally next year.

UK FITNESS SCENE

Get financially prepped for a New Year refurb By Oliver Dyson WITH the New Year quickly approaching, gym and health club owners across the UK will be gearing up for what is inevitably a peak time in their business calendars. New Year’s resolutions will soon be in full force, driving new customers to the gym, and owners will be looking to accommodate those that might have overindulged during the festive period. Here Rory Dunn, managing director at Portman Asset Finance, explains why now is a pivotal moment for leisure operators across the country, as good preparation and investment could lead to a successful start to 2019: January is a crucial time for leisure businesses across the country. With the expected annual influx of new members and a rise in frequency of visits from existing customers, everything must be done now to retain a new and larger customer base in order to deliver business growth for the rest of the year. As we head towards the end of 2018, footfall is likely to be lower now than compared to the rest of the year as people wind down for Christmas, and with this in mind, it may be the right time to make sure your club is fully prepared for the January spike. A busy summer should set a fitness business up financially for investment now, and owners can now take advantage of competitive and fixed finance rates to fund new equipment and renovations ahead of next year,

and retain those all important new customers. With current trends in mind, staying ahead of the curve could require significant investment. There is now a much greater focus on new forms of functional training, with more innovative products being released to meet demand. CrossFit has boomed in 2018 for example, and is likely to continue – so regular gyms must embrace trends such as these in order to stay ahead of competitors. For example, Air Bikes are a prominent fixture in CrossFit gyms and this could be included into your current offering. This could also allow you to host classes and programs using new equipment, creating potential new revenue streams and potentially even steal some market share from specialist CrossFit venues. Furthermore, research suggests it costs five times more to attract a new customer than it does to retain an existing one, so an investment now ahead of the New Year could safeguard the business and your new customer base, and benefit you greatly in the future. January is an immensely competitive time within the sector, with all clubs hosting welcome offers and incentives for new members – you have to ensure that yours has the facilities and service to tip the scale. Perhaps, new equipment or flooring is needed, or it could be refurbished changing rooms and showers. Adapting your space to the

Rory Dunn training demands of your members will show that you care about their fitness ambitions and goals and consequently, maximise retention. Securing fixed finance while your cash flow is healthy means that you won’t be stung by unexpected costs and can pay off any refurbishments comfortably, while reaping the profitable rewards of a new and improved gym. By paying fixed monthly amounts towards any new purchases from now until the end of the agreement, owners can either own the asset outright, as in the case of hire

purchase, or else pay off the remaining balance or get an upgrade if they have leased. This allows operators to keep ahead of the competition with the latest facilities each year, by paying a regular and fixed rate. An investment that offers so much in terms of customer retention and outreach shows that you care about your members, and one that should be carefully considered in order to stay ahead of the competition. n For more details on Portman Asset Finance, visit www. portmanassetfinance.co.uk

UK FITNESS SCENE

‘2019 is going to be the year of technology’ By Katie Bulmer Cooke AS we move into 2019, many of us will be wondering what the hot fitness trends will be over the coming months. Our world of fitness is extremely fast paced, with new products and services coming into the market all the time. Sometimes it can feel like a full time job just trying to keep up with everything from the latest group fitness concepts, to new equipment and events. For me, 2019 is going to be the year of technology, and truly integrating it into our everyday services, such as group fitness. The last five years have seen a real boom in the use of wearable fitness trackers, and many people will have received one for Christmas as part of their bid to get fit in the new year. Gone are the days of the pedometer that clipped to your waist band and recorded extra steps every time you visited the bathroom and pulled your leggings down and up! Now, the ability to monitor steps, heart rate and sleep is just the start. With so much data available to us, and with so many customers and clients wearing a device when they workout, now the logical step is to integrate the use of fitness trackers into our existing services. Rather than individuals looking at their own stats and keeping the information to themselves (and for

rest time. Using the wearable to set goals for a session increases focus, challenges participants to get outside of their comfort zone and improves retention, with participants wanting to continue to improve upon their previous performance. Granted not everyone may have access to the same level of data, with some devices providing more information than others, but as a coach, you can still set goals for different types of device. For example, you may say at the start of the class, for those of you using a step tracker, your target is X

and for those of you able to measure calories expended, your target is Y. Of course at the other end of the scale you can go all in and provide customers with the device, or have it included in your joining pack. MyZone belts are a perfect example of this, and they offer so many different options when it comes to setting session objectives. More people than ever before and using fitness trackers, whether it’s something they wear 24/7 on their wrist or strapped to their chest for a workout, so why not take advantage of this growing trend to help you stand out from your competitors. Advertising Sales manager: Daniel Lloyd Tel: 01226 734699 dl@scriptmedia.co.uk

www.workout-uk.co.uk

some not being sure how to interrupt it), it’s time to use the information that can be gleaned from devices to set objectives for group fitness classes and personal training sessions, for example, setting a goal of burning a set number of calories, or spending so much time in a particular heart rate zone, or using heart rate to monitor

Sales manager: Danielle Hornby Tel: 01226 734709 dlh@scriptmedia. co.uk Sales and marketing director: Tony Barry Tel: 01226 734605 tb@scriptmedia.co.uk

Script Media

Editorial Group Editor: Judith Halkerston Tel: 01226 734639 jh@scriptmedia.co.uk Editor: Oliver Dyson Tel: 01226 734463 od@scriptmedia. co.uk Group production editor: Dominic Musgrave Tel: 01226 734407 dm@scriptmedia. co.uk Graphic designer: Scott Firth sf@scriptmedia.co.uk

47 Church Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire S70 2AS

THE FUTURE OF BODY ASSESSMENT

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Obtain a 360 body scan of your member to monitor body changes visually.

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The User Login Every Fit3D user within your gym will receive a personalised online account to review all body changes! This can be accessed, on any device, via www.Fit3D.com. On this account the user is able to view any scan they have taken past or present. They can also visit the comparison page to view how there body, measurements and wellness metrics have improved over time.

Increase client retention by PROVING Success How it works The Fit3D ProScanner takes 1,200 images of the body while the client is standing on a rotating plate and then uses advanced algorithms to stitch these together and create a virtual 3D avatar of the user. After the scan is complete it will give your client their own login account, that they can access from any device, to view their virtual scan and wellness metrics that have been automatically generated. This gives the client a whole range of data including weight, full body measurements, body fat percentage, fat mass vs lean mass and a body shape wellness rating based on a comparison with over 300,000 scans logged. It also allows them to compare their 360 body avatars side by side view to review their shape change, whether it be for weight loss or muscle gain.

The beneﬁts to your business include: 1. Increase member motivation by providing them with a scientiﬁc way to track results in your gym! 2. Increase revenue per member by charging £30-£40 per repeat scan. (every 6-8 weeks) 3. Create bespoke personal training plans based on a member’s Fit3D assessment. 4. Show your unique focus on providing your members with the best service in the industry. 5. Access and track all members’ progress and improvements in the Gym’s own login account. 6. Set yourself apart from local competition by including a scan as part of the induction. 7. Increase member retention by proving to them their hard work is paying off!

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UK FITNESS SCENE

Leisure operator reaches milestone in support for talented athletes SPORTING heroes from across the country attended Everyone Active’s inaugural Sporting Champions awards ceremony. Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions scheme is a talent development programme currently supporting more than 800 athletes in achieving their dreams, via funding and development opportunities. Sporting stars Colin Jackson and Max Whitlock, alongside more than 200 other sports men and women, partners and industry representatives, attended the awards at London’s prestigious Porchester Hall. Commonwealth paratriathlon champion, Jade Jones-Hall, won two awards on the night, including overall Sporting Champion of the Year. During her acceptance speech she was eager to praise the scheme for the impact it has had on her in recent years, saying: “I’m very grateful to be recognised by the scheme in this way. From a personal point of view, the practical support is has given me has been fantastic. “I train in the pool and gym, as well as out on the road, so having access to top-class facilities has been invaluable. “I’m also grateful for what Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions scheme has done to showcase and recognise excellence in para sport and the hard

work put in by its athletes.” Other winners included European silver medallist diver Matthew Dixon, racing driver Emily Linscott and champion climber Katie Fischer. Everyone Active’s Sporting Champions will be welcoming more

athletes to apply for the 2019 intake in the New Year. Everyone Active regional director Duncan Jefford said: “The scheme is all about inspiring and motivating up-and-coming athletes to achieve their full potential.

“It offers participants a direct line to some of the UK’s most inspirational sports people. “It was brilliant to have those same faces with us to celebrate the success of programme and the talent it supports.”

