features
PROJECT PROFILES: Supplier Showcase
We take a look at recent projects by Premier Software, D2F Fitness and Matrix Fitness
MANAGING DIVERSITY
Client: Reynolds
Suppliers: Premier Software
Reynolds is a family-run business with more than 20 years’ experience in the health and fitness sector. With a collection of four individually styled fitness spas in Kent, Reynolds required a scheduling and business management solution that could be rolled out across several locations. The solution also needed to effectively manage Reynolds’ multiple membership types.
“We have over 11 different membership types, each with a specific focus – from flexible packages to Treat and Tone, corporate packages to bespoke personal training programmes,” says Kieran Street, sales director at Reynolds.
“We selected CORE by Premier and it has given us the perfect platform to manage our membership types across both our leisure and spa facilities.”
CORE by Premier has been designed to provide a single solution to suit both standalone and multi-location environments. Its single database structure allows instant access to guest profiles, as well as the ability to schedule appointments for any site.
Reynolds uses CORE’s online membership sign-up facility, a paperless solution that includes instant bank account and postal validation as well as Guestline Epos integration. The end result has been a more customer-focused solution for membership sign-ups and management.
CORE’s call centre functionality has been particularly beneficial for Reynolds, with on-site staff able to focus on delivering a first-class service while bookings are managed independently by a central reservation team.
Street continues: “CORE by Premier also offers us the ability to be highly targeted with our marketing communications. For example, automated birthday emails and SMS offers add a personal touch, meaning our members feel loved.
“We also have the ability to remind clients that their membership is about to expire, which has helped a great deal with member retention.”
Street adds: “Our marketing was definitely more blanketed before the introduction of CORE, but now we can be much more direct and personal with our communications.”
CORE by Premier has also been instrumental in business intelligence at Reynolds. When asked what aspect of the software the company found the most beneficial, Street highlighted CORE’s extensive reporting capabilities.
“The reporting services are very good. They provide us with a wealth of business data, which can be crucial when deciding how best to move the business forward and set future goals.
“The training provided by Premier has also been excellent, covering everything we needed to know and leaving us feeling confident with our choice of software.”
www.premiersoftware.co.uk
DOUBLING UP
Client: Grantham Meres Leisure Centre
Supplier: Matrix Fitness
Grantham Meres Leisure Centre is at the heart of the South Kesteven District community. It offers a great range of affordable leisure facilities that cater for all sporting backgrounds, from beginner recreational use to elite level competition.
Following a three-month programme of investment totalling £600,000, the gym has doubled in size and is quickly becoming one of the most popular facilities in the East Midlands. The site is one of 45 local authority venues managed by lifestyle and management solutions company 1Life – a company that aims to engage with people in local communities to create tailored solutions that support local outcomes, drive participation and deliver results at a local level.
Customer consultation revealed a need for Grantham Meres Leisure Centre to appeal to a broader audience. As a result, the gym has undergone a significant transformation, with the introduction of 50 per cent more equipment, including the installation of cardio products from the Matrix Fitness 7xe Series.
The investment has also funded a new dedicated group cycling studio – complete with IC7 Indoor Cycles powered by ICG, which can also be found on the gym floor. The studio features Myride virtual entertainment and instructor technology, enabling customers to participate either in timetabled live classes or in virtual classes, following the instructions of an on-screen trainer – a first for the district.
A second, multi-purpose studio supports a greatly enhanced group exercise programme – over 120 classes every week, compared to 38 before the expansion.
In addition, functional training opportunities in the new gym have been enhanced, with dedicated zones housing Magnum plate-loaded kit and free weights, as well as fixed resistance equipment from Matrix’s Aura range.
Ian Rushbury, head of fitness at 1Life, says: “Visitors have been blown away by the quality of finish, technology and variety of equipment on offer. Our research told us we needed to appeal to a broader range of local people, and with the new modern facilities and great new services, we have every chance of helping everyone get the most out of life.”
Jo Rich, director of key accounts for Matrix Fitness, adds: “Fitness trends are transient, so it’s imperative to have a really good understanding of what’s important to your loyal customers to ensure longer-term business success.”
She continues: “1Life’s collaborative approach means it’s expert in ensuring the facilities it manages deliver what’s required to keep customers coming back. Initial feedback from staff and patrons of Grantham Mere Leisure Centre has been extremely positive.”
Details: www.matrixfitness.co.uk
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Client: Lotus F1 Team
Suppliers: D2F Fitness and Matrix Fitness
Formula 1 is the highest class of single seat auto racing in the world. Every year, 20 drivers from 10 different teams compete for both constructors’ and drivers’ world championship titles.
During the 19-race season, the forces exerted on Formula 1 drivers are immense – in fact, the demands on the whole team are enormous – so providing the right resources to ensure the physical fitness of the team is paramount.
Lotus F1 Team approached one of its official technical partners, Matrix Fitness, about expanding its Human Performance Centre (HPC) to include an outdoor functional training area.
“The area needed to be capable of meeting the training requirements of people with different fitness levels and abilities,” comments Daryl Coombes, Human Performance Centre training manager at Lotus F1 Team. “Formula 1 is a team sport, so while we need to ensure our drivers have access to equipment that will help them to excel out on the track, we also want to provide the entire team – including development drivers, pit crew, engineering and office staff – with a training facility that will support their individual fitness goals.”
Matrix engaged with strategic partner D2F Fitness to implement a solution that would meet the Lotus brief.
“We’ve worked with Matrix on a number of occasions to deliver bespoke XCUBE functional training rig solutions to clients across the UK, and were thrilled to be approached about this exciting project,” says John Lofting, sales director at D2F Fitness. “Following initial discussions, we recommended that a customised XCUBE Oxygen functional training rig would allow Lotus to expand the fitness offering at its HPC without compromising on the existing indoor space.”
The Oxygen rig installed at Lotus HQ in Oxfordshire has a number of fixed attachments including monkey bars, chin-up bars and dip station, as well as multiple points for suspension training.
“In addition to the XCUBE, we also supplied a number of functional training accessories – including Reebok medicine balls and kettlebells, a Fortitude Fitness Core Trainer and a selection of ViPR to support loaded weight training – that will enable the trainers to enhance the outdoor workouts,” continues Lofting.
The final element of the solution was a BattleX group battle rope trainer. The BattleX trainer can be used outdoors but can also be moved indoors if required, and allows up to 16 people to simultaneously participate in a battle rope training session.
“The XCUBE is a fantastic addition to our HPC,” says Coombes. “It provides us with that extra dimension in exercise choice, not only for the strength and conditioning coaches, but also for the factory staff and our Formula 1 and Junior Academy drivers.
“The health and fitness of the team is paramount in maintaining productivity to stay ahead of the competition.”
www.d2ffitness.com
www.matrixfitness.co.uk
