GLOBAL MEDIA PARTNER ISSUE 5 2021 HCMmag.com @HCMmag UNITING THE WORLD OF FITNESS Ben Pete Prickett Alderton Launches Talks about Solo60 new UK gym p34 micro-gyms, p20 brand, Andy Martyn McGlynn Allison Reveals the p78 GSquared concept, p14 ON THE COVER Hal Hargrave Jnr Leading and inspiring in the world of spinal injury rehabilitation, p58 RE-ENGAGE MEMBERS WITH LIVE CLASSES 96% of consumers who tried a workout from a club during lockdown said they would use that facility post-pandemic*. Reconnect your members with your club and celebrate the return to live classes with live and digital launch events both inside and outside your club. Plus, learn how you can use your digital solutions to support your live group exercise experience to get back up and running with the power of events. *Alliance Leisure 2020 THE WORLD’S MOST POPULAR BARBELL WORKOUT. THE WORLD’S FAVOURITE MARTIAL ARTS-INSPIRED WORKOUT. THE WORLD’S MOST POPULAR NEW GENERATION YOGA. THE BEST HIIT WORKOUT ON THE PLANET. ++ THE MOST CUTTING EDGE BIKE WORKOUTS. THE ULTIMATE SCIENTIFIC CORE WORKOUT. +15 MORE WORLD CLASS WORKOUTS THE ULTIMATE GROUP FITNESS SOLUTION LESMILLS.COM/UK/ULTIMATE FASTEST WAY BACK TO FULL MEMBERSHIP LESMILLS.COM/UK/ULTIMATE EDITOR’S LETTER Build back fairer The industry can be the catalyst for recovery from the pandemic, as well as addressing many of the underlying issues which enabled COVID-19 to wreak such havoc s the industry steps up to the task of rebuilding and adapting to post-lockdown realities, many are asking how we can learn, re-set and A work towards a better future than the one we were originally destined for – in the days before anyone had even heard of COVID-19. Significant parts of the sector are off and flying, with consumers flocking back to gyms, studios and health clubs and new investment coming into the market, which is fantastic news, however, the pandemic has exacerbated levels of social inequality and so it’s clear these benefits are not being universally enjoyed. Too many people are still barred from staying active and new research by healthcare charity and health club operator, Nuffield Health – The Nuffield PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK/HALFPOINT Health Healthier Nation Index – found people in lower- We have the opportunity to ‘build back fairer’ income groups face higher barriers to exercise. Although cost was a factor, they were also more likely to say they were embarrassed, didn’t know New research by Nuffi eld where to start when it came to getting active, Health found people in lower struggled with motivation, or didn’t have time. People in the lowest income groups also scored at income groups face higher the bottom of the scale when reporting the status of barriers to exercise their health, with 20 per cent on the bottom score compared with 11.5 per cent in higher-income groups. Enabling opportunity for the less well off has The flipside, however, was that use by people in the traditionally fallen to the public sector rather than the bottom two socio-economic groups fell from 62 per cent private, but this clear-cut divide is increasingly blurry and in 2014 to only 39 per cent in 2019. Effectively, austerity today it’s just as likely that public sector offerings will be and changing models of provision have shut down beyond the pocket of people in less well off social groups, options for many of those who need them most and while low-cost commercial offerings or those provided by made them more vulnerable to COVID-19 as a result. voluntary organisations may actually be more accessible. So as we rebuild, there’s an opportunity for everyone In this issue we’ve invited thought leader Martyn working in the sector to find ways to welcome people Allison (page 78), to share his views on how the public from across our communities into our facilities – in a and trusts sectors can respond to the call for better way that works for them – so the new world we build and fairer access to both facilities and opportunities. as we recover from the pandemic is more equal and we He highlights the fact that in 2019, ‘cost-recovery’ not only build back better, we ‘build back fairer’ as well. for the UK’s leisure centres stood at 107 per cent – up from 91 per cent in 2014 – meaning 62 per cent of Liz Terry, editor facilities had moved to a position of making a ‘surplus’. [email protected] +44 (0)1462 431385 WWW.HCMmag.COM [email protected] WWW.LEISURESUBS.COM ©Cybertrek 2021 Issue 5 2021 5 There’s only one studio like yours. There’s only one software like ours. Everything you need to run— and grow—your business. To book a demo or learn more, visit uk.mindbodyonline.com HCMmag.com CONTENTS Uniting the world of fitness ISSUE 5 2021 No 290 PHOTO: GSQUARED PHOTO: PHOTO: BRICKS GROUP BRICKS PHOTO: 34 Pete Prickett is