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SA Green Fitness How to create a more sustainable gym We’ve been finding out how SA Green Fitness is helping to create sustainable gyms ...SA Green Fitness is all about helping organisations achieve their energy management goals, by reducing CO2 emissions, saving money and improving their corporate and social responsibility policy.Rows of cardio machines, air conditioning and the fluorescent lighting that is often found in gyms are an energy bill nightmare. But, using sustainable innovations, SA Green Fitness could change all of this. They are encouraging people to switch to the ECO-POWR™ Cardio range by SportsArt that is featured on their website www.sagreenfitness.com.Consider the lighting you use. LED lights convert up to 80% of energy into light. This both reduces electricity costs and dramatically reduces carbon emissions, The life of LED is between 4 and 40 times greater than traditional products. Our partner, Optimise Energy, provides a range of sustainable lighting solutions. Change the lighting to energy-efficient lightbulbs, Install motion sensors for lights.Ban single use plastics being brought into the facility! Choose barbells, medicine balls, dumbbells, kettlebells etc. made from recycled material. Check out these variety of accessories by our partners Nohrd & WaterRower. For a sustainable studio space use bamboo flooring or recycled rubber flooring. Also consider using co-friendly gym supplies like sustainably sourced, biodegradable non-toxic yoga mats, yoga block made of cork/ recycled foam, organic cotton meditation cushions. Pliteq is one of the biggest tyre recyclers in the world and all their products are uniquely engineered from ground car tyres that would otherwise be destined for landfill. They continue to strive to increase capacity of their manufacturing facility year on year, and aim to be the biggest tyre recycler in the world by 2025, recycling approximately 16 million tons of car tyres per year. Every little bit helps towards creating a cleaner and healthier planet for all. SA Green Fitness work with Optimise Energy UK and take a consultative approach to gain a holistic understanding of an organisation’s energy usage and operational needs, providing recommendations and assisting with implementation.Take your first steps to creating a sustainable gym with SA Green Fitness today! Read More 02/07/2021
Best spin bike for your club Which commercial spin bike is best for your club? Spin or indoor cycling classes have been the most popular and well attended classes in gyms for the last three years. It’s no surprise then that more and more health clubs want to buy commercial spin bikes to fill the demand. Group exercise bikes are one of the most affordable and productive pieces of gym equipment. Not only are they fairly inexpensive to manufacture but they don’t take up too much space. Kate Fearon, of FitnessCompared, said: “Indoor bikes are an industry big seller. They are fantastic for low impact exercise at any age, and are now a regular feature on the gym floor as well as in classes - no gym really feels complete without at least one to provide a real cycling experience. I choose to train on an Indoor cycle and try to make sure I always have access to one both at home and on holiday. There are so many makes and brands available these days that there really is something for every price point and purpose.’’ “Things to look out for when choosing a used commercial indoor cycle, is the overall standard of its construction. Frames are usually made of aluminium or steel and there are various types of resistance to choose from which impact the of the ride. Generally a heavier flywheel is better, as it creates a smoother pedalling experience, you should be looking at anything around 18kg-20kg on a good commercial spin bike. What to consider when you purchase commercial spin bikes UK and worldwide: Is the bike robust and durable enough? It is essential to consider both these points before investing. What are going to be the main ‘wear and tear’ items e.g. pedals, straps, cranks, resistance pads and adjustments? Look at how many classes you have a week or the overall usage, and make sure that you have a bike that is up to that level of work. In this current climate, cleaning and maintenance is more important than ever. Consider how often you will need to do this and how to encourage customers to also clean after each ride. What level of expertise do your clients have? If you are dealing with the likes of Chris Hoy and Bradley Wiggins (or even their wannabes) you know you have to invest in the best commercial spin bikes available. Most people know how to ride a bike, or at least how to pedal a stationary one, which is why spin classes appeal to all ages and abilities. Pedals should come complete with racing clips for safety and because your regular ‘spin’ customers like to bring their own cycle shoes! If a bike is labelled as 'C Class', this means it was designed for commercial use and therefore particularly frequent use. These are likely to be the more expensive option. Alternatively, many manufacturers produce spinning bikes specifically with the home market in mind. Bear in mind that although these are designed for regular use, they are not designed for the heavy use of a commercial exercise bike. Typically 3 -7 hours a week is the recommended usage for home spin