Building a legacy: Clubs should encourage a team atmosphere among their members and help them set goals


Sophia Warner Paralympian, and Technogym and Virgin Active ambassador


“I


think the Paralympics showed there is a need for sporting


opportunities for everyone, and I don’t think this is yet being addressed by the health and fitness industry. You still don’t see many under-20s, elderly people or disabled people at gyms, and I think the industry needs to remove the barriers and welcome them in.


As a disabled person, being stared at in the gym is


intimidating – it’s helpful to have a private environment in the gym for those who are less confident. The equipment also needs to be easily accessible for wheelchair users, and instructors need to be trained to give suitable programmes and to be able to adapt to people with varying abilities. For example, elderly people are often put in the pool for aqua aerobics, but they should actually be doing some gentle strength work in the gym too, to keep the muscles working. I also think there need to be more communities built within


the gym – for example, doing group inductions so beginners can meet and then have the opportunity to train together. Finally, running activities for children would free up busy mums to work out, while also getting their kids active.


” November/December 2012 © cybertrek 2012


Mark Sesnan GLL • Managing director


“O


ne of GLL’s biggest challenges with taking over two of the


venues at the Olympic Park, on behalf of the LLDC, is to ensure we balance community use with elite use. So while we are preparing athletes for Rio, we must also give locals access and make sure there is a talent pathway. At the Aquatics Centre, we’re working


with British Swimming to ensure the pools give opportunities to get into different aquatic sports, such as synchronised swimming and diving. With two 50m pools and one 25m pool, all with moveable floors, we can be flexible about offering fun, fitness and learn-to-swim sessions. GLL is the UK’s largest pool operator, and we know if kids can’t swim they won’t be our customers, so there will be also be an emphasis on teaching. Meanwhile the Copper Box is a versatile space. At the


weekend it will be an arena, hosting events with up to 6,000 spectators, and during the week it will be divided into sports halls for local sport. Many different sports will be offered, as well as disability sports. The anchor tenant is going to be the London Lions Basketball Club; hopefully they will be at the top of their game and encourage more young people to start playing.


” Read Health Club Management online at healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital 29


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