UK FITNESS SCENE

14 Dr. Paul Bedford’s ‘Best in Class’ column in your last issue advised operators to stick to one manufacturer and as few levels of equipment and consoles as possible, to avoid confusing the exerciser. He rightly points out: “The variety should come from the programmes on the consoles, rather than the consoles themselves.” We agree; while versatility is fundamental to encourage usage and retention in today’s competitive market, equipment needs to be easy to use, allowing exercisers to concentrate on their workout and achieving their goals, rather than how to use a different console each time they change from one CV machine to another. That’s precisely the reason Precor has been first to market in offering customers total console versatility. Whether the operator chooses an interactive touch screen option, complete with Preva networked fitness featuring Preva Personal Accounts, so members can track, save and reassess workouts and Video on Demand or a non-touch screen version, it can be paired with any of Precor’s lines of CV machines from a treadmill, bike, EFX or their award-winning Adaptive Motion Trainer. At different price points these options enable operators to mix and match the console and base unit that matches their facility needs; keeping it simple whilst still providing an enhanced fitness experience for their members.

Steve Carter, MD Precor UK

Five ways fitness businesses can market themselves online By Riley Stewart IF you are looking to scale your fitness business whilst retaining maximum profit in 2019, automated online marketing can bring you a consistent flow of leads and customers. How? Check out the tips below. ■ Facebook ads Facebook ads are my favourite, so let’s start with them. The number one reason fitness professionals can’t get ads to work is they simply focus on their product and price too much. Imagine a 35-year-old mother scrolling her feed, constantly hit with offers of “two free personal training sessions” and “seven day free pass”. After seeing these every day for five years it’s no wonder she never responds. But when she sees a group of women laughing together with big smiles on their face, titled “free seven day mummy mojo program for [city] residents!”, she’s intrigued. Ultimately, it’s the same as a free seven-day pass, but positioned effectively to her. Forget your ‘Awesome membership at super cheap price’... relate everything specifically to your client avatar’s core desires. ■ Funnels Facebook ads with funnels are your ultimate scaling solution for 2019. The ad gets the click, the funnel grabs

Riley Stewart contact details and warms them up, the consultation seals the deal. That mum clicks your ad to see your landing page. Additional to the previous info, she is welcomed with transformation testimonials from other mums, further details, a personal welcome from you, and copy that paints a clear picture in her mind of exactly what her life will be like after you help her. Once she’s emotionally charged, there’s the call to action to enter her details. ■ Emails It’s crucial to automate this (free

using Mailchimp) and contact everyone one to four times per week. Build rapport, provide value, occasionally make an offer. Ensure you’re on top of mind when they finally decide to get help. ■ Content marketing People buy from people, not mysterious brands they don’t understand. To make content work: choose a niche, position yourself as their hero, show up every day providing real value to solve that niche’s problems, and eventually they will reach out for paid help. You can expand your audience by engaging with others in local community Facebook groups. (I’ve seen 14 new clients come from one single post in a Facebook group) ■ Social virality It’s much better if someone else sells you, for you. Create a ‘point system’ where clients earn points, and when they hit a certain number of points they win a prize. Things clients could do to win points; ‘Check in’ to your business, post something about you/your business/ your community, or post asking if any friends would like to join them for a free buddy session. Locals who see several friends posting about you will have no option but to check you out. ■ Riley Stewart is a marketing expert, and the founder of https://moregymmembers. com/

Editor’s comment

Welcome to WorkOut Weigh In – it’s your chance to have your say and share your views on industry issues. You can email us at od@scriptmedia.co.uk or you can message us on Facebook or Twitter.

Talking point: What do you think of the boom in boutique fitness? Have you changed your business model to tap into this trend or introduced something new learned from the boutiques to improve your member experience? Send your answers to od@scriptmedia.co.uk or contact us via Twitter or Facebook. We’ll print the best responses next issue.

SO THE National Fitness Awards for 2018 are now over. With entertainment coming in the form of carnival dancing, acrobatics, aerial performance and even pyrotechnics, it was a memorable evening for the stage show alone. But it would have been a great night regardless of the performances. This year’s event saw hundreds of fitness professionals from up and down the country join together to celebrate success. And even for those who didn’t take home one of the more than 20 awards given out on the night, people were still in strong spirits, happy to have made it onto what has been a very competitive year for our short lists. Hosts Jenny Pacey and Wayne Gordon did a fantastic job getting people into the mood for a party, and kept things light hearted as the festivities went on. But the runaway (quite literally) stars of the show seemed to be the table centrepiece parrots. One of them was spotted being slow danced to Queen’s We Are The Champions in the disco portion of the evening and a few reportedly flew the nest after the event too. Extra special congratulations go to our two big winners of the night, National Gym of the Year Rigs Fitness and Outstanding Achievement award winner Mike Hind. Both are fantastic examples of the excellent work going on in the industry and are brilliant role models for those coming up in the sector. They are also extremely gracious, along with everyone else who attended on the evening. It has been lovely reading some of the feedback and comments from the night, some of which you can check out below in our social media highlights. This is also a particularly poignant issue of the mag for me as it is actually my last. It has been wonderful getting to know some of the characters and success stories which come out of the fitness industry and it feels fitting to be able to draw my time at Workout to a close with such a fantastic celebration of them. Thank you to everyone who I’ve spoken to or done stories with during my time at the magazine. It might have been relatively brief, but it has definitely been memorable! I’m sure whoever follows will receive the same warm reception I did. Healthy regards and have an amazing 2019. Oliver

THIS month’s Workout Way To Go winner is Kirklees Active Leisure’s Jenn Flaherty. Jenn, who is a personal training co-ordinator at KAL, managed to complete the Iron Man Copenhagen in less than 11 hours. She took on the challenge of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and 26.2 mile run in honour of her auntie Helen, who suffers from pancreatitis. Jenn said: “I did the half Iron man and my auntie actually collapsed on the day. Everyone always said to me when I’d finished the half, so when are you going to do the full one? “I just kept thinking throughout the race that the pain I’m going through now is nothing compared to what my auntie went through.” More than 20 of Jenn’s close friends and family travelled to Copenhagen to cheer her on. She completed her Iron Man in 10 hours, 57 minutes and 36 seconds, beating her target time of 11 hours. She added: “Every year for the past five years I’ve always set myself a challenge. Now I’m just going to go back to being a normal exerciser and not have sports bags packed up all the time.”

Picture of the month SCOTLAND’S Smoking Guns Fitness (SGF) had a successful community event. SGF’s Fitness 4 All event saw three live performances at the Wishaw gym along with the fire brigade come along to fundraise, with #500 made for the Les Hoey Dreammaker charity for sick and terminal children. SGF host these events every quarter and each time, choose a different local charity. Pictured are the SGF team at their event.

#social media ... @TheEdgeLeeds: We are proud to announce that The Edge, Sport & Physical Activity have just won Education Facility of the Year at the National @ FitnessAwards 2018. A fantastic achievement to be celebrated by all our staff and members #nationalﬁtnessawards2018

@UniversityLeeds: @ TheEdgeLeeds @FitnessAwards Congratulations! We can’t ‘weight’ to see the trophy! @thornton_hall: We are delighted to announce that we have won #HealthCluboftheYear at the National @FitnessAwards 2018! We are committed to delivering a quality health club experience and would like to say a special thank you to all our staff who help make

our Health Club what it is! @WaliaTej: #winners #4thconsecutiveyear. Well done to the Foxhills Club & Resort #bestteam for winning #BestHotelandSpaFacility @ FitnessAwards @JennyPacey: What a night! With @OfﬁcialWayneG #nationalﬁtnessawards2018 @ WorkOutUK @FitnessAwards @FitterStronger1: Fantastic night at the @FitnessAwards. No trophy but thrilled to be shortlisted from 2500 entries and massively proud of my team, all we have achieved this year and so excited about 2019! @serendipity_gym: So honoured

to have been in the finals of @ FitnessAwards again this yr, sadly we didn’t win, but the fact we made it to the final 6 is a huge achievement for us when we have only been open 3 yrs & only a small gym competing with some amazing facilities. Great event as always x @bodydesignfit: Here it is!!! Body Design FIT are the 2018 Regional Gym of the North of England! This award as always is for our BD Posse and our amazing little gym family!!! Who would have thought a little old gym from Pontefract wake up as gym of the North!!! @ FitnessAwards Believe & Achieve UK @BA_HQ: What a night! And what an honour to win Ladies Gym of the Year

we are shocked and absolutely delighted. The most amazing night. Thank you @FitnessAwards @WorkoutUK @SynergyGyms: Oh. My. God. @ synergygroupﬁtness is ofﬁcially the best gym in Scotland... AND the best Functional Gym in the UK!!!!!!! @FitnessAwards @neurokinex: We won! We are so pleased to win the @ FitnessAwards Rehab Centre of the Year. What a privilege. Wow! @MikeHindFitness: My amazing team who work so hard alongside me each and every day @ FitnessAwards @WorkoutUK thanks for everything guys x