bikes.Consider the experience you want your clients to have? Do they want the feel of a real bike, chain driven? Smooth and silent, belt driven or magnetic? As well as the clients’ experience, you also need to think about the set up and ease of adjusting the seat height, distance to handlebars etc for a range of users. Indoor cycling is a great workout that doesn't exert too much pressure on the hips, knees or ankles so is great option for a many customers including absolute beginners, the elderly and rehabilitation. Connectivity is hugely important – will they have a console, or screen? On-demand classes are hugely popular now and they are a great way to create another gym floor experience. In classes consider the music and lighting and how this will impact the experience and how to connect with riders when they are in the class. This can be via a screen showing the group positions or performance results, or the use of coloured lighting on the bikes linked to intensity. There are of course more traditional gym floor bikes with amazing technology and connectivity. There are two main types - either an upright exercise bike, where you sit in a traditional bike riding position or recumbent. On a recumbent bike the user is sat in more of a horizontal position. Recumbent exercise bikes are generally used by less experienced or less fit customers and provide a supported comfortable ride. Whatever you are looking for in a gym be sure to ask the experts. You can get free expert advice from FitnessCompared. Investigate the range of new exercise bikes at www.FitnessCompared.com or book a chat with one of our experienced gym designers here fitnesscompared.co.uk/contact Read More 27/05/2021
FREEMOTION FITNESS We are delighted to welcome Freemotion to the FitnessCompared platform.For more than 20 years, Freemotion Fitness has been the global pioneer in fitness equipment and technology, introducing the world to cable-based strength training, the Incline Trainer, the first road simulating indoor bike and is now leading the way in connected fitness. With science and innovation at its core, Freemotion questions how we work out and then redefines it - creating products that deliver an unbeatable user experience and ultimately drive commercial results for its partners.Check out the Freemotion products on the FitnessCompared website. Specify, compare and negotiate your fitness equipment needs directly with suppliers! https://www.fitnesscompared.co.uk/suppliers/freemotion-fitnessProduct Feature: FUSION Team TrainingDan Toigo, Senior Vice President and Managing Director for Freemotion, is excited about this trailblazing concept.“At Freemotion, we believe in empowering an active lifestyle through integrity, accountability, communication, passion, and a team approach, and FUSION Team Training embodies that philosophy,” he said. “It combines cutting-edge resistance technology, powerful functional movement patterns, and comprehensive programming content to create a one-of-a-kind workout experience. We think the sky’s the limit for FUSION Team Training and expect it to soon become a staple in facilities across the globe.”Unlike traditional strength training that only builds muscle based on the load, FUSION workouts also utilize resistance, speed, and functional movements from everyday life to develop a healthier body. For exercisers who might feel intimidated with traditional strength training, FUSION provides an inviting and effective alternative. Toigo added, “Not only are FUSION classes something completely fresh and progressive for the industry, but they also provide a COVID-safe solution that allows group classes to thrive and facilities to stay profitable now, and in the years to come. With each participant being able to quickly achieve a cardio and strength workout on one machine, we’ve shortened the time they need to spend in the gym each day while giving them an effective workout environment that entices them to come back more often, increasing their lifetime value Fast, effective, engaging, and personal – both from a training and hygiene standpoint – members have fun, achieve results, and feel part of a community all while staying safe. We are very excited for participants around the world to begin experiencing the electricity of this workout and realize that the future is FUSION!”Each participant uses their own Fusion CST (Cardio Strength Trainer) for the entire workout, meaning there’s no need to share equipment, wipe down multiple stations, or spend hours at the gym to achieve a complete cardio and strength training. Patented SMR™ (Silent Magnetic Resistance) technology helps users quickly perform a total-body workout while reducing muscle soreness and recovery time. This enables users to train on back-to-back days more regularly, boosting their attendance and, subsequently, their retention.FUSION Team Training also easily follows social distancing guidelines with each participant naturally positioned 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4m) apart. Users have peace of mind about their workout environment, which allows them to concentrate on the session without compromising their personal space. The open design of Fusion CST also makes it wheelchair accessible and welcoming to all exercisers. Read More 30/03/2021
