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FITNESS, HEALTH, WELLNESS
GLOBAL MEDIA PARTNER
ISSUE 11 2025 Volume 31 Issue 11 Number 344
ISSUE 11 2025
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The fitness entrepreneur shares her life lessons
Marjolijn
Meijer
FITNESS, HEALTH, WELLNESS
ON THE COVER
Publishes
groundbreaking
research into
GLP-1s
“We teach our
members to train
properly, so they
get results”
Jack
Gibson
Creating the
Kore Sandwell
brand positions
us to bid for
other contracts
Mark
Braithwaite
3
0
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A
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S
O
F
H
C
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30
3
0
Y
E
A
R
S
O
F
H
C
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Philippe
Herbette
On Fitness Park’s
€280 million
for growth
Les Mills
URBAN GYM GROUP
MIND
BODY COMPOSITION
MOBILITY
BALANCE
STRENGTH
CARDIO
TECHNOGYM CHECKUP: IMPROVE YOUR WELLNESS AGETM
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PHYSICAL AND
COGNITIVE ASSESSMENT:
MIND
BODY COMPOSITION
MOBILITY
BALANCE
STRENGTH
CARDIO
TECHNOGYM CHECKUP: IMPROVE YOUR WELLNESS AGETM
Technogym Checkup is the new AI-based assessment device that leverages
physical and cognitive tests to automatically create personalized
training programs with Technogym AI Coach.
Call 0800 3162496 (UK)
or visit technogym.com
Discover more
PHYSICAL AND
COGNITIVE ASSESSMENT:
©Cybertrek 2025 Issue 11 2025 5
EDITOR’S LETTER
Rebooting reputation
We take a dim view of the
victimisation of Gold’s Gym UK
and use of its high profile name
as a tactic to gain publicity
New regulations will come into force in the
UK in 2026, changing the legal framework for
all subscription-based business transactions,
including health club memberships.
The changes are a result of the coming of
the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers
Act 2024 which has been in the works for sometime.
There will be requirements for operators to be
transparent in providing pre-contract information and
for them to send renewal reminders. It will also be
necessary to make cancellations simple, while members
will have a right to cancel up to 14 days after sign-up.
The vast majority of operators are transparent and
ethical in the way they run their membership systems,
but there are still a few outliers who give the industry
a bad name by doing things such as making it too
hard to cancel, or having obscure pricing models.
The DMCC legislation is being phased in, so operators
have time to ensure they comply and this gives the
sector the chance to sweep away pockets of bad practice
and become more consumer-friendly and reputable.
The goal must be proud sector-wide compliance.
The successful implementation of the DMCC
will require operators to swiftly update systems
and overseeing body – the Competition and
Markets Authority (CMA) – to assume a mature
and positive role in supporting them to do so.
Unfortunately, in a self-declared ‘shot across the
bows’, the CMA has kicked off by announcing it’s
investigating eight companies from five sectors, with
Gold’s Gym UK being named for health and fitness.
Sarah Cardell, CEO of the CMA has stressed it
“should not be assumed that Gold’s Gym (UK) has
infringed consumer protection law and no finding has
been made”, so it seems Gold’s Gym has purely been
targeted as a typical representative of the overall sector.
We take a dim view of this ‘victimisation’ of Gold’s
Gym UK and the use of its high-profile name as a
tactic to gain publicity for the work of the CMA.
This confrontational approach is no way to build an
effective working partnership between industry and
regulator and we hope the CMA will rein in its instincts
to bully and avoid taking the view that all subscription
businesses are unethical, as this is simply not the case.
The health and fitness industry has been at the
forefront of the development of the subscription model
and – as a result – has been able to provide life-enhancing
services for consumers at modest prices. Now the CMA
must be supportive, focus on education and ensure
the transition is made without harm to all involved. ●
+44 (0)1462 431385 WWW.HCMmag.COM HCM@LEISUREMEDIA.COM WWW.LEISURESUBS.COM
While most health club operators are ethical in handling membership
contracts, pockets of bad practice remain. Now new legislation will
sweep these away, giving the sector in the UK a reputational reboot
Liz Terry, editor
lizterry@leisuremedia.com
The sector-wide goal must be proud DMCC compliance
SHUTTERSTOCK/PEOPLE IMAGES
PHOTO: JACK EMMERSON
Read our DMCC legal
briefing in the next HCM
www.HCMmag.com/signup
6Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
ISSUE 11 2025 No 344
05 Editor’s Letter
New laws around membership sales
in the UK will mean operators need
to rethink priorities, says Liz Terry
12 HCM Forum
Supporting the GLP-1 journey and
delivering for WorkWell centres
are the topics of this month’s letters
16 HCM Zeitgeist
Everlast Gym+ confirmed for Trafford
Palazzo and Hyrox launches a cruise
20 HCM news
Sequel Brands reveals longevity concept
in a deal with with Tony Robbins and
PureGym unveils Blink portfolio
HCMmag.com
24 Fit Tech news
Yojo launches a new vagus nerve
stimulation device with biofeedback
26 HCM buzz
Third Space reveals its 14th club, and the
first NRG Gym club in Scotland opens
32 HCM Collabs
Hyrox gets into the cruise market, Athx
Games signs partnership with Adidas
and RealBuzz sponsors The Nation’s 5K
34 HCM people
Jack Gibson
The founder of Fitness Worx on
bringing the personal transformation
model to the wider community
40 HCM people
Mark Braithwaite
The CEO of Kore Sandwell
details the approach to elevating
fitness in a deprived borough
48 Interview
Philippe Herbette
With 400 locations and plans to enter
new markets in 2026, the president
of Fitness Park talks to Kate Cracknell
about its €280m funding deal
56 Exercise – the antidote
to GLP-1 decline
Les Mills and UK Active partner to
publish the first industry report on
GLP-1 drugs and muscle mass
CONTENTS
Uniting the world of fitness
48 Fitness Park Group’s
Philippe Herbette
FITNESS PARK GROUP
7©Cybertrek 2025 Issue 11 2025
94 Cutting carbon
It’s possible to reduce the running costs
of swimming pools while also cutting their
carbon footprint. Abi Harris reports
102 Product innovations
We take a look at the latest health,
fitness and wellness equipment
104 HCM Directory
The HCM Directory is part of a
network of resources that includes
www.HCMmag.com/CompanyProfiles
106 Research
Powering up
New research brings WHO
exercise guidlines into question
34 Jack Gibson
86 Heart rate training
94 Cutting costs and carbon
62 Life lessons
Marjolijn Meijer
The entrepreneur and founder of the
Urban Gym Group tells Kath Hudson
how personal loss inspired her to
open Europe’s first wellbeing club
68 Strong moves
The world of strength training is moving at
a rapid pace, driven by consumer demand.
Leading suppliers tell Julie Cramer
about their latest equipment launches
86 Motivation matters
Heart rate training and gamified
technology are creating uplifting fitness
experiences that keep members coming
back for more, as Julie Cramer reports
62 Marjolijn Meijer
56 The Les Mills GLP-1 industry report
SHUTTERSTOCK/ JACOB LUND
JOE GRAY
LES MILLS / DEAN PODMORE
SHUTTERSTOCK/MILAN ILIC PHOTOGRAPHER
URBAN GYM GROUP
8Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
Publisher
Jan Williams
+44 (0)1462 471909
Editor-at-large
Magali Robathan
+44 (0)1462 431385
Editor
Liz Terr y
+44 (0)1462 431385
Assistant editor
Helen Andrews
+44 (0)1462 431385
Managing editor
Julie Cramer
+44 (0)1462 431385
Head of news
Kath Hudson
+44 (0)1462 431385
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Issue 11 2025 Volume 31 Number 344
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12 Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
LETTERS
I read with interest your
recent HCM Editor’s Letter,
highlighting the research
around alarming muscle mass
loss and weight regain following
GLP-1 medication cessation
(www.hcmmag.com/doomscenario).
Your letter couldn’t be more
timely. Oldham Active is one
of the first community leisure
trusts in the UK to recognise this
looming health catastrophe and
we’re taking decisive action.
We’ve recently upskilled 30
of our fitness instructors and
PTs, who completed in-person
pioneering GLP-1 specialist training
called Navigating GLP-1 for sport
and physical activity professionals.
The course was delivered at
Oldham University by Dr Hussain
Al-Zubaidi and Future Fit, and
made our team the first cohort
of fitness professionals in the UK
to receive this specific training.
At present there’s a significant
lack of education about these
Lauren Connis head of health and wellbeing, Oldham Active
Supporting members on their GLP-1 journey
medications and the training enables
the team at Oldham Active to
position themselves as experts in
their community to counterbalance
some of the misinformation in
circulation – often to be found on
social media and from influencers.
We’re passionate about upskilling
our team to support members’
long-term wellbeing and the urgency
became clear when we found 50 per
cent of our health referral members
are taking GLP-1s – many without GP
prescriptions or adequate guidance.
Fuel the debate about issues and
opportunities across the industry.
We’d love to hear from you.
Write to forum@leisuremedia.com
HCM Forum
Around 50 per cent of our health
referral members are taking GLP-1s,
many without a prescription
Referral pathway for GLP-1s
We’ve also launched an exercise
referral pathway for people on
GLP-1s in line with the latest
World Health Organization
(WHO) guidelines, which
recommend intensive behavioural
interventions – including structured
physical activity programme –
alongside GLP-1 treatment.
Health and social prescribers
across Oldham can now refer
patients with a BMI of over 30
to Oldham Active’s specially-
trained fitness team to get
tailored exercise support.
The new pathway is available to
people who purchasing GLP-1s
privately or have been prescribed
them by their GP and has been
designed to help them preserve
and build muscle mass while
taking the medication.
This approach supports healthier,
more sustainable weight loss
and helps maintain results long-
Lauren Connis
13©Cybertrek 2025 Issue 11 2025
term, especially when they decide
to stop taking the medication,
and is even more needed given
the WHO has just endorsed
GLP-1s for long-term use.
Health and social prescribers
across Oldham have been informed
of the new pathway and the
team’s specialist qualifications,
enabling them to confidently refer
suitable patients to the service.
Your ‘doom scenario’ of patients
losing up to 40 per cent muscle
mass, then re-gaining weight as
fat within two years –as well
as recent Les Mills insight that
shows that GLP-1s can age people
physiologically by ten years in just
68-72 weeks, is precisely what
their team is now working to
prevent, addressing one of the
fundamental flaws your article
highlighted: that weight loss drugs
don’t require behaviour change.
This isn’t just about individual
outcomes for Oldham Active;
it’s about preventing a potential
public health disaster. As the NHS
expands GLP-1 access, Oldham
Active’s model demonstrates how
operators can fill the crucial gap
between treatment and long-
term success, potentially saving
millions in repeat prescription
costs, while also helping people
to maintain their health
while on GLP-1s.
This isn’t just about individual outcomes
for Oldham Active; it’s about preventing
a potential public health disaster.
Oldham Active teams have
undergone GLP-1 exercise
training with Future Fit
The course was delivered by Dr Hussain Al-Zubaidi
to maintain their health
Read more from
Dr Hussain Al-Zubaidi
www.hcmmag.com/DRH
14 Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
I saw your article about the
pilot trialling of the UK
government’s WorkWell centres
(www.HCMmag.com/workwell)
and it reminded me of events in
the market nearly 25 years ago.
At the time the UK fitness industry
was talking a good story and growing
fast. The enlightened health secretary
at the time was Alan Milburn and
he realised that the burgeoning
NHS bill was unaffordable and to
help combat this he embarked
on a mission to get people more
active to improve their health.
Milburn commissioned some
experts to come together and the
result was the National Quality
Assurance Framework (NQAF)
document which set out the
requirements for GPs to refer
patients to fitness professionals
for exercise programmes.
It was a little controversial because
at the time, GPs only referred patients
to other healthcare professionals.
The NQAF stipulated the
qualifications requirements for
Cliff Collins, founding registrar, REPs UK
We must upskill in mental health and
MSK to support WorkWell Centres
fitness trainers and with this
came the birth of the Register of
Exercise Professionals (REPs UK)*.
The NHS gave us a very small
grant to get REPs started and by
the time I moved from REPs UK
in 2008 to drive the development
of REPS in Europe, REPs UK had
over 28,000 members and the
support of all the major health
and fitness operators, while the
training providers had come in-line
with the awarding organisations
to deliver good qualifications.
Exercise referral never really
became mainstream at the time, but
we did see an impressive upskilling
of fitness trainers who gained much
higher skill levels, which meant they
could work with older population
groups, cardiac rehabilitation
and other special populations.
I wonder what the position would
be today if UK health secretary,
Wes Streeting, were to ask GPs
to refer patients into the care of
fitness professionals? Do we have
enough qualified trainers to help
with people who are signed off
work with mental health conditions
such as anxiety and depression,
or musculoskeletal disorders
such as back pain and injuries?
These areas of health are a focus
for the proposed WorkWell centres
and present a great opportunity for
the sector, but only if we understand
the challenge and are prepared
to deliver by taking action and
continuing to upskill our people. ●
Cliff Collins is convenor of CEN/TC
136 Working Group 2 for European
Fitness Club Standards
www.hcmmag.com/CEN/TC136WG2
* Accreditation activity previously carried
out by REPs UK is delivered by CIMSPA
(www.hcmmag.com/CIMSPAquals).
REPs UK is now a private company.
liff ollins
More training is needed
to support people with
musculoskeletal issues
LETTERS
Do we have enough
qualified trainers to help
people who are signed o
with mental health and
musculoskeletal issues?
Increase revenue
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0345 300 6474
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and attract brand new corporate members.
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.
Increase revenue
Drive more members
Boost brand visibility
0345 300 6474
www.epassi.co.uk
Attract new members with
Epassi UK.
Join the UK’s largest health and fitness network for free
and attract brand new corporate members.
List your club for free today and join 4,000+ fitness facilities
who are already driving more revenue and members into
their clubs.
11 million
employee
reach
2,000
corporate
clients
I
n
c
r
e
a
s
e
r
e
v
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16 Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
This is the first international expansion for the
longevity centres. “People who say the goal is
healthspan are cowards,” says Asprey
– whose views are controversial. “Our
goal is to extend human life beyond its
original design and to look better or
feel better than we do right now.”
Jetts UK has launched a lifting club for women across
22 of its gyms to build confidence in
the free weights area, which is often
described as intimidating. The four-
week progressive course teaches the
basics of lifting and good technique.
Jetts UK is encouraging more women into the weights area
Asprey says his
AI cardio regime
brings huge VO2
a bene ts
Zeitgeist
Kath Hudson distills the essence of the latest HCM news
to tap the trends driving the direction of the sector
Go to www.HCMmag.com/signup to get breaking news alerts
Data from digital healthcare provider, HealthHero,
shows that 63,000 health club members
have registered for a doctor’s appointment
through their health club membership
since January 2024. There’s especially high
demand in areas with long waiting lists.
TAP OR SCAN
TAP OR SCAN
TAP OR SCAN
HEALTH HERO
GLOBAL WELLNESS SUMMIT
JETTS UK
Growing demand for
medical memberships
Dave Asprey takes
Upgrade Labs to Dubai
Jetts launches Active
Woman Lifting Club
http://lei.sr/b6u8y_H
http://lei.sr/Y6P3R_H
http://lei.sr/5Z6E4_H
17©Cybertrek 2025 Issue 11 2025
The UK low cost operator has achieved Gold
status from Inclusion In for its staff training
environment. Initiatives include the
Inclusive Traineeship Programme
to create meaningful opportunities
in the industry for individuals with
additional needs and disabilities.
TAP OR SCAN
The Gym Group
prioritises investment
in sta training
THE GYM GROUP / WILL HARTEY
The Gym Group wins
Gold for inclusion
http://lei.sr/m2N2Z_H
Young people in cities, including London,
are forming clubs to let off steam by
screaming. Members of the London
Scream Club say it’s free, cathartic creates
connection and overcomes social anxiety.
Ultra-processed foods are damaging public health,
fuelling chronic diseases globally and deepening
health inequalities, according to a
report from The Lancet. The report
Ultra-processed foods: time to put health
before profit calls for comprehensive,
government-led solutions.
TAP OR SCAN
TAP OR SCAN
ISTOCK/ PHEELINGS MEDIA
SHUTTERSTOCK / JACOB LUND
Scream therapy
gathering momentum in
cities around the world
“Put health before
profit,” The Lancet
tells food industry
http://lei.sr/x9k6Z_H
http://lei.sr/p2F2c_H
Scream club members are
using screaing to decopress
The Lancet is calling for
s to be part of the
food labelling sste
18 Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
Benchmarking tool, Quest, will be relaunched in
the new year, with the team having taken on board
feedback from operators to make it
more user-friendly, including assessments
being completed in one day. There will
be one Quest product for facilities and
another for contracts and places.
Paediatrician, health campaigner and
broadcaster, Dr Guddi Singh says: “A child’s
postcode can be a stronger predictor of
their health than their genetic code. When
local streets feel unsafe, there’s
nowhere affordable to go, and
young people don’t feel they
belong, it shows up in their
bodies and in their minds.”
The updated Quest is more user friendly for operators
Dan Summerson, managing director of Everlast
Gyms says the site at the Greater Manchester
shopping and leisure destination will be “one
of our most comprehensive gym
concepts yet.” The Everlast Gym+
features an elevated offering and will
be located near to the upcoming
Therme Manchester development.
