The UK’s No 1 fitness industry magazineJune 2011 No 213 ££33

Gyms mustembracenew mediaBByy CChhrriissttiinnaa EEcccclleess

INDEPENDENT gyms which don’tembrace new media are in danger ofgetting left behind by more tech savvyrivals, according to an operator.

Mike O’Hagan owns Gym Xtreme inWorthing and uses the latest technolo-gy to ensure his club stays ahead of thegame.

As well as regularly updating the gymwebsite, he has also set up a Facebookgroup and YouTube channel to pro-mote facilities and classes.

His latest venture is developingmobile phone apps, which show usersthe techniques needed for the club’sfight and kick classes.

The apps have generated interestfrom all over the world and Mike saidthey have been a really useful way ofgetting the word out about the club.

He explained: “It’s important to keepup to date with new trends in theindustry. More people are movingaway from the traditional phone to‘mini computers’ so it’s a great way toget involved with people.

“Any gym doing an app will be seenby the world. This technology allows

you to reach out to members and ifyou keep them informed about what’sgoing on and give them tips and ideas,it keeps them motivated.”

Mike also offered advice for othergym owners wanting to embrace tech-nology at their clubs.

He added the key is to be able to findsomeone who can write and code theapp – but luckily for him his businesspartner is able to help with that.

He also said much of the technologyavailable is free and can easily beupdated – meaning clubs can keepmembers informed while at the sametime promoting their offering to nonmembers.

But he warned gyms which don’tdiversify and look for new ways toattract more members and additionalrevenue could struggle in future tokeep up with those that do.

He added: “It’s something more gymsshould do. There are a lot of forms ofmedia available and many of them arefree so gyms need to realise that.

“Small gyms have got to look at otherways to raise revenue. If not, they willbe left behind or even go under.”

New fitnessconceptcomes tocapitalA NEW gym concept whichhelps users to get fitterwhile saving money andhelping the environmenthas been launched inLondon.

The idea behind H2 is tofind a solution for com-muters who care abouthealth, fitness, the envi-ronment or commutingcosts, allowing them to getto work as conveniently aspossible on foot or by bike.

To help with this, theclub has extensive chang-ing areas with over 1,000lockers, showers and a240-space bike park.

Founder Piers Slater said:“The Department ofTransport ‘Cycle to WorkGuarantee’ encourages theprovision of proper bikestorage, changing facilitiesand safe cycle routes – andH2 provides exactly that.Cycling to work beats pub-lic transport, which maybe overcrowded, there’s nocongestion charge to payand it’s more sustainablethan other forms of trans-port. We believe com-muters can save between£40 and £120 a month byusing H2 in comparison totheir existing travel, healthand fitness arrangementssuch as travel cards, con-gestion charges, fuel, park-ing and gym membership.”

Olympic swimmer Chris Cook was among the guestsat the opening of a new Essex sporting facility.The launch party at Everyone Active BasildonSporting Village was attended by professional athletes including Chris, 400m swimming worldrecord holder Jo Jackson and former GB diver LeonTaylor, as well as members of the local community.For full story see page 27.

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BByy CChhrriissttiinnaa EEcccclleess

INDEPENDENT gym owner ScottHorton has taken on an ambitiousnew challenge – organising a two-day,Viking-themed festival for an estimat-ed 10,000 people.

Scott owns Hercules Gym inColchester and, after gaining experi-ence organising other industry com-petitions, he has decided to turn hishand to a new style of event which hehopes will be suitable for the wholefamily.

The Valhalla Festival of Muscle andPower takes place at Layer MarneyTower over a weekend in July andbrings together a number of strengthand combat sports under a Vikingtheme.

The ethos behind the festival is tohonour warriors of the past, such asthe Vikings, right up to modern daysoldiers.

Features will include the England’sStrongest Man competition, organisedby Steve Winter from fellow independ-ent club Ministry of Muscle, combatevents such as MMA, karate and box-ing and a junior strongest man com-petition.

About 50 trade stands will also be inattendance – ranging from supplementation companies to food stalls – and Scott believes the fes-tival brings something new to themarket that has been lacking at otherevents.

He explained: “The events out thereat the moment are uninspiring.

Hercules ownerScott takes onnew challenge

Music byartistesincludingKaty Perry isavailable todownload.

KEISER UK has joined forces withFitMixPro to help instructors findtheir perfect workout music mixes.

FitMixPro is the first download sitelicensed by PPL UK – meaning thatdownloading original artiste music forCDs or MP3 players is legal as long asthe instructor holds a valid PPLLicence. Users can choose their owntracks to create a playlist or pick oneof Keiser’s pre mixed selections – mak-ing it easier for instructors to find themusic best suited to their class.

Note perfect

“I have been putting on events suchas strongman and fighting competi-tions as well as the Mr Hercules showand this brings together everything Ihave done.”

Scott added the project has generated enquiries from all over the UK, as well as destinations further afield, includingAmerica.

The long term aim is to establish itas an annual festival and set up spinoff events in other areas to grow thebrand.

He added: “The festival has pickedup so much steam and it’s gettingreally big.

“We are expecting 10,00 people overthe weekend and it’s going to becomean annual event.”

A proportion of money raised fromthe festival will also be donated tocharity, with causes benefiting includ-ing the NSPCC.

BRITISH Gymnastics and DC Leisure have launched a drive toincrease standards and participationlevels in leisure centres.

The scheme is designed to encour-age leisure centres to register theirgymnastics programmes with BritishGymnastics.

The £30,000 dual funded projectwill be rolled out across 10 key sitesmanaged by DC Leisure, which willall receive a starter kit includingmats, balance bench and a safetymattress

DC Leisure’s sports developmentdirector and operations supportdirector Richard Millard said:“With 39 of our sites already delivering a BG endorsed programmeto over 2,200 gymnasts, we are keen for further facilities to deliver gymnastics and help to raise the standard of coachingnationwide.

“Through partnering with BritishGymnastics, we aim to encouragepeople of all ages to become activeand enjoy a sport that has wide rang-ing benefits.”

Bid to increasegymnasticsin centres

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Mehmettakes brandto CyprusBByy CChhrriissttiinnaa EEcccclleess

A PERSONAL trainer will be swappinglife in Essex for fun in the sun whenhe takes the Ripped Gym brand hometo Northern Cyprus.

Mehmet Pasha – who was a finalistin the 2010 National Fitness Awards –currently works at the club in Harlow.

But he has now decided to followhis dream of opening a gym in hishomeland, and after approval fromRipped’s owners, will be setting up aclub under the same name inFamagusta.

Mehmet has already acquired hissite, a 5,000 square foot industrialunit, and all equipment and fittingsand hopes the club will open itsdoors in September.

He explained: “I'm originally fromNorthern Cyprus and it’s always beenmy dream to one day go back and livethere.

“Having discussed the options with

my wife we decided to make themove and open our own gym inCyprus so that I could carry on work-ing in the industry that I love and hasultimately become my life.

“I’ve worked in many chain and pri-vately owned gyms and by far thebest gym I have come across isRipped. I am absolutely blown awaythat I am able to take this brand toCyprus.

“I am thoroughly confident that theRipped template will bring to Cyprusnothing it has seen before in terms ofthe ultimate gym experience.”

Owner of Ripped Harlow MichelleMeade added: “We are delightedMehmet is taking us global and therewould be no other person we wouldtrust more with protecting our brand.

“While we wish him every success,we are going to miss him sorely, he’s going to leave a gap in our teamthat’s going to be pretty impossible tofill.”

PERSONAL trainer Elise Lindsayhas created an exclusive trainingplan to coincide with the releaseof a new workout mix.

The Workout Mix – Beach Fit!features hits from the likes of Lady Gaga, Jessie J, NicoleScherzinger and Jennifer Lopez and is designed by music and fitness experts.

The album contains two 60-minute playlists designed to boost cardio exercise with a third mix designed for strength and resistance training.

And Elise – renowned for sculpting thebodies of Coleen Rooney and Jennifer Ellison – has created a six week beach fit training plan and audio training session to guide users through a cardio style workout.

Elise throwstraining planinto the mix

A TV star and fitness expert visited a Lichfield healthclub to meet members and hold exclusive exerciseclasses.

Richard Callender, who trained contestants on ITV’sThe Biggest Loser, held classes at Esporta Health andRacquets Club in Lichfield – guiding them throughthree different workouts.

General manager Jo Ward said: “We are always look-ing for something different for our studio classes and

it’s fantastic to get such a well-known celebrity inthe club.

“After the classes he was holding a question andanswer session with members, so they could benefitfrom his knowledge as a high level studio instructorand personal trainer.” Richard with some of the members

Biggest Loser trainerRichard puts membersthrough their paces

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BByy CChhrriissttiinnaa EEcccclleess

HARPERS Fitness rolled out the redcarpet to treat all Williams andKates like royalty in the run up tothe wedding of the year.

Ahead of Prince William’s mar-riage to Kate Middleton, local peo-ple sharing the names of the happycouple could enjoy a complimenta-ry week’s membership.

To take advantage of the offer,users simply visited the leisure cen-tre of their choice with either apassport or driving licence to provetheir name was Kate or William.

69 people took up the offer – 67 ofwhich were Catherines or Kates –and about half a dozen new mem-bers signed up.

Existing members sharing thenames could also join the celebra-tions with free coffee and cake andthe clubs even took phone callsfrom a Harry and an Elizabethwondering if, as ‘relatives’ of thegroom, they were eligible for theoffer too.

But head of sales Terry Gibbs saidalthough the offer did generate afew new members and raise inter-est from local press, it was neverdesigned to be a serious marketingcampaign – simply something toenjoy the occasion.

He said: “We never really intendedto do anything other than have a bitof fun and get into the spirit of theroyal wedding. It was never intend-ed to be a member acquisition

campaign.“We had fun with it and to date

have had about six or seven peoplejoin up who were all individualsthat weren’t taking exercise before.”

Terry added that with Easter, theRoyal Wedding and May bank holi-day adding up to an extended breakfor many people, the company wasbracing itself for a tough few weeks.

But he told Workout by putting onan increased range of activities –such as fitness bootcamps – to getpeople through the doors, thingswent better than feared.

He added: “We were prepared fora quite difficult end of April but wegot far more people to come thanwe expected.

“We are very much into activities

and making things fun. The biggestchallenge we have as an industry isgetting the public to realise gymshave much more to offer thanweights and a treadmill.

“This year will be all about cus-tomer service. We have recognisedthat people can go for a jog roundthe park or ride their bike in thewoods and there are lot of waysthey can keep in shape withoutgoing to a health club.

“Getting them in shape is now notenough. We have to put the funback into it.”� Harpers Fitness is the fitnessbrand for Leisure Connection with45 clubs across the country. Thecompany also operates eight hotelgyms on behalf of Park Inns.

Wedding gift for all Wills and KatesTo celebrate the Royal Wedding, Williams or Kates could enjoy a free membership offer at Harpers Fitness clubs

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Be ready torespond toGP demandsBy Christina Eccles

A YORKSHIRE based trainingprovider has urged the industry toprepare for a demand in qualifiedcoaches from local GPs prescribingexercise as medicine.

With physical activity at the heart ofthe government’s public health strat-egy, industry bodies such as the FIAbelieve there is a real opportunity tocreate a successful and skilled indus-try capable of improving the health ofthe nation.

Creating Chaos founders Phill andJenny Wright have taken an activerole in doing that, and have seen theircompany grow quickly since it wasestablished just over two years ago.

Now they are hoping to raise aware-ness of the opportunities for bothindividuals and companies keen toinvest in the right training for long-term careers in the industry, and havelaunched a 2012 challenge, whichaims to build a network of 2,012 TeamChaos qualified personal trainers intime for 27 July next year – the date ofthe opening ceremony for the

London Olympics.Phill said: “It’s tough when finances

are tight to find a reason to invest intraining, but there’s never been a bet-ter time to make sure you are the bestperson qualified to meet the demandthat’s just around the corner.”

