The UK’s No 1 fitness industry magazineAugust 2012 No 227 £3

Treatment byexercise is keyto lasting legacyBy Christina Eccles

MORE widespread use of exercise totreat diseases will be among the keyfactors in helping to achieve a lastingpublic health legacy as a result of host-ing the Olympics, experts have claimed.

When the country bid for the Games,one of the then Government’s mainobjectives was to host the firstOlympics which could create a longterm health legacy for the host countr y.

But a recent report from The Houseof Lords science and technology selectcommittee expresses disappointmentin a lack of joined up thinking in go v-ernment on delivering this legacy.

The report – Sport and ExerciseScience and Medicine: Building on theOlympic Legacy to Improve the Nation’sHealth – said evidence received by thecommittee suggested barriers prevent-ing the treatment of ill health by exer-cise include a lack of awareness byhealth professionals, inadequate train-ing and guidance for these profession-als, and lack of confidence in exer cisereferral schemes.

And it recommended more should bedone to look into the benefits of exer-cise to prevent and treat diseases.

The report said: “Given the estimated

costs of inactivity and the potentialbenefits of the use of exercise as a pre-ventative measure and treatment forchronic diseases, we recommend thatthe National Institute for HealthResearch and other research fundersshould stimulate research to translatefindings of sport and exercise scienceand medicine to public health bene-fits.”

FIA CEO David Stalker commentedon the findings.

“As the Royal College of Physicianshighlighted in their report Exercise forLife, there remains a lot of work to bedone if we are to establish exercise as aroutine part in the treatment and man-agement of chronic disease,” he said.“This report only serves to reinforce theimportance of the health agenda for thesports and physical activity sector.

“Understanding the contribution thatprofessionals in our sector can make isimportant but we have to recognise weare only one aspect of this challengeand that working with the medical pro-fessions is absolutely crucial.

“Building further understanding andawareness of our shared objective – ahealthier and more active nation – isthe key first step in the collabor ationthat is so vital to this agenda.”

Blackpoolplays hostto fitnessconferenceA MUST-attend conference is tak-ing place in Blackpool later thisyear, aimed at independent opera-tors who want to improve theirbusinesses.

The conference, MaximisingPotential with Minimum Outlay, isbeing held at the town’s HiltonHotel on October 18 and willinclude presentations from someof the fitness industry’s most wellrespected figures, as well as oppor-tunities to network and share ideaswith other independent gym own-ers and key suppliers.

Speakers already signed upinclude top personal trainer andinternational fitness presenterDean Hodgkin, CEO of CFM DaveWright, successful independentoperator Andy Peacock fromWarehouse gym nearHuddersfield, and social mediaexpert Matt Bradney, with topicsup for discussion ranging frommarketing tips to successfully gen-erating secondary spend.

The seminar is being organisedby Script Events – the companybehind the successful annualNational Fitness Awards – in con-junction with Workout, the UK’snumber one magazine for inde-pendent gyms.

To find out more or book yourplace at the event, visitwww.scriptmedia.co.uk/events

Global sportswear brand adidas and videogames publisher 505 Games havelaunched the adidas miCoach consolegame to aspiring athletes across Europe.The game – available on XBox 360 andSony Playstation three – allows users whocurrently interact with the systemthrough mobile apps and online to e xtendtheir training programme into their livingrooms. miCoach features 18 of adidas’globally recognised athletes, includingOlympic heptathlete Jessica Ennis (pic-tured), allowing users to train side by sidewith their heroes via discs and download-able content.

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By Christina Eccles

INDEPENDENT gym owner RebeccaKane got the chance of a lifetimewhen she was picked to carr y theOlympic Torch through her hometown of Huddersfield.

Rebecca – who owns Kane Academyin Lockwood, West Yorkshire – waschosen to run with the OlympicFlame after being nominated by oneof her students in recognition of herefforts coaching children with condi-tions such as Aspergers and Dyspraxiaand running a women’s defencegroup.

Her fellow torchbearers includedParalympian Hannah Cockroft andRebecca – who herself is a world mar-tial arts and a British Irish dancechampion – told Workout carrying thetorch in front of a 40,000 strong crowdwas an amazing achievement.

She said: “When I got the email tosay I had been chosen, at first Ithought it was spam so I deleted it. Ididn’t fully believe it until the tr ack-suit came. I was really nervous on theday but it was a br illiant experience.”

The event generated priceless pub-licity for Rebecca after it was pickedup by the local press and she is nowhoping this will have a knock oneffect in the club – helping to r aise itsprofile and potentially attract somenew members through the doors.

She added: “We have had lots oflocal news coverage and I’ve beeninto over 20 schools in three weekswith the torch.

“Some of them have been asking meabout doing clubs in the schools, soI’m hoping to work with them.”

Over the last three years, Rebecca

has been gradually building up herclub and now runs about 16 classesper week, ranging from kickboxing, toIrish dancing, Zumba and little war-riors for children. She is also one ofthe only instructors in the area quali-fied to teach Filipino martial arts.

Her future plans include opening asoft play and creche area to attractmore mums into the club and stagingmore charity events.

She also said she would be keen toforge links with other local gym own-ers to share best practice and organisecharity challenges and competitionsbetween members – if you would beinterested in speaking to her, contactWorkout and we will pass your detailson.

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AdvertisingSales and marketingdirector:Tony BarrySales manager:Daniel LloydTel: 01226 734699dl@scriptmedia.co.ukAssistant sales manager:Danielle HornbyTel: 07860 522 230dlh@scriptmedia.co.ukField sales executive:Chris HartleyTel: 01226 734709ch@scriptmedia.co.uk

EditorialGroup Editor:Judith HalkerstonTel: 01226 734639jh@scriptmedia.co.uk

Chief reporter:Christina EcclesTel: 01226 734463ce@scriptmedia.co.uk

Reporter:Helen WilliamsTel: 01226 734694helenw@scriptmedia.co.uk

www.workout-uk.co.uk

Official media partnerof the Fitness Industry

AssociationScript Media47 Church Street, Barnsley, South Yorkshire S70 2AS

Owner carriesOlympic torchin home town

Rebecca Kane

AWARD winning club GymophobicsRedditch raised over £2,000 in just 24hours by holding its annual Circuit forLife charity event.

The club, which won theCommunity Involvement award atlast year’s National Fitness Awards,made £2,400 for Cancer Research UKby staging the event – where mem-bers, their friends and family kept theequipment on one of the gym cir cuitsutilised for a full 24 hours.

Director Zoë Cooke said: “The eventinvolved many of our members, theirfriends and family and it was so

incredibly busy. All through the nightmore people kept on arriving to helpus keep the circuit going which wasamazing. In total in just over twoyears we have now raised a massive£29,369 for Cancer Research UKincluding £12,118 worth of clothesand unwanted gifts donated to thelocal Cancer Research UK shop.”

The Circuit for Life event alsoincluded tombolas, sales of cakes,plants and jewellery and competi-tions, as well as a balloon release inmemory of everyone affected by can-cer.

Charity event raises £2,000Gymophobics Redditch members who took part in the annual Cir cuit for Life charity event.

Photo credit: Bullivant Media Ltd

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London gym signs upto GoodGym projectAN independent gym in London istaking part in a scheme which pro-motes exercise while at the same timehelping out local good causes.

The Reebok Sports Club in CanaryWharf has signed up for theGoodGym project, where a groupmeets at a designated point – in thiscase, the gym – to take par t in a run.

Along the way, the group stops tovolunteer at a community project –previous examples have includedclearing land for a community gardenand helping a school make a new veg-etable patch.

The club started working withGoodGym at the beginning of thisyear and holds at least one r un permonth, which are open to both mem-bers and non members.

Director of sales and marketingDiane Kay explained: “As a runnermyself, I immediately wanted to getinvolved when I saw what theGoodGym scheme was all about.Essentially it’s about promotinghealth and fitness to the wider popu-lation by running for a meaningfulcause.

“The benefits to the gym are that ithelps members exercise more, it helpsthem make exercise fun and it helpsthem achieve set goals. It’s aboutmotivating people to want to exerciseby engaging them in something dif-

ferent. Some people need more moti-vation than others to exercise as itcan become boring if exercisingeveryday on the same equipment.With GoodGym, if you’re running tohelp somebody who is elderly andisolated you can’t let them down, it’snot an option, which is why it ’s such agreat way of exercising and why wewanted to get involved.”

According to Diane, letting nonmembers take part works well as ithelps to promote keeping fit to peo-ple who previously may not havethought about joining a gym.

She added: “We are inclusive and

actively want to promote the benefitsof being healthy and exercise into thewider community. During the LondonGames we will be encouraging mem-bers of the public to use the facilitiesif they plan to run or cycle to workinstead of using public transport bytaking advantage of our one week £30summer memberships.”

As well as hosting more runs in thefuture, the Reebok Sports Club is alsopreparing to roll out a structuredrefurbishment programme, startingwith the redevelopment of its spa inSeptember, followed by improve-ments to the restaurant and gym.

The Reebok Sports Club.

ASA chooseLearn2SwimsoftwareSWIMMING governing body, theASA has chosen Gladstone Healthand Leisure’s Learn2Swim softwarefor use in its swim schools.

The endorsement will seeGladstone supporting ASA swimschools and instructors with itsLearn2 Swim management soft-ware program, which is designedto simplify the swim schooladministration process, reducepressure on staff, improve cus-tomer service and aid retention.

Head of sales for GladstoneHealth and Leisure Tom Witherssaid: “Lesson objectives are pre-loaded onto the software as stan-dard, saving valuable teacher time,and, alongside the 50-week (ratherthan termly) programme, theunique parent portal will providean important seamless link to helpkeep children coming back forswimming lessons week after weekand year after year.

The ASA is a progressive andmodern governing body that aimsto drive up quality within thesport, and the endorsement of thesoftware programme representsanother step forward in this –helping ASA members to improvelesson delivery and administrationand in turn increase pupil reten-tion.”

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Personal trainer preparesfor epic Atlantic challengeBy Helen Williams

PERSONAL trainer Finn Christo isamong a group of four Bolton busi-nessmen preparing for an epicfundraising challenge – rowing 3,000miles across the Atlantic.

