HEALTH & FITNESS Functional training trend taking off


Gyms and finess centres are tapping into the trend for functional training zones, with facilities increasingly converting gym floor space into functional zones. “There’s no denying that


there’s a growing trend in our industry, with more and more members with all types of goals incorporating func- tional training into their programmes,” said national fitness and wellbeing lead at Nuffield Health, Rick Crawford, speaking to Health Club Management magazine. Nuffield Health already has


Functional training zones are garnering interest from the industry


designated functional areas in all 65 of its sites. Everyone Active also offers functional equip- ment at 90 of its leisure centres while budget operator Xercise4Less has functional zones of varying sizes at all of its sites. Freedom Leisure is another operator invest-


ing into the trend. “We expect all our gyms to eventually have such areas,” said Richard Merrick of Freedom Leisure. “Functional equipment zones mark the first real step change in the evolution of gym design.”


Not all operators agree with the growing


trend however. GYMetrix’s Rory McGown said: “It’s a push trend, not a pull trend, driven by fitness club operators and suppliers rather than by members.” Absolute Performance MD, Tony Buchanan,


added: “Te change is being led by undivid- uals who work for operators and believe in the benefits of training, not purely by busi- ness people looking for opportunities.” Details: http://lei.sr?a=D1M2O


DLL announces Flex scheme for employers


Health, sports and leisure group David Lloyd Leisure (DLL) has introduced a discounted health club membership scheme, which offers UK companies a cost-effective way to give their employees access to exercise through a payroll scheme. The DL Flex scheme can be


run as an HMRC approved salary sacrifice scheme, either within a flexible benefits programme, or as a separate salary sacrifice benefit. Companies can also choose to


run DL Flex as a net pay gym loan deduction. DLL claims says that with


DL Flex, employees can save on average between £120 (US$193, €143) and £300 (US$484, €359) a year on gym membership, while being able to choose from individual, couple’s or family member- ship schemes. DL Flex also offers National Insurance


savings when administered through a salary sacrifice scheme, with companies also able to contribute towards membership costs for their employees.


© CYBERTREK 2013 Te scheme aims to improve the health and fitness workforces “David Lloyd Leisure is delighted to sup-


port companies who want to look aſter their employees’ well-being and help them keep fit and healthy,” said Claire Bettles, David Lloyd’s corporate marketing manager. “It is well known that encouraging your


teams to be physically active can help lower sickness, boost productivity and improve morale. Details: http://lei.sr?a=Y3P4Q


Twitter: @leisureopps Read Leisure Opportunities online: www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/digital 5 www.matrixfitness.co.uk


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