launching a new gym brand PHOTO: WW (WEIGHT WATCHERS REMINAGINED) (WEIGHT WATCHERS WW PHOTO: 14 Andy McGlynn on creating the 44 6KRXOGJ\PVRʞHUZHLJKWORVVSURJUDPPHV" ʛUVW*6TXDUHGFOXE PHOTO: GSQUARED PHOTO: 05 Editor’s letter 26 HCM news 50 Grow stronger As we rebuild, we must tackle This issue, TRIB3 and Urban Gym Group Paul Bedford and Jamie Owens discuss social inequality, says Liz Terry do a deal, Alan Leach reveals outdoor opportunities and tactics available to gym concept and a breakthrough operators to regrow memberships 12 HCM letters in the exercise referral market Letters from the HCM mailbag. More news at www.HCMmag.com 58 Profile This month, Neil Randall, Matthew Mike Alpert & Hal Hargrave Padian and Gareth Presch 34 Interview A spinal cord injury rehabilitation Pete Prickett programme has grown to 14 HCM people The CEO of the Bricks Group talks about support thousands and inspired Andy McGlynn growing a portfolio of wellness offerings the creation of groundbreaking The industry veteran talks about and launching a new gym chain in the UK charities, as Kath Hudson reports battling through the pandemic to launch his new brand, GSquared 44 Talking point 64 Strong Connections Weight loss We’re used to digitised cardio 20 Ben Alderton The industry is conflicted when it comes equipment, but now strength is The entrepreneur is rolling out to offering weight loss programmes and catching up, with the launch of new the Solo60 micro gym concept interventions. HCM examines the issues connected lines, as HCM reports 8 Issue 5 2021 ©Cybertrek 2021 58 Hal Hargrave and Mike Alpert share learnings about spinal injury rehabilitation PHOTO: THE PERFECT STEP PHOTO: PHOTO: THE PERFECT STEP PHOTO: PHOTO: TECHNOGYM PHOTO: PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK/MONKEY BUSINESS IMAGES BUSINESS SHUTTERSTOCK/MONKEY PHOTO: 64 Examining connected strength 50 Veg box deliveries, a useful upsell for members 72 Living longer better SUPPLIER SHOWCASES Our panel of experts – Sir Muir Gray, Tara Dillon, Stuart Armstrong 92 Precor and Elaine Briggs – discuss ways to Aneurin Leisure has refitted its upskill the workforce in response to gyms with new Precor kit the challenges of the pandemic 94 Hussle SHUTTERSTOCK/HALFPOINT PHOTO: 78 Aiming for equality Hussle has been working with Active Martyn Allison says the sector is Leeds to grow memberships comfortable when data confirms how good things are, but less comfortable 96 Safe Space when it exposes our weaknesses TRIB3 Edinburgh installed Safe Space lockers. We find out more 86 Floor it HCM rounds up the latest flooring 98 HCM directory news from across the sector, with contributions from TVS, Pavigym, 100 Research Paviflex and Physical Company A sense of purpose 100 Exercise creates purpose ©Cybertrek 2021 Issue 5 2021 9 www.HCMmag.com MEET THE TEAM GLOBAL MEDIA PARTNER ISSUE 5 2021 HCMmag.com @HCMmag UNITING THE WORLD OF FITNESS Pete Ben Prickett Alderton Launches new UK gym p34 Talks about Solo60 brand, micro-gyms, p20 Andy Martyn Allison McGlynn p78 Reveals the GSquared Editor Publisher concept, p14 Liz Terry Jan Williams ON THE COVER Hal Hargrave Jnr Leading and inspiring in the world of +44 (0)1462 431385 +44 (0)1462 471909 spinal injury interventions, p58 Choose how Other resources you read from Managing editor Head of news Print Fit Tech magazine Steph Eaves Tom Walker HCM magazine is ZZZʛWWHFKJOREDOFRP +44 (0)1462 471934 +44 (0)1462 431385 available in print at +&0+DQGERRN ZZZOHLVXUHVXEVFRP ZZZ+&0KDQGERRNFRP ZZZ+&0KDQGERRNFRPSGI Digital HCM Online Read free online and enjoy ZZZ+&0PDJFRPDUFKLYH extra links and searchability HCM Ezine & Instant Alerts ZZZ+&0PDJFRPGLJLWDO ZZZOHLVXUHPHGLDFRPVXEVFULEH /HLVXUH2SSRUWXQLWHV Editor at large Assistant editor PDF ZZZOHLVXUHRSSRUWXQLWLHVFRXN Magali Robathan Megan Whitby A PDF edition is available ZZZOHLVXUHRSSVFRPDUFKLYH +44 (0)1462 431385 +44 (0)1462 471906 WRUHDGRʢLQHDW Buyer Search Engine ZZZ+&0PDJFRPSGI ZZZʛWQHVVNLWQHW Email us: [email protected] Customer service GLOBAL MEDIA PUBLIC AFFAIRS MEDIA PARTNER PARTNER MEDIA PARTNER +44 (0)1462 471901 ©Cybertrek Ltd 2021 ISSN 1361-3510 (print) / 2397-2351 (online) Advertising +44 (0)1462 431385 COPYRIGHT NOTICE Subscriptions HCM (Health Club Management) is published 12 times a year by Leisure Media, PO Box 424, Hitchin, SG5 9GF, UK. The views expressed in this publication are those +44 (0)1462 471910 of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of the publisher. All rights Circulation reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recorded +44 (0)1462 471932 or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright holder, Cybertrek Ltd. Finance Printed by The Manson Group Ltd. Distributed by Royal Mail Group Ltd +44 (0)1462 471930 and Whistl Ltd in the UK and Total Mail Ltd globally.