The team aims to raise £250,000 forBolton Lads and Girls Club and isbacked by celebrities like comedianPeter Kay. The cash will go to theclub’s junior mentoring programmewhich helps vulnerable children insocially and economically deprivedareas.

The ocean rowing boat will leave onDecember 2, 2013, from SanSebastian, La Gomera, a tiny islandjust off Tenerife, on a west-boundheading to Port St Charles, Barbados.The race should take between 35 and45 days.

Not only will the team be taking onan enormous test of physical andmental endurance but they will bedoing it competitively as part of the2013 Talisker whisky Atlantic chal-lenge.

Among hazards will be sharks, 30-foot waves, extreme temperatures andpainful salt sores. There is also a riskthat the team, supported by tworeserve rowers, might run out ofwater. The race is unassisted, so onceunderway, the crew will have no helpfrom the outside world although sup-port vessels will follow the boats as

essential safety back up. Two of the crew will row while the

other two sleep, but only for 90 min-utes at a time in a space smaller thana single bed.

Finn said: “We’ve been doing somefundraising events and the reactionfrom the public has been either ‘that’sfantastic’ or ‘are you insane?.’ It wasour skipper Mark Brocklehurst whocame up with the idea. We wanted

something outrageous to make animpact.

“The Bolton Lads & Girls Club isbuilt on donations – the work it doesis so valuable, for example in engag-ing kids in health and fitness, youhave to see it to believe it.”

Along with Finn, the team is madeup of Matt Tomkin, MarkBrocklehurst, Nick Griffiths, ColinNulty and Vinny Kelly.

Finn Christo preparing with his team mates.

Programmeexpandsinto EuropeTHE world’s largest gym accessprogramme, PayasUgym.com,has expanded into Europe withthe addition of three newHolmes Place clubs in Warsaw,Poland.

The service enables people touse gyms and health clubs on aflexible basis, paying per ses-sion via a free online account,which users top up with creditin a similar way to using a payas you go mobile phone.

CEO Jamie Ward said, “Theattractiveness of the service tocustomers has been clear r ightfrom the start.

“We give people the opportu-nity to either use the gym on acasual basis that fits in withtheir lifestyle, or to take theirtime trying a few different clubsbefore choosing the one theywish to join.

“For gym managers theopportunity lies in the new cus-tomers we can attract for themby helping more people getinvolved in health and fitness.

“We are delighted to be work-ing with Holmes Place inPoland as it further expands thenetwork of gyms we can offer tocustomers.”

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NOT for profit operator FreedomLeisure is celebrating the success ofits Judofit classes, which have beenhelping members find a fun new wayto get fit since launching earlier in theyear.

The class, created by British Judo,has been running at Freedom centresfor the last six months – and is pr ov-ing to be a hit with both membersand instructors.

Judofit instructor at FreedomLeisure Hailsham Jayne Brockwellexplained: “Many customers havebeen inspired by the Olympics andare keen to give new spor ts a try.

“Judofit is popular because it offersan accessible ‘taster’ of the Olympicsport of Judo to exercisers of all abili-ties, but most of all because our cus-tomers just love the fresh and funconcept which gives them the chanceto try something new.”

Instructor training involves a one-day course, which earns instructorseight REPs points on completion. An

exercise to music qualification is theonly pre-requisite and so far, 34instructors have become accredited –currently running 18 classes per weekwith an average of 16 people attend-ing each class. British Judo has nowdeveloped a bolt-on course whichgives fitness professionals with a REPslevel two qualification the skills to r unJudo inspired small group PT ses-sions. The masterclass is centredaround partner work and uses resist-ance bands to increase the intensity.

Development director at BritishJudo Mark Beecher added: “Feedbackfrom the classes has been really posi-tive but participants are reallyembracing the judo concepts andwant to take their workout to the nextlevel. For us this meant developingdynamic partner work to give theexercises even more synergy with thesport of Judo. The masterclass willalso be another effective way for us tobring Judo into the gym environ-ment.”

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Freedom Leisurecelebrates successof Judofit classes

A Judofit class in action.

Technogym has signed an agreement with the FA to become the official fitness equipmentsupplier to England’s new national football centre in Burton-Upon-Trent. The company’sequipment will be used in all five of the gyms at St. George’s Park, including three situatedwithin the site’s sports facility and two onsite hotel gyms. The FA is officially opening thecentre later this summer.St George’s Park chairman David Sheepshanks is pictured with Technogym founder NerioAlessandri.

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Gym boss exerciseshis generosity tohomeless manBy Katia Harston

A HOMELESS man living in the shad-ow of a new gym in B arnsley has beenoffered a job and somewhere to liveby the chairman of the company.

Lifestyles Fitness, on ShamblesStreet, is due to open later this monthbut staff discovered one of the recess-es at the front of the building is hometo Dean Sanders, who is sleepingrough there.

Instead of turfing him out and mov-ing him on, the company chair manhas offered to rehouse Dean – andgive him a job at the fitness centr e.

Dean, who has been living on thestreets for about two years, said hewas staggered at the offer and aftermuch deliberation he has decided toaccept.

Lifestyles Fitness chairman CarlGripenstedt said: “He was going to bekicked out straight away but I havebeen working with homeless peoplefor a long time and I said to staff, ‘no,no we do not do that’.

“I sent the managing director tospeak to Dean and asked if he wouldbe comfortable with us offering tofind him a flat which we can househim in and convert it so it is reallycosy with a TV, fridge, bath and show-er and other things I can pr ovide himwith.

“For the running costs we will take10 pence from every customer’s feesto pay for him, and if it is shor t wewill top it up.

“I have also offered him a job so ifhe is capable and suitable enough towork, we have a job for him in out-reach, handing out leaflets for thegym.

“I really do not want to kick him out.If he wants, we will help him.

“With a little determination he willcome out of the side of his pr oblems.I would be really proud if we couldturn him around.”

The centre’s manager, ShaneWilliams, has been keeping an eye onDean and taking him food.

He added: “I think it’s brilliant whatthe company is doing, I have neverknown it before. Anyone else and theywould have moved him on straightaway.”

Mr Gripenstedt said he has a ver ypersonal reason for his support ofhomeless people and feels stronglyabout it in the UK.

15 years ago he met a homelessman, Joey Briggs, and his two dogs ina subway tunnel in London andattempted to rescue them from thestreets.

It is a moment that Mr Gr ipenstedtsaid changed his life.

“He was a very sensible man and wechatted. We became friends andstayed friends until his death.

“Joey eventually had to have his legamputated and couldn’t sleep roughany more but couldn’t go anywherebecause of his dogs.

“He asked me if I could take themand I did. Two years ago Joey wasfinally reunited with his dogs beforehis death. They are still here with menow in Sweden.”

Dean said the offer could tur n hislife around.

“I have slightly mixed feeling aboutit all but I’m going to do it.

“I think it could be the worst day orthe best day of my life, but I will notknow until I go for it.”

Members and staff at an independent gym in Dudley held a week of events to r aise moneyfor charity. Unique Fitness 4 Ladies Only staged events including indoor and outdoor fit-ness classes, a coffee and cake morning and a r affle to generate funds for PrimarySclerosing Cholangitis Support – after a member whose child is suffering fr om the diseaseappealed for help to raise awareness. The club raised £1500 for the charity.

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By Christina Eccles

USING a simple three word phraseon all your online marketing canhelp potential members find yourgym more easily in a crowded mar-ketplace, according to an expert.

Frank Furness was among thespeakers at the FIA’s annual FlameConference, which this year tookplace at Magna, and spoke to dele-gates about the importance ofupping the ante when it comes tousing social media and websitecontent. To make your gym morevisible online, Frank recommendsusing a three word phrase, whichsums up your business, and usingthis phrase on all your online pro-files – from Twitter to Facebook andLinkedIn – meaning that whenpotential customers search for keywords to find a gym, your club willfeature high up in the results.

Frank said: “Social media ischanging the way we think. Peopleare now finding us – and are look-ing at our websites and for interac-tion from blogs and forums.

“Anywhere you have a profile, youshould be using that three wordphrase.”

Frank also added that integratingvideo content and photos into web-sites and social media platformscan also be a good way of engaging

with both new and existing mem-bers. His top tips include:� Post short videos on to your web-site and online channels such asYouTube, including content such asinductions, testimonials from satis-fied members and an introductionto your gym team.� Send out a regular e-newsletter toyour members with news from theclub – this adds value to their mem-berships and helps them to feel par tof a community.� Follow your top 10 competitorson Twitter to see what they are upto.� Set up a Facebook business pageto interact more with your cus-tomers online.� Have a call to action on y ourwebsite – for example encouragepeople to call now for a free trial ordownload additional content.� Use videos to help customers getmore from their workouts and offerhelpful tips and advice.

He added: “Keep your YouTubevideos to about two minutes inlength. Think about your customersand their challenges. Look at theproblem, provide a solution and acall to action. To maximise yourYouTube views, look at what isalready popular and has lots ofviews. Copy tags and key words andcomment on other videos.”

Three words keyto web marketing

Cybex International has installed gym facilities at the The Quadrant:MK, the new nationalheadquarters for Network Rail. The Milton Keynes site will be used by Network Rail toaccommodate over 3,000 staff across its key departments. Alongside the newly built fit-ness centre, the site will also include a food court, convenience store, shower and changingfacilities and over 250 bicycle parking spaces, as the company encourages an activelifestyle amongst its employees. Cybex equipment in the gym includes five 750T tr eadmills,five 750AT Arc Trainers, 750C upright and 750R recumbent cycles. The contract to equip thenew facility was won by Nuffield Health.

Experts agree to SIBEC debateSOME of the UK fitness industr y’sbiggest names have signed up todebate the latest issues affecting thesector at SIBEC in Hungary thisAutumn.

‘Changing the model’ will form thebasis of discussions – with exper tpanellists including John Treharne,CEO of The Gym Group, DavidStalker, CEO of the FIA, M artin Kay,CEO of sporta and Mark Lemmon,MD of The énergie Group.

