Fitness First plans to incorporate new concepts in design and programming throughout its estate over the next 12 months.

The company’s latest three clubs in Paternoster Square, London; Milton Keynes and Bedford all demonstrate new concepts in member stimulation, says Matt Keatley, head of fitness equipment utilisation at Fitness First: “Continuous member stimulation is of paramount importance if we are to retain members within our clubs. In these new builds we have really focused on delivering this.”

The new clubs demonstrate that compact facilities are able to successfully deliver a progressive workout experience to every member. New members are first inducted on the intuitive Life Fitness Signature Series and then progress through to the Pro 2 range. As confidence and experience grows, instructors and personal trainers introduce the Hammer Strength plate assisted equipment and free weights. This enables the fitness team to introduce a new selection of kit every six weeks, ensuring that the member retains motivation and receives more structured and progressive instruction says Keatley.

The club at Paternoster Square, which services a predominantly corporate market, is the first club in the group to install the FitLinxx gym management system, while the Bedford club is the first to offer a swimming pool, but there are no plans to offer pools elsewhere says Keatley: “The size of the site and the building structure in Bedford simply lent itself to the inclusion of a pool. Having assessed the local market and other operators in the area, it was felt that the club could really benefit from this facility. There are no plans at this time to make it a standard inclusion in future builds, but each market will be assessed individually.”