UPDATE


Women’s weight training could boost gym market


Boosting awareness of strength training among women could be the key to growing gym membership, says a new study from fitness equipment manufacturer Precor. Precor argues that increasing women’s


awareness of the benefits of strength training, such as improved workout results and calorie burn, could entice more women to join and stay members. Research from IHRSA shows that female


gym-goers favour group exercise, with only 47 per cent making use of weights. Precor’s poll of 500 women found many


have negative perceptions of weights due to body image. Details: http://lei.sr?a=m3f4N


The Bannatyne Group has announced a £92m deal with M&G Investments for the sale and leaseback of the ground leases for 39 Bannatyne’s Health Clubs across the UK. The company has been


grappling with debts resulting from a £180m loan from the failed Anglo Irish Bank, which was nationalised by the Irish government in 2009, and the deal will help Bannatyne’s clear these loans, according to a statement. Duncan Bannatyne, chair


UK NEWS Bannatyne Group eases debts


Duncan Bannatyne says the deal will not affect the clubs themselves


of The Bannatyne Group, had previously tried to buy out the debt with an offer in February of £111.5m. Having announced the new leaseback deal,


Bannatyne said: “M&G can see the long-term value of our business and has agreed to be our landlord over a very long lease term. Our premium business is sustainable and profitable


Survey shows 27 per cent of adults attend a gym


Fitness now world’s biggest sport, says Les Mills survey


Fitness has been named as the world’s biggest sport, with 61 per cent of regular exercisers now taking part in gym-type activities, according to the Nielsen-Les Mills Global Consumer Fitness Survey (2013). Conducted among 4,600 people across 13


countries, the study has also revelaed that 27 per cent of the adult population attend a gym, fitness centre or health club. Numbers doing gym-type activities now


rank higher than any other fitness activity, including running, cycling and swimming. Details: http://lei.sr?a=N2n6K


London 2012 Aquatics Centre opens to the public


The London Aquatics Centre, which was home to high drama in the London 2012 Olympics, opened its doors to the public on Saturday 1 March. For the same price as a dip at a local


pool, people will be able to swim in the Zaha Hadid-designed centre, where Tom Daley and Ellie Simmonds won medals for TeamGB. They may even spot Daley in training, since he is now based at the centre, which includes two 50m pools and a competition pool for lane swimming. Details: http://lei.sr?a=t7K2n


8 LAfitness plans to streamline operations


LAfitness has announced it wants to sell 33 of its 80 clubs as part of restructuring to help secure its long-term future. This wi ll enable the


business to focus on a smaller portfolio and significantly reduce its debt burden, with more attention being paid to its remaining 47 facilities. The company has also


proposed landlord Company Voluntary Arrangements (CVAs). If these are approved, revisions on lease terms will be made at a number of its clubs to pave the way for the implementation of an agreed restructuring package. If the process goes ahead, the business will


The business will aim to sell 33 clubs as part of restructuring plans


enlisted to supervise each of the CVAs. “It’s a structural issue that’s hampering us


reduce its debt burden by around £250m, while helping to put into place new term loan facilities. It’s proposed that Deloitte will be


and through this process we will create a leaner, more operationally efficient business, with a sustainable future,” says Martin Long, CEO of LAfitness. Details: http://lei.sr?a=y6R8h


David Lloyd Leisure in search for new club locations


DLL is seeking to identify suitable locations in the UK for the expansion of its portfolio of health clubs and high street studios. With 81 clubs in the UK and 10 across Europe,


the company – recently acquired by private equity firm TDR Capital LLP – has identified


Read Health Club Management online at healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital


a pipeline of more than 20 potential sites in the UK, as well as several M&A opportunities. It also aims to expand its non-membership high street health and fitness concept, David Lloyd Studio, with up to 20 new studios a year. Details: http://lei.sr?a=q8p8n


April 2014 © Cybertrek 2014


and we believe it’s an ideal tenant to provide M&G’s investors with reliable returns.” The move has been described as a “quasi-


ground lease arrangement” where the initial rent is set lower than market value, to minimise risk of the rent becoming unaffordable for the tenant. Details: http://lei.sr?a=Q4a9r


PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM


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