The panel will accept questions

from an audience of 200 key buy ersand suppliers in a Question Timestyle debate.

Event director David Zarb Jenkinssaid: “This question and answerssession has become a very popularpart of SIBEC.

“It’s not very often so many keyindustry professionals gather underone roof, so it makes sense to takeadvantage of this to explore some ofthe key challenges and opportuni-ties facing our sector.”

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Alan Rayment carrying the Olympic torch through London on its way to Athens in 2004.

Amputee Alan takes overrunning of college’s gymBy Helen Williams

A FORMER truck driver who had bothlegs amputated has gone on tobecome a fitness manager, a triathlonchampion, and an Olympic torch-bearer.

Dad of two boys Alan Rayment hasbeen a wheelchair user since 1998and now works as manager atScunthorpe’s Kingsway Fitness Suite –part of North Lindsey College.

As a child he suffered from Perthesdisease which affects the hips but thatdid not stop him from achieving hisambition to become a truck driverlike his father. However, he laterdeveloped leg ulcers and contractedMRSA, resulting in the amputation ofboth legs.

Alan worked in the truck company’soffices for six years, becoming trans-port manager, but in 2001 decided togo back to college. He did an NVQ inbusiness administration.

He said: “My weight had gone up to16 stones and everything was becom-ing a struggle. I was working in Asdawhen I met Tony Simpson – someonewho really inspired me.

“Tony was 22 stones but asked me tojoin him in doing the Londonmarathon.”

Completing the marathon in 2004 ina wheelchair in seven hours and 35minutes gave Alan the fitness bug.

He added: “I have raced for GreatBritain in triathlon collecting medalsat national, European and world

events, and completed many chal-lenges from Lands End to JohnO’Groats to the London Marathon in2009, which I finished in two hoursand 33 minutes.”

Over the last decade Alan has gainedqualifications enabling him to teachall aspects of fitness.

In 2009 he won the NationalTraining Awards for his learning andin 2011 was awarded an honorarydegree of ‘Dr of Health Science’ at St

John York University. He said: “Being involved in sport

and fitness is a massive par t of mylife, not just working as a fitness man-ager but ensuring opportunities areopen to everyone. You can achieve ifyou set your mind to it.”

In 2004, Alan carried the Olympictorch in London on its way to A thens– and this June he carried the torchthrough Grimsby on its way to thecapital.

Alan with his two sons and the Olympic tor ch he carried through Grimsby recently.

Gravity to open first dedicated UK studioTHE UK’s first dedicated Gravity stu-dio is set to open in H igh Wycombelater this year.

The studio, currently in develop-ment by Gravity UK’s principalshareholder Physical Company, willbe set across two floors, with a per-sonal training studio downstairs andgroup studio upstairs.

Customers will be trained by the

Gravity master trainers on the latestequipment, with the studio alsodoubling up as a showroom for TotalGym equipment and host industrytraining courses. After the launch,scheduled for October, there areplans to build on the brand withnew sites in London and the S outhEast.

Physical company sales and mar-

keting director John Halls said:“Gravity on Total Gym equipmenthas been gaining momentum con-sistently in recent years and hasproven very successful for thePhysical Company group,

“It’s the right time to be branchingout so setting up the studio near ourheadquarters in High Wycombe isan exciting new challenge.”

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Two independent clubs are celebrating after being chosen to take part in agroundbreaking new exercise study, conducted by the FIA Research Institute – apartnership between the FIA and University of Gr eenwich. Christina Eccles found outwhat this means for their facilities – and why they ar e proud to be flying the flag forindependent operators.

EARLIER this year, the FIAannounced details of the UKFitness Centre Health andWellbeing Investigation and askedfor member sites who were inter-ested in taking part to submit anapplication.

Out of those who applied, 26clubs from around the countryhave now been successfully cho-sen, with independent operatorsrepresented by two facilities –Pontefract Squash and LeisureClub and ESPH in Dulwich.

The study – the largest UK fitnesscentre based health and wellbeinginvestigation – is based upon asuccessful pilot completed lastyear with Impulse Leisure.

It will compare the effectivenessof structured exercise programmesagainst unstructured exercise andphysical activity counsellingamong 3000 participants.

Participating facilities willreceive an evidence based pro-gramme offering training for staff,academic recognition and scientif-ic equipment and two staff mem-bers from each will receive a train-ing programme by the Universityof Greenwich, upskilling them todeliver academic level research.

Gym manager Pete Todd will betrained to deliver the programmeat Pontefract Squash and LeisureClub, alongside personal trainerCraig Bower.

And Pete told Workout, he waskeen to apply as the project fittedin well with what he is tr ying toachieve at the club.

He explained: “When I heardabout the research and that theywere looking for facilities to takepart, it married up perfectly withmy business plan to develop thefacility into a community hub andwellness centre.

“My vision for here exactlymatches the FIA’s mantra of morepeople, more active, more often.”

Each club will be expected torecruit 100 participants and Peteadded this will be a great opportu-nity for the club to reach out topeople who aren’t currently exer-cising regularly.

Using tools such as MyZone tomonitor movement – somethingwhich is already working well inhis gym – will also help par tici-pants to see the benefits of physi-cal activity for themselves.

He added: “The bar (for applica-tions) was set high and I’m proudour facility passed that bar. I’mreally excited, not just for the clubbut for the surrounding popula-tion.

“This research will provide valu-able information. Some people donot understand the implicationsof not being active, but if we canpresent the benefits of exercise inan easy, understandable way,that’s fantastic. It’s a potentialgame changer.

“As an independent operator,this is also going to give us mas-sive publicity about what we doand what we can offer to people inthe local area that no-one else willbe able to offer.”

The other independent gym cho-sen to take part is ESPH inDulwich, which is taking a slightlydifferent approach to the project.

The club sees itself as a ‘physicalhealth centre’ rather than a gym –with all members benefiting fromhealth screenings when they join –and staff already working closelywith the medical profession.

Managing director Max Sharpsaid: “We are a physio company inorigin, which got into the gymmarket about five years ago.Exercise from a healthcare per-spective is our niche.

“We are very keen to be involvedin anything that helps to promoteexercise.

“We see ourselves, as I’m sure

other operators do, playing a keyrole in improving public healthgenerally.

“And there is a real need toencourage this group of con-sumers to exercise.

“We already work with GPs andthe broader health community.Our message is that exercise isfundamental. The rest of theindustry is catching up to the mes-sage we have been pushing sincewe began.”

The first stage of the investiga-tion is taking place over the com-ing weeks and involves the train-ing of the exercise, health andwellbeing champions – two staffmembers from each site – who willbe delivering the project in theirclubs.� Workout will be following theclubs as the study progresses.Look out for updates in futureissues about how they are gettingon.

THE 26 sites taking part in thestudy, sponsored by MyZone andLifetime Health and Fitness, are:� Active Nation, All Seasons,Chorley.� Active Nation, Yarborough,Lincoln.� Active Nation, White Horse,Abingdon.� Aquaterra, Highbury Pool and

Fitness Centre.� DC Leisure, Harborne.� DC Leisure, New Malden.� DC Leisure, Taro.� Doncaster Culture and LeisureTrust, St James Leisure Centre.� ESPH, Dulwich.� Eze Fitness, Derby.� Eze Fitness, Redditch.� Eze Fitness, Scarborough.

� Fitness Express, TheShrewsbury Club.� Fitness First, Thomas More.� Fitness First, Tottenham CourtRoad.� Fitness First, Bristol Aspects.� Halo Leisure, Hereford.� Life Leisure, Avondale.� North Lanarkshire Leisure,Coatbridge.

� Pent Valley Leisure.� Pontefract Squash and LeisureClub.� Sodexo, WoodLand WellbeingCentre.� The Club Company, CharthamPark.� The Club Company, Nizels.� The Club Company, The Essex.� Topnotch, Colchester.

Two independents signed upfor structured exercise study

Pete ToddMax Sharp

Gyms across the UK to give feedback

‘Some people donot understand theimplications of notbeing active, but ifwe can present thebenefits of exercisein an easy,understandableway, that’sfantastic.’

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Take a bite of the appleto improve potentialBy Matthew Januszek,Escape Fitness

READING through my emailsrecently, an article from Forbes.comby Carmine Gallo caught my eye,and my imagination.

Gallo has spent a year researchingthe Apple Store experience andtheir engagement with the cus-tomer.

In every Apple store, before thedoors open to their customers, staffposition the screens of the laptopsat 70°, making sure it’s exact usingan iPhone app to check it.

Do they do this just to make thestore look pretty? That is part of itGallo says but it’s more than that. Itis to encourage customers to tilt thescreens to their ideal viewing angle– to get customers to actually touchthe device and start interacting withit.

The article goes on to say thatevery computer and iPad in thestore is connected to the Internet,loaded with software and stuffedwith interesting apps.

Apple wants its customers totouch and play with their productsin store.

But why? Surely customers can beencouraged to spend without play-ing – wasting the valuable time ofthe staff? Well yes, they can butApple are trying to instil customerloyalty to the brand as well as creat-ing an ownership experience.

Gallo talks about taking hisdaughters into an Apple store wherethey were encouraged to play andhow, every time they go to theirlocal shopping centre now hisdaughters beg him to take them toApple but never ask him to takethem to a competitor ‘big box’retailer where the devices areswitched off and the screens areblack.

In an Apple store everyone isencouraged to touch and play withthe devices creating a multisensoryexperience for the customer.

Customers actually experience whatApple has to offer.

They can use the devices, see theperformance and experiment withthe equipment. Customers canspend all the time they like playingand won’t be pressured to leave.

The point of this is to cr eate inter-action and engagement with theaim of instilling a sense of br andloyalty.

All of this got me thinking aboutthe health club industry and thechallenges it faces – pretty similarto the challenges Apple faces. Ahealth club owner wants to get peo-ple through the door, get them towant to experience what they haveto offer and wants to keep them asmembers.

But why should people want touse one gym over another? Whatmakes one gym stand head andshoulders above the rest? And howdoes that gym hold onto its mem-bers in the long term?