The company runs a range of train-ing courses for individuals and alsotakes its trainers to teach teams on-site for organisations including VirginActive, Fitness First and DW Sports. Ithas recently formed a partnershipwith St Helens based Central Sports,one of the UK’s largest providers ofwork based learning for the sport,exercise and active leisure sector.

Phill added: “The partnership willsupport Central Sports learners, mak-ing them aware of continuous devel-opment opportunities as well asoffering discounted rates for ourcourses.

“It will support our growth by pro-viding a much bigger audience towork with and a platform for us tostart delivering courses inManchester and London.”Phill and Jenny Wright

‘Luggage’workoutburns offcalories ...BRITS burn more calories enroute to their holiday destina-tions than during an intensiveone hour gym workout, accord-ing to research fromHotels.com

With the average Brit travel-ling abroad twice a year,research from the hotel expertrevealed holidaymakers willcarry over 3,040kg of luggage intheir lifetime – the equivalent of43 adults.

In response, the company hasdevised a workout that aims tohelp travellers make the mostof their journey, with a numberof simple exercises to fill thehours spent queuing at air-ports. The ‘luggage workout’includes a range of speciallydesigned exercises effectivewhen using objects such aholdalls, laptop cases or hand-bags.

Available online at www.face-book.com/hotelsdotcom, fit-ness fanatics can watchGymbox instructor Troy Durehat London’s City Airport show-ing frequent flyers a number ofmoves.

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Introducingworld’s firstRetro gym ...BByy DDoommiinniicc MMuussggrraavvee

AWARD-winning gym The ThirdSpace is hoping to build on thesuccess of its Soho club with thelaunch of a second site inMarylebone – complete with theworld’s first ‘Retro Gym’.

Based on the concept of a schoolgymnasium, the area includesropes, beams and rings wheremembers can get back to basicsduring their workouts.

Fitness manager Matt Julian saidthe zone is designed to get mem-bers away from the machines andfocusing on other ‘primal’ move-ments such as squatting, lunging,pushing and twisting to train theirbodies in the way they aredesigned to move.

To help users get the most fromit, they can book a group class or aone to one personal training ses-sion where they are shown how touse the equipment safely andeffectively and given a person-alised training programme.

The club is located at theMarylebone Hotel and comes witha price tag of £129 per month formembership, which gives accessto both sites.

According to Matt, the demo-graphic of the two clubs is verydifferent – as are the gyms them-selves – but it’s still vital they bothrepresent the ethos of the ThirdSpace brand.

The iconic red reception desk – aprominent feature at the Sohoclub – is also present as is the pre-mium level of facilities and serv-ice.

And although it only opened lastmonth, the owners already haveambitious plans for this club aswell as looking for other sites toexpand the brand around London.

Matt added: “It’s going really

well. The club has a different vibeto our Soho club but deliberatelyso. Our CEO summed it up whenhe said it’s not as edgy but is edgi-er than anything that’s been seenbefore in Marylebone.

“Our research tells us it is a lotmore of a residential market. InSoho most people work in the areaand fit their gym visit into theirworking day. In Marylebone it ismore of an even spread, so thetimetable is different as we haveset up more classes during the dayand at weekends. There alsoseems to be a more even splitbetween male and female mem-bers whereas in Soho we havemore male members.

“We see this as a good partner-ship with the hotel and it’s a newstep for us. Last year we werevoted the best health and fitnessfacility in London so the challengefor now is to keep that quality andlevel of service across two clubsand eventually three, four andfive.”

The retro gym

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Gym launches‘biggest loser’style contestBByy DDoommiinniicc MMuussggrraavvee

A NOTTINGHAMSHIRE gym has cre-ated a ‘biggest loser’ style competi-tion to motivate those who have fall-en off the New Year fitness wagon andwant to shape up for summer.

The Clumber Park Hotel and Spanear Sherwood Forest has chosen sixvolunteers to take part in the free six-week programme.

Participants will benefit from:� Use of the New Leaf Spa’s gym,pool, sauna, steam room and outdoorhot tub.� A complimentary individual fitnessplan tailor-made to each participantcourtesy of personal trainer at theclub Tom Myatt.� Free nutrition advice from dieticianKaren Stones.� Weekly group sessions with Tomand Karen for support and weightloss advice.

The person who loses the mostweight by the end of the competitionwill be crowned the winner and walkaway with the top prize of free mem-

bership to the club for a year.New Leaf Spa director Tracy

Wormald said: “Spa membership lev-els always spike just after Christmaswhen motivation to get fit is at itshighest, but by this time of year manypeople start to struggle and give in.

“We really wanted to create some-thing to spur the public on and helpthem shape up in time for the sum-mer months.”

Hotel general manager JamesHemming added: “Research showstime and time again that the bestweight loss and fitness levels areachieved with the guidance from asupport group of some sort. TheFitness Club competition is our wayof lending a hand and helping peopleachieve their ideal weight in time forsummer.”� Have you tried anything similar tomotivate members at your club? LetWorkout know by contacting our edi-torial team on 01226 734463, emailce@whpl.net or follow us on Twitter@WorkOutUK

Former Royal MarineCommando JustinCorcoran and nationalgymnast Nick Darlinghave joined forces tocreate a new 30 minuteworkout.The Metafit programmecombines bodyweightconditioning exercisesand high intensity inter-vals to work every mus-cle group, elevate theheart rate and challengethe core.It can be used for agroup exercise sessionor an individual workoutwith a personal trainer.Justin said: “Too manygyms are full of peoplewondering why they arenot seeing results afterhours on a runningmachine.“With Metafit they canget off the treadmill andwork the muscle in a funexercise programme,which uses the princi-ples of athletic condi-tioning in a simple buteffective way to trainthe muscle to boostmetabolism.”

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GYM chain Gymbox has launched anew class, allowing members to takepart in a workout led by genuine roy-alty.

Heirs to the throne, Ellen and AmyLascelles, 56th and 57th in linerespectively, have been leading the‘Royal Workout’ exercise class whichdelivers a mixture of cardio andweight lifting over a 45 minute ses-sion.

The first half of the class involves adance workout featuring some ofQueen and Prince’s greatest hits fol-

lowed by a toning session.The last element includes lifting

10kg dumbbells to replicate theweight of an average royal corgi.

Gymbox MD Richard Hilton said:“We wanted to offer our members thechance to get in touch with their royalself and what better way to do it thenget in some blue-blooded instructors?The class is not only jolly good fun,but has been designed with some ofour top trainers, ensuring a reallythorough workout for everyone whocomes along.”

A right ‘Royal Workout’

A great way to engage with your existing members and keepthem coming back for more is to run regular member surveys.Here Guy Griffiths explains how.

MANY clubs see surveys as a chore –the standard SERVQUAL question-naires are printed out and 100 mem-bers are badgered to answer thequestions. However, if you make amember survey easy, quick, andinteresting, it will reap retentionrewards.

There are three basic steps to a suc-cessful survey. Firstly, do the survey(you’ll find tips and tools below).Secondly, publish the results to allmembers. This shows your memberswhat they think as a group, andwhere their opinions fit in the club.Thirdly, act on the results. Your mem-bers will see that you have taken noteof what they think, and you will getmore responses next time around.

When it comes to the questions,first think what you want to find out,and define the questions accordingly.To make results analysis easy, definethe answers as well, either yes/no(/don’t know), or a sliding scale ofpoor to excellent, or one to five.Comments or free format fields canadd valuable feedback or elaborationon the answers. We recommend ask-ing no more than three questions.Explain at the start why you value themember’s opinion, and that the threequestions will take only one minute,and you will get many more respons-es.

Clubs with the Technogym Wellness

System have a fantastic survey toolwhich can offer questionnaires tomembers as they check into the gym.Member segmentation, opt-out andresults graphs are all key features.Survey Monkey is the leading onlinesurvey tool that you can embed intoyour newsletters, websites or socialmedia sites.

And if you want to keep it reallysimple, Facebook now has‘Questions’, or you could just ask yourfollowers on Twitter.

Get your staff involved by havingthem complete the survey before itgoes live. This ensures all questionsand answers are clear, and enablesstaff to talk to members about thesurvey and encourage more respons-es. Ensure staff are aware of the out-come once the survey closes.Displaying results as graphs or pic-tures is much easier to understand,and many tools do this automaticallyif the survey is built right.

Remember keep it simple and regu-lar. Do the survey, publish results,and act on them. Make changesbased on what your members want,not what you think they want.

� Guy Griffiths works for GG Fit, an inde-pendent consultancy that helps clubs tofocus on member retention by workingwith staff, systems and processes www.ggfit.com twitter - @ggfit

Easy, quick andinteresting surveyscan reap rewards

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THE owners of a Torquay gym haverevealed why moving to a biggernew facility will help them stayahead of the competition.

Business partners Kris Barras,Matt Gudgeon and Darren Yeoman opened Mixed Martial Artsclub Fightworx at the end ofMarch.

After previously working out of amuch smaller facility, they discov-ered a growing demand for MMAclasses in the area and realised theclub could benefit from extraspace.

They spotted the perfect buildingjust 200m down the road but foundit was too expensive.

However, a chance internetsearch weeks later led them to theunit again and they discovered ithad been split into two floors, withthe top floor being much cheaperthan the lower one.

Once the location was secured,they set about transforming it intoa gym – spending about six monthsgetting ready to open.

The new building is three timesthe size of the one they moved outof and situated by the side of a

busy main road – providing a natu-ral footfall of potential members.

Features include a 20ft fight cagealong with 1,000 sqft of mattingand punch bags. Classes on offerinclude Thai Boxing, Brazilian JuJitsu and kickboxing and are suit-able for a range of abilities rangingfrom complete novices to profes-sional fighters.

Kris said: “It’s the perfect location.There are a couple of people tryingto offer what we do but we are theonly people with a professionalfight team.

“This helps us stand out. Ithelped us to get by in the otherplace, which had the bare bones,but now we have the level ofinstruction and expertise and abrand new, state of the art facility,it seems at the moment we can’tfail.”

Kris added that the old club’smembers who moved with themare really excited about the upgrad-ed facilities and it puts them in agreat position to attract new peo-ple.

Since moving, Fightworx has alsointroduced childrens’ classes which Kris said had taken off reallywell.

In future they would like toexpand on these further as well asattracting more people in to theadult classes, which can takebetween 40 and 50 participants.

He added: “I am a professionalfighter as well so it’s great to beable to have this kind of facility totrain at.

“There are more clubs poppingup nationally but facility wise Ithink we are now in the top 15 inthe UK.”

Gym goes large to stayahead of competition

£1.7m faceliftfor centreHARTHAM Leisure Centre has under-gone refurbishment worth £1.7m toupgrade facilities and become moreaccessible.

The facelift includes a new receptionarea and gym, dance studio and addi-tional changing facilities as well as amovemanSKG Prestige platform liftfor wheelchair users.

General manager Steve Cox said:“Exercising is not limited to the able-bodied. People with physical impair-ments form an important proportionof our customer base, and there is ahuge range of activities and classesthey can take part in.

“Making premises accessible towheelchair users is essential, and atop priority at Hartham LeisureCentre.”

Darren to beguest speakerOLYMPIC Gold medalist DarrenCampbell was the special guest speak-er at this year’s SIBEC UK.

Darren addressed delegates on theimportant role local leisure provisionhas played in both his athletic andpersonal development.

The event was expected to attractmore than 150 buyers and suppliersand took place at the Forest of Arden,Marriott Hotel and Country Club nearBirmingham.

