News Archive
Makeover for Ponds Forge
A FITNESS venue in Sheffield is set for a complete makeover, as it strives to compete with privately operated rivals.
Ponds Forge International Sports Centre has revealed plans to transform its gym and changing areas this summer at a cost of £3 million.
Facility managers Sheffield International Venues (SIV) - which also operates Hillsborough Leisure Centre and Concord Sports Centre in the city - say the changes will provide users with a bigger state-of-the-art gym, exercise studios and new wet and dry changing rooms.
The new Fitness Unlimited gym will cover an area of 1250 sq m and will include over 100 stations and air conditioning.
Steve Brailey, SIV chief executive, said: "The reinvestment means we can meet the ever-rising expectations of customers for quality and value for money and competition from other swim and fitness providers in the city.
ìImproving the gym will also help us address our plans to help generate greater business at off-peak times and seek further usage from those groups which are currently the least active in sport and physical activity.
"Our improvements at Hillsborough Leisure Centre and Concord Sports Centre have already paid dividends and helped us reach new standards of gym membership and we hope the same will be delivered at Ponds Forge."
The transformation plans have received backing from Sheffield City Council and are expected to take a year to complete. During this time a temporary gym will be housed in an adjoining building.
Steve added: "We have been careful to consider the needs of our members in these plans and the changes have been designed to cause the least possible disruption. The plans offer a continued service for current gym users during the construction phase."
A FITNESS venue in Sheffield is set for a complete makeover, as it strives to compete with privately operated rivals.
Ponds Forge International Sports Centre has revealed plans to transform its gym and changing areas this summer at a cost of £3 million.
Facility managers Sheffield International Venues (SIV) - which also operates Hillsborough Leisure Centre and Concord Sports Centre in the city - say the changes will provide users with a bigger state-of-the-art gym, exercise studios and new wet and dry changing rooms.
The new Fitness Unlimited gym will cover an area of 1250 sq m and will include over 100 stations and air conditioning.
Steve Brailey, SIV chief executive, said: "The reinvestment means we can meet the ever-rising expectations of customers for quality and value for money and competition from other swim and fitness providers in the city.
ìImproving the gym will also help us address our plans to help generate greater business at off-peak times and seek further usage from those groups which are currently the least active in sport and physical activity.
"Our improvements at Hillsborough Leisure Centre and Concord Sports Centre have already paid dividends and helped us reach new standards of gym membership and we hope the same will be delivered at Ponds Forge."
The transformation plans have received backing from Sheffield City Council and are expected to take a year to complete. During this time a temporary gym will be housed in an adjoining building.
Steve added: "We have been careful to consider the needs of our members in these plans and the changes have been designed to cause the least possible disruption. The plans offer a continued service for current gym users during the construction phase."
'Hot' Scottish gym owner enjoying being a finalist
A 'HOT' gym owner from Edinburgh is enjoying his 15 minutes of fame as a finalist in an online competition to showcase the best looking men in Scotland.
'Date A Hot Scot' - organised by tourism agency VisitScotland - chose Chris Capaldi, who runs the Energy gym at Boroughmuir Rugby Club, as one of 20 eligible Scotsmen to battle it out on the campaign website and promote the country as a tourism destination.
A former kilt model, Chris was also a personal trainer and professional rugby player before deciding to set up Energy in February this year.
He said: "I travelled to America where I oversaw a gym refurbishment, which inspired me to get something up and running back home. My old rugby club had a nice new club house and a large amount of space ideal for a gym so I made them an offer and have never looked back."
There are 100 users of the facility with 60 signed up members, working out with a full range of Cybex vr3 resistance equipment and a large functional free weights area.
There is also a large studio offering circuits, boxercise, body conditioning, fighting fit, spinning, boot camp courses and pilates courses. The gym is also hoping to add personal training services.
The idea of entering Date A Hot Scot was put to Chris by a friend, and although the competition has opened doors, he's not making a big deal of it.
He added: "I've not pushed the Hot Scot thing in the gym - I've tried to keep it separate as I didn't want people getting confused about whether I am a model running a gym or a gym owner being a model. A few members have found out though so I may have to come clean.
"Some have been poking fun at me - as have colleagues - but they've also been voting so ití all good."