Maybe taking a leaf out of A pple’s‘ownership experience’ book couldhelp health club owners meet thechallenges they face? We knowmember engagement helps withmember retention and Apple seemsto have got this pretty much spoton.

Maybe it’s time for the health clubindustry to take their memberretention strategies further?

How can we do this? Taking a lookat our gym spaces and analysinghow they are being used could help.We know that the way equipment islaid out and how floor space is laidout can affect the flow for membersfrom one exercise to another andcan encourage members to movearound the gym.

Apple encourages its customers toexperiment, maybe that can betranslated into the gym gettingmembers to try out areas they don’tnormally venture into? Flooring canalso affect how members movearound. Line markings and colourscan be used to encourage flow from

one area to another, to create newzones and indicate areas – after all,everything you do in a gym is doneon the floor!

What else can be done to encour-age gym members to experimentwith equipment or classes theydon’t normally partake in? Take alook at your equipment. Is it entic-ing and exciting? Or is it drab andshabby-looking? Is it tactile, does itencourage someone to touch it?

It may ‘do the job’ but does itmake someone want to pick it upand use it? Investment in goodquality, exciting and innovativefunctional equipment could createmore interaction and experimenta-tion. Is the floor clear and have y ougot the right storage racks andoptions?

Take a look at an Apple store – thedevices are laid out on clutter-freedesks, open and switched on, invit-ing customers to interact with them– you wouldn’t see a worn out iPadsat on a desk in store!

Music has a huge effect on ouremotions so making sure the rightkind of music is being playedthrough the sound system can cre-ate the right feeling for the gym oreven for each zone.

Lighting affects our moods too asdo aromas – making sure these areright for your gym and your mem-bers is just as important as the rightequipment and classes are.

All of these aspects can inspireand excite members, creating theright kind of atmosphere for thespace.

The use and mix of colours andthe design of images on the wallsaffects how people feel so makingsure these are inspirational, engag-ing and reflect your brand will helpmembers engage and make thedecision to stay.

Education features highly in theApple ‘Five Steps of Service’ withcustomers having access to enthu-siastic, passionate, knowledgeablestaff and, if they need more help,the ‘Genius’ which is a technicalspecialist. This translates so well tothe fitness industry.

Enthusiasm and passion are infec-tious and members will feel com-fortable taking advice and interact-ing with staff or PTs who know theirstuff. Small group classes on thegym floor by educated, enthusiastictrainers could possibly encouragemembers to have a go at somethingnew.

Using all of these aspects couldhelp a gym create the multisensoryexperience that has helped Appleensure their brand loyalty.

If a gym switches on all of itsdevices and encourages people tostay and play maybe a potentialmember would become a loyalmember?

Matthew Januszek

18 Exigo 25/7/12 16:32 Page 1

UK FITNESS SCENE 19

OVER 100 members of staff – plusspecial guests – attended a glitter ingparty and awards ceremony, markingPremier Training International’s 20years in the industry.

The big birthday bash took place atBisham Abbey in Marlow, whereguests celebrated the achievements ofthe company, its staff, graduates andstudents.

Founder and chairman NormanBasson welcomed guests to the eventand shared some insight into what lifewas like 20 years ago when the com-pany was born.

The event also played host to thefirst Premier Employee Awards, whichrewarded and recognised the achieve-ments of the people within the busi-ness who work hard to deliver thevery best service and education to theindustry.

The award winners on the nightincluded:Product Innovator: Ben Pratt,Regional Tutor Manager (North).Sales Machine: Hakeem Saheed,National Course Advisor.Contributor to Events: BenMcDonald, Health, Fitness and

Nutrition Tutor.Unsung Hero: Victoria Even, SalesLedger Assistant.Outstanding Trainer: Steve Harrison,Regional Tutor Manager (South).Outstanding External Verifier Award:Pete Davies, External Verifier.Longest Standing Employee Award:Fiona Cook, Assistant Accountant.

Outstanding recognition Award:Beckie Chappell, Customer ServicesManager.

CEO Debra Stuart said: “We wantedto do something to celebrate our 20thanniversary and celebrate the peoplewho work tirelessly to ensure weremain the industry’s leading trainingprovider.

“It was a great evening and a testa-ment to Norman and everything heset out to achieve 20 years ago

“The health and fitness industry ischanging and evolving and it’s neverbeen so exciting to be part of it.Premier continues to push bound-aries and develop new and innovativecourses – all of which is designed toensure that Premier maintains itsindustry leading reputation. We’relooking forward to the next 20 years.”

Awards marktraining firm’s20th birthday

Wattbike has launched its group cycling class into Virgin Active’s flagship club, 200Aldersgate in London. The club includes a training suite of eight Wattbikes set up in a dedi-cated zone, with classes available including how to Wattbike and Wattbike fast classes,alongside 1-2-1 sessions with trained instructors and a range of specialised training andtesting programmes for cyclists and triathletes. Head of fitness at Virgin Active, Alan Holl,said: “Health club users have become more sophisticated trainers in recent years. Theypush themselves harder, are more technically knowledgeable and demand the best avail-able equipment. Wattbike’s pedigree as a training device for elite athletes makes it a natu-ral choice for use by our member s and personal trainers.”

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UK FITNESS SCENE22There were big celebrations at the recent FIA and Matrix Flame Awards when Sports Leisure Management’s brandEveryone Active was named operator of the year for an unprecedented third year running. Christina Eccles spoke toSLM’s managing director David Bibby about what the award means to them – and shared the secrets of thecompany’s ongoing success.

Everyone Active’s three wins at the recent FIA and Matrix Flame Awards followed theopening of multi-million pound Plymouth Life Centre.

Award winsadd to gymchain’s yearof successes2012 is already shaping up to be a vin-tage year for Everyone Active.

The momentum was kickstartedback in March when the operatoropened its most ambitious project todate – the multi-million poundPlymouth Life Centre.

About 25,000 visitors – plus a host ofwell known sporting stars – attendedthe opening weekend, taking part intaster sessions in a variety of sportsand activities designed to show localpeople that the centre could offerthem something, whatever their inter-ests.

This was then followed by success atthe FIA and Matrix Flame Awards –this year taking place at Sheffield’sPonds Forge International – where thecompany’s achievements were recog-nised with three trophies on thenight.

As well as scooping the covetedoperator of the year prize, its onlineportal Everyone Active Online wonthe Spark of Innovation Award andEveryone Active Mid Suffolk LeisureCentre, run in partnership with MidSuffolk District Council, was namedLeisure Centre of the Year.

David said: “To win leisure operatorof the year is a huge achievement butto have won it three years in a row isamazing and completely unprece-dented. The award represents the fan-tastic dedication and effort that ourcolleagues at Everyone Active put inon a daily basis both in our centr esand at head office.

“We were absolutely delighted. Wewon another two awards at the sametime, so it was a fantastic evening.”

Although David was extremelypleased with the win, he said he was-n’t surprised as Everyone Active clubsare improving year on year.

He added: “I wasn’t shocked – I gen-

uinely thought we deserved it. Ourstandards have improved, so if wewere the best operator last year, thenwe are a stronger operator now thanwe were then.”

David puts Everyone Active’s successdown to two things – what they canactively deliver to members on theground level and continuous innova-tion, such as Everyone Active online, awebsite which allows people to moni-tor their exercise levels via their ownonline activity planner and gainaccess to free workouts.

“The basic standards we deliver toour customers and having attentive,knowledgeable staff should be stan-dard – but it’s not easy to deliver thatconsistently across 80 sites.

“Everyone Active is just that – it ’s foreverybody. Everyone Active Onlinetakes our message out beyond theconfines of the leisure centres.”

One of the biggest projects in thepipeline over the coming months is anew site in St Albans – including thefirst spa facility Everyone Active hasmanaged.

But as the company continues togrow, David is confident that thequality which people have come toexpect from Everyone Active willremain.

He added: “I think maintaining highstandards is an awful lot easier thanlifting up to high standards. We havethese standards in place and a teamthat know how to deliver them so I’mconfident we will be able to keepdoing that. Our business is about tak-ing on operations that are not at thestandard we expect and putting inthese procedures to make sure theyare. It’s an exciting thing – the compa-ny is growing and we are putting ourstamp on new facilities and continu-ing to pick up new business.”

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23 gymkit uk 25/7/12 15:56 Page 1

VIBRATION TRAINING24

The FitStop pilot study supports the Government’s newest public health initiative.

Sainsbury’s staffincrease activitylevel during pilotBy Christina Eccles

A SIX-month pilot study using PowerPlates has been helping Sainsbury’semployees to increase their activitylevels while supporting theGovernment’s newest public healthinitiative.

The FitStop pilot study was run atSainsbury’s Coventry office, whereworkers were encouraged to performa three minute series of stretches onthe Power Plate vibration trainingmachine during their working day.

About 85 Sainsbury’s employeesreceived a FitStop induction, with arandom sample of 41 people complet-ing a bi-monthly questionnaire,designed to evaluate the benefits ofthe FitStop programme. The resultsshowed a 37 per cent decrease in thenumber of people who spent morethan seven hours a day sedentar y anda 67 per cent decrease in those whofelt unable to cope with workload dueto stress, over the course of the tr ial.

Almost 90 per cent of respondentssaid they noticed increased energylevels and productivity as a result of

using FitStop and there was a 70 percent increase in the number of peoplewho did not take any sick days dur ingthe final three months of the trial.

The scheme also fits in with PowerPlate’s new status as a par tner of theResponsibility Deal – a governmentinitiative which sees businesses com-mit to taking action to improve publichealth.

Power Plate’s UK sales managerNatalie Prescott said: “The results ofour pilot study with Sainsbury’s clear-ly show that FitStop is an investmentin staff welfare, helping to combat theeffects of sedentary behaviour andencouraging them to increase theirlevels of activity.

“FitStop has been created to changehabits and attitudes towards exercise,with the ultimate goal of makingmicro-exercise breaks as common inthe office as the water cooler is no w.

“The exciting results of thisSainsbury’s trial show that FitStopreally does have the potential to br ingabout positive behavioural change,which is what the Responsibility Dealis all about.”

