HEALTH & FITNESS


Matrix triumphs in battle for £25m Gym Group contract


Matrix Fitness has beaten off fierce com- petition from rivals to retain its supplier agreement with Te Gym Group in a new deal worth £25m over the next three years. Having provided fitness kit to Te Gym


Group since 2008, Matrix was one of five leading suppliers to receive a request-for- proposal (RFP) as the growing gym chain sought to evaluate its equipment contract. Life Fitness, Technogym, Precor, Cybex


were also invited to tender for the supply of over 200 pieces of new equipment to the 51 existing gyms, the four new openings due before the end of 2014 and the pipeline of new openings, as well as refurbishments. Details: http://lei.sr?a=Z7R5D


Les Mills: No workout, no meeting


Les Mills UK is calling on people in the health and fit- ness industry to put their pulse where their mouth is and commit to taking part in a workout if they’re having a meeting at the company’s London headquarters. CEO Keith Burnet believes


that it’s time for the industry to lead by example as it bids to turn the tide on inactivity. As such, all guests attend- ing the Aldgate office for a meeting with members of the team will be asked to partici- pate in a Les Mills class before or aſter the meeting. “It still stuns me that so


CEO Keith Burnet wants Les Mills UK guests to work up a sweat


many people who work in the health and fit- ness don’t exercise or have a go at the classes and programmes their members enjoy day in, day out,” said Burnet. “So in a bid to inspire and motivate people to experience the power of group exercise, anyone who has a meeting here in our offices in Aldgate, London will be asked participate in a Les Mills class. “We have a range of classes for beginners to hardened fitness fans so there’s something for


KSL already owns the Belfry golf complex


KSL Capital Partners buys Village Urban Resorts


US private equity firm KSL Capital Partners has acquired the UK-based Village Urban Resorts from De Vere Group for a figure reported to be around £480m. Te 25-strong Village Urban chain fea-


tures a mid-market Velocity Health and Fitness Club in each of its locations. Velocity clubs feature extensive fitness facilities, a pool, spa, MyZone heart rate tracking tech- nology and free group exercise classes. KSL has committed to growing the


Village Urban business by both reinvigo- rating the existing portfolio and expanding into new markets. Tree new locations are scheduled to open shortly in Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh, with each set to feature a Velocity health club. Gary Davis, former CEO of Malmaison


and Hotel du Vin – which KSL also owns along with the Belfry golf complex – will head up Village Urban as part of the new deal. Leisure Opportunities understands that Village Urban Resorts employees have been asked to refrain from com- menting on the deal at this early stage. Details: http://lei.sr?a=v3N3C


4 David Lloyd turns to tech for gym upgrades


David Lloyd Leisure (DLL) has launched a gym transformation programme, which will see innovative design, technology and ‘best-in-class’ equipment installed at a number of clubs in its 91-strong network. Te TDR Capital-owned gym chain has


incorporated the concept at its flagship Chigwell club, which recently received a £3.4m facilities upgrade. Te revamped gym is piloting tablets and iMacs for members to access tailor-made exercise programmes, helping them keep on track with their fitness goals either in club, at home or on the go. Other features include touch-screens demonstrating instructional exercise videos to boost workout efficiency. Chigwell gym also boasts a remodelled lay-


out, designed to activate members’ senses and featuring designated exercise zones cover- ing functional training; sports performance; strength; cardio; stretch and a community zone. The range of equipment in the gym is


devised based on scientific evaluation of mem- ber demand for certain products and actual usage of equipment during peak and non-peak periods. Life Fitness is the lead supplier for the gym as part of its four-year supply contract


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everyone; and coupled with a fantastic studio in our office, there’s really no excuse.” For people who really can’t commit on the


day, there will be a 48 hour ‘gentleman’s agree- ment’ to participate in a Les Mills class. And anyone who can’t do this will be encouraged to make a £10 donation to the Les Mills Fund for Children, a charitable trust set up ear- lier this year to support children’s charities. Details: http://lei.sr?a=9t9A8


Te flagship Chigwell club had a £3.4m facilities upgrade


with DLL worth £12m. The new suite of machines also includes kit from Precor, Octane, eSpinner Max Rack, Power Plate, SYNRGY360, Star Trac, Trixter and WaterRower. Te ongoing gym innovation project so far


encompasses 13 gym sites – at an investment of £6m – and will continue across the group’s portfolio of 81 UK clubs and 10 in Europe. In addition, DLL is ploughing £50 million into its estate to upgrade clubs and general facilities.”. Details: http://lei.sr?a=A4g4y


Twitter: @leisureopps © CYBERTREK 2014


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