ISSUE 1 May
WEEKLY
Issue 102 - 10 June 2022
YOUR REGULAR ONLINE UPDATE FOR THE UK FITNESS SCENE
Work to start on flagship leisure centre for Halifax to drive levelling up agenda – page 3 NFAs all set to be Jet powered – page 7
2022
FRI DAY 18TH NOVEM BER 2022, THE ATHENA, LEI CESTER
NOMI NAT I ONSWI L LRE MAI NOP E N T HROUGHOUTT HEYE AR, CL OSI NGON F RI DAY26T HAUGUS T2022.
SPONSORED BY
NOMINATION FORM Category entered: Gym name: Gym opened:
Postcode:
Full address:
Main contact:
Job title:
Telephone number:
Mobile number:
Email: Total size (in sqm) of the gym/centre (including pool, studios etc): What is the total of your current membership: What is the total number of staff (Full Time): What is the total number of staff (Part Time): How many studios (if any) do you have: Facilities provided: (tick all that apply) Gym facilities
Sports hall
Pool
Creche
Restaurant/cafe
Spa facilities
Do you offer any other facilities? Please specify:
Do you offer any classes? Please specifiy:
Person making nomination: Telephone number of person making nomination: Email of person making nomination: Supporting information must be sent to via email to events@scriptmedia.co.uk (tick if evidence sent)
Please see overleaf for the rest of the form Please return to: Megan Prince, Script Events, Script Media Group LTD, 47 Church Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S70 2AS
NOMINATION FORM
Please state, in 300 words or less, why you are entering the category indicated and why you think that your gym/centre/individual should be shortlisted:
Please see overleaf for the rest of the form
Please return to: Megan Prince, Script Events, Script Media Group LTD, 47 Church Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire, S70 2AS
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WORKOUT WEEKLY
Work to start on flagship leisure centre for Halifax to drive levelling up agenda WORK is due to get underway on a new multi-million pound leisure centre in Halifax, bringing state-ofthe-art facilities to the town. Led by development partner Alliance Leisure for Calderdale Council, the project aims to reduce health inequalities by enabling more people to be more active, more often. Calderdale Council secured £12.2m from the government’s Levelling Up Fund to help fund the new facility, which is being built on the site of the former North Bridge Leisure Centre which closed to the public in March 2022. The new Halifax Leisure Centre will replace North Bridge Leisure Centre and Halifax Swimming Pool, which were both outdated and the failing pool was in urgent need of replacement. Combining these two sites will create a single, flagship facility in one of the most densely populated areas of the borough. It will also safeguard vital leisure facilities and be a more efficient and cost-effective building. “Research carried out by Calderdale Council found that improvements in sports and leisure facilities in Halifax would support more people of all
ages and abilities to be active,” said James Foley, commercial director at Alliance Leisure. “Replacing the two outdated centres in the town with a modern, fit-for-purpose facility that meets the needs of a wider range of age and interest groups will allow the council to support levelling up and address local health inequalities, while ensuring a sustainable future for the delivery of affordable and inclusive facilities and services,”
Supported by GT3 Architects and built by contractors McLaughlin and Harvey, the new centre will offer a six-lane, 25m swimming pool and separate large teaching pool. Other facilities include a gym, exercise studios, a dedicated group cycling studio, an eight-court sports hall, sauna and steam room, and a café. A new adventure climbing facility and interactive play facilities will extend the offer to appeal to a wider
age group. Councillor Jane Scullion, Calderdale Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and strategy, added: “The new leisure centre is a major investment for the Council and demonstrates our commitment to our Active Calderdale mission – supporting residents to lead more active lifestyles and reducing inequalities. “This fantastic new facility will also complement wider regeneration works around Halifax town centre, making this an exciting and inspiring time for the town. “I’m delighted that we’re now at a point where we can start to progress with this development. We’re working hard to get this project moving quickly, so local people can enjoy the many benefits that this centre will bring, as soon as possible.” A number of carbon-reducing features have been incorporated into the design help reduce the impact on the environment and contribute to the council’s carbon-neutral targets. These include a sedum roof and a number of low carbon technologies. The centre is expected to complete in 2024.
