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features

Letters: Write to reply

Do you have a strong opinion or disagree with somebody else’s views on the industry? If so, we’d love to hear from you – email: [email protected]

Published in Health Club Management 2014 issue 8
Read in the digital edition | Download PDF of this issue

Managing workplace stress: the role of exercise and diet

Chris Andrews,

MD,

Personal Touch Fitness


I was interested to read your articles on mental health in the June issue (see HCM June 14, p30 and p56). As corporate gym specialists, we at Personal Touch Fitness are only too aware of the problems caused to employees by stress.

Unfortunately, although stress is a big cause of absenteeism – the latest research by the Health and Safety Executive shows that 13.4 million of the days lost annually to illness are attributable to stress, anxiety or depression – employees are often afraid to admit it to their bosses, which makes the problem even worse.

Stress management is a large part of what we provide. This not only includes telling people how to read the signs of stress, but also how to cope with it through exercise, which has been proven to reduce stress by as much as 30 per cent. Achieving 10,000 steps a day, as recommended in the government’s physical activity guidelines, can play a significant role.

We also run courses specifically designed to aid relaxation in the workplace, including yoga, pilates and tai chi. Appreciating the value of holistic therapies in relieving stress, we also offer massage to relieve tension. And because it takes place at work, it provides a legitimate excuse for people to get away from their desks and unwind.

Stress, and how to handle it better, is also one of our popular ‘Lunch & Learn’ talks.

Some of the solutions are incredibly simple and just require minor changes. For example, encourage staff to conduct their meetings outdoors. Walking and talking in the fresh air is highly recommended, and I guarantee people will enjoy getting outside the building. It will also help them achieve their 10,000 daily steps.

Last but not least, people should pay attention to their diet – cutting down on sugary foods and never skipping breakfast – and get lots of good sleep, ideally seven hours a night, and with all electronic devices turned off at least an hour before bed.

Letting employees hold work meetings outdoors can help combat stress / PHOTO: WWW/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/ BIKERIDERLONDON
Letting employees hold work meetings outdoors can help combat stress / PHOTO: WWW/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/ BIKERIDERLONDON

Gone are the days of a ‘one size fits all’ offering

Julian Berriman,

R&D director,

Premier Training


I always read Health Club Management with great interest, but the June issue really made me take stock of where we are as an industry. It’s an exciting time.

Mental health was debated well: it’s heartening to see more providers recognising that these considerations can be as important as physical motivators.

It was also interesting to see how technology is improving the sector, not only tracking what we do but also being used to feed back on user experience. This is powerful stuff and will ensure the very best service delivery day in, day out.

I thoroughly enjoyed the feature on the Aspire National Training Centre, which has 3,000 disabled members (30 per cent of the user base). As a nation, we have so many different needs to be met; the opportunities for trainers to operate in a market niche are incredible.

Microgyms are a game changer for consumers, operators and indeed trainers – a very exciting development and one that will ensure innovation and hopefully long-term sector retention.

Gone are the days of a one size fits all approach to leisure delivery. It’s not only providers that need to be flexible but the trainers too, adopting these new trends and indeed creating their own.

What a time to be in the industry! Here’s to the next 12 months.

Targeted offers are replacing a ‘one size fits all’ approach
Targeted offers are replacing a ‘one size fits all’ approach
Sign up here to get HCM's weekly ezine and every issue of HCM magazine free on digital.
Stress  corporate wellness  mental health  disability  microgyms 
Sign up for FREE ezines & magazines
Malcolm McPhail
Malcolm McPhail
Avondale Leisure Centre is pioneering the concept of a community ‘health hub’, stripping away the barriers of a traditional club
Avondale Leisure Centre is pioneering the concept of a community ‘health hub’, stripping away the barriers of a traditional club
The AlterG anti-gravity treadmill enables larger people to exercise more comfortably
The AlterG anti-gravity treadmill enables larger people to exercise more comfortably
Walking programmes can help bring people out of inactivity
Walking programmes can help bring people out of inactivity
https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/HCM2014_8letter.jpg
Managing workplace stress through diet and exercise can bring huge benefits to all, says Chris Andrews, MD of Personal Touch Fitness
Chris Andrews MD, Personal Touch Fitness Julian Berriman R&D director, Premier Training,Stress, corporate wellness, mental health, disability, microgyms
HCM magazine
Editor's letter

Mental health training

Members are telling us they need support with their mental and spiritual health and the industry is starting to see this need. Now’s the time to fast-track our response
HCM magazine
Everyone's talking about

Mental health training

Now mental health is the number one reason for people to join a health club, do fitness professionals need a grounding in counselling to offer a more holistic service? Kath Hudson asks the experts
HCM magazine
HCM People

Dr Jonathan Leary

Founder, Remedy Place
“It was as though the whole world woke up at the same time”
HCM magazine
HCM People

Cristiano Ronaldo

Footballer and entrepreneur
“Taking care of your physical and mental health is essential for a fulfilling life”
HCM magazine
Letters

Write to reply

Fuel the debate about issues across the industry and share your ideas and experiences. We’d love to hear from you. [email protected]
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features

Letters: Write to reply

Do you have a strong opinion or disagree with somebody else’s views on the industry? If so, we’d love to hear from you – email: [email protected]

Published in Health Club Management 2014 issue 8
Read in the digital edition | Download PDF of this issue

Managing workplace stress: the role of exercise and diet

Chris Andrews,

MD,

Personal Touch Fitness


I was interested to read your articles on mental health in the June issue (see HCM June 14, p30 and p56). As corporate gym specialists, we at Personal Touch Fitness are only too aware of the problems caused to employees by stress.