The next step in trainingTHE VibroGym Professional II platetakes the next step in advancingvibration training.

Launched in the UK, the latest addi-tion to the VibroGym range, whichincludes the Professional One, theEvolution and the Medical, can func-tion in a group of between two and 15machines, making it ideal for classsessions.

Latest electronics make the Pro IIsimple to use, while the facility formore variable speeds and frequencyadjustments allows the plate to meetthe rising demand for functionaltraining.

Flexible leasing options are avail-able, with prices starting from as little

as £125 + VAT per month. Managing director of sole distribu-

tor VibroGym UK Graham Taylor said:“VibroGym is the original, and stillthe best, vibration plate available.

“The Professional II, like all therange, delivers uniform vibration rightacross the plate to provide users witha reliable platform for measurableperformance improvement.

“Together, the Pro II and the originalVibroGym Professional plate deliverthe complete solution for group, classor studio environment.”

For more information visit www.vibrogymprofessional.co.uk,

email sales@vibrogymprofessional.co.uk or contact 01332 549753.

A Power Plate machine has proved beneficial for the residents of Yates Court.

Power Plate helpingresidents’ mobility A CARE scheme for the elderly inEvesham, Worcestershire, is seeingresults from the introduction of aPower Plate machine, which ishelping its residents to stay activeand mobile.

Yates Court, a scheme owned byExtracare Charitable Trust,installed a Power Plate pro5machine in 2010, which is nowused regularly by one third of resi-dents. Depending on their level ofmobility, some residents use themachine independently, while oth-ers are assisted by trained staff.

Yates Court wellbeing nurseTessa McDonald saw how Power

Plate sessions aided her daughter’srehabilitation after an accidentand recognised it could also bebeneficial for those she workedwith.

Gym instructor Charli Dillon-Cambridge said: “When Tessa rec-ommended the Power Platemachine, we took our residents toanother facility so they could testthe machine.

“It proved to be a big hit withthem as it is so easy to use . It’s agreat addition to our existing gymas it offers a fast and effective for mof exercise, which is great for ourresidents.”

KISS Gyms has opened a new site in Swindon – complete with dedicated ar ea featuringbodycore functional training platforms. The club, which is offering membership from just£14.99 per month, has created the functional training zone – complete with the kit fr omDynamic Activity – in order to broaden its appeal. Club owner Rupert Mackenzie-Hill said:“Our personal trainers are massively keen on the bodycore platforms. They are so versatilethat the instructors can create an endless variety of workouts for our member s.”

Look out for our bumper LIW issue next monthfeaturing all you need to know about this year’s

show. If you’ve got a news story email Christina Eccles at ce@scriptmedia.co.uk

24 25/7/12 15:52 Page 1

VIBRATION TRAINING 25

Owner Sarah’s on a missionto make members ‘vibro’ fitSARAH Whelan runs one of thebusiest VibroGym studios in thecountry.

From a standing start three yearsago, her compelling personality andstrong interpersonal skills havehelped drive her Vibrofit vibrationplate studio to new heights of popu-larity.

Running the bespoke vibrationtraining facility above an Active4lessgym in Hove, East Sussex, Sarah hadleft her city financial job to devote allher energy into promoting and deliv-ering a form of workout she says isdelighting her members.

She said: “It was a baptism of fire forme as I had never worked for myselfbefore.

“I re-qualified as a personal trainerthen met the owner of the gym facilityand we agreed that vibro training wasan ideal complement to his opera-tion.

“I have grown the business over thelast three years and now run 12 ses-sions a day with seven VibroGymplates.

“I employ a team of four qualifiedpersonal trainers to help me deliver afull programme of classes for mem-bers.

“We cater largely for the 40 plus agegroup, although my oldest member isaged 82 and she attends at least twice

a week. We have over 180 regularmembers who attend two to threetimes a week and therefore have tokeep our standards and imaginationat top level.”

Local people seek out training atVibrofit not only in search of weightand inch loss but also to alleviateinjury problems.

Sarah added: “Vibration training isextremely versatile and we can adaptour sessions to suit each member, soeveryone receives the most appropri-ate workout for them.”

Promising to deliver her service“with passion, expertise, innovationand fun”, Sarah says member resultsare her top priority.

“People have specific goals andobjectives when they come here andwe like to ensure we provide ongoingsupport and encouragement that willhelp achieve them.”

Developed more than a decade ago,the VibroGym plate was introduced tokeep astronauts fit in space and issaid to deliver 100 per cent wor koutin only a quarter of the time.

Sarah added: “Running a VibroGymstudio can prove an exciting andfinancially rewarding business.

“Anyone interested in the challengeand rewards of operating your ownstudio should first contact sole UKdistributor VibroGym UK for advice.”

25 26/7/12 12:19 Page 1

UK FITNESS SCENE26

Celebrity fitness guru Matt Roberts has created a bespoke fitness programme for guestsstaying at a luxury London hotel. 45 Park Lane’s in-room fitness channel offers guests aselection of workouts designed and demonstrated by Matt. Within the comfort of theirrooms, guests can choose from five routines – each focusing on different body areas. Thosewanting to keep up their good work can also benefit fr om a fitness pack on departure.

Tennis academychanges nameand adds suitesBy Helen Williams

LONDON'S premier tennis acade-my – situated just four miles fr omWimbledon – has added a newstrength and conditioning suite toits already extensive facilities.

The addition is part of the SuttonTennis Academy's rebrand to TheSports Village.

Fitness manager Adam Hewittsaid: "We have a number of devel-opments that are part of our planto retain leadership as a high per-formance centre for tennis players,and to extend this fitness exper tiseto other sports. We are already oneof the world's top five tennis acad-emies and home to junior playerswho are among the top 50 in thecountry and top five in the coun-ty."

Within The Sports Village is TheZone gym – which has 2,000 mem-bers – a gymnastics academy and24 tennis courts as well as threedance studios and a physiotherapyclinic.

Athlete services include personaltraining and sports psychology andthe village also offers weekend per-

formance and holiday camps andeven English language courses. Aday nursery is also available.

Adam added: "The Zone gym isused by academy players as well asnon-tennis members and we have85 classes a week to suit all fitnessneeds. We have CV and weighttraining equipment and our newstrength and conditioning fitnesssuite has lots of functional kit,along with two squat racks anddumbbells – all the kit focuses onsport specific training.”

The gym can offer other ser vicessuch as beauty therapy and weightloss guidance, while the tennisprogramme has its own specialitiessuch as a mini tennis academy anddisability tennis.

"We specifically aim to provideexcellence in tennis coaching pro-grammes. We are open to playersof all ages and abilities but at theacademy we're trying to createmore advanced training and tendto focus on junior players.”

Among future plans are expan-sion of the gymnastics academyand development of a CrossFitarea.

The free weights area at the renamed The Sports Village.

New gym facilities at complexA PARTNERSHIP betweenHuddersfield Town and Life Fitness isset to improve gym facilities atCanalside Sports Complex, the club’sofficial training ground.

The equipment provider hasbecome a new business partner of theclub as its heads into the 2012/13npower Championship season and aspart of the deal, will supplyCanalside’s gym with new equipmentfrom its activate series.

Huddersfield Town’s commercialdirector Sean Jarvis said: “We’redelighted that Life Fitness has come

on board with the Club. Like so manyof our partners they are an industry-leader in their market and that fitsperfectly with our own ethos – wewant to be the trend-setters in foot-ball.

“I’m also delighted that this newpartnership will further improve thefacilities for the members atCanalside Sports Complex. Their fan-tastic equipment will add to the gymfacilities at the complex and go handin hand with the other dramaticimprovements that are happening atthe facility right now.”

A LONDON yoga studio has launcheda special Olympic themed offer, givingnew members free sessions in returnfor every medal Team GB wins duringthe Games.

Yotopia, situated in London's trendyCovent Garden, launched the offer tohelp spread the word about the studioand encourage people to get fitter,while doing something which ties inwith the excitement surrounding theGames.

To celebrate Team GB's success,anyone who bought a one month,three month or 12 month member-ship before the Olympics openingceremony on July 27 will get free daysadded to their membership for eachmedal the British Olympic team isawarded.

The offer has three tiers:� For every gold medal, three freedays will be added to annual mem-berships.� For every silver medal, one free daywill be added to three month mem-berships.

� For every bronze medal, half a freeday will be added to one monthmemberships.

According to Yotopia's Steve Kelly,the studio had a great response to theoffer. And when Workout spoke toSteve, they had already sold threeannual memberships, costing £1,100each, off the back of it.

He said: “It’s a win/win situation. Wewant the team to do well and we alsowant to help people to get fitter.

“We are trying to get people intogood habits and sometimes you haveto give something away in return.”

Workout has previously spoken toclubs which planned to run Olympicthemed challenges such as indoorrowing competitions, but Steve addedYotopia did not want to go down theroute of encouraging members tocompete with each other, as that's notwhat yoga is all about.

He added: “Yoga's not meant to becompetitive but we still want to moti-vate people. This fits in well with theethos of the studio.”

Studio in Olympicsoffer to members

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27 Bodypower 25/7/12 15:37 Page 1

UK FITNESS SCENE28

Participants on the successful Everyone Active Dance School.

Dance projectincreases footfallat leisure centresBy Christina Eccles

A DANCE based project at twoEveryone Active centres is encourag-ing local children to exercise – andsuccessfully increasing footfall intothe clubs.

Spelthorne Leisure Centre intro-duced the second Everyone ActiveDance School in September last year,following the success of the first at itssister site Fareham Leisure Centre.

The scheme takes on children fromages three to 15 years old, with tap,ballet and modern dance classes fromthree years and street dance from fiveyears.

Spelthorne Leisure Centre currentlyhas 93 children on the scheme andFareham has over 200.

Since the school started, there hasbeen an eight per cent increase in thenumber of people through the doorsat Spelthorne than in the same per iodin the previous year – with anincrease of 83 per cent at the danceschool since September.

The school is run by ex-professionaldancer Leana Howard who first start-

ed work for Everyone Active as areceptionist.