Maximise Your Gym Space Ready For Reopening! Few days hit us harder than Monday the 4th of January - the day the Prime Minister announced a new national lockdown in England. All the campaigning did nothing to keep gyms open against asteep rise in coronavirus infections. It was enough to make anyone want to give up. But that’s just not an option. And it’s not what we in the leisure industry do.So now is the time to put on your best optimistic face and look at what we can do to get our industry thriving again. Let’s get our gyms ready for action, starting with our footprint. Space has never been more precious than it is now that we have to keep further apart. First, look at what you HAVE got and what you CAN do to hit the ground running.How can you maximise the use of whatever space you have ready for when you reopen? Think outside the box.Indoors: Do you have room for a mezzanine? For a relatively small amount you can convert wasted roof space into exercise space. This is particularly good for industrial units.Do you have access to an underground basement to deliver functional workouts or yoga sessions?Outdoors: Consider repurposing any space you have whether its tennis courts or car-parks. These are great for small group training outsidefor up to six people. Think tyres, battle ropes, a running tracketc.If neither are these options is available to you then look at what other options there are. Most gyms have already taped off the floor to provide pods to ensure social distancing. But also consider marking the floor to denote different spaces for different activities.Rigs can also provide a denoted area and great flexibility of activity on offer.There has been much talk oftesting on the door and vaccine passports, but we have no idea yet what exactly will be expected of gyms when they reopen. One thing you can be sure of though, we’ll be supporting you all. Every step of the way.These restrictions will be reviewed on 15th February 2021- see the latest guidelines here https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus Read More 18/01/2021
British Fit Tech brands invest in new staff Two leading Fit Tech brands are investing in and growing their digital marketing team. Sister companies, WeBuyGymEquipment and FitnessCompared, have driven positive disruption within the new and used fitness equipment sector. Digital marketer, Audrius Nenorta, will help the team take their success to the next level.Before joining WeBuyGymEquipment and FitnessCompared, Audrius Nenorta gained more than five years’ experience in digital marketing at Country Foods and other places.Daniel Jones, CEO of WeBuyGymEquipment and FitnessCompared, said: “The fitness industry has been through a lot due to the recent effects of COVID-19 but we have the strongest community and we will get through this. We are proud to be employing more and more people every week.“I believe Audrius will help us take the next digital step to greater success and we anticipate great things from him.“As a former American Football player, we know he certainly has the determination and discipline to succeed!Audrius said: “I am truly looking forward to being a part of WeBuyGymEquipment knowing this fantastic company has disrupted the fitness industry in the last five years. I am also excited to become a contributor to the growth of WeBuyGymEquipment and the UK’s first fitness comparison site, FitnessCompared.“As a new joiner I am eager to research all ins and outs of the fitness industry. As a digital marketing executive I will support existing marketing channels and search for new, innovative ways to promote both brands.”FitnessCompared works with gym operators and suppliers across all sectors. For the first time, gym operators they can compare thousands of products in one place using their free price comparison features.Their unique system allows you to search by product features, giving suppliers a percentage score versus the buyers chosen requirements.Kate Fearon, of FitnessCompared, said: “It’s a gift to the fitness industry and we’re all excited to allow gym operators and suppliers to do business in the new way. Having the support from someone of Audrius’ quality will help us drive more quality prospects and customers to our excellent platform.” Read More 16/12/2020
Very Merry Fitmas Festive feasting and frolicking immediately come to mind at Christmas, but what about fitness? Well just for you FitnessCompared and WeBuyGymEquipment have got together and are ringing their shiny kettlebells to summon the magic of “Christmas Graft.” Fitness lovers, young and old, this list of Christmas presents is for you! Fitness Fashion Who wants to work out and look awesome doing it? We do! Apparently not all active wear feathers at the crotch after one week. Who knew? Well, apparently the thousands of people who are investing in the booming quality active wear market know. Now you can get fit and look funky. There is so much choice out there. If your gym gear looks good then you are going to want to put it on. And if that’s not motivation to get moving, I don’t know what is!The Notebook People are always encouraged to keep a diary to document their progress. Whether it’s your journey to good health, weight loss, weight gain or just for motivation, it helps to keep track of where you are. You could even write some inspiring quotes on a few pages for extra brownie points. Eg “Keep moving”, “You’re the best, you’re doing great“ or “No one should eat an entire wheel of cheese” etc. Food and Nutrition Books They say a healthy lifestyle