News and jobs updated daily on
www.healthclubmanagement.co.uk Edited by Jak Phillips Email:
jakphillips@leisuremedia.com
Tech is ‘democratising’ fitness
HIIT looks set to remain hot, says Phillip Mills
Les Mills chief executive Phillip Mills Humphrey Cobbold (right) succeeded Peter Roberts (left) as Pure Gym CEO in January
The rapid advance of technology is democratising fitness, giving consumers more choice than ever before and leaving businesses facing difficult dilemmas, according to new Pure Gym CEO Humphrey Cobbold. Speaking at the European Health & Fitness Forum (EHFF) during FIBO week, Cobbold said technology is empowering consumers, providing choices where decisions were previously made for them, and he acknowledged that it’s a struggle to adapt. Citing air travel as an example, Cobbold said passengers are now able to choose their airline, flight, class, boarding options and seat
at the touch of a button. He noted the same technological advances are “democratising fitness” and said that gym operators – many of whom “have a fixed cost and asset base from which they have to generate a material profit” – face painful changes as they adapt their business models to embrace new developments. Cobbold, who previously helmed online cycling retailer Wiggle, said we’re just reaching the “end of the beginning” in terms of changes driven by technology, and predicted that focusing on what young gym users want will be key to long-term success. Details:
http://lei.sr?a=x4N5U
Fitness First targets LA’s London clubs
Fitness First remains firmly in the running for the £80m race to capture LA fitness, amid hopes that a successful deal would help it corner the lucrative London market. Fitness First global CEO
Andrew Cosslett has previously said the chain wants to be the Audi A4 of health clubs, offering a premium proposition in high density urban centres. LA fitness boast an enviable
property footprint in London with 22 sites, including two ‘premiumised’ LAX clubs which have reportedly enjoyed initial success. A well- placed industry source told Health Club Management that the lure of LA’s London presence would see Fitness First pursue the
May 2015 © Cybertrek 2015 Andrew Cosslett wants to have a strong London presence
deal up to its conclusion, despite the need for additional investment in a number of LA sites. Also in contention to buy LA fitness are Pure Gym, Sports Direct and investor Terra Firma. Details:
http://lei.sr?a=Q8v4U
NorthEdge’s Ray Stenton led the buyout
Privaty equity firm NorthEdge Capital has backed a buyout of Total Fitness Health Clubs Limited – led by the gym chain’s management team – to the tune of £11.5m. The overall deal value is undisclosed,
but it sees new majority stakeholder NorthEdge and Total Fitness management acquire the business from previous owners Barclays Bank, Co-op bank and RooGreen Ventures. RooGreen has also reinvested in the 17-club chain as part of the buyout, with RooGreen partner Warwick Ley remaining on the Total Fitness Board. Details:
http://lei.sr?a=T7x3T
Read Health Club Management online at
healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital 11
The fitness industry’s love of high intensity interval training (HIIT) is unlikely to abate any time soon, according to industry pioneer Phillips Mills, who says its ethos makes it the ideal fit for modern lifestyles. Consumer demand for HIIT has been huge in recent years and the Les Mills CEO believes the training will enjoy further longevity. “HIIT is going absolutely insane for us and it’s all people seem to want at the moment,” he said. “If you want a great physique – you want to do HIIT.” Details:
http://lei.sr?a=c3g6e
NorthEdge Capital backs Total Fitness takeover
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92