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NEWS
Explorer and TV star Levison Wood to help Virgin Active bring adventure to the gym
POSTED 26 May 2015 . BY Jak Phillips
Action man Levison Wood hopes to bring fresh ideas to fitness programming
Virgin Active has unveiled British explorer and star of Channel 4’s Walking the Nile, Levison Wood, as the first member of its new Discovery Lab – tasked with inspiring gymgoers to bring adventure into their everyday lives.

Announced earlier this month, Discovery Lab has been described by Virgin as a creative hub made up of health and fitness experts that will drive development of products and classes. As part of the project, Levison’s physical and mental preparation for his expeditions will be brought to life through the creation of innovative new programming to be rolled out across Virgin Active clubs.

Levison will work closely with Virgin Active’s innovation and fitness team, harnessing his unique experience and thinking to develop fresh fitness ideas. He will also help create the chain’s first ever Altitude Studio – due to open this summer – a dedicated space for people to prepare for performance at altitude or simply to get fitter.



“Exploration is at the heart of the human psyche, especially in us Britons who have a long history of discovery – it’s in our blood,” said Levison.

“I believe that anyone can discover new ways to stay active no matter their level of fitness, their age or where they live. It’s about being brave enough to try something new and not getting stuck in a rut; finding out your own limits and testing them.”
RELATED STORIES
  Virgin Active's Matt Merrick and GLL's Mark Sesnan win ukactive Board seats


Virgin Active European COO Matt Merrick and GLL managing director Mark Sesnan have won seats on the new-look ukactive Board of Directors following a high-profile election.
  Virgin Active promises fitness innovation through new Discovery Lab


Virgin Active has announced the launch of its long-awaited Discovery Lab – a creative hub made up of health and fitness experts that will drive development of products and classes.
  Virgin Active to be sold to South African investors


Global fitness chain Virgin Active has been sold to South African investment firm Brait.
  LaSalle snaps up Virgin Active sites in £9m acquisition


LaSalle Investment Management, an independent sub­sidiary of US-based real estate giant Jones Lang LaSalle, has given a large vote of confidence to the trajectory of the UK health and fitness sector with a £9m investment in two Virgin Active health clubs.
MORE NEWS
Butterfly sanctuary to host hot yoga during retreat at Jersey Zoo for Hotel de France
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
Warner Bros Discovery collaborates on upcoming Pompeii attraction
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while remaining actively involved with the company.
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
+ More news   

COMPANY PROFILES
RMA Ltd

RMA Ltd is a one-stop global company that can design, build and produce from a greenfield site upw [more...]
Painting With Light

By combining lighting, video, scenic and architectural elements, sound and special effects we tell s [more...]
QubicaAMF UK

QubicaAMF is the largest and most innovative bowling equipment provider with 600 employees worldwi [more...]
IDEATTACK

IDEATTACK is a full-service planning and design company with headquarters in Los Angeles. [more...]
+ More profiles  
FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
 

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DIRECTORY
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09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ More diary  
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NEWS
Explorer and TV star Levison Wood to help Virgin Active bring adventure to the gym
POSTED 26 May 2015 . BY Jak Phillips
Action man Levison Wood hopes to bring fresh ideas to fitness programming
Virgin Active has unveiled British explorer and star of Channel 4’s Walking the Nile, Levison Wood, as the first member of its new Discovery Lab – tasked with inspiring gymgoers to bring adventure into their everyday lives.

Announced earlier this month, Discovery Lab has been described by Virgin as a creative hub made up of health and fitness experts that will drive development of products and classes. As part of the project, Levison’s physical and mental preparation for his expeditions will be brought to life through the creation of innovative new programming to be rolled out across Virgin Active clubs.

Levison will work closely with Virgin Active’s innovation and fitness team, harnessing his unique experience and thinking to develop fresh fitness ideas. He will also help create the chain’s first ever Altitude Studio – due to open this summer – a dedicated space for people to prepare for performance at altitude or simply to get fitter.



“Exploration is at the heart of the human psyche, especially in us Britons who have a long history of discovery – it’s in our blood,” said Levison.

“I believe that anyone can discover new ways to stay active no matter their level of fitness, their age or where they live. It’s about being brave enough to try something new and not getting stuck in a rut; finding out your own limits and testing them.”
RELATED STORIES
Virgin Active's Matt Merrick and GLL's Mark Sesnan win ukactive Board seats


Virgin Active European COO Matt Merrick and GLL managing director Mark Sesnan have won seats on the new-look ukactive Board of Directors following a high-profile election.
Virgin Active promises fitness innovation through new Discovery Lab


Virgin Active has announced the launch of its long-awaited Discovery Lab – a creative hub made up of health and fitness experts that will drive development of products and classes.
Virgin Active to be sold to South African investors


Global fitness chain Virgin Active has been sold to South African investment firm Brait.
LaSalle snaps up Virgin Active sites in £9m acquisition


LaSalle Investment Management, an independent sub­sidiary of US-based real estate giant Jones Lang LaSalle, has given a large vote of confidence to the trajectory of the UK health and fitness sector with a £9m investment in two Virgin Active health clubs.
MORE NEWS
Butterfly sanctuary to host hot yoga during retreat at Jersey Zoo for Hotel de France
Hotel de France, located on the British Isle of Jersey, has created a wellness retreat package that includes a hot yoga session that will take place in Jersey Zoo’s butterfly sanctuary.
Warner Bros Discovery collaborates on upcoming Pompeii attraction
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while remaining actively involved with the company.
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
Therme Manchester reveals 90:90 strategy – 90 per cent of the UK population within a 90-minute drive of a Therme
Therme Manchester’s 28-acre development, which will include interconnected glass pavilions that measure 65,000sq m, will be the largest bathing and wellbeing attraction in the world once complete, according to prof David Russell, CEO of Therme UK. 
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
RMA Ltd

RMA Ltd is a one-stop global company that can design, build and produce from a greenfield site upw [more...]
Painting With Light

By combining lighting, video, scenic and architectural elements, sound and special effects we tell s [more...]
QubicaAMF UK

QubicaAMF is the largest and most innovative bowling equipment provider with 600 employees worldwi [more...]
IDEATTACK

IDEATTACK is a full-service planning and design company with headquarters in Los Angeles. [more...]
+ More profiles  
FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
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