is 80 per cent nutrition, 20 per cent exercise, so how about gifting nutritional books to inspire good health? There’s nothing like reading about healthy food while smashing through the Quality Street. Fit food for thought.Gym Membership Any kind of gym membership is a brilliant gift for someone. Just make sure you check they haven’t already signed up. If they have already got a membership, consider extending it or upgrading it to include more benefits. Drinking Bottle By the time Christmas is over even the most enthusiastic reveller is looking to rehydrate. And if they aren’t, they should be, so you’ll still be doing them a favour. No one wants another plastic bottle that just rots and tastes weird after a month. Thankfully there are loads of alternatives. We love bamboo drinking bottles the most - lighter to carry and decomposable! Wireless headphones Rocking out to Tiffany while pumping iron is what makes the man (or woman). It’s also sometimes really good that no one else can hear what music you are working out to. Great for running too. Sprint around Asda with a pretzel and pretend you’re in a Billie Eilish video. Vibrating foam roller Because no matter how bad Christmas gets, everyone’s going to laugh when they open that. Or feel super awkward. Either way, a vibrating foam roller will make the day more interesting. Who wants just a roll of foam? A cool gym bag People want a bag that looks cool and can fit it all in (including your vibrating roller – no one needs to see that.) Don’t go suitcase size but just big enough for a change of clothes, towel, deodorant and, most importantly, a separate compartment for your stinky, sweaty shoes. Home Gym It's sometimes hard to get to the gym before or after work, but you could probably put in 45 minutes at home. If only you had the right kit .... Give the gift of GAINS! Buy gym equipment! You could go big with a treadmill, rower or cross trainer but even a few l5k or 10k kettlebells can burn fat and build muscles. They are also great for wedging your door shut if you want a bit of peace after Christmas dinner. A Yoga Mat Yoga mats aren’t just good for hiding the fact that you are sleeping at the end of your workout, their benefits are endless. No more sweaty gym floor for your crunches or planks – just a clean cushioned pad to rest your hands and face on. They are also tremendous for doing yoga on apparently. Love Because we’ve all had a tough year and this Christmas your love is the best gift anyone could ask for. We love you and really appreciate all your support this year. Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year from FitnessCompared and WeBuyGymEquipment! x Read More 07/12/2020
Kate Fearon Joins FitnessCompared! Britain’s first fitness equipment comparison site, FitnessCompared, has recruited Kate Fearon to lead the growth and success of the business.Daniel Jones, CEO of FitnessCompared, said: “Kate’s an industry legend and we can’t wait to have her on board. She has worked in the fitness industry operationally in the public and private sector for over 25yrs so Kate is bringing some highly valuable experience to the team.“As a business consultant both in the UK and the Middle East, Kate brings a dynamic and disruptive energy to businesses to promote change and lead growth and is both collaborative and creative.“Kate’s exactly who we need to launch FitnessCompared into the mainstream. With her vast industry knowledge and deep passion for cars,I’m 100 percent positive she’ll drive our business to success!”The former product manager for Technogym will introduce operators across all sectors, including independent gyms, construction, education, hotels and spa’s, with an easy and impartial process. Her team at FitnessCompared will provide expert support and advice to maximise a customer’s budget and space.Kate said: “I feel I can bring substantial experience to FitnessCompared and relish the opportunity to make this amazing platform another way to buy gym equipment.”FitnessCompared is perfect for gym operators across all sectors. For the first time, they can compare thousands of products in one hit via their unique search by product features. Even giving suppliers a percentage score versus the buyers chosen requirements. It’s a gift to the fitness industry and we’re all excited to allow gym operators and suppliers to do business in the new way.The website provides an alternative vehicle for suppliers to develop opportunities and sales using very few resources.Suppliers play a crucial part in the success of the platform and FitnessCompared recognise that in this changing world, the days of big trade shows and hours spent on the road and in meetings, no longer provide a cost effective business model.FitnessCompared is in the same family as the very successful global bidding platform WeBuyGymEquipment (WBGE).Established in October 2015, WeBuyGymEquipment has revolutionised the way gyms sell used fitness equipment. Read More 16/11/2020
