DR JOHN MORGAN

UK news update
Algar: Big gyms under threat
M3 INDOOR
CYCLE
M5
ELLIPTICAL
AIR
RESISTANCE
RANGE
Specialist microgyms like Athlete Lab in London are challenging the full service model
Traditional health clubs offering a broad
selection of activities at a mid-range price
are at serious risk of having their business
‘salami-sliced’ away by specialised competitors.
That was the view of respected industry
analyst Ray Algar during his recent address at
the IHRSA Europe Congress in Amsterdam.
He said activity providers must decide
whether they wish to pursue the path of lowcost
self-service gyms, which have been a big
success story in recent years, or go-down
the path of offering a high-quality support
structure for their clients – as found in the
new wave of microgyms – if they are to
survive and thrive in a changing marketplace.
The traditional mid-market gyms that are
charging an average of £42 a month in the UK
may find that small chunks of their members
will be lost to low-cost competitors and
microgyms specialising in the activities they
most prefer – such as yoga, functional training
or group cycling – until the business is no
longer viable, Algar added, noting 120 private
gyms are closing in the UK every year.
Whichever path traditional gyms choose, he
concluded, they must be clear in their approach
and embrace innovation if they are to succeed.
Details: http://lei.sra=v9k6X
PHE launches inactivity framework
Public Health England (PHE)
has published Everybody Active,
Every Day, a framework for
nationwide action to combat
rising physical inactivity.
PHE’s latest statistics place
inactivity responsible for one
in six premature deaths in
England, costing the country
an estimated £7.4bn a year.
The framework has been
co-produced with more
than 1,000 physical activity
leaders, and PHE is calling
for action from providers
and commissioners in a
range of sectors to help achieve its goals. The
framework’s four areas for action aim to:
Change the social ‘norm’ to make physical
activity the expectation
Develop expertise and leadership within
November/December 2014 © Cybertrek 2014
PHE’s framework aims to make activity the social norm
professionals and volunteers
Create environments for active lives
Identify and upscale successful programmes
across the country
Details: http://lei.sra=a6F8j
“Keiser’s M3 Bikes use
magnetic resistance to give a
more consistent experience for
users and less maintenance for
staff. The price is also
competitive. The service Keiser
UK provided was exceptional
and enabled us to meet a very
tight deadline. We would
Andrew Miller
Sport Operations Manager
Keiser UK Ltd
0845 612 1102
@KeiserUK
www.keiseruk.com