HEALTH & FITNESS


Exercise helps combat prostate cancer: study


Regular exercise leads to better survival rates among men with prostate cancer, according to the findings of a new study. The research analysed data on 4,623


men in Sweden with early-stage prostate cancer between 1997 and 2002. Tey also completed lifestyle questionnaires outlin- ing details on their physical activity levels and general health right up to 2012. Te men who walked or cycled daily


for at least 20 minutes aſter their diagno- sis had a 39 per cent decreased risk of dying from prostate cancer and a 30 per cent decreased risk of dying from any cause in comparison to those who were less active. Details: http://lei.sr?a=y8Q8Y


Xercise4Less targets 100 gyms


Xercise4Less has secured £31m worth of finance as the low cost gym chain bids to turbo- charge its growth and reach 100 sites by the end of 2016. Te chain started in 2006


by former rugby player Jon Wright currently has 24 gyms and hopes to utilise the capi- tal for a rapid upscale. It has attracted a further £5m equity investment from the Business Growth Fund (BGF), in addi- tion to an increased debt facility of £20m with Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking and a further £6m in asset finance and leasing facilities. “We are less than half way


Xercise4Less founder and CEO Jon Wright is expanding his chain


through a five year plan, with ambitions to grow to over 100 gyms nationwide and cre- ate more than 4,000 jobs,” said Xercise4Less founder and chief executive Jon Wright. “Having investment backing of this kind


enables me to fully realise my vision for the business and drive it forward at the pace that it needs for us to further disrupt the leisure industry and continue to strengthen our place amongst the gym sectors’ big players.”


TRX master trainer in the UK Matt Gleed


Body weight training named top exercise trend for 2015


Body weight training looks set to be the hottest exercise trend for the health and fitness sector in 2015, according to the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends. Now in its ninth year, the annual survey


– completed by more than 3,400 health and fitness professionals – seeks to forecast key patterns in various fitness environments. Hailed for its minimal use of equipment


– making it widely affordable – body weight training came out on top for the first time, usurping 2014’s top trend: HIIT. Arguably one of the oldest forms of workout, body weight training – which includes push-ups, planks, lunges and squats – has enjoyed a renaissance in recent years, with brands such as TRX developing exercises and workouts using simple pieces of equipment. “It’s no surprise that body weight training


has continued to grow in popularity, as the industry and consumer have recognised the efficiency, portability and versatility of this form of training,” said TRX master trainer and UK education manager Matt Gleed. Details: http://lei.sr?a=F6K6x


4 Two-thirds ‘unaware’ of safe calorie levels


Almost two-thirds of people do not know how many calories the average person needs to maintain a healthy weight, according to the findings of new research. Diabetes UK, Te British Heart Foundation


and Tesco commissioned the YouGov survey of 2,025 people to gauge existing awareness, ahead of the trio’s new partnership that aims to help improve the health of the nation. Te research found that just 35 per cent


of respondents knew the average man needs to consume 2,500 calories a day to maintain a healthy weight, while only slightly more, (37 per cent) could pinpoint 2,000 calories as being the equivalent for women. Awareness was found to be even lower


among older people, with just a quarter of those aged 55 and over knowing the recom- mended daily calorie intake for each sex. With an estimated 62 per cent of UK adults


overweight and the nation facing a physical inactivity epidemic, the new findings high- light a worrying lack of dietary awareness. Te YouGov survey also flagged widespread underestimates in the amount of calories contained in popular foods, while half of respondents are failing to achieve minimum


Read Leisure Opportunities online: www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/digital Te Yorkshire-based gym chain has seen


turnover almost double in the last year to reach £13m. Tis prompted the group to be included on the Sunday Times Virgin Fast Track 100, where it was named the 21st fast- est growing private company in Britain. Leisure Opportunities understands the chain


aims to open around 30 gyms in 2015, including a first foray inside the M25 through a num- ber of new clubs. Details: http://lei.sr?a=T5v9p


Te findings highlight a worrying lack of awareness


recommended levels of physical activity. “Tese figures are deeply concerning and


highlight our confusion about calories,” said British Heart Foundation CEO Simon Gillespie. “Eating too much of any food increases the chances of becoming obese, a risk factor for coronary heart disease, which is the UK’s single biggest killer. We all must pay more notice to what and how much we are eat- ing and drinking to maintain a healthy weight.” Details: http://lei.sr?a=b8N2G


Twitter: @leisureopps © CYBERTREK 2015


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