A Fitness class in a different dimension By Katie Walters

I’M not a complete novice when it comes to cycling, but I have to admit, this spin class came from a different dimension – quite literally. This wasn’t your average spin class. I had the pleasure of participating in an immersive, digital cycling experience called The Trip, provided by world famous brand, Les Mills. I recently visited Worksop Leisure Centre to attend the grand opening of their new, state of the art cycle studio. Owned by Barnsley Premier Leisure Trust, the centre is one of many sites which host a variety of fitness facilities, including the well-known FitnessFlex franchise and their new Les Mills classes including RPM, Sprint and The Trip programmes. From the moment you step into the studio, you can’t help but notice the blacked out futuristiclooking interior with interchangeable, laser strobe lighting effects shooting above your head. The room is scattered with brand new spin bikes, installed with all the latest features – heart rate monitors, resistance settings, hand grip pulse sensors and level tension control. So, what actually is The Trip? I asked myself the same question before I took to the bike. The Trip combines a 40 minute, multi-peak cycling workout which journeys through digitally designed scenes – taking inspiration from different areas of the world AND space. Varying from alpine mountains to sci-fi racing tracks, the programme is incredibly diverse. These scenarios are projected onto a large screen, complete with an advanced sound system and motivating modern track list, which guides you through the session with upbeat, positive music. I have to admit, I didn’t really know what to expect or how successful I’d be at this challenge, if at all. Fortunately, I had the support from BPL’s Bassetlaw customer service advisor, Nicola Boswell, to ease me into this hi-tech spin. So I grabbed hold of the handlebar, took it one pedal at a time and the ride began... Once our fitness instructor, Daniel, had explained the functions and settings for the cycling equipment, I was all set. Advanced they may be,

but they are extremely easy to operate and adjust to suit your body size and ability – even for a beginner spinner (like myself). The Trip began with a gentle pedal in a small town, set in scenic snowy mountains. Slow and steady was the approach we took for the first five minutes of the lesson. Moments later, I found myself sprinting up a peak amongst the snow and trees, then rolling back down into the valleys. My whole body moving rapidly on inclines, to a steady pace upon descent. In spinning terminology, you had to make constant tap-backs, climbs and sprints for the full 40-minute ride. Movements mirrored the flow of the course, creating a virtual reality bike ride for the participant. The scene then transformed into an ‘under the ocean’ setting where our limits would continue to be tested; with even more loops, tight turns and a very high resistance level which we had to perform at. The tempo of the music and the motivation and guidance from the personal trainer keeps you in time to the rhythm and non-stop speed changes.

At times, I forgot I was in a cycle studio. Although the session was quite challenging, it seemed much easier than expected, as your mind is distracted by all the amazing graphics that are incorporated in the programme. I would highly recommend The Trip to anyone who enjoys a fast paced, full throttle workout, but especially to people who find it hard to maintain their stamina and motivation for a substantial length of time. From the visuals to the audio, the show does not disappoint. However, a huge part of the experience was down to the staff at Barnsley Premier Leisure, our fitness instructor, Daniel Palfi, was very supportive throughout and showed great enthusiasm for the sport. Participants cheered each other on throughout the workout and morale stayed high until the very end of the spin session. Both hamstrings had taken a beating, during and after the exercise had been completed and it took a couple of minutes to regain a steady breathing pattern, but the pain was definitely worth the sense of achievement attained.

UK FITNESS SCENE

How to avoid inadvertent exclusion of potential gym members... WITH almost one in three of the population now experiencing some kind of long term disability or illness are we inadvertently excluding a mass of potential members? Right Directions has been delivering Sport England’s national quality scheme, Quest, for more than eight years, assessing and validating more than 700 Quest-registered sport and leisure facilities across the UK. Last year Right Directions formed a partnership with the Activity Alliance to deliver its Inclusive Fitness Initiative, enabling operators to be assessed for IFI either standalone or free as part of their Quest evaluation, throwing up some interesting issues. Common Areas for Improvement Gill Twell, Head of Development and Quest Operations for Right Directions, has more than 35 years experience within the sport and leisure industry, including a long stretch as an assessor for Quest, the sector’s best-known improvement programme. She said: “It’s encouraging to see the number of IFI assessments increasing, with 50 per cent more taking place in the first six months of 2018 compared to the last six months of 2017. “But while many centres are performing well, the results show common failings, which simple changes could turn around.”

Each and every Quest assessment includes a mystery visit, which are uncovering common issues: n Non-electronic doors are too heavy – a tweak of the door closers could solve this. n Lack of braille buttons around the centre, e.g. the lift. n Text on the website is too small. n Lack of information on the website about what adaptations and facilities are available. n Non-blue badge holders parking in accessible car parking spaces. n Lack of lowered kerbs. n No hearing loop seen or operating correctly on reception. n No low level counters available for use. n Alarm cords not accessible or tied up within the changing room. n No adjustable showers.

n Cubicles too small to turn a wheelchair around. During the main assessment, consistently flagged as areas for improvement are: Insight and Marketing n A lack of consultation with main stakeholders and customers. n Poorly promoted/marketed programmes. n Local, county and national insight data and materials not used to shape business strategies and programmes. Impact and Outcomes n A lack of evidence that accessibility access has increased since the facility started its inclusive programmes. n The facility does not conduct an impact analysis or use services such as Sport England’s National Benchmarking Service (NBS) to help analyse its catchment area, or, if they do, the membership base does not demonstrate who is in the catchment area. n Limited use of customer case studies/testimonials to promote the work they are doing to engage with these customers. Quest assessor, Ian Warren added: “The underlying principle of these issues is often a lack of understanding and sometimes perhaps even a genuine lack of desire to improve. So much can be overcome by comprehending the issues customers face, and sites that do well deliver

staff awareness training. “They understand how the hearing loop works, whether a visually impaired customer needs support, if they have an assistance dog policy and whether the dogs are allowed poolside or into the gym. “Operators may inherit sites with adaptations already in place too. It’s important to know what those adaptations are and how they can support customers. “But we mustn’t forget how we market to our customers either. We are very good at marketing to a multicultural society, but when was the last time you saw imagery of a person with a stick, for instance? “This could make a massive difference, telling the local community that everyone is welcome in your facility.” Invisible disability New signs are now starting to appear on disabled toilets as part of a move to recognise people with invisible illnesses – disabilities and long-term health conditions that aren’t physically obvious. Gill concluded: “Many people with invisible conditions fear confrontation because they feel they don’t fit the typical image of a person with disabilities, so with almost 20 million people in the UK alone living with some kind of long term disability or illness, we welcome this change.”

INTERACTIVE MEMBER SOLUTIONS

How introducing tech stopped membership drop off at gym By Oliver Dyson CHANGE Gym in Sussex has seen an increase of 60 per cent in members who have taken up weight training and a decrease of between 40 per cent and 60 per cent in membership drop-offs after it introduced smart technology to help people overcome their mental block against gyms, and especially against lifting weights. It has also introduced its members to the novel concept of online physiotherapy. “Gyms are intimidating to most people – more than we initially realised,” said Brandon Harris, fitness entrepreneur and owner of CHANGE Gym in Hove, East Sussex. “We find that particularly women don’t want to lift weights, but also older people and a lot of beginners. “However, in the same way that a pyramid needs a strong foundation, strength is the basis of a healthy lifestyle. “If an older person stumbles, it can make the difference between regaining your balance or falling and breaking your hip. And if you have limited time, weight training is the best bang for your buck to increase and maintain your strength.” Nearly two years ago, Harris introduced the eGym system at his CHANGE gym. At the time, it was a first for the UK and it still is the only one in Brighton and Hove. Gym members can work out without having to think about the number of sets and repetitions, or having to faff about with swapping noisy, clunky weights.

All the settings on the equipment are initially entered by a personal trainer and from there it’s automatically controlled for each session. The system measures the user’s strength regularly to calculate their ideal training weight for each exercise. The training programme is updated as the user progresses to ensure they do the right level of workout during each session. So all the user needs to do is focus on the movement they’re making and

the results they want. “eGym allows me to support people who wouldn’t traditionally use the gym, which is the segment of the population that needs it most,” added Brandon. “All it takes is two 30-minute sessions a week. This is not about body sculpting, where people work on one part of the body and then often overstrain it. This is about the whole body and all-round health, which is what the country needs.” CHANGE has also teamed up with an innovative Brighton-based physiotherapy clinic to give their members access to physio sessions that they can do from home via Skype or similar platforms. “Many people ask me how you can fix an injury without touching someone,” said Maryke Louw, founder and MD of Sports Injury Physio. “Most injuries can be self-treated as long as you have an accurate diagnosis and a sensible treatment plan, which we can do on a video call. A massage may make you feel better for a while, but it won’t fix your injury. “My clinical experience and the latest research suggest that it’s the right mix of rest and exercise that will heal you in the long run.” CHANGE members with an exercise plan prescribed by a physio can have the eGym equipment programmed to take into account that, say, an injured shoulder has limited mobility for the time being. This helps the patient to continue exercising without injuring themselves again. “It’s almost impossible to get it wrong,” Brandon said. “It’s all about guiding you safely to a result.”

