Ben Steadman has over 25 years of experience working in the fitness industry, driving innovation, directing brand strategy and driving sales. In 2020 Ben joined forces with colleague Phill Griffin to establish Inspace Fitness, a leading fitness equipment and service […]
Could you tell us a bit about your background and how the brand came about? The brand name – A Body Forever (ABF) – it is something I’ve used ever since completing my qualifications in 2015. The concept is based on my ethos and how […]
Key findings from the Welltodo 2021 Wellness Innovation Blueprint What are the fastest growing industries in the world of wellness? What are the most innovative brands to watch in the coming year? The new Innovation Blueprint from Welltodo looks at […]
Gyms have had a rough year. But as restrictions start to lift, many industry reports are showing some encouraging data about members returning. Is this trend true across all gyms? Does location matter? We spoke to Rob Beale, Fitness Director […]
Mental health has been on the agenda for the fitness sector for a while now, but COVID has pushed that into the spotlight. Lengthy national lockdowns took a toll on many people’s mental health and rates of anxiety, depression and […]
When gyms were closed during multiple national lockdowns, many fitness instructors were furloughed or forced to switch to online classes until they could return to in-person teaching. After a long absence, indoor group fitness can finally resume as of May […]
As leisure facilities start to reopen, operators are welcoming back staff and members. Welcome though this is, it won’t be plain sailing for everyone as colleagues and members return to an altered landscape marred by the impact of Covid-19. We […]
Gyms are getting ready to reopen after being shut for many months. Socially distanced equipment, enhanced cleaning routines and reduced capacity are just some of things we can expect, but what about group exercise? Is there a way to bring […]
Gyms are preparing to reopen, and this has many operators rethinking the design of their facilities. Beyond enhanced cleaning routines, many operators will be making significant changes to the design of their gym to make sure members know their safety […]
Following a year of rapid change, much has been said about the future of fitness. While no one could have predicted the events of 2020, many agree that the pandemic simply accelerated trends that were already underway in the health […]
As every operator and fitness professional well knows, quickly switching all in-person fitness to digital in 2020 was an enormous challenge. While many successfully recorded workouts for on-demand sessions or navigated live classes through platforms like Zoom, the experience often […]
COVID has impacted everyone of every age, but it is undeniable that over 60s have been particularly hard hit. This age group makes up about a quarter of the UK population and they are at a much greater risk of […]
Amanda Hart is Director of Customer Success at Keepme, a software solution for the fitness industry, which uses everyday data alongside machine learning models to afford operators increased transparency throughout the entire member journey. We spoke to Amanda, formerly Director […]
Charles Darwin held the belief that organisms which adjusted best to their environment were most successful in thriving. He called this theory ‘survival of the fittest’. As we emerge from lockdown, the leisure industry finds itself in a new environment. […]
Jaime Cooke is the Founder and mastermind behind SPN, a new brand bringing big city fitness and wellness to the suburbs to empower and educate local communities and help them lead connected, happier, healthier lives. Prior to SPN, Jaime was […]
Creating safe and hygienic spaces for people to exercise is the key to not only to controlling the spread of germs, but also to instilling confidence in consumers. Your facility could be completely sanitary, but if members don’t see this, […]
Paul Ferris is the Chief Executive of Speedflex, the most inclusive workout concept on the market. In 2011 Paul set up the business with Sage Software founder Sir Graham Wylie and former Newcastle United and England Captain Alan Shearer. They have […]
With gyms across the world forced to temporarily close their doors, many operators have quickly reinvented themselves in order to stay relevant with their members. In many ways, COVID-19 has accelerated trends that were already happening in the industry, like […]
Being badass is even more critical now that we must collectively recover from the backhand delivered by COVID:19 and the restrictions that will ensue. The boutique sector, already challenged, can expect consolidation and reshuffling as businesses close to the line […]
Sarah Emblow is the Manchester franchisee at Barrecore, London’s premium boutique barre fitness studio. The instructor-turned-franchisee is a prime example of believing so wholly in a brand and its ethos that you invest yourself and your career into growing the […]
