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WORKOUT is now available to read from cover to cover – online.
Click on the link on the right hand side of our web page to see our new e-edition of the fitness industry's number one magazine.
Failing club goes from bust to best
By Francess Sykes
A FAILING club taken over by an independent operator just four years ago has been named the best gym in Britain by Men’s Health magazine.
The Reebok club in London’s Canary Wharf opened in December 2003 after the previous club went bust.
The gym had been in administration since July 2003 and stayed in administration until Ian Mahoney, a board director at the FIA and the chairman of the Independent Operators’ Forum took over.
Ian who had previously worked at the original club – starting as a gym instructor and aerobics teacher and working his way up to director – told Workout that despite the fact that no one else seemed willing to take on the challenge, he was attracted to the opportunity as he knew the city market well.
He said: “There are many reasons for its initial failure, which included higher than expected building/fitting costs, one or two unwise decisions and a lack of experience of the market.”
Ian’s first task, as owner, was getting the operations side of things right – such as administration procedures. He then began to market the business in a very specific way to attract the corporate trade and step three was working on his retention strategies.
But Ian puts part of his success down to the people he works with. He said: “I brought in many people I had worked with in the past and created a strong, proven team. At the same time, I inherited some very good staff and worked hard to integrate the two groups into a successful team.”
By Francess Sykes
A FAILING club taken over by an independent operator just four years ago has been named the best gym in Britain by Men’s Health magazine.
The Reebok club in London’s Canary Wharf opened in December 2003 after the previous club went bust.
The gym had been in administration since July 2003 and stayed in administration until Ian Mahoney, a board director at the FIA and the chairman of the Independent Operators’ Forum took over.
Ian who had previously worked at the original club – starting as a gym instructor and aerobics teacher and working his way up to director – told Workout that despite the fact that no one else seemed willing to take on the challenge, he was attracted to the opportunity as he knew the city market well.
He said: “There are many reasons for its initial failure, which included higher than expected building/fitting costs, one or two unwise decisions and a lack of experience of the market.”
Ian’s first task, as owner, was getting the operations side of things right – such as administration procedures. He then began to market the business in a very specific way to attract the corporate trade and step three was working on his retention strategies.
But Ian puts part of his success down to the people he works with. He said: “I brought in many people I had worked with in the past and created a strong, proven team. At the same time, I inherited some very good staff and worked hard to integrate the two groups into a successful team.”
Swimming pool makes a splash
A SWIMMING pool in Somerset is celebrating receiving a top award that recognises good practice.
Taunton Pool, operated by Tone Leisure, received the Institute of Sport and Recreation Management’s (ISRM) top National Pool Safety Award (NPSA).
The award is an initiative which provides a framework for promoting high standards of pool safety in the UK, and recognises good practice.
Bridget Lock, operations manager at Taunton Pool said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have gained this prestigious safety award, Staff have worked really hard to achieve it and I know the award will be a benefit in the future for the continuous improvement in swimming pool safety.”
The NPSA is a voluntary scheme, open to all swimming pools in the UK, including public pools, hotel pools, health and fitness club pools and holiday park facilities.
Taunton Pool, one of 31 in the UK to achieve the award, will use the NPSA as an internal assessment and improvement plan to ensure continuous development of safety procedures and work-based training.
A SWIMMING pool in Somerset is celebrating receiving a top award that recognises good practice.
Taunton Pool, operated by Tone Leisure, received the Institute of Sport and Recreation Management’s (ISRM) top National Pool Safety Award (NPSA).
The award is an initiative which provides a framework for promoting high standards of pool safety in the UK, and recognises good practice.
Bridget Lock, operations manager at Taunton Pool said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have gained this prestigious safety award, Staff have worked really hard to achieve it and I know the award will be a benefit in the future for the continuous improvement in swimming pool safety.”
The NPSA is a voluntary scheme, open to all swimming pools in the UK, including public pools, hotel pools, health and fitness club pools and holiday park facilities.
Taunton Pool, one of 31 in the UK to achieve the award, will use the NPSA as an internal assessment and improvement plan to ensure continuous development of safety procedures and work-based training.
Caroline walks off with title
THE only woman to make it through to the final of Britain’s Fittest Director has won, walking away with £3,000 cheque from Totally Fitness.
Following a gruelling assessment to claim her prestigious title of Britain’s Fittest Director, Caroline Kinsey , company director at Cirkle, an award winning PR agency based in Beaconsfield, was crowned Britain’s Fittest Director by the Daily Telegraph.
The assessment tested strength, power, cardio respiratory, balance and flexibility. Caroline’s desire and determination saw her excel in each category to win this fantastic accolade and in fact she proved to be stronger than the men in the strength category, despite woman often being 5-15 per cent weaker.
Caroline plans to use the prize money to add to her home gym equipment. She said: “I’m planning to invest it on specific equipment to help spur me on for my next challenge.
“I thoroughly enjoyed the competition and I am delighted to have won the title of Britain’s Fittest Director.”
THE only woman to make it through to the final of Britain’s Fittest Director has won, walking away with £3,000 cheque from Totally Fitness.
Following a gruelling assessment to claim her prestigious title of Britain’s Fittest Director, Caroline Kinsey , company director at Cirkle, an award winning PR agency based in Beaconsfield, was crowned Britain’s Fittest Director by the Daily Telegraph.
The assessment tested strength, power, cardio respiratory, balance and flexibility. Caroline’s desire and determination saw her excel in each category to win this fantastic accolade and in fact she proved to be stronger than the men in the strength category, despite woman often being 5-15 per cent weaker.
Caroline plans to use the prize money to add to her home gym equipment. She said: “I’m planning to invest it on specific equipment to help spur me on for my next challenge.
“I thoroughly enjoyed the competition and I am delighted to have won the title of Britain’s Fittest Director.”
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