Owner, eActiv Health lounge

The first eActiv Health Lounge opened in Egham, Surrey in September. What is the concept?
We have designed a solution that we think will appeal to the 80 per cent of people who don’t currently exercise.

The eight-machine eGym circuit is complemented by two Pulse bikes in a relaxed, lounge-like environment, which is quite different from the standard gym. By serving free tea and coffee, and being fully staffed, we’re encouraging members to be social.

Our concept is move, eat and relax and will soon be joined by ‘recover’, providing a holistic approach to health and wellbeing. ‘Move’ relates to the exercise element; ‘eat’ to portion and calorie-controlled meals which are on offer at Gym’s Diner. The saltwater floatation pod is the all-important relax element. We will shortly be adding a CRYO Penguin unit, to offer localised cryotherapy, for recovery and rehabilitation.

Why did you chose this kind of kit for your business?
I first came across digital fitness in around 2011 and it immediately appealed because it’s a total body workout in just half an hour. I felt it could be a powerful way to engage the deconditioned market. There’s no intimidation factor – everyone has their own fob, linked to an app, so they know exactly what they have to do and they don’t wander around the gym aimlessly, or have to ask the instructors for help. It’s massive in Germany and Holland – if one club has it, rival clubs have to get it.

Once a user has created an account and completed a series of benchmarking strength tests, then setup and resistance is fully automated. Training resistance is automatically based on the results of the strength tests, so regularly undertaking the tests provides constant performance progressions and motivational statements. As long as people do the 30-minute circuit twice a week, they are guaranteed results, and that’s a simple message to get across.

What are your future plans?
This is the flagship club and myself and business partners Dave Sanders and Pete Hillier are keen to roll them out next year. We’re already looking at new sites. Health Lounge works well in the high street, as the concept only needs a 2,000sq ft footprint and offers a quick lunch time workout. We’re also looking at allowing people to license the concept to run a club within a club.