A 'HOT' gym owner from Edinburgh is enjoying his 15 minutes of fame as a finalist in an online competition to showcase the best looking men in Scotland.
'Date A Hot Scot' - organised by tourism agency VisitScotland - chose Chris Capaldi, who runs the Energy gym at Boroughmuir Rugby Club, as one of 20 eligible Scotsmen to battle it out on the campaign website and promote the country as a tourism destination.
A former kilt model, Chris was also a personal trainer and professional rugby player before deciding to set up Energy in February this year.
He said: "I travelled to America where I oversaw a gym refurbishment, which inspired me to get something up and running back home. My old rugby club had a nice new club house and a large amount of space ideal for a gym so I made them an offer and have never looked back."
There are 100 users of the facility with 60 signed up members, working out with a full range of Cybex vr3 resistance equipment and a large functional free weights area.
There is also a large studio offering circuits, boxercise, body conditioning, fighting fit, spinning, boot camp courses and pilates courses. The gym is also hoping to add personal training services.
The idea of entering Date A Hot Scot was put to Chris by a friend, and although the competition has opened doors, he's not making a big deal of it.
He added: "I've not pushed the Hot Scot thing in the gym - I've tried to keep it separate as I didn't want people getting confused about whether I am a model running a gym or a gym owner being a model. A few members have found out though so I may have to come clean.
"Some have been poking fun at me - as have colleagues - but they've also been voting so ití all good."
Gyms could be missing out on children's fitness boom
CHILDREN'S gym memberships across the UK have rocketed over the last few years - but independent gyms could be missing out on their share.
Some of the biggest fitness chains are reporting membership growths of over 60 per cent but some industry experts fear the independents could have so far missed out on the chance to cash in on the trend.
Andree Deane, of the Fitness Industry Association, said: "Many private chains have been quick to recognise the potential of offering children and family memberships but for many independent operators it can be a real challenge.
"Limited floor space and resources often makes it impossible to invite large groups of children into a club."
Virgin Active has reported a jump of 62 per cent of junior sign ups in the last four years (from 12,000 to 20,000) - it is now developing successful adult classes, like Bosu, V Core and Hulaerobics, to suit children.
Spokesman Peter Brennan said: "This dramatic growth, we believe, has come from parents finally waking up to the global obesity epidemic and a lot of this awareness has come through the media.
"It appears that in today's society, people aren't just thinking about making a change, theyíre actually making it and we think that is a really positive step.
"Parents are definitely more aware of the benefits of physical activity."
David Lloyd now has more than 40,000 members under 17, up from 36,904, while child membership at Esporta almost doubled in three years. At Next Generation, they are up by a third.
Andree Deane added: "Independent gyms can still engage children and encourage family participation by sending one of your instructors to visit your local school. Offering to help teachers to achieve their physical activity targets and opening children's eyes to a variety of new activities is a fantastic way to engage the next generation of potential members and raise the club's profile."
CHILDREN'S gym memberships across the UK have rocketed over the last few years - but independent gyms could be missing out on their share.
Some of the biggest fitness chains are reporting membership growths of over 60 per cent but some industry experts fear the independents could have so far missed out on the chance to cash in on the trend.
Andree Deane, of the Fitness Industry Association, said: "Many private chains have been quick to recognise the potential of offering children and family memberships but for many independent operators it can be a real challenge.
"Limited floor space and resources often makes it impossible to invite large groups of children into a club."
Virgin Active has reported a jump of 62 per cent of junior sign ups in the last four years (from 12,000 to 20,000) - it is now developing successful adult classes, like Bosu, V Core and Hulaerobics, to suit children.
Spokesman Peter Brennan said: "This dramatic growth, we believe, has come from parents finally waking up to the global obesity epidemic and a lot of this awareness has come through the media.
"It appears that in today's society, people aren't just thinking about making a change, theyíre actually making it and we think that is a really positive step.
"Parents are definitely more aware of the benefits of physical activity."
David Lloyd now has more than 40,000 members under 17, up from 36,904, while child membership at Esporta almost doubled in three years. At Next Generation, they are up by a third.
Andree Deane added: "Independent gyms can still engage children and encourage family participation by sending one of your instructors to visit your local school. Offering to help teachers to achieve their physical activity targets and opening children's eyes to a variety of new activities is a fantastic way to engage the next generation of potential members and raise the club's profile."
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