TAP OR SCAN
TAP OR SCAN
TAP OR SCAN
EVERLAST GYMS
SPORT ENGLAND / DUNCAN NICHOLLS
ACTIVE SUSSEX
zeitgeist
Everlast Gym+
confirmed for
Tra ord Palazzo
Quest has been
updated for 2026
Sport England
announces place
funding for 27
deprived areas
http://lei.sr/2P2B3_H
http://lei.sr/H9R6D_H
http://lei.sr/w5w7g_H
Active Hastings will listen to
children when deciding how
to use the place funding
19©Cybertrek 2025 Issue 11 2025
The CMA is using new powers to investigate
businesses, including Gold’s Gym UK, for the way
membership fees are presented. No finding has been
made and the CMA says it should not be
assumed the company has infringed the
law. CMA chief executive, Sarah Cardell,
says this is a warning shot to businesses.
Find out more in the next issue of HCM
Hyrox is taking
to the seas with
a cruise o er
The Manchester Trust has teamed up with a UK
suicide prevention charity to offer a weekly
Andy’s Man Club at Stockport Sports
Village, providing a safe, confidential space
and peer-to-peer support for men who
are struggling with their mental health.
New UK laws are changing the way payments are handled
More operators are supporting men’s mental health
TAP OR SCAN
TAP OR SCAN
Billed as the ultimate fitness experience at sea,
the Hyrox Cruise will offer the perfect conditions
for training, with top athletes and coaches,
nutrition designed to support goals and expert
care for recovery. Taking place in October
2026, the four-day cruise will offer panel
talks, dynamic classes and the chance to
see a Hyrox race featuring special athletes.
TAP OR SCAN
HYROX/LUCID
ISTOCK/ JACOB WACKERHAUSEN
PHOTO: .SHUTTERSTOCK./DIKISHUNDMITRY
Membership laws
get more onerous
Male mental health is a
focus for Life Leisure
Hyrox Cruise launches
http://lei.sr/E6X5E_H
http://lei.sr/Q4V6t_H
http://lei.sr/G6m6q_H
news roundup
20 Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
Anthony Geisler’s Sequel Brands
has launched its fth franchise a
longevity concept in collaboration
with Tony Robbins’ company,
ifeforce and biohacer longevity
epert and podcaster ary reca
With the global longevity
economy predicted to reach $8
trillion annually within the net four
years, Ultimate Longevity Center
ais to ae longevity solutions
accessible to everyday ericans
There will be two core off erings
– wellness modalities, such as red
light therapy, hyperbaric chambers,
cold plunges and hydrogen baths
As well as longevity programmes
involving bioarer analysis
testing and etabolic pro ling
with personalised protocols to
help people optiise their health
Sequel Brands launches longevity franchise
Chris Rondeau joins Panobianco Academia
Gary Brecka and Anthony Geisler have teamed up on a longevity concept
ugal aini cofounder
of ifeforce with Tony Robbins
said This concept is launching
just as the longevity boom is
about to go to the net level
reca says ltiate ongevity
Center bridges the gap between
evolving sciencebaced thining
and everyday life ts about taing
tools and nowledge that those with
Former Planet Fitness CEO, Chris
Rondeau is bac in the tness
industry set to drive international
epansion of rails largest gy
franchisor anobianco cadeia
Rondeau has joined the company
as a shareholder, board member,
and strategic advisor and will
specialised access have historically
had and bringing that access within
reach of ain street erica
Launched by Geisler last year
euel rands also off ers ilates
Addiction – which is
aiing for sites by
the end of ile
tretch tudios ody
and ee ight auna
locations e says see the
same signals in Panobianco today
that saw in lanet itness in
ust before our eplosive growth
phase Theyve craced the code
on highvalue lowprice tness in
underserved arets The odel
is highly pro table the runway
for growth in rail and eico is
massive and the brand democratises
tness for the per cent of
the population that
traditional gys ignore
This is an opportunity to
help build another multi-
billiondollar legacy
“This concept is launching just
as the longevity boom is about
to go to the next level”
Dugal Bain-Kim
“I see the same signals in
Panobianco today that I saw
in Planet Fitness in 2010”
Chris Rondeau
PANOBIANCO ACADEMIA
SEQUEL BRANDS
Chris Rondeau (third left) has joined the Panbianco Academia board as an investor
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actively support the low-cost chain’s
epansion in rail its entry into
eico and the professionalisation
of its franchisee networ
Rondeau spent years at lanet
Fitness and was instrumental in its
transition fro a regional chain to a
global powerhouse with more than
21©Cybertrek 2025 Issue 11 2025
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In its fourth transaction of
the year, Germany’s LifeFit
Group has acquired three
Elixia premium clubs in Berlin.
Each 5,000 square foot club
features modern training areas, a
diverse range of classes, a 25-metre
pool and a comprehensive wellness
area. Targeted investments and
integration into the Fitness
First network are intended to
promote and expand the clubs’
service quality and growth.
“The Elixia clubs are already
operating at a high level in terms
LifeFit Group buys Berlin Elixia gyms portfolio
Equinox plans Caribbean lifestyle resort
of their teams and facilities,” says
Johannes Maßen, COO of the LifeFit
Group and managing director of
Fitness First. “Their professionalism
is remarkable and provides an
excellent foundation for the future.
“Through the integration into our
strong network in Berlin and across
erany ebers will bene t
Euino has announced its rst
Caribbean location – a marina
lifestyle destination called Equinox
Resort Anguilla Port Nimara.
The property will have 62
guestrooms, 18 oceanfront villas and
18 upland villas and 35 residences,
as well as an Equinox health club,
The Spa by Equinox Hotels, a
restaurant, luxury shopping and
access to a promenade for further
restaurants and beaches.
The resort will also have beachfront
views and a 118-berth marina for
vessels measuring up to 240 feet. The
port is epected to receive its rst
vessels in 2027, with the Equinox
Resort scheduled to open in 2029.
The property is being developed
by South West Harbour – CEO,
David Mizrahi, says: “Equinox Hotels
fro signi cantly epanded training
opportunities and cross-location
off erings t the sae tie we will
make targeted investments in the
development of the
three clubs to enhance
and secure the training
and service experience
in the long term.”
perfectly aligns with our vision of
Port Nimara in creating unparalleled
luxury marine lifestyle destinations.
Its focus on high-performance
living and exceptional, health-driven
experiences complements the
unique vibrancy of our resort.”
Equinox Hotels’ strategy for
growth is to bring high-performance
living and experiential luxury to
sought-after destinations around the
world off ering innovative
health solutions, dynamic
community programming
and transformative
environments.’
“Equinox Hotels perfectly aligns
with our vision of creating luxury
marine lifestyle destinations”
David Mizrahi:
LIFEFIT GROUP
EQUINOX RESORT ANGUILLA PORT NIMARA
The Port Nimara Resort will have an
Equinox health club and a spa
The liia clubs ill rebranded as itness irst lac ifeits preiu o ering
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“The Elixia clubs are already
operating at a high level in terms
of their teams and facilities”
Johannes Maßen
CREDIT
news roundup
22 Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
Total Fitness has secured £15
million from its digital banking
partner, OakNorth, as it prepares
for its next phase of growth,
which will include the roll-out
of its Women’s Gym concept.
The recapitalisation refreshes
existing debt arrangements and
creates additional eibility for
investment. It includes £13.5
million in senior debt and a £1.5
million revolving credit facility.
Total Fitness currently has 16
locations across the north of England
Total Fitness secures £15m from OakNorth
PureGym unveils first rebranded Blink sites
Total Fitness has secured funding to open more Women’s Gyms
and Wales. As well as rolling out
the Women’s Gym, an extensive
refurbishment plan is underway
with recent upgrades completed
in Bolton, Sefton, Wrexham and
Lincoln. Wilmslow is the next in line.
To Rayner chief nancial o cer
at Total Fitness, believes this support
fro the bans shows con dence
in the business today and in
Fifty-six former Blink Fitness
gyms in New York and New
Jersey have been upgraded
and rebranded as PureGym and
are now open for business.
Unveiled on 8 December, the
gys are open off ering
premium gym equipment at monthly
rates ranging from US$24.99
to $41.99, plus a joining fee.
Three New York locations – 54th
Street in Manhattan, Canarsie
in Brooklyn, and Woodside in
Queens – received further upgrades
and will serve as pilot sites. Extra
equipment has been added to
meet growing consumer demand
for strength and hybrid training.
“We believe everyone should have
access to highuality tness at any
time they want, and we’re committed
ambition for the future, saying: “This
recapitalisation marks an important
milestone for Total Fitness, creating
a well-invested platform for the
next phase of our growth. We’re
committed to continuing
our investment in our
people, our facilities and
the overall experience
we off er ebers
to making that possible for New
orers said Rebecca assore
group chief operating o cer ur
mission is to inspire healthier nations
and we are thrilled to
nally bring the city
that never sleeps a true
aff ordable way to
prioritise their wellbeing
“This recapitalisation marks
an important milestone
for Total Fitness”
Tom Raynor
“We believe everyone should
have access to high-quality
e a a me he a”
Rebecca Passmore
PUREGYM
TOTAL FITNESS
PURE GYM
TOTAL FITNESS
A year after the acquisition,
PureGym has now rebranded
most of its Blink Fitness sites
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Rebecca Passmore at
23©Cybertrek 2025 Issue 11 2025
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UK operator, Foundry has added
two new clubs to its portfolio
with the acquisition of Instate,
an independent operator.
The new sites in Cobham and
Wandsworth adds 350 new members
to the group and takes the site count
to nine in London and the South East.
The Cobham and Wandsworth
gyms are 5,000 and 3,500 square
feet respectively, fully equipped and
newly-refurbished. The team will
replicate Foundry’s award-winning,
trainer-led format of 50 minute PT
sessions on the hour, every hour.
Foundry boosts portfolio with Instate gyms
Village expands after Blackstone investment
Known for its no mirrors, no
mobiles, no-nonsense approach,
Foundry’s mission is to make elite
coaching accessible in a premium,
functional, friendly space.
Foundry CEO, Jean-Claude Vacassin,
says: “Bringing Instate’s gyms into the
Foundry group is a natural step. These
locations deliver a strong coaching
Village Health and Wellness Clubs,
which was acquired by Blackstone
from KSL in July 2024, has opened
its 34th UK club in Reading, UK.
Designed as a full-service wellness
destination, it features a fully-equipped
Technogy tness suite including
Biostrength and Artis cardio kit
off ering entertainent virtual routes
and real-time progress-tracking.
There’s also a functional training
zone and free weights area; four group
exercise studios, including an indoor
cycle studio, a Box ‘n’ Burn studio and
a reformer Pilates studio included in
the platinum membership. Completing
the mix are an indoor swimming pool,
sauna, steamroom and whirlpool.
The illage y pp off ers
class bookings, personalised plans
and community connections.
experience, and we’re looking forward
to building on that with our systems,
support and eber rst approach
For 2026, Foundry is simplifying
its pricing so members
can buy credits rather
than sessions.
ead ou po e
www.hcmmag.com/JCV
The site also delivers the agship
Village Advance programme, a
wee personalised tness
journey combining tailored
workouts, nutrition advice and
regular progress check-ins to help
members achieve their health goals.
Dean Kemp, national sales and
new openings manager says: “We’re
thrilled to be bringing the Village
Health and Wellness experience
to Reading. The club combines
cutting-edge equipment, premium
facilities and a welcoming atmosphere
that supports members in every
stage of their tness ourney
●Village Hotels is one
of the UK’s biggest hotel
health club operators,
with 33 clubs, each with
over 4,000 members.
FOUNDRY
VILLAGE HEALTH AND WELLNESS
The new Village Health and Wellness
site features an extensive gym
Foundry’s 50-minute, PT-led group training will be introduced in the new clubs
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“Bringing Instate’s Wandsworth
and Cobham gyms into the Foundry
group is a natural step for us”
Jean-Claude Vacassin
FOUNDRY / WILL DEVEREUX
24 Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
news roundup
A
new vagus nerve stimulation
device, Yojo, has been launched
to provide biofeedback,
expert support and personalised
guidance to help people calm
their bodies and minds.
The company claims that 30
minutes of vagus nerve stimulation
a day can provide better sleep, less
anxiety, sharper focus, and faster
recovery after just four weeks.
On average, Yojo users see a 45
per cent reduction in stress markers
and improvements in nervous
syste eibility and recovery
The device uses an earpiece that
stimulates the auricular branch
of the vagus nerve in the outer
ear to activate the body’s natural
rest-and-digest response. The
app uses biofeedback, such as
heart rate, heart rate variability,
stress index and parasympathetic
activity to track progress.
Each user receives an initial
consultation with a human coach
Yojo vagus nerve device gives bio-feedback
Alpha-Stim gains traction as anti-anxiety tool
Yojo can be used while going about your daily business
to de ne personal health goals
and map out a tailored plan. The
coach then translates these goals
into personalised daily tasks and
protocols within the app.
“Yojo is an all-in-one longevity
solution that makes nervous system
Brain stimulation device,
Alpha-Stim is receiving
growing support from health
professionals and people with
anxiety, insomnia and chronic pain.
The device uses cranial
electrotherapy stimulation (CES) to
health as routine as checking email,”
says founder, Waldi Hoon. “In a
world that feels faster
and more demanding than
ever, we built Yojo as a
simple, science-backed
tool to restore balance.”
the UK by Stephen Hutchinson
in 2010, when he was looking for
an alternative to medication to
help with insomnia and anxiety.
In 2014, Northamptonshire
NHS Healthcare Trust was the
rst Trust to trial lphati
for patients. After extensive trials,
the Trust added it to its routine
primary care pathway for patients
with anxiety two years ago.
More than 100 clinical studies and
trials have been carried out on Alpha-
Stim and CES. One study found a
94 per cent improvement in anxiety
after ve wees fter ve lphati
insomnia treatments,
military service members
with insomnia reported
an increase of 43
minutes of sleep.
MIND
YŌJŌ
Alpha-Stim delivers a low pulsing current to the ear
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deliver pulsed currents to the brain,
via an ear clip. The low-amplitude
waveform rebalances the default
mode network, which is often
disrupted in mental health conditions.
Alpha-Stim was launched in
the US in 1981 and brought to
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26 Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
buzz
Third Space keeps the bar high
with The Whiteley launch
Third Space has launched its 14th club at
The Whiteley, London. The prestigious site
is set within a Grade II listed building near
London’s Hyde Park. Facilities span three
oors topped with a bespoe glass doe
“Third Space at The Whiteley is an opportunity for
us to bring all of our latest concepts to life in a stunning
setting says Third pace olin aggett ro
yro to contrast therapy fro cobat to reforer and
fro lypic lifting to recovery ones the club has it all
esign is about function and for so weve
tried to ae sure this club will ecite the training
enthusiast and the style guru in eual easures
The preiu operator is now onsite with additional
clubs in Chelsea, Paternoster Square and Queens
Park, all of which will open in 2026. “There will also
be aor investent and etension proects at oho
and slington says aggett ur abition is to
ensure that as we strive for bestinclass at all our new
openings the established clubs eually bene t fro
The three-lane
sled track is used
for Hyrox classes
Get live news at www.HCMmag.com
The new club is in a Grade II listed building
THIRD SPACE
THIRD SPACE
27©Cybertrek 2025 Issue 11 2025
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innovations, with cold therapy being rolled out as we
speak and new strength concepts being developed.
“Having launched our recovery membership
incorporating red light, cryotherapy and vibroacoustic
therapy at Canary Wharf this year we’ll be expanding this
concept to more clubs,” he said. “Members are demanding
ore and were nding ways to give the ore
Facilities at The Whiteley include an extensive gym
offering a threelane trac functional rig free weights an
Elite cardio area and Technogym and Woodway treadmills.
There are ves studios the person cycle studio
has IC7 bikes; a range of combat and martial arts will
be offered in the cobat studio which has a boing rail
with eight punch bags theres a person T studio a
person ind ody studio for yoga barre editation
and sound baths and a person reforer ilates studio
The wet spa which opens in arch will offer an
etre ltered pool a hydrotherapy pool with
underwater assage ets an ice bath a
dry Finnish sauna, a Löyly sauna, steamroom and
day beds. The dedicated recovery zone has stretching
areas, Normatec recovery boots, Hyperice Hypervot,
ypersphere and yper vibrating foa rollers urther
to this physiotherapy and sports assage is offered
Theres also a ebers lounge and coworing
space and luxury changing rooms.
ebership to The hiteley is a onth
group ebership to all Third pace clubs is
ecluding the ayfair se of the full
Third pace collection is a onth
i enses otel with the rst i
enses lace private wellness club in the
world, will open in the same building.
“From Hyrox to contrast therapy,
from combat to reformer and
from Olympic lifting to recovery
zones, the club has it all”
Colin Waggett
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H
I
R
D
S
P
A
C
E
The Mind and Body and
reformer Pilates studios
has great natural light
THIRD SPACE
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28 Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
buzz
HiiClub has opened its second site, at Flannels’
agship store in eeds creating an
ecosyste of fashion tness and counity
iilub eeds follows the launch of
iilub ewcastle onths ago ounded by
forer rugby player osh Rose loyd Riddell and
tephanie arlow the concept off ers a boutiue
hotel aesthetic and coprehensive prograing
luury retailer owned by rasers roup which
also owns verlast ys lannels has a ission
HiiClub teams up with Frasers Group
to open a gym within Flannels
to reiagine retail as an eperiential lifestyleled
environent The suare foot iilub is
on the ctive oor of the eeds store alongside
worldclass brands including uori n ululeon
oss reen Represent and ontrose
ew for this site is iiontrast a dedicated
hot and cold therapy suite coprising two
ice baths and a siperson sauna
The iialance reforer ilates studio is the
largest in eeds with reforer beds and
ebers get unliited classes
randed as iiTrain the gy oor features
preiu it including treadills
benches seven rigs and ore than
ergs our signature worouts
iiero iiaced iiryd and
iiRun are off ered in the strength
conditioning and running one
Rose says ridging the gap between
fashion lifestyle and tness feels
“Bridging the gap between
fashion, lifestyle, and
tne ee compete
natural to us as a brand,
and m enuine ecited
about what’s ahead”
Josh Rose
Members have access
to unlimited reformer
Pilates classes
Get live news at www.HCMmag.com
Hii CLUB
29©Cybertrek 2025 Issue 11 2025
Get live news at www.HCMmag.com
completely natural and I’m genuinely excited about
what’s ahead. There’s nothing we love more than bringing
our community together through brand events and
meaningful collaborations. By working with Flannels
in this way, we can really amplify these moments and
give our customers the best possible experience.