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A HEALTH club in Oban has scooped a top award for its facilities.énergie Fitness Club was voted Health and Fitness Venue of the

Year at the Scottish Health and Beauty Awards, held in associationwith 5pm Health and Beauty.

35,000 nominations were cast online and the award winnerswere announced at the Girls’ Day Out event at Glasgow’s SECC.

Andrew Johnston from énergie Oban said: “We are absolutelythrilled to win against tough competition. Winning this awarddemonstrates our hard work, passion and dedication to theindustry and our customers. It’s a great achievement for us to bevoted the best of the best.”

The club beat off competition from rivals Greens Health andFitness in Edinburgh; Classical Pilates in Troon and TheMovement Studio in Glasgow to take the title.

Oban club thrilled afterscooping top award

A number of new trainingtechniques were launched atthe annual Boxercise masterclass to help instructors deliver more varied classes.Hosted at Brunel University,the event was free to attendfor all registered Boxerciseinstructors.Founder Andy Wake said: “Iwanted to make sure thatour instructors were looking for ways to continually develop the classes that they teach.Instructors often work onwhat can be a lonely freelance basis, so it’s important that every year weremind them that they arepart of a bigger team andthat there is support available.”

Conference date setTHE latest National Benchmarking ServiceImprovement Conference will take place atBletchley Leisure Centre in Milton Keynes onJune 28.

Designed for those responsible for ensuringthe efficiency of leisure centres, the event willoutline how the NBS can improve best practicein performance management.

Sessions will focus on how to use the NBSeffectively and improve customer service.

Council contract awardedPULSE has won the contract to supply fitnessequipment and supporting services to BuryCouncil. The contract will see the companyinstalling over 150 pieces of cardiovascular andresistance equipment across three sites.

Pulse will also provide a marketing and salessolution and a fully inclusive fiveyear service andwarranty package.

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Specialist instructorsmake cycling classesmore appealingBByy DDoommiinniicc MMuussggrraavvee

GYMS could make groupcycling classes more appeal-ing to members by employ-ing specialist instructors,according to the owner of astudio in London.

Andrew Clayton owns PedalStudio – a pay-as-you-goSpinning centre in Putney.

The studio opened almostthree years ago and now hasabout 2,000 registered users,with about 700 of them using the facility on a regularbasis.

Users are not tied into longterm contracts and insteadpay £10 per session, althoughthe studio does offer a dis-counted rate for block book-ings of five or 10 classes,which Andrew said is a popular option forthose wanting to come moreoften.

The club prides itself onemploying the best instruc-tors who are all passionateabout what they teach,

something which he believesis vital for the success of theclasses.

And he told Workout thatalthough Spinning can dowell in a traditional gym,often it is being taught by aninstructor who also has toteach a range of other classesand who may not be asknowledgeable about thesubject as a specialised train-er.

He explained: “A lot of gyms are very good and they do what they can buttheir instructors may not be necessarily as enthu-siastic.

“We have professionalSpinning coaches but gymsdon’t necessarily recruitthese people.”

Surveys and feedback arealso important at the club,which uses heart rate moni-toring to track progress. Theinformation is then trans-ferred on to a graph which isgiven to participants after

each class.

Andrew has also recentlyhanded out questionnairesand he revealed this researchhas generated interestingresults.

He added: “We have aVirgin Active club nearby andabout 30 per cent of those weasked had gym membershipand were still coming to us.

“The market is quite tightand people are becomingmore aware about wherethey spend their money. Herethey pay for what they use.

“For £5 an hour [if theybook a block of 10 classes]people are getting almost apersonal training session anda really good deal.”

Future plans at the studioinclude looking for biggerpremises to expand the busi-ness and taking the bikesoutdoors into local parks torun classes in a differentenvironment.

Britain’s first pole dancingsurvey has revealed changingattitudes towards the activity.

The survey,conducted by X PoleInternational,gained over 700responsesonline and atexhibitionssuch asthe ClothesShow Live.

It aimed to find out why people pole dance,the fitness benefits they have experienced and the perceptions of pole dancing.

The results showed 78 percent tried pole dancing for fitness, 99 per cent would recommend it tofriends, 98 per cent said itimproved their upper bodystrength and 94 per cent associate pole dancing withfitness.

Survey revealsattitude changeto pole dancing

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BByy CChhrriissttiinnaa EEcccclleess

A SCOTTISH gym has celebrated its 10thanniversary by investing almost £20,000 innew equipment to upgrade facilities andsecure its long term future.

Think Fitness in Hawick was opened in2001 by Greg Dalgleish and Stuart Oliver,who were then aged just 22 and 24.

Greg had already been working in the fit-ness industry and Stuart had recently com-pleted a business degree – giving the pairan ideal combination of skills to set uptheir own club.

The gym has about 450 members – some of which have been there from thestart – and Greg credits its lasting successwith the ability to innovate and keep on top of new developments in health andfitness.

He said: “When we opened the club, wesaw a gap in the market and thought withStuart’s degree and my fitness background,we would make a good team.

“We’ve moved with the times – you haveto evaluate and develop in line with what’shappening in the industry. Although we are

a small, single site, we were the first club inScotland to have Technogym equipment.

“Being a private gym, we don’t get a hugeamount of help so we need to be on theball. It’s important to progress and makechanges.”

The recent upgrade included developinga new functional training area, power rackand improved free weights area.

An oil fired heating boiler has also beenconverted to gas and low energy lightinginstalled, making the club more environ-mentally friendly while hopefully savingmoney on bills.

After celebrating 10 successful years, Gregand Stuart are now looking to the future tomake sure it is around to celebrate its 20thanniversary and beyond.

Greg added: “Equipment wise, it might be a struggle to add anymore in, butin future we may look to renew the cardiomachines.

“We will be keeping an eye on the market,investing in staff training and keeping ondoing what we are doing.”

Gym spends £20k on newkit to mark 10th birthday

Latest usage figures showNorwich leisure centre reaching an all-time high ...MEMBERSHIPS and usage figuresat a facility in Norwich havereached an all-time high.

Figures show more people areusing Sportspark – which is basedat the University of East Anglia –taking part in activities such asathletics, swimming, martial arts,tennis and dance.

The sports centre had alreadyenjoyed successful usage figurescovering the first two quarters ofits financial year.

And the latest figures, whichcompare like for like usagebetween the end of January andApril 2011 with the same periodlast year, show more customers are

getting involved.

Anyone can use Sportspark’s facilities on a pay and play basis.But for regular users there are several types of membershipswhich offer discounts and otherbenefits.

Between January and March2011, the number of Gold member-ships were 13.5 per cent higherthan those during the same threemonths in 2010. Silver member-ships were also up 12 per cent onthe same period.

Director Keith Nicholls said: “Thisis a fantastic performance in a verydifficult economic climate.

“The continuing rise in our usagefigures confirms we are successful-ly encouraging thousands of non-active people to become active andtry out new sports.

“Our philosophy is to make sport accessible to people of anyage and ability so that more people can start to lead healthierlifestyles in line with Governmenttargets.

“Our affordable prices and flexi-ble memberships options, with nolong term contracts or joining fee,help encourage first time users tocommit to being active on a regu-lar basis.”

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University bidsto get studentsmore activeTHOUSANDS of students fromNorthumbria University will beencouraged to get more active thanksto a £300,000 cash boost.

The University will use the moneyfrom Sport England’s ActiveUniversities campaign to run tastersports sessions, as well as training upto 200 as coaches to ensure the long-term sustainability of the project.

More than 3,000 students who donot currently engage in sport willhave the opportunity to take part intaster sessions three times a week inactivities including climbing, swim-ming, triathlon, netball and bad-minton.

The money will also pay for a rangeof new equipment, and a number ofstudents will be appointed as“Student Activator Interns’’ to devel-op the programme and recruit others.

Assistant director of sport Sue Voutsaid: “We’ve already done some con-sultation with existing students andknow they want others to help themget involved in sport.

“Our success in securing this fund-ing allows us to have a real impact onthe fitness level of thousands of stu-dents. Through the taster sessions wewill introduce them to sport, but it’shoped they will then move into clubsand some will ultimately becomequalified coaches.

“This initiative builds onNorthumbria’s outstanding record inperformance sport by enhancing itsreputation in sports participation.’’

More than 80 universities appliedfor a share of the £10m on offer fromthe campaign and Northumbria isone of 32 projects to have receivedfunding.

Ellesmere College girls’ tennisteam have been selected torepresent England in theWorld Schools TennisChampionships in France.Following on from the team’swin at the Aegon LeagueSchools’ NationalChampionship at BoltonArena in March, the girls willcompete in the tournamentagainst others from aroundthe world.The school is also launching anew initiative to encouragechildren aged between fourand 10 to join its Saturdaytennis programme.

TV wins overexercise in kidsMORE than twice as many kids spendtheir free time watching televisionthan playing sport, a new survey hasrevealed.

Research released to mark thelaunch of the Tata Kids of Steeltriathlon series has discovered a gen-eration of children turning their backson physical activity in favour ofwatching TV, playing video games andchatting on social networks.

The survey of 1,500 six to 15 yearolds – commissioned by Tata Steel inpartnership with British Triathlon –found 79 per cent of youngsters spendtheir free time watching TV, comparedwith just 34 per cent who use it to playsport.

Other less active pastimes preferredto sport include surfing the internet(56 per cent), chatting on social net-works (45 per cent) and playing videogames (43 per cent).

15 per cent of the kids said theycouldn’t swim, nearly a quarterclaimed they had never run a distanceof 400m and one in 10 couldn’t ride abike. A further 15 per cent said theyhad never played sport with their par-ents.

To encourage young people tobecome more active, Tata Steel andBritish Triathlon have committed togiving more than 50,000 eight to 13year olds the chance to discovertriathlon by 2012.

British Triathlon CEO Zara HydePeters said: “We’re passionate aboutcreating opportunities for young peo-ple to discover how much fun thetriathlon challenge is. It’s one of thefastest growing, dynamic and modernsports around and, with the Olympicsjust around the corner, there’s no bet-ter time to be inspiring youth partici-pation in our sport.”

Tata Kids of Steel will visit 18 loca-tions nationwide this summer. As wellas being given the chance to try thethree key disciplines – swimming,cycling and running – every child getsfitted with the correct size bike andhelmet and receives a medal for tak-ing part.

Kids Fitnessin association with

LEMINGTON Community Centre inNewcastle has been having great suc-cess attracting kids and adults alike totheir centre by running family fundays.

The centre has made use of a under-utilised sports hall to create an activi-ty zone including a newly installedlow level climbing zone along anunused end wall. Using a new climb-ing system called the FreedomClimber has enabled adults and chil-dren alike to have a dynamic climb-ing experience whilst being only afew feet from the floor. Linking this tomatching traverse panels has createdan area suitable for running funevents for groups of all ages and cancater for up to 15 children.

Linsley Charlton, fitness develop-

ment manager said: “The climbingarea has been a great success for chil-dren and adults during school holi-days and family fun days.”

For more information contact FreedomClimber on 01483 559785 or info@

freedomclimber.co.uk

Centre is climbing to success

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UK FITNESS SCENE 23

By Dave Wright

SELLING is so much easier whenyou have belief.

Your beliefs are the single mostimportant thing you have controlover when trying to persuade aprospect to join your facility. Andwhen you think that sales is merelya transfer of enthusiasm from oneperson to another, you can easilywork out that if you believe exerciseis the key to a healthy lifestyle thenit boosts your enthusiasm and youare already over half way to helpingthe prospect. Henry Ford is quotedas saying ‘whether you think youcan or you think you can’t… you areright!’