Operator launches Squad Sessions for group workouts TOTAL Fitness, which operates 15 health clubs throughout the North of England and Wales, has launched Squad Sessions, an exclusive new group training session for up to four friends. To support the launch of this exciting new way to work out, the health club is kickstarted its Squad Stop Roadshow tour on Monday at its Wakefield club, where a brand ambassador was on hand to educate members on this new product offering. In addition, on offer were some exclusive giveaways and the chance for members to win some prizes, and they were also be able to uncover their ‘Squad Style’ to help guide them for any upcoming sessions. Visiting eight clubs in total, including Total Fitness Altrincham, Lincoln and Publishing manager: Dominic Musgrave Tel: 01226 734407 dm@scriptmedia.co.uk Studio manager: Paul Hopkinson ph@scriptmedia.co.uk Assistant studio manager: Scott Firth sf@scriptmedia.co.uk Sales and marketing director: Tony Barry Tel: 01226 734605 tb@scriptmedia.co.uk
www.workout-uk.co.uk
Teesside, the Squad Stop Roadshow will run until June 22 and will end at the Wigan club. Members can book their first session for free, giving them the opportunity to try out this exciting new product first hand. Sophie Lawler, CEO of Total Fitness said: “It’s brilliant to be able to expand Total Fitness’ fitness offering and provide a specific session for members who prefer a small group workout experience. “Squad Sessions provide a personalised coaching experience with a difference, as four people can train together and reap the benefits of working out with friends or family. “The Roadshow is a great way to bring this face-to-face with members, so they can learn more about Squad Sessions
and see the advantages of an intimate training session like this. “It’s encouraging to see that many of our new members were motivated to join with family, friends, or a partner, showing there is a demand for people who prefer to have a buddy with them when they work out.” Rolled out in eight of their health clubs, the full body HIIT (high intensity interval training) based workout combines a mix of cardio and resistance exercises, guaranteed to make members sweat. Members will have the opportunity to choose either beginner or intermediate levels, with the sessions set in a dedicated area of the club and a Squad Leader to coach everyone through the workout. Squad Sessions are ideal for members
who prefer a more intimate training session but who also enjoy and benefit from working out with others. The launch comes in the wake of new member data from Total Fitness revealing the benefits of having a workout buddy, as more than one in three (35 per cent) say having a friend to go to the gym with will most likely keep them motivated, while 19 per cent say it is meeting new people and group activities – which is what Squad Sessions are all about. More than one in four (26 per cent) new members joined with a family member or friend/s, while 18 per cent joined with a partner, showing that Brits are motivated to keep fit when they have a companion by their side.
Celebrities join Stockport fundraiser for Ukraine FITNESS fans including Olympic athlete Rebecca Adlington and former Waterloo Road actor Jason Done have raised hundreds of pounds for charity with a gruelling high-tech exercise challenge. The event, in aid of the British Red Cross Ukraine Fund, was hosted by boutique fitness studio H1VE, a unique gym based at Stockport Sports Village in Woodley which monitors members’ heart rate and calories burned during group training sessions. Around 30 participants – including friends, family and members from Life Leisure – were challenged to collectively burn 40,000 calories in one day by taking part in group actives, including exercise classes lead by personal trainer Harry Needs. And, along with a charity bake sale and raffle at Brinnington Leisure Centre, the group has so far raised more than £300.