Groupness is the measure of the impact other people have on your workout. Not to be confused with Group Exercise, which is an activity, groupness is a positive perception that can promote exercise adherence, maximise exertion and, importantly, keep members […]
Isaac Buchanan is the CEO of Snap Fitness UK and Ireland, one of the fastest growing franchises in the world. Isaac started with Snap Fitness in 2013 as a franchisee of a club in regional Australia, previously working in retail […]
Phil Horton, is the Country Director UK at miha bodytec, the market leader for EMS training equipment and EMS studio concepts. Already huge in Germany and across Europe, the EMS market in the UK is growing rapidly, with studios and […]
Niki Rein is the founder of Barrecore, one of London’s most successful boutique fitness offerings. Niki opened her 10th London studio earlier this year and the brand continues to go from strength to strength. We caught up with Niki to […]
Everyone Active has got the new financial year off to a flying start by taking on 11 new sites over four weeks. The leisure operator started three new partnerships on Monday (1 April), resulting in an additional nine centres being […]
Jean-Ann Marnoch is the Instructor Experience Director at Les Mills, the world’s largest supplier of group exercise programming. The instructor-turned-quality assurance expert is a firm advocate for making Instructors feel valued, and she’s adamant that most gym owners today are […]
Rob Knox is product director for Matrix Fitness, part of the Johnson Health Tech Group and one of the world’s largest and fastest growing innovative fitness equipment manufacturers. Rob has been with the business for 21 years and involved from […]
John Halls is the Managing Director of Physical Company. Physical Company provides complete fitness solutions to the leisure industry supplying functional, results driven, innovative equipment for fitness, sports & rehabilitation. It produces high quality, fully commercial fitness equipment and also […]
Nick Mitchell is an author, writer, fitness expert and founder of the world’s leading personal training business Ultimate Performance. He is widely recognised as one of the world’s foremost personal trainers, body composition experts and for being a huge success […]
Ashley Verma is the founder of the boutique studio Define London. Ashley suffered an injury during her broadway dance career and following her recovery was a journey into developing a fitness program designed to be gender, age and fitness-level inclusive. With […]
Duncan Jefford is a luminary in leisure management and is currently Regional Director with Everyone Active, a leading operator managing 150 leisure facilities nationwide. Renowned for his ability to positively impact business profit, without compromising on quality or service, Duncan […]
Jake Saunders has worked within the leisure industry for 19 years starting out as a fitness consultant and has spent the last five years at leading leisure solutions supplier, The Pulse Group. Jake is currently Pulse’s National Account Manager for […]
As Strategic Projects Officer, Will Smithard oversees ukactive’s strategic projects function which delivers work across health, major brands and research. Prior to joining ukactive, Will spent the previous decade in the management consultancy industry and predominately at Deloitte, where he specialised […]
Ludovic Rossignol is the co-founder of The London, Amsterdam and New York Coffee Festivals – he’s also the mastermind behind Balance Festival and The Balance Urban Triathlon. His vision is to create a cutting-edge portfolio of urban fitness and wellness […]
Geoff Bamber is the CEO of Digme. Geoff studied at the University of Oxford and Stanford University in California before embarking on a career finance. An entrepreneur at heart, Geoff set up his own hedge fund firm in 2010, but […]
Ben Porter is the manager of F45 Wandsworth, just one of the sites that represents the world’s largest growing functional training network. Ben has a wealth of experience in the fitness industry, from creating a clothing brand to personal training, […]
Ben Steadman is the Business Development Director at EXF Fitness. Since his arrival in September 2017, Ben has built strong strategic partnerships which have set EXF Fitness for an exciting year ahead. EXF Fitness have launched a new website, streamlined […]
The founder and lead trainer of famous London gym Reach Fitness, Richard Tidmarsh is one of the leading names in the UK Fitness Industry. Rich has over 12 years of experience in the industry, delivering over 10,000 one to one […]
Jenny Patrickson is the Managing Director of Active IQ, a leading specialist awarding organisation for active leisure qualifications. Jenny has over 25 years of experience within the active leisure sector, leading the development of specialist health and fitness related awarding organisations […]
