60 Second UK Fitness News - 10th June 2016

In this weeks 60 Second News: Leisure Management reported this week that on the 25th June Barry’s Bootcamp will be taking over the London Eye. The boutique chain which has two sites in London will deliver 15 classes simultaneously in 15 pods on the London Eye. It costs £60 to take part and all proceeds will go to Stand Up To Cancer. 

Last weekend saw the opening of Thorncliffe Health and Leisure Centre in Sheffield, which is managed by Places for People. The centre boasts two pools, a gym and two studios and was built to replace Chapeltown Baths. 

This week has also seen two new openings from the Anytime Fitness franchise in Corby and Luton. 

Lastly, Blink Fitness in America has decided to cover all their mirrors for the month of June. The mirrors have been replaced with signs saying ‘Do it for the mood, not just the mirror’. The aim of the campaign is to remind members exercise is about more than just looks.  BlinkFitness Vice president, Ellen Rogemann, is hoping the brand can provide an antidote to the ‘beach body ready’ message. Let us know what you think of this idea by sending a tweet to @TLDC_UK. 

Thanks for watching!

60 Seconds UK Fitness News - 3rd June 2016

In this weeks 60 Second News; today sees the launch of our first ever LeisureDB Social Media Fitness Index. The report covers quarter 1 of 2016 and compares the UK's top 20 private fitness brands and ranks them based on their performance on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. You can download your copy of the report from our website now for £195 + VAT. 

SLM or Everyone Active as they’re better known was announced this week as the new management of Westminster Sports Centre from the 1st July 2016. The 10 year contract will see SLM manage 8 leisure centres. 

Frome Sports and Fitness Centre, which is managed by Fusion, opened its doors on Wednesday following their £2million refurbishment.  The centre boasts new gym equipment, a large soft play area, new classes in their two new studios and a dedicated cycling studio.

Lastly, we would just like to say congratulations to The Gym Group who have been awarded the Investors in People Gold Accreditation, which is currently achieved by just 7% of organisations. 

Thanks for watching!

60 Second UK Fitness News - 27th May 2016

In this weeks 60 Second News; yesterday we published our 2016 State of The UK Swimming Industry Report. This year’s report reveals another year of decline with a 1% decrease in the number of swimming sites and a 3% rise in pay and play fees. To get your copy of the report head to website leisuredb.com to download now. 

The Virgin Active Health Club (Milhouses) has announced plans to shut on the 30th June and the site has been sold to Oxygen Freejumping who intend to turn it in to a trampoline park. Although there is another Virgin Active less a mile from the site some customers are not happy about transferring their membership to the Broadfield park site. 

The Energie group has powered past its £500,000 target on crowd cube, according to an article in Health Club Management this week. The chain which has clubs in both the UK and Europe and includes the budget brand Fit4Less. 

Lastly, don't forget to keep an eye out for our brand new LeisureDB Social Media Fitness Index Q1 2016. 

Thanks for watching!

60 Second UK Fitness News - 20th May 2016

In this weeks 60 Second News: our 2016 State of The UK Fitness Industry Report was released this week and we want to say a big thank you to everyone who has mentioned us in the news or on Twitter. Remember to keep an eye on our Director, David Minton’s, LinkedIn page to join in topical discussions about this year’s report.

Coming soon from 1Rebel is their new offering Ride2Rebel. 1Rebel have converted a bus into a mobile spin studio and will be offering customers the chance to spin hard through the streets of London, whilst commuting to work. The bus will pick up from 4 different locations across London and drop off at 1Rebel. You can sign up now to register an interest in a ticket and receive a 10% discount on packages.

It’s been announced this week that the construction contract for the new Fleming Park leisure centre in Eastleigh has gone to Interserve. The new centre will boast a 15 court sports hall, 2 swimming pools and 3 multipurpose studios and is due to open June 2018.

Lastly, Sports Management reported this week that public health experts have called it unethical to sell junk food in leisure centres. I know I think it’s ok to reward all my hard work with a Mars bar post workout, but psychologist have claimed that leisure centres are failing exercise referral patients by not offering healthy food as a primary option and at a cheaper price. Let us know what you think, send us a tweet @TLDC_UK. 

Thanks for watching. 

