ISSUE 1 May
WEEKLY
Issue 23
23 October 2020
YOUR REGULAR ONLINE UPDATE FOR THE UK FITNESS SCENE
Fisikal works with Surge to build new ‘membership pause’ option into app page 3 British Empire Medal for fitness instructor page 4 University partners with Technogym for fitness and wellness solutions page 5
Roll of
HONOUR 2020 WO R KO U T M AG A Z I N E
Have you nominated your lockdown hero? Nominate your lockdown hero who has gone over and above in these most testing of times in the WorkOut Magazine 2020 Roll of Honour. We want to hear from you, if you know someone who has gone above and beyond in 2020, to make a difference and help their members and colleagues get through these harrowing times. The WorkOut Magazine 2020 Roll of Honour will appear in our January 2021 issue Send your nomination to events@scriptmedia.co.uk and we will be featuring some of your stories in WorkOut Magazine and our weekly WorkOut digital newsletter. Closing date for entries is Friday December 4.
We can’t wait to read your stories ‌ Sponsorship opportunities are also available by calling 01226 734 605
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Advertiser’s announcement
Fisikal works with Surge to build new ‘membership pause’ option into app SURGE, a premium multi-site Electronic Muscle Stimulation brand, has partnered with Fisikal to offer its members an option to ’pause’ their memberships during their membership term. “Surge training is based one short 20 minute workout every week. However, we understand that even the most dedicated members have points in their life when they are unable to visit our studios,” said James Nuttall, finance director at Surge. “We wanted to find a way to embrace these moments and build in a provision that enables individuals to self-schedule training and payment breaks of up to eight weeks across a 12-month term. James Nuttall
“Fisikal worked with us to make this functionality possible direct from our app. This feature is particularly useful during this pandemic, giving members the flexibility to take a break if they are isolating or not travelling into the city to work. “We appointed Fisikal as our digital partner in 2016 to help us manage a complex billing system and contract structure, as well as improve our member experience. “Through the creation of an intuitive, custom branded app, Fisikal has enabled us to offer members a means of booking and paying remotely. This has improved business efficiencies, performance analysis capabilities and enhanced member experience. “They are now able to have more control over the management of their membership.” Rob Lander, CEO at Fisikal, added: “EMS has very unique requirements which we needed to build bespoke functionality to accommodate. “For example, every EMS workout is led by a personal trainer and every session needs to be pre-booked to ensure the availability of the correct suit size. Prior to digital booking, suit selection and allocation caused an operational pressure point. “This pinch point has now been
removed, creating a much more fluid member experience.” “Moving our business online has given us access to a suite of automated reports that give us a snapshot of business performance in real-time, anytime from anywhere.” James added. “Our operational and programming decisions are now made in response to
data analysis and we can respond quickly to optimise revenue opportunities whilst minimising inefficiencies.” Surge studios are currently operating in Hammersmith and Bank. A third studio has been established in Fleet Street, with an anticipated opening date of January 2021. www.fisikal.com
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British Empire Medal for fitness instructor
World-class feedback for leisure operator NET Promoter Scores from Oldham Community Leisure customers, which have seen a significant increase during the Covid-19 pandemic, put the company ahead of some of the best brands in the world. OCL’s Net Promoter Score, which was conducted by TRP, found the vast majority of customers would recommend its leisure facilities. In August 2020, OCL scored an impressive 73 overall across its leisure centres, with Royton Leisure Centre achieving an outstanding score of 79. OCL’s NPS scores out perform some of the best performing companies in the world, including Apple (65) and Amazon (69). A score of 70 or above is considered to be exceptionally high. NPS calculates the willingness of OCL customers to recommend its facilities and services, and as such is a good barometer of customer satisfaction and loyalty. The community leisure trust, which manages the leisure facilities across the borough, has even seen its scores rise since reopening after lockdown. TRP’s survey automatically selects customers that have made a visit to one of its centres and sends them a request to complete the survey. The selection of customers is controlled, so no customer is surveyed more than once in every six months, to make sure the results generated represent a good balance from OCL’s Group Editor: Judith Halkerston Tel: 01226 734639 jh@scriptmedia. co.uk Group production editor: Dominic Musgrave Tel: 01226 734407 dm@scriptmedia. co.uk
Sales and marketing director: Tony Barry Tel: 01226 734605 tb@scriptmedia. co.uk Sales manager: Louise BristoweHarrison Tel: 01226 734699 workout3@ scriptmedia.co.uk
Studio manager: Stewart Holt sth@scriptmedia. co.uk
www.workout-uk.co.uk
customer database. Simon Blair, OCL’s head of business Development, said: “It’s clear to us that our customers missed OCL during lockdown – and that our new enhanced levels of customer services, including the meet and greet of all visitors, an overall greater staff presence, an increase in cleaning and an expansion in our timetable with a reduction of class capacities, is something our customers want now, and something they will continue to want long-term, post pandemic. “There are lots of lessons we should be learning now to take us forward, which will continue to drive customer satisfaction upwards. “It’s been a tough ride over the last six months. But we’re extremely proud of what OCL has achieved as a team. Oldham has been hit hard by the pandemic, with our community experiencing sustained restrictions. But we all pulled together. “We are thrilled with our NPS scores, especially as we surveyed over 1,400 customers. The results demonstrate how the OCL team has responded to the Covid-19 challenges and is testament to their dedication, care and support. “We remain optimistic that OCL can continue to serve its community and provide customers with the engagement and interaction they crave through this difficult autumn and winter.”