“Ultimately, we want people to get obsessed with
HiiClub the way we are – not just for the workouts,
Branded as HiiTrain,
the g oor features
a ide range of
preiu euipent
but for the connections and positive lifestyle shifts that
naturally come from being part of our community.”
Lauren Barrie, group head of retail at Frasers Group
says: “HiiClub Leeds represents a new
kind of destination for our customers,
one that brings retail, performance,
and wellbeing together in a way that
feels authentic and relevant.”
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Hii CLUB
30 Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
buzz
NRG Gym continues rollout
with Glasgow launch
NR ys recently opened its rst gy in
cotland taing the portfolio up to
The lasgow site spans suare feet
and includes a gy with dedicated perforance
and fealeonly ones group eercise and indoor
cycling studios and ale and feale saunas
e typically have one studio per club but
were oving up to two as a iniu R
y founder ha hed told HCM ur
sites range fro to s ft with about
to per cent dedicated to cardio and the
reainder being studios and functional areas
hed launched the rst gy in ravesend
ent in wanted to build a gy with great
custoer service great gy euipent and a decent
t out he says The three pillars the copany
has been built on are counity aspiration and
perforance e want to create an environent to
inspire people to eep t and be the best they can
be very focused on using data to understand our
custoers and we regularly conduct insight to nd
out what features colours and touts resonate
aving taen on illion of investent fro
ua rowth artners in anuary R is looing
for opportunities to epand n epteber it
acuired up ys which added ve gys to
the estate that are now being integrated
There are a further three gys in the pipeline for
ottingha iverpool and arrington and hed
says the copany is on the hunt for sall and large
acuisitions while continuing the organic ourney
f we cant give the consuer the full offering we
turn down the sites e have to be very disciplined the
hardest part is saying no he says owever there is
structural and systeic change in the deand for tness
hen cae into the industry penetration
was around to per cent and now its per
cent in the and in the soe of the states
are north of per cent That leads e to believe
there is still cofortably another to per cent
runway in the Theres a lot ore
to coe over the net two decades
ediuter were focused on around
to sites ongter wed lie to
be an international operation and have a
iniu of to sites in the
“I wanted to build a gym with
great customer service, great gym
equipment and a decent t-out”
Shaq Ahmed
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ha hed
founded in
ravesend ent in
NRG GYMS
32 Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
Five star hotel, Corinthia
London, has announced the
relaunch of its award-winning
urban spa with a new identify –
Biome by Corinthia London.
The new off ering will debut
in late January 2026.
it has been con red
as the tness partner for ioe
and will deliver one-to-one PT
and small group training and well
as support for members in the
gy which off ers euipent fro
BLK BOX, Technogym and Peloton.
ioe will off er transforative
wellness treatments’ from
epert practitioners who blend
scienti c nowledge with the
healing power of nature to off er
a holistic wellbeing experience’.
lso on off er will be a curated
heat and water circuit off ering
hydrotherapy, steamroom and sauna.
Corinthia is ramping up its local
memberships model and Biome
will off er a range of pacages
AMP Fit is Corinthia London Biome partner
Athx Games signs four-year deal with Adidas
The ne ioe o ering ill include health and tness support fro it
that include tness oveent
sincare and restorative rituals
Costs will be £2,500 for three
months; £4,000 for six months
and £7,500 for 12 months.
ullday eperience pacages
will also launch in 2026.
unctional tness copetition
Athx Games is entering a new
chapter with a landar fouryear
global partnership with Adidas.
With a global partner powering
its growth, Athx will extend
to more locations, moving
from a UK challenger to be an
international tness brand
Alongside the alliance, Athx has
evolved its competition structure
for 2026, built around the three
pillars of strength, endurance
and metabolic conditioning. Year
on year the worouts of the
competition evolve, which leads to
an all-round growth in athleticism.
The worouts introduce
new movement standards and
progressive formats designed by
co-founder and internationally
Other partners in the new Biome
by orinthia off ering will include
radical botany brand,
ildsith in and
US-based celebrity
aeup and hair brand
Augustinus Bader.
recognised functional tness coach
and athlete, Ollie Marchon.
Marchon says: “Athx has always
been built for all athletes and 2026
will prove it ro the rst tier
to the accomplished competitor,
the new worouts are a true
test of tness at every level
The 2026 season has been revealed
in full, featuring four UK events
in London, Glasgow, Birmingham
and Liverpool. It will expand from
two European events to more than
across ey arets including
Germany, France, Spain, Italy, the
Netherlands and the Nordics.
The foundations will
also be laid for further
international growth, with
plans for the US, Middle
East and APAC regions.
ADIDAS
BLK BOX / CHARLIE SAWYER
th is partnering ith didas to drive
global groth in
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Collabs
33©Cybertrek 2025 Issue 11 2025
Be Well Wigan has introduced
a new evidence-based, healthy
ageing programme that aligns with
national and international guidelines.
Developed by clinical exercise
physiologist, Ashley Gluchowski,
Stronger with Age, is a small group,
supervised, twice a week programme,
which focuses on building full-body
muscle strength and strength
training selfe cacy for longter
strength training adherence.
The programme was designed
during Gluchowski’s PhD with
older adults from Auckland and
has been re ned with ebers
exercise instructors and decision-
makers in Greater Manchester.
While Stronger with Age is
for all ages, genders and abilities,
the rst cohort was ade up of
women who are experiencing
perimenopause and menopause.
The prograe is off ered as part
of a membership, or as a standalone,
with concessionary rates available.
Be Well Wigan works with Ashley Gluchowski
Realbuzz reveals collab with Esmée Gummer
“During the research phase of
development, Stronger with Age had
a 94 per cent adherence rate and
during our pilot work in Wigan, we’ve
had a 100 per cent completion rate,”
says Gluchowski. “The programme
has been extended due to its
overwhelmingly positive feedback,
Charity running programme
provider, Realbuzz, is sponsoring
a new nationwide movement
initiative in the UK, The Nation’s 5K
challenge started by tness coach and
endurance athlete Esmée Gummer.
At 18, Gummer was paralysed
after complications arising from
a medical procedure and told she
would never walk again. However,
she did relearn and has gone on
to become an endurance event
athlete and a Realbuzz ambassador.
The Nation’s 5K challenge will
take place from 27 June to 3
October 2026 and aims to get
one million people to complete
5K, whether running, jogging, or
walking, to inspire movement,
community connection and greater
accessibility to physical activity.
continued advocacy from current
participants and the number of
women currently on the waiting list.”
Gluchowski says one of the
main challenges has been the
misconception of what strength
training is. “Many women believe it
will bulk them up. However, they
quickly realise strength training gives
them the body composition they
were hoping for – a strong, lean,
de ned toned loo she says
“Most importantly, it gives
participants incredible con dence
mental resilience, emotional
wellbeing, and social connection to
a group of like-minded individuals.”
Danny Fletcher, Wigan Council’s
lead member for public health and
leisure, said: “Whether it’s at our
leisure centres or in the community,
the Be Well programme
is about supporting
residents to be healthy,
happy and active at
all stages of life.”
Throughout December, Gummer
and Realbuzz are calling on charities
and participants to apply or vote for
the o cial charity partner for the
challenge. Realbuzz will manage the
charity partnership and registration
for the events, providing the option
to donate via GoFundMe on signup.
“The Nation’s 5K challenge is about
getting people moving together,” says
Gummer. “Running transformed my
life and this challenge is about making
movement accessible, supportive and
fun for everyone. I’m thrilled to have
Realbuzz sponsoring the project,
their platform will bring this vision
to life at a national scale.
Now we’re searching for
the perfect charity to
champion throughout
the challenge.”
DR ASHLEY GLUCHOWSKI
REALBUZZ/ESMÉE GUMMER
Esmée Gummer has launched The
National 5K Challenge to inspire
people to walk and run together
Ashley Gluchowski
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HCM PEOPLE
34 Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
How did it all begin?
I started out as a body builder which led to me
becoming a personal trainer at David Lloyd. From
there I became a self-employed personal trainer at
Fitness First and then moved to a boutique PT studio.
By 2012, when I was 23, I hit the ceiling – I was doing
45 or 50 sessions a week and couldn't earn any more
money. So I decided to find a studio for myself, which
is when I stumbled across Fitness Worx Kenilworth.
Nine months later a gym in nearby Warwick went
into liquidation and the owners approached me to buy
it. Since then Fitness Worx has grown organically and is
entirely self-funded, with each new site funding the next
one. In December we opened our ninth site, in Rugby.
My Dad, Rich Gibson, who’s a building contractor by
trade joined me in the business early on to do all the fit-
outs and my brother, Matt Gibson, is head of operations.
What’s your USP?
We offer serious training in an approachable
and inclusive environment.
We teach our members to train properly and
support them in getting results and we also have
a strong focus on retention. Our speciality is our
personal transformation programmes that have
been written by me and the team, are tailored
to the individuals’ goals and are progressive. This
is what transforms a 40-year-old woman who’s
nervous about coming to the gym into a loyal
member who knows exactly what she’s doing.
Gibson oers
‘approachable but
serious’ training
We take time to explain the
benefits of our programmes
and help members see
it as a small investment
with a long-term pay-o
Jack Gibson
Founder, Fitness Worx Gyms
If a piece of equipment
has been asked for by
members four or five
times then we’ll buy it
JOE GRAY
HCM people
35©Cybertrek 2025 Issue 11 2025
If a piece of equipment
has been asked for by
members four or five
times then we’ll buy it
Fitness Worx looks for
growing towns with a
young demographic
Programmes cost an average of £300 a
month for two individual sessions a week.
We do health metrics such as body fat at the
start, middle and end. Programmes get results
and also build a love of training and integrate
new members into the community.
From the one-to-one sessions they can graduate
to the small group training lifting classes on the
gym floor, which further strengthens friendships.
We’ve recently introduced Baby Worx, a class
for new mums who can bring their babies while
they get back in shape, and due to member
demand we have become a Hyrox affiliate.
We’re also big on community events, sometimes
they’re sporting challenges, such as going to a
Hyrox competition or the Fitness Worx Games.
Or it might be something social, or an excursion
such as hiking Snowdon. Membership of each
site is between 800 and 1000 and we really care
about all of them. Our staff are expected to get to
know, understand and help all of our members.
Transformation
programmes are
core to the business
JOE GRAY
JOE GRAY
HCM PEOPLE
36 Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
in with a trainer, so if they get stuck in the future they
already have that relationship and support in place.
Does everyone new to the gym need
this level of personal guidance?
We’ve found that if we can support someone
through those first four weeks and help them
feel comfortable in a Fitness Worx gym, we can
often keep them for 12 months or more. Most
novice gym-goers don’t quit because they don’t
want to train – they quit because they feel lost,
intimidated, or unsure of what they’re doing.
That’s a real shame, because everyone should feel
safe and welcome in a gym. Training can bring so
We’ve introduced Baby Worx, a class
for new mums who can bring their
babies while they get back in shape
Baby Worx classes
make it easy for mums
to return to the gym
How do you overcome the cost barrier for
the personal transformation programmes?
Cost can definitely be a barrier, but more and
more people are now making their health and
wellbeing a priority. We take the time to explain
the benefits of our programmes and help them see
it as a small investment with a long-term payoff.
Our goal is to teach clients the fundamentals so
they can confidently achieve their goals on their
own, long after the programme ends. We often
compare it to learning to drive: once you’ve passed
your test, you have the skills to drive for life. It’s
the same with training – once you understand what
to do and why, you can train effectively forever.
We also offer a shorter option called the Kickstart,
starting from £200, which includes personal training,
access to the gym and classes. In the first month the
trainer teaches all the key basics of training at our
gyms. It also gives clients a chance to regularly check
JOE GRAY
37©Cybertrek 2025 Issue 11 2025
New mums and their
babies are welcomed
at Fitness Worx
A £200 Kickstart
plan includes access
to a PT and classes
much satisfaction and confidence, but people often
leave simply because they don’t understand how
to train or how to use the equipment properly.
The gym can feel like a scary place at first,
but if you give it a bit of time and build your
confidence in that environment it can be
incredible. You can achieve life-changing results
and meet new friends along the way.
That’s why retention is so important to us. It’s
not just about training plans – it’s about coaches
making new members feel welcome, supported and
educated. If you educate and guide new members
properly, they’re far more likely to become long-term
clients. That’s how you build a real community.
JOE GRAY
JOE GRAY
HCM PEOPLE
38 Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
All our sta are expected to get to know,
understand and help all of our members
How do you choose your locations?
Our goal was to dominate the Midlands in the
UK. We look for fast-growing towns with a young
demographic, for example Leamington Spa, which
has a lot of professionals who commute to London.
Ideally the population is 60,000 to 70,000. Rugby is a
bit smaller but it’s one of the fastest growing towns in
the area, with a lot of new-build homes which bring
a younger demographic who are interested in fitness.
With the pre-sale we hit 500 members in 15 minutes.
How have you kept the quality high?
We’ve got a strong head office team. Along with
myself and my brother, we have Chris Bryniarski
the sales director, Joe Gray, the full-time
videographer who’s in charge of marketing,
and Gemma West looks after the admin.
We move our most experienced managers from a
thriving site to a new site when they open and put
them on a bonus scheme, so the more their site
grows, the more money they earn. All our PTs are also
employed on a full-time salary with a bonus structure.
When we open a new site, Matt, Chris and I take it
in turns being there until we've managed to put across
our values and ethos to the trainers. Then we have
meetings every Tuesday and site visits twice a week.
What trends are you excited by?
If you had asked me that seven months ago,
I would have said none because trends come
and go, but I've recently responded to several
trends following member requests.
We became a Hyrox affiliate because members
were asking for it. We already ran a hybrid
class, but everyone wanted the real thing. We’re
introducing saunas because I believe in their
benefits for health, longevity and wellbeing. And
we’ve started implementing glute zones into
our new sites, and will also be introducing them
into some of the bigger sites. They’re popular
and can feel like a safe space for women.
We have feedback boxes at every site and
read them each week, as well as doing regular
polls on Instagram of what people are looking
All trainers are full-
time employees with
a bonus structure
SNAPSHOT
Locations in the UK in
Rugby, Warwick, Kenilworth,
Southam, Leamington,
Stratford-upon-Avon, Bristol
and Coventry (two clubs)
Average size, 10,000 square foot
24/7 opening
No contract, with
membership freeze options
Membership is £45 per month
and offers access to all the sites
Suppliers are Core Health and
Fitness, Nautilus, Star Trak,
American Prime, Arsenal
Strength and Cybex
JOE GRAY
JOE GRAY
39©Cybertrek 2025 Issue 11 2025
for. If a piece of gym equipment has been asked
for four or five times then we’ll buy it.
What are your goals?
Five years ago we said we wanted to get up
to 10 sites by the end of 2026. We're now at
nine and we'll do our 10th early next year.
Longer term I’m aiming for 25 sites. We've
probably got three or four more around here –
Birmingham, Solihull, Daventry, Northampton
and then Birmingham City Centre, maybe up to
Nottingham. I’d like to go all the way from Manchester
to Bristol and would love to have a gym in London.
Will you ever franchise?
I tried it at two sites and they both closed. I hated
it. It felt as though I was giving away something that
we work very hard on to someone who cares more
about a machine than he does about a member. ●
The clubs are now
offering yro
due to demand
Training can bring so
much satisfaction
and confidence
Programmes cost around
£300 a month for eight
individual sessions
JOE GRAY
JOE GRAY
HCM PEOPLE
40 Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
Kore Sandwell
runs eight sites in a
deprived borough
HCM PEOPLE
We’ve seen a 112
per cent growth in
membership and
our social value is in
excess of £12.5m
Mark Braithwaite
CEO, Kore Sandwell
KORE SANDWELL / ALEX STYLES PHOTOGRAPHY
KORE SANDWELL / ALEX STYLES PHOTOGRAPHY
41©Cybertrek 2025 Issue 11 2025
You joined Sandwell Leisure Trust
(now Kore Sandwell) as CEO three years
ago, what was the situation at the time?
The relationship between the trust and the
council was very strained. Staff had even
been striking outside the leisure centres.
The council – which was in special measures
at the time – had terminated the management
contract and was planning to set up a local
authority trading company (LATCO).
Part of the reason for the termination of the
contract was that the parties were unable to agree
on a business plan, coupled with the fact that there
was inconsistent reporting by the trust at the time.
There was a lot to untangle but I knew
I was going into a challenging environment
and I’ve always liked a challenge.
How did you go about making changes?
