A lasting partnership Speedflex is working with Bannatyne to create the ultimate customer experience Bannatyne is the first national club chain to offer Speedflex’s unique high-intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions, by installing dedicated Speedflex studios in its clubs.
Utilising the scientifically advanced Speedflex machines, sessions provide all the benefits of HIIT training, without the associated risk of injury. Machines provide isokinetic resistance, making them suitable for all abilities and ages.
In true Bannatyne fashion, the move to Speedflex provides an inclusive experience for members.
The Concept Speedflex was founded in 2011 by entrepreneur Graham Wylie CBE, CEO and former Newcastle United physio and player Paul Ferris and former Newcastle United and England captain Alan Shearer.
Speedflex offers HIIT training with a twist, allowing up to 16 people to train together, regardless of their fitness level.
A typical Speedflex studio houses a combination of eight Speedflex machines and eight auxiliary stations. This sequence provides an ever-changing dynamic exercise experience.
During the session, participants can receive feedback through state-of-the-art heart rate monitoring by MyZone.
This enables members to optimise their training by ensuring they’re working in the ideal heart rate zone and allows trainers to track progress and offer motivation through instant feedback, improving the effectiveness of coaching.
The Partnership Initially, Speedflex entered the partnership with Bannatyne to launch its training concept at its Darlington site.
“Understanding the needs of our members is fundamental to everything we do here at Bannatyne,” says Anthony Elliott, operations director. “Our members have told us they want a rounded lifestyle, so we try to take a 360° approach to our offering. We do this through a variety of options, ensuring there truly is something on offer for everyone, no matter what their ability.
“We’re constantly looking at ways we can improve our offering with exciting experiences,” he continues. “The addition of Speedflex is the perfect solution, providing members with a unique, challenging and adaptable workout.
“Speedflex sessions provide a high-intensity, low-impact workout, so every individual can train at their optimum level.
“The sessions have proven to be hugely successful, with members hooked from the first one and waiting lists building up quickly,” he explains. “The Speedflex team also provides fantastic support.”
Future plans Since launching in January 2017, Bannatyne has rolled out the concept to Coulby Newham, Edinburgh, Dunfermline, Durham, Norwich, Manchester and Mansfield, with Belfast opening later this year.
Bannatyne CEO Justin Musgrove (left) with Paul Ferris and Alan Shearer at Speedflex Mansfield
Transforming payments
Fitness Space revolutionises its Direct Debit solution with help from GoCardless
Ross Pert, GoCardless
One of Europe’s fastest growing fitness and health club franchises, Fitness Space, has recently taken on GoCardless as its new Direct Debit solution, with the payments provider now handling up to 70 per cent of all membership payments.
Fitness Space has 23 sites in the UK, with another 16 in the works. Much of its success to date is down to offering a highly personalised and bespoke service.
“With other gym and fitness operators members are paying for access to the facilities and equipment. With us, they’re paying for a service that’s bigger than the four walls of our studios,” explains Fitness Space operations director John Pye.
With such a high proportion of monthly membership payments coming from Direct Debit, Fitness Space required a solution that could handle an ever-growing number of payments.
The franchise was also moving to a new CRM system, called ClubRight, meaning the existing integration between GoCardless and ClubRight was key.
Rather than targeting the volume of members, Fitness Space instead focuses on higher yields-per-head. This means its service needs to reflect this, and additional products and services, like hot yoga, nutritional programmes and DNA testing are available to accommodate even the most demanding of members.
Instant payment visibility This progressive approach carried over to its way of thinking across all areas of the business, including payments. “We saw GoCardless as the most forward-thinking option and a good fit for us,” says Pye. “We like the fact that it integrates with ClubRight and gives us an instant view of the status of member payments and mandates.”
The GoCardless reporting functionality means Fitness Space is much better equipped to communicate with members regarding payments and subscriptions.
With the new Direct Debit solution in place, the franchise was able to improve its effectiveness. Previously, it was limited to doing one Direct Debit run a month – to the frustration of employees and members alike – however, with GoCardless, Fitness Space now has the flexibility to take payments at any time, removing a significant barrier in the joining process.
It’s not just during the initial sale and sign-up process where payments became a key consideration for the franchise, but also for the benefit of existing members.
It can now tailor its payment to suit the needs of individual members, including splitting off pro-rata payments.
An unexpected, but very welcome side effect for Fitness Space is the option to take one-off payments via Direct Debit, rather than by card. This transition has helped the fitness franchise save costs, as transaction fees on Direct Debit are lower.
Ross Pert, payments specialist at GoCardless, says: “As Fitness Space continues to focus on offering a top-quality experience to members, GoCardless will be there to take care of payment processing, compliance and regulations on their behalf.”
“Fitness Space is focused on member experience. At GoCardless, we strive to provide a payment solution that adds to this experience” - Ross Pert, GoCardless
With GoCardless, operators can take Direct Debit payments for add-ons like classes and nutrition plans at any time
COMPANY PROFILES
Alterface
Alterface’s Creative Division team is
seasoned in concept and ride development,
as well as storyte [more...]
QubicaAMF UK
QubicaAMF is the largest and most
innovative bowling equipment provider with
600 employees worldwi [more...]
Taylor Made Designs
Founded in 1993, Taylor Made
Designs supply corporate clothing
and brand-enhancing merchandise
to [more...]
Painting With Light
By combining lighting, video, scenic and architectural elements, sound and special effects we tell s [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...]
