News Archive
You can't lick getting fit
By Mary Ferguson
A FITNESS programme that tackles both human and pet obesity is seeing a surge in popularity, amongst people keen to make their furry friends their workout partners.
‘Petsercise’ was launched by the Pet Health Council to encourage owners to exercise with their dogs, and was developed in conjunction with celebrity fitness expert Nicki Waterman and veterinary surgeon Dr Alex German, from the Pet Obesity Clinic at the University of Liverpool.
The programme, which is is supported by former public health minister Caroline Flint, suggests fun outdoor exercise activities and provides online tools such as a food diary – designed for both two and four legged participants.
Users of the website can key in their own height and weight to calculate body mass index, but there is no single approved method to determine whether a dog is under or overweight.
An estimated 41 per cent of dogs and cats in the UK are thought to be overweight, with 15 per cent identified as clinically obese. Research has also shown that the correlation between overweight owners and their pets is high, and recognition of a weight problem by owners is low.
A spokesman from the Pet Health Council said: “Research carried out by us revealed that while people are keen to keep fit and lose weight, twice as many people said they would like to do so by making use of nearby parks and countryside rather than joining a gym.
“Another study has also demonstrated that people and their pets are both more successful in staying with a weight loss programme when they exercise together.
“The benefits of walking in the fresh air as well as the physiological and psychological benefits of pet interaction are well documented and so a programme like Petsercise is very appealing.”
The exercise programme contains activities such as swimming with your dog in open water, playing football – the dog uses his mouth to move the ball – and more traditional exercise such as running and walking.
By Mary Ferguson
A FITNESS programme that tackles both human and pet obesity is seeing a surge in popularity, amongst people keen to make their furry friends their workout partners.
‘Petsercise’ was launched by the Pet Health Council to encourage owners to exercise with their dogs, and was developed in conjunction with celebrity fitness expert Nicki Waterman and veterinary surgeon Dr Alex German, from the Pet Obesity Clinic at the University of Liverpool.
The programme, which is is supported by former public health minister Caroline Flint, suggests fun outdoor exercise activities and provides online tools such as a food diary – designed for both two and four legged participants.
Users of the website can key in their own height and weight to calculate body mass index, but there is no single approved method to determine whether a dog is under or overweight.
An estimated 41 per cent of dogs and cats in the UK are thought to be overweight, with 15 per cent identified as clinically obese. Research has also shown that the correlation between overweight owners and their pets is high, and recognition of a weight problem by owners is low.
A spokesman from the Pet Health Council said: “Research carried out by us revealed that while people are keen to keep fit and lose weight, twice as many people said they would like to do so by making use of nearby parks and countryside rather than joining a gym.
“Another study has also demonstrated that people and their pets are both more successful in staying with a weight loss programme when they exercise together.
“The benefits of walking in the fresh air as well as the physiological and psychological benefits of pet interaction are well documented and so a programme like Petsercise is very appealing.”
The exercise programme contains activities such as swimming with your dog in open water, playing football – the dog uses his mouth to move the ball – and more traditional exercise such as running and walking.
Gyms set for boom in revenue
By Nicola Lambert
EXPERTS have predicted that gyms should get a boom in revenue this year after a slump in recent years, Workout can reveal.
Research analysts at Mintel say over the last few years, gyms have struggled because of rising costs like energy bills and rent, as well as increased competition. But, it predicts a nine per cent increase in revenue this year, compared to annual growth of around five per cent in previous years.
Spokesman Mark Brechin said: “The market is set for impressive growth in the coming five years. Competitive pressures and energy prices have eased off from their peak at the end of 2005 and the start of 2006. Meanwhile, consolidation within the industry has removed a lot of the discounting on membership and joining fees amongst the leading club chains.”
The market is set to reach the £2.5b mark this year, with the number of members forecast to break the five million barrier. The report reveals that although membership fees generate 76 per cent of revenue, cash generated by bar food and drinks, beauty treatments and personal trainers, has increased by a third since 2002 and now generates over £500m a year.
Research shows that eight per cent of adults are interested in joining a health and fitness club, a figure Mintel believes could push the market to reach £3.4b by 2012, increasing almost 40 per cent over the next five years.
A spokesman added: “During the past two years, real levels of affluence have continued to increase, meaning more consumers can afford health club membership than ever before, although that is not to say that they do not still seek out a bargain, taking advantage of competition between different club chains.
“Joining fee revenue has continued to decline, mainly because some clubs have given up charging a joining fee, while others are using it more and more as a marketing tactic to attract customers at quieter times and as a result it is heavily discounted or waived as an incentive to join.”
By Nicola Lambert
EXPERTS have predicted that gyms should get a boom in revenue this year after a slump in recent years, Workout can reveal.
Research analysts at Mintel say over the last few years, gyms have struggled because of rising costs like energy bills and rent, as well as increased competition. But, it predicts a nine per cent increase in revenue this year, compared to annual growth of around five per cent in previous years.
