News and jobs updated daily on
www.healthclubmanagement.co.uk Edited by Jak Phillips Email:
jakphillips@leisuremedia.com
Athlete Lab launches in London
M3 INDOOR CYCLE M5 ELLIPTICAL AIR RESISTANCE RANGE
Athlete Lab started in Singapore, before expanding to Sydney and now London (above)
British Cycling technical director Shane Sutton is one of the backers behind Athlete Lab – the latest cycle-focused fitness club to hit London in what’s fast becoming a competitive sector. Following hot on the heels of former Fitness First CEO Colin Waggett’s Psycle, the £1.5m Athlete Lab – with interior design by Zynk – aims to distinguish itself by offering an authentic road-biking experience in the heart of the City. The acquisition of Sutton – who also oversees the coaching strategies – was a major coup for Athlete Lab founders Michael Flynn and Neil Franks, who launched the London site at the beginning of April.
London is the third Athlete Lab to open and
the company believes the 418sq m (4,500sq ft) site’s 30-custom-made road bikes will give it the edge in an age when triathlons and Ironman competitions are growing in popularity – most fitness facilities only have studio bikes. Members are also free to bring their own bikes, which can be fitted to a workstation. “In terms of coaches and equipment, we’re
offering members the cream of the crop,” operations and marketing manager Ben Franks told Health Club Management. “We offer a personal experience with top technical advice.” Details:
http://lei.sr?a=W9Y8f
Virgin Active poised for £1bn IPO
Virgin Active is lining up a £1bn-plus float or sale, with the company close to appointing advisers on the process, according to press reports. The health club giant last month announced a 10 per cent increase in underlying profits – it was also named Europe’s leading health club chain in terms of revenue (see p13) – and is reportedly eager to cash in on this position. Virgin Active is believed to have hired City
IPO consultancy firm STJ Advisors to sound out interest from investment banks, according to the Times. It added that a primary listing would probably be sought in London, with a secondary listing in South Africa, where Virgin Active has more than 100 clubs. Virgin Active has also been rumoured to be
planning a stronger push into the Asian markets – a strategy also announced by rivals Fitness First (see p19) – following recent openings. Details:
http://lei.sr?a=A3M3q
June 2014 © Cybertrek 2014
The Virgin Active health club chain is part of Richard Branson’s Virgin Group
“The Keiser Power Rack was specifically selected to provide a range of training modalities for a diverse population of individuals living with forms of paralysis. Keiser’s equipment forms a core component of the neurokinex programme allowing our clients to maximise their physical ability, health and wellness.”
Harvey Sihota Director neurokinex
Keiser UK Ltd 0845 612 1102
@KeiserUK
www.keiseruk.com
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