WORKOUT WEEKLY
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Advertiser’s announcement
Mental health cited as the second reason people join the gym SECOND only to weight loss, mental health is cited as one of the main reason people choose to join the gym and why they remain according to Colin Waggett, CEO of Third Space at the LeisureDB Evolve event. It’s positive news that people are recognising that their mental health is a priority, and that exercise and social interaction can help with that. There’s no doubt that this awareness has been exacerbated by the pandemic as, sadly, many people are still struggling despite things gradually returning to normal. Our industry already knows there is a strong link between exercise and improved mental health which gives our sector both an opportunity and a responsibility to act and really make a difference. However, in order to effect change, personal trainers, gym instructors and leisure centre managers must be upskilled to recognise mental health problems in clients and team members and trained to know how best to support and signpost individuals to find help. In the same way our industry is well versed in physical first aid, now mental health first aid should be a priority and included as standard for leisure sector professionals. The Active IQ Level 2 Award in Mental Health Awareness does just that. Developed by qualification development manager Andy Gilbert-Dunnings – a
specialist in the area of psychology and mental health – and in partnership with Dr Dane Vishnubala, Active IQ’s chief medical advisor, the award aims to increase people’s awareness and understanding of mental health, help reduce stigma and discrimination and encourage people to speak out about their problems. Reception staff, personal trainers and gym instructors are on the front line at leisure centres and gyms. Speaking to members every day, they
are most likely to see signs and should be trained to know what to do next. The Level 2 Award in Mental Health Awareness has no specific entry requirements making it accessible at entry level to enable everyone from new learners up to experienced trainers and gym owners to recognise and tackle this problem. The qualification also provides learners with an understanding of how to manage and improve their own mental health to help safeguard them when
their workloads or lifestyles bring challenges of their own. As well as training staff to identify and manage mental health issues, there are other things operators can do to support both their employees and members. For instance, simply displaying mental health related signs throughout a facility could help someone in need. Appointing mental health champions within fitness and front-of-house teams can prove highly effective while organising regular events that bring all employees together allows people to talk freely. Finally, leisure sites should work in partnership with a local mental health organisation whose expertise and insight could prove very helpful. Mental health affects people of all ages and walks of life. If leisure operators, personal trainers, fitness instructors and community health and wellbeing professionals take the time to upskill in mental health awareness, many people in their local communities could be helped. You can learn more about mental health awareness at our skills hub which provides access to free webinars with Andy Gilbert-Dunnings. To find out more about the Active IQ Level 2 Award in Mental Health Awareness visit https://www.activeiq.co.uk/qualifications/ level-2/active-iq-level-2-award-in-mentalhealth-awareness
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WORKOUT WEEKLY
NFAs all set to be Jet powered WORKOUT is delighted to announce that Diane Youdale will be the guest host of this year’s National Fitness Awards. Diane is remembered by millions as ‘Jet’ from TV show Gladiators. Fan favourite Diane starred on TV’s biggest show of the era for five years and became one of the best known faces in the UK. “It was an incredible time,” she said. “The show grew into something so massive it was hard to comprehend. “We filmed at Birmingham’s National Indoor Arena twice a day to audiences of 8,000 each time. I don’t think you could
Diane is remembered by millions as ‘Jet’ from TV show Gladiators.
