FEBRUARY 2014 LETTERS C WRITE TO REPLY
Do you have a strong opinion or disagree with somebody else’s views on the industry? If so, we’d love to hear from you – email:
healthclub@leisuremedia.com
Removing activity from QOF is a backward step
Regarding the recent decision to remove physical activity from the QOF (see HCM Jan 14, p5), I think this is a real shame and a missed opportunity by GPs and the current government. Prevention is an important part of GP services, as the success of smoking cessation services has shown. Now there’s no incentive for GPs to question patients about exercise levels, and less focus on prevention of disease. Removing physical activity from
the QOF takes us backwards and away from preventative care, which will only increase the amount of medication that needs to be handed out to patients in the future and therefore increase costs for the NHS overall. As I currently work within
Some clubs have removed equipment customers valued and lost members
Functional training: A ‘push’ trend that needs a harder push
I was interested to read the recent article on investing in functional training (HCM NovDec 13, p49) as I believe functional training is a ‘push’ trend that isn’t being ‘pushed’ hard enough. The truth about operators’ return on investment in functional areas, based on our research, is that it’s not just very low but, in some instances, actually negative. Some of our clients’ gyms lost members because they removed equipment that customers valued and replaced it with functional kit that they hadn’t been taught to value. GYMetrix measures functional
equipment using sensors, and also records the number of people in these areas. In the overwhelming majority of gyms we’ve studied, the equipment – and functional areas as a whole – remain under-utilised. We believe operators have
underestimated the amount of education 8
required, not only in terms of how to use the equipment but also how to persuade customers that it’s worth switching to functional training from their present training habits. Beware if you think changing customers’ habits is easy! Functional also requires a lot of
education on how to use it properly; while this may work for members who can afford PTs, it doesn’t work as well for normal members. Perhaps group training is the solution here? So beware, functional training
is a ‘push’ trend, and unless you systematically get instructors to push its benefits and educate customers, the return on investment will likely be low, and possibly negative.
Rory McGown MD and founder, GYMetrix
Read Health Club Management online at
healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital
If GPs don’t prescribe exercise, more medication will be needed
February 2014 © Cybertrek 2014
the field of physical activity on referral within Tower Hamlets, I’m aware of the growing number of sedentary individuals who are referred with diabetes and other health issues. Many have no experience of exercise and would not have considered it without encouragement from the doctor and our services. The impact exercise has on them, and the difference it makes to their lives, can be outstanding and life-changing.
Suzanne Mee Jump Start co-ordinator, GLL/Better
FEBRUARY 2014
August 2013
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