Unfortunately, although stress is a big cause of absenteeism – the latest research by the Health and Safety Executive shows that 13.4 million of the days lost annually to illness are attributable to stress, anxiety or depression – employees are often afraid to admit it to their bosses, which makes the problem even worse.

Stress management is a large part of what we provide. This not only includes telling people how to read the signs of stress, but also how to cope with it through exercise, which has been proven to reduce stress by as much as 30 per cent. Achieving 10,000 steps a day, as recommended in the government’s physical activity guidelines, can play a significant role.

We also run courses specifically designed to aid relaxation in the workplace, including yoga, pilates and tai chi. Appreciating the value of holistic therapies in relieving stress, we also offer massage to relieve tension. And because it takes place at work, it provides a legitimate excuse for people to get away from their desks and unwind.

Stress, and how to handle it better, is also one of our popular ‘Lunch & Learn’ talks.

Some of the solutions are incredibly simple and just require minor changes. For example, encourage staff to conduct their meetings outdoors. Walking and talking in the fresh air is highly recommended, and I guarantee people will enjoy getting outside the building. It will also help them achieve their 10,000 daily steps.

Last but not least, people should pay attention to their diet – cutting down on sugary foods and never skipping breakfast – and get lots of good sleep, ideally seven hours a night, and with all electronic devices turned off at least an hour before bed.

Letting employees hold work meetings outdoors can help combat stress / PHOTO: WWW/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/ BIKERIDERLONDON
Letting employees hold work meetings outdoors can help combat stress / PHOTO: WWW/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/ BIKERIDERLONDON

Gone are the days of a ‘one size fits all’ offering

Julian Berriman,

R&D director,

Premier Training


I always read Health Club Management with great interest, but the June issue really made me take stock of where we are as an industry. It’s an exciting time.

Mental health was debated well: it’s heartening to see more providers recognising that these considerations can be as important as physical motivators.

It was also interesting to see how technology is improving the sector, not only tracking what we do but also being used to feed back on user experience. This is powerful stuff and will ensure the very best service delivery day in, day out.

I thoroughly enjoyed the feature on the Aspire National Training Centre, which has 3,000 disabled members (30 per cent of the user base). As a nation, we have so many different needs to be met; the opportunities for trainers to operate in a market niche are incredible.

Microgyms are a game changer for consumers, operators and indeed trainers – a very exciting development and one that will ensure innovation and hopefully long-term sector retention.

Gone are the days of a one size fits all approach to leisure delivery. It’s not only providers that need to be flexible but the trainers too, adopting these new trends and indeed creating their own.

What a time to be in the industry! Here’s to the next 12 months.

Targeted offers are replacing a ‘one size fits all’ approach
Targeted offers are replacing a ‘one size fits all’ approach
Sign up here to get HCM's weekly ezine and every issue of HCM magazine free on digital.
Stress  corporate wellness  mental health  disability  microgyms 
Sign up for FREE ezines & magazines
Malcolm McPhail
Malcolm McPhail
Avondale Leisure Centre is pioneering the concept of a community ‘health hub’, stripping away the barriers of a traditional club
Avondale Leisure Centre is pioneering the concept of a community ‘health hub’, stripping away the barriers of a traditional club
The AlterG anti-gravity treadmill enables larger people to exercise more comfortably
The AlterG anti-gravity treadmill enables larger people to exercise more comfortably
Walking programmes can help bring people out of inactivity
Walking programmes can help bring people out of inactivity
https://www.leisureopportunities.co.uk/images/HCM2014_8letter.jpg
Managing workplace stress through diet and exercise can bring huge benefits to all, says Chris Andrews, MD of Personal Touch Fitness
Chris Andrews MD, Personal Touch Fitness Julian Berriman R&D director, Premier Training,Stress, corporate wellness, mental health, disability, microgyms
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£24,687.57pa + pension + health care + benefits
Uppingham, Rutland, United Kingdom
Read the latest issue
Connect with Health Club Management
Connect with Health Club Management
Read the digital edition Download as PDF View contents Print subscription Free digital edition
Featured supplier news
Featured supplier news: W3Fit EMEA’s innovative programme sets sail for Sardinia, Italy
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Click on a catalogue to view it online
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Cariitti : TAIVE sauna product line provides complete solutions for sauna interiors. Cariitti
Himalayan Source: Halotherapy is very versatile in its application to a spa, and can be installed as a small section of wall to an entire backlit enclosure with heated benches. If space is limited, Himalayan salt blocks can be installed as partial walls, as framed wall décor, or added to the room as a stand-alone unit. Himalayan Source
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