TERRY Keen, a 74-year-old trained fitness instructor and resident at Anchor Hanover’s Willow Glade retirement scheme in Surrey, has been awarded a British Empire Medal for his unwavering efforts to maintain and improve the health and wellbeing of our older generations during Covid-19. Terry was nominated by Anchor Hanover, England’s largest not-for-profit provider of care and housing for older people, whom he lives with and whom he collaborated with to launch a fitness programme for older people called 10 Today. Having overcome his own serious health issues several years ago, Terry knows all too well how staying fit can profoundly boost people’s mental, social and physical wellbeing. He said: “I’m overwhelmed and extremely honoured to receive a British Empire Medal. “It’s really made my year, to be able to celebrate this during such a challenging period for everyone. “I’ve always been passionate about helping people get fit and active in their later years, so this award means the world to me. “I’m very grateful to Anchor Hanover for nominating me, and for giving me many opportunities to spread the word about how staying active can boost mental, physical and social wellbeing. We need this now more than ever! “It’s a truly special feeling, and I’m very humbled, in light of the tremendous efforts of so many in keeping us safe during these troubled times.” Since its launch in May 2019, Terry has led the 10 Today campaign, working with Anchor Hanover, Sports England and Demos to encourage older people across the country to take part in regular 10-minute exercises each day. The programme aims to help keep older people nimble, boosting their health but also preventing falls which would impact on an already overstretched NHS, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. Determined to maintain and improve the health of as many older people as possible, Terry personally created the flexible exercise programme which can be adapted for people of different
physical capabilities, whether they can stand independently or can only do armchair exercises. Terry felt it was even more important to connect with older people who were living alone because they were feeling especially isolated due to the pandemic. Terry understood how working with the media would raise awareness amongst older people, so he led exercise videos which older people could download from the 10 Today website and could be used by broadcasters to spread his message, and he embarked on radio interviews so that he could inspire older listeners to try the exercises. Going one step further, Terry collaborated with Anchor Hanover to launch Be Active during the pandemic. Be Active is a comprehensive wellness and movement programme, designed to empower older people to take control of their physical and mental wellbeing and make positive changes in their lives, during and beyond the pandemic. The inclusive programme, spearheaded by Terry, was carefully curated with industry experts and offers a wide range of online resources, from video-led exercise and dance routines to podcasts and tips on how to keep the mind active. Terry’s determination to keep older people connected began many years before the pandemic. For the Queen’s 90th birthday in 2016, he wanted to give older people the chance to wish the Queen a happy birthday. So, with an A3-size birthday card in hand, he cycled from the furthest north property owned by Anchor Hanover in Berwick Upon Tweed to their most southerly retirement housing property in Cornwall. His 50-day journey saw him zigzagging across the country to reach as many older people as possible so they could personally sign the birthday card for Her Majesty. After delivering the birthday card, the Queen was so impressed that she wrote him a personal thank you letter. He was thrilled to receive this letter from the Queen but he said what motivated him was seeing the smiles on the older people’s faces as they were signing the card.
