J/Aug 2024 . £8 www.paf-media.co.uk Beyond our four walls How the fitness industry is repositioning its offer Also in this issue: Olympic Games Paris 2024 Eco-friendly and future ready Interview with Sarah Watts The CEO of Alliance Leisure on making a difference for the future of health and wellness
paf-media.co.uk 3 leader Beyond our four walls How the fitness industry is repositioning its offer (p 14-18) Editor Helen Adkins Sales director Julian Walter Production Nicola Cann Design Sandra Cid Managing director Toby Filby Publishers Stable Publishing Limited SBC House, Restmor Way, Wallington, Surrey SM6 7AH, England. t. 020 8288 1080 f. 020 8288 1099 e. info@stable-media.co.uk www.paf-media.co.uk The publishers do not necessarily agree with views expressed by contributors and cannot accept responsibility for claims made by manufacturers and authors, nor do they accept any responsibility for any errors in the subject matter of this publication. The imperative shift for the fitness and leisure industry IN an era defined by health challenges and evolving societal needs, the fitness and leisure industry in the UK stands at a crossroads. Traditionally centred around recreation and physical activity, these sectors must now pivot decisively towards promoting active living and wellness strategies. This transformation isn't just an option; it's an imperative response to the growing demands for holistic health solutions and the changing expectations of consumers. The concept of active living transcends mere exercise regimes. It embodies a comprehensive approach that integrates physical activity into daily life, fostering lifelong habits that promote physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. Unlike traditional leisure models that primarily cater to fitness enthusiasts, active living strategies aim to engage the broader population across all ages and abilities. Central to this paradigm shift is the recognition that health outcomes are intricately linked to lifestyle choices. Sedentary behaviours and inadequate physical activity contribute significantly to the rising tide of chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular conditions. By repositioning themselves as catalysts for active living, fitness and leisure facilities can play a pivotal role in mitigating these health risks. In our cover feature, Beyond our four walls (p 14), we explore how the UK’s leisure and fitness organisations are addressing these challenges by implementing inclusive, community-focused programmes designed to reach previously underserved and inactive populations. From initiatives promoting active aging to youth fitness programmes and wellness workshops, these offerings are tailored to empower individuals throughout every stage of life. Additionally, our interview with Sarah Watts, CEO of Alliance Leisure (p 22), delves into the evolving landscape of the health and fitness sector over the past 25 years. She discusses how the industry is adapting to meet the urgent challenges of our time, highlighting the sector’s efforts to reposition itself in response to contemporary needs. The shift towards active living and wellness strategies represents a progressive evolution for the fitness and leisure industry in the UK. By embracing this transformation, stakeholders can position themselves as leaders in promoting public health and wellbeing. It requires visionary leadership, innovative thinking and a steadfast commitment to addressing the health inequalities that persist in our communities. Helen Adkins Editor helen.adkins@stable-media.co.uk SUPPORTED BY
Buyers Join us to expand your professional network and stay updated on the latest developments in the industry. georgie.smith@stable-events.co.uk Suppliers Meet with the decision makers delivering active projects in the physical activity facilities spectrum. julian@stable-events.co.uk 12th - 13th Sept 2024 The Belfry Hotel & Resort, Warwickshire The physical activity facilities forum provides the perfect environment for owners, operators, local authorities, architects, contractors across sports and leisure to meet with leading industry suppliers, in a relaxed, sociable environment to create lasting business relationships. Tel: 020 8288 1080 www.paf-forum.co.uk meet. connect. do business. Creating meaningful connections in business Pre-scheduled 1-2-1 meetings Select who you want to meet! Receive a bespoke meeting schedule prior to the forum, plus a printed directory with all attendee details. Gain industry knowledge Get exclusive entry to informative seminars, hosted by industry leading professionals discussing key topics in the industry. Extensive networking After a busy day of meetings, naturally extend your relationships over lunches, coffee breaks and networking drinks.
