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In BRIeF
£30m revamp scheme for LA Fitness
IHRSA predicts
UK health club operator unveils proposals for complete overhaul of 83 properties
profitable autumn
The health club sector should By Tom Walker
anticipate a profitable autumn,
according to the latest Monthly Private equity-owned gym
Trends Survey from the chain LA Fitness has earmarked
International, Health, Racquet £30m for a comprehensive
and Sportsclub Association refurbishment programme of
(IHRSA). IHRSA's latest survey of its 83-strong portfolio of health
56 participating clubs, which clubs in the UK.
encompasses August club The investment and new
performance, has revealed strategy is being driven by the
"steady to improved" club company's chief executive
attendance by members and non- officer, Martin Long, who said
members, with 80 per cent of he wants to reposition the
clubs indicating increased visits entire LA Fitness brand. The fitness group is looking to reposition its entire UK brand
in August compared to 2008. Long said: "Gyms were
originally built to rent out customer relationship manage- every 12 weeks, while new IT
Funding secured for
space containing gym equip- ment programme which aims systems spotlight those who
Hartsdown centre
ment – members signed a 12 to ensure that staff develop and have not been to the club for
Hartsdown Leisure Centre in month contract in January and maintain a relationship with 30 days or more.
Margate, Kent, is to undergo a often didn't come back. gym-goers throughout the Long added that he was
£1.6m refurbishment. Thanet "That suited operators then, course of their contract. determined to put a halt to
Leisureforce plans to build a new but membership is stuck at 12 Each new or lapsed member what he calls the "devaluation
gym to double the number of per cent penetration – and has is treated to a tailored that is hitting the entire UK
stations currently on offer, as been for the last few years. If 'Kickstart' programme to fitness industry".
well as two exercise studios for the industry is to break through identify fitness targets and a "There are so many deals and
classes, a soft play facility and a that it must up its game." personalised training routine to discounts on offer that
café. The existing reception and To tackle retention issues, help them achieve their goals. customers are not currently
changing areas for the sports Long has introduced a new There's a 30-minute review prepared to pay more," he said.
hall will also be revamped.
Balance training
£15m upgrade
for Carlisle site
Expanded Hampshire gym opens
good for the elderly
Simple balance exercises can A £15m upgrade is being By Pete Hayman
make a difference in preventing planned for The Sands
older gym members from having Centre in Carlisle, Cumbria. An extended fitness suite has
slip and fall accidents. The project is the result been officially opened at
Instability and loss of balance of a partnership between Southampton City Council's
is a common ailment among Carlisle City Council, the (SCC) flagship leisure centre in
older adults. According to a University of Cumbria and Hampshire, following the
report by the American Academy Carlisle Leisure Limited. completion of a comprehensive
of Orthopaedic Surgeons, falls in Plans include a health £177,000 refurbishment.
the senior population cost the and fitness club, a 25m Nolan Davis Contracting SCC funded the £177,000 work
US government alone more than swimming pool with a carried out the three-month at the flagship leisure centre
US$20bn (£12.1bn) per year. teaching pool, a multi- revamp to expand the The
Writing in the October issue of court sports hall, sports Quays 'Eddie Read' Swimming SCC-funded project, which has
the IDEA Fitness Journal, Dr. performance labs and and Diving Complex's fitness also included an expansion of
Evan Osar claims that while revamped changing areas. facilities by 100sq m (1,076sq the core conditioning and free
low-impact exercises such as Conference facilities, an ft), increasing the number of weights area.
yoga and swimming can benefit expanded main hall and a stations from 90 to 120. Construction work has also
many clients, resistance and sports injuries and Life Fitness and Star Trac included the creation of a new
body weight training should rehabilitation clinic for the have supplied equipment – in- 90sq m (968sq ft) multi-use
also be included to increase university's School of cluding treadmills, cross studio to provide a range of
muscle strength and help create Sport are also planned. trainers and rowers – for the fitness and aerobic classes and
a sense of well-being. fitness suite as part of the community programmes.
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