Emma Forward is the Chief Operating Officer for EMD UK and has over 20 years of experience in the fitness industry. Emma joined EMD UK in 2012 as Development Director and was promoted to COO in 2015. Emma is responsible for the overall […]
Matt Johnson is the Executive Director of Pulse Design and Build, the division of the Pulse Group responsible for designing, constructing, and fitting out state-of-the-art leisure centres as well as completing full refurbishments of existing facilities. Matt has more than […]
Adam Paker is the newly appointed CEO at Swimming Nature, the largest provider of premium swimming tuition in the UK. Adam is the former chief executive of the Commonwealth Games England and Swim England, formally known as the ASA. Using […]
Jenny von Eynern is the Senior Brand Manager at YOGI TEA® . Jenny is responsible for the core business brand portfolio, product innovation and market research. The mission of YOGI TEA® is to make teas that do more than just […]
Eleni Plakitsi is the founder of Esquared, a unique new on-demand fitness app that is helping gym owners make the most out of their under-utilised assets by connecting busy fitness enthusiasts with two-hour gym sessions and one-off classes in real […]
Michael Clark is the Business Development Director at Swimming Nature, the largest provider of premium swimming lessons in the UK. Michael has over 25 years of experience within the sector, which include senior positions at Living Well and Leisure Connection […]
Paul Woodford is Alliance’s Director of Marketing and Partnerships. With over 22 years experience, Paul is considered one of the leisure sectors top experts in brand development, sales, marketing and customer service. We met with Paul to find out where […]
Sarah Beattie is the Regional Netball Development Manager at Everyone Active. Within her role, she is seeing sport participation growing steadily, and bringing further opportunities for operators. We spoke to Sarah about: how sport can be an effective revenue stream […]
Michael Clark is the Business Development Director at Swimming Nature, the largest provider of premium swimming lessons in the UK. Michael has over 25 years of experience within the sector, which include senior positions at Living Well and Leisure Connection […]
Sophie Harriet is a Unity Allstars Competitive Cheerleader who has been training in gymnastics for the past 15 years. With the UK Cheerleading team beating 13 other nations to bag the Gold medal at the World Championships in April, and […]
Ben Steadman is the COO of Speedflex, the high intensity circuit training company set up by Sage Software founder Graham Wylie and former Newcastle United and England Captain Alan Shearer. Ben has been pivotal in driving forward three clear markets; […]
Paul Ferris is the Managing Director of Speedflex, a company that offers high intensity circuit training “with a difference”. In 2011 Paul set up the business with Sage Software founder Graham Wylie and former Newcastle United and England Captain Alan […]
Rob Beale is the leading consultant to multi-site fitness operators, having spent the last decade in senior roles with Holmes Place, Virgin Active, David Lloyd Leisure and Aspria Europe. We spoke with Rob to learn about how clubs should hire, train […]
Dr. Paul Bedford is the fitness industry’s leading authority on the management of retention, attrition and the customer experience, and author of the world’s largest retention study. You can find out more at The Retention Guru or by following @guru_paul […]
Kristoph Thompson is the director of S8 Training, specialising in tailored training solutions for the fitness industry. Kristoph is the Director of Sideways8, a training provider specialising in creating bespoke training solutions for the fitness industry. Kristoph has worked in […]
Brian Firth is the CEO of MIE Research and Managing Director of FitQuest, an accurate fitness measurement tool that measures a person’s physical capacity and supports operators’ goals by offering tailored exercise programming for gym goers. With over 30 years’ […]
Having launched over 60 separate health clubs, Neil Haughin of Impact Fitness is regarded as one of the UK’s leading experts in gym and health club pre-sales, with huge experience in everything from sales systems and offline media to SEO […]
Jeffrey Young is the Managing Director of Allegra Strategies, a strategic research consultancy, pioneering research in the health and wellness industry for over 15 years. He is also the CEO and Co-Founder of Balance Inc, the group who own Balance […]
Andy Lewis is one of a rare breed of sales and marketing specialist whose experience falls evenly across both disciplines. As the Export Sales Director for Maclaren’s Buggies, Andy took sales in the US from £100,000 to £6 million, before […]
With a background in IT systems, marketing and data analysis, Guy Griffiths from GGFit is regarded as one of the industry’s leading experts in maximising retention rates for health clubs through data mining/processes and targeted communications. We met with Guy […]