Think about the people you know,friends and family, even yourself.How many times have they shareda dream or goal with you only tosay that it will never happen? Themajority of people don’t think theywill ever live the life they want.Usually it’s because they’ve beentold their goals are crazy or impos-sible, and they won’t ever achievethem. Kids are very impressionable,and will believe almost anythingthey’re told by parents and authori-ty leaders. As a result, most of thepopulation doesn’t put forth mucheffort in anything they do, becausethey don’t believe they’ll succeedanyway. It becomes a self-fulfilling

prophecy.The same principle applies to

membership sales. You need thebelief that you wish you could guar-antee the membership for a lifetime. You need to believe that aprospect committing to a member-ship is the best way you can HELPthem on their first steps to ahealthier lifestyle.

The main thing to bear in mind is

that it does not matter whetheryour belief is right or wrong. It’s justthat your beliefs will determineyour actions. And it’s your actionsthat get you results. So wheneversomeone has dipped in theirresults, the best thing to do is totake it back to their actions andthen ultimately understand theirbeliefs.

To add clarity, beliefs are built bythings that you reference to supportthat belief – whether it’s an experi-ence or a study or some informa-tion that supports your belief.

If you think of a belief as a tabletop and the references are the legs –the stronger the legs (references)then the stronger the table top(belief).

So encourage your staff to read upon the benefits of exercise. Writedown the members they know thathave got terrific results. Ask themdirectly why they think someoneshould exercise and also why theyshould join your club. This helpsbuild those references under thetable to make that belief as strongas possible.

If we all believe in what we sell,and, we believe that exercise is nonnegotiable, then we will help somany more people take the firststep towards a healthier lifestyle.

Believe in what you sell

Dave Wright

Eco friendlyfirst forcompanyTHE gym at the Hampshire CourtHotel has become QHotels’ first ecofriendly club after the companyinvested over £160,000 in new equip-ment from Pulse.

The club now boasts the newestPulse Fusion cardiovascular range,featuring self powered technologythat motivates the user to power themachines.

Hotel general manager Dan Kellysaid: “By providing our gym userswith the self-powered luxury equip-ment we hope we can encouragemore people to get fit and continue tocut down on the amount of electricitywe consume, thus helping to meetour energy efficient targets.”

Active weekendsA CENTRAL London council hasencouraged local people to do moreexercise by laying on a weekend offree sporting activities.

Westminster council’s ActiveWeekend gave Londoners the chanceto improve their health by taking partin over 68 activities. A number of theborough’s venues got involved, rang-ing from the iconic Marshall StreetBaths to the new eco-friendly LittleVenice Sports Centre. Activities onoffer included coaching from ChelseaFootball Club, swimming, trampolin-ing, badminton and yoga.

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UK FITNESS SCENE24

WHILE some clubs face a constantbattle with retention, the sports vil-lage has had to deal with the oppositeproblem.

The health and fitness suite is proving so popular that staff have had to turn prospective members away as they don’t want theequipment to become too busy,which could impact on visitor experience.

But instead of simply telling peoplethe club is full, a waiting list has beenintroduced where they can leave theirdetails.

Those on the list are then notifiedwhen a place becomes available andgiven the option to join up.

The list is also visible online soeveryone can see how far up they are and how long they may have towait.

Emma added that the club wants tomake it as easy as possible for peopleto join and by offering them thisoption – plus flexible packages whenthey do become members – they canattract those who may otherwisehave been put off by a long term con-tract.

‘Too popular’fitness suiteintroduceswaiting list

ABERDEEN Sports Village sits in aresidential area of the city, close tothe local university – providing a per-fect location for both locals and thethriving student population to workout.

Created thanks to a partnershipbetween Aberdeen City Council,Sport Scotland and the University ofAberdeen, the club opened its doorsin August 2009 with the aim of pro-

viding the best quality facilities for aprice which local people could afford.

In a difficult climate, the facilityshies away from long-term contracts– instead offering choices rangingfrom pay as you play to one monthmemberships and the traditionalmonthly direct debit option.

Existing facilities include a fullyequipped gym, squash courts, indoorand outdoor athletics areas, sports

hall and indoor pitch.When it was built, the long term

plan was set out in three stages. With stage one – the opening and

initial facilities – completed, thefocus is now on stage two whichinvolves building a swimming pool.Stage three will follow, furtherimproving the complex by addingmore outdoor facilities.

Continued on Page 25

From day one, Aberdeen Sports Village’s remit was to provide top quality, affordablefacilities for every section of the community. Almost two years and an estimated 1mvisitors later, the club is doing just that. Christina Eccles paid a visit.

Fit for whole community

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UK FITNESS SCENE 25Continued from Page 24

Sales and marketing executiveEmma Hunter said: “We will havebeen open two years in August and have got about 6,500 members.

“There is a demand for good sporting facilities in Aberdeen and weare proving that. For the facility we have got and the prices we offer,for the community it just seemed tofit.

“There is a lot of competition but atthe same time, that’s more on thehealth side and not on the sportsside.”

Excitement is building around thenew swimming pool – which is due for completion in 2013 – with the club hoping to become atraining camp for the CommonwealthGames in Glasgow the following year.

Funding has been secured for aneight lane swimming pool, but thedream is a 10-lane pool which wouldmake it Olympic sized and allow it tohost bigger events.

To help the club reach its goal, it hasreceived an anonymous donation of£1m and local employers The First Group have also donated£100,000.

Emma added: “We were one of the first indoor football pitches inScotland and have everything underone roof.

“When the pool comes along it willset us apart from anywhere else in therest of the UK.”

ENCOURAGING the future of sport inAberdeen is also important and theclub does all it can to get young peo-ple through the doors.

It runs kids’ clubs in sports such ashockey, athletics, table tennis andsquash and, because of sponsorshipfrom local businesses, the cost is only£1 each per session.

Four local schools also use the facili-ties for their PE lessons and the club ishoping to secure further funding soother schools can take part.

Emma said she would like to seemore fitness facilities doing some-thing to help kids become active andas a non profit organisation, sponsorsand partners are a vital way of makingthis happen at Aberdeen SportsVillage.

She added: “Sponsors now want toengage with the community so theyare more likely to sponsor a pro-gramme. They want to give somethingback rather than just advertise theirbusiness.

“More places like this need to help toget kids active.”

Emma has also gone into schoolassemblies to talk to kids abouthealthy living and has a local commu-nity project where members can bringin unwanted sports clothing andequipment which is donated to chari-ty.

Schools usefacilities forPE lessons

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UK FITNESS SCENE26

BByy CChhrriissttiinnaa EEcccclleess

A DEDICATED quarterly newslet-ter, regularly updated classtimetable and a well-stockedjuice bar are just some of the fea-tures pleasing members at one ofLondon’s most exclusive gyms.

The Laboratory Spa and HealthClub is situated in leafy MuswellHill and has been open for thepast 15 years.

Attracting A list membersincluding actor Clive Owen andseveral of the Eastenders cast, theclub prides itself on offering thehighest level of service withoutbeing intimidating.

Studio manager Elia Siaperasexplained: “Members expect a different level of service – they arelooking for the best so we have togive that five star service.

“I have been here eight yearsand it feels like we have really gotto know people. It’s such a per-sonal club.”

Elia is also responsible for making sure the class timetableat the club and its sister site inHendon stays ahead of the gameand is constantly looking for thenext big thing.

Traditionally popular classessuch as yoga, bodypump andPilates sit alongside the latestcraze to hit the industry – AquaZumba.

Elia added: “We are always try-ing to look for new ideas in theindustry. We have seen a movetowards more danced basedclasses, which people seem to likebecause they have the motivationof being in a class environmentand the music means it doesn’tfeel like exercise.”

The club also acts as a show-

room for Cybex – meaning mem-bers always have access to the lat-est equipment.

Unusually, there is also a biggarden area, which Elia added is abig draw for those who like totake their personal training sessions outdoors.

A nutritious juice and salad bar– complete with balcony areaoverlooking the grounds – alsogives visitors a place to relax post workout which won’t compromise their healthy eatingplans.

A RECENT foray into the spotlight has inspiredpersonal trainer Elia to become more heavilyinvolved in TV and media work.

He made a name for himself as the manbehind the body transformations of Eastendersactress Hannah Waterman and most recentlyweathergirl Clare Nasir – training the pair andappearing on their best-selling workout DVDs.

His brush with fame has given him a taste forthe limelight and he told Workout his nextambition is to become the next ‘Mr Motivator’and a fitness industry guru.

To fulfil his dreams, Elia is getting the wordout about his work wherever he can.

He applied to be a trainer on TV weight lossshow The Biggest Loser and has work lined upon the Active Channel, as well as anothercelebrity fitness DVD in the pipeline.

He added: “After teaching classes, this feelslike the natural next step. I feel comfortable infront of the camera and with the knowledge Ihave got behind me, feel I have a lot to offer.”

Elia, who is studio manager at the MuswellHill club and its sister site in Hendon, alsoowns a personal training studio in Enfield withhis sister Demi.

He is also a regular contributor to The LabReport – a quarterly newsletter which letsmembers know what is going on at the clubsand provides them with training tips.

Clare Nasir (centre) with the instructors on her fitness DVD Dee Thresher (left) and Elia Siaperas.

Elia enjoys lifein the spotlight

Exclusive gym offersfive star service

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EVERYONE Active BasildonSporting Village opened its doorsat the end of April with a spectacu-lar launch party enjoyed by bothlocal people and a number of highprofile athletes.

Over an action-packed weekend,visitors were able to try out thecomplex’s impressive facilities forfree and watch demonstrationsincluding entertainment fromBritain’s Got Talent winnersSpelbound, cheerleading sessionswith the Saracens Sensations,taster group exercise classes andclimbing sessions on a 10m wall.

The £38m project – a joint ven-ture between CommunitySolutions for Leisure and BasildonCouncil – will be operated in part-nership with the council andSports Leisure Management underthe company’s Everyone Activebrand.

It has been designed to offerleading facilities for all its users –ranging from professional athletestraining for top competitions tolocal people simply looking for aplace to work out.

As an official training venue forthe London 2012 Olympic Games,the centre is also hoping to attractsome high profile faces. It hasalready struck a deal to provide preGames training facilities for theJapanese swimming and gymnas-tics teams and hopes other teamswill follow suit.

The complex has been so wellreceived by the community that itsmashed its ambitious target toopen with 2,500 members.

The long term plan is to get 50per cent of residents equippedwith an Everyone Active card,

which allows them to use the facil-ities, and Everyone Active’s region-al director Duncan Jefford toldWorkout the successful pre sellingperiod has got them off to a goodstart.

He added: “The response hasbeen fantastic. But the level ofinvestment has been £38m and, ifyou compare that with what isalready in the local area, this facili-ty is vastly different. There is some-thing for everyone.”

Much of the opening event was

geared towards children – show-casing what the club has to offerfor young people – and Duncanadded that another important aimwas to sign up a large number oflocal kids for swimming lessonsand introduce them to the benefitsof physical activity at an early age.

He also said that for any newclub opening, a launch event is keyas it allows potential members totry out the facilities while generat-ing important publicity through-out the local area.

A newly-opened gym has revealed ambitious plans to get at least 50 per centof local residents more active. Workout found out more.

Fantastic response to£38m sports village

Britain’s Got Talent winners Spelbound who performed at the launch.

