I’ve commented many times on how trend data from the Leisure Database shows the industry to have been recession-proof during 1980/81 and 1990/91 and also the crash of 2008/09.
However, our reseach has found that the first global pandemic in our lifetime has dwarfed any recession. Results from our 2022 full audit of Direct Debit members of our entire database of 7,000-plus sites shows this part of the industry overall has already bounced back to somewhere between 2018 and 2019, but as always, the devil is in the detail.
Read MoreThat’s right – you heard it here first! Throughout January & February, we have our team of experienced researchers contacting all UK leisure venues seeking to validate & update the existing data already held.
We are unique as we’re the only company, worldwide, that audits the whole industry. We are in touch with around 7,000 sites annually at least once, confirming, collecting and updating the information.
Read MoreGenerations rarely have the opportunity to reset public opinion and effect behaviour change for good. Post pandemic two unequal movements have a lot in common and will be the focus of governments for some time.
The way we think about the future of the planet and our own health will see planetary health at the heart of personal health for years to come. There are four numbers we should consider, 50 billion tons and zero, for climate change, and 150 minutes and zero for personal health.
Read MoreNo matter how you spin it, 2021 will be a great year for cyclists: the year of hybrid, technology-enabled fitness.
My favourite example over the past few months: leave home on my Brompton bike, cycle via the park and cycle super-highways to H2 Victoria, walk up to the roof for an outdoor spinning class with workout data sent to my app. Then pick-up Brompton and cycle home, Apple Watch provides more data.
Read MoreA mounting body of anecdotal evidence from around the world shows how the coronavirus has changed the ways we move. This should not come as a surprise as we are almost a full year into the pandemic changing our regular habits of daily movement. I used to do 10,000 steps just going to and from the office, my fitness regime included a personal trainer once a week and I would enjoy the occasional boxing, indoor cycling or HiiT class. Now, in lockdown 3.0, known as Tier 4, my average steps are down 37%, the PT has been on hold since March and most indoor classes have moved to a digital platform.
Read MoreThe UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (2015) currently form the central focus of the global community’s primary aspirations for a better quality of human (and other) life. SDG 3 concerns ‘Good Health and Wellbeing’. Its nine targets understandably focus on broad components: child health, maternal health, disease prevention. It’s left to the World Health Organization to explore natural ways of attaining good health and wellbeing, beyond medical and technological means.
Read MoreThe current Covid pandemic has swiped the human species like few events before. In early September, we have 25 m. cases and are heading for 1 m. fatalities. It is an historic challenge to the international community of states. And it is an existential threat to the global community of peoples.
Overwhelmingly, our attention is focused on containment and eradication, through collective response – through both political action (lockdown; tracing) and medical (vaccine development).
Read MoreThis interview is from David Minton, Director of the Leisure Database Company who kindly agreed to contribute to the series back in December 2019 when 'Covid', 'Furlough' and 'Social Distancing' were alien and unknown words in our vocabulary.
David is a name that has been in my consciousness for as long as I can remember and when I undertook an MSc in Marketing I would often review some of the many articles that he had written on database marketing, social impacts and technology.
Read MoreAt the time of writing this article, 64% of fitness sites around the world were closed, according to global platform FitnData. An as-yet-unknown number of those will never reopen. Industry body UKActive has warned that a third of the country’s facilities – 2,800 of them – may collapse without government intervention.
Read MoreJust a few weeks ago I was writing and talking about the ‘golden age’ of fitness. The prelapsarian innocence of fitness, when all sectors across the industry were growing.
Then two decades of growth disappeared in just two weeks when all fitness sites closed.
Trend data, built up over many years of auditing the industry, shows fitness to have been recession-proof, but the immediate impact from the coronavirus is far worse than any recession.
Now is the moment of all moments for the fitness community to outfox the lockdown with innovative ideas, since measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 closed down society as we know it.
Read More2.6bn people, or roughly 30% of the world’s population, are currently living under some form of lock down due to Covid-19. According to the latest statistics this has resulted in 64% of the world’s fitness sites being closed either by decree or voluntary arrangement.
Read MoreIn the same way that there is no Planet B, there is also no second body or personal health system, so why are we not looking after both equally? Climate change has jumped onto every political and social agenda and so has coronavirus. So why hasn’t personal fitness?
Read MorefitNdata will be launched by David Minton, founding director of The Leisure Database Company. It will combine real-time supply data with consumer fitness data to offer a series of services enabling solutions and insights for global clients.
Read MoreFor those of you who haven’t heard Emma speak, this book is a must. She writes like she speaks: a machine gun of ideas, passion and wisdom. On stage and on the page, Emma has only one speed and that’s super-fast. So, this book is a godsend for those who need more time to absorb this creative badass genius.
Read MoreThe Japanese archipelago has 6,852 islands but only about 430 are inhabited; in my 16 visits I’ve been to just 8 islands so far. Although the total land mass of Japan is around twice the size of the UK, most of the country is covered by forest and mountains; as a result 90% of the 126 million population live in very concentrated urban areas.
Read MoreGround-breaking technology like Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning is way ahead of fitness industry practices, desires and dreams. The main reason being many fitness sites currently lack the granular data and infrastructure necessary to obtain real AI.
This means our industry is looking through the rear-view mirror on where it’s been, not where it’s going. This is of no use to the consumer and limited use to the operator.
Read MoreThe fitness industry doesn’t need a Tom, Dick, Harry or Hugh…it needs a Greta.
The “Greta Thunberg effect” is infectious; it’s one of the driving forces behind global climate strikes and carbon offsetting worldwide. Whilst climate action is a clear and unequivocal necessity, could all industries learn from the 16-year old?
Read MoreDavid Minton was invited by Leisure Property Forum to panel their recent breakfast seminar to discuss the booming boutique health and fitness market. Here’s a round up of the event.
Read MoreDavid takes a look back at the recent IHRSA Conference in Dublin and shares his insights from the event…
Read MoreHarnessing the appeal of cycling Grand Tours for engaging themed classes – that’s just one of boutique operator Digme Fitness’ eye-catching strategies. Fitness industry observer and cycling enthusiast David Minton climbs into the saddle for its recent Tour de France event.
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