paf-media.co.uk 5 contents paf-media.co.uk 07 News Sport for Confidence and Nottinghamshire Healthcare integrates leisure, and health and social care; and ukactive calls upon the newly elected government to prioritise making the UK population healthier and happier. 13 State of the UK Fitness Industry Report 2024 We look at the key findings from LeisureDB’s latest report. 14 Beyond our four walls Exploring how fitness organisations are finding creative solutions for improving the health and wellbeing of the nation. 20 Event preview: Paf forum 2024 The paf forum 2024 promises a stellar line-up of speakers and a focus on the future of physical activity, including the impact of AI, sustainability, mental health spaces and 2024 trends. 22 Sarah Watts The founder and CEO of Alliance Leisure shares her thoughts on the the current state of the sector and discusses how it can make a difference to the nation’s health. 25 The Paris 2024 Olympic Games – The Aquatic Centre The Paris 2024 Olympic Games has been hailed as the most sustainable yet, with only two new building projects constructed. We look at the Aquatic Centre and examine its legacy. 28 Manchester United’s Carrington Training Complex Work on the Foster + Partners’ £50 million project to modernise the men’s first team training complex for Manchester United begins. 31 Flooring Tony Peak, sales manager at flooring solutions company Bona, examines how renewing a resilient floor compares to stripping and polishing. 34 Training We look at a new qualification tailored to aspiring managers that’s designed to be integral to GM Active’s Pivot to Active Wellbeing. inside this issue
IN a move to plug the growing gap between consumer demand for group Reformer Pilates and qualified instructors, Balanced Body Education has launched a new professional education programme designed to up-skill instructors already teaching in a fitness setting. The new Balanced Body Education offering was created in response to global market demand. As consumer interest in Pilates continues to rise, due largely to its exposure in the media and across social media channels, the availability of qualified instructors has lagged. The programme aligns to Balanced Body’s incumbent Pilates Reformer Instructor programme and delivers certification equivalent to the completion of Levels 1 and 2 of 3. If instructors complete the new Group Reformer education and feel they want to extend their knowledge and learning, they can join the Reformer Pilates Instructor Level 3 to explore more creativity and put their own stamp on signature moves. ‘Our new Group Reformer programme teaches all the fundamental Pilates techniques, skills and progressions needed to deliver engaging and results-driven Group Reformer classes, whilst also encouraging a degree of instructor creativity,’ explained Joy Puleo, director of Education for Balanced Body. ‘Created with fitness professionals in mind, our aim was to develop an accessible and flexible education programme, without sacrificing the quality of movement that is relevant to the instructor’s wider work with clients. Some Pilates education has a reputation of being long, expensive, rigid and esoteric. We are breaking down those barriers whilst maintaining our exceptional education standards.’ www.pilates.com/education/pilatesinstructor-training Balanced Body Education launches group Pilates Reformer training for instructors paf-media.co.uk 7 news IDEA Health & Fitness Association and CoverMe Fitness have joined forces to tackle key challenges in the fitness industry. The partnership is set to launch at IDEA World Convention in the United States next month. The collaboration aims to revolutionise the global fitness sector by addressing critical issues like recruitment. IDEA, renowned as the leading organisation for fitness and wellness professionals, offers comprehensive education, resources, community support and the FitnessConnect platform, the largest global directory of verified fitness professionals. CoverMe, developed by industry veterans Rosanna Tucker and Beverlee Brinkworth, streamlines operations for fitness professionals and club owners alike, providing a service for finding qualified and reliable instructors to cover classes at short notice. The app also serves as a digital hub for certificates, insurance, invoicing and career advancement opportunities, enabling professionals to connect with venues and expand their networks. It ensures compliance, enhances communication, and includes a rewards system to incentivise and retain talent. Amy Boone Thompson, CEO of IDEA and chair of World Active, highlighted the partnership's benefits, stating: ‘For IDEA members, this means FitnessConnect 3.0. and CoverMe, we're enhancing features to connect fitness professionals directly with hiring clubs and managers, facilitating seamless substitutions and auditions.’ Rosanna Tucker described CoverMe as ‘your pocket full of fitness,’ emphasising its role in boosting visibility and earnings for professionals while simplifying management tasks for operators. She said: ‘The app is your digital wallet, which stores your certificates and insurance, where you can manage your invoicing and enjoy partner discounts. Above all, this is your route to getting in front of the venues where you really want to work, so you can earn more money, when and where you want to.’ www.ideafit.com www.covermeapp.co IDEA Health & Fitness Association and CoverMe Fitness join forces
Mytime Active and BCFF join to support young mums MYTIME Active is working in partnership with Bromley Children and Families Voluntary Sector Forum (BCFF) to deliver free twiceweekly swimming lessons for young mums aged 15 to 24 and their babies. In a recent survey, 90% of participants that responded reported an improvement in how satisfied they are with their life since joining the group, with 90% also saying they have made friends at the Swim, Splash and Support classes. Originally financed by Sport England’s This Girl Can campaign, the programme has received support from Mytime Active since September 2022, with the charitable leisure trust donating the pool time and support staff at The Pavilion in Bromley. Along with BCFF securing funding, the programme will provide the qualified swimming instructors until September 2024. Samantha Britnell, CEO of BCFF said: ‘The Swim, Splash and Support group really has made a positive impact on these young families. The young women, who are aged between 15-24 with babies aged under three years old, may have quite complex histories and sometimes might be quite vulnerable. The group provides these young parents with a secure environment to develop both their own and their babies’ skills, including learning to swim and water-safety, whilst additionally having the opportunity to meet other young parents for peer-to-peer support.’ The initiative is promoted through Bromley's Family Nurse Partnership, where health and social care professionals will make referrals for young women to join the programme. The scheme is currently at capacity with 30 young women registered and an average of 12 mums attending each of the two weekly sessions. BCFF is looking for further funding and/or sponsorship to help continue this programme into 2025, with the aim of expanding it year on year. One young mum, who gave birth when she was 18 years old, joined the classes when her son was eight months old. She said: ‘I was very nervous about attending. I was already suffering from post-partum anxiety and was unsure whether we would enjoy the lessons. I was panicked that my son would drown and, having just had a baby, was very body conscious. ‘Despite my fears, I decided to try one of the lessons as I realised my son needed to socialise with other babies. I felt very overwhelmed when I arrived, however the staff were amazing and reassured me. My son enjoyed the first session so much that it motivated me to attend future sessions. I also enjoy talking to staff from the Children and Families Voluntary Sector Forum and Mytime Active, who provide reassurance about the swim sessions and share information.’ www.mytimeactive.co.uk 8 paf-media.co.uk news
paf-media.co.uk 9 news Sport for Confidence and Nottinghamshire Healthcare integrates leisure, and health and social care IN a move to drive integrated place-based approaches in adult health and social care, Nottinghamshire Healthcare’s Newark Intellectual Developmental Disabilities (IDD) has enlisted the skills, knowledge and expertise of Sport for Confidence CIC. Working with a consortium of community partners that includes YMCA Newark and Boccia England, Sport for Confidence is supporting the creation of a clear pathway from health to leisure services that supports those with Intellectual and Developmental Disability to access, participate and sustain physical activity opportunities that drive positive occupational outcomes. The project directs individuals from NHS services to their local YMCA Community and Activity Village, where they take part in weekly coached boccia sessions, delivered by the YMCA team and specifically designed in collaboration with the NHS Newark team. Healthcare professionals, such as occupational therapists, speech therapists and physiotherapists, adapt their clinical expertise to the community and activityoriented setting, and work closely with sports coaches to make personalised adjustments. ‘The project is a fantastic example of how a whole-system approach that recruits the skills and services of a diverse array of community providers can deliver quality, health and social care-focused outcomes that not only work for the individual but also helps to take the pressure off clinical services,’ said Becky Sutton, Nottinghamshire Healthcare’s CEO. Liz Fletcher, OT and national lead at Sport for Confidence, said: ‘Sport and physical activity has the power to deliver a vast array of physical and mental health outcomes. This project in Nottingham opens the door to participation opportunities that for many have, until now, not been accessible, whilst also creating a wider network of support that drives social connection and engagement with the community. ‘We are working with the collective delivery team, sharing our experience and knowledge from similar projects we have delivered in Essex. This includes a two-year test and learn pilot with Essex Country Council’s Adult Health and Social Care that recorded a return of £58.71 in social value for every £1 invested.’ Sarah Needham, specialist senior physiotherapist, working within the Newark Intellectual Developmental Disabilities team, added: ‘The project started as a result of our multi-disciplinary team of therapists in Newark wanting to signpost our service users to accessible sporting groups for adults with learning disabilities in our local community. We quickly realised there were very limited options for our service users to attend. ‘After looking at the new facilities at the YMCA, we wanted to see if we could set up a group in partnership that provided accessible physical activity for our service users with NHS therapy input delivered at the same time. With a lot of research and discussions, we collaborated with the YMCA and our other partners to allow our vision to become a reality.’ www.sportforconfidence.com/ourservices/prevention-enablementmodel/
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paf-media.co.uk 11 news Kier Starmer’s government must take the lead to make the UK healthier, happier and more prosperous THE National Sector Partners Group (NSPG) has issued the following statement following the result of the 2024 General Election. ‘We welcome the newly elected Labour Government and look forward to working with it to unlock the full potential of the sport, recreation and physical activity sector to achieve the five missions set out in its manifesto. ‘Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces an intray including a physical and mental health crisis across all ages, a stagnant economy, concerns about community safety and growing inequalities. ‘The sport, recreation and physical activity sector can play a major role in addressing these challenges and transforming the lives of millions by improving physical, mental and social wellbeing from childhood onwards; taking pressure off the NHS; creating a healthier, more productive workforce; fostering community cohesion; reducing crime and anti-social behaviour; and strengthening PE and school sport. ‘Rather than an after-thought, the principle of getting more people, more active, more often must be embedded as a priority right across Whitehall. It needs to be led from the very top of Government and it needs to be backed by proper investment. ‘We call on the new Government to pledge to make the UK the most physically active nation in Europe. This is no small task, but the prize is enormous: it would deliver an additional £3.6bn in economic growth, £1bn in NHS savings and £71bn in wellbeing benefits. ‘The new Government has the opportunity to work with our sector, take the lead, and drive that change. The sport, recreation and physical activity sector stands ready to play its part in delivering a healthier, happier nation.’ Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive went on to say: ‘The challenges facing the UK today mean the new Government has an incredible opportunity to deploy our sector to transform public health and stimulate economic growth. ‘Our nation’s health challenges have never been starker, but we are fueled by hope because if we can unlock our sector’s potential and give more people the chance to be physically active, we can transform our nation’s future. ‘Gyms, pools and leisure centres form the fabric of our communities, providing a safe and supportive environment for people of all ages and backgrounds to be active together. ‘Today they also represent frontline support for the NHS, as the home to rehabilitation and treatment for a growing range of health conditions, supporting people to get healthy and back into work. The new Government must work at pace to scale and integrate these services with the NHS, support the long-term sustainability of public leisure, and use the tax and regulatory levers at its disposal to expand our reach. ‘There can be no growth without health and ukactive is committed to working with the new Government to ensure our sector can play its fullest role. The National Sector Partners Group (NSPG) is comprised of the following organisations: • Active Partnerships • Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) • Sport for Development Coalition • Sport and Recreation Alliance • ukactive • Youth Sport Trust
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paf-media.co.uk 13 report Leisure DB’s report – previously only available for purchase – is now available free of charge and released last month. Here are some of the key findings LEISURE DB's latest State of the UK Fitness Industry Report highlights robust performance in the UK's health and fitness sector, particularly in the private sector. Membership numbers, market value and penetration rates have hit record highs. Approximately 10.7 million UK residents now hold gym memberships, contributing to a market value of £5.9 billion. From March 2023 to March 2024, the number of gyms increased slightly from 6,998 to 7,009, a 0.2% rise, though still below the 2019 peak of 7,239 gyms. Key metrics have improved significantly compared to both 2019 and 2023 levels. The penetration rate has risen to 15.9% of the UK population, up from 15.1% the previous year, with 10.7 million people holding health club memberships, an increase from 10.3 million in 2023. The private sector accounts for 10.9% of this penetration rate, while the public sector accounts for 5%. The market value has increased to £5.9 billion from £5.4 billion the previous year. Private sector The UK boasts 4,513 private health clubs, with 120 new openings and 129 closures as operators adjust post-pandemic. Most closures were independent gyms, while 45 of the new openings were low-cost facilities. Despite a net decrease of nine clubs, membership increased by 5.1% to 7.33 million, and market value rose by 10.9% to £4.48 billion. The penetration rate for lowcost, private sector health clubs is now 4.5% of the UK population. The top 10 private operators by number of clubs are PureGym, The Gym Group, Anytime Fitness, Nuffield Fitness & Wellbeing, David Lloyd Clubs, Snap Fitness, JD Gyms, Bannatyne, Sports Direct Fitness and énergie Fitness. These operators account for 30% of all private clubs and over 60% of private sector membership and market value. PureGym, with 379 sites, and The Gym Group, with 234 sites, have been key drivers in boosting membership in the low-cost segment beyond three million. Major franchisors – Anytime Fitness, énergie Fitness and Snap Fitness – now have 324 clubs combined, down from 327 in 2023. Prices have increased, with the average low-cost monthly fee rising above £24 for the first time. Approximately 89% of UK lowcost clubs now charge £20 or more monthly, with London clubs averaging £30.10 compared to £23.05 outside the capital. PureGym’s average fee rose by 4.5%, and The Gym Group’s by 9.3%, aiming to optimise market rates. David Lloyd has the highest average monthly membership fee, exceeding £150, followed by Nuffield, starting at £85. In the independent sector, the number of clubs decreased from 2,178 to 2,171, while membership grew by 2.9% to 1.42 million, and market value increased by 8.8% to £796 million. About 33% of private clubs operate 24/7. Public sector The number of public sector gyms decreased to 2,496 from 2,538 in 2023. Despite this, membership rose by 1.9% to 3.36 million, penetration reached 5% (up from 4.9%) and market value increased by a high of 6.2% to £1.44 billion. Trusts manage 46% of public sector facilities, with insourcing growing to 20%. Educational institutions manage 14% and leisure management contractors operate 9%. GLL, the largest trust operator with 195 facilities, aims to achieve £2 billion of social value over five years. Only 1% of public sector gyms operate 24/7, with an average membership fee of £32.07. The full report is available for free online at www.leisuredb.com/publications Leisure DB’s State of the UK Fitness Industry Report
THE UK is facing a health crisis. Gov.UK data from 2022 found that around 34% of men and 42% of women are not active enough for good health, while Sport England’s Active Lives Adult Survey 2022-2023 revealed that, while the levels of inactivity had dropped in recent years, 25.7% of UK adults did less than 30-minutes of activity a week, and 10.9% were fairly active but did not meet the recommended guidelines. According to the latest Leisure DB Report, only 15% of the UK population regularly visit a gym or fitness facility. It's clear that activity patterns contribute to health issues in the UK. The country faces a severe crisis, with approximately 28% of adults and 20% of children classified as obese, raising the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers. Heart disease remains a leading cause of death in the UK, exacerbated by high rates of hypertension, poor diet and physical inactivity. Type 2 diabetes is also rising, with over 4.9 million people diagnosed in the UK. Additionally, musculoskeletal conditions like arthritis and back pain affects many individuals. The NHS highlights the essential role of regular exercise in preserving both physical and mental health, recommending a target of 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity exercise each week. However, despite these guidelines, motivating many individuals to engage in regular physical activity continues to be a significant challenge. John Oxley, CEO of Life Leisure, stresses the importance of understanding why people both do and do not exercise: ‘The social determinants of health are a key issue. There are socioeconomic reasons why it's often not possible for people to exercise, even if they have the inclination – it’s not always about motivation. Poverty, access to facilities, good nutrition and basic needs like food and employment often take precedence. Greater empathy could help us better understand health and wellbeing across the population, and potentially address these issues more effectively.’ Oxley believes that through marketing, pricing strategies and programming, the fitness sector are positioned to meet the needs of only 20% of the population. What’s more, many in the sector don’t fully understand what are the barriers faced by those who are traditionally underserved or disadvantaged. The way the sector is marketed, he believes, is key in reaching those individuals who are currently inactive. ‘We need to cultivate more understanding and empathy to address their needs and improve overall population health,’ Oxley says. ‘Social isolation is a real issue amongst older people, for instance. For some people, a visit to a leisure centre is the only human contact they have each week, so the concept of mental wellbeing and social connection can be the biggest drivers of why people exercise.’ ‘Greater empathy could help us better understand health and wellbeing across the population and potentially address these issues more effectively’ 14 paf-media.co.uk innovation Beyond our four walls With Sport England data showing that 25.7% of UK adults are physically inactive, and a recent Leisure DB report finding that only 15% regularly attend a fitness facility, the nation faces a significant health crisis. Yet, there are promising examples of impactful schemes beyond traditional leisure facilities. Here, we look at a few
After asking members what they got out coming to their local leisure centre, around 95% mentioned the social over the physical benefits. As a consequence, Life Leisure changed their marketing strategy, softened the language used, and became more inclusive and welcoming. They also rebranded some of their campaign names. ‘The ‘I’ll go if you go’ campaign was designed to work on the notion that, one of the reasons people don't start to exercise is that it's tough to start out on your own,’ Oxley says, ‘but if you're starting out with somebody else or find people who are in a similar situation to you, then all of a sudden, you get a little bit braver.’ ‘As a result, membership has grown by 30% over two years, and now all of our campaigns are constructed around the notion of mental wellbeing and social connection, rather than the physical benefits of exercise. As a result, our membership has grown by 30% over two years.’ www.lifeleisure.net paf-media.co.uk 15 innovation Oldham Active’s Exercise Referral Scheme is designed for those with existing medical conditions, and aimed at people over 16 who are unused to being physically active and have a medical condition. The scheme is designed to provide opportunities to exercise that are fun, rewarding and that can be incorporated into everyday life. It also targets clients who are at risk of developing chronic disease, providing an opportunity for referrals to access a highquality supervised exercise programme. A wide range of physical activities are available at a specially reduced rate, and there’s advice on the best type of exercise to meet their individual needs. Once an individual has been referred onto the scheme, they receive a consultation and a personalised 12-week programme. Other initiatives include a Parkinson's group, based in a community hall, where around 50 people with Parkinson’s (and their carers) meet to take part in group exercise classes. Another partnership is with the Salvation Army, which has converted a shop called ‘Brew’, where group exercise, a homely atmosphere and tea are available. The Women’s Wellness Group, a 12-week fitness challenge where women seeking a more active lifestyle attend a weekly meeting and try out a menu of activities from trampolining to golf, was also highly successful. Kelly Tattersall, community & partnership development manager at Oldham Community Leisure, says that the concept worked incredibly well, with the groups still active and doing regular exercise. Tattersall believes that partnerships are key to success in getting fitness and health out to communities: ‘We began going out beyond our leisure centres 18 years ago and have strong partnerships with Oldham Council, Action Together and local district teams, including the police, social workers and mental health professionals. ‘We’ve been ahead of the game in this sense, and that’s why we are in church halls, in mosques, in parks and shops. And, at some point, those people will, with their families, start to come through the doors of our leisure centres.’ www.oclactive.co.uk Oldham Community Leisure, Oldham
16 paf-media.co.uk innovation Mytime Active works alongside local care partnership One Bromley to operate a health hub in the Glades shopping centre. A lifestyle adviser provides free support and advice on the Vital 5 – high blood pressure, tobacco dependence, unhealthy weight, excess alcohol and poor mental health. Residents can access free one-to-one behaviour change support around a healthy lifestyle, such as alcohol and smoking cessation. Mytime Active’s lifestyle advisors are also GP referral exercise specialists, meaning they can provide expert advice on movement and activity for people with long-term health conditions, as well as people who are inactive or those with limited mobility. Debra Weekes, Mytime partnership manager, says: ‘There was a desire from One Bromley to open up facility as a wellbeing hub and have lots of different services within the hub, with the idea that it wouldn't be clinical. It's not GP or nurse led, so it’s very much somewhere people can walk in and feel comfortable and have a range of services there.’ The exercise specialists at the hub can then arrange for the clients to meet them in the leisure centres, and there’s a certain number of free memberships offered. Bromley Public Health are also involved with the hub, tying in their own campaigns on health issues such as Sickle Cell or sexual health. Primetime membership offers discounted rates, and includes unlimited swims, gym and low-impact classes, as well as social events, held in the leisure centres or community venues. Weekes is a firm believer that these programmes must be managed by the right people. She cites one of the Prime Time leaders, who goes out into the community, often visiting wellbeing and/or dementia cafes. ‘She’s perfected attuned and aligned with older people,’ says Weekes. ‘She gets asked to these cafes to give talks, to do some seated exercise, and then lets them know about other classes or coffee mornings that can support people. She’s not 20 and she’s not super fit, so she’s relatable’ www.mytimeactive.co.uk Mytime Active, Bromley Delivered by Alliance Leisure for Mansfield District Council, the £9 million development was completed in less than a year and is based on Sport England’s innovative Leisure Local model. The new community provision delivers a host of leisure facilities designed to bring new active living opportunities to the whole community, including a swimming pool with a splash play area and a pool hoist, with accessible changing areas. There’s also a gym featuring the latest cardiovascular and resistance equipment, a two-court sports hall and an improved multi-use games area. There are community facilities, including multipurpose spaces and an IT suite, plus integrated energy saving technologies, including air source heat pumps and solar panels. Funded via a mix of Sport England investment, Towns Fund and borrowing by Mansfield District Council, Warsop Health Hub has been delivered by leisure development specialist Alliance Leisure, in partnership with Abacus as project manager and principal designer, architects Roberts Limbrick and lead contractor Pellikaan Construction. The UK Leisure Framework, which is managed by Denbighshire Leisure Limited (DLL), has been used as the procurement route for sourcing the development team. www.mansfieldleisure.com Warsop Health Hub, Mansfield
18 paf-media.co.uk innovation Pentathlon GB, the national governing body for the Olympic sport of Modern Pentathlon, has launched seven hubs across the UK to help increase participation and access to the sport. A second phase is expected to open later this year. As a result, the organisation has seen an increased geographical reach across the UK, including city centres, Scotland and Wales. There’s also a focus on Penta+ as the participation/entrance route into the sport, which comprises of Penta Run, Penta Swim, Penta Shoot, Penta Fence, Penta Obstacle and Penta Ride. The hubs will have four different tiers of excellence depending on their level of provision, and will focus on areas including Talent for elite athletes, Development for those making progression in the sport, Foundation for beginners and Penta+. Steph Parsons, head of participation at Pentathlon GB said: ‘A key criteria is that each hub must support its own local community and offer open access to our sports, meaning local people can engage with Pentathlon and learn more about the sport at informal, fun ‘have a go’ sessions without committing…We urge local community leaders, schools and sports clubs to connect with our hubs to see what we have on offer and how they can get involved in our multi-disciplined sport.’ www.pentathlongb.org PentathlonGB Horizon Leisure’s Wellbeing Hub, situated within the Meridian Shopping Centre and supported by Havant Borough Council, offers a departure from traditional fitness facilities. Designed with a welcoming reception area featuring sofas upfront and the gym discreetly tucked away, the hub provides a non-intimidating environment for visitors. Since its launch in June 2023, the hub has attracted participation from various health providers, including South Health and Smokefree Hampshire. It serves as a hub for community-centric initiatives such as a weight management programme, smoking cessation classes, and specialised men's and women's weightlifting programmes. Equipped with a variety of exercise tools, from free weights to cardiovascular machines, the hub also features a dedicated studio for group classes and accepts GP referrals. Health services include free health checks for early detection of conditions such as diabetes, and high cholesterol and blood pressure, complemented by an eightweek 'Foundations' exercise orientation programme, which often progresses to full memberships at Horizon Leisure centres. Mike Lyons, CEO of Horizon Leisure, explains the ethos behind the hub: ‘Our goal is to get people through the door and onto a path of exercise by subsidising and heavily discounting initial engagements. Once they develop a habit, we encourage sustained physical activity.’ While the Horizon Leisure centres receive around a million visits per year, around a third of the Havant borough population is considered to be inactive or haven’t met the government guidance. ‘So we started to think about how do we target the people that are truly inactive and leading a sedentary lifestyle, including children in deprived wards within the community?’ explains Lyons. ‘There were some vacant units in the Meridian Shopping Centre, which is where people go about their everyday lives. If we could get somebody over the threshold of the shop, we could then put them on a pathway to exercise, by subsidising and heavily discounting.’ Since its inception, 33.3% of 'Foundations' participants have transitioned to full memberships, with 86.2% motivated to continue their fitness journey. The hub further supports community health with beginner group exercise classes, rehabilitation sessions with NHS physiotherapists, and specialised 'pod' equipment for blood pressure monitoring, providing direct feedback to GP practices for early intervention. www.horizonlc.com/community/horiz on-wellbeing-hub/ Wellbeing Hub, Havant
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THE physical activity facilities forum 2024 is the premier event for professionals in sports, physical activity and play industries. Tailored to meet the specific needs of those involved in developing physical activity facilities across sport, leisure, recreation and play sectors, this event brings together a diverse range of stakeholders. Attendees include operators, local authorities, project managers, architects, contractors and other senior professionals, eager to enhance their projects and streamline their supply chains. As our guest at the paf forum, you will stay informed about the latest advancements in physical activity facilities. The forum features seminars, the latest innovations, products and services, and provides ample networking opportunities to connect with peers and explore new business collaborations. We recognise the challenges of finding reliable business partners and suppliers, and the time it consumes. The paf forum simplifies this process by curating a line-up of top-tier suppliers and specialists in various fields from climbing walls, trampoline parks, playground equipment and skate parks to building materials, HVAC systems, sports flooring and swimming pools. Join us at the forum to discover what's new, learn how industry challenges are being tackled and stay ahead of emerging trends in the sector. The event is supported by ukactive, Leisure DB and the Association of Play Industries (API). Speakers will include: • Mark Hewlett, founder and CEO of Soul Padel, who will be talking about why padel is the world’s fastest growing sport and reflecting on a three-month partnership with Decathlon in the heart of the Stockport community. • Kelly Gordon, executive lead for England Netball and NETBALLHer, who will be physical activity facilities forum The countdown is on for this year’s physical activity facilities forum, the ultimate meetings and networking event for the sports, health, fitness and wellness industry 20 paf-media.co.uk event preview 2024
