Health Club Management magazine
2015 issue 4
Health Club Management 2015 issue 4
On the cover: Humphrey Cobbold
The CEO of Pure Gym on driving the business beyond club walls
3. Editor’s letter: Working alongside GPs
There is much the health and fitness sector can do to build closer links with GPs – and with it boost the number of people being active – says Kate Cracknell
8. Letters: Write to reply
Wearables as an opportunity not a threat, boosting the use of swimming pools, and the vital need to track and publish results
12. News round-up:
ClassPass launches in London, David Stalker and Fred Turok on their trampolining ambitions, Fit For Sport links up with Looney Tunes, and ActiveIQ unveils college course
19. Technology: The advent of Apple
What does the arrival of the Apple Watch mean for the gym industry? Technology expert Bryan O’Rourke offers his views
20. IHRSA 2015: News round-up
Arianna Huffington on prioritising wellbeing, Phillip Mills unveils plans for at-home on-demand classes, and a study of 1,000,000 member surveys reveals the top five things loyal gym members care most about
22. People news:
BMF founder Harry Sowerby rejoins as MD, John Oxley swaps Active Nation for PfP Leisure, and Liz Holmes joins Virgin Active
24. IHRSA update: Kelly McGonigal
In her IHRSA 15 keynote, psychologist Kelly McGonigal spoke about the science of willpower and how the health and fitness industry can seek to harness it
27. Diary dates:
Active-net takes place this month, while May sees BodyPower, the Retention Convention and SIBEC UK
28. Everyone’s talking about...: Getting off the couch
With Public Health England issuing a rallying cry about physical inactivity, how can the fitness industry help?
30. Interview: Humphrey Cobbold
The new CEO of affordable fitness chain Pure Gym talks to Kate Cracknell about the need to shift the focus beyond the gym walls
36. ukactive update: All change, but no change at all
ukactive strategy director Steven Ward considers what might be in store for the physical activity sector following the 2015 General Election
40. Retention series: The personal touch
Does personal training increase member retention? Dr Melvyn Hillsdon offers insight and analysis based on his ongoing research
46. Promotional feature: Matrix Fitness
eGym’s electronic strength training system delivers a full-body workout in under 30 minutes, using just eight stations
Health Club Management 2015 issue 4
On the cover: Humphrey Cobbold
The CEO of Pure Gym on driving the business beyond club walls
48. Market analysis: The middle man
Reinvention, repositioning, a return to growth? Kate Cracknell asks our experts what’s next for the mid-market after several tough years
56. Parkour: From street to studio
Parkour has captured the public’s imagination in recent years, so how can fitness operators bring the buzz of this practice into the studio?
62. Promotional feature: Wattbike
Olympic team pursuit gold medallist and England Rugby’s Tom Youngs explain why they use the Wattbike as part of their training regime
64. Fitness & disability: Access for all
Many gym operators are still falling short when it comes to catering for disabled people – but there are some positive cases where the industry is getting it right
70. Active streets: Power to the people
Riccardo Marini, director at urban quality consultants Gehl Architects, talks about his work to prioritise pedestrians and healthy movement on city streets around the world
74. Promotional feature: Focus Training
Focus Training MD Bob Ellis on delivering high calibre professionals that will shape a positive future for health and fitness
76. Public policy: Platform for action
The EU’s Platform for Diet, Health and Physical Activity encourages key stakeholders to set up health-improving initiatives across Europe. We look at some recent projects
80. Market research: Leaders of the pack
Who’s in the 20 leading fitness operators in Europe, and what have been the dynamics in market over the last year?
84. Supplier showcase:
This month we look at projects by Matrix, Life Fitness and D2F Fitness
90. Secondary spend: Fitness-kit.net special
Drinks, nutrition, accessories and toiletries to drive secondary spend
98. Research: Run for your life
Study highlights a new treadmill test that identifies a person’s risk of dying
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