FACILITIES at Everyone ActiveBasildon Sporting Village include: � 50m x 21m swimming pool witha depth of 1.8m, able to split intotwo 25m community pools� 17m x 9m teaching pool with adepth of 0.9m� Swimming viewing areas for over400 spectators� Regional gymnastics centre –equivalent size of a 10 court sportshall housing a full spectrum ofOlympic standard equipment� An eight court sports hall forteam games and badminton� 100 station fitness suite withTrixter Xdream bikes, Precor’s newrange of cardio and strengthequipment, TRX area, Power Platemachines, Zig Zag Sportwall and a

functional training zone includingViPR and kettlebells� Two multi-purpose studios forgroup exercise classes� 10m by 24.2m indoor climbingwall, designed by climbing expertsRockworks� Crèche and café

� Six outdoor artificial floodlit five-a-side football pitches� Outdoor artificial pitch for foot-ball or hockey� 10 outdoor grass football pitches� 12 outdoor netball courts� Two cricket pitches� 750-seat athletics stadium.

Facilities to keep everyone active ...

The launch event attracted a number of well-known guests from the world of sport and Duncan added that the athletes were keen toget involved and show their support for the new facility.Familiar faces on the day included: 400m world record holder Jo Jackson, swimmer Mark Foster, former GB diver Leon Taylor, gymnastand 2012 medal hopeful Becky Wing, Olympic swimming gold medallist Duncan Goodhew, Saracens players Brad Barritt, Adam Powelland Jackson Wray, former Wales international footballer Neville Southall and Essex cricketers Graham Napier and James Foster.

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Local MP Mark Lancaster helped to launch the new énergie Fit4less club in Milton Keynes.20 staff dressed as green men – part of the club’s promotional team – greeted the MPbefore showing him the facilities.The club is the énergie Group’s 10th Fit4less branded club and becomes part of the Group’s90 club estate.

Budget chain opensnew club in SouthwarkLOW cost gym chain Fitness4Less hasopened a new 20,000 sq ft club inLondon’s Southwark.

The gym has been kitted out with a£125,000 selection of Precor equip-ment, including 32 treadmills, 14cross trainers, seven upright andthree recumbent bikes.

There are also dedicated areas forspinning, resistance and free weightsand a nightclub-style Power Zone –complete with neon lights, a largeprojector screen playing loud musicvideos and CV equipment.

Up to 40 classes a week will beoffered – including spin, step andboxercise – and specialised classes,such as Pole or Street Dancing. One-to-one personal training will also beavailable at an additional cost.

The opening of the Southwark clubfollows the success of Fitness4lessclubs in Bristol, Birmingham,Watford, Newport, Cambridge Heathand Nottingham.

The company is now planning toopen a further two in the UK over thenext year.

Catterick Leisure Centre has become the first Ministry of Defence owned leisure facility togo through the Quest scheme. Located at MOD Catterick Garrison, the North Yorkshirebased dual use facility has been awarded highly commended status.The £22m centre offers leisure facilities to both service personnel and the local community.

Technogym portable device receiveshealth innovation accoladeTECHNOGYM’S mywellness keyhas received an accolade for healthinnovation at the 2011 FIBOAwards.

The key is a portable device thatmeasures the physical activity per-formed every day by the user.

Inside a gym, it also allows usersto activate their personal trainingprogramme on Technogym equip-ment and save the results that willcontribute to achieving their dailyactivity target.

Technogym’s UK network manag-

er Alex Bennett said: “To receive theaward is great reward for all of thedevelopment surrounding theMywellness Key solution. Sincelaunching last year, a number ofleading projects are underwayacross different target groupsincluding corporate wellness, GPreferral, cardiac rehab as wellincorporated as part of personaltraining and club programmes totrack indoor and outdoor activityall to deliver Wellness across com-munities.”

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MULTI-FUNCTIONAL EQUIPMENT32

How and why did you get into the fitness industry?Like most people who get into theindustry, I simply had a passion forfitness and movement in many dif-ferent forms, however, I gravitatedmore towards high skill movementbased art forms such as yoga andmartial arts as I felt that they werefar more holistic and expressivethan doing three sets of 12 reps orsitting on a stationary bike. I actu-ally became a conventional fitnessinstructor to supplement my train-ing as a yoga teacher, but wasinspired by the science behind theindustry, which at that stage wasmissing from a lot of yoga teachertraining courses. Again, like mostpeople in the industry, there wasalso the deep desire simply to helppeople live more healthily and fullyas I think it's obvious that being fitand healthy positively impactsevery aspect of life.

How do you think the industry haschanged since you started working init?I think the industry has evolvedquickly in recent years and there isso much more openness to abroader range of conditioningtools and philosophies. Yoga andPilates are now mainstream prac-tices in the conventional fitnessindustry and the adoption of themore functionally based traininghas been a game changer. It's as ifone day someone woke up andasked “what if we study real bodiesmoving in three dimensionalspace" rather than simply lookingthrough a microscope in a labora-tory? This movement has to mymind brought the industry closerto the integrated movement that Iwas drawn to myself in yoga andmartial arts. New products haveadded new levels of balance, skill,mobility and the benefits of move-ment based training to an industrythat in my opinion was once just alittle dull and is now very exciting.

Why did you decide to develop thefreeFORM board?Initially I just had a hunch. I wasexperimenting with ways to teachmy yoga students how to master adifficult move called ‘the jumpthrough’ which requires a lot ofstrength, control, mobility andtiming. I was using a range of bodyweight exercises and training toolssuch as foam rollers and stabilityballs. It was the limitation of thesepieces of equipment that made mepush the boundaries and create

something new. It was factors suchas the size, the shape, the lack ofrestriction that allowed thefreeFORM Board to facilitate ‘thejump through’ in a way other prod-ucts could not.

What are the benefits to gyms or per-sonal trainers that decide to include theequipment into their clubs or trainingsessions?Apart from how effective it is as atraining tool, it’s also described ona regular basis as ‘the most popularproduct in our gym’. I think this islargely due to a novelty and funfactor as the board is really playfuland enjoyable to use and, at thesame time, it provides immediatefeedback to the user because they

can really feel their body workingas they are using it. It's also anextremely practical solution in thatit requires next to no set up timeand takes up little storage space.

What plans do you have for the future?Why do you think the board will be suc-cessful?While it's still relatively early days,I feel like it's already successfuland just needs to actualise its fullpotential. The freeFORM Board isbeing used by elite athletes, elitedance and ballet schools, inextreme sports but also in the mostbasic rehabilitation by people inwheelchairs or with serious dis-abilities. I find this very satisfying.

Tony Susnjara can list yoga teacher, fitness instructor and martial artspractitioner among his achievements. But for his latest project he has gone onestep further and invented a multi-functional product he believes will take theindustry by storm. Here he answers Workout’s quick questions.

Why Tony putshis faith in board

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33 Cybex 17/5/11 10:28 Page 1

MULTI-FUNCTIONAL EQUIPMENT34

AS one of the industry’s lead-ing multi-functional pieces ofexercise equipment, theCYBEX Bravo FunctionalTrainer offers its users themaximum in training optionsand versatile exercise pro-grammes.

The Bravo has been designedto provide a total body work-out for both the upper andlower body, by combining thebest in selectorized and cable-based strength training. Themachine is also incrediblyspace efficient, to ensure thatusers benefit from maximumproductivity. The Bravo’sadjustable features also ensurethat it fulfils the training needsof all of its users.

One of CYBEX’s latest clientsto recognise the benefits ofusing a Bravo FunctionalTrainer is Nottingham ForestFC, who has recently takenownership of a full range ofCYBEX cardiovascular and

strength training equipment,to include the Bravo.

The decision to purchase aBravo came from a team tripto Champneys Health Resort,who CYBEX International alsosupplies with a full range offitness equipment. Havingexperienced the Bravo atChampneys, the fitness teamat Nottingham Forest immedi-ately placed an order for a cus-tomised Bravo.

The partnership betweenCYBEX and Nottingham Foresthas been well received, asNottingham Forest’s HeadPhysiotherapist AndrewBalderston commented: “Wehave found CYBEX a highlyprofessional organisation todeal with, as befitting theirstatus as world leaders in theirparticular field.”To see further details on the Bravo

Functional Trainer and the fullrange of CYBEX equipment visit

www.cybexintl.com

Bravo provides total body workout

U1008B Olympic Performance Multi-Rack Half Rack System is one of the most func-

tional pieces of equipment in any lifting areaespecially where space is limited.

Standard features include:� Fully welded 120 x 60mm x 3.6mm gaugesteel tube powder coated side frames.� Standard equipment: eight point sideweight storage, 1200mm wide multi grip(25mm) pull-up bar, quick release single barholders adjustable every 120mm, interiorsafety spot arms, and a 580mm deep spotter’sarea, dual vertical bar storage socket.� The open lifting zone offers a flexible envi-ronment.� Reverse attachments enable lifts in front ofthe rack using single Bar hooks, safety spotarms or technique trays.� Suitable for anchoring FitKit ProSuspension Trainer.� Available in various heights.� Available with or without 60mm Integratedoak lifting platform.� Powdercoated framework.� Lifetime warranty on all steel components.Optional features include:� Fixed or detachable 50mm tapered dipframe� Bar socket� Additional bar hooks� Gym ball holders� Med ball storage� Adjustable band anchor pegs� Resistance tube anchors and storage� Prone row bench� Adjustable bench dock/lock� Chain lifting pod

For more information please visit leisurelinesperformance.com or call 01455890100

Ideal in limited space

AS WITH most fitness facilitiesspace is of a premium.

The more users you can incorpo-rate in any one area of your gym atthe same time the better. Clientsare also looking for something dif-ferent and fun to do.

The Jordan four in one boxingstation fulfils all of the above. Withcombat training becoming morepopular as a form of functional fit-ness training this heavy duty, free-standing frame can be used byfour people simultaneously. Anycombination of punch bags can beincluded on the frame.

Choose from a Jordan speed ball,Jordan punching ball and two dif-ferent sizes of Jordan heavy weightpunch bags. Jordan Fitness alsooffer a full range of Combat acces-sories including training gloves,thaipads, MMA training gloves etc.

For the full range of Jordan Fitnessfunctional fitness equipment visit

www.jordanfitness.co.uk or for moreinformation please contact

sales@jordanfitness.co.uk

Station canbe used byfour users

Studio leading the wayA RECENTLY opened Pilates stu-dio is leading the way by becom-ing the first in London to offer aclass using innovative new equip-ment.

S.A.L.T – which stands forstrengthen, align, lengthen, tone –is offering classes using PeakPilates’ MVe chairs, from distribu-tor Star Trac.

Founder Jackie Stapleton invest-ed £70,000 to fit out the state-of-the-art studio, which focuses ontraditional and classical Pilates.

Jackie said: “Balance and stability

is at the core of every Pilates class,so we knew we wanted to offersomething a little different, tochallenge people’s perceptions ofPilates, as well as their body andmind, which is why we invested inthe MVe chairs. They are incredi-bly innovative in terms of designand suit group training classesperfectly.

In terms of usability, all its ele-ments help us offer effectivePilates classes that everyone canenjoy, from beginner toadvanced.”

34 19/5/11 15:15 Page 1

UK FITNESS SCENE 35

NASA-inspired machinehits the UK marketBByy DDoommiinniicc MMuussggrraavvee

AN exercise machine designed tohelp astronauts walk on the moonhas become the latest piece of gymkit to hit the UK market.

The AlterG treadmill allows users toexercise while reducing the force ofgravity – meaning a person’s bodyweight can be reduced by up to 80per cent.

Inspired by NASA, the AlterG is usedby Manchester United, runner PaulaRadcliffe and by the US Army to treatinjured soldiers.

The machine differs from a conven-tional treadmill as compressed air ispumped into a plastic chamber, cre-ating lift, and the user is sealed fromthe waist down inside it. A computerpanel allows patients to take up to 80per cent of their body weight off theirjoints.

Costing £27,000, there are only fivein the UK available for public use –one of which has been snapped up bypersonal trainer Dan Fivey for use inhis Cheltenham studio.

Dan spends a lot of time workingwith people recovering from injuriesand felt the AlterG was the ideal pieceof equipment for the studio.

