The pandemic is stretching the industry to the limit and it’s a time none of us will ever forget. Moving forward, we need to make a plan to ensure we’re better prepared to represent ourselves in the corridors of power
By Liz Terry | Published in Health Club Management 2020 issue 6
Now is the time to step up and prove our worth / Shutterstock/ KlaraBstock
On 25 June, we published a global exclusive – research from the University of Oslo which showed there is “no threat of increased COVID-19 spread” at fitness facilities, even when intensive training takes place.
The story has gone on to be our best-read ever, with hundreds of thousands of shares from people all over the world. It has also been republished everywhere from The New York Times to The Washington Post.
The research – ‘Randomised reopening of training facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic’ – has been challenged, debated, lauded and dismissed, but most importantly, it has opened a conversation around how we – as a sector – are going to transact with governments and decision-makers going forward.
The fact only one academic institution in the world chose to explore the safety of using gyms in the age of COVID-19, indicates a lack of rigour in our sector, showing that we are not yet properly geared up to represent ourselves at the highest levels.
This kind of research should have been happening everywhere, creating a global picture of gym safety to inform the development of operating procedures and strengthen our position in discussions with governments.
The agonising negotiations which have been going on with government-mandated scientists around reopening show clearly that we lack evidence to defend ourselves and lack heft as a sector.
They’ve also revealed mind-boggling levels of ignorance about the way we work and the contribution we make to society and to people’s mental and physical wellbeing.
Going forward, companies which are making profits out of this market need to start to put a little more resource into national and global strategies to defend and champion the sector in the corridors of power.
Before COVID-19, we were a successful market, but also a young one, still a little scrappy and with an entrepreneurial culture. We must come out of the other side of COVID with a new mantle, forged by the challenges we’ve faced – seasoned, savvy and with a strategy to prove our worth, defend our corner and make sure the people in power are in no doubt about the value of our work.
It’s time to muscle up and get some real clout.
Obesity drives COVID-19 deaths, numerous studies show exercise defends against it and helps people recover from it. We know we can operate safely. Now is the time to step up, to prove it – and to evidence it.
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...]
The pandemic is stretching the industry to the limit and it’s a time none of us will ever forget. Moving forward, we need to make a plan to ensure we’re better prepared to represent ourselves in the corridors of power
By Liz Terry | Published in Health Club Management 2020 issue 6
Now is the time to step up and prove our worth / Shutterstock/ KlaraBstock
On 25 June, we published a global exclusive – research from the University of Oslo which showed there is “no threat of increased COVID-19 spread” at fitness facilities, even when intensive training takes place.
The story has gone on to be our best-read ever, with hundreds of thousands of shares from people all over the world. It has also been republished everywhere from The New York Times to The Washington Post.
The research – ‘Randomised reopening of training facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic’ – has been challenged, debated, lauded and dismissed, but most importantly, it has opened a conversation around how we – as a sector – are going to transact with governments and decision-makers going forward.
The fact only one academic institution in the world chose to explore the safety of using gyms in the age of COVID-19, indicates a lack of rigour in our sector, showing that we are not yet properly geared up to represent ourselves at the highest levels.
This kind of research should have been happening everywhere, creating a global picture of gym safety to inform the development of operating procedures and strengthen our position in discussions with governments.
The agonising negotiations which have been going on with government-mandated scientists around reopening show clearly that we lack evidence to defend ourselves and lack heft as a sector.
They’ve also revealed mind-boggling levels of ignorance about the way we work and the contribution we make to society and to people’s mental and physical wellbeing.
Going forward, companies which are making profits out of this market need to start to put a little more resource into national and global strategies to defend and champion the sector in the corridors of power.
Before COVID-19, we were a successful market, but also a young one, still a little scrappy and with an entrepreneurial culture. We must come out of the other side of COVID with a new mantle, forged by the challenges we’ve faced – seasoned, savvy and with a strategy to prove our worth, defend our corner and make sure the people in power are in no doubt about the value of our work.
It’s time to muscle up and get some real clout.
Obesity drives COVID-19 deaths, numerous studies show exercise defends against it and helps people recover from it. We know we can operate safely. Now is the time to step up, to prove it – and to evidence it.
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.
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.
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.
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’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.
Efteling has opened Hooghmoed, a new family drop tower designed to broaden the appeal of its
recently launched Sirene Island themed area and introduce younger visitors to thrill attractions.
A proposed Puy du Fou development near Bicester and Universal Destinations and Experiences’
planned resort in Bedford are emerging as part of a wider transformation of the Oxford–
Cambridge Growth Corridor into a major centre for UK leisure and tourism inv
Shedd Aquarium has opened the Immersion Theater developed in partnership with SimEx-
Iwerks, as part of a wider strategy to enhance the guest experience and create additional
revenue opportunities.
The UK government has announced a temporary reduction in VAT on visitor attractions and
children’s meals as part of a summer cost-of-living support package designed to stimulate the
visitor economy and encourage family days out.
As designer Yinka Ilori prepares for his first solo gallery show in London, he speaks exclusively
to CLADmag about his mission to spread joy, the power of play, and his bold approach to using
colour (including the colours you won’t see in his work).
The government of Thailand is exploring plans for a THB300bn (£6.3bn, US$8.3bn)
entertainment complex in the country’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), with officials
proposing a large-scale theme park and sports destination as part of a broader tourism and
economic development strategy.
+ More news
COMPANY PROFILES
IAAPA EMEA IAAPA Expo Europe was established in 2006 and has grown to the largest international conference and [more...]
Sally Corporation Our services include: Dark ride design & build; Redevelopment of existing attractions; High-quality [more...]
Clip 'n Climb Clip ‘n Climb currently offers facility owners and
investors more than 40 colourful and unique
Cha [more...]
RMA Ltd RMA Ltd is a one-stop global company
that can design, build and produce from a
greenfield site upw [more...]
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...]
