ISSUE 1 May
WEEKLY
Issue 77 - 26 November 2021
YOUR REGULAR ONLINE UPDATE FOR THE UK FITNESS SCENE
National Fitness Day 2021 breaks records PAGE 2 How building a community can have an impact on the world PAGE 3
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WORKOUT WEEKLY
Operator reopens exercise referral scheme LOCAL authority leisure provider Everyone Active has reopened its essential exercise referral scheme, by joining forces with EXi, the NHSapproved exercise prescription app and data portal. The digital solution is based on the latest scientific evidence for safety and effectiveness to those suffering from any number of 23 long-term conditions including diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, obesity and cancer. The EXi platform, backed by Sport England and ukactive, is a valuable tool in delivering exercise prescription. It has no barriers to participation and its digital format enables people to access it wherever and whenever they want. The relaunch of the exercise referral scheme in August has led to a smoother medical to fitness referral process, working closely with local communities to slowly eradicate health inequality. This includes enabling those living with chronic conditions from low social economic and disadvantaged areas to access the right effective healthcare for their chronic conditions and comorbidities. A training protocol for Everyone Active employees has been implemented and delivered through EXi’s CPD training. More than 130 of Everyone Active staff are being trained by EXi’s experts,
including Carron Manning, EXi’s cofounder, physiotherapist and clinical director. “The EXi health experts presented information to help our physical activity teams understand how new digital platforms can complement our customer offering and improve the health and wellbeing outcomes in our communities,” said Ben Beevers, Everyone Active’s group development director
“The evidence, research and data demonstrated by EXi, helped our teams to further understand the ways fitness, sport and leisure can work closer together with the health and social care sector. “This partnership has helped strengthen our exercise referral scheme and enabled us to support a wider range of individuals suffering with health conditions.” Carron added: “We are delighted to be
working with Everyone Active on this new initiative. “It represents a huge opportunity for us to create a new GP referral to exercise pathway, incorporating all the flexibility and data capture that technology allows whilst utilising the dedicated support of the Everyone Active fitness professionals. “The beauty of our partnership with Everyone Active lies not just in the advanced and safe programming for people with long-term conditions, but also the reassurance that someone is looking out for them and looking over their data. “We believe it is a superior option to usual care, and Everyone Active are way ahead of the curve in bringing GP referral to exercise services up to date.” The Everyone Active exercise referral scheme is open to anyone who has a pre-existing health risk condition or those at risk of health conditions through a non-active lifestyle. Individuals will be referred to Everyone Active through a GP, practice nurse or physiotherapist. After being referred to the scheme, participants will benefit from at least two sessions weekly, over a two to threemonth period. On completion of their programme, they can then benefit from 25 per cent discount on an Everyone Active membership.
National Fitness Day 2021 breaks records NATIONAL Fitness Day 2021 has smashed all records on its 10th anniversary, with the physical activity sector inspiring 22.67 million people to get active on the day, according to new figures from ukactive and Savanta ComRes. ukactive is now calling on all leaders across the political spectrum, and from the sport and physical activity sector, to fully back National Fitness Day in 2022 and beyond in what is a watershed moment for the campaign, and take it to an even bigger audience. The success of the campaign is built on mobilising grassroots support from ukactive members, community groups and the wider physical activity sector, to engage individuals, families and schools through free activities on the day– with figures for 2021 showing that it has gone from strength to strength. Group Editor: Judith Halkerston Tel: 01226 734639 jh@scriptmedia. co.uk Group production editor: Dominic Musgrave Tel: 01226 734407 dm@scriptmedia. co.uk
Sales and marketing director: Tony Barry Tel: 01226 734605 tb@scriptmedia. co.uk Sales manager: Louise BristoweHarrison Tel: 01226 734699 workout3@ scriptmedia.co.uk
Studio manager: Stewart Holt sth@scriptmedia. co.uk
www.workout-uk.co.uk
New figures show: n 22.67 million people were estimated to be active on National Fitness Day 2021 (up from 19.15 million 2020). n 11.35 million children (up from 8.67 million in 2020) and 11.32 million adults (up from 10.45 million in 2020) were estimated to be active on National Fitness Day. n 4,365 free activities and events took place across the UK, either physically or online, according to the National Fitness Day Activity Finder, in addition to many more. n 18.26 million adults (an estimated 35 per cent of the population) said they were aware of National Fitness Day (an increase from 32 per cent in 2020). n 44.04 million people – the media reach of the 2021 campaign, through TV, radio and press coverage (up from 29.15
million in 2020). Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, said: “These figures show the incredible impact of National Fitness Day and the power of our sector to reach millions of new people and really get the nation moving more. “National Fitness Day has grown to become one of the most important annual events for the UK’s physical and mental health; representing far more than a single day of activity, it is now a powerful trigger that inspires change for people and is inclusive of all ages, abilities and backgrounds.” The theme for National Fitness Day 2021, coordinated by ukactive in partnership with TRX Training ClubSM, was “Fitness Unites Us”, recognising the power of physical activity to unite the nation, particularly in light of the
physical and mental health crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Awareness of the day was supported by polling from ukactive which showed that less than a third (27 per cent) of UK adults were as physically fit as they would like to be following the pandemic. National Fitness Day 2021 kicked off at London’s Jubilee Hall Gym, and was supported by the Department for Digital, Culture Media and Sport. Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston, Olympic diving gold medallist Matty Lee and Paralympic legend Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson met members of the public and joined a group exercise class. The campaign helped shine a spotlight on the essential role of fitness and leisure facilities, and providers, in supporting the nation’s physical and mental health, as well as its social fabric.