60 Second UK Fitness News - 13th May 2016

In this weeks 60 second news: it was reported that Pure Gym’s membership figures have risen by over 50% since they took over the LA Fitness clubs last year. From this Monday, 16th May you’ll be able to see how this compares with the rest of the market when we release the 2016 State of The UK Fitness Industry Report.  For more information on what’s covered in this year’s report look out for our press release or head to leisuredb.com.

On Wednesday Sweat Coin was released into the UK Apple App Store. The app converting exercise to a digital currency known as ‘sweatcoins’ which can exchange steps for rewards or even charity donations. Although we haven’t been blown away by the app we do think it has potential.

Lastly, FitGroupUK, a new body consisting of group exercise opinion leaders has been brought together with the ultimate aim of introducing more people to group exercise, given that participation figures plateaued in recent years. Here at LeisureDB we want to know what is your favourite group exercise class and why? Tweet us @TLDC_UK to join the conversation. 

Thanks for watching.

60 Second UK Fitness News - 6th May 2016

In this week’s 60 second news; more news from the Fitness First sale as Bannatyne’s has announced an interest in some sites. Bannatyne’s doubled its profits last year after refurbishing half their clubs which helped boost member numbers. The chain has acknowledged that the market is polarising and has focused on being a luxury health club.

When ClassPass first landed in the UK it all appeared too good to be true and unfortunately it is. Class Pass has announced this week that it will be upping its prices from £79 to £110. After disputes with some of the more premium offerings available to ClassPass user, which appeared to have been settled, ClassPass is now having to hit the pockets of its customers. 

Here are LeisureDB we’ve managed to get our hands on a Skulpt Chisel. Available for $99 the Skulpt chisel measures your muscle quality and fat percentage. It’s based around the theory of tracking results not activity. Keep an eye on our blog for a review of the product.  

Lastly, it has been reported by Statista that health and fitness apps are now in the top 10 in the app store beating music, sports and social networking. David, our director has spoken about the rise of brands going from CES to IHRSA this year, and these stats show the ever increasing presence of the digital market in our industry. To read David’s roving report for IHRSA head to theleisurereview.co.uk  

Thanks for watching, please leave your comments below.

60 SECOND UK FITNESS NEWS - 29th APRIL 2016

In this weeks 60 second News: It has been announced that Lichfield District Council are exploring the option of outsourcing both Friary Grange and Burntwood leisure centres. The council said they will only outsource if there are real financial savings to be made. 

Elsewhere in the public sector The Castle Leisure Centre will be opening on the 30th April and will be managed by Fusion, however, given that SLM or Everyone Active have won the contract for Southwark council the management will be changing just 2 months after opening. 

Snap Fitness, a 24hour fitness franchise from the US, has announced a major development plan for the UK. Currently they have just 9 sites across England and Wales, with plans to open another 30 sites.

Lastly, we would like to congratulate everyone who has been nominated for a Flame Award this year. The awards are sponsored by Matrix and the winners will be announced at the ceremony in June. Good luck to all nominees! 

Thanks for watching! I’m Jennifer Schooling and that was your news in 60 Seconds.

60 Second UK Fitness News - 22nd April 2016

In this week's 60 Second News: It’s no surprise to us that the according to the European Health & Fitness Market Study 2016, the budget gym sector has again increased its share in the Fitness Market. You’ll be able to find out how this has affected the UK in our fitness report which is now due to be published mid-May. To register an interest in the report click here.

Here at LeisureDB we’re excited to announce this year we will be releasing a new report titled the LeisureDB Social Media Index. We will be comparing how well the top private brands in the industry perform on social media. And if you are wondering what platforms are right for you why not head to Action PR's blog and to find out.

And the world of online dating has arrived in our gyms, 1Rebel has teamed up with popular app Bumble with its latest offering of a combat-themed speed-dating class. 1Rebel is hoping to unite sweaty Betty with her prince charming during their rumble sessions.

Thanks for watching and please do comment below.

60 SECOND UK FITNESS NEWS - 15th APRIL 2016

This week in the 60 second news; Health Club Management has reported that Pure Gym has put plans for an IPO on hold until after the EU referendum. It was previously thought an IPO would come sooner but a trusted source has called these reports ‘wildly inaccurate’.