INTERACTIVE MEMBER SOLUTIONS

‘Trends are still Target potential new ever changing’ clients with system By Wayne Heath AS an ex-gym owner, I have watched trends in acquiring prospects and gaining members come and go. I remember a time when I printed off a few hundred leaflets and handed them out on the street and posted them through peoples’ letterboxes! It’s now 2019 and these trends are still ever changing. One major thing I’ve noticed being on the CRM-side of things, is that it’s one task gathering interest, but turning those interests into paying members is an entirely separate task all together. Something I’ve been trying to do since February 2017 when I created ClubRight, is to make it easier for independent gym owners grow their business – and so came the birth of our third product, ProRight. ProRight is centred around the member journey, from prospect to paying member. At ClubRight, we recognise that automation is a main digital trend of 2019, so we have made it possible for clubs to set up their own automated journeys for their members. For example, a club can use automated emails containing joining benefits to nurture new prospects into signing up. Is there a member that you haven’t seen in the

club for a while? You can set up an automated task to remind a member of the team to give them a call and show your member that you care! The ClubRight product has evolved massively, and ever since October 2016 I have strived to do things better; at ClubRight, that’s exactly what we’ve done. We work with real people and use real industry experience to provide our clients with a wealth of options on how to grow their business. n If you would like to find out more about ProRight or any of our other products, give us a call on 0203 884 9777.

THERE are many ways to advertise and market your business and both the cost and methods used will vary incredibly between businesses. SportSoft’s CRM system gives all its users the potential to get in front of their clients or prospects using a variety of marketing tools. Firstly within the system there are literally hundreds of ways to select a target list – there are nearly 100 fields for each record and any combination of fields can be used. For example, all female prospects, aged 18 to 39 living in the post code area HG2, all members who haven’t attended the centre in the last two months. Secondly, once you have your target list, using Microsoft Office you can either send an email or send a text message to the entire list in one go. If you prefer different software, you can export the list for use with a popular email marketing system like Mailchimp. Finally, if you want to go one stage further, the system can be integrated with a full email marketing system like Brief Your Market, which will not only allow

you to create highly effective, device independent, scheduled newsletters and flyers, but also give you feedback on the results of your campaign. n For more info contact Paul at SportSoft on 01423 873873.

INTERACTIVE MEMBER SOLUTIONS

Programme helps you to connect with members By Oliver Dyson “THE secret to successfully interacting with members is engaging with them in a highly personal and motivating way,” says Matt Gleed, Matrix Master Trainer. “Furthermore, you need to master the art of making high tech, integrated and connected solutions as straightforward as tap and go.” The Matrix Connected Solutions programme seamlessly combines the industry-leading console technology, found on a large variety of its equipment, with a personalised Workout Tracking Network App to bring a truly unique experience to members. The app is the core interface used by members to not just track fitness progress but get involved with facility-driven challenges and be a part of a community. By offering members this seamless, connected club experience, facilities can really differentiate themselves. Not only can they offer a very high level of member engagement, they can boost revenue by driving members towards add-on products and services that they will genuinely

value by sending push notifications for facility news, member discounts, deals and even sign-ups to fitness challenges to keep them motivated. “Engaging at such a personal level can really help build loyalty with members,” says Matt. “But clubs should remember that this ‘connected personalisation’ is designed to enhance the members’ experience and motivation but not

replace the human contact of the PT. “Matrix is ahead of the curve here with its Personal Trainer Portal that allows trainers to create signature exercise programmes, assign customisable workouts and check their client’s progress. “Rather than replacing us, this Portal helps add value to our PT clients. By helping them stay on track and reach their goals, they have better

results, stronger relationships and a lasting loyalty as they appreciate our guidance in between scheduled sessions,” he explains. Members can view current and upcoming assignments through the Workout Tracking Network App and each exercise can even include video instructions to ensure it is being performed correctly. To access their workout, members simply sign into one of the compatible consoles to reveal their workout at the touch of a button. The parameters are automatically set to guide their session and the workout summary is fed back to the PT to see how well it went. “Connected Solutions can increase retention and boost equipment uptime,” says Matt. “By tapping into each individual’s fitness lifestyle, we can incentivise members to maximise their time at the club. By interacting at a bespoke, intuitive level clubs can genuinely add value to their time with us, literally in many cases. “By linking members to discounts and rewards, if something catches their eye, the touchless solution enables them to buy on impulse.”

INTERACTIVE MEMBER SOLUTIONS

How to keep members engaged RESEARCH shows that gym members who track results and see progress are more engaged and stay members for longer. But how can you keep members engaged if the positive gains of regular exercise – like balance and heart-rate recovery – are not visible? This is exactly why operators across the world are turning to FitQuest to help provide their members with important details about their overall fitness in a way that was previously only available in a bio-mechanical lab. The result is that members are more engaged, driving retention and business growth. Developed by medical research company MIE Medical ResearchLTD, FitQuest is a state of the art concept in fitness measurement bringing full bio-mechanical lab technology and body composition analysis to the gym, providing data-driven digital solutions for leisure centres, gym operators, personal trainers and gym goers. In just four minutes, the FitQuest machine offers gym members a fun way to get a measurement of their overall fitness. It also helps them on their fitness journey by assessing performance across five tasks: balance, press ups, jump, steps and recovery. The FitQuest software measures balance, upper and lower body strength and endurance, explosive power, cardiovascular speed and heart rate recovery to help

users understand their strengths and weaknesses so they can improve their fitness levels. Following the test, users are given an overall fitness assessment known as a Fitness Quotient score, or FQ. FitQuest also provides comprehensive body composition analysis in just 60 seconds. How can FitQuest support the member journey? n FitQuest provides the perfect pre-sales tool by giving prospective members the motivation to sign up for a membership and improve their results. n The FitQuest machine supports personal trainers to recruit clients and demonstrate the effectiveness of their programming, however it can also be used independently, signposting members to target specific areas which can help them improve their scores. This is ideal for keeping members who don’t sign up for a personal trainer engaged with the gym as well as creating a talking point for gym floor teams. n FitQuest acts as a sales conversion tool when prospective members on a tour or a trial who take the FitQuest test as a means of engaging with the gym floor team, this can help to convert them to take up a membership compared with those who do not receive any form of engagement during their visit. n FitQuest will allow gyms to identify members whose results are

stagnating, or commitment is waning. With software that easily integrates into existing systems, operators can target content and services with increased relevance. “Gym members want to understand how to train more efficiently by choosing exercises that are best suited to meeting their goals,” says Brian Firth, FitQuest CEO. “FitQuest solves this challenge by

allowing operators to get a better understanding of their members’ needs and ensuring members can track their progress throughout that journey. In turn, members stay more engaged helping you retain them for longer.” n Do you want to improve your membership recruitment and retention? Get in touch at infowo@miefitquest.com

INTERACTIVE MEMBER SOLUTIONS

Beat the big players... on a budget TRANSFORM your membership experience through specialist support, process optimisation & customer-centricity. Leisure budgets are at the heart of all UK communities and people like you are expected to spend them wisely. You’re tasked to manage your business efficiently, compete with the private sector, provide customers with an engaging experience and all while delivering value back to the local authority – not an easy job. Managing memberships and associated admin can be time and resource intensive and take your staff away from what they do best – engaging with customers. Compromising the customer experience in the age of customer-centricity can be fatal to any business. The customer may leave, reject membership renewal or even worse give you a bad review, damaging your future customer pipeline. There is a better way. Outsourcing membership management to specialists who can empower you with professional support, intelligent insight and smart technology means you can not only optimise your processes, but utilise your staff where they are most effective – providing your customer that crucial, quality brand

experience. Harlands work with over 2,000 UK leisure sites to deliver membership payment management services – processing over 2 million memberships per month. Through extensive work with leisure trusts, management operators and university gyms, Harlands offer simple and effective solutions that deliver improved income, decreased defaulters and increased sales, while giving time back to staff to focus on engaging with your members. Barnsley Premier Leisure were looking for a robust membership management solution that would give them an improved service at a cheaper cost, “We were looking for a partner that could deliver increased revenue on our memberships by improving successful collections, increased retention of our members giving a greater lifetime value and an overall increase in our membership sales,” says Rachel Rinkcavage, Corporate Sales Manager. In the first year, Harlands delivered a significant uplift in revenue by increasing recovered member arrears and BPL have seen defaulters reduce by nearly 50 per cent month on month.