Top tips for creating your home gym We all know that 2020 likes to keep us on our toes so we’ve got you covered with our handy guide to creating your own gym.The first lockdown led to panic buying of a wide and sometimes strange variety. Pasta, flour and bog rolls went MIA early on, but they came for the fitness equipment only a little while later.As the lock-down progressed we furiously upgraded not just our property but our bodies. We started exercising more at home. This meant there was never a better time to buy gym equipment for the home. Retails quickly sold out and sites like FitnessCompared allowed consumers another route to impartially compare gym equipment against a wide range of brands in the market.People set up circuits in their gardens and followed online workouts. Everyone wanted to buy new or used gym equipment.Exercise levels soared from March, then so did the demand for exercise bikes, cross-trainers, dumb bells and treadmills. More than half (52%) of adults were meeting national activity guidelines and the percentage of sedentary people halved — from 22% to 11% — compared with the same period last year. Things to consider before you go online shopping for a home gym1. First, consider how much space you have. If the space is limited, you can’t have too many types of equipment. If you have a large space, then you can use more machines. Don’t just work out how much space you need for the equipment, but also how much space you’ll take up when you are using it.2. Choose your gym equipment wisely. For this you need decide if it is going to be used occasionally and take light use. Do you want to buy commercial gym equipment and the best commercial spin bikes ? Because if you want the heavy duty commercial gym equipment you are probably used to at your local sports centre or gym, it’s going to cost more. It’s the usual argument of durability against price. The team at FitnessCompared offer free and impartial advice to get you started with your new home gym.3. If you want to make it a multi-purpose gym, you’ll need space for your strength equipment, a mat for yoga, Pilates and stretching and resistance bands. A lot of people purchase Crossfit equipment but you may also consider kettlebells, medicine balls and foam rollers. Its easy to get carried away but don’t overcrowd the space with too many exercise tools. Just pick the ones which you need and avoid cluttering.4. Now think about the décor. Which theme would you like to opt for? There are different gym themes like industrial, rustic, modern farmhouse, home yoga studio, etc. 5. Some might say an enormous mirror is the most essential part of a home gym. It’s good for improving technique, tracking gains and obviously helps get awesome selfies. So, don’t forget to get budget and plan for where you will put that.6. Get the right lighting. Some people prefer the nightclub low lighting effect you get in some gym classes. It’s up to your personal taste but I think it should be bright enough to compliment without giving you a headache.7. Always consider your aim before decorating your home gym. For example, if you want it to inspire, motivate and uplift then keep that in mind before investing in anything too dark or chilled.8. Finally, make it personal. We all have our own unique style and routines. Make a note of how you move and where you move. This will ensure you create a space that will motivate you to meet your fitness goals! Read More 06/11/2020
How to stay happy and healthy working from home 1. Get ready for work as though you really are going to an office. As tempting as it is to roll out of bed and straight onto your computer – don’t do it! Wash, dress and make yourself smart to deal with any unexpected Zoom calls. It gets you in the right headspace for the day ahead and mentally switch to productive work mode.2. Now go to your office. By this I mean your home office space. Its important to create a designated space to work in, an area just for you. Somewhere you can focus on tasks without being distracted.3. Prioritise and create a list of the key tasks for the day. Everything is more manageable when it is put in a list. It will focus your mind and make goals more achievable.4. Get everything you need for the day in one place. This includes all the necessary tech you need. This could be a reliable and secure internet connection, any necessary files, hardware and software, remote access to your company network and, importantly, knowledge of how to get IT support.5. Regularly rest your eyes and step away from your desk. It’s important knowing when to give yourself a break when there’s no one else around to remind you. Go for a walk in the garden and stretch your legs.6. Have a planner or make a schedule. Block off set times to do certain work tasks and block off other times for lunch, movement, housework, personal calls, etc. When you’re home all day, it’s easy for the day to blur into one long work day.7. Be clear about when your working day begins and ends. It’s easy to ‘always be on’ when your home and office are the same place. When work is over, be sure you switch off and mentally clock out.8. Get outside! I try to get outside once a day, even if it’s just a short walk around the block. Fresh air and a little Vitamin D do wonders for your mental health and productivity.9. Keep yourself engaged and visible. Contribute regularly to team chats or group emails so you don’t just drop off the radar. Ask about what people are working on and share what’s on your plate.10. Foster relationships. Make time for non-work chats as you would in the workplace and use video calling to maintain face-to-face contact.11. Don’t be afraid to ask for support when needed. Speak out when you need assistance, further training or support. Your are part of a team and you should be supporting each other, especially remotely. Read More 04/11/2020