Contract manager at Spelthorne KarlMiles said: “Seeing the success ofFareham Leisure Centre School ofDance we knew it made sense torepeat this in Spelthorne.

“Leana was the perfect fit for therole, she has made a huge success ofthe scheme and we are delighted thatshe has had the opportunity to devel-op the scheme within Everyone Activeand progress her career.”

Spelthorne also recently held a suc-cessful Dreams of Disney event where72 children performed to an audienceof over 300 people.

Karl added: “Not only does this givethe kids something to work towardsbut the event in itself br ings in morerevenue to channel back into thedance school – the tickets went likehot cakes. We are planning the nextevent for Christmas already.”� How are you helping children to getactive at your club? Let us know bycalling Christina Eccles on 01226734463, email ce@scriptmedia.co.ukor tweet us @WorkOutUK

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UK FITNESS SCENE30

Motivation – the ultimatedriver to get more membersBy Dave Wright

FOR the first couple of weeks ofAugust we will have the world’s bestathletes in the best shapes of theirlives embarking on London.

People with sculpted bodies, phe-nomenal fitness levels, minimal bodyfat and health and fitness objectivesthat most of our members dream of.

The irony is that most of thoseworld class athletes will not train at ahealth club but instead will havetrained on their own accord.

They’ll put the miles onto the r oadsrather than the treadmills; they’ll dosessions with ropes and a kettlebellrather than pin-loaded static equip-ment or plyometric exercises ratherthan conventional bench pressing.And most importantly, they will havehad the motivation to do it by them-selves.

Motivation is at the core of all physi-cal activity and success in life. It couldbe argued that if everyone had themotivation to exercise consistently bythemselves, then there wouldn’t be agym open in the world.

People would do their push-ups andsit-ups and run or cycle rain, hail orshine. But they don’t and that’s theimportant factor. And when you

realise that motivation is such animportant factor for our members’success, it helps you change yourapproach to the service you providein your market.

Motivation is all about finding thatreason why someone does what theydo. What is the motivation for you toopen your club and go to work everyday? I’ve known many club ownerswho have had a fantastic time r un-ning a club but as soon as stiff com-petition enters their town, they soonlose their motivation to compete.

Others have risen above it and themotivation to succeed has influencedtheir behaviour to try and improvetheir club to be the best that it couldpossibly be.

Members are driven by their ownmotivation too. Some are motivatedto look good for their holidays, tocompete in a body building show, toimprove their golf score or to increasetheir life span to see their gr andchil-dren grow up.

Either way, they will have joinedyour club because they were motivat-ed at that moment in time.

Clubs must keep that motivationhigh for the member. Therefore, notonly should your external marketingmessages be centred around motiva-

tion, but your sales presentationsshould focus on the motivation thatthe potential member has within tomake them turn up to your club inthe first place. We all know that wecan’t put the keys in our members’cars and drive them to our clubs.

We can't physically make them putthe effort into what they do whenthey are onsite.

However, we have to provide thediverse, unique, flexible, appealingand great value environment as wellas the tools (programmes, classes,engaging people, and trackingdevices) to make sure that they feelmotivated to keep on keeping on.

Ultimately, if we can MOTIVATEmembers to consistently EAT WELLand EXERCISE MORE not only are wehelping them to achieve RESULTS,but we have engaged the biggest dr iv-ers of both retention and referralsthat can honestly make a differenceto the health of the world. � Dave Wright is the CEO ofCFM/MYZONE, a company with over300 staff that have served the interna-tional fitness industry for over 21years in ten different countries,focussing on either getting new mem-bers and/or keeping existing ones.

Dave is also the owner of 11 healthclubs across two continents, a boarddirector of the UK’s Fitness Industry,an IHRSA presenter and the creatorand global distributor of a new moni-toring device used by clubs aroundthe world called MYZONE. He may becontacted on Dave.Wright@cfm.net

Dave Wright

A PROJECT which provides free gymmembership to support sufferers ofcoronary heart disease has receivedsupport from Sheffield MP DavidBlunkett.

The Brightside and Hillsborough MPis supporting the Healthy HeartProject, run by the British HeartFoundation-affiliated Concord HeartSupport Group, which is based atConcord Sports Centre.

The group was awarded a £10,000Awards for All Lottery grant in last

November to fund free gym member-ships and education sessions atConcord for dependents of CHD suf-ferers.

More than 50 people, whose parentsor grandparents had a form of the dis-ease, have already signed up to theproject to take advantage of the freegym, swimming pool and fitnessclasses at Concord, along withmonthly education sessions withhealth professionals.

Sheffield MP David Blunkett with SIV e xercise referral manager Dave Birds

MP backs heart project

Chain sees the light withbody contouring systemTHE énergie Fitness for women grouphas invested in a new non-invasivebody sculpting treatment which ishelping to drive revenue and comple-ment its fitness offering.

Lipo-Light, which uses LED lighttherapy to aid inch loss, is one of thenewest slimming and toning tech-nologies available in the UK.

Selected studios within the chainhave been offering this technology forup to a year, generating an additionalaverage monthly income of around£1,700 per club.

Owner of énergie FitnessEastbourne Julia Bayes said: “Weightloss is the main goal for the major ityof our clients. Once those goals arereached, toning becomes the new

focus. We chose Lipo-Light to give ourclients access to the best in both fit-ness and beauty treatment options tohelp them achieve their personalgoals.

“It really has enhanced the resultsour clients are seeing, so it is a win-win. Not only are we generating anadditional revenue stream, but satis-fied clients are also more likely to staywith us for longer and to r ecommendus to others, so it aids recruitmentand retention.”

The studios also offer Lipo-Lighttreatments to non members, with theoption to use the gym as par t of theirtreatment package, providing an addi-tional opportunity to drive member-ship.

A LUXURY health club and spa inCheshire has been awarded a topscore of ‘five bubbles’ by the GoodSpa Guide.

The Mere Golf Resort and Spa wasgiven the accolade following areview by the guide, which assessesspas around the country against alist of criteria including customercare, cleanliness, quality of treat-ment and value for money.

Spa manager Tom Davies said:“Our state-of-the-art spa has been

up and running for just over a yearnow and to have this independentrecognition from The Good SpaGuide is really rewarding for thewhole team who deliver a five starservice, seven days a week.

“You don’t have to be a member toenjoy the spa facilities, and nowthat the new luxury hotel is openmany more people are taking sometime out to come and relax, recu-perate and recharge their batterieswith a treatment or a massage.”

Spa given five bubbles

30 24/7/12 15:36 Page 1

UK FITNESS SCENE 31A South Yorkshire gym is going from strength to strength – working hard to keepmembers happy and already thinking about expansion after just over a year inbusiness. Helen Williams visited the club.

Ben Parkinson with fellow former soldier John Sandford-Hart.

Gym’s success leadsPaul to think biggerPAUL Hallam has rolled with a fewpunches in his time.

Now the owner of Matrix Gym andMixed Martial Arts Training Centre inKirk Sandall, Doncaster, he was box-ing at the age of eight, joined theforces by 15 and went on to do 18tours of duty.

After being injured in Afghanistanhe turned his hand to training fightersin Las Vegas and running a bodyguardbusiness.

Paul, a black belt in various disci-plines and a Zen Master, opened thegym in April last year. Before that, hewas training people at his home.

He said: “People in the fight gamehave to go to three or four differentplaces to train, but my idea was to geteverything under one roof. MMA isstill very young in this country but Iwanted a gym like the MMA gyms I

saw in the States.”Members can train in boxing,

Brazilian Ju Jitsu, Muay Thai andkarate, and classes range from begin-ner to advanced competition training.Paul is also going for accreditationfrom the Amateur Boxing Association(ABA).

He added: “We have the best fightteam in the north of England. In Maywe did the Combat Steel FightingChampionships (CSFC) at DoncasterDome and six of our guys w ere win-ners.”

On August 18 the team competes inthe UK MMA Throwdown at BatleyFrontier.

Paul’s ambition is to create a fullyequipped training facility for peoplewith disabilities.

One of the gym’s best-known mem-bers, 27-year-old Ben Parkinson, lost

both legs and suffered brain and backinjuries in a Taliban bomb attack inAfghanistan in 2006.

Ben learned to walk again and waschosen as an Olympic torchbearer.

Paul believes that the authoritiesoften let down people like Ben.Passionate about inclusive fitness andrenowned for his physio skills, healready offers injury rehabilitationand strength and flexibility trainingand has worked successfully with sev-eral people who have multiple sclero-sis.

He added: “Ideally, I need £27,000 toset up a complete strength gym withInclusive Fitness Initiative kit. I wouldalso like a full treatment room somembers can access physio wheneverthey need it. We’re moving to a biggerbuilding nearby so we’ll have space todo it – all I need now is the funds.”

LANCE bombardier Ben Parkinsoncarried the Olympic Torch in hishome town as it entered day 39 ofits tour around Britain and Ireland.

Ben walked the 300-metre stretchfrom the Cenotaph in Doncaster,South Yorkshire, on his prostheticlimbs – which make him 6ft 3in –without using crutches. He wascheered on by large crowds.

Ben was in training for the walkwhen Workout visited Matrix gymin Doncaster last month.

He was looking forward to hisregiment coming to watch him aswell as his friends and his charity.

However, he and his stepfatherAndrew Dernie were concerned atthe time after hearing that organis-ers might alter the torchbearer’s

route at the last minute. Luckily,everything turned out fine.

Andrew said: “It would be noproblem for you or I to walk down aroad carrying the torch for a fewyards but for Ben there had to beno kerb bumps or hazards. It was soimportant to Ben because it was hischance to thank everybody for thefantastic local support.”

Ben uses Olympic event to thank town

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NATIONAL FITNESS AWARDS32

The 2012 National Fitness Awards will take place at The Athena, Leicester.

Enter your clubfor prestigiousindustry awardsBy Christina Eccles

TIME is running out for operators toenter their clubs for a prestigious fit-ness industry awards scheme.

The National Fitness Awards, organ-ised by Script Events in partnershipwith Workout, recognise excellenceand achievement across the sector.

