Q&A
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The former boxing world champion talks to Kate Cracknell
about targeting the whole community with his new family-
focused club – a spacious, high-end facility in Hyde, Manchester
Q Why did you want to set up a club? Q Who was involved in the
I’ve trained in a number of gyms and development of the club?
always wanted my very own health club. My dad, Ray, took responsibility for the
I wanted a boxing gym, but I also wanted design, and I had input on the boxing side
to go one better and target the – I have no doubt the boxing facilities are
OBINSON
community with a full health and fitness among the best, if not the best, in the
offering. I wanted a state of the art club UK. I also have a great gym manager in
with all the best possible facilities. Nigel Wilkes, who gave a lot of input on
the health and fitness aspects.
TIONS/MARK R
Q How did your boxing background The boxing equipment is from Cleto
OMO
impact on your plans? Reyes in Mexico, with some products
It was very important. I wanted the from my own brand, Hatton, while the
boxers who train in the gym to have fi tness equipment is by Cybex. © PUNCH PR
access to the very best equipment, and Hatton has had some of his world
also to equipment that’s relevant to Q How was the £2m club funded? championship belts displayed in the club
their training. For example, I have two I was able to fund the new facility out of
boxing cardio machines to practise my earnings from boxing. The gym’s Q How key is wellness to the club?
upper cuts and two punch bags on a been paid for outright. I see the club as being broader than just
moving frame, as opposed to static bags. fitness. We offer sports massages, stress
I’ve also had cameras installed in the Q Who are you targeting? relief massage, sunbeds, sauna and beauty
gym so we can record sparring and play I’m targeting ladies; if their partners and therapies. There’s also a lounge with a
it back later. It’s the little things like that children come at the weekend, it’s free. self-service café where you can chill out.
which can make the difference. I’ve Members are typically aged 18–70, with
recruited young fi ghters starting out in an average age of 38. Q What are your club’s USPs?
their careers – hopefully, with time and Without wanting to sound big-headed, I
effort, they can become champions. Q What’s the philosophy of the club? think it’s the fact that members get to
However, the boxing facilities are The philosophy is to make my health train at the same gym as Ricky Hatton,
also popular with members for fi tness club a premium club but, at the same while at the same time enjoying top-end
training, rather than purely being used time, to ensure it’s affordable and facilities. We’re also the fi rst club in the
by those who want to box as a sport. accessible to the whole community. UK to have Cybex’s FT-450 cable trainer.
We offer boxing fi tness classes twice a Also, where some clubs can be a bit
week, which have been a huge success. impersonal and overcrowded, as well as Q Do you think the industry has
The club is absolutely not just a boxing tying people in to long-term contracts, changed over the years?
gym – it’s been designed to have a Hatton Health & Fitness is friendly, I think it’s definitely changed. When I
welcoming, family feel to it. helpful, clean and not overcrowded. started my boxing career, there were no
Hatton Health & Fitness: Facilities include a group cycling studio and boxing rings, which are used for fi tness and boxing training
42 Read Health Club Management online september 2009 © cybertrek 2009
healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital
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