HEALTH & FITNESS


Active children are ‘more confident and popular’


As well as being happier and fitter, children who are more physically active enjoy a range of social benefits including increased confi- dence and peer acceptance, according to a new evidence review published this month. Te Public Health England (PHE)-backed


review by British Heart Foundation (BHF) researchers from the University of Oxford and Loughborough University identifies the direct benefits that physical activity has on children in terms of their physi- cal, social and emotional development. It points to strong evidence that physical activity and sport has a positive impact on children’s social skills and self-esteem. Details: http://lei.sr?a=J2U5r_O


Les Mills launches On Demand Global fitness giant Les


Mills has kicked off its new On Demand streaming ser- vice, enabling fitness fans to workout whenever they like by accessing classes via a com- puter, tablet, or smartphone. The Spotify-like service,


which was first revealed by Leisure Opportunities in March, will initially be available to consumers in the US, UK, Finland and Sweden. A subscription for the service – which cur- rently carries seven Les Mills classes in 30-minute formats – costs £9.95 per month. Les Mills On Demand will aim to help


Les Mills classes have a major following around the world


health clubs enhance their member offering by extending exercise classes beyond the gym. Based on research that found 82 per cent of gym goers also exercise frequently at home, Les Mills believes the service will help clubs to be able to boost member engagement. “Around the world there are millions of


people using Les Mills to fuel their fitness, whether it’s a dance class such as SH’BAM or our indoor cycle class RPM; gym users come


Te Gym Group CEO John Treharne won election


ukactive casts net wide for new Membership Council


ukactive has revealed the results of the recent election for its revamped Membership Council, reflecting a highly diverse mix of senior figures stretching right across the physical activity sector. The Gym Group CEO John Treharne


and 1Life managing director Neil King are among the standout names that will sit on the slimmed down panel of nine represen- tatives, which also features a few names readers may not be so familiar with. The formation of a new Membership


Council is part of the reforms borne out of a 12-month consultation with ukactive members and partners designed to ensure a fit for purpose governance structure in line with best practice recommended by key agencies such as Sport England. Te Membership Council, to be chaired


by David Stalker, will be the formal voice of the membership base in ukactive gover- nance, reporting to the board and taking on topical sector challenges. View the full list of new members on the Leisure Opportunities website by following the link below. Details: http://lei.sr?a=U4Q4B_O


4 Virgin boosts earnings ahead of takeover


Virgin Active has announced an impressive set of financial figures as it gears up for expansion amid its impending acquisition by South African investment firm Brait. Brait agreed to buy an 80 per


cent stake in the business for £682m in April and the transaction is expected to be completed this summer, subject to approval by the South African and Namibian competition authorities. Having opened 11 new clubs in 2014, Virgin Active aims to make further strides in 2015 buoyed by its new investor, with a particular focus on growth in Asia and Africa. In a trading statement released last month


back time and time again,” said Les Mills CEO Phillip Mills. “We recognise sometimes people want to ‘have a go’ in the comfort of their own home before trying out a live class and we’ve had a great deal of interest across the globe to take our classes online and this is just one way we hope we are helping to create a fitter planet.” The On Demand service will be aimed


at all demographics and there are plans to roll out Born To Move classes for kids. Details: http://lei.sr?a=J8c9k_O


Te gym chain was founded by Sir Richard Branson in 1999 “2014 saw a continuation of the growth that


for the year to 31 December 2014, underlying earnings across the group grew 13 per cent to £124m, with growth across all territories. In Europe, where Virgin Active has


146 clubs, including 101 in the UK, underlying earnings grew by 17 per cent. Revenues held firm against 2013’s figures


despite the sale of 12 UK clubs, the bulk of which were sold to Nuffield Health.


Read Leisure Opportunities online: www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/digital


we have enjoyed since we opened our first club in 1999. All established territories contributed to this profit growth in a period where we have continued to invest in both clubs and prod- uct innovation,” said Virgin Active CEO Paul Woolf.“As consumers seek out ways to improve and maintain their health and wellness lev- els, I’m confident 2015 will be another year of growth.” Details: http://lei.sr?a=r3g3Y_O


Twitter: @leisureopps © CYBERTREK 2015


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