Urban lifestyle

Cybex International UK showcases its work with URBANFITNESS London

Cybex International UK has partnered with new central London gym concept URBANFITNESS in a five-year exclusive deal to install more than 80 pieces of strength and cardio equipment at its first site in Aldgate.

The facility, which opened in February, has been designed to offer a new take on the gym experience: members have access to premium fitness equipment, evidence-based fitness programmes and group exercise classes for all levels, as well as ongoing education, for just £29.99 a month based on a rolling monthly agreement.

The gym’s extensive range of cardio equipment includes treadmills from Cybex’s premium 790 series, 770 series Arc Trainers and bikes, as well as the new SPARC, which recently launched in the UK. Based on Cybex’s Arc Trainer and its patented Arc motion of movement, the SPARC is a self-powered resisted cardio machine designed for HIIT or circuits. Its simple adjustment and user features are matched with a biomechanical design that means the SPARC is gentler on joints.

In addition, the gym has a large dedicated strength training area equipped with 12 pieces from Cybex’s Eagle NX and Prestige VRS selectorised lines, Big Iron half racks, bespoke Jungle Gym and Bravo Functional Trainers. A range of free weight and plate-loaded equipment was also installed.

Customised frame and upholstery colours were chosen in line with the gym’s branding – a service made possible to all Cybex clients as a result of the manufacturer’s build-to-order policy.

The gym also houses Wattbikes, WaterRowers, a dedicated indoor Peloton cycling studio equipped with Keiser M3 studio bikes, an extensive range of functional training equipment and a group exercise studio.

Commenting on the launch of the new gym, Jonathan Williams, co-founder of URBANFITNESS London, says: “We aim to offer our members the absolute best across every aspect of our facility, to create an inspiring environment that helps every single person achieve their long-term active lifestyle goals. The feedback from members so far has been fantastic.

“We’re focused on building the URBANFITNESS London brand and, with plans to roll out multiple sites across the capital, the relationship with our key suppliers is paramount. We view Cybex as an important and valued partner.”

Rob Thurston, commercial director for Cybex UK, adds: “URBANFITNESS Sugar House’s central London location, competitive pricing model and extensive range of equipment makes it a unique offering for members and one that’s already providing hugely popular.”

www.cybexintl.com

The new URBANFITNESS facility offers an extensive range of cardio equipment

Members have access to premium Cybex fitness equipment

"We’re focused on building the URBANFITNESS London brand, with plans to roll out multiple sites across the capital" – Jonathan Williams

Simply functional

Simply Gym invests £1m in third functional training site in Wales in collaboration with Life Fitness

A collaboration between Life Fitness and Simply Gym has seen the creation of a high quality, low-cost gym in Cwmbran town centre, Wales, in response to the needs of the community. The total investment for Simply Gym’s third site was close to £1m and the 10,000sq ft gym has proved extremely popular since opening in January 2016.

Simply Gym believes the best way to get results for sport and weight loss is through functional training, combining small group training classes with a fun class timetable and a low membership cost. Each Simply Gym has a SYNRGY360 fitness system as the focus of its functional training area, complete with speakers, a lighting rig and PTs to provide an endless supply of exercises.

The major installation at Simply Gym Cwmbran consists of 68 pieces of Life Fitness equipment, making it the latest UK gym to become an official Hammer Strength Training Centre.
Products include HD Elite, Hammer Strength plate-loaded and the full Discover range including the FlexStrider variable-stride trainer and PowerMill climber. As at the other two Simply Gyms in Gorseinon and Llansamlet, SYNRGY360 is used for group training, with zones for cable training, bodyweight training, boxing and kettle bells.

Richard Proctor, CEO of Bay Leisure – which operates Simply Gym – says: “Hammer Strength and SYNRGY360 are key priorities for us across our sites, supported by well-trained staff delivering high standards of advice and encouragement to ensure members reach their fitness goals.

“We pride ourselves on providing high quality equipment at a price that makes it available to people who couldn’t previously afford to use a gym.”

Simply Gym offers a free range of classes to members, with many focusing on SYNRGY360’s functional training system. Keith Smith, global master trainer at Life Fitness, has provided extensive fitness education for Simply Gym’s personal trainers through the Life Fitness Academy, and classes on offer include Synrgy Starter, Synrgy Core, Synrgy Max, Synrgy Body Weight and Synrgy Circuit. These sessions have proved extremely popular, so are replicated across all three gyms.

Proctor continues: “We follow a clear vision when installing equipment in our gyms, offering a broad functional fitness portfolio to our members. Simply Gym is now well-known for this type of training and its motivating SYNRGY360 sessions.”

Dave Connolly, account manager at Life Fitness, says: “State-of-the-art equipment and a vibrant training environment ensures Simply Gyms deliver truly inspirational workouts, with results.”

www.lifefitness.co.uk

Simply Gym offers a range of classes on the SYNRGY360

The Cwmbran site has 68 pieces of Life Fitness equipment

"We offer a broad functional fitness portfolio to our members. Simply Gym is now well-known for this type of training" – Richard Proctor

Health checks

King Alfred Sport Centre 1610 has worked with Technogym to create a technology-focused dual-use site

King Alfred Sports Centre 1610 opened in December 2015, following a £450,000 investment to transform it into a state-of-the-art health and wellbeing centre. Technology and innovation are key to this dual-use centre, which is open both to students of King Alfred School and members of the public, so the centre has been equipped with the latest interactive Technogym equipment.

One of 1610’s key objectives is to provide a personalised experience for its members. The integration of Tanita’s professional body composition monitors with Technogym’s cloud-based platform mywellness allows 1610 to offer a more holistic approach to its members’ health.

When a new member signs up, they immediately begin 1610’s six-stage KickStart programme, and the Tanita is an integral part of this programme, providing a wealth of baseline data which helps shape the member’s goals and inform their fitness training plans.

“We’ve always been keen to stay ahead of the curve, adopt new trends and create unique experiences for our members, so we’ve been working with Technogym over the last five years to strengthen and develop our fitness offering,” explains Joe Philip, fitness manager at 1610. “When Technogym first integrated with Tanita, we immediately built it into our business plan for King Alfred as we saw it as a great addition to the member journey – and a potential secondary income stream.”

Sixty-two per cent of members with mywellness accounts at King Alfred have used Tanita since the centre opened in December. Beyond its integration within the KickStart programme, the Tanita service is also offered for ‘wellness works’ members (GP referral clients or self-referral customers), allowing instructors to monitor their progress.

After the initial KickStart programme and review, members can pay £10 to be provided with a full reading of their data and a review of their existing programme..

As it’s located on a school site, the staff at King Alfred 1610 also recognise the opportunity to have a positive impact on young people. “We wanted to interest and educate children in the importance of being more active, more often. We’ve set out to create an offering children will respond to, to engage those who don’t enjoy PE or physical activity,” says Philip.

“Technology has become a huge driver in the health and fitness industry, and we constantly see from our sites how important it is in delivering a high level member experience,” explains Tim Nightingale, CEO at 1610. “Tools such as Tanita and mywellness allow us to offer new ways to enhance our members’ motivation and adherence to their training plans, in turn helping them achieve their goals and make lasting changes.”

www.technogym.com

The facility caters for both students and the public

The centre offers users the latest interactive Technogym equipment

"Technology has become a huge driver. We constantly see how important it is in delivering a high level member experience" – Tim Nightingale