Double accolade for Stockport’s Life Leisure TWO community leisure centres run by Life Leisure have been named among the top three in Stockport. Life Leisure Grand Central and Brinnington Park Lesiure Complex have earned the accolade from Three Best Rated, an independent company developed to identify the best rated businesses in an area. The two Life Leisure centres ranked among the top three in Stockport according to a 50 point inspection by Three Best Rated business analysts, who rank according to reviews, ratings, reputation, trust and general excellence. Michaella Pennington, CEO of Life Leisure, which runs 11 facilities across Stockport, said: “We know how great our services are – our staff work incredibly hard to provide
the best support we can to the community, but it’s really gratifying to hear that professional bodies such as Three Best Rated do too. “Everyone turns to the internet to read reviews and get advice about a venue or a business, so for two of our centres to be named among the top three in Stockport is fantastic.” Life Leisure is a charitable trust and not for profit social enterprise company which manages 11 sports and leisure facilities in and around Stockport, delivering a broad range of sports and physical activity programmes in neighbourhoods across the area. The Three Best Rated will ensure people visiting the centres’ websites can see how the independent centres rank externally.
Michaella Pennington, CEO of Life Leisure.
WORKOUT WEEKLY
How building a community can have an impact on the world By Leanne Smith
Leanne Smith
LOCKDOWN hit everyone pretty hard, especially in the fitness industry. With gyms, leisure centres and fitness classes shut down the whole world was left not knowing how they would stay fit, healthy and strong mentally and physically. As a personal trainer I felt like my world had ended. My income, social circle, safety net and mental health necessity had been taken away from me, and who knows how long for or what the future held? I knew I had to think on my feet and adapt in order to help all my clients and all of those people who use exercise and the community that is the gym to stay healthy and well. During lockdown the fitness industry became a huge online community of people doing live workouts, sharing tips to stay active, cooking at home and surviving the pandemic. People built online connections with those on the same journey as them, and people achieved goals that they never thought possible during such an uncertain time. Not only did my online clients remain active, make new friends online and survive three lockdowns, but they
also came together to raise more than £10,000 for local charities. During the lockdown I launched my online fitness community ‘The Lean With Leanne’ programme. I wanted to create an event that everyone could get involved with together virtually. No matter their age, fitness level, location or situation they could take part in an event that gave them a purpose and passion during lockdown. And that is how the Lean With Leanne Virtual 5 Mile event was born with the help of a very special charity The Lions Barber Collective. The event was simply to complete five
miles on February20 . Whether you run, jog, walk, push the pram or take the dog simply complete five miles to raise awareness for men’s mental health. The charity provides funding for barbers to learn communication skills and make connections with mental health services to offer support to their customers. The Lean With Leanne community decided that we wanted to raise awareness and as much money as possible for all our husbands, boyfriends, dads, uncles, brothers, friends and sons to help raise awareness for men’s mental health and to show them that as women we are here to help and support them no matter what. More than 50 girls took part from all over the UK and the USA and people took all of their family and pets along with them. Each person asked for sponsorship for their five miles and together we managed to raise an insane £10,000 for the charity. The event was not only a huge success for a local cause that is so important, but it shows just how building a community, whether it is online or in the gym, can benefit so many people. The fitness industry and personal
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training has been focussed on the idea of 1-1 training for so long but the truth is there is safety in numbers. People looking to change their bodies, mindset, habits and health have a much higher chance of long-term success if they become part of a community. Introducing clients to a group of people that share their issues, problems, goals and aspirations helps them stay accountable, be inspired and motivated and feel supported in achieving their goals. Whether you have an online business or work on the gym floor there are so many ways you can build a community and offer your clients even more support. Open a Facebook group for all your clients to communicate with each other, start a group training class, organise annual events where everyone can meet up and socialise or set up a virtual charity event to make them feel part of something rewarding. The Lean With Leanne Virtual 5 Mile will be happening again in 2022 to help raise money for a local women’s centre and to raise awareness for domestic abuse. n Leanne Smith is a personal trainer at Winners 2000 in Paignton.
Advertiser’s announcement
Matrix Fitness launch new office gym to promote corporate wellbeing ON RELOCATING the head office earlier this year, Matrix Fitness has also incorporated a new office gym installed with the latest training equipment from its product portfolio to support healthier, happier and more productive employees in the workplace. Matt Pengelly, Matrix Fitness UK CEO, said: “It has been a turbulent 18 months for all of us, with many adapting to working from home and tackling the sedentary lifestyle that can result from this. “It has been proven that employees who are physically active are more productive, happier and healthier. “We have designed this gym to help boost our team, promote health and wellness, and in turn, help businesses thrive.” Business Lodge, based at Trent House, Stoke, has an enviable reputation for providing top-end office facilities combined with exceptional customer service and a true community feel. It offers a development of high spec, contemporary serviced offices with a free gym, chill out areas and ample on-site car parking. The ‘Business Lodge’ corporate gym is a fully rebranded and visually transformed space to engage and motivate users. The space includes the new Go Series Strength range, fully connected 7xi treadmills and ascent trainer and a Wexer Virtual Training Space offering Les Mills classes. “Having a designated space where our team can get away from their desk, and workout, helps to foster teamwork, combat stress and encourage better work performance,” Matt added. “Our corporate gym will help employees to adopt
healthy, active lifestyles. This will drive physical, social and mental good health.” Paula Nadin, centre manager at Business Lodge Stoke, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the new gym at Business Lodge. “It is in line with our commitment to the wellbeing of our clients and has completely transformed their ability to keep fit at work. “It is also fantastic to have been able to introduce
such a prestigious name into the flexible space industry. “The installation of the new facility went extremely well, ensuring that it was fully operational for customers returning to the office post lockdown. “It’s always been our aim for our clients to #lovewhereyouwork – and now they can #lovewhereyouworkout as well.” To find out more visit www.matrixfitness.co.uk