Sharon is our first lockdown hero DURING lockdown and throughout Greater Manchester’s extended localised restrictions, Sharon Taylor has supported her Trafford Leisure ‘family’ by setting up and running a food bank to support colleagues who have been financially impacted through furlough, reduced hours and redundancy. Sharon, 48, has worked for Trafford Leisure for 21 years. She is part of the furniture; everyone knows Sharon! She has worked in many departments but is currently a receptionist at move Urmston, as well as a staff rep. Sharon prides herself in giving a warm and friendly welcome to both customers and staff. Sharon is someone that likes to keep busy and, during lockdown, when she was initially furloughed, she started volunteering at a local food bank in
Stretford, helping in the warehouse, making up food parcels and stacking shelves. But as lockdown continued, and more of her Trafford Leisure colleagues were being financially impacted by the pandemic, she decided to set up a Trafford Leisure Foodbank; going out of her way to collect food, make up food and essentials parcels, and even delivering them to staff and colleagues. Sharon felt it was important the staff food bank operated in a discreet and confidential way. Unlike community food banks, where you must complete personal forms, Sharon’s Trafford Leisure food bank doesn’t require any paperwork. It’s confidential and discreet, as many people are embarrassed to ask for help. Jo Cherrett, COO, Trafford Leisure, said: “Sharon has gone above and
beyond to help her work colleagues. She is a wonder woman. She is a trusted ally for members of staff. Sharon collects food and essentials from Trafford Leisure employees, wipes them down, stores them, creates food parcels and delivers them to staff in need. “All an employee needs to do if they need her support is drop her a text; Sharon does the rest. She really embodies what the Trafford Leisure community is all about. Staff supporting staff. We couldn’t be prouder.” Please send your nomination to events@scriptmedia.co.uk and we will be featuring some more of your stories in WorkOut magazine, and our WorkOut Weekly digital newsletter. Closing date for entries is Friday December 4. Ready, steady, get nominating …
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UNIVERSITY PARTNERS WITH TECHNOGYM FOR FITNESS AND WELLNESS SOLUTIONS
TECHNOGYM has announced its appointment as the official fitness equipment supplier to University of Portsmouth. The University of Portsmouth is opening Ravelin Sports Centre next year. The new £57m sports facility will feature a swimming pool, climbing wall, ski simulator, sports hall and a 175station fitness suite. The facility has been designed to the highest sustainability credentials for sports centres in the UK and has received a top rating of ‘Outstanding’ from BREEAM UK, the world’s leading sustainability assessment for buildings. Stephen Barton, Technogym managing director, said: “Technogym is delighted to be partnering with University of Portsmouth and to support them in their mission to create a sustainable facility that is engaging for students and fitness enthusiasts of all levels. “We look forward to collaborating with them throughout the partnership and playing a key part in making their vision a reality.” Portsmouth has an ambitious vision to be one of the UK’s top modern universities for sport and physical activity. Its School of Sport, Health and Exercise Science and Sport and Recreation department will benefit from the Technogym mvwellness ecosystem, creating a digital journey that will support them in achieving their vision to create an exceptional health and fitness offering. Students will have the opportunity to not only study in a high-quality environment, but train in one too. Paul Tilley, head of sport and recreation at the University of Portsmouth, said: “University of Portsmouth Sport are delighted to be partnering with Technogym to deliver a world-class health and fitness solution as part of our outstanding new sports centre.
“Like our building, innovation, sustainability and design are at the heart of Technogym’s offer and we know that the equipment will provide the highest possible customer experience. “Technogym demonstrated that not only did they have the highest quality equipment and functionality, but also a fantastic digital offering that would enable full integration with our leisure management system and allow us to deliver a transformational experience to our members. “We’re so excited to be bringing this facility to Portsmouth and can’t wait for Technogym to be part of that journey.” From Spring 2021, University of Portsmouth will use the latest Technogym innovation, Excite Live. This revolutionary range of fully connected and energy efficient cardio equipment offers students a new and personalised training experience tailored to their goals and needs. Thanks to an ever-increasing library
of Technogym Sessions, which give users access to immersive workouts led by trainers and fitness celebrities from around the world, members will stay motivated and inspired during even the toughest of workouts. With the innovative Excite Live console, students can access their own personal content at any time during their workout. Whether they want to connect with friends on social media, catch up with their latest Netflix series or simply enjoy their favourite Spotify playlist, the Excite Live console adapts to suit each user’s needs seamlessly. For students who are keen to get started with their new fitness experience now, Portsmouth are launching Technogym Stream. Stream enables facilities to run their own classes in both Live and On-Demand formats so that students can take part in their favourite classes anytime, anywhere.
In addition to being able to run their own content, Portsmouth will also be able to access ready-to-use classes from a Technogym On-Demand library. The library features content for all workout styles, from pilates and yoga to cardio and dance-based based workouts, there really is something for everyone. The launch of Technogym Stream will support Portsmouth in building an online community that will make staying connected to students when they are not on campus easy to manage and ensure engagement with students all year round. Paul added: ‘’The innovative and engaging digital solutions available through Technogym Stream are able to fully integrate into our Gladstone leisure management system. This will ensure our students and members can benefit from high end Technogym quality content immediately and get them ready for the full experience when Ravelin Sports Centre opens next year.’’
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FRIDAY 26TH NOVEMBER 2021,
THE ATHENA,LEICESTER
We are so sad to announce that we have taken the difficult decision to cancel this year’s National Fitness Awards. All nominations for this year’s awards will be carried over to next year – and nominees will have the opportunity to update their nominations should they wish to ahead of the closing date. Nominations will remain open throughout the year closing on August 31 2021. Thank you for all your nominations and support and we look forward to celebrating your achievements in 2021. Thanks too to our sponsors for your continued loyalty and support.
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