Work on East Riding Leisure Bridlington is coming to an end, it has been announced that the new centre will open on the 23rd May. The public leisure centre will have state of the art facilities including a gym and 3 pools. The centre has been built to replace Bridlington Leisure World which closed January 2014.

And from new openings to potential closures, a public petition to save Cinderford Leisure Centre has collected over 1,300 signatures. It was announced the centre may have to close as soon as the 31st May if the council and the local academy cannot come to a funding agreement. If you wish to sign this petition to save the centre click here.

And lastly, Pulse have announced the release of two new products. Versus, is a virtual training machine for a solo work out or group exercise using dumbbells and kettlebells. The machine tracks both form and motion and allows you to compete against others. The second release, Trixster VR is a fitness gaming bike that gives a 360 degree virtual cycling experience. We think it’s great to see Pulse introducing gamification for added motivation.

Thanks for watching and please do comment below!

60 SECOND UK FITNESS NEWS - APRIL 2016

In this weeks 60 Second News; here at the LeisureDB headquarters we’re busy putting together our annual state of the industry reports. This year’s fitness report includes a new top operator in the private sector and is due to be published late April. Head to the publications section of our website to receive a notification when our reports are published.

After attending IHRSA last month our director, David Minton, will be attending FIBO in Germany this month. With more than 725 exhibitors from 40 countries there is everything from equipment suppliers to studio concepts and IT systems. If you’re one of the 138,000 people attending don’t forget to say hi if you see him.

Fitness First UK’s managing director, Martin Seibold, has reported a significant amount of interest in the chain from both investors and buyers. The number of clubs has gone from 185 to just 65 since Seibold took over in 2012, but membership has grown by 15% since May 2015. Fitness First Owner Oaktree Capital Management has said all possibilities remain on the table for the future of the company.

Lastly, Fit4Less in Derbyshire has come under criticism this month after an anti-bullying charity called its new ad ‘offensive’. The billboard poster showed Aliens abducting a person with the text ‘they’ll take the fat ones first’. Fit4Less said it wanted to create a “light hearted and humorous” ad. This isn’t the first time an industry ad has sparked controversy. Last year Protein World were called offensive and irresponsible with its ‘beach body ready?’ poster. We want to know whether you were offended by these ads? Send us a tweet to @TLDC_UK and use #AdvertWin or #AdvertFail to let us know your views.  

Thanks for watching and please do comment below!

60 SECOND UK FITNESS NEWS - 22nd Jan 2016

In this weeks 60 second news; It's been announced that Fitness First has sold its founding site in Bournemouth. The Queen’s Park Health Club has been bought by BH Live for an undisclosed sum will now be known as BH Live Active. Jatomi Fitness CEO Tracey Gehlan, who moved in the industry April last year from Burger King, believes the Fitness Industry needs to learn from the fast food Sector and start engaging children rather than making them wait until they’re 18 for a gym membership. Part of McDonald’s success is that every three year old in the country has heard of them, the fitness industry needs to think of a way it can include the younger generations. Could it be through creating the Ultimate Selfie? Ian Pearson a futurologist, commission by Fitness First claims that by 2046 we will be exercising with performance recording drone-swarms. It could improve technique and allow for video streaming. Further technology advances could allow us to spar with a robot opponent and run the marathon with Mo Farah. Lastly, our director David Minton will be making his industry predictions for 2016 keep an eye on our blog to find out who he believes will be the largest fitness brand in the UK this year and more.

60 Second UK Fitness News - Dec 2015

In this weeks 60 second news; our director, David Minton claims it’s time for the fitness industry to innovate or die, this echoes similar belief to that of Les Mills Chief Exec Martin Franklin who states an unwillingness to go digital could be what kills the industry. And Pivotal Living are helping everyone to get digital by bringing a £15 fitness tracker to the market. The tracker has sold out until Jan in the US, where it’s only $12. But if you’re not sure about wearable tech then maybe a Tech Tattoo is what you’re looking for? Chaotic Moon have announced they are working on a prototype for a bio wearable to track your medical and activity data.

Also this week, it's been announced that Sports Direct Fitness have acquired the Print Works Health Club and Spa at London Olympia, and we would like to congratulate all the winners at the 2015 National Fitness Awards especially Burnley Leisure who picked up 3 awards! Thanks for watching.