The council had a change of mind about the LATCO
when they realised they’d have to renegotiate
all the utility rates when they were at their
highest, which would have cost circa an extra
£2.5m. So the contract was extended from May
2023 to 2027 which is when the utility contracts
ran to, which helped to steady the ship.
I did a leadership team restructure and brought
in a new head of commercial and head of HR and
managed to establish a good relationship with
the council and the board quite quickly – I think
everybody recognised the value of having a middleman
to facilitate the relationship. There hadn't been an
employee satisfaction survey for about 15 years
Members love the
feedback from
the EGYM tech
We’ve noticed people
who’ve had an induction on
the EGYM equipment have
an improved retention rate
are engaging more regularly
and I think there was a feeling from the team that
they thought nobody cared about their opinion.
It’s encouraging to see from our surveys over the
last two years that satisfaction rates have gone up
and we're just about to launch the third survey now.
We’re still working on the culture piece but we've
introduced a range of new benefits for the team
that have built more trust in the organisation.
What’s the area like?
We run eight facilities in the 12th most deprived
borough in England, which has the highest obesity
rates for 10- and 11-year-olds in the country.
It’s very diverse culturally – 45 per cent are
people of colour – which means complexities
around programming and operations.
Policies to tackle inequalities include offering
free swimming to under-18s and over-60s during
KORE SANDWELL / ALEX STYLES PHOTOGRAPHY
HCM PEOPLE
42 Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
non-term time. The Portway pass allows free or
heavily discounted membership to a range of users,
including those who receive PIP, income support,
disability benefit, or school pupils with SEN needs.
We offer women-only sessions across all
the sites and work closely with adult services
to provide a range of programmes for adults
with mental and physical disabilities.
We've got a really good relationship with the
faith network. We reached out to them and
asked what we need to do differently to help
people within their community who may find
the gym intimidating or feel it isn't necessary for
them. Our team has completed ethnic diversity
training to understand the things that might make
people self-conscious and we’re definitely seeing
increased levels of participation across the board.
You won the UK Active digital
transformation award. Tell us more
We took the decision to do a full review of our
digital ecosystem and identify where we had gaps
and/or opportunities. We’re going heavily down
the technology data side and are six months into
a new system which allows us to clearly report
back to the council on our various demographic
groups and the financial benefit. In the next few
months we’ll be adding AI agents, firstly a service
agent, followed by sales and retention agents.
EGYM equipment has been introduced to one of our
sites and the idea is that in the future data is shared
back into our core management system, meaning
that health outcomes can be tracked. We've noticed
people who’ve had an induction on the equipment
have an improved retention rate are engaging with
Kore Padel may
be rolled out as
a separate brand
KORE SANDWELL / ALEX STYLES PHOTOGRAPHY
43©Cybertrek 2025 Issue 11 2025
the equipment more regularly than our standard
visits and this is therefore driving an improved ROI
based on a longer length of stay, supporting the
business case which was approved by the board.
People love the EGYM kit – they get a personalised
genius induction, they know exactly what they’re
doing, they get feedback while they’re doing it, there’s
a gamification element, it’s non-intimidating and
confidence building. It’s appealing to 20-somethings up
to 70-year-olds, we’re seeing people use it four times
a week, where typical usage is 2.3 per week average.
What other investments are underway?
We’re opening Sandwell’s first reformer Pilates
studio at Wednesbury Leisure Centre in early
2026, through a partnership with Tribute Brands
for its Pilat3S brand (www.tribute-brands.com).
We’ll pay a monthly license fee as part of a
franchise arrangement and they’ll provide updated
training programmes quarterly which will ensure
customers are getting new and innovative content.
Part of the reason why this is so appealing is that
we don’t need to find a load of level four reformer
Pilates teachers, which can be one of the biggest
barriers to opening a studio. Screens are used for
content and we can use level two instructors to
facilitate the classes. We can have eight existing
instructors trained up within 12 weeks, which
gives a lot of flexibility. The lights and music are
choreographed with the workout so it creates
a really good atmosphere within the classes.
The trust’s rebrand to
Kore will ensure we’re
well positioned to bid
for other contracts or
diversify, for example,
by oering Kore Padel
as a standalone
People and connection
are at the heart of
the Kore philosophy
KORE SANDWELL / ALEX STYLES PHOTOGRAPHY
HCM PEOPLE
What else is new?
After opening the first padel courts in the Black
Country in April, we’re looking for further venues.
We were one of the first public leisure operators to
make the investment ourselves and they have done
incredibly well, achieving ROI in less than five months.
The Haden Hill Leisure Centre is currently
undergoing a rebuild and will open in summer
2027, offering a 100-station gym, two or three
studios, a community room, swimming pool and
learner pool. The Levelling-Up Fund is providing
£20m, while £2m is coming from Sandwell Council
and the remaining £2m from Sport England.
Are you working with the NHS?
We’re now at the point where we’ve started to
move into the health piece which is clearly where
our industry is going and we’re being more effective
when it comes to how we support people with
conditions such as diabetes and Long COVID, as well
as how we tackle falls prevention and MSK issues.
We’re now starting to talk about how
we can support the NHS around frailty and
falls prevention programmes. EGYM are
able to help us evidence results, so we're in
the early stages of talks around that.
We are just about to commence a partnership with
Public Health in Sandwell where we will be taking
Tell us about the rebrand to Kore
This new modern identity has been designed
in partnership with consultancy Ice Blue to
have a broader appeal and also to open up the
opportunity for us to bid for contracts outside
the borough, as well as offer sub-brands,
such as Kore Padel and Kore Tennis.
This evolution reflects who we are today and who
we are becoming. Kore symbolises the belief that
wellbeing starts at the centre, at the core of every
person, every family and every community. It captures
our commitment to placing people, connection and
purpose right at the heart of everything we do.
The needs of our communities are changing.
People are looking for more than fitness facilities.
They are looking for connection, confidence and
support for their physical and mental wellbeing.
Kore Sandwell is our response to that, a renewed
promise to be a partner in every individual journey.
We’re opening Sandwell’s first reformer Pilates
studio in early 2026, through a partnership
with Tribute Brands for its Pilat3S brand
Under 18s and over-
60s can swim for free
in non-term time
KORE SANDWELL / ALEX STYLES PHOTOGRAPHY
45©Cybertrek 2025 Issue 11 2025
over their Weight Management Programme, this will
provide efficiencies for the local authority and will
create future funding opportunities for the trust.
How do you feel about the future? What
are the challenges and opportunities?
We’re really positive about the future,
especially with the trust’s recent rebrand to
Kore that will ensure we’re well positioned
to appeal to a wide range of customers.
Challenges will remain mainly around energy and
staffing, which are our two biggest costs. Anything
the government can do to support in these two
areas will have a massive impact going forward.
The UK population is now more aware of health
and with strong growth in our sector over the
last few years, we should only see more people
reaching out to improve their general wellbeing.
The introduction of GLP-1 weight loss drugs has
given many people a lifeline in their weight loss
journey and will no doubt reduce immediate pressure
on the NHS, but support is needed from our industry
to ensure the wraparound services are provided. ●
At this year’s UK Active Awards, Sandwell Leisure Trust
won the UK Active Outstanding Leadership Team award
Women-only
sessions are helping
to build condence
and connection
KORE SANDWELL / ALEX STYLES PHOTOGRAPHY
KORE SANDWELL / ALEX STYLES PHOTOGRAPHY
fibo.com
For a strong and healthy society.
SEE YOU! 16 - 19 APR 2026
INTERVIEW
48 Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
With 400 locations and plans to enter new markets in 2026,
Fitness Park Group’s growth shows no signs of slowing.
Yet its president is not in a hurry, he tells Kate Cracknell
I believe
together
we can
change
the world
INTERVIEW
Herbette
Philippe
49©Cybertrek 2025 Issue 11 2025
Tell us about your background
My personal fitness journey started
as an athlete in 1986. By 1993, I was
French bodybuilding champion.
I opened my first gym in 1994 and each
year, would sell my current gym to open a
bigger, better one. I continued to do this
until 2015, although after a while I didn’t
always have to sell one gym to build another
and I grew my portfolio to four gyms.
In 2015, I acquired Groupe Moving, a
franchise business that owned the Fitness
Park, Club Moving, Lady Moving, Moving
Express and Garden Gym brands. I
brought my four clubs into the group and
rebranded the business as Fitness Park.
Why did you rebrand?
Groupe Moving was founded in 1986 and its
former owner was in his 70s when he sold the
business. It was a bit old-school, not really in
line with what consumers wanted any more
and it wasn’t performing particularly strongly:
revenues in 2015 were just €25m from around
200 clubs, of which approximately 30 were
Fitness Park and 170 a mix of the other brands.
We shuttered all the brands other than
itness ar with its lowcost odel this
was the brand with currency and rebranded
the whole business to Fitness Park Group. I
believe HVLP [high value, low price] to be the
best model in the fitness industry, looking to
Planet Fitness as one of my primary inspirations,
so this became our exclusive focus.
Our main challenge was that while Fitness
Park was low price, it wasn’t especially high
value at that time. We set about addressing
this through design, marketing, product
evolution and equipment, partnering with
Technogym as our key supplier – alongside
Hammer Strength, Eleiko, Gym 80 and others
– and creating a contemporary, value-added
offering with lots of strength, lifting platforms,
functional zones with turf tracks and so on.
With the ‘high value’ part of the equation
now in place, revenues accelerated. In 2025,
Carlyle Global
Credit is backing
Fitness Park Group
Our main challenge was
that while Fitness Park
was low price, it wasn’t
high value, so we set
about addressing this
FITNESS PARK GROUP
FITNESS PARK GROUP
INTERVIEW
50 Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
We had long discussions before we partnered
with Technogym. We didn’t just want good
prices and good service. We also wanted
to ensure its R&D department was willing
and able to keep up with our growth and
our ideas for innovation and evolution.
I do think our user experience is a strong one,
with technology that makes everything simple for
our members: in just a few clicks, you can book
a class, bring a friend, change your membership
package or update your payment method.
Another feature is our ability to deliver all of
this at a low price: as mentioned, we’ve greatly
enhanced the product without changing the
price. Our scale enables this – and there aren’t
many other big groups that can compete.
For €30 a month, members have full reciprocal access to
every Fitness Park gym in the network. We don’t compensate
franchisees for welcoming members from other clubs
400 Fitness Park clubs delivered €500m in
revenue and weve done it without really
changing the price. Membership used to cost
€29.99 a month. We now charge €30.
What is Fitness Park’s USP?
In this competitive market, it’s hard to create a
USP in the product itself. When we began, we
were among the first to install lifting platforms,
for example and to use dark colour schemes,
but now everyone’s following the same trends.
We innovate to differentiate. We have team
members in the UK testing out equipment and
concepts. We pilot new activities several times
a year – programming, equipment, recovery
and more – to see what our members enjoy.
FITNESS PARK GROUP / JOZSEF KERESZTES-NAGY
51©Cybertrek 2025 Issue 11 2025
Technogym has
been instrumental is
elevating the brand
The quality of our teams and our franchisees
is also a strength. We’re very careful who
we partner with, taking time to get to know
every potential franchisee, making sure we
understand each other and that their beliefs
match those of our company. That’s so
important, because I’m not building this company
on my own. We’re all building it together.
I think my personal ethos is a USP. I’m
passionate about fitness and I’ve built this group
with a lot of patience. My priority has always
been to build a very high-quality group with the
best possible product for just €30 a month.
Do all members pay the same rate?
For €30 a month, members have full reciprocal
access to every Fitness Park in the network. At
first, this made for challenging conversations with
franchisees, because we don’t compensate them
for welcoming members from other clubs. Over
time, however, they’ve seen their home members
benefiting from visiting other Fitness Park clubs
and everyone is happy with the agreement.
We also offer a VIP membership, Carte
Ultimate, which costs an additional €20
a month. This provides access to group
eercise classes around four or five a day
as we need to maintain our low-cost model
– as well as drinks, Boditrax and a recovery
area with Theraguns, red light therapy,
cryotherapy, hydro-massage and compression
therapy, plus more innovations to come.
Around 40 per cent of our members have
upgraded to this membership tier. This
additional yield has obviously contributed to our
revenue growth, but it’s also down to having a
lot more clubs and a lot more members: our
membership base has reached 1.4 million.
How has the brand grown?
We started with around 45 Fitness Park clubs
in 2015: the 30 existing sites, plus around 15
new or converted Moving clubs. That might
sound low given there were around 200 in total,
but many of Groupe Moving’s franchisees were
getting to retirement age by 2015 and decided
INTERVIEW
Around 75 per
cent of Fitness Park
clubs are franchised
not to renew. Others became independent and
still operate under the Club Moving brand.
From those 45 clubs in 2015, we’ve
now reached 400 – 300 in France and
100 internationally. The majority of our
international locations are in Spain and
Morocco, but we’ve also just entered Portugal
– we have one club there so far – and also
have clubs in French Guiana, Guadeloupe,
Martinique, Réunion and New Caledonia.
Of the 400 clubs, 25 per cent are
corporately-owned – all in France – and 75
per cent are franchised. This high level of
corporate ownership reflects our growth
strategy so far, which has seen us buy clubs
bac fro our franchisees not because
they wanted to exit, but because they could
use that cash injection to open more sites.
As an example, if we buy 20 sites from our
franchisees, they can use the money to open
40–50 gyms by adding debt leverage.
This has been an important contributor to
our growth to date, but it will become less of a
driver in the future. Most existing franchisees are
FITNESS PARK GROUP
FITNESS PARK GROUP
Modernising clubs in line
with consumer demand
brought huge growth
52 Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
53©Cybertrek 2025 Issue 11 2025
Our buoyant performance enabled us to secure €280m
from Carlyle Global Credit, which had identifi ed under-
investment in the European fi tness market as an issue
The company has grown to 400 clubs in France and beyond
now large enough to self-fund their growth, while
new partners will need to come in with sufficient
financial backing to fund their own expansion.
We’re already slowing down on buy-backs.
You recently received €280m in funding…
Our buoyant performance and strong figures
enabled us to secure €280m from Carlyle
Global Credit, a US-based fund that was
looking to invest in the fitness sector – and
in Europe specifically, having identified
under-investment in the European fitness
aret sone of the top fitness groups in
the world, Fitness Park was a perfect fit; there
aren’t many large fitness groups in Europe.
The funding was a refinancing of
existing debt after five years with
our previous investor, allowing us to
maintain our debt-to-turnover ratio.
The €280m will enable the continued
development of the Fitness Park business,
including entering new markets – we plan to
start with a handful of corporately-owned
sites before franchising and carrying on
with our buy-back strategy in the short term.
We have the full trust of Carlyle Global
Credit to run our business with autonomy.
What next in terms of growth?
believe we can grow by another itness
ar clubs a year for the net years oe of
that growth will come from our existing markets:
we currently have around 70 clubs in Spain and
I think we can do 300 more, while in France I
think we have space for perhaps 200 more.
Next for us are Italy and Belgium, both of
which we will enter in the first half of 2026.
We have a very strong head office and great
support systems, giving us the confidence
to enter more than one market at a time.
We’re also actively looking at the rest
of Europe. The UK and Germany are both
large markets and very interesting to us.
We’ll go to Asia one day, but not yet.
FITNESS PARK GROUP / STEEVE JOSCH
54 Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
INTERVIEW
We’re already in early conversations for the
US, Canada, the Middle East and Africa, although
I don’t expect those to come to fruition for a few
years yet; when we’re dealing with prospective
new franchisees, we really take our time to get
to know them and understand the market.
Certainly new markets don’t have to be
French-speaking, as our success in Spain has
shown. Nevertheless, when we’re considering
a new country, we do try to speak to any
French service industry brands that operate
there. It doesn’t dictate where we go, but
understanding their experiences can inform
how we go there – the nuances that can
help shape our success in that market.
In all honesty, though, we’re not especially
focused on any particular country and we’re
Fitness Park is now
looking at new
international markets
FITNESS PARK GROUP / JOZSEF KERESZTES-NAGY
FITNESS PARK GROUP
55©Cybertrek 2025 Issue 11 2025
not in a hurry. I absolutely believe people
will still be going to gyms in 30 years, so we
have time. Above all, we want to do it well.
Tell us about your the work of
your charitable foundation
Inspired and supported by the Fondation de
France, the country’s leading philanthropy
network, we created our own charitable
organisation: the Fitness Park Foundation.
Our mission is to unlock access to fitness
– and with it, the life-changing power of
physical activity –for those who wouldn’t
otherwise be able to come to our clubs.
We believe that whatever your challenges
are, whether it’s a disability or hitting
particularly tough times, exercise can
We can grow by 100 clubs
a year for the next 10
years. Next are Italy and
Belgium, both of which
we will enter in 2026
always help. We work with those most in
need, numbering around 1,000 individuals.
It’s a hugely important initiative.
What motivates you?
Besides my passion for fitness and
my desire to do things really well, I’m
motivated by the opportunity to help
people fulfil their professional dreams
of becoming an entrepreneur.
I’ve been there myself, building my own gyms
30 years ago. To me, it’s a huge privilege to now
help others do the same thing. In my eyes, I’m
not the only head of Fitness Park. There are
hundreds of franchisees who own and lead their
own companies thanks to this brand. I believe
that together, we can change the world. l
Herbette is a former
champion bodybuilder
Its charity arm, Fitness
Park Foundation, oers
access to those in need
FITNESS PARK GROUP
RESEARCH
56 Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
The impact of weight loss drugs on skeletal
muscle mass and the importance of exercise
and strength training has been revealed in a
new report from Les Mills and UK Active.