The free to enter awards, now intheir third year, offer gyms the chanceto shout about the things they ar edoing well – and generate pricelesspublicity for their club.

Categories cover everything frombest regional gym to best gym basedpersonal trainer, member achieve-ment and dedicated trophies for com-bat, strength, budget and children’sfacilities.

Entering the awards is easy – visitwww.nationalfitnessawards.co.uk –and fill in the nomination for m to putyour club in with a chance of winninga trophy.

Nominations close early September,when a shortlist of entries – six percategory – will be drawn up by theWorkout team.

The team will then cover thousandsof miles, visiting each club and com-piling a report, which will be passedon to our expert panel of fitnessindustry judges who will decide onthis year’s lucky winners.

This year’s judging panel is made upof:� Fitness model and healthy eatingambassador Carly Thornton.� Top nutritionist and TV GladiatorCaroline Pearce.� Olympic athlete Joice Maduaka� Independent gym owner ScottHorton.� The Leisure Database Company’sDavid Minton.� Industry legend and last year’s life-time achievement recipient KenHeathcote.

Event director Judith Halkerstonsaid: “Thanks to everyone who hasentered the awards so far ... we'redelighted by the number and high-

quality of entries. "It's not too late though for other

gyms to enter – there really is nothingto lose. The National Fitness Awardsare the biggest, free-to-enter awardsin the industry and previous winnershave reaped the benefits of invaluablepublicity, increased membership anda huge boost to staff morale."

Trophies will be handed out at a glit-tering ceremony, this year takingplace at the Athena in Leicester onFriday November 30, and hosted bypersonal trainer and TV personalityCharlotte Ord.

The awards also provide the perfectend of year party – giving the industrythe chance to come together and cel-ebrate another successful year.

Nutritionist and Gladiator Caroline Pearce(top) will be among the judges, whileCharlotte Ord will host the ceremony.

Increased publicity and local media coverage are just some of the benefits seen byour award winning clubs – and some of them have gone the e xtra mile to ensure theirwins were noticed by members and the wider community. The Waterfront LeisureComplex in Greenock was named Local Authority Gym of the Year and thanked mem-bers by getting T shirts printed to celebrate their win. Another club reaping therewards of winning is Oxygen Fit in East Barnet – run by husband and wife teamEmma and Neil Godly – who scooped the tr ophy for Newcomer of the Year. The pairwere so thrilled to win the awar d they also had T shirts printed – and commissioned aplaque which has pride of place on the gym’ s front door.

Last year’s Lifetime Achievement recipient Ken Heathcote with host Katherine Kelly.

Lifetime nominees wantedDO you know someone who has dedi-cated their life to the fitness industr y?If so, Workout would like to hear fromyou.

The National Fitness Awards has adedicated category for LifetimeAchievement – designed to recognisean individual whose hard work anddedication has really made a differ-ence. Previous winners of this award

are industry legends Jim Charles andKen Heathcote and if you know some-one who deserves to join this presti-gious list, nominate them now to putthem in with a chance of scoopingthis year’s trophy.

Visit the dedicated National FitnessAwards website at www.nationalfit-nessawards.co.uk to find out more orto make your nomination.

Essex leads the way at NFAsTHE only way is the National FitnessAwards for Essex gyms...

Since the awards started back in2010, the county has been one of themost successful when it comes toscooping awards.

Last year’s double award winners SDSchool of Martial Arts hail fromColchester while Ripped Gym –named best combat gym at the 2010NFAs and strength training gym of theyear in 2011 are based in Harlow.

Basildon is also the home of Club

Kingswood which has won Southerngym of the year for two years running– and in 2010 took home the tr ophyfor National Gym of the year.

So whether you are an Essex basedclub who wants to join them in theNFA hall of fame or a gym fr om some-where else in the UK, who wants toput your area on the map, shoutabout your achievements by enteringthe awards at www.nationalfitnes-sawards.co.uk

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UK FITNESS SCENE34

Save 20 per cent on badge ordersBADGEMASTER is celebrating its 20thanniversary and to mark the occasionis offering a 20 per cent discount offlist prices for all orders placed bySeptember 20 2012.

Many changes have happened sinceBadgemaster started trading from aportable cabin in July 1992.

Most notably, founders John andVicky Bancroft have steadily growntheir workforce to 88 full time staff atthe company’s state-of-the-art 12,500sqft facility in Newstead,Nottinghamshire.

The Bancrofts are delighted thattheir first employee still remains onthe team and this year collects his 20year long service award.

John said: “From the outset, ourmission has always been to invest inour people and processes to make thehighest quality badges at the lowest

cost for customers, and to deliverproducts fast.”

To receive the 20 per cent anniver-sary discount off list prices for namebadges, customers just need to quote20YEARS on their order beforeSeptember 20 2012.

For more information contact 01623 723112

or visit www.badgemaster.co.uk.

Are you ready to jointhe fitness training elite?ENHANCE your personal trainingcredentials by joining an elite net-work of the world’s finest fitnesstrainers.

Appearing across the SportExFestival weekend on October 20 and21 at EventCity, Manchester will bethe Physique Elite training team.

Comprising of world renowned fit-ness experts including cover modelKirk Miller, IFBB Bikini contestantCourtney Prather and Team Grenadeathlete James St Ledger, PhysiqueElite will be on hand to offer firstrate guidance and advice on theworld’s best transformation trainingmethods.

Overseen by legends of body trans-formation, DTP founder Kris Gethinand Y3T forefather Neil Hill,Physique Elite aims to develop aglobal network of the very best per-sonal trainers. Offering the opportu-nity to learn advanced, evidencebased training methods, PhysiqueElite provides a high quality sup-port network to all its trainers incor-porating education, development

and self-marketing.Co-founder of the Physique Elite

Training network Neil Hill said:“SportEx Festival will be the firsttime Physique Elite appears at amajor fitness function with all of itsmaster trainers in place. We arelooking for the best trainers in theworld to join our team. It is not likeevery other fitness course, only thebest of the best will be accepted. I fyou do have what it takes however, awhole range of development oppor-tunities will be available. Anyonewith an interest in Physique Eliteneeds to stop by during the SportExFestival weekend”.

For more information contactwww.sportexfestival.co.uk.

WITH cutting edge, patented,ergonomic design and an exclusive‘gator’ fastening mechanism withretractable teeth for speedy weightchanges, the Les Mills Smartbar issaid to be the biggest innovation inbarbell technology for years – andEscape Fitness has the exclusive UKdistributor rights for it.

CEO of Les Mills Enterprises at LesMills International Vaughan Schwasssaid: “Our research showed that mostpeople found fastening and changingweight plates during exercise prettyslow and cumbersome, so we’ve keptuser testing at the front of our designprocess and have completely rein-vented traditional barbell design.”

The variety of exercises that can beperformed is huge, this is not ‘just abarbell’. It can be used for resistanceexercises, kettlebell style workouts,Rip-style sessions and more. For more information call 0800 458 5558 or

sign up at www.smartbaruk.com

Smartbar rights for Escape

FUNCTIONAL fitness specialists,Jordan Fitness, are supporting com-mercial airline pilot, Daniel Hughes,on a journey to the top of the world,to raise funds for Comic Relief.

Daniel aims to raise £1m, by puttingthe world’s first and highest red noseon top of Mount Everest in 2013.

Daniel’s climb, which is also spon-sored by HTC, will be backed by anational media campaign and willdemonstrate what it really takes toclimbs the world’s toughest and high-est mountain.

As part of his strict fitness regime,and under the guidance of personaltrainer, Jamie Baird, Daniel’s trainingis as tough as that of a pr ofessionalathlete. To assist in his challenge,Jordan Fitness have supplied Danielwith kettlebells, sandbags and an airstability disc.

Sales director Zak Pitt said: “Thefunctional design of our kit willenable Daniel to condition the musclegroups required for the challenge andhelp with stamina training. We wishhim all the very best with his train-ing.”To help Daniel reach his target please go towww.everestmillion.com or for more infor-

mation on Jordan Fitness equipment visitwww.jordanfitness.co.uk

Jordan supports EverestRed Nose Challenge

Gymkit UK reportsrecord sales in VplateDC Leisure has become the latest in astring of fitness operators to equiptheir gyms with the new Vplate vibra-tion plates.

Fitness equipment specialistsGymkit UK who manufacture theplates say sales have continued togrow, particularly in the highly com-petitive group account sector. DCLeisure join the likes of EnergieGroup, DeVere/Village Leisure,Competition Line and ParkwoodLeisure, adding Vplates to Kinetikabranded sites.

Group fitness manager Sarah Leoniesaid: “We have been researching thevibration market for some time andreally like the Vplate. As well as look-ing good, the products are well built,

and are backed by excellent warranty.We were also impressed with the ClubVplate training programme and mar-keting support.”

The REPS accredited Vplate trainingprogramme is a one-day on sitecourse and carries eight CPD points.Gymkit UK have also developed anexclusive online resource centre “ClubVplate”, which has 100s of workoutvideo clips, images and advancedexercises for trainers to refer to.

Gymkit UK managing directorHoward Braband said: “We have beendelighted with the reliability of theVplates, and we are pleased to bringto market a plate that is not onlyextremely well built, but one that isaffordable for most operators.”

SPORTSART Fitness is leading theway, not only in eco-friendly manu-facturing operations and develop-ment of energy efficient fitness prod-ucts.

The company now plans to launchthe new revolutionary Green Systemat Leisure Industry Week 2012, turn-ing human energy into useable power.

The SportsArt Green System uses a“pod” of fitness products attached toan inverter that harnesses human-generated power from exercisers andfeeds this back into the power grid asuseable energy.

This is claimed to be the first "plugand play" solution of its kind forhealth club owners who want to offsetpower costs by freely harnessing

human energy. Managing director Mark Turner said:

“The power inverter attached to theGreen System is about the size of astereo receiver and has a regular240VAC plug. To operate the system, aperson would simply plug it in to a240VAC outlet and start exercising.Each pod can generate up to 2000watts per hour during full use and cal-culations based on a typical healthclub that replaces all of its ellipticalsand cycles with SportsArt GreenSystems could make savings ofbetween £1500.00 – £2000.00 per yearon electricity bills. With that kind ofsaving on energy, it’s certainly worthhealth clubs investigating the possi-bilities further.”

