BICM member Ruskin Leisure Ltd. has extensive H & F facilities at its 30 acre sportsground in St. Helens, Merseyside.

 

 

 

 

Here Rob Gerrard, Ruskin's MD reviews the growth   of Health & Fitness facilities in Clubs.

 

Ruskin Leisures' move into Health & Fitness has been a successful one and also a timely one as it has covered a period when social habits have been changing and the more traditional areas of Club Operations have become more challenging.

BICM Members who embrace change and innovation might to well to talk the their Members about H & F.

Many BICM members have H & F clubs included in their site facilities. Through these club members can enjoy the benefits of the national and international trends to a more healthy lifestyle through memberships in their own clubs and this scenario fits well with the theme of clubs taking a more active and responsible part within the community. Initiatives like the introduction of H & F, responsible alcohol awareness and the growing popularity of more upmarket low alcohol products and soft drinks are also helping to develop lifestyle changes and benefit all.

But is H & F here to stay for the long haul ??   BICM believes it is

The UK's £3.6 billion fitness industry is in the best shape of its 20 year history with more members than ever before.

This is the conclusion of the 2007 FIA State of the UK Fitness Industry Report, the only comprehensive audit of the UK fitness industry.      

Its conclusions include

• Revenue is estimated at over £3.6 billion

• 12% of the UK population are now registered members of a health and fitness club or publicly owned fitness facility

• Like for like membership has grown by 3% since January 2006

• Almost 90% of the UK population live within 2 miles of a private or publicly owned fitness facility

Meanwhile the UK's Sports market will weather the current credit crunch and is set to experience a 9% annual growth until 2012,   according to a report from PriceWaterhouseCooper which covers the larger sports sector.

Key messages from these reports and from leading figures in Goverment and the Leisure Sector include

• Increased awareness, better understanding and taking opportunities to be more active will result in a more fulfilled lifestyle. This will halt the year on year rise in  obesity and mnore than w20 other diseases.

• A more healthy lifestyle adds to increased well being, general health and longevity.