GLP-1 medications and muscle
mass preservation: Implications and
recommendations for the health and fitness sector
(www.hcmmag.com/LesMillsGLP-1) is one of the
first reviews of global academic evidence exploring
how weight loss medications work, the side
effects and how to avoid the loss of lean body
mass through exercise and strength training.
Led by Gillian Hatfield, associate professor at
the University of the Fraser Valley, Canada, the
review shows that loss of lean body mass is often
an unintended consequence of taking weight loss
medications. High caloric deficits lead to the body
breaking down skeletal muscle tissue for energy and
can have a significant impact on long-term health.
One paper reviewed in the study (Incretin-
Based Weight Loss Pharmacotherapy: Can Resistance
Exercise Optimize Changes in Body Composition?)
found that over a 68-78 week period, GLP-1 use
led to a decrease of between 6.0 and 6.9 kg of
lean muscle mass, or the equivalent of "a decade
or more or human ageing," with this accelerated
ageing likely to be a critical issue for consumers.
The review shows that loss of muscle mass is
particularly concerning for older adults due to
The antidote to
GLP-1 decline
the increasing risk of frailty and falls, which costs
the NHS in the UK £2.3 billion every year.
Exercise and weight management
Combining exercise – particularly strength training –
with a healthy diet can help mitigate muscle loss. This
also has the added benefit of maintaining the amount
of weight loss and minimising the overall muscle
and bone loss found when taking the medications.
Exercising while using weight loss medications also
helps to maintain weight loss after medication is
discontinued by embedding better lifestyle habits.
Guidelines from the UK’s Chief Medical Officer
recommend taking part in two-to-three strength
training sessions a week and 150 minutes (two and a
half hours) of moderate to vigorous physical activity
a week, while guidance from the UK’s National
Institute for Health and Care Excellence goes even
further and suggests that those who are prescribed
RESEARCH
Les Mills and UK Active have partnered to
publish the rst industr report on drugs
and muscle mass, as Kath Hudson reports
EXERCISE
57©Cybertrek 2025 Issue 11 2025
Decreases in lean muscle mass over a
68-78 week period were the equivalent
of a decade or more of human ageing
WHO guidelines
The World Health Organization has
released its first guidelines on the use of
GLP-1s (www.hcmmag.com/WHOGLP-1).
WHO confirmed its position that
medication alone will not solve the problem
and that a supportive approach is needed,
including counselling on behavioural
and lifestyle changes –including regular
exercise – and societal change.
WHO also endorsed GLP-1s for
longer-term use – a change from the
original advice that the drugs should
only be used for three to six months.
More: www.HCMmag.com/WHOGLP-1
University of Oxford study
Research from the University of Oxford
has found that people using weight loss
drugs return to their original weight less
than a year after stopping the injections.
More: www.hcmmag.com/OxfordGLP-1
MORE ON GLP-1S
Success with GLP-1 medication
relies on maintaining muscle
mass through strength training
LES MILLS / DEAN PODMORE
RESEARCH
58 Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
medicines for weight management should receive
wraparound care focusing on diet, nutrition and
increasing physical activity – including strength training
– rather than using them as standalone treatments.
Uptake of the medication has surged, with
the UK weight loss market experiencing average
monthly growth of 24.6 per cent between
October 2024 and March 2025. However,
government efforts have focused on rollout
rather than essential lifestyle changes.
The report authors are calling for the UK
government to urgently convene the nutrition
sector and the health and fitness sector on
the required wraparound support offered
to GLP-1 patients, with commitment and
investment from the pharmaceutical sector.
Fitness professionals are given a number of practical
recommendations to support consumers taking
the drugs, including working proactively with the
nutrition and obesity sector, upskilling the workforce
and keeping abreast of up-to-date evidence.
Call for governments to act
Dr Matthew Wade, interim director of research
at UK Active, says: “The rapid rollout of GLP-1s
has shown dramatic results for patients, but
in order to avoid weakening the body, there
are simple and effective strength exercises
that are essential for sustainable results.
“The health and fitness sector can support people
taking weight loss medications, but we want to see the
government go further by working with the fitness,
nutrition and pharmaceutical industries to deliver
the critical wraparound support patients need.”
Bryce Hastings, head of research at Les Mills, says:
“Regular strength training is vital to our health at all
stages of life, but the research suggests this is especially
true for people taking weight loss medications.
"In addition to strength training two to three times a
week, it's recommended that people taking weight loss
medications accumulate 150 minutes (two and a half
hours) of moderate to vigorous physical activity per
week. Studies have shown this helps continue fat mass
Regular strength training
is vital to our health
at all stages of life, but
the research suggests this
is especially true for people
taking weight loss medications
Les Mills has published a
groundbreaking report
into GLP-1s and exercise
LES MILLS / DEAN PODMORE
59©Cybertrek 2025 Issue 11 2025
The sector must
inuence consuer
perceptions
loss in the weight maintenance phase of treatment
and lessen weight regain after treatment has stopped.
“More research is needed to deeper understand
the relationship between weight loss medications
and strength training, but the evidence and
recommendations in our report are the start
of the journey and offer practical next steps to
better support the growing number of people
taking weight loss medication,” said Hastings.
Accelerating ageing
Liz Terry, editor of HCM, said: “The finding that using
GLP-1s can accelerate human ageing by ten years in
18 months will be a wake-up call for consumers and
will motivate many to seek out exercise as a solution.
"This report gives the industry a vital update on the
science behind the impact GLP-1s have on health, as
well as highlighting the opportunities for the sector.
“We now have the opportunity to represent
with one voice, adding our input to a debate that
has so far been doinated by big phara
“We urge operators to reflect on the
recommendations of this report and to partner with
health professionals, the pharmaceutical industry
and governments to make a real difference.
“We'd also like to see pharmaceutical companies
seeking out partnerships in the health and fitness
industry for the delivery of these vital interventions
through collaboration, for the sake of consumers
and their own reputations,” said Terry ●
More: www.HCMmag.com/doomscenario
GLP-1 medications and
muscle mass preservation
Key recommendations:
1 Governments should urgently convene
discussions with the nutrition and dietetics
sector and the health and fitness sector
on the required wrap-around support for
GLP-1 patients, with committed support and
investment from the pharmaceutical sector.
2 The health and fitness sector should
review its health offering, as well as working
proactively with the nutrition and obesity
sector to forge partnerships to support
people taking weight loss medication.
3 There's a need to increase knowledge and
understanding of weight loss medication across
the health and fitness sector and its workforce,
through the delivery of specific training.
4 The sector must influence consumer
perceptions and continue to communicate
up-to-date evidence of weight loss
medication mechanisms, effectiveness,
side effects and how exercise can support
individuals taking weight loss medication.
This should include understanding the impact
of side-effects and low energy levels associated
with caloric deficits and the impact this may
have on the volume and progression of exercise.
5 The sector needs to continue the
encouragement of regular physical activity
(150 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity
per week) with a specific focus on resistance
training two to three times a week.
6 There is a need to increase the healthcare
sector’s knowledge and understanding
of how the health and fitness sector can
support individuals taking weight loss
medication through regular physical activity
that's undertaken to current guidelines.
7 Further research should be conducted
on the role of exercise and in particular
resistance training on the short- and long-
term effectiveness of weight loss medication
use. This should include evidence to support
the specific protocols of resistance training.
LES MILLS/UK ACTIVE
LES MILLS / DEAN PODMORE
61©Cybertrek 2025 Issue 11 2025
Investment in EGYM’s
Open Mode is driving
member engagement
at Active Blackpool, as
Chris Rushton explains
Following the phenomenal success of EGYM’s
integration as an engagement driver and
data-capture solution across multiple physical
activity-led health pathways, Active Blackpool
has expanded its investment in EGYM
hardware to ensure everyone can benefit.
“EGYM’s Smart Strength series – functioning as
a circuit – has been instrumental in enabling us to
scale and demonstrate our exercise-on-referral
pathways,” explains Chris Rushton, head of Active
Blackpool. “The automated setup, AI-powered
progressive exercise prescription and indisputable
outcomes data have allowed us to attract referrals
from healthcare professionals and support those who
need it most, creating incredible health-improvement
opportunities for the wider population. Now, we want
to encourage more people, not just those with health
conditions, to integrate EGYM into their training.
Opening up access to everyone
“As part of our member journey, everyone is inducted
into the EGYM Ecosystem,” continues Rushton.
“Some members prefer to mix up their sessions with
modular, free-weight and cardiovascular equipment
and don’t always want to complete a full EGYM Smart
circuit every visit, so we now offer a hybrid model,
with EGYM available both within and beyond a circuit.”
Blackpool Sports Centre has introduced additional
EGYM Smart Strength units, the Hip Thrust, Bicep
Curl, Tricep Curl and the newly launched Squat, all
positioned as standalone stations on the main gym floor.
“These units can be accessed via EGYM’s ‘Open
Mode’,” explains Rushton. “This empowers users to
HEALTH
IMPROVEMENT WITH EGYM
EGYM is creating
incredible health-
improvement
opportunities for
people in Blackpool
Chris Rushton, Active Blackpool
SPONSORED
EGYM
enjoy the same automated setup, digital coaching
and smart personalisation as circuit users, but with
the freedom to incorporate EGYM into a broader
workout. It’s opening up access to all the benefits of
EGYM for everyone and connecting our community
through a fully-integrated fitness experience.”
The role o m to
Enabling EGYM equipment in Open Mode also
unlocks opportunities to gamify the gym experience,
introducing strength-based challenges that pit
members against themselves, each other or even
their trainers. This friendly competition builds
community spirit, boosts motivation and delivers
both mental and physical benefits, helping create
the ‘sticky’ members who stay active for longer.
“Members who train on EGYM remain active
for around 20 per cent longer, according to
EGYM’s global data,” says Rushton. “The more
people we engage in the EGYM Ecosystem,
the stronger our community health outcomes
and our commercial sustainability become.”
More: www.egym.com/uk
www.egym.com/uk | sales@egym.com
All members are
inducted into the
EGYM Ecosystem
62 Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
TOUGH TIMES
Meijer lost her
brother to a sudden
heart attack in 2019
I’ve learned that sometimes
life gets very dark, but that
the sun always shines again
URBAN GYM GROUP
63©Cybertrek 2025 Issue 11 2025
Life
lessons
____
I
was a bit of a golden girl, both at work and
at home. I come from a loving family with
one brother. My ex-partner and I started a
business together and had a son and a daughter.
Everything was perfect. But when I was 48,
my partner decided he didn't want to continue
with our arriage and faily he wanted a diff erent
future and my life was turned upside down.
My daughter, who was 13, was having a difficult
time and struggling with her mental health, while
my 16-year-old son was rebelling. I was alone and
my heart was broken. Then my brother suddenly
died of a heart attack while playing tennis.
He was 48 – we were only 13 months apart
– he was my buddy and we were very close.
That was in 2019, so COVID followed shortly
after. Compared to the grief in my personal life,
the pandemic was easy. We lost money, but that's
nothing compared to the loss of loved ones.
Fous o ht you uee
Stephen Covey's book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective
People became my bible during this difficult period.
One of the chapters is about the circle of influence
– there are things in life you can influence and
others you cannot and you choose where to put
your energy. It taught me to let go of the things I
couldn't influence and focus on the things I could.
I couldn't bring my brother back, but there were
problems in the company that I could solve, so
together with my business partner, Jordy Kool,
we rolled up our sleeves and got to work.
For me, work is a kind of remedy; I love the
company and our industry so much. It gives me
freedom and fills me with passion. Although the
pandemic was intense, it gave Jordy and me valuable
time with our teams that we will never have again. We
had 10 months to discuss strategy and restructure
the entire business. We got to know the teams
better – from the shop floor, to the head office.
The entrepreneur and co-founder of the Urban Gym Group
tells Kath Hudson how personal loss inspired her to
establish enessence one of uropes rst ellbeing clubs
Marjolijn
Meijer
For me, work is a kind
of remedy; I love the
company and our
industry so much. It
gives me freedom and
fi lls me with passion
64 Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
TOUGH TIMES
PHOTO: DANIEL TJONGARI PHOTOGRAPHY
Renessence has a focus
on interventions that
calm the nervous system
Ultimately, we promoted three women who had
been working behind the scenes to key positions.
I sought a lot of help during this period: talk therapy,
retreats, breathwork, bodywork and massage. I was
open to everything and learned a lot about myself by
going through different layers of trauma. I realised
that some of the pain I was feeling was caused by
events from the distant past and was able to let that
go. It felt like peeling back the layers of an onion.
This period also inspired the launch of our
wellness concept, Renessence. We had a fitness
club in Amsterdam's financial district that was hit
hard by COVID when people stopped going to the
office, so we decided to do something different
with the space. I was inspired by various social
wellness concepts in the US and wanted to create
a place for wellness and relaxation. Somewhere
people could be completely themselves.
We were early adopters of the modalities
for a long life. In addition to treatments, yoga,
U
R
B
A
N
G
Y
M
G
R
O
U
P
I realised something
profound: we’re all
simply humans, doing
our best, carrying our
own battles, often unseen
The group’s brands
include Gymbox,
TRIB3 and TrainMore
URBAN GYM GROUP
URBAN GYM GROUP
65©Cybertrek 2025 Issue 11 2025
sdf
meditation and breathwork, we offer cryotherapy,
infrared saunas, flotation tanks, ice baths,
infusions and oxygen-hydroxy therapy.
Although we had to invest a lot in this location,
it has turned out beautifully and is a place people
love to come. Next year, we’ll take it to the next
level by expanding our range of services. There’s
an increasing need for mental health support
and interventions that calm the nervous system.
We’re going to focus on these even more.
The sun will shine again
I’ve learned that sometimes it gets very dark, but
that the sun will shine again. When my brother
died, I thought I couldn't sink any lower, that I was
in a terrible situation, but the sun came out again.
Sometimes you can't imagine it, but it does happen.
If you find yourself in a terrible situation, there
will be a tiny light far away, try to see it. Maybe
it's a flower, maybe a bird, but it will be there.
My outlook on life changed completely
during that period. I became stronger and my
heart grew a little tougher. It also made me
realise how important it is to really live in the
moment and taught me how to enjoy my life.
I’m now more involved with all aspects of my
life and, although I love my work, I make more
room for my family, my friends and my new love.
And what I’m most proud of is that my son and
daughter are doing fantastically well. My son is
going to study business administration next year
and my daughter is studying fashion in Paris.
I can look in the mirror and sincerely say,
‘I’m an intensely happy woman.’ ●
I sought a lot of help:
talk therapy, retreats,
breathwork, bodywork
and massage and this
inspired the launch
of our wellness
concept, Renessence
Renessence was inspired
by social wellness
concepts in the US
URBAN GYM GROUP
SPONSORED
66 Issue 9 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
TechnoAlpin’s snow
rooms are ideal for
use after the gym
Cold has long played a central role in athletic
recovery. From cryotherapy to ice baths,
it’s widely used in elite sports to reduce
inflammation and support faster recovery.
But this is no longer reserved for
professionals. Whether for elite competitors
or anyone finishing a tough workout, the need for
rest, repair, and readiness is universal. As recovery
science evolves, so does the use of cold – shifting
from strictly clinical methods toward more holistic,
full-body experiences that support both physical
and mental wellbeing. Snow introduces this new
approach, making the cool-down phase easier, more
engaging and accessible across all levels of sport.
Cold as experience
Unlike the shock of ice baths or the sterile
feel of cryo chambers, snow-based recovery
– such as in a snowroom – offers a calm
environment, delivering cold in a soft, multi-
sensory way that feels natural and intuitive.
“There are well-recognised cold therapies
such as cryochambers and ice baths,” says
Dr Stephen Lewis, team doctor for Chelsea
Football Club. “But the snowroom is something
different. It merges the physiological effects
of cold with a more holistic experience –
there’s a beautiful, calming aesthetic to it.”
Indoor snow environments make the cold tactile,
visual, and gentle. Rather than overwhelming the body,
they invite gradual cooling that resonates with the
nervous system, easing it into rest and recalibration.
How snow aids recovery
After intense effort, the body experiences
micro-trauma in the form of muscle fibre
tears, as well as temporary inflammation and
the accumulation of metabolic waste.
These are normal parts of the adaptation process,
but can also be the sources of fatigue and soreness.
Cold exposure can help support recovery by
gently lowering tissue temperature and moderating
bloodflow. It may also help maintain neuromuscular
function and movement quality after exercise.
A 2023 report, commissioned by TechnoAlpin
Indoor, and published by the University of Trento
Snow is an engaging and holistic way to cool down after exercise
TECHNOALPIN
RETHINKING RECOVERY
67©Cybertrek 2025 Issue 11 2025
Time in a
snowroom
aids recovery
in collaboration with the CERISM, Research
Centre at the University of Verona, reviewed 13
systematic reviews and 18 studies from the last
decade. It confirmed that cryotherapy is more
effective for post-exercise recovery than passive
rest, especially after match-type exertion.
Whole-body cryotherapy often outperforms Cold-
Water Immersion, though comparisons with passive
cooling methods, such as snow remain limited. These
findings highlight both the proven biology of cold and
the need for more user-friendly delivery methods.
Snow stands out for its gentle, even cooling.
Instead of shocking the body, it introduces
cold gradually, making it accessible for more
people and easier and more pleasurable to
integrate into regular recovery routines.
“Snow preserves muscle function by limiting
inflammation and reducing creatine kinase
levels,” notes Lewis. “Players feel less sore, less
tired and more prepared to perform again.”
