BFT International’s Post

ukactive welcomes the findings in the Moving Communities Impact Report (April 2022-March 2024) published by Sport England. The report provides the latest evidence on the essential role being played by fitness and leisure facilities in engaging people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to be physically active. Highlights include:  - More people are using leisure centres than they were one year ago  - Average number of participants per site has gone up by almost a thousand people (7%)  - Overall visits have grown by over 10,000 per year (5%)  - Visits to leisure centres from users in the most deprived 20% of areas in the UK has increased by 9% (100,000 people).   Learn more about the importance of these findings and the opportunity for the Government to work with the sector to unlock its full potential in today’s blog from ukactive CEO, Huw Edwards – available here: https://lnkd.in/ed2YGi2V To read the Moving Communities Impact Report, click here: https://lnkd.in/eRQYD-ee Sport England 4GLOBAL PLC Active Insight Right Directions (Management) Ltd Sheffield Hallam University Matthew Wade

In the bustling heart of Music City, where the sound of guitars mingles with the rhythm of life, there’s a new harmony taking center stage: the unity of Nashville’s fitness community. At Nashville Fit Magazine, we believe that collaboration triumphs over competition, and together, we can transform our city into a beacon of health and wellness. Strength in Unity The fitness industry is often painted as a battlefield, with gyms, studios, and trainers vying for dominance. But here in Nashville, we’re flipping the script. We’re showing the world that when we come together, our strength is unparalleled. It’s not about who can lift the most or run the fastest; it’s about lifting each other and running this race together. A United Front for a Healthier Community Imagine a city where every fitness professional, from personal trainers to yoga instructors, works in unison with a shared goal: to make Nashville the healthiest place it can be. When we unite, we create a supportive environment that encourages everyone, regardless of their fitness level, to join the journey. Collaboration breeds innovation, inspires motivation, and fosters a sense of belonging that is the cornerstone of a thriving community. https://lnkd.in/eceCq3-N

as somebody who spends *way* too much time at their desk, I often set myself physical challenges so I have a reason to train (and make time and set some discipline to undertake physical exercise). Last November I successfully completed the Hyrox at London, which delivered an amazing sense of achievement that I place right up there with my top life experiences. Naturally I told everybody at work about it, to blank stares, and then horror, amusement -- and even disbelief -- when I insisted on explaining what I'd done. I was delighted to see Hyrox get a mention in the FT this week, and discover that others in London are embracing this new fitness event. As one of 6000-plus competitors that day, I have to confess I later trawled Companies House to find out more about the business behind Hyrox as I was intrigued and thought that somebody is clearly making a killing. Tickets are ~£100 and events are being scheduled all around the UK and sell out as quickly as ta Taylor Swift concert. The event relies on an army of volunteers (who get a free ticket to complete at another event in return). social media forums are alive with complaints about poor service, an inability to redeem vouchers for volunteering, and slow or negligible customer service, all typical of a business experiencing severe growing pains. I was shocked to see in the FT article that the founders disclosed they are yet to make a profit on annual revenues of £25m, even with tens of thousands competing annually and rising popularity. clearly their business model needs a complete rethink and/or they weren't being transparent. perhaps City professionals have more to offer than being mere competitors. https://lnkd.in/dPxnQrTh

This is an interesting concept! Very recently, there was a Twitter thread discussing “women’s only” gym spaces. The thread started due to a viral video of a gym interaction between a man and a woman, that ended up in a verbal altercation. The man in question wasn’t happy with the woman filming herself in the gym, even though he wasn’t in shot of where she had positioned her camera. The aggression in this man, sparked of a debate regarding a) filming in gyms and b) female only gym spaces. Female only gyms aren’t a new concept, but when you see altercations like this, you understand why some would advocate for a space just for women, as safety is paramount for many women. Also, there was a case where a law suit was brought against a gym who had included in their timetable a “female only time zone”. The gym in question lost the law suit and had to pay damages, as the argument was made that all members, irrespective of gender, had paid the same membership, so should have access to their facilities at all times. Whilst I understand what that gym platform was trying to do, but what differs from that gym policy, and this new GigaFit Gym space, is that GIgaFit has stated that its facilities is for women only, whereas the other space opened it for all, but then restricted its policy for all. It’s a tricky line when you are trying to create safe space for marginalised groups, because chances are, you may have a dominant group use examples of “unfairness” that typically and historically didn’t apply to them, as a means of justifying why including them also is unfair. This in its self is very odd, as they don’t consider why marginalised groups have had to create spaces for themselves in the first place. Sir, you were the problem, hence why we are now here!