He explained: “It sounds so bizarrebecause we live every day in 100 percent body weight. To run or exercisewithout your body weight seems a bitodd.

“You still get the cardiovascularworkout but without the poundingthrough your joints, so your anklesand knees are not taking a lot of pres-sure.

“That is crucial for someone who isrecovering from an injury and whodoes not want to lose their fitness. Itcan be beneficial for someone recov-ering from injuries to the hips, lowerback, ankles or knees.”

The machines are also used to helpobese patients, not just for training,but in giving them incentive by show-ing them how their feet and kneeswould feel better if they lost weight.

Dan added: “A lot of people worrythat they’re not going to be as fit ifthey’re on the AlterG.

“By altering the intensity of the run,

we give them the same workout. Ihave clients who are runningmarathons who are training on theAlterG. They use it to build their pacewhile easing the stress on their joints. There’s nothing else that cando what this machine can. You canhave normal gait mechanics at areduced body weight. It’s quite amaz-ing.”

The AlterG treadmill allows users to exercise while reducing the force of gravity.

British sprint kayaker Tim Brabants has unveiled the new fitness facility at Kirk Hallam Community Technology and Sports College.The new centre now boasts a fitness room, which has been fitted with Matrix Fitness equipment, a four-court sports hall, five-a-sideAstroturf pitches and four tennis courts.The £1.8m funding for the sports hall and fitness room was provided by Derbyshire county council, with construction of the artificial grasspitches jointly funded by the Football Foundation and the Department for Education’s Specialist Sports College Capital funding.

35 17/5/11 18:18 Page 1

FINANCE & INSURANCE36

IN the current economic conditions,many gyms are looking at differentways to both cut costs and increaserevenue. Some ideas we have seen arereducing staff numbers, opening 24hours, leaving the gym unmanned forperiods of time and introducing out-door activities such as military styleboot camps.

These changes need to be thoughtthrough in some detail as they canhave a substantial effect on a gym’sinsurance arrangements. So, if theseoptions are on your agenda ask your-self:� With less staff can customers stillhave proper inductions and ongoingsupport to ensure they are undertak-ing exercise safely and effectively?� With no staff what security proce-dures ensure no one steals equip-ment? In the event of an injury how ishelp summoned and by whom? Howdo you defend yourself against a spu-rious claim when there are no wit-nesses? � With outdoor activity does the

instructor continually update riskassessments as the environment isconstantly changing?

This is just a starting point. Makesure you discuss potential changeswith your insurance adviser early toensure adequate cover will be avail-able.

For more information contact Craig Smithat John Ansell and Partners on 020 7251

7474 or visit www.ansell.co.uk

Craig Smith

Consider insurance implicationswhen making changes

Chasing members for payment can be a headachefor many gym owners and one of the mostchallenging aspects of running a club. Here, gymowners Glyn Amos and David Robinson share theirstory with Workout.

WHEN Glyn and David startedOxygym in 2004, the pair camefrom a background in leisure services and thought they would be able to handle theadministration side of running theclub.

But they soon discovered it wasn’tas easy as they first thought.

Glyn explained: “I guess wedeluded ourselves into believingthat our service and club would beso great that very few would pre-maturely cancel their membership,but if they did we could recover thelost revenue with simple letters tothem.

“How wrong we were. Chasingbad debtors is just about the worst aspect of the gym business,you are subjected to all manner of excuse, abuse and threat.”

Four years ago, they decidedenough was enough and handedthe job over to Debit FinanceCollections.

This enabled David and Glyn toconcentrate on other importantaspects of the business like servicedelivery, marketing and finance.

DFC now provides a system

that gives the club up to date infor-mation on members – whetherthey are up to date with payments,when/if they default and when themembership is due for renewal.

The membership system alsoallows the club to track differenttypes of membership and comparethem for example, male againstfemale, peak against off-peak.

It will tell them whether promo-tions have been successful or notand also shows year on year com-parisons on performance, enablingthe club to compare usage patternson a weekly or monthly basis.

Glyn added: “We, like everyoneelse, are trying to ride the storm ofthe worst recession in living mem-ory. I believe that without the sup-port and partnership of DFC we would have sufferedand perhaps may not be in the position that we are in atpresent.

“I say let the experts do the chas-ing of direct debits and free your-self up to focus on the numerousother vital areas of running a smallbusiness.”

How owners handed‘worst aspect of gymbusiness’ over to DFC

ONE of the most common questionsasked when starting a business is“Sole Trader” or “Limited Company”?

A Limited Company is perhaps themost misunderstood type of businessand there are some key things toremember:

� The owners of the company are theshareholders – directors are appoint-ed by the shareholders to run thecompany on a day to day basis,although in the majority of cases(especially in small companies) direc-tors and shareholders are usually thesame person/people.

� When becoming a director of aLimited Company you are effectivelyan employee – albeit potentially themost senior employee.

� There is much more responsibilityaligned with being a director – thereare more forms to be completed, and any money taken from the com-pany in salary must be subjected toPAYE.

� Dividends may also be paid by thecompany to shareholders (not direc-tors) – but these can only be paid outof company profits after CorporationTax.

� Limited Companies must also fileCorporation Tax returns, submitaccounts to Companies House andcomplete Annual Returns.

In general smaller LimitedCompanies are used where the levelof trading anticipated, and thereforethe level of profit, is substantiallygreater than that required by an indi-vidual for living expenses.

This is because if an individualwere to generate a profit of £50,000they would, as a sole trader, pay taxon the whole amount.

However if the individual actuallyonly required £25,000 as a “salary”for living expenses then, as a director of a Limited company, even with paying the associated NationalInsurance contributions, his tax liability would be substantially lower.

Limited Companies can also be auseful tool in presenting a “corporateimage” as opposed to the “one manband” image associated with smalltraders.

As usual what will work for oneindividual may not be the best solu-tion for another, and you shouldthink carefully and/or seek advicebefore deciding which way to go withyour particular venture.

Good luck!

For more informationcontact Accounting 4 Fitness on

01234 267860

Sole Trader orLimited Company?

36 17/5/11 18:22 Page 1

FINANCE & INSURANCE 37

Market research andsound business planvital to successA SUCCESSFUL gym owner hasadvised anyone wanting to followin his footsteps to undertake thor-ough market research and create asound business plan before open-ing a club.

Greg Dalgleish opened ThinkFitness in Hawick in the ScottishBorders with business partnerStuart Oliver in 2001.

The club has recently celebrated10 years in business – and still has some original members whohave been with them from thestart.

Now with plans already in placeto keep the club moving forward in future, Greg shared his advicefor any gym owners just startingout.

He said: “Do your research.Securing finance back then was alot easier. You need to look reallyhard at funding options.

“Also don’t forget about over-heads such as staffing costs andinsurance and have a sound busi-ness plan in place.”

Although Greg admits being anindependent operator isn’t alwayseasy, the club prides itself on keeping up to date with industrytrends and has regularly reinvestedin new equipment, fixtures and fittings to keep members happy.

When the pair were looking for asuitable site to open the club, they thought the town fitted perfectly and spotted a gap in the

market for what they were lookingto offer.

But there is a local authorityleisure centre nearby and Gregadded when it comes to issuessuch as the ongoing VAT debate,he would like to see clubs like hison a more level playing field withthem.

He added: “The local communityhave been really supportive of the club and appreciative that we have moved with thetimes.

“But our rates went up by 40 per cent last year and a yearlater we are still waiting for theresults of the appeal – and in the meantime we still have topay it.”

DEBIT Finance Collections, one ofthe UK’s leading specialist directdebit collection companies, haslaunched FASTDD Platinum, a newgeneration of online direct debit col-lection.

This new product will provide cus-tomers with an online portal that canbe designed to look like their existingwebsite and fully integrate with sys-tems to provide a seamless journeyfor the member.

There are other benefits of this new

solution including the ability toaccommodate different cost centreswhich is particularly useful if clientshave two separate facilities that offerdifferent price structures to mem-bers.

Commenting on the launch of thisnew generation online product DavidMellor of Debit Finance Collectionssaid: “FASTDD provides our cus-tomers with an excellent system thatenables them to provide online directdebit solutions.

“The new Platinum product goesthe extra mile and provides a greaterdegree of integration and flexibilitythat more and more of our customershave been asking for.”

FASTDD and FASTDD Platinumprovide automatic bank accountverification, give instant feedback oncustomer payments, provideeasy navigation for members andcan be set up either online or face toface.

For more information contact 01908422000 or visit www.debitfinance.co.uk

Collection company launches new product

37 17/5/11 18:22 Page 1

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SUPPLEMENTATION AND NUTRITION

39

Promoting healthyeating is key partof running gymBByy CChhrriissttiinnaa EEcccclleess

EDUCATING members to makehealthy eating a way of life is a keypart of running a gym, according to asuccessful independent operator.

Andy Peacock owns WarehouseGym near Huddersfield – workingwith members in the club and per-sonal training clients.

Although it can be a challenge toget members to change their longstanding eating habits, Andy insiststhat it can be done.

He helps members along the way bybreaking things down into smallchunks – helping them to clarifyyears of conflicting advice on dietand nutrition they may have pickedup from magazines or the internet.

He says that instead of simplyhanding out diets or telling peoplewhat foods to eat, the best way to getresults is through education.

Andy goes through different foodgroups with clients and explains theroles they play in the body and howthey will benefit from eating them.He also explains the importance of ahealthy diet, not skipping meals andseeing food as fuel rather than ‘theenemy’ and how eating the rightfoods will help to complement theirexercise regimes.

He added: “If members understandhow something is working inside the

body then there is more reason forthem to do it.

“The most important thing whendoing personal training is that youknow what works. I’m results driven.For me as a personal trainer that’swhat I’m paid to do but it’s importantto understand everyone individually.”

Supplements are also on sale in thegym, which generate useful second-

ary income. But Andy added thatalthough they can be useful, they areno substitute for the right diet.

“Food is the best thing for you andsupplements are exactly that. Theonly time things such as proteinshakes are better is for convenienceor immediately after exercise.Educate people on that and they willmake the choice for themselves.”

New research looks intoEuropean substance useNEW research has been commis-sioned to look into the usage of sub-stances in health clubs acrossEurope.

Commissioned by the EuropeanUnion, the research will look at thelevels and patterns of usage of illegaland harmful drugs in the gym envi-ronment.

The research covers the use ofbanned substances such as steroids,social drugs such as cocaine andamphetamines, and also food sup-plements, which may or may notcontain banned or illegal substances.

Consumers, exercise professionalsand club owners and managers willall be surveyed.

Leisure-net Solutions is advisingthe project management team atEHFA and the FIA on the researchmethodology and sampling frame-work that needs to be employed onthe project.

Managing director of Leisure-netSolutions Mike Hill said: “Leisure-net is pleased to be advising on suchan important European project,which will have ramifications foryears to come.

“The research should provide sta-tistically significant information onthe prevalence of doping in theEuropean health and fitness sector,something it’s essential that we getan accurate picture on.”

Director of programmes and proj-ects at The European Register ofExercise Professionals Cliff Collinsadded: “If, as a sector, we want to beinstrumental in delivering on thehealth agenda for European andnational governments, it’s vital thatwe understand this issue much bet-ter than we currently do. This imp-ortant piece of research will be thelargest and most comprehensive ofits kind ever carried out in Europe.”

New rangeof productslaunchedMULTIPOWER has launched anew range of products designed for serious bodybuilders and athletes inintense training.

The Multipower Professionalseries contains 14 productsincluding powders, ready-to-drinks, bars and capsules, for before, during andafter training.

The range is endorsed by six-times Mr Olympia competitor, Gunter Schlierkampand the youngest-ever IFBB professional Daniel Hill.