Mental and social recovery
In high-performance environments, recovery must
also include mental regeneration – calming the
nervous system, improving mood and supporting
quality sleep. Cold environments stimulate
dopamine and endorphin release, enhance
emotional balance, reduce stress and promote
better sleep – vital whether you’re preparing
for the next match or your next workout.
Snowrooms play a unique role here. They’re
immersive rather than isolating, activating
the senses in a gentle way that encourages
a parasympathetic, restorative state. They
also function as social spaces, as – unlike the
solitude of cryo chambers, or the discomfort
of ice baths – snowrooms invite conversation,
shared rituals and moments of connection that
support team cohesion and motivation.
“You can’t underestimate the mental aspect,” says
Lewis. “Cold improves sleep, supports emotional
recovery and helps build a sense of team spirit.”
From elite to everyday
The biological effects of cold recovery are
universal, whether you’re playing in the Premier
League or returning to the gym after work.
The University of Trento and Verona’s
report confirms that cold recovery is especially
helpful in high-intensity and intermittent
sports, though responses vary based on activity
type and technique, reinforcing the need for
personalised, user-centric recovery strategies.
Ultimately, accessibility and comfort matter.
Snow-based recovery transforms cold exposure
from something clinical into something
experiential, multi-sensory and inclusive.
As wellness becomes integrated into sport,
cold recovery is being reimagined. Across
elite and everyday fitness, snow creates space
for the body to heal, the mind to reset and
teams or individuals to reconnect, restoring
them for whatever comes next. ●
More: www.indoor.technoalpin.com
Snow improves sleep,
supports recovery and
builds team spirit
Dr Stephen Lewis
DR. STEPHEN LEWIS
TECHNOALPIN
SPECIFIER
STRONG
SPECIFIER
The world of strength training is evolving at a rapid
pace, driven by robust consumer demand. Juile Cramer
speaks to suppliers about their latest launches
MOVES
Innovations in strength
training are driving
growth in the market
SHUTTERSTOCK / STANDRET
69©Cybertrek 2025 Issue 11 2025
Nerio Alessandri
Tec hn og y m
Our Biostrength solution, powered by Biodrive, is an
AI-driven aerospace technology designed to maximise
neuromuscular activation and ensure good form. With
personalised programmes and real-time biofeedback,
users achieve superior strength results faster.
As demand for intelligent, adaptive training
grows, the Technogym Ecosystem and App deliver
data tracking from reps to progress insights.
Users can choose from six workload modes, each
tailored to their goals and offering flexibility and
precision. Whether they’re chasing performance
or recovery, Biostrength adapts to them, making
workouts smarter, safer and more effective.
Costs vary, depending on the Biostrength product
selected. Space and installation requirements
also differ and are determined by a site survey.
Operators such as Circadian Leisure Trust,
Crow Wood and Colets Health and Fitness
have chosen Biostrength over traditional pin-
loaded weights and are reporting increased user
engagement, with Colets and Circadian noting
strong uptake among older members, highlighting
Biostrength’s appeal across age groups.
More: www.technogym.com
Technogym
Biostrength maximises
neuromuscular activation
BIOSTRENGTH
With personalised
programmes and real-
time biofeedback, users
achieve superior
strength results faster
Technogym Reform will integrate
with the Technogym ecosystem
Technogym Reform, which was soft-launched
in 2025, will come to market in early 2026,
expanding our offering into the world of Pilates.
It will integrate with the Technogym ecosystem,
delivering a complete wellness solution and
marks a strategic move to meet growing demand.
WHAT’S NEXT?
SHUTTERSTOCK / STANDRET
TECHNOGYM
Nerio Alessandri
70 Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
SPECIFIER
BLK BOX has launched
Smith Machine attachments
to extend functionality
Greg Bradley
BLK BOX
Smith machine use has increased as strength training
reaches a broader audience, with many seeing it
as an accessible entry point to compound lifts.
For gym owners, the footprint and cost
of a standalone unit can be challenging.
Our Smith Machine Attachment integrates with
our ecosystem of racks to deliver Smith functionality
within the existing footprint at a fraction of the cost.
Unlike a standalone machine, it bolts directly to
existing uprights. Most clients install it themselves,
though we’re available to assist if needed. The rack
structure carries the load, so no additional sub-floor
works are required beyond standard anchors.
Our customers include commercial gyms,
independent gyms and wellness facilities that cater
to a broad demographic. Members and PTs are using
it as an introductory tool to develop confidence
due to its added stability for more focused lifts.
More: www.blkboxfitness.com
Greg Bradley
BLK BOX SMITH
MACHINE ATTACHMENT
We’re expanding into cardio
with a new line of treadmills
With lifting-and-running and other hybrid training
modalities on the rise, we’re expanding into cardio
with a new line of treadmills in development.
Initial releases are targeted for early 2026,
with specifications, pricing and lead times
to follow as we finalise testing, certifications
and manufacturing schedules.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Members and PTs are
using the Smith Machine
attachment as an
introductory tool to
develop confi dence
BLK BOX / MATT MACKEY
BLK BOX
71©Cybertrek 2025 Issue 11 2025
New from EGYM are the
Smart Strength Squat and
more partner integrations
Steve Barton
EGYM UK
EGYM’s Smart Strength Squat and Squat Flexibility
Test enable gyms to assess, prescribe and evidence
strength training. Recognising the squat’s effectiveness
but technical complexity, EGYM designed the Smart
Strength Squat to automate set-up, coach correct
form and make movement safe and accessible.
Paired with the 25-second Squat Flexibility
Test, which delivers a BioAge Flexibility Score
via 3D analysis, operators can measure mobility,
stability and control with clinical precision.
SMART STRENGTH SQUAT
We designed the Smart
Strength Squat to automate
set-up, coach correct form
and make movement safe
More partner
integrations will enable
operators to increase
personalisation
Set to come in the next few
months are more partner
integrations to further enhance
the capabilities of EGYM’s digital
ecosystem and provide operators
with more opportunities to
personalise their members’
connected gym experience.
Pre-programme options will also
be extended to enable trainers
to prescribe evidence-based
training plans that address
specific health conditions.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Integrated into EGYM’s open ecosystem, this
innovation empowers trainers with personalised,
outcome-based programming, while providing
members with motivating benchmarks and operators
with credible, data-driven health impact.
Having launched at FIBO earlier this year, this new
innovation has only just landed in the UK. Portway
Lifestyle Centre, Sandwell, managed by Sandwell
Leisure Trust, is the first site in the UK to install it.
More: www.egym.com
Steve Barton
EGYM / BENJAMINOLSZEWSKI
EGYM
72 Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
Life Fitness is launching
the new Universal
Cable machine
Jim Pisani
Life Fitness / Hammer Strength
Our Universal Cable is engineered
for inclusivity and versatility.
It offers intuitive single-hand
adjustments and a 3:1 cable ratio.
Certified to ASTM F3021-17
standards, it’s fully accessible to both
traditional and wheelchair users in cable
training zones and inclusive wellness spaces,
while its compact footprint and accessible
storage ensure it fits seamlessly into any facility.
Our Synergy equipment redefines what’s possible
in group and individual training. With configurable
SPECIFIER
training bays, integrated cable columns
and Olympic bar training, its modular
design adapts to any space – whether
as a wall-adjacent unit or as a
central hub. Smart storage keeps
accessories organised, maximising
both training variety and floor space.
Both Synergy and Universal Cable
are new strength solutions. The
Universal Cable is similar in size to a
traditional dual adjustable pulley, while the
Synergy footprint can be as small as 1.2m or
as large as a facility would want. Configuration and
customisation options are available on our website.
More: www.lifefitness.com
Jim Pisani
Its compact footprint and accessible storage
ensure it fits seamlessly into any facility
UNIVERSAL CABLE AND SYNERGY
LIFE FITNESS
LIFE FITNESS
Travis Vaughan
Core Health and Fitness
With health club operators seeking ways to maximise
performance while protecting members from
injury, the Nautilus Belt Squat answers the call.
It delivers the intensity of traditional squats
without loading the spine, making it suitable
for everyone from athletes chasing power
and everyday members building strength
safely, to those who are rehabilitating.
Its smooth, natural motion engages the glutes
and quads with precision, while design details
ensure comfort, confidence and durability. For
operators, it’s a versatile piece that speaks
to the future of strength training – safe,
inclusive and designed to deliver results.
The machine offers a compact footprint and
simple installation with no specialist fixings required.
Designed to fit into any strength space, it’s versatile
and durable. Pricing varies by facility requirements.
Early adopters, such as Fervid Fitness, are using
the Nautilus Belt Squat to enhance their strength
zones, offering members a safer, more inclusive
way to train legs heavy without spinal load.
More: www.corehandf.com
Fresh from the Core Health
and Fitness R&D team is
the Nautilus Belt Squat
It delivers the intensity
of traditional squats
without loading the spine
Added solutions in the
Leverage range will deliver
fresh training experinces
Early 2026 will see new additions designed to
build on the momentum of the Belt Squat. Added
solutions in the Leverage range will include the
Pendulum Squat, Power Squat, Leg Extension
and Leg Curl to deliver fresh training experiences
and more versatility to strength spaces.
WHAT’S NEXT?
THE NAUTILUS BELT SQUAT
Travis Vaughan
CORE HEALTH AND FITNESS
CORE HEALTH AND FITNESS
74 Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
Graham
Bertrand
PS LT
The DHZ Booty
Range is a response
to booming demand
for targeted glute-
and-hip training
equipment. Many
gyms struggle to offer
optimised hip-thrusts,
abductions and glute-isolations
in a safe, space-efficient way and we saw this need.
The range features plate-loaded machines
with ergonomic biomechanics – for example
the Standing Hip Thrust A605L – user-
friendly loading and adjustable support pads
for comfort and proper muscle engagement.
The benefits are high-impact glute activation,
fewer injury risks and a compact footprint.
Prices start from £2,500 and space
depends on the product selected.
More: www.pslt.co.uk
Graham Bertrand’s
PSLT will launch a new
cardio range in 2026
In 2026, PSLT will be offering
a new cardio range
PSLT offers the full range of DHZ products
including the Titan Extreme, Evost III and
specialist ranges including power racks and
free-standing storage. In addition in 2026
PSLT will also be offering a cardio range.
WHAT’S NEXT?
The benefi ts are high-
impact glute activation,
fewer injury risks and
a compact footprint
Graham Bertrand
SPECIFIER
DHZ BOOTY RANGE
PSLT
PSLT
75©Cybertrek 2025 Issue 11 2025
ltra t will launch
a new range of
strength it in
John Lofting
D2F Fitness
or our inhouse brand ltrafit we
identified a growing deand for evidence
based ergonoic strength tools that
enhance cofort and perforance
ur new ergonoic cable attachent set includes
five uniuelydesigned bars for strength training
rafted fro solid steel with a special nonslip
rubber coating each bar is ergonoically shaped to
reduce oint strain while aiising uscle activation
e believe this innovation aligns with the latest
training trends helping lifters train harder ore
safely and ore effectively with a greater focus on
cables ts a step forward in aing strength training
bioechanically efficient and perforancefocused
The full set of attachents costs and has five
differently shaped and sied bars that fit any cable
attachent stand clipping and unclipping easily
any of our custoers including veryone
ctive laces eisure and erco have purchased
the sets as part of their gy floor offering and
weve had aaing feedbac on ebers getting
the ost fro their sessions as a result
More: www.d2ffitness.com
A new range of Altrafit strength
kit will target independent gyms
We’re planning to launch a new range of Altrafit
strength kit, specifically targeting independent
gyms with a small number of sites. The focus will
be on delivering a quality, durable range of typical
strength training equipment at an attractive price.
WHAT’S NEXT?
It’s a step forward in making
strength training both
biomechanically e cient
and performance-focused
ALTRAFIT CABLE ATTACHMENTS
John Lofting
D2F FITNESS
D2F FITNESS
76 Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
SPECIFIER
KINGSBOX SINGLE
CABLE MACHINE
Solutions like this
allow owners to fl ex
their facility for
di erent types of
training at any time
The Kingsbox Single Cable
Machine is a new space saver
from Absolute Performance
Harry Tafota-Nash
Absolute Performance
We’ve introduced a space-saving single cable
machine that folds away. Many gyms are looking
to maximise space for multiple uses and
solutions like this allow owners to flex their
facility for different types of training at any time
– great for organised sessions or classes.
It’s built by our product partner, Kingsbox and
is wall-mounted on sturdy brackets. It includes
a wheeled footplate to help the machine glide
away, folding to the left or right when not in
use. There are 26 pin locking points allowing
the user to train in a variety of positions.
The cable machine attaches to the wall with
two brackets, each using three heavy-duty
bolts. Given the stack weight, which can be
up to 120kg, professional fitting is advised.
It’s just over 2.5m tall, less than a meter deep
when in use and less than a ruler length when
folded away. It’s priced from £1,595+VAT.
It’s only just been released into the market
following interest at FIBO 2025. The machine
has been designed for smaller gyms and studios
and anywhere with space restrictions.
More: www.aperformance.co.uk
We’re launching a range of
multi-layer acoustic flooring
We’ve listened to operators who are looking to
establish their business in properties that have
neighbours who are sensitive to noise from heavy gym
equipment and we’re launching cost-effective sound-
deadening platforms and multi-layer acoustic flooring.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Harry Tafota-Nash
ABSOLUTE PERFORMANCE / CLEARCUT SOCIAL
ABSOLUTE PERFORMANCE
Strength, Fitness
and the Pursuit
of Better.
blkboxfi tness.com
View our catalogue
78 Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
SPECIFIER
Antony Morrison
Fitness Superstore
Shua Fitness regularly expands its lineup of strength
training machines and as its UK distribution partner,
we’re excited to offer their latest release.
The 69 Series ISO-Inclined Bench Press has been
designed by Shua’s R&D team in collaboration
with bodybuilding champions. It’s a plate-loaded
machine with arms that move independently for
focused chest isolation, but what makes it really
stand out is its adjustable range of motion. Users
can choose from four starting positions, creating
a stretch that’s as deep as they need it to be.
The ISO-Inclined Bench Press
costs £2,295 inc. VAT.
The Bench Press is brand new to the UK market.
Its heavy-duty structure and customisable range
of motion lends itself to facilities with athletes
looking to personalise their machine-based
training further than the typical machine offers.
More: www.fitness-superstore.co.uk
What makes this plate-
loaded machine really
stand out is its adjustable
range of motion
SHUA FITNESS BENCH PRESS
We’re bringing in Shua’s 77 Series
Hybrid range that combines
selectorised with plate loaded
A further 11 machines have been added to Shua’s
69 Series ISO range which will be available to
health clubs and gym facilities exclusively through
FS Commercial Division soon. We’re also planning
to bring in Shua’s 77 Series Hybrid range, which
combines the benefits of a selectorised and
plate-loaded machine in one – watch this space!
WHAT’S NEXT?
The new Shua
Fitness Bench Press
Antony Morrison
FITNESS SUPERSTORE
FITNESS SUPERSTORE
WE CREATE
STRENGTH TRAINING
SPACES
At IndigoFitness, we believe that exceptional training spaces are born from intelligent design,
expert craftmanship, and an uncompromising commitment to quality. Proudly designed and manufactured in Britain.
See the full project: www.indigofitness.com
80 Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
SPECIFIER
Oskar Ragvald
Eleiko Group AB
The new Eleiko barbells offer greater insight,
precision and durability for enhanced training
experiences. More bars across the range are now
sensor-ready, featuring easier-access endcaps
and a patented sleeve design that integrates
space for sensors within the sleeves for real-
time performance tracking and lift analysis.
Updates include tighter tolerances and our
patent-pending Force Redistribution System, which
improves fatigue resistance, extending bar life. The
range includes Competition, Training and Multi-
Purpose series – each tailored for Olympic lifting,
powerlifting, and general strength. The bar colour
coding and ID ring simplify bar selection in busy
spaces, while more refined knurling optimises grip.
The new bar range is priced from around £669.
No special installation or fixings are required.
Sensor-ready bars feature recessed endcaps for
sensor placement. Sensors are sold separately.
Expanding sensor readiness gives trainers and
lifters advanced lifting analysis and programming
capabilities. This new range supports athletes
and fitness enthusiasts of all levels.
More: www.eleiko.com
Expanding sensor readiness
across the bar range gives
coaches and lifters
advanced lifting analysis
ELEIKO BARBELLS
2026 will see the growth
of Eleiko Cables and
Prestera system
Next year will see ongoing development
across core product categories,
including the continued growth of
Eleiko Cables and the Prestera Strength
System, as well as advancements in
our platform and flooring categories.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Oskar Ragvald
ELEIKO GROUP
ELEIKO GROUP
Eleiko has launched a
new range of barbells
Worldwide Fitness Company
82 Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
SPECIFIER
Jo Rich
Ziva Strength
The Ziva Lumina Line was created to meet growing
demand for design-led fitness spaces. With its muted
tones, soft textures and eco-conscious finishes,
Lumina enables functional fitness equipment to
work as part of the interior design of a club.
The line consists of over 40 products, from
strength, storage, functional, benches and recovery,
to cover all fitness facility requirements at a variety of
prices-points, all freestanding with no fixings required.
The Lumina line was launched at FIBO 2025 and
will be available in the UK market from November.
More: www.uk.ziva.com
Lumina redefi nes
functional fi tness
equipment as
part of a club’s
interior design
ZIVA LUMINA LINE
We’re launching the Velocity
Series to meet the demand for
Hyrox and Athx training
Ziva is also launching the HX Series, a range of
equipment and storage and the Velocity Series for
HIIT cardio to meet the growing demand to train
for fitness competitions such as Hyrox and Athx .