looking at design and delivery through the female lens. In this session, Kelly will showcase the importance of understanding female health and prioritising female spaces within facilities, from design to delivery. • Dr Gillian Sweeney, research occupational therapist at University of Strathclyde/NHS Lanarkshire, who will examine technologyenriched stroke rehabilitation. • Clemency Lion, director of research, policy and communications at ukactive, will present on government priorities and delivering on a shared ambition. She’ll look at the aims and priorities of the new Government and the sector’s contribution to delivering those aims. • Will Gardner, business development manager at Alliance Leisure, will be discussing the development of health hubs (not leisure centres) and looking at the new £9 million Warsop Health Hub, the first facility based on Sport England’s Leisure Local model. For supplier information, please contact Julian Walter at julian@stable-events.co.uk or call 0208 288 1080 For project delegate information, contact Georgie Smith at Georgie.Smith@stableevents.co.uk or call 0208 288 1080 www.paf-forum.co.uk What: paf 2024 Where: The Belfry Hotel & Resort, Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire When: 12 and 13 September 2024 paf-media.co.uk 21 event preview The future of physical activity Topics will include: • The impact of AI • The integration of health and wellbeing • Sustainability targets – how are they being achieved? • Developing spaces that consider mental health • Getting active outdoors • 2024 trends – padel, hybrid training and more
You founded Alliance Leisure 25 years ago. How has the landscape of the sector changed in that time? When I started 25 years ago, the sector was very much about sport. Sports centres were all about 12-court sports halls and swimming pools, with the gyms being weights rooms in the bowels of the building. Then the private sector started to arrive and local authorities realised there was revenue to be had in fitness. So the landscape back then was very much about sport and sports centres. It’s only been in the last two to three years that we’ve started to see this change in language and positioning towards health and wellbeing. The early iteration of Alliance was how do we make facilities more engaging, more sustainable? Everything had a really commercial business case, predicated on looking at the opportunities, the competition, the demographics and where the gaps in the market were. Now we’re at a stage where we’re asking ourselves how we can make these facilities deliver real health and wellness. We’ve got an ageing population – we're living longer and not necessarily in good health – and we’ve got a diabetes problem and a rise in obesity. But there’s also a bit of misnomer that 85% of the population aren’t active. This research only relates to fitness memberships. There are many more active people who don’t go to gyms, but play football, tennis or badminton, go swimming, cycling, or even hiking and dog walking. In the last few years, there’s been a change in language regarding how we position public sector leisure and, in my view, the first thing we should do is get rid of the word ‘leisure’ because it’s frivolous – it's cinema, it's a disco, it's what you do when you go to the pub. We need to introduce the word ‘wellness’ or ‘active living’ because we have a ticking time bomb of health challenges. What sets apart health and wellbeing centres from the leisure centres of today, and how can these changes make a difference in terms of attracting those who don’t traditionally use them? Firstly, it’s about designing buildings more sympathetically for the audience you're trying to attract and providing spaces that aren't intimidating. Some of this can happen in the design, such as making sure you've got studios that don’t necessarily have lots of mirrors, because if you're trying to get people with mobility or weight issues to exercise, the last thing they want to do is look at themselves in the mirror. It's also about creating a changing provision with separate cubicles for people to get changed in, rather than the old rows of showers and open changing rooms – again, not good if you’ve got body conscious issues. Back in the leisure centres of the 70s, 80s and 90s, we typically put bars into leisure centres and then spent years stripping them out because we realised that nobody wanted to go and sink 10 pints after a game of squash – they didn't really resonate with the audience. Now every facility I build will have a really good cafe at the heart of the building, where people can socialise with peers, which also relates to the loneliness challenges lots of people face. Primarily, though, it's not about tweaking the facilities but offering the best programmes that set these places apart from the traditional leisure centres. For example, there’s an amazing product called Future Studios that’s a fully immersive studio which, at the touch of a button, can become a rainforest for yoga or Pilates, or a martial arts dojo, but you can also replicate a Ritz tea dance for dementia patients, because music and dance are some of the last things those patients lose. With technology like this, you can deliver spaces that actually resonate, rather than just having a fitness studio with neon lights and pumping music. You can have spaces for, not only dementia, but also ADHD, autism and other disabilities. One of the biggest challenges for older people, for instance, is balance, so we’re promoting classes to avoid trips and falls – getting people to stand on one leg and making sure they can get in and out of armchairs properly, because