Spokesman Mark Brechin said: “The market is set for impressive growth in the coming five years. Competitive pressures and energy prices have eased off from their peak at the end of 2005 and the start of 2006. Meanwhile, consolidation within the industry has removed a lot of the discounting on membership and joining fees amongst the leading club chains.”
The market is set to reach the £2.5b mark this year, with the number of members forecast to break the five million barrier. The report reveals that although membership fees generate 76 per cent of revenue, cash generated by bar food and drinks, beauty treatments and personal trainers, has increased by a third since 2002 and now generates over £500m a year.
Research shows that eight per cent of adults are interested in joining a health and fitness club, a figure Mintel believes could push the market to reach £3.4b by 2012, increasing almost 40 per cent over the next five years.
A spokesman added: “During the past two years, real levels of affluence have continued to increase, meaning more consumers can afford health club membership than ever before, although that is not to say that they do not still seek out a bargain, taking advantage of competition between different club chains.
“Joining fee revenue has continued to decline, mainly because some clubs have given up charging a joining fee, while others are using it more and more as a marketing tactic to attract customers at quieter times and as a result it is heavily discounted or waived as an incentive to join.”
Lady Isabella turns passion into career
ISABELLA Hervey has been interested in sport and fitness since childhood and now hopes that some of her enthusiasm will rub off on others as she encourages them to get fit.
She has only been qualified as a personal trainer for a few months but already has a wide range of clients wanting to benefit from her expertise.
Isabella said: “Fitness and sport has always been my biggest passion and I love exercise so becoming a personal trainer was a natural progression for me.
“I have always been interested in health and fitness from a young age. I used to showjump professionally and run for my county and I also participated in The Games.
“I think it is very important to exercise and be active not only to keep physically fit but also for mental wellbeing.
“There is a feel good thing about exercise and working out helps to keep me mentally sane.
“Also, I think, for women in particular, as well as being good for your health, exercise can give more confidence and self-esteem.
“Children should also be encouraged to be more active in schools. Not only for their health but also because team sports are useful for allowing children to interact with each other – I am lucky that my school was sporty.”
Isabella also said that the business, Isabella Hervey Personal Training, has attracted clients of all ages to improve their fitness.
She added: “I am currently working alongside one other instructor who has a lot of experience in the industry as although I am qualified I still have a lot to learn.
“The qualification process took three and a half months of studying from eight in the morning until six at night every day so it was very intensive.
“We have both male and female clients of mixed ages so my days are very varied. Some of them are guys who work in the City so recently I have been having a lot of early starts.
“The business is still in the early stages but I would
eventually like to expand and maybe one day open my own gym.
“I am also hoping to get my own range of products including a clothing line.”
ISABELLA Hervey has been interested in sport and fitness since childhood and now hopes that some of her enthusiasm will rub off on others as she encourages them to get fit.
She has only been qualified as a personal trainer for a few months but already has a wide range of clients wanting to benefit from her expertise.
Isabella said: “Fitness and sport has always been my biggest passion and I love exercise so becoming a personal trainer was a natural progression for me.
“I have always been interested in health and fitness from a young age. I used to showjump professionally and run for my county and I also participated in The Games.
“I think it is very important to exercise and be active not only to keep physically fit but also for mental wellbeing.
“There is a feel good thing about exercise and working out helps to keep me mentally sane.
“Also, I think, for women in particular, as well as being good for your health, exercise can give more confidence and self-esteem.
“Children should also be encouraged to be more active in schools. Not only for their health but also because team sports are useful for allowing children to interact with each other – I am lucky that my school was sporty.”
Isabella also said that the business, Isabella Hervey Personal Training, has attracted clients of all ages to improve their fitness.
She added: “I am currently working alongside one other instructor who has a lot of experience in the industry as although I am qualified I still have a lot to learn.
“The qualification process took three and a half months of studying from eight in the morning until six at night every day so it was very intensive.
“We have both male and female clients of mixed ages so my days are very varied. Some of them are guys who work in the City so recently I have been having a lot of early starts.
“The business is still in the early stages but I would
eventually like to expand and maybe one day open my own gym.
“I am also hoping to get my own range of products including a clothing line.”
© Wharncliffe Publishing Limited 2009. Registered in England No. 52243. Registered Office: 47 Church Street, Barnsley, S70 2AS.
About Wharncliffe Publishing
Wharncliffe Publishing publishes a portfolio of trade magazines across a range of industries in the UK and Ireland. Each magazine strives to be the authoritative voice of the market that it serves and the most valuable tool for highlighting news, products, features and information essential for running businesses and keeping abreast with industry developments.Wharncliffe is also involved in contract publishing, representing a number of high profile organisations and associations in the UK.
Visit our sister company Yorkshire Web Newspaper Printers.