WHAT’S NEXT?
Jo Rich
Ziva’s Lumina Line has
40 products to create a
coordinated gy oor
Distribution of the Lumina Line is ramping up
ZIVA STRENGTHZIVA STRENGTH
84 Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
SPECIFIER
Nicola
Nixon-Purnell
IndigoFitness
One of our new strength
solutions is the Cable Wall, a
fully-configurable cable system
designed to optimise space.
Demand for cable stations has
surged, driven by the rise of functional
training and the Cable Wall was developed
to address this by maximising capacity, without
compromising floor space, through customisable
spacing, height and stack configurations.
The Cable Wall’s cost and footprint vary by
configuration. It can be scaled from single to
multi-station setups. Engineered with robust
steel frames for secure floor or wall fixing, it
can stand alone or integrate with racks and
pods, including double-sided layouts.
The equipment is already installed in local
authority leisure centres, private health clubs and
commercial gyms in the UK to increase lifting
stations, functional zones and cable capacity.
Operators value its space efficiency and scalability
and some position it as a central gym floor hub.
More: www.indigofitness.com
Many clubs
position the cable
wall as a central
gym fl oor hub,
supporting high
member usage
CABLE WALL
We’ll be launching enhancements
and accessories for our cable range
Alongside the Cable this year we’ve expanded,
with dual-sided configurations, cable-to-
rack integration and functional pods. In
2026, we’ll launch further enhancements
and accessories to make our cable range
more versatile, space-efficient and operator-
friendly for multifunctional training zones.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Nicola Nixon-Purnell
INDIGO FITNESS
INDIGO FITNESS
Motivation
unlocked
Myzone Go brings the power
of MoTech to everyone
with a smart watch.
-No barriers, no complex set up,
no extra admin
-Your members simply ‘scan. connect. go’
-Earn revenue on every renewal
-Extend reach, boost retention,
and grow your community
MOTIVATION
MOTIVATION
UNLOCKED
Learn more at myzone.org/go
Motivation
unlocked
Myzone Go brings the power
of MoTech to everyone
with a smart watch.
-No barriers, no complex set up,
no extra admin
-Your members simply ‘scan. connect. go’
-Earn revenue on every renewal
-Extend reach, boost retention,
and grow your community
Learn more at myzone.org/go
The IndigoFitness Cable
wall is a space saver
Motivation
unlocked
Myzone Go brings the power
of MoTech to everyone
with a smart watch.
-No barriers, no complex set up,
no extra admin
-Your members simply ‘scan. connect. go’
-Earn revenue on every renewal
-Extend reach, boost retention,
and grow your community
MOTIVATION
MOTIVATION
UNLOCKED
Your members simply ‘scan. connect. go’
MOTIVATION
MOTIVATION
UNLOCKED
Learn more at myzone.org/go
go
MOTIVATION go
MOTIVATION
UNLOCKED
go
UNLOCKED
Motivation
unlocked
Myzone Go brings the power
of MoTech to everyone
with a smart watch.
-No barriers, no complex set up,
no extra admin
-Your members simply ‘scan. connect. go’
-Earn revenue on every renewal
-Extend reach, boost retention,
and grow your community
Learn more at myzone.org/go
SPECIFIER
eartrate training and gai ed technolog enable
operators to create uplifting eperiences that eep
ebers coing bac for ore nds ulie raer
SPECIFIER
MATTERS
MOTIVATION
SHUTTERSTOCK/MILAN ILIC PHOTOGRAPHER
eart rate training can
be a ajor otivator
for consuers
87©Cybertrek 2025 Issue 11 2025
Myzone users on average
perform three to four workouts
per week and stay with
their gyms for two years
In addition to onboarding
improvements, Myzone Go delivers
a software-first experience, seamlessly
accessible via Apple and Android smartwatches.
Acting as a personal motivation coach, it builds
lasting exercise habits through real-time feedback,
gamified challenges, and positive reinforcement
to boost engagement and reduce dropout.
What are you planning?
Myzone’s functionality continues to evolve for
operator benefit, in line with user feedback
and industry needs. Ongoing app updates
will enhance user experience and operational
insights to ensure the platform remains fresh
and relevant in a fast-moving market.
Upcoming features will include ‘weekly streaks’ to
reward consistency, richer visual feedback, and new
motivational movement prompts, all designed to
sustain engagement and help users stay active for life.
How many clubs use your system?
Myzone’s ecosystem is embedded in thousands of
gyms, fitness clubs, leisure centres, sports facilities,
schools and wellness locations worldwide.
Which operators do you work with?
Examples include: David Lloyd, Village Hotels,
Everlast, Anytime Fitness, Everyone Active, Places
for People Leisure, Third Space and Snap Fitness.
More: www.myzone.org
Jay Worthy
Myzone
Myzone is a leader in Motivation
Technology (MoTech),
a new FitTech category
combining behavioural science
with cutting-edge technology to
keep people moving for life. Our
award-winning, heart rate-based effort
tracking platform motivates individuals by
rewarding effort, not fitness level, making group
exercise inclusive and engaging for everyone.
The new Myzone Go experience extends
motivation beyond the gym, providing a software-first
platform accessible via Myzone devices, Apple
Watch or Android smartwatches. Trusted by
operators, trainers, and millions of users in over
100 countries, Myzone turns movement into
measurable, rewarding, community-driven action.
Can you evidence your impact
on results and retention?
Retention Guru, Dr Paul Bedford, who has
analysed more than 300 million gym visits and
9000 clubs across the world, has proven that 50
per cent of gym members leave within 12 months,
but members who visit four times per month
reduce their cancellation risk by 29 per cent –
that’s just as a result of one visit per week.
From 2025 Myzone proprietary data, active Myzone
users on average perform 3 to 4 workouts per
week and they stay with their gyms for two years.
What new features have you added?
With behaviour change expert Dr Heather
McKee appointed as motivation science advisor,
Myzone has embedded evidence-based motivation
techniques across every user touchpoint.
MY ZONE
MY ZONE
Myzone Go acts
as a personal
motivation coach
SPECIFIER
Shay Amir
Spivi
Spivi empowers businesses
to deliver engaging,
results-driven heart rate
training. Compatible with
ANT+ wearables, Apple/Android
smartwatches and fitness equipment,
it projects members’ real-time heart
rate zones and metrics on screen.
Gamified features such as challenges, points, levels,
awards, badges, milestones and loyalty reward points
keep members motivated and consistent. Instructors
coach intensity through color-coded zones, while
operators access analytics that reveal performance
and participation trends. Spivi makes every beat
matter, turning effort into motivation and data into
results while connecting community, performance
and progress to drive engagement and retention.
Can you evidence the impact
on results and retention?
Spivi drives measurable improvements in both
performance and retention. Operators report
higher participation, consistency and class
attendance as members train with purpose through
real-time heart rate feedback,
leaderboards, achievements and
reward programs. Engagement data
shows members attending more
sessions and staying active longer.
Operators gain analytics to
track effort, progress, and trends,
enabling data-driven retention
strategies. For retention, it reduces
churn by fostering community and
motivation, with clubs reporting higher
loyalty and added classes due to popularity.
What new features have you added
and how do they work?
Spivi’s new Treadmill System transforms every
run into an immersive, data-driven experience.
Compatible with ANT+ treadmills, it delivers live
speed and distance, while syncing heart rate from
ANT+ wearables and Apple/Android smartwatches.
Our new Treadmill System
turns training into a thrilling,
competitive experience that
keeps members pushing for more
Members can see
their stats come to life
SPIVI
SPIVI
88 Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
89©Cybertrek 2025 Issue 11 2025
Globally over 20 million
Spivi workouts have
been completed so far
Runners see their stats come to life as they earn
Spivi Points, badges and levels for effort. With
real-time leaderboards and color-coded intensity,
Spivi turns treadmill training into a, competitive
experience that keeps members pushing for more.
What functionality are you planning?
Spivi is introducing a new Fitness Test Log that lets
members record and track their progress across
strength, endurance and performance tests.
Members can log results from structured
assessments or manual entries, such as a six-minute
run, to visualise improvements over time. This
empowers members to set goals while giving clubs
insight into community performance trends, turning
data into progress and long-term engagement.
How many health clubs in the
world use your system?
Trusted globally, Spivi drives results for
thousands of fitness clubs in 60+ countries
with 20 million workouts completed.
Which operators do you work with?
Spivi is trusted by a wide range of organisations,
from nonprofits like the YMCA and JCCs, to
universities such as Carnegie Mellon and Penn State,
corporate wellness programmes including Ford and
INEOS, and chains like Bodytech, Blush Bootcamp
and more. Thousands of studios worldwide use
Spivi to drive performance and engagement.
More: www.spivi.com
SPIVI
SPECIFIER
90 Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
Christian Del Rosso
Selfloops
Selfloops Group Fitness transforms
group exercise into an engaging,
gamified experience, displaying
each participant’s real-time heart
rate, calories and effort zones on
a shared screen, creating a sense of
teamwork and friendly competition.
Participants earn points based on
their effort, motivating them to push
harder and stay within optimal training zones.
Coaches can track performance live and give instant
feedback, while participants see their progress visually.
The system fosters motivation, accountability and fun
– turning every class into a data-driven, interactive and
rewarding experience that boosts both engagement
and performance for gyms and their members.
Can you evidence the impact
on results and retention?
Gyms using Selfloops Group Fitness report higher
engagement, improved performance and stronger
retention. Real-time feedback and gamification
motivate participants to train with purpose, while
post-session summaries show measurable progress.
Clubs often see up to 30 per cent higher class
attendance and greater member loyalty, as users feel
connected through friendly competition and visible
results. Coaches gain insights into effort and progress,
enabling personalised feedback that enhances both
training outcomes and long-term member satisfaction.
What features have you added?
We’ve added Selfloops Cosmic Levels and Challenges
to further boost motivation and engagement. Cosmic
Levels reward users with experience points for their
Real-time results
displayed on-screen
give visual motivation
training, allowing them to progress through
fun, game-like stages that reflect their
fitness journey. Challenges enable clubs
to create competitions based on
calories, steps or points, fostering
community and healthy competition.
These new features turn workouts
into ongoing missions, keeping
members motivated, consistent
and excited to return to class.
What are you planning?
We’re developing AI-driven insights to
provide coaches and athletes with personalised
feedback on health, fitness and performance trends.
The AI will analyse training data to identify progress,
detect fatigue and suggest adjustments for optimal
improvement. Coaches will receive intelligent
summaries and recommendations, while athletes
SELFLOOPS
Selfloops fosters motivation, turning
every class into a data-driven,
interactive, rewarding experience
91©Cybertrek 2025 Issue 11 2025
gain actionable insights to train smarter and recover
better. This next step will enhance the Selfloops
ecosystem with continuous, data-informed guidance
for long-term health and performance optimisation.
How many clubs use your system?
Hundreds of health clubs worldwide use Selfloops
to power their group fitness classes, enhancing
motivation, engagement, and performance tracking.
Which operators do you work with?
We work with fitness operators and gym
chains from the USA to Europe, Asia,
the Middle East and Latin America.
Our clients include clubs, boutique studios, sports
centres and rehabilitation facilities that use our
platform to enhance performance, engagement
and retention in group fitness training. ●
More: www.selfloops.com
lubs using eloops can
see up to 30 per cent
higher class attendance
SELFLOOPS
SELFLOOPS
SPONSORED
92 Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
uly 2025 saw the opening of the £26.3m Clay
Cross Active in North East Derbyshire. In
response to extensive community consultation,
the development provides end-to-end health
and wellness facilities for the local community.
The impressive and revolutionary scheme faced
a potentially cataclysmic setback when principal
contractor, ISG, went into administration part-
way through the build, however, thanks to the hard
work of North East Derbyshire Council and its
dedicated leisure development partner – Alliance
Leisure – the project swiftly got back on track.
The need for Clay Cross Active arose from
a combination of health, social, economic and
infrastructure challenges being experienced by
residents of the former coal-mining town, which
faces significant deprivation, poor health outcomes,
A FACILITY FOR
THE FUTURE
high obesity rates and low physical activity levels.
The previous facility, Sharley Park Leisure Centre
– which was built in the 1970s – was in poor
structural condition, inaccessible for many residents
and offering an outdated, poorly-connected mix of
activities. It also required heavy council subsidies
and didn’t meet modern community needs.
A powerful facility mix
The new Clay Cross Active integrates high quality
sport facilities – including pools, a sports hall,
100-station gym, studios and a 3G pitch – with health
services, such as NHS children’s and maternity care.
The site also supports community wellbeing with
Citizens’ Advice and community rooms, while Sharley
Park provides informal recreation such as walking and
cycling routes, cricket, bowls and disc golf facilities.
This prime example of co-location has been
engineered to encourage behaviour change,
tackle health inequalities, improve mental
health and foster social interaction.
Clay Cross Active will also be the focus of
outreach programmes such as Public Health
Physical Activity provision and Live Life Better
Derbyshire, which targets and supports inactive
residents and those with long-term conditions.
“This transformation marks the beginning of a
new era for leisure in North East Derbyshire,” says
Matt Broughton, director of growth and assets at
Alliance Leisure utilised its extensive industry expertise
and proven resilience to deliver Clay Cross Active, an
end-to-end health and wellness facility in Derbyshire
CLAY CROSS ACTIVE
ADDRESSING LOCAL NEEDS
Some of the key statistics
ushering the need for change:
Around one in five residents has a long-
term health condition or disability
Almost a third of residents are
economically inactive
Both younger and older populations
experience social isolation, low confidence
and limited life opportunities
High inactivity rates, with almost 29 per
cent of residents recorded as inactive
Childhood obesity levels, which increase
significantly between Reception and Year Six
93©Cybertrek 2025 Issue 11 2025
These include an immersive
cycle studio, an Innerva Wellness
Suite and a TAGactive facility.
When ISG, the original main
contractor, went into administration,
it was thanks to Alliance Leisure’s
established partnerships,
extensive supply chain and the
robust mechanisms of the UK
Leisure Framework (owned and
managed by Denbighshire Leisure
Ltd), that a new contractor –
Universal Civils and Build –was
quickly appointed to minimise delays,
with just a 1 per cent uplift in budget.
Successful outcome
Clay Cross Active showcases Alliance Leisure’s ability
to act decisively in a crisis, deliver innovative solutions
and create exceptional customer experiences.
Together – thanks to the council’s openness, trust, and
commitment to a successful outcome – the partners
have delivered one of the highest-quality leisure
facilities in the region and one which will effectively
serve its local population for years to come. ●
More: www.allianceleisure.co.uk
Clay Cross Active has
been developed by Alliance
Leisure to inspire and
support the local community
North East Derbyshire Council.
“We’re seeing the positive outcomes
firsthand, with Clay Cross Active
achieving record attendances,
record memberships, high customer
satisfaction scores and a much
improved financial performance.”
Exceeding expectations
When approaching the project,
Alliance Leisure focused on delivering
a facility that exceeded expectations.
Thanks to its extensive experience,
the team knows that customers don’t
care how a leisure centre is built, they
care about how it looks and feels and this is why the
building’s finishes and fit-out were heavily prioritised.
The result is a leisure centre that feels modern,
welcoming and ‘Instagrammable’. It’s a facility
that customers want to visit, stay in and share,
underpinning its long-term financial sustainability.
As a trusted partner, with public and private sector
expertise, Alliance Leisure used its knowledge of
innovative products and nationwide success to advise
the council on incorporating several standout facilities
within Clay Cross Active to distinguish the site.
“We’re seeing record
attendances, high
customer satisfaction
scores and a much
improved fi nancial
performance”
Matt Broughton
ALLIANCE LEISURE / ADAM SHAW
ALLIANCE LEISURE
94 Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
With skillful management and investment, it’s possible
to cut running costs in swimming pools, while also
reducing their carbon footprint, as Abi Harris reports
Carbon
Carbon
Cutting
With many of the UK’s leisure
buildings dating back to the
1970s, finding innovative
ways to reduce their carbon
footprint and cut energy costs
has never been more vital.
This is especially true for swimming pools, which
are energy-intensive and expensive to operate.
As part of an initiative to make swimming
more sustainable, money from Sport England’s
£63 million Swimming Pool Support Fund
(SPSF) was distributed to more than 300
pools and leisure centres at the start of 2024
to support energy efficiency projects.
As part of the programme, environmental audits
were undertaken on the centres by Right Directions,
the health, safety and quality management company.
Environmental culture
The aim was to ensure facilities had an
environmental management culture in place, as
well as policies and procedures to safeguard their
long-term viability, contributing to improvements
in the sector’s overall sustainability.
Caroline Constantine, MD of Right Directions
says the results of the audit were unexpected:
“The top sites scored better than we’d predicted
and the lowest performed less well,” she
says. “We anticipated scores between 40 and
80 per cent, but they were extremely wide
ranging, from the teens through to the 90s…
“Understandably, organisations where
designated staff have environmental management
responsibilities generally scored higher,” she
explained, “however, many had never been through
an environmental audit, so the questions were
new to them and the process gave them the
opportunity to learn what they needed to change
to be ore sustainable and cut their energy bills
The audit identified areas of competence
and those that need improvement: “The
highest-scoring questions related to health,
safety and general maintenance procedures,”
notes Constantine. “These are areas where
we would epect operators to score well
Areas requiring attention mainly related to
measures managers could action themselves,
“although many aren’t,” said Constantine. The
exception to this was ‘discharge consent’ – where
operators require a permit to release waste water.