“Harlands have helped us to deliver a smoother joiner journey and we’ve seen a big increase in our web sales which now stands at an impressive 25 per cent.” Rachel concludes “The amount that we have been able to recover has allowed us to continue our reinvestment back into the facilities for the benefit of our customers.” Hertsmere Leisure were looking for a solution to reduce paperwork and administration, “Harlands were recommended to our Chief Executive as we were looking to improve our direct debit collection and debt recovery process,” says Shirley Storrow, Finance and IT Manager. “Harlands Group have been able to offer us a compliant solution whereby we have achieved the reduction of administration and improvement in membership income.” n Harlands online joining and credit control services are the best in the UK and are proven to increase income over costs and enhance the membership experience. To see how working with Harlands could benefit you, please contact us: 01444 449 157, sales@harlandsgroup.co.uk www.harlandsgroup.co.uk

The growing industry and rise of Direct Debits... WHILE our sluggish UK economy doesn’t seem to be making any wild shifts in gears any time soon, the fitness industry hasn’t felt the brunt in the slightest. Currently: n One in seven people are gym members. n The estimated total market value is almost £5billion in the UK, up 2.9 per cent from last year. n Total membership numbers have grown by two per cent in the same period. 82 per cent of UK gyms collect monthly membership fees through Direct Debit. This payment method has flourished as the collection option of choice for fitness operators and we’re not surprised as to why. Direct Debit’s popularity surge can largely be attributed to its dual abilities as a method of membership collection and a 24/7 sales aid. Unlike many other payment types, Direct Debit gives gyms and health clubs direct access to brilliant benefits like online joining, and

member discounts (DD is cheaper than other payment methods, which can translate to customer incentives – hurrah). Above all, it’s quicker and easier to maintain than any other payment system. Once a member is signed up (something they can do themselves), then payments are automatic. All that’s left to do is keep your eye on cashflow and cancellations. Enquiries: Visit debitfinance.co.uk

Myzone launches MZ-Book MYZONE has launched a new class booking feature. It fits in with the existing Myzone offering for clubs and allows operators to upload a class schedule directly into the owner’s account, so members can reserve a spot in any class. The amount of spaces available, location of the rooms, additional costs and even particular spots can all be identified through the feature. It also means instructors can quickly identify participant numbers and connect with them easily. There is also a waiting list function. Users do not require a Myzone belt to download and register a Myzone account at a club as Myzone have set

up the use for anyone. Myzone’s Dave Wright said: “MZ-Book is our next feature on from Myzone 3.0 to be released. Once again this is offered at zero extra cost. MZ-Book is a fantastic way to improve Myzone awareness and usage at clubs and is an ideal tool for those who do not offer an online or app based booking function.” MZ-Book is live today and can actually work stand-alone from your Membership Management System. However, a simple integration with your MMS can also help create a frictionless member experience even tying into your payment provider to take payments and buy credits through the app.

How Wattbikes can boost your secondary spend SECONDARY spend activities bring a welcome additional revenue from members, and operators, independent club owners and studios could be missing out by not taking advantage of these opportunities. When Places for People pioneered an immersive Wattbike Zone at their state-of-the-art Rotherham site, they introduced Wattbike small group training courses at an extra charge. Nicholas Bromley, fitness manager at Rotherham Leisure Complex, said: “We placed two Wattbikes on the gym floor during our renovation in January and we saw such interest, that we installed another eight in our Wattbike Zone when it launched in July last year. “As such a premium offering, we have been able to offer six-week courses for an additional cost to members. These sessions are open to members and non-members, and include fitness testing at the start and end of the course to track

improvements and take-away Wattbike programme cards so that attendees can continue to train within the gym or at home if they have a bike.” But it’s not just the large operators. Boutique studios and independent clubs have begun to take advantage of the secondary spend opportunities through their personal training offering; placing additional charge on the use of Wattbikes within individual 1-1 sessions, or within a sport specific training environment. Maximising secondary spend options helps to boost and diversify income and if a clear secondary spend strategy is developed for the long term, it can also directly impact and improve member experience and retention, as well as boost the balance sheet. n To find out more about how installing Wattbikes can help increase the secondary spend within your club or studio visit www.wattbike.com

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Transference of expertise boosts customer experience SPORTSPARK at the University of East Anglia has turned around customers’ impressions of the facility using Leisure-net’s Bee Peer to Peer training. Sportspark is a multi-purpose facility that employs 200 staff and has 1.4 million visits a year. Sportspark, by its very nature, employs a lot of part time and seasonal staff, as well as staff working early morning and evening shift patterns. Customer feedback delivered critical comments about staff, who struggled to consistently deliver the high levels of service that the business expected of them. How could Sportspark train and reach their staff and spread company ethos with such sporadic staffing? Ben Price, assistant director in operations, said: “We really wanted to address our customers’ concerns. There was, at times, an inconsistency in our staff’s training and ability to deliver our customer values, particularly when the building was at its busiest. It’s so important in today’s competitive market that our customers have a good experience of using our facilities. “Having the newest equipment is meaningless if your staff are not engaged, not switched on and not

customer savvy.” Leisure-net director David Monkhouse, who leads these training sessions said: “The Bee peer to peer training model is perfect for large and multi-dimensional leisure operators, as the training never really stops. It’s an ongoing lesson, and the transference of expertise.” Monkhouse originally came to Sportspark in January 2018 to train 12 members of staff, delivering six modules including topics such as verbal and nonverbal communication, teamwork, exceeding customer expectations, creating amazing first impressions and how to handle complaints. Monkhouse then asked the newly trained staff to present the same message back to him. These ‘master trainers’ practiced with each other, and, when confident, took it out to the 200 employees at Sportspark. The new master trainers now lead interactive, one hour group training sessions with their peers, six to eight times per month on varying shifts, in order to cover as many people as possible. Price continued: “The ‘master trainers’ become the experts. They’re not senior management. They are

everyday employees, for example an administrative assistant or a lifeguard, but they personally become empowered and engaged in their career, and pass on and transfer their attitude and expertise.” Since participating in the Bee Peer to Peer training, Sportspark has found its customer service feedback has improved significantly. Mystery customer satisfaction call scores rose by 17 per cent from January to July 2018, whilst mystery visit satisfaction rates rose from 93.8 per cent in April 2018 to 97.9 per cent in September 2018.

In March 2018 Sportspark’s Net Promoter Score was at 56 per cent a huge increase from 28 per cent in August 2017. In addition, this scheme has played an important role in the business being able to increase its Quest rating from Good to Excellent. Price concludes: “We are delighted with the transformation in our employees’ behaviours and our new Customer Experience and Quest ratings. Our staff have taken ownership of Leisure-net’s expertise. They are now happier and so are our customers.”

Ex-UKActive CEO David Stalker joins Myzone MYZONE has appointed an industry legend to lead its European expansion. Ex CEO of UKActive David Stalker has been appointed chief executive officer for the EMEA region. David has spent his career in the leisure, health and fitness industry. He is known for his many successes in senior-level roles including Bladerunner, Leisure Connection, CIMSPA and of course leading the successful ship of UKActive. For the past three years he has been CEO of the UK’s largest trampolining provider Oxygen Free Jumping. David will lead the EMEA executive team to expand its direct operations in mainland Europe whilst continuing to support its existing Myzone partners. He will be working closely with Myzone founder and group CEO Dave Wright and will also sit on the Myzone board.

Confirming the new appointment, Dave Wright said: “This is such a humbling and exciting personnel announcement. “There is one thing having a product that we believe can help change the health of the world, but to have the calibre of staff that commit to working to achieve that objective is quite thrilling. “I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Dave Stalker for many years including as a Board Director of UKActive and those that know him understand the level of passion and leadership he has for this industry and his ability to practice what he preaches by using Myzone.” With more than 6,000 facilities across 64 countries, Europe is a major focus for Myzone. On being appointed, David Stalker stated: “I have observed Myzone’s excellence over many years and I’m delighted to be joining forces with such a widely respected firm.

“I look forward to working with this talented, professional and passionate team to help drive forward and deliver the company’s ambition to be the global leader in the wearable tech sector of the health and fitness industry.”