sitting down is actually riskier than standing up. Another amazing product we’re advising clients to put in is Good Boost, which is an appbased therapeutic water exercise programme, designed for people with limited mobility and musculoskeletal conditions. It’s specifically designed to each individual but sessions are delivered in a group environment. What are the challenges in integrating the fitness and health/social care sectors, and what does the fitness industry need to do going forwards? One of the challenges in our sector is lack of data. Historically, we've tended to go to the health sector or primary care trusts and ask for money to do stuff, without having any data. We also need to take a long-term view on the challenges we face, but because our politics works in four-year cycles, that can be difficult – although I think the new government is certainly talking the right language. Lisa Nandy, the new Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, seems to recognise that we need to look at things differently and with a longer-term perspective. And I do think there’s a definite shift towards 22 paf-media.co.uk interview Sarah Watts, CEO of Alliance Leisure Twenty-five years ago, Sarah Watts founded Alliance Leisure and began reshaping the UK’s leisure industry. Here, she discusses with Helen Adkins how the sector is repositioning the fitness and leisure industry to meet the pressing challenges of our time
paf-media.co.uk 23 interview acknowledging that the sector has got a massive part to play in this. When we used to ask our clients what they wanted us to build, they would say, we've spoken to the badminton club and they'd like some more courts or, we’ve spoken to the diving club and they want a deeper pool tank. So they had only spoken to the people who were already using the facilities. Now, a lot of our research, and non-user research, is very much about what outcomes we are trying to achieve. Do people want a space where they can be active as a family? Do they want a space where they can socialise with their peer group? I think a logical starting point would be to create a national repository of good practice. There are pockets of brilliance around the country, but not everyone gets to hear about them, even on a local level. People need to know who’s doing what so we can roll out best practice across other organisations and other areas. We also need to think about repositioning our sector; looking at our design, our language, how we programme and how we attract a different population. I also think, we shouldn’t always be going for funding, cap in hand. I think as a sector, we need to take control and create our own value proposition, collect our data and, at that point, we’ll have something to talk about. Where would you like to be in five years’ time? I’ve been so blessed to have been in this sector all my life so I’d like to leave it in a better position than when I entered it, in terms of what it’s delivering today. Alliance Leisure is currently funding the Health Supergroup, facilitated by GM Active’s Andy King, which is about us giving back and helping to make a difference. I’d like my legacy to be that we made a difference. Over the past 25 years, we pioneered the leisure element – now I’d like to pioneer the health element. www.allianceleisure.co.uk “I’d like my legacy to be that we made a difference. Over the past 25 years, we pioneered the leisure element – now I’d like to pioneer the health element”
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paf-media.co.uk 25 project ‘The fact that the centre is located in this area is very important, as SaintDenis is an area with a lot of social issues… We thought first for the future and then how it can be designed for the Olympic games’ The Olympic Games Paris 2024 has been hailed as the most sustainable yet, with only two new building projects constructed. We look at one of them – the Aquatic Centre in Saint-Denis – and examine its legacy for the area IN September 2017, the International Olympic Committee announced that Paris would host the 2024 Olympic Games, marking the city's third time hosting after a century, with the last games held in 1924. The 2024 games are positioned to be the most sustainable yet, with only two new construction projects; the Aquatics Centre and the Olympic Village. The bid to design Paris 2024's sole permanent sports facility was fiercely contested and ultimately won by Dutch architectural firm VenhoevenCS, in collaboration with French partner Ateliers 2/3/4. Lead architects Cécilia Gross and Laure Mériaud embraced the challenge to create a sustainable, impactful design which would also leave a legacy for the neighbourhood. Located across the A1 from the Stade de France, the €175 million aquatics centre embodies the ethos of these Olympics: sustainable and subtly impressive. The building is connected to the Saint-Denis area by an 18-meter-wide footbridge, which will feature cycle lanes and green spaces. ‘It’s going to be a green environment, which is rare in Paris’, says Gross. The new building also addresses a critical need in Saint-Denis, an area with low swimming proficiency among its youth. Mériaud says: ‘The fact that the centre is located in this area is very important, as Saint-Denis is an area with a lot of social issues. They don’t have swimming pools, so children in this area don’t know how to swim. We thought first for the future and then how it can be designed for the Olympic games.’ Winner of the Le Grand Prix du Grand Paris 2023 and Grand Prix BIM d’Or, the building is designed for multifunctional use. During the Games, it will host competitions for diving, synchronised swimming and water polo. Post-Games, it will serve as a swim training facility during the Paralympics and remain a sports centre for the neighbourhood. Gross adds: Legacy was the motivator. I think that’s also a strong point of the design. It’s simple and powerful. The Olympic Games of 2024 are going to be the most sustainable games – that’s the target – and for us sustainability is in our DNA and we generate our architecture from it.’ The building’s design The centre features a slender roof supported by timber columns that lean outward, resembling a giant wave. Inside, wood forms the main structure, featuring a suspended roof with minimal height that minimises air conditioning needs over 50 years. By using wood for the structure, the centre doubles the required minimum percentage of biosourced materials. Two glazed walls offering Beyond the Games: A sustainable legacy
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