Sam Theyers is an experienced fitness director with two decades global industry experience. Most recently Head of Fitness at Anytime Fitness Australia, Sam has been instrumental in the development and rollout of new products and services which increase participation and […]
Rory McGown is the founder of the award winning GYMetrix who are credited with transforming the industry’s approach to kit selection and floor layout. By tracking the usage of each piece of kit, GYMetrix ensure that operators make decisions based […]
Adrian Worsley is a Regional Manager with more than a decade of experience. Currently with Bannatyne, he oversees their largest region with 13 sites and 40,000 members. Most recently he has spearheaded the development of a functional class series, created […]
Rachel Chatham is the Marketing Manager of Be:FIT London. As well as being the UK’s only health & fitness festival for women, Be:FIT also organise regular small events and supper clubs in partnership with many of London’s most popular gyms […]
Alina Cooper is regarded as one of the most entrepreneurial young minds in the UK fitness sector, and for good reason. Alongside her Director roles at Matuta Consulting, BaseFit and Six3Nine, Alina is also the Co-Founder and Managing Director of […]
Kayleigh O’Connor is the Director of Operations for inbound.co.uk, one of the agencies behind the Fitness Network. Alongside this role Kayleigh is also a professional actress, the founder of Good Grief, a keen crossfitter and fitness blogger. It was this […]
Robin Karn is the National Sales Manager for Harlands Group. Having started in the industry managing a number of private gyms and then as a regional sales manager for Holmes Place, there is little Robin hasn’t experienced when it comes […]
Rob Johnson is the managing director and founder of Future Fit Training, the ukactive Training Provider of the Year, 2016. He built the business out of a desire to deliver better qualified personal trainers and fitness instructors to the industry […]
Jochen Michaelis is the MD UK of eGym, provider of state of the art gym equipment, powered by software that adjusts resistance based on the user’s strength and objectives. Workout data is automatically synchronised with the eGym platform and is […]
Jenny Patrickson is the Managing Director of Active IQ, one of the UK’s leading awarding organisations for the leisure and wellbeing sector. With over 25 years of experience in the industry, a reputation for strategic business planning and a deep […]
Ed Yates is a Digital Strategist for Xercise4Less. With an extensive agency background, Ed has considerable experience in all aspects of digital marketing, from SEO and link building to content production and conversion rate optimisation. Since joining Xercise4Less Ed has […]
Owen Bowling is the founder and CEO of CrankIt Fitness, Australia’s leading functional training product and education company. With a background in both gymnastics, circus and elite level sports (both playing and coaching), Owen has a unique experience in human […]
Nicola Joyce is a leading copywriter in the fitness industry. She has worked with some of the industry’s most respected brands, such as Speedo, Berghaus, Bulk Powders, Escape Fitness and Holland & Barrett, as well as writing for large media […]
Michael Clark is the Business Development Director for Swimming Nature, the largest independent provider of personalised swimming tuition in the UK. Michael has over 20 years of experience within the sector, which include senior positions at Living Well and Leisure […]
A gold medalist in the 2012 Olympics, Zac Purchase MBE has founded ZacsFitness.com, a boutique group fitness facility in the small town of Marlow. Having only opened their studio in November, within weeks they were already up to 7 classes […]
Paul Ferris is the Managing Director of Speedflex, a company that offers high intensity circuit training “with a difference”. In 2011 Paul set up the business with Sage Software founder Graham Wylie and former Newcastle United and England Captain Alan […]
Duncan Jefford is a Regional Director with Everyone Active, a leading leisure operator managing 150 leisure facilities nationwide. Over the last decade Duncan has been instrumental in the company’s extensive growth, increasing the number of operational sites five-fold and growing […]
David Williamson leads the UK health and fitness accounts for Imagesound, who provide visual and audio solutions to over 22,000 sites in 139 countries. We met with David to learn about how gyms and clubs can use sound to enhance […]
Alister Rollins is the founder and CEO of MoveGB, a free online platform that enables fitness operators to offer their services to a network of 100,000s of active people in the UK. Think ‘Netflix’ for physical fitness outlets. Prior to […]
We spoke to Stretch Rayner, Founder and Trainer at Momentum – CrossFit Hackney, one of London’s leading CrossFit boxes, who transformed Runner’s World’s, Kerry McCarthy into a lean machine. CrossFit Hackney affiliated the London Box Battles, who partner with Fresh […]
