Life Leisure has officially launched the UK's most acclaimed weight loss programme in Stockport.

As part of the new 'Health Hub' based at Life Leisure Avondale, Weight Loss Guru, the programme originally inspired by Pete Cohen (an advisor on This Morning), is a simple approach to weight loss, tackling behavioural changes and habits incorporating easy steps across exercise, nutrition, motivation and behavioural change.

Supported and delivered by the best fitness staff locally, programme participants attend weekly group sessions focusing on physical activity and behaviour change, with online support 24/7. Weight Loss Guru provides tools to ensure long term weight loss is sustained, with no diets or calorie counting, just long term success.

The new 'health hub' and Weight Loss Guru programme is a unique and innovative initiative in Stockport, the first of its kind in the North West. The centre aims to address the rising levels of obesity and hopes to reverse the rising rates seen over the last decade.

Pete Cohen, founder of Weight Loss Guru commented, "I am really excited to be working with Life Leisure and to be bringing the proven Weight Loss Guru programme to Stockport and the North West. It's a fantastic opportunity to help people with weight problems change their lives for the better and teach them how to maintain these habits for life."

He added: "The programme has an 8 week design to improve motivation, increase self confidence and most of all look good and feel great."

The health hub is the brainchild of Malcolm McPhail, Managing Director at Life Leisure and recently appointed director at the FIA (Fitness Industry Association). Malcolm commented; "Our passion and dedication to sport and exercise also extends to those who may not have always viewed physical activity as an essential component to their lifestyle. Gyms and sporting facilities can cater for people who want to lose weight but don't always have the know how to achieve their goal or maybe the courage to take their first steps."

Obesity costs the NHS an estimated £500m and the wider economy over £2 billion every year. It is estimated that by 2030 the direct cost to the NHS will increase to over £2 billion a year. In Stockport alone the cost of inactivity is at least £5.3 million annually, as reported by the Department of Health's 'Be Active Be Healthy' Report.


'Weight Loss Guru' has the backing of the NHS and will now become a referral pathway in the Borough, complimenting the very successful GP Referral programme (PARiS) that only two years ago went borough wide for all to access.

Life Leisure Avondale will be Stockport's new 'Health Hub', a wellbeing centre for individuals and families alike who wish to make positive lifestyle changes to ensure a better future for themselves. The Weight Loss Guru programme caters for adults, however, other initiatives such as All Together Active, which will also be based at the centre caters for children and their families.

Dr. Chris Cooper, Consultant Paediatrician at NHS Stockport commented: "The new health hub at Life Leisure Avondale is a great chance for families to get results. Changing to a healthy lifestyle, getting active and controlling one's weight has a lasting benefit for everyone. People can be healthier, more confident and meet others making the same healthier choices and work together to reach their goals."

He continued: "The fantastic All Together Active (A2A) programme for children will also be based at the new health hub. Children can be being bullied, depressed, have low achievement, have complex social and medical needs from being overweight, and often have entrenched behaviour patterns that are hard to break. The A2A team do a fantastic job in a sensitive, caring and supportive environment and have had some great results. Unlike other programmes, the A2A programme is not pretending to be a 'quick fix' but stays with the families for 12 months and beyond."