Have you got a story forus? Call our newsdesk on 01226 734463 or email: ce@whpl.net

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SUPPLEMENTATION AND NUTRITION

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Nutrition as importantas training for America’sstrongest manAMERICA’S Strongest Man, DerekPoundstone, has spoken out aboutthe importance of expert nutritionaladvice for his career.

Talking following his appearance atthe 2011 Giant’s Live BritishStrongman Grand Prix, he said: “Ithink that nutrition is very importantfor my strong man career – just asimportant as the training I do, maybeeven more important – afer all, justbeing in the gym isn’t going to helpyou recover and get stronger.”

Derek attended the event to give atalk to contestants and to presentawards, although he was not able tocompete himself due to a back injury.

He was named America’s StrongestMan in 2007, 2009 and 2010 and ishoping to compete in the World’sStrongest Man competition inSeptember.

He said: “I am known for being aguy who can overcome obstacles -the way I train has let me win, but ithas also caused injuries. This means Ineed to follow a diet that keeps me ingood shape – but more importantlyhelps my body recover – one that isvery high in calories and that is alsomostly made up of proteins.

“Most people looking for the easyway of doing things – for example ifthey decide to try a high protein diet,they will just eat chicken. But it isimportant to eat a wide variety – forexample I vary between chicken,steak, eggs, dairy and soya and thismeans I am not lacking in anythingor limiting myself.”

Derek has also noticed a change inattitudes towards the use of supple-ments and diet products in thestrength training world.

He added: “I think that today yousee much more casual use of nutri-tion products. For example, people

are using them as meal replacementsif they are busy – not because healthand fitness is a serious part of theirlifestyle. But it is important to getyour diet right first, before you moveon to using supplements, and then it

is important to have a proper bal-ance.

“Supplements are just that – something to supplement a properdiet to help you achieve your traininggoals.”

Derek Poundstone

Celebrity trainerlaunches new bookCELEBRITY personal trainer Matt Roberts haslaunched a new exercise and diet book to helpclients get in shape quickly.

The book – I Will Make You Fit Fast – includes twoof his programmes that can be followed at home orin the gym.

The first 12-week plan is designed to sculpt, stripfat and increase fitness levels.

This is then followed by a two-week intensivebody blitz.

The book also contains Matt’s advice on what to eat and sets out aerobic and resistancetraining programmes to deliver optimum results.

Matt’s famous clients include actress AmandaHolden, supermodel Naomi Campbell and SpiceGirl Mel C. Amanda Holden is one of Matt’s celebrity clients.

40 17/5/11 18:23 Page 1

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SUPPLEMENTATION AND NUTRITION

42

WITH a price tag of up to £2,500 peryear, membership of the ChelseaClub doesn’t come cheap – but thefacilities are second to none.

Located at Chelsea FC’s homeStamford Bridge, those who canafford to sign up are not disappoint-ed when they walk through thedoors.

The first sight greeting them is theopulent lounge area serving a widerange of food and drink.

Free wireless internet accessmakes this part of the club a popu-lar choice for business meetings –which have also led to new mem-bership enquiries – as well as forthose looking for a place to relaxpost workout.

Dishes on the menu have beendevised by a Chelsea FC nutritionistand, although a healthy eating areahas become a popular fixture atgyms up and down the country, thisclub goes one step further.

A big part of the club’s appeal is itsAntara spa area and the manage-ment team are working hard to cre-ate packages which combine treat-ments with exercise and nutritionto achieve the best results possible.

When visiting the spa, guestsundertake a consultation to deter-mine their body types and some

dishes on the club menu aredesigned accordingly.

Members are then advised whichfoods are the best for them to eatand the menu is labelled with thatinformation to make it easy forthem to choose the dish that suitsthem best.

Spa manager Flomny Menonexplained: “Everyone’s body is dif-ferent. There are three types – air,water and fire – and we need toeducate people what the right foodis for them.

“We diagnose their body type andthe foods that suit them will help tokeep the balance in their bodies.”

Flomny added that the originalessence of a spa was as a healingarea but some clubs are forgettingthat – instead focusing on beautytreatments rather than those whichpromote well being.

She added: “A lot of spas are doingmore beauty treatments and forget-ting that spa actually means heal-ing. After working out, you have atreatment, then you have a healthymeal – it’s all part of a journey.

“Members have been amazed.They feel guided and though theyare getting a more personal experi-ence.”

Dishes on the menu at the club include:� Baby spinach and asparagus fusil-li – suitable for ‘water’ body types� Spiced chicken and couscoussalad – suitable for ‘fire’ body types.� Steamed salmon and lemongrasskebabs – suitable for ‘water’ bodytypes.� Grilled rib eye steak salad� Smoked chicken, pear and avoca-do salad� Thai green chicken curry� Jacket potatoes with fillings such

as baked beans, cheddar cheese ortuna and sweetcorn� Paninis with fillings such astomato, mozzarella and pesto or tuna, sweetcorn and avocado� Tuna nicoise� Soup of the day� Stir fry with beef or chicken, eggnoodles, vegetables and black beansauce� Catch of the day – grilled freshfish with a selection of vegetables.

A London-based club is pioneering a new approach to health and fitness – combining exercise,nutrition and spa treatments to create the perfect package. Workout paid a visit.

Health andfitness with atouch of luxury

� The club is situated at Stamford Bridge – the home of ChelseaFootball club.� It has been open for 11 years and has about 1,000 members.� Referrals are the most successful way of attracting new mem-bers.� The club has a popular referrals scheme for those who recommend to family and friends – prizes on offer including amagnum of champagne for referring one member to six monthscomplimentary membership or two VIP hospitality tickets to a Chelsea FC home game for introducing five members.� According to gym manager Angelo Lanzilotti, the club haswelcomed some famous faces through its doors – although heremains tight lipped over who they are.� Its latest campaign aims to attract more corporate members– an area the club is eager to grow.� Facilities at the club include fully equipped gym completewith Technogym equipment, a Kinesis wall, vibrogym, freeweights and an outdoor running track.� The pool, sauna and stream room are also a big draw, as isthe Antara spa facility.

Chelsea Club fact file

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SUPPLEMENTATION AND NUTRITION

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THE founder of a new online servicefor personal trainers has revealedhow it can save them precious timeand add value to clients’ sessions.

Phil Crosby set up website www.iex-erci.se because as a personal trainerhimself, he couldn’t find anything totrack clients with between sessions.

Trainers can register on the site andcreate their own profiles, which theycan then link with the profiles of theirclients.

Registration costs £60 per year,allowing links with up to 30 connec-tions, or users can pay £149.99 peryear for unlimited connections.

Once the profiles are linked, clientscan upload their food diaries, allow-ing trainers to access them straightaway and leave comments on whatthey have eaten and tips on how toimprove their diets.

Once the information has beenkeyed in, the site also converts it intoa pie chart – breaking down a meal toshow how much of each food grouphas been eaten, vitamin content andthe amount of calories.

The site works in real time so if

someone posts details of food theyhave eaten, the trainer can immedi-ately leave a comment for that per-son.

Phil said: “As a personal trainer youget your clients to keep food diariesbut if you only see them once a weekor once a fortnight you then have allthese sheets of paper to go through,which wastes time when you couldbe training them.”

Phil also said the website acts as agreat motivator because if clientshave given their trainer access to

view and comment on everythingthey are eating, they are more likelyto keep on track with their diet goalsand gain useful feedback on wherethey can improve.

It also adds value for a client whofeels they are getting more for theirmoney as they are able to interactwith their trainer between sessionsand their actual contact time is nottaken up going through food diaries.

He added: “Coming from a personaltraining background I realised howdifficult cash flow can be. So I tried tocome up with a pricing strategy thatis affordable and gives value formoney.

“I can’t find anything else that letspersonal trainers track food diariesand set goals online and in such acompetitive marketplace it definitelyadds value.”

Future plans include adding a pay-ment system which would allowclients to pay their personal trainersthrough the site. Phil is also lookingat creating an app so that diaries canbe managed via compatible mobilephones.

Phil Crosby

Online help can save timeand add value to sessions

GYM chain LA Fitness helped members to eat healthily over theEaster break by coming up with a series of ‘Eggs-ercises’ they could do to work off their chocolatetreats.

The tips included spending 25 extraminutes in an aerobics class to burnoff a Cadburys Crème Egg, a 30-minute walk after eating a hotcross bun and a 10-minute exercise bike session followed by a 45-minute swim in order to get rid of the calories in the averageEaster egg.

Cracking wayto work offtreats ...

44 17/5/11 18:26 Page 1

45 Body temple 17/5/11 09:59 Page 1

PRODUCT NEWS

46

Managing director of SportsArt Fitness UK Mark Turner believes companies should begeared to long term servicing of customers’ needs. Here he explains why ...

AS part of a major established,international manufacturer of car-dio and strength training equip-ment, with a network of over 70distribution companies world-wide, SportsArt Fitness UK knowthe importance of professionaltechnical servicing and mainte-nance of all fitness equipment.

Whilst the very nature of acci-dents and breakdowns are unpre-dictable, there are some thingsthat can and must be planned forby anyone looking to maintainsafe and trouble-free operation offitness equipment. It is this com-mon sense approach that has wonSportsArt’s dedicated servicingdivision contracts with healthclubs, educational facilities andmore recently with leading pre-miership football clubs as theylook to improve on the mainte-nance and servicing of their fit-ness equipment.

Although SportsArt offer a com-prehensive range of quality fitnessequipment, its engineers are high-ly trained on all makes and mod-els of equipment installedthroughout the United Kingdom.Apart from the inconvenience offailed equipment, there is also aquestion of safety. In managing

any fitness facility, be it at footballor leisure clubs, you have a legalduty of care to ensure that alloperating equipment is main-tained to a safe standard, ensur-ing maximum care has been takento avoid any possible accidentalinjury to users of the equipment.

Mark explained: “When selectinga service provider don’t just lookat the cost, it is important that thecompany appointed has the back-up to provide you with a prompt,responsive and professional serv-ice. Check out their response timeto a call-out and question anytimes they may claim and howthey manage call out procedures.

“By having a service contractwith a bona-fide company, thisshould provide you with docu-mented material evidence todemonstrate that every possiblecare has been taken to maintainequipment to the highest safetystandards.

“Long term, good house keepingpays for itself and certainly avoidsfrustration for management andthose training, as equipment ismaintained to the highest stan-dards and continues to operatereliably.”

Don’t just consider price whenit comes to service contracts

ALL athletes need to improve maximalstrength, relative strength, speed strengthand strength endurance to improve overallperformance.

Being able to perform squats, deadliftsand Olympic movements in the gym envi-ronment is key to rapid and long-termstrength gains. Therefore, having safe, highquality and durable equipment is veryimportant.

Factory Gyms caters to a wide range ofexercisers, from gym newbies right throughto international athletes. We specificallycoach a number of Edinburgh based rugbyteams. When we were looking for strengthand conditioning equipment, AbsolutePerformance came highly recommended asthe one-stop-shop for high quality equip-ment.

We got everything we needed includingpower rack, lifting platforms, Olympic bars,bumper plates, technique discs and variousaccessories such as medicine and stabilityballs, heavy duty matting and resistancebands. This equipment has significantlyimproved the service we offer, attr-actedand encouraged more people with strengthand conditioning goals and made our rugbyplayers happy.

For more information contact: 01727 76 73 89 oremail info@aperformance.co.uk

‘One-stop-shop for all equipment’

atg UV have reported soaring interest in theapplication of Ultraviolet protection by theUK leisure industry over the last 12 months, and have seen the inclusion ofUltraviolet units become standard practiseacross a number of leading UK leisure oper-ators.

atg UV, have warranted their success in theleisure market to their breakthroughECFsystem range, which was designed and engineered specifically to suit the needs of the Swimming and Leisureindustry.