A lasting partnership Speedflex is working with Bannatyne to create the ultimate customer experience Bannatyne is the first national club chain to offer Speedflex’s unique high-intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions, by installing dedicated Speedflex studios in its clubs.
Utilising the scientifically advanced Speedflex machines, sessions provide all the benefits of HIIT training, without the associated risk of injury. Machines provide isokinetic resistance, making them suitable for all abilities and ages.
In true Bannatyne fashion, the move to Speedflex provides an inclusive experience for members.
The Concept Speedflex was founded in 2011 by entrepreneur Graham Wylie CBE, CEO and former Newcastle United physio and player Paul Ferris and former Newcastle United and England captain Alan Shearer.
Speedflex offers HIIT training with a twist, allowing up to 16 people to train together, regardless of their fitness level.
A typical Speedflex studio houses a combination of eight Speedflex machines and eight auxiliary stations. This sequence provides an ever-changing dynamic exercise experience.
During the session, participants can receive feedback through state-of-the-art heart rate monitoring by MyZone.
This enables members to optimise their training by ensuring they’re working in the ideal heart rate zone and allows trainers to track progress and offer motivation through instant feedback, improving the effectiveness of coaching.
The Partnership Initially, Speedflex entered the partnership with Bannatyne to launch its training concept at its Darlington site.
“Understanding the needs of our members is fundamental to everything we do here at Bannatyne,” says Anthony Elliott, operations director. “Our members have told us they want a rounded lifestyle, so we try to take a 360° approach to our offering. We do this through a variety of options, ensuring there truly is something on offer for everyone, no matter what their ability.
“We’re constantly looking at ways we can improve our offering with exciting experiences,” he continues. “The addition of Speedflex is the perfect solution, providing members with a unique, challenging and adaptable workout.
“Speedflex sessions provide a high-intensity, low-impact workout, so every individual can train at their optimum level.
“The sessions have proven to be hugely successful, with members hooked from the first one and waiting lists building up quickly,” he explains. “The Speedflex team also provides fantastic support.”
Future plans Since launching in January 2017, Bannatyne has rolled out the concept to Coulby Newham, Edinburgh, Dunfermline, Durham, Norwich, Manchester and Mansfield, with Belfast opening later this year.
Bannatyne CEO Justin Musgrove (left) with Paul Ferris and Alan Shearer at Speedflex Mansfield
Transforming payments
Fitness Space revolutionises its Direct Debit solution with help from GoCardless
Ross Pert, GoCardless
One of Europe’s fastest growing fitness and health club franchises, Fitness Space, has recently taken on GoCardless as its new Direct Debit solution, with the payments provider now handling up to 70 per cent of all membership payments.
Fitness Space has 23 sites in the UK, with another 16 in the works. Much of its success to date is down to offering a highly personalised and bespoke service.
“With other gym and fitness operators members are paying for access to the facilities and equipment. With us, they’re paying for a service that’s bigger than the four walls of our studios,” explains Fitness Space operations director John Pye.
With such a high proportion of monthly membership payments coming from Direct Debit, Fitness Space required a solution that could handle an ever-growing number of payments.
The franchise was also moving to a new CRM system, called ClubRight, meaning the existing integration between GoCardless and ClubRight was key.
Rather than targeting the volume of members, Fitness Space instead focuses on higher yields-per-head. This means its service needs to reflect this, and additional products and services, like hot yoga, nutritional programmes and DNA testing are available to accommodate even the most demanding of members.
Instant payment visibility This progressive approach carried over to its way of thinking across all areas of the business, including payments. “We saw GoCardless as the most forward-thinking option and a good fit for us,” says Pye. “We like the fact that it integrates with ClubRight and gives us an instant view of the status of member payments and mandates.”
The GoCardless reporting functionality means Fitness Space is much better equipped to communicate with members regarding payments and subscriptions.
With the new Direct Debit solution in place, the franchise was able to improve its effectiveness. Previously, it was limited to doing one Direct Debit run a month – to the frustration of employees and members alike – however, with GoCardless, Fitness Space now has the flexibility to take payments at any time, removing a significant barrier in the joining process.
It’s not just during the initial sale and sign-up process where payments became a key consideration for the franchise, but also for the benefit of existing members.
It can now tailor its payment to suit the needs of individual members, including splitting off pro-rata payments.
An unexpected, but very welcome side effect for Fitness Space is the option to take one-off payments via Direct Debit, rather than by card. This transition has helped the fitness franchise save costs, as transaction fees on Direct Debit are lower.
Ross Pert, payments specialist at GoCardless, says: “As Fitness Space continues to focus on offering a top-quality experience to members, GoCardless will be there to take care of payment processing, compliance and regulations on their behalf.”
“Fitness Space is focused on member experience. At GoCardless, we strive to provide a payment solution that adds to this experience” - Ross Pert, GoCardless
With GoCardless, operators can take Direct Debit payments for add-ons like classes and nutrition plans at any time
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
Alterface Alterface’s Creative Division team is
seasoned in concept and ride development,
as well as storyte [more...]
QubicaAMF UK QubicaAMF is the largest and most
innovative bowling equipment provider with
600 employees worldwi [more...]
Taylor Made Designs Founded in 1993, Taylor Made
Designs supply corporate clothing
and brand-enhancing merchandise
to [more...]
Painting With Light By combining lighting, video, scenic and architectural elements, sound and special effects we tell s [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...]