Additional desk-based review
The lowest 150 performing sites have now
undergone a further review – this time, desk-
based – and shown a significant increase in scores,
following actions taken based on the initial feedback.
“The opportunity for facilities to improve in the
follow-up review is considerable, as the majority
ENVIRONMENT
SHUTTERSTOCK/ JACOB LUND
95©Cybertrek 2025 Issue 11 2025
Sport England funded a
programme to improve
the management of pools
Cutting
of areas requiring change – such as optimising
lighting levels – don’t need significant spend ,”
says Constantine. “In one leisure centre, the
natural light was already the recommended 300
Lux, yet despite this, all the lights were switched
on taing the eter reading to u
Back to school
“We also saw an opportunity for operators to
improve quality management systems generally,”
adds Constantine. “Getting teams on board through
awareness training is an easy win, but it’s not
happening enough, with many staff not receiving
training, so this only scored 52 per cent as a result.
“However, this isn’t just about how lack
of staff training is affecting the bottom line,
it’s about staff understanding the impact
their actions have on the planet and how we
can all make a difference,” she explains.
“Environmental achievements also weren’t
being recognised, meaning there wasn’t a
culture of staff logging and reviewing their
positive environmental actions,” she said.
“By officially recognising these achievements
internally, operators can demonstrate their actions
to staff, to stakeholders and to the public, which
iproves overall eperience and satisfaction
The question ‘are public awareness initiatives
in place?’ only scored 50 per cent, but is –
according to Constantine – another easy win:
“If you don’t tell staff and customers you’re
taking the environment seriously, there’s no
pressure for them to follow suit,” she explains.
More: www.rightdirections.co.uk
The environmental audits gave
operators the opportunity
to learn what they needed to
change to cut their energy bills
Caroline Constantine
RIGHT DIRECTIONS
96 Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
The audits covered uestions across
acility observations
Environmental policies and planning
Staff involvement in environmental
management
eisure operations
Maintenance
Environmental emergencies
Environmental measure and review
Leisure-specific and maintenance questions
ascertained whether equipment is being
used efficiently to reduce consumption
and well maintained to prolong lifespan
Topics included hether
Environmental hazards are
identified and controlled
aardous waste is disposed of responsibly
Public awareness initiatives are in place
The facility has environmental
objectives and targets
singleuse plastics policy is in place
uppliers are assessed for green credentials
The auditors also explored what
the facility managers would do in an
environmental emergency and how
they measure and review successes
Highest scoring
85%
Are you responsibly
disposing of
hazardous waste?
83%
Do you have a
planned preventative
aintenance schedule
77%
Do you assess
environmental risks
in your procedures?
Lowest scoring
40%
Are discharge
consents to
water courses or
sewers in place?
40%
Is lighting set within
recommended
Lux levels?
42%
Do you have a single-
use plastics policy
42%
Are staff recognised
for environmental
achievements?
FACILITY AUDIT SCORES/QUESTIONS
UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT
The initial audit started with a full tour of the facility, followed by an inspection of policies
and planning and the organisation’s general approach to environmental management.
96
Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
77%
Do you assess
Do you assess
environmental risks
environmental risks
in your procedures?
in your procedures?
42%
Do you have a single-
use plastics policy
42%
Are staff recognised
for environmental
achievements?
All centres
audited
Original audit
score average
61%
Average score
following reviews
71%
Improvement =
10%
Review
centres only
Original audit
score average
49%
Review audit
score average
66%
Improvement =
17%
SHUTTERSTOCK/MARIAKRAY
ENVIRONMENT
Formby Pool has reduced
electricity consumption by
68 per cent since 2008/9
David Kiernan
The Formby Pool Trust
Formby Pool scored highly across
the board in its audit, achieving 92
per cent – joint third highest in the
country – including 100 per cent
for its public awareness initiatives
“Public awareness reinforces
transparency and accountability,
demonstrating the trust is actively
working towards sustainability, which creates
a ripple effect beyond the facility,” says David
Kiernan, CEO of the Formby Pool Trust.
“An environmental board in reception showcases
our objectives and achievements, while providing
real-time information on the energy we generate
on-site, the amount drawn from the grid and
how we utilise surplus – such as charging our
electric maintenance van,” he explains.
“It’s a great tool for engaging staff,
members and visitors, fostering awareness
and encouraging sustainability.”
Formby Pool was awarded £57,905
for additional solar panels by the
SPSF, offsetting grid electricity by
a further 11 per cent and reducing
CO2 emissions by 11.5 tonnes per
annum. Kiernan says: “The Sport
England funding has empowered
us to accelerate our transition
to renewable energy, significantly
increasing our on-site generation
capacity. We’re now well-positioned to
achieve our target of generating 50 per cent of
total energy consumption from renewables by 2028.
It’s part of a strategy to be carbon neutral by 2030.”
Formby Pool Trust’s investments have reduced electricity
consumption by 68 per cent when compared to 2008/09
FORMBY POOL IN BRIEF
Electricity consumption down 68 per cent vs
2008/09 and gas by 50 per cent vs 2015/16
Environmental board with real-time information
Charging electric vehicles with surplus energy
©Cybertrek 2025 Issue 11 2025 97
SHUTTERSTOCK/JACOB LUND
THE FORMBY POOL TRUST
CASE STUDIES >>>
98 Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 202598 Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
Jo Cherrett
Move Urmston
Move Urmston scored 90
per cent in its environment
audit. The centre is managed
by Trafford Leisure, which
is experienced in leveraging
technology to drive sustainability
across environmental, social and
econoic areas of the operation
The community interest company was one of
the first to upgrade to LED lighting 15 years ago. It also
uses locally-sourced salt to treat pools through electro-
chlorination and was also one of the first in England
to adopt energyefficient icrofiltration systes
Its latest centre refurbishments are fossil
fuel-free, with air-source heat pumps and solar
Sustainability e orts make business
sense – you retain sta , improve profi t
and improve how people see your brand
photovoltaic systems. Plans have
been approved for a Deep Green
data centre in Move Urmston’s
grounds, which will transform
heat from its servers into hot
water, reducing energy bills by
an estimated £80,000 a year.
“Sustainability efforts just make
business sense. Fundamentally you
retain staff, improve profit and improve
how people view your brand,” says CEO,
Jo Cherrett. “The next generation is proactively
searching for what type of company you are. It’s
about making the right decisions for the longer term.
“For me this is a non-negotiable. We know not
every innovation is going to work, but there’s
never been a more important time to have
these conversations, to share and to learn.”
Move Urmston has
been pioneering
in sustainability
MOVE URMSTON IN BRIEF
Fossil-fuel free facilities
Deep Green data centre
LED lighting
Air source heat pumps
Solar photovoltaic systems
Electro-chlorination using
locally-sourced salt
SAVING
TRAFFORD LEISURE
TRAFFORD LEISURE
ENVIRONMENT
99©Cybertrek 2025 Issue 11 2025
Jeremy Gould
GLL
GLL went through
audits at six facilities
and came out with
the two highest
performing sites in
the country, including
Clissold Leisure Centre,
which scored 95 per cent.
“The majority of GLL’s
policies and procedures are driven centrally, based
on the ISO 14001:2015 Standard and using learnings
from Quest’s environmental module, implemented
locally,” says national sustainability manager, Jeremy
Gould. “It’s the only way to manage environmental
compliance across such a large, varied organisation.
“We’re two and a half years into a sustainability
strategy, which covers core areas, including energy
and carbon reduction, waste and recycling, transport,
sustainable procurement and embedding sustainable
practices across GLL’s teams,” he explains.
“Environmental audits are a major positive for the
sector, as they raise awareness of the obligations
organisations have around good practice. They’ve
given us reassurance that we’re doing the right things,
while highlighting areas we can improve,” he says.
GLL is one of the
biggest swimming pool
operators in the UK
GLL IN BRIEF
ISO 14001:2015-compliant
policies
Energy and carbon
reduction
Waste and recycling
Sustainable procurement
Embedded sustainable
practices
We’re two and a half
years into a strategy,
which is embedding
sustainable practices
across GLL’s teams
GLL had two of the
highest performing sites
SHUTTERSTOCK/PEOPLEIMAGES
GLL
GLL
100 Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
Phillip Holden
Rossendale Leisure Trust
Marl Pits Leisure Centre scored just 29 per cent
on its initial SPSF audit. Six months on, the score
jumped to 54 per cent following its review.
“The audit gave us a roadmap to creating
positive change, with lots of small actions that
made big differences,” says head of operations,
Phillip Holden. “We’d been on the right path
towards energy efficiency; this enabled us to fast-
trac our thining to get to a better place
“We implemented team environmental awareness
training, changed our building management system
and put in procedures around the use of air
conditioning units and heating systems – all things
within our immediate control. The longer-term
goals are to ae changes to the infrastructure
“The whole experience was very positive. Even
though it’s a potentially sensitive issue due to
an external auditor asking questions, we were
able to have honest and open conversations that
gave us clear objectives and enabled us to more
directly focus on environmental matters.”
We’d been on the right
path towards energy
e ciency; this just enabled
us to fast-track our thinking
ROSSENDALE IN BRIEF
Team environmental training
Building management systems
New air con and heating procedures
Goal of infrastructure upgrades
ROSSENDALE LEISURE TRUST
ENVIRONMENT
Marl Pits increased its score from 29 to 54 per cent
101©Cybertrek 2025 Issue 11 2025 101©Cybertrek 2025 Issue 11 2025
The Admiral Swimming
Centre is aiming to
reach Net Zero by 2030
Producing written evidence
of what we do, including
policy statements, helped
raise our score
Phil Thomas
The Admiral
Swimming Centre
This small, popular
pool in Brixham,
Devon, is run as a charity.
It scored 39 per cent in
its initial audit but jumped
to per cent in its review
“With just two full-time staff, we don’t have admin,
HR or IT departments and didn’t have a paper trail
for our policies and procedures, so the audit was
eyeopening says pool anager hil Thoas
“The auditor suggested we create an
Environmental Improvement Plan and prioritise
achievable actions. This gave us a clear way forward.
We focussed on reducing electricity consumption
and CO2 emissions, single use plastic and waste to
landfill, as well as testing environmentally-friendly
products, getting staff on board with our objectives
and making customers aware of our efforts.
“It paid off! Producing written evidence of
what we do, including policy statements, website
updates and social media posts, as well as
environmental posters and maintenance schedules,
helped raise our score the most, along with
assessing major supplier contracts for ‘green’
credentials and monitoring light and noise levels.
“Our aim is to reach Net Zero by 2030. Our
current pool heating system needs replacing and pool
modernisation will cost £200,000, but thanks to the
SPSF funding and audit, we now have solar panels and
environmental policies in place, and are in a stronger
position to apply for grants in the future.” ●
ADMIRAL IN BRIEF
Environmental
Improvement Plan
Solar panels
Initiatives to reduce
electricity consumption
Reduced CO2 emissions
Ban on single use plastic
Reduced waste to landfill
Adoption of environmentally-
friendly products
Staff training
Customers awareness initiatives
SHUTTERSTOCK/JACOB LUND
THE ADMIRAL SWIMMING CENTRE
With solar panels in place, further grants are more likely
102 Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
FITNESS-KIT.NETFITNESS-KIT.NET
Product innovation
Julie Cramer rounds up the latest health, fitness and wellness kit
For more insight, or to get in touch with the companies
featured, visit www. tness-kit.net and type in their keyword
Myndstream
fitness-kit.net KEYWORDS
Hyperice, the recovery and
movement-enhancement
technology business, has
entered into a partnership with
health and wellbeing music
specialists Myndstream to
rede ne recovery services.
At the centre of the
collaboration between the
“Operators want
ready-to-implement
solutions that
enhances recovery”
Freddie Moross
Freyja Fit
fitness-kit.net KEYWORD
Feminine equipment can deliver professional-
grade performance, believes Lisa Anthoney
with a pink stripe design, and
pastel-coloured Bumper Plates.
Founder Lisa Anthoney says
Freyja Fit is on a mission to make
lifting more accessible and less
intimidating for women of all
ages and abilities: “We believe
beautiful, feminine equipment
can coexist with professional
performance – helping gyms and
studios attract and retain more
female members,” she says.
“All the kit is competition-
grade quality”
Lisa Anthoney
two is Hyperice’s Normatec
compression boot system.
While Normatec enhances
circulation and relieves muscle
soreness, Myndstream’s curated
soundscapes help deepen
relaxation, calm the nervous
system and maximise recovery.
Available via Myndstream’s
streaming platform, Hyperice
customers can access three
dedicated soundscapes – Rest,
Recovery and Revive – or all three
combined during a 60-minute
Full Mind/Body Sync session.
Freddie Moross, founder of
Myndstream, says: “Consumers
want results and memorable,
sensory-rich experiences,
while operators want a
ready-to-implement solution that
enhances both recovery outcomes
and customer experience”.
Consumers want results and memorable,
sensory-rich experiences, says Freddie Moross
Pastel
colours
deliver a
feminine
touch
Freyja Fit’s commercial-grade
equipment is designed
speci cally for women.
The company’s dumbbells come
in pink and pastel green, blue and
purple, while its kettlebells are
available in ‘competition pink’.
Other products include pink
barbells, which are available in
7.5kg, 15kg, and 20kg options
Myndstream is
working with Hyperice
MYNDSTREAM
MYNDSTREAM
FREYJA FIT
103©Cybertrek 2025 Issue 11 2025
WellnessSpace Brands
fitness-kit.net KEYWORD
Paul Lunter says the RedZone Sauna is a statement piece for any gym or spa
WellnessSpace Brands has
combined two powerful
recovery technologies – infrared
heat and LED red light – into
its new RedZone Sauna.
Users can enjoy a private, relaxing,
spa-like experience in only 10-15
minutes, with far-infrared (FIR)
and near-infrared (NIR) quartz
heaters that can reach the desired
temperature within minutes.
The RedZone also off ers
red light coverage, with six
optional panels that can be
placed around the interior of
the unit to eff ectively target the
face, chest, back, arms and legs.
“Each of our product lines has a
shared vision: to provide people
globally with access to convenient,
technology-based solutions for
mind and body wellness,” says
Paul Lunter, founder and CEO
of WellnessSpace Brands.
“Users can enjoy a
private, relaxing,
spa-like experience in
only 10-15 minutes”
Paul Lunter
The RedZone is
built for high traffi c
environments
It combines accurate biomechanics with the best
of British engineering, claims Darren Golden
The Exigo Plate Loaded 2.0
ISO Bent Over Row has been
developed in collaboration with
tness professionals to deliver
elite-level biomechanics, targeting
the upper and mid-back.
Made in the UK using a
combination of 80mm and 70mm
box section steel, the machine is
highly durable in high performance
training environments.
It features an adjustable seat pad
with ve positions available to set
up high and low row variations,
adjustable handles with four
positions for narrow, mid and
wide grips, as well as rotatable
handles for overhand, neutral and
underhand positions. This allows
for customisation and muscular
engagement across all pulling angles.
Darren Golden, MD of Exigo,
says: “We set out to raise the
standard for strength equipment,
“It targets the upper and
mid-back with maximum
effi ciency and control”
Darren Golden
Exigo
fitness-kit.net KEYWORDS
and the ISO Bent Over Row
is an example of that vision. It
combines accurate biomechanics
with the best of British engineering
to deliver performance,
durability and versatility.”
The seat pad has ve adjustable positions
EXIGO
EXIGO
WELLNESSSPACE BRANDS
WELLNESSSPACE BRANDS
Paul Lunter
says the RedZone Sauna is a statement piece for any gym or spa
environments
DIRECTORY
FLOORING
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Contact us now:
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Gym Flooring & Acoustic Solutions
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SUPPLIERS OF
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FUNCTIONAL TRAINING / FLOORING
106 Issue 11 2025 ©Cybertrek 2025
New research published in Nature
Communications has found that vigorous
exercise, such as running, is four
times more effective than moderate
exercise – such as walking – when it
comes to protecting the heart.
The research, Wearable device-based health
equivalence of different physical activity intensities
against mortality, cardiometabolic disease and cancer,
was undertaken folllowing a collaboration between
the University of Sydney and Norwich Medical
School at the University of East Anglia in the UK.
After assessing data from 73,000 adults using
wearables, researchers found that each minute
of vigorous intensity activity is roughly equivalent
to four to nine minutes of moderate activity and
53–156 min of light intensity physical activity for all
cause mortality and cardiometabolic outcomes.
The findings raise questions about the World
Health Organization’s guidance that people should
undertake 150–300 min of moderate-intensity
physical activity per week, with WHO saying this
is the equivalent to 75–150 min of vigorous physical
activity. This assumes that vigorous exercise is only
twice as beneficial as moderate exercise, rather than
the four-times impact revealed by the research.
Time to recalibrate
“Our findings are in stark contrast to the widely
used current convention of a 1:2 ratio between
vigorous and moderate intensity, which was derived
from self-reported data,” say the researchers. “Our
work supports practitioners and future trials to
establish more accurate exercise dosages and define
options for prescribing physical activity prescription
and personalised medicine initiatives.” ●
Powering up
Vigorous activity is four times more powerful than moderate exercise, according
to research by the University of Sydney and Norwich Medical School
Our ndings are in stark contrast to
the widely-used current convention
of a 1:2 ratio between vigorous and
moderate intensity exercise
More: www.hcmmag.com/WHOguidelines
Running packs a
punch in terms
of heart health
RESEARCH
ISTOCK/NORTONRSX
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