Unlike traditional chemical treatmentmethods, the effectiveness of UV systemsare not limited to certain micro-organisms,and will provide an effective barrier againstall known bacteria, viruses and pathogenic

micro-organ-isms, includ-ing chlorineresistantorganismssuch asCryptospori-dium.Additionally,UV treatment breaks down chloramines,vastly reducing ‘Red Eye’, skin irritations andchlorine smell. The elimination of chlo-ramines also produces crystal clear,sparkling water, and vastly reduces the needfor taxing shock treatments and backwash-es.

For more information contact 01942 216161 orvisit www.atguv.com

Firm reports soaring UV interest

46 19/5/11 14:41 Page 1

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PRODUCT NEWS48

GROUP Boxing Circuits for the gymand studio to give your membersmore than just a workout.

The Tube Boxing group exerciseprogramme gives you all the tools youneed to run outstanding boxingbased fitness workouts; training,equipment, marketing, class pro-grammes, music and regular updates.

Targeting all levels of fitness andexperience, users will punch theirway through 12 euphoric rounds ofboxing using focus pads, hangingbags, free standing bags or a combi-nation of pads and bags.

The programmes are designed to bevery easy to follow as the music runsand sequences every workout. Thismeans the workouts can be instructorlead or self-operating.

For businesses that want to be ableto deliver a quick, easy gym based

boxing circuit that does not requirean instructor, Tube will install abespoke boxing circuit (choice ofbags available), a workout timetableand the music to be played when asession takes place.

To introduce a new boxing basedworkout to your studio timetable,Tube will train your instructors andfully equip the class with gloves, pads,bags, wraps and functional equip-ment.To give your members the ultimate boxing

experience, contact 01487 831185 orenquiries@tubeboxing.co.uk

More than just a workout ...

ESTABLISHED in 1980, PowerhouseFitness has over 30 years' experiencein the supply of fitness equipment tothe European fitness industry.

Powerhouse Fitness has recentlylaunched their new ‘Collections’ cata-logues, under their Bodymax Fitnessbrand.

The Bodymax Cardio and StrengthCollection brochure concentrates oncapital equipment including JohnsonCV and Strength along with IFI equip-ment, while their Bodymax Studioand Free Weights catalogues pulls

together a range of brands such asZiva, Reebok, Lonsdale, Zenith andPowerbag to provide the total solu-tion for your functional and studiorequirements.

These comprehensive collectionshave been brought together to pro-vide adaptable solutions to any sizeof project and budget.

From single items through to newstart or full scale equipmentrenewals, you will find what you need within the BodymaxCollections.

‘Collections’ cataloguelaunched by Powerhouse

Affordablesupplements.co.uk nowstocks a new all-in-one product fromReflex that promises to pack on mus-cle mass.

Combined with a balanced diet andtraining regime, the new Reflex OneStop Xtreme is an improved versionof the all in one supplement, ReflexOne Stop and is the only product tocontain the exclusive Quattro,a time-releasing protein blend which is unique to Reflex One StopXtreme.

Along with Quattro and other car-bohydrates, the product containshigh doses of Peptide BondedGlutamine, Creatine, BCAAs,Beta Alanine and ReflexTestoFusionstack so ultimately you are getting more supplements for yourmoney.

When asked the difference betweenall in one supplement, Reflex OneStop compared to Reflex One StopXtreme, manager at Reflex Nutrition, Karl Schwick said: “Theprimary difference between Reflex One Stop and Reflex One StopXtreme is the micro nutrient break-down.

“One Stop Xtreme contains morecarbohydrates and protein whencompared with Reflex One Stop, idealfor those who struggle to build massmuscle.

“In fact, I challenge anyone whoshops at Affordable Supplements totake Reflex One Stop Xtreme along with a balanced diet and training regime and if they don'tmake any gains in muscle mass,we will give them their money back!"

All-in-oneproduct‘packs onmuscle mass’

THE sock is one of the last items ofclothing to undergo a revolutionarychange in design.

NZ Sock Co., in consultation withexpert clinical advisors, has designeda range of socks using advanced tech-nology. Incorporating a unique com-bination of natural merino wool,renowned for its exceptionally highquality fibre, superior softness,strength and durability and Seacell,an innovative, cellulose and seaweed-based fibre with extensive applica-tions for medical textiles and situa-tions where hygiene and cleanlinessare important.

Lifesocks deliver outstanding pre-ventative and protective features andare designed to reduce friction and

pressure, effectivelymanage temperatureand moisture, inhibitbacterial growth,offer a warm andnon-constrictivecomfort and adapt tothe individual shapeof the foot. They pro-vide an importantprotective interfacebetween the shoeand the skin, whatwe call the forgotten interface. Ourtrademarked Elastic Support System(ESS) locks the sock onto the foot andthe lower leg with minimal compres-sion, providing support particularlyunder the plantar arch region.

Step forward in sock design

THE Med Ball is one of the mostfunctional bits of kit on the markettoday.

It can be used on its own or fusedwith other functional tools for theultimate workout.

In a bid to put the mighty Med Ballthrough its paces, the Escape Trainerwill be getting you to put your balls togood use in the new Beat the TrainerChallenge.

Launched on June 1 exclusively atwww.escapefitness.com/blog thetrainer will do as many Med BallPower Slams as he can in 30 secondsand will be challenging you, yes you,to beat his Power Slam Score.

Plus throughout June, the Escapeteam will be showing you how to

move it with your Med Balls for maxi-mum effect, how you can use them toboost group training and how theycan add that much needed twist toany workout.

So what are you waiting for, grab yourMed Ball and head to

www.escapefitness.com/medballmadnessnow!

Med Ball Power Slam challenge

Social eveningencouragesinteractionXERCISE4Less has launched a monthly social evening to welcomenew members and encourage more interaction between its twoclubs.

The company operates budget gymsin Wakefield and Castleford and has sofar organised two events – with thelatest at local attraction Xscapeattracting about 100 people.

The evenings have proved popular with both newcomers andestablished members and alsoincludes giveaways and a member ofthe month competition.

Sales director Stuart Perrin said: “We find it helps with retention andgets a good vibe going.

It’s also good for members from eachclub to interact with each other.”

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PRODUCT NEWS 49

“AT The Marlow Club we have a verydifferent approach to fitness from thenorm, which is providing functionalyet innovative products to our mem-bers. In this way we are able to keepour members interested and theirworkouts become enjoyable yet at thesame time the member still receivesall of the physiological benefits of astereotypical workout on targetedmuscle groups and cardiovasculartraining.” says Simon Backer, assis-tant general manager.

The club decided to install theFreedom Climber, a rotating rockclimbing trainer to create a fun exer-cise that offered members a greatfunctional total body and core muscleworkout.

It utilised a spare wall space andprovides a new zone without sacrific-

ing valuable floor space. Once inducted, members use the

climber unsupervised and withoutany climbing experience and find it achallenging alternative to the normalworkout.

For more information contact FreedomClimber on 01483 559785 or info@freedomclimber.co.uk

Challenging alternative to normal workout

BADGEMASTER, the UK’s leadingmanufacturer of engraved, ready-to-wear employee name badges haslaunched a new product range to fulfilthe needs of the re-usable namebadge market.

‘InstaBadge’, as its name suggests,enables employers themselves to cre-ate instant name badges for newstarters.

Managing director John Bancroftexplained: “InstaBadge offers the goodlooks and performance of a perma-nent badge with all the flexibility of are-usable one.

“It’s ideal for workplaces with fre-quent staff changes, as new employ-ees can be smartly badged from theword go.”

The wearer’s name is held within thebadge rather than engraved onto it, soemployers can control costs by re-using the badge frames when staffleave. The design of the badge frames,together with Badgemaster’s long-established expertise in corporate per-sonalisation, means that customerswho prefer the re-usable option need-n’t sacrifice either choice or visualappeal for economy. The new rangeincludes eight different styles, allavailable in any base colour and withplenty of space for company logosand corporate designs to be accurate-ly reproduced.

In terms of aesthetics and durability,“InstaBadge neatly overcomes thedrawbacks often associated with re-usable name badges,” explains RoyalWarrant holders Badgemaster. “Thewearer’s name is printed on card ortape and is held perfectly secure andlevel behind a protective acetate front,so there will never be any lop-sidedprinting or peeling corners to contendwith. Badgemaster will provide freelabel production software to help cus-tomers print names professionally.”

Of special interest to catering, foodand beverage serving and food prepa-ration staff the InstaBadge has aunique advantage for all environ-ments where health and safety areparamount. Its unique patent protect-ed design combines the fastener as anintegral part of the badge and so pre-vents the pin ever becoming detachedfrom the badge. All Badgemasterbadges are independently accreditedto ISO9001 quality standards by theBritish Standards Institute.For more information contact the customerservices team on 01623 723112 or log on to

www.badgemaster.co.uk

InstaBadge launched

THE Direct Fitness team are pas-sionate about all kinds of charitywork and helping to donate wher-ever and as often as possible.

With donations over the last fewyears to a number of charitiesincluding Children in Need andCancer Research, they decided aJust Giving page would be a perfectplace to showcase any fundraisingthey do.

This most recent one is MarcHeywood’s sky dive in the LakeDistrict in aid of Cancer Research.

The team are asking friends andwork associates to put forward any-thing they feel comfortable with forthis 14,000 feet fall that aged Marc15 years!

He decided to do the dive first soyou can actually see what thedonation is for as well as knowingthe jump’s paid for and gone and100 per cent of your donation goesstraight to Cancer Research.

Thanks in advance.

http://www.justgiving.com/directfitness

Marc takes a dive for cancer charity

High Grade Indoor Cycle by FreeMotion FMEX81010The workhorses of our indoor cyclingline offer the same high level of func-tionality, durability and quality thatyou expect from FreeMotion productshowever delivering exceptional value.

Product information:

� Easy-to-use handlebar and seatadjustments help you quickly deter-mine preferred comfort setting.

� Corrosion-preventing stainless pins can be quickly threaded tight for a secure hold on the sliding tubes.

� Corrosion-resistant frame and finish with new step-through platethat protects finish from cleat damage.

� Enclosed chain guard keeps lubri-cated parts away from the rider, yetoffers convenient access for easylubrication.

� Two composite water bottle cages hold bottles up to one-liter insize.

� Easy-to-turn adjustment knob andnatural wool felt pads provide linearincremental resistance.

Ten-bike package available from £27.69 per week. Other options available

The FreeMotion Dual Cable CrossProfessional F624The FreeMotion Dual Cable Crossenhances strength by allowing usersto perform movements that mimic

activities in both sports and life.Functionally trains the muscles of theentire body to work together whilebuilding stability and coordination. Amust if you are starting a PT pro-gramme. US Trainers swear by it

The FMDCC available from £24.92 perweek. Other options available for limited

period includes two free core bars

Incline Trainer VS TreadmillThe Power of Incline is now availablefrom -3 per cent to 30 per cent inclinewith the FreeMotion Incline Trainer.

� Does everything a treadmill doesbut better.

� Burns calories from fat vs. carbohy-drates.

� Recruits more muscles than train-ing on a flat surface.

� Same or more cardio benefits withless joint impact.

� Offers a unique cardio trainingexperience with incline rangesexceeding traditional treadmills.

Burns more fat:

Walking at two mph at 21 per centburns 3.4 times more fat than run-ning at six mph with no incline

Walking at two mph at 21 per centburns six times more fat than runningat seven mph with no incline

The FreeMotion Incline Trainer TK7256C isavailable from £27.13 per week. Other

options available.For more information contact 01204 541

710 or visit www.fitnesssystems.co.uk

Kit options deliverexceptional value

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