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‘We can inspire and encourage more to be active, healthy and happy’ By Jenny Patrickson THE latest Sport England Active Lives Children and Young People survey makes for worrying reading. Worse still, it didn’t surprise me – I expected to read that physical activity among youngsters remains perilously low. There has been a lot of focus on primary school aged children which is understandable: catch them early, instil an active lifestyle and they will grow to be active teenagers and into adulthood. What struck me in this latest report was the fact that young people in Years 9-11 (aged 13-16) are the least likely to be active every day. Furthermore, mental wellbeing scores are higher for those who are active. Given that mental health problems are one of the biggest lifestyle threats to adolescents, this correlation between activity and mental wellbeing makes their low physical activity levels of huge concern. As an industry we must act fast and play our part in engaging all youngsters but especially those aged 13-16. This age group is less under parental control and direction than younger children. More independent in their lifestyles and thought processes, they are also more volatile as they grow up, find their feet and find their voice. As any parent of teenagers will tell you, they are not always easy to reach: what works for younger children such as play, fun and ‘tricks’ into activity won’t wash with a teenager. This age group is a defined social and physical cohort which must be addressed carefully with an understanding of how the world looks in their eyes. They are not just ‘big kids’ or ‘little adults’ – they have specific anatomy, physiology and nutritional needs and relate physically and mentally to

activities, exercise and fitness in a different way from other age groups. We ignore teenagers at our peril and we can’t ‘wait it out’ until they reach adulthood in the hope they will engage in activity then. We will lose too many to physical and mental ill-health before they get that far. Instead we must understand how to attract and hold their interest and gain their enthusiasm and trust. Recognising the shift in their social and cultural needs, we are introducing a refreshed Level 2 award in Leading Physical Activity for Adolescents to replace our Level 2 award in Adapting Fitness Instruction for Adolescents.

The new qualification allows broader access and is now accessible to all physical activity professionals, widening the target from gym instructors to also include group trainers and specific sport and multi-sport coaches, providing them with the knowledge and skills needed to be able to programme safe and effective physical activities for adolescents. By upskilling more people within the leisure sector to actively engage with adolescents, we can inspire and encourage more to be active, healthy and happy. Jenny Patrickson is managing director of Active IQ.

UK FITNESS SCENE

IHRSA report shows positive outlook for European industry By Kristen Walsh IHRSA recently released The 2018 IHRSA European CEO Study Report, sponsored by Technogym. Based on a survey of more than 2,600 European facilities, the report provides an outlook of the European health club industry from the perspective of CEOs from leading companies. “CEO confidence in the health club industry is extremely high in Europe,” said Florian Cartoux, IHRSA director of Europe. “CEOs are very confident about the current economic and marketplace conditions for the industry, as well as how those conditions impact their own club businesses.” The report features a European CEO Conviction Index, which serves as a barometer for the current and future business conditions affecting the club industry in Europe. Overall, the CEO Conviction Index of 86 shows that leaders are extremely confident about the current economic and marketplace conditions for the industry, as well as how those play out for their own business. A high level of confidence also exists for the future of the health club industry in Europe. “The IHRSA European CEO Study Report provides club operators and other industry stakeholders with an honest view of CEO sentiment on the health club industry in Europe,” said Jay Ablondi, IHRSA’s executive vice president of global products. “Released and presented at IHRSA’s European Congress, the report examines CEO confidence and

concerns as well as industry and economic trends impacting clubs.” As the report shows, confidence in the employment environment signifies a potential challenge for the future. At a score of 77, the employment conviction index is nearly 10 points lower than the overall CEO Conviction Index. CEOs indicated that over the next three years, recruiting and retaining qualified staff would be a significant challenge. Key highlights from the report include: Three trends that leaders saw as having the most favorable outcome on how they operated their businesses in 2018 were the evolution of social media for engaging members, the emergence of millennials as a consumer force and the demand for mobile engagement from their members. Three trends leaders saw as having the most unfavorable impact on how they operated their businesses in 2017

were the legal and political dynamics within the country, growth of global franchise players and the continued evolution of digital middlemen (e.g. PayasUgym, ClassPass, etc.). Three approaches leaders were most likely to have taken this past year to provide their businesses with a competitive advantage in the marketplace were increasing digital marketing efforts, renovating their facilities and enhancing their digital presence through an upgraded website and/or mobile app. Three approaches leaders were least likely to leverage in pursuit of a competitive advantage were merging/acquiring a strategic partner, repositioning the business (create new value proposition), and introducing a branded virtual platform to extend the 24/7 reach of their business. The report is divided into the following sections: ■ Profile of Respondents: an overview

of respondents by country, size (in number of clubs), segment, and profitability (EBITDA). ■ The CEO Industry Conviction Indexes: a barometer of CEO confidence in the current and future state of the industry as well as sentiment on the employment environment. ■ CEO Vision & Action: an analysis of market trends and how CEOs are interpreting and responding to such developments. The 2018 IHRSA European CEO Study Report, sponsored by Technogym, is available at ihrsa. org/publications. It is free for IHRSA members (US $39.95 for nonmembers). About IHRSA, The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association is a not-for-profit trade association representing health and fitness facilities, gyms, spas, sports clubs, and suppliers worldwide. IHRSA and its members are dedicated to making the world healthier through regular exercise and activity promotion. IHRSA’s events provide a vast array of speakers on business and corporate culture, instructional sessions on all aspects of succeeding in the health club industry, social events to mix and mingle with peers, and the most spectacular trade shows in the industry. IHRSA and the global health club industry will convene in San Diego, CA, from March 13-16, 2019, for IHRSA 2019, IHRSA’s 38th Annual International Convention & Trade Show.

ServiceSport proud to support Armed Forces SERVICESPORT has further cemented its relationship with the Ministry of Defence by agreeing to sign the Armed Forces Covenant pledge document. The covenant is a pledge by the company that acknowledges and understands that those who serve or who have served in the armed forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy and society they serve with their lives. To date, more than 3,000 organisations across Great Britain and Northern Ireland have signed the covenant including local authorities, businesses and charities. The covenant focuses on helping

TODAY!

members of the armed forces community have the same access to government and commercial services and products as any other citizen. This support is provided in a number of areas including education, family wellbeing, having a home, starting a new career, access to healthcare and more. ServiceSport is proud to continue its support of service personnel and the signing of the covenant further demonstrates the firm’s commitment to the armed forces. ■ Call 0845 402 2456, visit www. servicesport.co.uk or email sales@ servicesport.co.uk

NATIONAL FITNESS AWARD WINNERS

Newcomer of the Year sponsored by MYZONE

Boutique Facility of the Year sponsored by Fitness Systems

Bluestone Fitness, Leicestershire Established in January 2017, in less than two years Bluestone Fitness owner Daniel Ball has transformed a former Ford showroom into a modern, confident and popular gym. Inspired by the fitness culture in Australia, it features a coffee shop, spin studio and pioneering therapy space where mental health is placed on a level with the physical. And Bluestone isn’t done yet: this year will see them launch the Black Edition, a functional training area catering for those looking for a more intense workout experience.

Boom Cycle Established in 2011, Boom Cycle launched as pioneers of the boutique indoor cycling world. Not just a studio, they aim to engage riders mentally as well as physically but most importantly, making sure they have fun. They’ve created a Boom Cycle community centred around an ethos of support, entertainment and inspiration. And it clearly impressed the NFA judges, who found the combination of getting those core studio principles correct whilst exploring unusual ventures has paid off. Judge’s comments: “Whilst a few of the

Judge’s comments: “What really impresses me with Bluestone is their innovative approach to mental health. As we know there is more awareness in the media now towards mental health and that it is just as important if not more important than physical health. “The whole idea has come from looking at the way the Fitness Industry is in Australia and it certainly looks to have transported itself to the UK very well judging by this centre. They have a firm grasp on how effective social media can be too and are reaping the rewards from quality campaigns on there.”

entrants fitted into the true definition of a boutique studio in that they specialised in just one or two disciplines, Boom stood out as understanding the basic primal drivers of engagement, inclusion and acceptance, displayed by their commitment to creating a community. Their quirky approach to embracing events such as book launches and Q&As in the studio is a fabulous way to drive member-to-member interaction which is a win-win for their members and the success of the business. “I also love the idea of obtaining an alcohol licence allowing the venue to move towards a ‘work hard play hard’ ethos.”

Ladies Only Gym of the Year sponsored by Booty Builder

Health Club of the Year sponsored by Matrix Thornton Hall Country Health Club Thornton Hall has built a loyal and dedicated client base over its two decades in business. That loyalty applies to staff too, many of whom have been with Thornton for more than ten years and some even from the beginning. Part of its success is down to its unusual offering: a Snow Cave, infrared wall, large wet facilities, Rasul chamber and more help it stand out from the crowd.

Judge’s comments: “Having just celebrated it’s 20th birthday, it is clear that this family run facility continues to develop its offering and excel in it’s field. “The uniqueness of the Snow Cave and Infrared Wall truly set this facility apart in an area with heavy competition from commercial operators. The heavy focus on members and feedback create a very community focussed environment. The member testimonials and supporting literature was compelling.”