make a TV show like it now. “We had our own action figures, we were on the front of Kellogg’s cereal boxes, there was a monthly magazine dedicated to us and the merchandising was never ending. “We also got our fair share of newspaper attention and I think it was a good thing that all this happened presocial media or it probably would have been too much.” The impact of the show lasts into the present day with people queuing around the block to meet the stars and conventions and countless men and women citing Gladiators as their inspiration for getting into sports and fitness. But there was always more to Diane than her famous Gladiator alter-ego. A GB gymnast in her young teens, she also played flute in the National Youth Orchestra, was a member of the National Youth Theatre (alongside Bond-to-be Daniel Craig and Elizabeth Hurley) and as a prodigiously talented dancer she graduated from a top London academy. But it was Gladiators that launched her into the public consciousness. When injury brought an end to her Gladiator life after five seasons, doors opened to plenty of radio and TV presenting roles, but in more recent times Diane has not only continued to work as an in-demand fitness and dance professional but also a practicing psychotherapist and lecturer. Event organiser Dominic Musgrave said: “We’re delighted that someone of the calibre of Diane has agreed to be our
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Diane has not only continued to work as an in-demand fitness and dance professional but also a practicing psychotherapist and lecturer. Pic credit: Darren Wheeler thatcameraman.com guest presenter at the National Fitness down to the size of your facility but how Awards this year, and I’m sure she will be you run it. There’s still time to enter so a familiar face to millions of people. get working on your nomination – and “Thanks to everyone who has entered one of our judging panel could be the awards already – we’ve had a great visiting you very soon.” response so far with nominations The National Fitness Awards take place arriving daily. at the Athena in Leicester on Friday, “And the standard is outstanding November 18. with a great mix of operators of all With more than 20 awards up for grabs sizes – many familiar names and lots of there’s a category available for ever newcomers to the NFAs. fitness facility. “We’re extremely proud that the To enter yours visit www. National Fitness Awards are for every nationalfitnessawards.co.uk club – our awards are free to enter and Look out for an interview with Diane in our judging criteria means that it’s not an upcoming issue of Workout.
Advertiser’s announcement
University of Hertfordshire continue partnership with Matrix Fitness on sports village refurb THE University of Hertfordshire has completed a refurbishment of its sports village gym. It now comprises upgraded sports facilities including a 110+ station gym with two fully equipped studios running a busy group exercise timetable in addition to a 25m swimming pool, 12m climbing wall, six purpose-built sports laboratories and a sports injuries clinic. The refurbished gym is located on de Havilland Campus and houses a spacious gym equipped with the latest range of Matrix Fitness resistance and cardio machines. David Connell, director of sport at University of Hertfordshire, said: “We
already had a long-standing partnership with Matrix Fitness before tendering for this new refurbishment project, but after a competitive tender process they won us over once again by proving themselves the best in the business.” The gym required a full upgrade of resistance and cardio equipment, which ensured a higher level of connectivity and technology in order to meet the more digitally-demanding standards that members have come to expect from their fitness offering. “Matrix Fitness listened to what we needed to keep our members satisfied and didn’t try to sell us equipment we didn’t need,” added David.
“They worked tirelessly to find the best fit for us. “They listened, advised and only suggested the equipment that would really benefit our members. “And if that wasn’t enough, they even contributed towards a GymMetrix study to help us identify the right equipment for our target audience and how to best utilise our training space for maximum impact.” The gym has been installed with the new Matrix Fitness cardio range which includes the Endurance Touch and Touch XL cardio equipment, Performance Touch Ascent Trainers as well as the high performance Virtual Training Cycles,
which deliver an immersive indoor cycling experience through exclusive programmes and instructor-led content via a 22” touchscreen with app-based interface. Tony Vaughan, strategic key account manager – education at Matrix Fitness, added: “The University of Hertfordshire continually re-invest in their facilities to provide the very best for their students, staff and community members and we are pleased that we were able to guide and advise to bring their fantastic vision for this impactful refurbishment to life.” To find out more about how Matrix Fitness can transform your fitness offering visit www.matrixfitness.co.uk
ELEVATE PREVIEW
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Elevate returns to the ExCel in June THE industry is eagerly awaiting the return of Elevate, which will take place at ExCeL London on June 15 and 16. Having waited since 2019 for an edition, thousands of decision makers from gyms, health and sport clubs, local authorities, sports therapy, universities and schools have already secured their free trade ticket for the UK’s largest physical activity and fitness trade show. With the sector clearly keen to get back to face-to-face business, visitors will be able to take advantage of meeting more than 250 exhibitors, trying and discovering thousands of product innovations as well as learn from talks, demos and workshops from over 200 speakers across seven theatres. Michelle Dand, head of fitness product and programming at David Lloyd Clubs, is one of those industry professionals looking forward to visiting Elevate. She said: “Elevate 2022 is the most important event of the year for the UK fitness industry – it’ll be great to see all the latest innovations in one place for the first time since 2019.”