We need to talk about Third Space. (They’ve just opened another gym). Quite possibly the best gym in the country right now in terms of facilities, and their monthly fees rightly reflect that. A one club membership will set you back £260 per month. With all the classes, equipment and spa facilities chucked in - you can get great value out of it. (If you can afford it of course). I’m interested in the brand because first of all I think it’s brilliant. They now have 13 gyms and have rapidly been growing in South London. Most recently they’ve opened in Clapham Junction, Wimbledon & Battersea. Everyone in life needs a third space where they go to decompress away from their home and their workplace, and their name and positioning is a branding masterclass. But second of all, I’m intrigued by a few thoughts: Are they looking to be the new member clubs? (Soho House, Annabelle’s etc). Does the luxurious appeal diminish as you open more? Affluent people are everywhere - why only open in London? Their biggest stumbling block was their limited availability So the only route to mass growth is to open more gyms. I wonder by pushing this luxury fitness and Third Space narrative are we seeing an under utilisation of the brand and the reason they exist. My friend justified his membership at the Islington branch by saying he’d treat the gym as a work space whilst also getting fit. Soho Works = £300 per month minimum Fitness First = £75 per month minimum If you look at it like that, it’s great value. The problem? The Wi-Fi was intermittent and there was no natural sunlight. But the potential is definitely there for Third Space to capitalise on the societal longing for community and belonging. Why can’t they host Singles Nights after hours? Why can’t they encourage networking? Why can’t they throw parties? I believe they can. Are gyms best positioned to become the members clubs of the future? Is Third Space Soho House’ biggest threat? Let me know what you think.

Can large clubs and independent gyms learn from one another in pursuit of progress? One CEO believes sharing knowledge is essential to fuel growth in the sector. Check out his thoughts on what the conversation could look like.

The concept of ‘Sports for All’ should be communicated clearly as a win-win: a healthier population means reduced healthcare costs, and a happier, more connected society, writes fitness enthusiast and former Maritime Institute of Malaysia director-general, Dr Pola Singh. More on Twentytwo13. #news #media #sports #Malaysia #Twentytwo13 #Twentytwo13news

Thirty minutes – one mission – to get us all moving! Leading UK gym operator, Everyone Active, wants to encourage everyone to try to do at least 30 minutes of activity five times a week. But they recognise that while for some this might be a walk in the park – for others, particularly those with diverse needs and differently abled – going to a gym can be a daunting challenge. With inclusivity as their top priority and a desire to make their leisure centres welcoming, unintimidating and accessible, this forward-thinking provider took the plunge and invested in digital twin technology which allows potential gym-goers to know before they go! New and interactive virtual tours mean prospective visitors can explore and get a sense of the ‘look and feel’ of their local centre – helping ease potential anxiety and making that 30-minute mantra feel like a lighter lift. Learn more: #BuildingManagement #DigitalTransformation #DigitalTwins

In the dynamic world of commercial gyms, member retention is key. Keeping members engaged and coming back requires a multifaceted approach. Investing in state-of-the-art equipment and creating a community-focused environment can make a huge difference. Personalized fitness programs, regular member feedback, and hosting community events are just a few strategies that can boost retention. What innovative strategies have you seen gyms implement to keep members engaged and loyal?

Can large clubs and independent gyms learn from one another? One CEO believes sharing knowledge is essential to fuel growth in the sector. Check out his thoughts on what the conversation could look like. Do you think the two can learn from one another? #gyms #fitnessindustry #knowledge #growth #research