Rob Smyth is the Commercial Director of British Military Fitness (BMF), With over 400 classes in more than 140 locations across the UK, BMF is regarded by many as the leading provider of outdoor fitness. Prior to joining BMF, Rob […]
Zoom Media is one of the world’s leading providers of advertising and promotion for the health and fitness sector. In the UK alone it has 4000 screens across 700 venues and works in association with all the leading health and fitness chains […]
Andy Gill is the MD of Ethics Leisure, a leading fitness consultancy with specific expertise in gym floor design. Over the past 20 years Andy has advised more than 200 facilities on equipment procurement, mix and layout. We spoke to […]
Becky Fletcher, Senior Digital Writer at NetDoctor, is regarded as one of the UK’s leading fitness journalists, having worked with the likes of Health & Fitness, The Express, and Cosmopolitan. NetDoctor is the UK’s independent health website, which aims to […]
James Poole is the co-founder of Advent Running, a rapidly growing free running group that has recently been nominated for the best online community at The Running Awards, 2016. James is also a triathlon coach, an ultra runner and a member of the 2016 […]
Rob Beale is the leading consultant to multi-site fitness operators. He is currently advising Next Gen on product and member services in Australasia. He has spent the last decade in senior roles with Holmes Place, Virgin Active and David Lloyd […]
Joanne Mathews is Founder and Managing Director of Ten Health and Fitness, widely regarded as the UK’s leading chain for dynamic pilates. The brand is highly regarded for its holistic approach to health, exercise and rehabilitation, and for its unique […]
Sarah Scott has been pole dancing for the last 8 years and is a master trainer for Xpert Pole and Aerial Fitness. Her many accolades include 1st place for Miss Pole Dance UK, 2012, and 2nd place in the 2012 […]
Christina Eccles is the Editor of Workout Magazine, one of the UK’s top industry magazines. Christina has been a journalist for 10 years and has been the editor at Workout Magazine for the past three, so she certainly knows a […]
Jacqueline Hooton is the founder of WIFE (Women in Fitness Empowerment) Events. She created the first ever all-female conference in March 2015 to champion professional women working in health and fitness and provide a platform for their voices to be […]
Award winning fitness expert and author of The High Fat Diet, Zana Morris is founder of The Library Gym, The Little Library and The Clock, a collection of premium boutique gyms around London. We met with Zana to learn why […]
Gemma Newton is the Managing Director of the UK Blog Awards with a legal background and over 10 years’ experience in the events and marketing sector. Gemma sat on the idea of developing the UK Blog Awards for over 2 […]
Lesley Aitken is one of the fitness industry’s leading experts in lead generation and conversion. With over 25 years experience in sales, Lesley now works internationally across many brands, including the likes of Matrix Fitness, and speaks at regular industry […]
Having launched nearly 50 separate health clubs, Neil Haughin of Impact Fitness is regarded as one of the UK’s leading experts in gym and health club pre-sales, with huge experience in everything from sales systems and offline media to SEO […]
David Monkhouse is a Trustee and Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity. He has an MBA in International Sports Management from Loughborough and is joint Director of Leisure-net Solutions. Working with the […]
Michael Clark heads up Customer Relationships and Business Development for e-commerce fitness specialists Gym-Partners. Over 25 years Michael has held numerous senior positions with the likes of Leisure Connection (1Life), Livingwell and Fitness First as well as having created and […]
In the last 5 years, Cheryl Hersey has been part of the duo who have built Action PR into one of the fitness industry’s leading PR agencies. They put their success down to a complete understanding of the industry, and […]
John Halls is the Managing Director of Physical Company Ltd, one of the UK’s fastest growing gym equipment company with 55% growth since John joined in 2007. We met with John to learn how he’d achieved this growth and, in […]
With a background in IT systems, marketing and data analysis, Guy Griffiths from GGFit is regarded as one of the industry’s leading experts in maximising retention rates for health clubs through data mining/processes and targeted communications. We met with Guy […]
Lee Cain is the founder of HFE, one of the UK’s foremost fitness industry training providers. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and has a First Class Honours Degree in Sport and Exercise Science. For over 15 years […]
Dr Paul Bedford of Retention Guru is widely regarded as one of the world’s leading authorities on gym membership retention. With a master’s degree in exercise and health behaviours and a PHD from the London Sports Institute into adherence and […]