to gym/online members to help them make fitness a habit. They also customise the solutions to meet your requirements as per your need.
activity. Tom Godwin, group operations director at Future Fit, added: “We firmly believe in the power of education and how by developing the workforce we can support change in whole communities. “Elevate recognise this and place a clear emphasis on creating an environment that is focused on the development, and growth of the sector. ”This is why we feel Elevate is such an exciting event, one that has grown and developed over the years. It has embraced the changes in the sector, brought people together, sought to promote innovative ideas, and really helped to support all those involved in the industry.”
Education programme Thoroughly researched and independently developed, the Elevate 2022 speaker programme remains the largest live learning opportunity for the fitness industry and physical activity sector. Contributed to by hundreds of thought leading organisations representing public and private interests the entire programme is both trade only and free-to-attend thanks to Elevate supporters, sponsors, exhibitors and Future Fit, the Elevate education partner. One conference theatre, five seminar theatres and five workshops will host more than 200 speakers sharing the very latest insights in fitness, sports therapy and physical
More than 250 exhibitors Elevate 2022 will feature exhibiting companies from right across the physical activity and fitness sector. Gym owners, personal trainers and the visitors from all areas of the industry will have the opportunity to try new equipment, meet those behind the products and discover something new to delight their customers and clients. Exhibitors for 2022 include Active Edge, Apex Rides, BlazePod, BodyTone, Box12, CIMSPA, Core Master, eGym, Eleiko, Gantner, Hippo Leisure, Hussle, Indigo Fitness, Innovatise, Legend by Xplor, LesMills, Matrix, MyZone, Orbit4, PlayFinder, Poolview, Power Plate, Rocktape, Shapemaster, Swim England,
SwimTag, Third Space, Wattbike, Xenios USA, Xplor Fitness and Wellbeing and many more. Product innovations at Elevate Here is sneak preview of just a few of the products you can discover this June at Elevate… Technology in Motion – Freemotion The CoachBike™ is a centre-piece of the immersive and interactive, content-driven 22 SERIES cardio line. The CoachBike delivers a gamechanging, interactive coach-led training experience for riders. Utilising the iFIT digital platform, CoachBike features tens-ofthousands of coach-led workouts that bring both high-intensity studio classes and outdoor cycling experiences to the gym floor – entertaining, engaging and retaining members. New to the UK – FitWay is a perfect mixture of futuristic and easy-to-use technology. They offer end-to-end software and hardware solutions to increase revenue by improving engagement and increasing retention at the centre. The FitWay ecosystem which consists of face recognition access control, smart weight scale, smart mirror, virtual trainer, group heart rate training system, and online training platform acts as a guidepost for improving users’ fitness experience no matter where they are. They deliver an amazing experience
Resamania – Xplor Resamania is a flexible, all-in-one gym management software solution that brings together software, membership payments and access control to make running your fitness business easier and more profitable than ever. Run all aspects of your business from one intuitive solution, creating less admin, less room for error and giving you a complete real-time 360-degree view of your members. Stand out from the crowd and offer members an experience they just can’t get elsewhere with features that put them in control and drive engagement. Fusion HIIT Bench – Jordan Fitness Designed and manufactured in the UK, the Jordan Fusion HIIT Bench offers a three-in-one multi-functional training station; weight bench, plyo box and storage unit. For gyms and boutique studios looking for space-saving workout station as part of their fitness class or PT provision, not only does the HIIT Bench offer storage for five pairs of Dumbbells, two Kettlebells and a Medicine Ball or Studio Barbell Plates, it also adds value with Rope and Resistance Band attachments with an optional core trainer available too. Catering for small group HIIT training through to dedicated strength classes, this moveable fitness bench can be conveniently tucked away to make space for additional fitness classes. For more information, including exhibitor list and agenda, and to book free trade tickets visit www.elevatearena.com
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