Turn human energy into power

Gyms need to engageTHE health and fitness industry is notfully exploiting the lucrative weightloss market and needs to fully recog-nise the needs of customers, saysXtravaganza managing director GeoffRigg.

He said many people joining gymsto lose weight fail because they don’tmake fast enough progress and theindustry is consequently losing manynew customers to the 'weight lossindustry'.

He also pointed out that it is ver ycommon for customers to have gymmembership in addition to member-ship with a weight loss organisation.

He said: “While the weight-lossindustry has more success, its cus-tomers often put weight back on

because neither their mind set northe underlying causes of their weightproblems – usually unhealthylifestyles – have been addressed.”

Xtravaganza’s weight loss solution,now being offered in the UK, aims totackle each of these issues. Early,rapid weight loss encourages cus-tomers to keep going. The pro-gramme then focuses on mind train-ing, lifestyle change, nutrition andenjoyable exercise.

Geoff added: “It’s worked for 150,000people in Scandinavia and the UK’sneeds are much greater. It has fullsupport and backing from medicaldoctors and nutritionists and it’s aready-made bolt-on for the healthand fitness businesses.”

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36 SUPPLEMENTATION AND NUTRITION

Supplement trialproves successfulBy Helen Williams

A STAFFORDSHIRE independentgym owner is celebrating after 37 ofher members lost weight and inch-es during a trial of the DreamFigureweight loss supplement.

Earlier this year, Workout reportedhow Michele Elizabeth, owner oftwo ladies only Felines clubs inBurton and Sedgley, was looking forwomen to take part in the trial.

The 30-day trial has now beencompleted and Michele describes itas “an overwhelming success” –with those taking part shedding agrand total of 19 stones, threepounds and 307 inches.

Star performer Jayne lost 19pounds and 12.25 inches. She saidshe had felt full after meals and wasproud of her willpower whenwatching friends eating.

Every woman who took part in thetrial lost weight and inches. Michelesaid: “We trialled three different for-mulas, analysed the results and are

now proud to launch theDreamFigure three stage range ofweight loss supplements.”

DreamFigure is a three-monthweight loss plan with supplementsspecially formulated for womenfrom natural ingredients.

It has three stages: � Stage one – DreamFigure.� Stage two – Second Kick. � Stage three – Amazon.

Michele, a keen fan of naturalbodybuilding, was warming up fora competition just as Workout wentto print. She was about to enter theMiss Figure Class of the BritishNatural Bodybuilding FederationMidland Qualifier.

Michele competed in her firstBNBF Miss Figure final last year atthe age of 47 – and placed in thetop 12, competing against women20 years her junior.

Following pressure from her andother campaigners, the competitionhas introduced an ‘over 40s’ catego-ry within this class. Michele Elizabeth

A NEW campaign has been launchedto encourage chefs to slash 500mcalories from their dishes each day tohelp tackle Britain’s obesity problem.

The Unilever Food Solutions’ cam-paign urges chefs to improve thehealth of the nation by slicing just 24calories from each dish – helping tomeet health secretary AndrewLansley’s national target.

To drive home the message, the

global food giant partnered with BBCCelebrity MasterChef winner andhealthy eating champion LisaFaulkner to launch a calorie-bustingAmbu-lunch outside the Houses ofParliament.

The converted ambulance, com-plete with working restaurant, willnow visit chefs around the country,driving awareness and providing tipson how to reduce calories.

Health secretary Andrew Lansley is pictured with Lisa Faulkner and Tracey Rogers,managing director of Unilever Food Solutions.

Lisa launches Ambu-lunch

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Warrior Blaze has been designedwith one goal in mind – to be theworld’s most powerful thermo-genic formula.

We haven’t hidden the ingredi-ents behind some “proprietaryblend” – they’re right here on thebottle.

This is an elite class ther mogenicstimulant formula designed forhardcore athletes who need anddemand the best from their sportssupplements.

If you haven’t got a high toler-ance for stimulants, this isn’t foryou.

If you have a weak constitutionor are afraid of taking somethingdesigned to give you seriousresults, this isn’t for you.

This is for those looking to getserious energy, serious heat, seri-ous appetite suppression ... seri-ously quickly.

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or email the trade team for pricing by contacting

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A fatburnerthat hasnothingto hide

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38 SUPPLEMENTATION AND NUTRITION

With an endless amount of information available, it can be difficult knowing where to start when it comes tohealthy eating and nutrition. In a special column for Workout, fitness model and personal trainer Carly Thorntonreveals her top tips – ideal for clubs to pass on to members who are struggling to get to grips with their diets.

Incorporate each foodgroup for a healthy youTHERE is a continual growth of faddiets in every magazine we read, so Iwanted to highlight the importance ofeach major food group and how toincorporate them into our dailylifestyle to promote and maintainoverall health. Without our health weare nothing…

The three basic groups of foods arecarbohydrates, proteins and fats.These are also called macronutrientsor ‘go, grow and glow’ foods. Each ofthese three types of food serves animportant function in promoting orsupporting overall health.

Carbohydrates:Carbohydrates are direct energy foods– ‘go’ foods. Grain based foods likebread and pasta are a commonsource of carbohydrates, as are fruitsand starchy vegetables like potatoesand beans. The body converts thesefoods directly into sugar for fueling itsmany functions.

Beans and pulses – build muscle,help burn fat and regulate digestion.

A few examples of beans are:� Soya beans� Chickpeas� Black beans� Cannellini beans

Oats – boost energy, reduce choles-terol and maintain blood sugar levels.

Brown rice – prevents your bodyfrom storing fat.

Vegetables – neutralises free radical,which are molecules that acceleratethe aging process. It is important tohave a colourful plate. These powerfulsuper foods are jammed packed withvitamins including

Vitamin A and Vitamin C, Folic acid,minerals such as calcium and magne-sium and fibre.

Berries and other fruits – protectyour heart, enhances eyesight,improves balance, coordination, pre-vents cravings. They are very high inantioxidants, fibre and Vitamin C.

Protein:Protein is building food – ‘grow’ food– that the body uses to maintain mus-

cles and tissues. Some proteins arecomplete – they have all of the aminoacids your body needs.

Other proteins are incomplete andmust be combined to create completeproteins. Therefore, it is important toeat food from a variety of proteinsources.

Sources of protein include: � Turkey, other lean meats and fish –builds muscle and improves theimmune system.� Eggs – builds muscle and bur nsfats.� Cottage cheese, Greek yoghurt andQuark – builds strong bones and firesup weight loss.� Whey protein – builds muscle andburns fat.

It is important to have a mix of pr o-teins from different sources as they allcontain other benefits, such as:� Creatine – found in beef.� Omega-three fatty acids – found inoily fish.� Vitamin B6 – found in chicken andfish.� Vitamin B12 and Vitamin A – foundin eggs.� Calcium, Vitamin A and B12,

riboflavin, potassium.

Fats:Fats are the third macronutrient, andmake up part of the ‘glow’ foods.Glow foods also include fruits andvegetables. Fats are crucial to goodhealth, but it is important to choosegood fats – here are some examplewith a variety of benefits:� Extra Virgin Olive Oil and UdosChoice Oil – help lower cholesteroland boost the immune system.� Fresh nuts and avocado – helpbuild muscle and fight cravings.� All natural nut butters – booststestosterone, builds muscle andburns fats.

Breakfast is the most importantmeal. We have fasted for hours whileasleep and our body needs fuel justlike a car needs petrol.

You may think you can run onempty but you are robbing vital nutri-ents from organs in the process. Ifyou are not providing your body withthe nutrients it needs, it will start rob-bing your bones and muscles to getthem.

So what can we have for breakfast tostart the day right?� Eggs on rye bread� A protein shake and porridge� Protein pancakes� Omelette� Greek yoghurt with one scoop ofwhey protein and toasted oats

At a rough estimate, try to eat everytwo to three hours after breakfastincorporating each food group,adding spices, herbs and vinegars tomake every dish flavoursome. Cleaneating does not have to be bland andboring. We need to keep mixing it up,not just for the different nutrients butto keep the motivation alive. This isnot a fad diet, this is a way of life , ahealthy lifestyle, so do not look on itas a chore, you are improving youroverall health and well being, with theoutcome of a slimmer, happiervibrant you.

Carly Thornton

Clean eating does not have to be bland and boring .

Hollywood actress and fitness enthusi-ast Gwyneth Paltrow (pictured right) hasrevealed she is a fan of a supplementrange which contains high quality beeproducts. She has written aboutUnbeelievable products on her blog – arange which includes the signatureingredient Bee Propolis, alongside blackelderberry, olive leaf, beta glucans andnewly added Reishi mushrooms, knownfor their antioxidant and anti-inflamma-tory properties. The latest product to hitthe market is the BeePrepared MaxStrength and Daily Defence, designed toboost the immune system.

LEADING sports nutrition brandMyprotein has launched an interac-tive nutrition guide, to help peopletraining for a variety of sports and fit-ness activities.

The online guide suggests a recom-mended daily allowance of protein,carbohydrates and fats, as well as abreakdown of recommended dailynutritional intakes for activitiesincluding bodybuilding, athletics andswimming. It also features interviewswith top athletes – including world400m hurdles champion Dai Greenand 100m backstroke world record

holder Gemma Spofforth – who offerhints and tips for building muscle,losing fat and enhancing sports per-formance.

Myprotein’s Mark Coxhead said: “It’sreally important to get the right bal-ance in your diet when training fordifferent sports. Every athlete requiresvarying levels of protein, carbohy-drates, fats, amino acids and creatinein their diet. I’d recommend for everysports enthusiast to closely examinetheir diet – after all, the r ight nutritioncoupled with the right training willbring you the results you want.”

Myprotein launches new guide

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BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

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SOFTWARE

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LIGHTING

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CLOTHING AND MERCHANDISE

LOCKERS

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