Believe and Achieve UK Believe and Achieve goes beyond just the physical and hopes to combat the challenges modern women face too. Their fight is against unrealistic body images, stupid diets and fitness fads. They take fitness back to the root of the issue and even have an on-site classroom to prove it. Most importantly, the team make sure every member feels secure and happy in the environment, creating a supportive, educational and effective environment in which people can train and work towards their goals.

Judge’s comments: “This facility has real sense of community and achievement, making an incredibly positive difference to the lives of its members. The operator goes above and beyond on all levels to ensure their members ‘believe’ in themselves and therefore achieve. “The passion and dedication is clear to see and reinforced by the multichannel engagement and promotion of the facility within the community. “The detail, design and effort that’s gone into the nutritional info and recipes and provided as part of the member journey really set this facility apart.”

Best Hotel Facility of the Year sponsored by ServiceSport

Best Rehabilitation Facility of the Year sponsored by InBody UK

Foxhills Club and Resort, Surrey This is Foxhills fourth consecutive year taking home the Best Hotel and Spa Facility award. It is hard to argue with why. The resort has not rested on its laurels; since a £600,000 refit, they have doubled their mywellness profiles to 1,500 as of June last year and continue to develop their facilities. They have exciting plans for the future which will no doubt keep them a strong contender in the years to come. Judge’s comments: “Despite being a ‘serial NFA winner’, this facility never sits

Neurokinex Gatwick Not-for-profit charity Neurokinex is in a league of its own. An affiliate of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation’s Neuro Recovery Network (NRN), it is the only facility outside the USA to offer ground breaking assisted treadmill walking, which sees clients walk assisted by electrical stimulation as part of their treatment. The not-for-profit has a Gatwick location for client convenience: its facilities and staff are renowned, their client base flies in internationally. And they have opened a Neurokinex Kids

on its laurels, it continues to improve and enhance its offering, year on year. “New member engagement is inspiring, as is the upcoming provision for children after a successful trial. New classes and a studio refresh, combined with the new build plans see Foxhills continuing to evolve. “The staff and member achievements show a clear sense of community. “So many aspects of Foxhills offering are being enhanced, they are the worthy winner of this award for continuing to excel in their field.”

gym, catering specifically to the younger generation. Judge’s comments: “Neurokinex is a rehabilitation centre built purely with this aim in mind and it is evident they are creating life changing programs and therapies for people really in need to get them back to full fitness. “They have the technical equipment to make the difference to people in complex and debilitating situations, and for me that truly makes a rehabilitation facility. “They are a passionate team with results to prove it.”

NATIONAL FITNESS AWARD WINNERS

Group Exercise Gym of the Year sponsored by ClubWise Combat Zone Gym of the Year sponsored by Buxton Press Armageddon Fit Strength and Conditioning Academy, Sunderland Armageddon lives up to its name. Sessions aren’t easy, but they do get results – and that is down to the winning atmosphere, structure of the class and the broad clientele. Clients can’t praise the transformation they have undergone through Armageddon enough, praising results in everything from rehabilitation to mental

health. Judge’s comments: “A gym that is putting its members first and spending time developing the local community, even with the most vulnerable of people, a true passion project. “The stories and passion of the owners won me over, and its evident they are a valued part of their community with the programs they run and offer, a truly life changing facility.”

Strength Training Gym of the Year sponsored by Core Health and Fitness

FSI Gym, North Shields World class equipment combined with educated, effective coaching helps members at FSI achieve results. And that is the core concept of this gym, which is perfect for anyone serious about training. A variety of fitness events keep things interesting and members on their toes, and keeps everyone from athletes to amateurs well equipped to meet their targets.

Judge’s comments: “A gym clearly built for strength training, this facility is world class in its look and its approach. “You can see it has built its name through developing strong expertise, working with the right external people, and empowering clients to be truly strong. “It had the best range of equipment for clients, and the best range of services that encompass training for strength, for me this was a clear winner.”

Ribby Hall Health Club, Wrea Green Ribby Hall last took home this award in 2014. In the four years since then, they have developed their offering significantly. The club now has four dedicated group fitness studios and runs more than 100 classes per week. Working alongside Les Mills, they are optimising their timetables and filling any gaps in provision. And all this is taking place alongside developing other amenities, such as a creche, and running sold out events showcasing their latest offerings. They’ve certainly put the work in to earn a second

award on the shelf. Judge’s comments: “Ribby Hall has an all-inclusive group exercise provision. As a member you can expect more from them every step of the way, offering a wide variety of activities from Baby Ballet to Les Mills. Ribby Hall continues to stay ahead of the game by hosting an annual Fit Camp aimed at bring industry professionals together to learn the new trends and see firsthand new programmes. “The introduction of the free crèche for members in the morning is a fantastic initiative, along with the appointment of a Customer Service Manager.”

Member Achievement Award sponsored by REPS 3D Health and Fitness, Southampton – Paul Garland Paul has lost more than six stone in body weight and reversed his diabetes diagnosis. His blood pressure has been significantly reduced and he is now much healthier and fitter. He has also turned to hypnotherapy to help him with regards to his relationship with food. He is encourages and motivates others through his journey and at 65, is proof that there is no age limit on transforming your life. Through his new regime not only has

he lost weight but clearly the right sort of weight, under the guidance of his gym manager who has taken stats to show his lean mass has increased. He is a real success story. Judge’s comments: “Paul is benefiting from a much healthier life at the ripe old age of 65, beating off high blood pressure and reversing Type Two Diabetes due to his determination of getting his life in order. “Working closely with his gym manager he has a clearer understanding of food and gained healthy lean muscle tissue which is fantastic.”

Community Involvement sponsored by Physique Sports

Functional Training Gym of the Year sponsored by

Jordan Fitness

Synergy Group Fitness , Livingston Synergy have clearly invested in their equipment, in their training kit, in making sure there is an exceptional level of customer care. But these are all tools for them to live up to their name – blending all of these elements together to success, creating a gym which is more than the sum of its parts.

Judge’s comments: “A gym where people have truly thrived in their lives as a result of this gyms’ impact on them, after all, what constitutes a functional gym? “This gym has passion, purpose and is truly delivering for it’s members. “This gym continues to do great work and it would be amazing to continue to see it grow and flourish even more.”

Boston Body Hub CIC, Lincolnshire Boston Body Hub is achieving something remarkable in the current climate. It is bringing a divided community together. As the town which voted highest in the country to leave the EU – but with one of the highest EU resident populations too – tensions are running high. But Body Hub have been able to create a space in which people can come together united by fitness. Run by volunteers, it is a social enterprise first and foremost and as such, has managed to encourage people who are older, disabled, mental health and morbidly obese to try out the gym.

It is difficult to think of a more timely winner. Judge’s comments: “To have the insight to spot a gap in the social services support system and then the courage to fill that gap with an innovative facility and targeted programmes speaks volumes of the owners, particularly when you consider they attracted funding from a benefactor who didn’t even intend to work in their area. “Debbie and Melvyn have actually created that utopia many of us dreamt of – a facility that offers a truly diverse range of activities (beyond purely fitness pursuits) and can legitimately claim to improve both the health and quality of life of its patrons.

NATIONAL FITNESS AWARD WINNERS

Education Facility of the Year sponsored by TechnoGym The Edge, University of Leeds The Edge has a lofty goal, to be the number one provider of higher education sport and physical activity in the UK. But judging by their win at the NFAs, they are well on their way to achieving that. They are self-financing so their continued existence is dependent upon their success. That shouldn’t be a problem, as currently, it turns over £4mil per annum. And that is being invested into outstanding facilities, such as a state-of -the-art cycle circuit British Triathlon now calls home. A timetable

of more than 240 classes per week sees the gym regularly run at 86 per cent occupancy. A ll of this is testament to its diverse offering and successful approach to fitness. Judge’s comments: “The Edge simply stood out as delivering in each area that they need to backed up with a passion, drive and determination to be the best Educational Sports Facility in the country. “There highly condensed entry shows the seriousness in their claims and covered all area that they need to deliver on. A very impressive centre.”

Local Authority/Leisure Trust Gym of the Year sponsored by ServiceSport

Newmarket Leisure Centre, Suffolk What stands out about Newmarket Leisure centre is its sense of community. There is an activity for everyone here, with mum’s antenatal programmes, mum and baby first swim, early years wiggle and jiggle classes, swim academy, after school sports, holiday camps, teen fitness, teen chill out – which is a fantastic concept acting as a safe and impactful social hub for the community.

Judge’s comments: “I believe the member interaction and efforts made to improve the customer experience stands Newmarket apart from the other entries in this category and they deliver well on their USP. “The info I received really jumped out of the pages for me and I found I couldn’t stop thinking about their entry which told me lots and ultimately made them my winner.”

Customer Service Award sponsored by DFC Ribby Hall Health Club, Wrea Green Ribby Hall pride themselves on five star customer service being a unique selling point. To this end, they even have a customer service manager on site, making sure everyone is happy and everything is meeting their needs. A yearly members’ appreciation week sees the membership given gifts; a loyalty scheme gives them discount across the village; regular surveys keep staff well informed. It all pays off in the referrals, with

word of mouth an attractive means of promoting the place to newcomers. Judge’s comments: “Whilst all in this category showed a commitment to customer service, I didn’t really see a unique approach or a measured programme. “The exception is Ribby Hall with the appointment of a dedicated Customer service manager displaying an admirable effort to be pro-active rather than reactive and the Expect More campaign is a super route to increasing member engagement and driving accountability.”

Regional Gym of the Year Scotland sponsored by Workout Synergy Fitness, Livingston Synergy’s confidence to be difference helped it stand out. Its quirky, boutique nature clearly is a winner for its dedicated member community, which proudly wears Synergy branded merchandise away from the club. The creation of new class Spinergy is evidence of their willingness to try something new.

Judge’s comments: “They have clearly worked hard on their branding and design both in club and in their communication materials- something that is often lacking in independent clubs. “They have put a lot of effort into building relationships with local businesses and schools and have branched out into helping the younger generation engage in health and fitness too.”

Gym Based PT sponsored by Physical Company Mike Hind, Mas Body Gym, Middlesbrough After winning this award last year, Mike could easily have assumed he’d arrived, done it all and maybe could’ve cruised along enjoying his award-winner status. Far from that however, he used that moment as a springboard and has again achieved amazing results this year and indeed set the bar for his industry peers. Judge’s comments: “The Macro Based Diner is a fabulous concept, has clearly been thoroughly researched and is delivered in a truly professional manner,

providing the nutritional support many people need. “His outstanding achievement this year though, has to be his unique and innovative approach to working with his client Dibsy, resulting in him justifiably attracting considerable national media acclaim. “The fact that he often works for purely altruistic motives in an industry sector not always associated with such displays a character of high moral fibre with admirable work ethic.”

Regional Gym of the Year North sponsored by MT3 Fitness Body Design Fit, Pontefract Body Design Fit is an independent club acting on the level of a big chain. Their customer service and passion for helping everyone, down to even meeting anxious members at their cars and allowing those who struggle to afford membership join classes for free, is testament to how much they believe in fitness for everyone.

Combined with a booking app, MyZone use and all of their instructors being ex-clientele, Body Design Fit is one of the North’s most impressive facilities. Judge’s comments: “Body Design Fit is clearly heavily invested in the quality of service, demonstrated by the time and effort placed on class content planning and having two personal trainers present in each class.”

NATIONAL FITNESS AWARD WINNERS

Regional Gym of the Year Midlands and Wales sponsored by Staffs Fitness

Rigs Fitness, Birmingham Rigs is a gym which knows its business inside out. From their members’ commitment, to marketing and knowing their numbers, they are relentlessly hard working with a brand on point. Owner Sam Smith has taken a healthy view to local gyms looking to emulate what he has created. Judge’s comments: “If you’re looking

for an excellent example of a gym that has diversified then look no further. From running clubs and offering personal trainers space to train their clients during quiet periods and a new knife crime defence class, this is a gym that is constantly evolving. “This is an exceptional entry and one that has shown that working hard on the business as well as in the business truly pays off.”

Outstanding Achievement sponsored by Gym Career Mike Hind – MAS Body Health and Fitness, Middlesbrough It would be hard to find someone who works harder to champion fitness than Mike. From his gym in Teesside, MAS Body Health and Fitness, he has built a successful business and a core team of loyal staff who share his vision – to spread the transformative power of fitness. This year saw his efforts shared on national television when a story about him helping client Darren ‘Dibsy’ McClintock went nationwide. Every year, Mike picks a member of the public to help pro bono with a training regime and diet plan.

This year, it was the turn of 40 stone Dibsy, who was obese to the point of putting his life at risk. But he found a dedicated champion in Mike. Mike swiftly went around Dibsy’s regular takeaways, getting him barred from buying from them in an effort to save his life. He also set him on a diet of food from his Macro Based Diner, carefully calculated to maximise nutrition. And it clearly works: Dibsy has shed more than five stone in a matter of weeks. There is a long road ahead, but Dibsy should rest easy knowing he has Mike by his side. His passion is infectious and undeniable.

Congratulations to our runners up Newcomer of the Year – Gym Unique Health Club of the Year – The Laboratory Spa and Health Club

Regional Gym of the Year South sponsored by ClubRight The Gym @ O2, Slough The Gym @O2 is a corporate facility operating on an exceptional level. Their commitment to corporate wellness and the health and fitness of employees is second to none in a growing sector. Not only are the facilities of a very high standard, they are excelling at taking a holistic approach to health and fitness and the quality of resources provided to

members. Judge’s comments: “Many gyms say they are involved in employee well being, but this facility really has integrated itself, from the app to the induction process. “They have also done an excellent job in developing active partnerships with well know brands, which is testament to their hard work, dedication and quality of service.”

Best Hotel and Spa Facility – Rookery Hall Hotel and Spa Boutique Facility of the Year – Yorkshire Dales Pilates Ladies Only Gym of the Year – Hearts Health Club Best Rehabilitation Facility of the Year – MSC Performance Combat Zone Gym of the Year – Gracie Barra, Barnsley Strength Training Gym of the Year – MSC Performance Functional Training Gym of the Year – Body Design Fit Group Exercise Gym of the Year – Level Ten Fitness Member Achievement Award – Andrew Bland, 360 Gyms Community Involvement – Everyone Active – Ali Macfarlane, Horfield Leisure Centre Education Facility of the Year – University of Edinburgh Sport & Exercise Customer Service Award – Ladies Fitness Studio

National Gym of the Year sponsored by PAY AS U GYM Rigs Fitness, Birmingham Rigs opened its doors in 2012 with an ethos of getting people to ‘train like an athlete’. The Birmingham functional fitness centre has developed rapidly since then but always maintained that vision, of access, support and high quality training facilities. With a team of 15, an athlete development programme, a Youth Athlete

Academy and Performance arm, Rigs is a welcoming gym for people of all ages, experience and aims to enjoy and get the most out of their training. Rigs now have a heritage of their own, not just in the thriving Birmingham gym scene – of which they are a cornerstone – but in the National Fitness Awards. They are fitting ambassadors for what gyms should aspire to be.

Gym Based Personal Trainer of the Year – Jo Hancock Local Authority/ Leisure Trust Gym of the Year – Hoyland Leisure Centre Regional Gym of the Year Scotland – The Club Regional Gym of the Year North – St Peter’s Leisure Centre Regional Gym of the Year Midlands and Wales – SOS Athletic Performance

CLASSIFIED The Townsend twins are an active duo and double act hailing from Essex. Here, the instructors and presenters detail how they warm up some of the biggest crowds.

The Townsend Twins on conquering a crowd OUR aim in life is to spread energy, good vibes and happiness whether we go and becoming fitness presenters has helped us achieve just that. We teach upbeat fitness classes in our area during the week and at the weekends we travel round the UK warming up different events from marathons to mud runs, Colour runs to charity events. In the eight years of being business partners we have taken on some amazing challenges and created some fanatic memories – our most memorable moment was warming up the crowd of 19,000 for the Colour Run Wembley - such an electric atmosphere. It does take a lot of confidence to stand up in front of a big crowd and lead them, however we have some simple techniques that can help conquer this: 1) Always smile – no one knows your routines or choreography, so if you

are smiling, no one will know if you make an error. 2) Motivational words – positivity is key when leading a group warm up. Using phrases like ‘you can do

it guys’ ‘well done team’ and more works well. And the crowds love it when we ‘whoop whoop’ - getting the participants to join in always goes down a treat.

3) Some fun run events we pick a couple of people from the crowd to join in on stage with us, this always goes down well and is lots of fun. We have lots lined up this year and we are looking to work closer with marathon events and runners. Look out for us at the Colchester, Reading and Nottingham halfmarathons. We love that fitness is for everyone and we want to show how important it is for everyone to get involved, so we are also keen to continue working closer with a company called REBOUND UK – the mini trampolines have proved to be an amazing workout with so many health benefits and its been great to see continue to grow. Our positive quote for the New Year: ‘You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream’. Follow us on social media: Townsendtwins or www.townsendtwins.co.uk

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