Could brown fat offer a lifeline in battling obesity, and how do we activate it in our bodies? Kate Cracknell reviews the latest research

The Royal Society of Public Health has suggested hairdressers and bar staff could push health messages. So where do health clubs fit in?

Gladstone’s Learn2 software has revolutionised course management, with benefits for both customers and the bottom line

Executive director of ukactive, Steven Ward, presents a sneak preview of the Flame survey findings, which will form part of the inaugural Consumer Insight report due this September

With dementia a growing concern in our rapidly ageing society, fitness and leisure operators must learn to cater for people with this condition, says Kate Cracknell

Regular exercise can help reduce hot flushes in menopausal women, and could provide a natural alternative to HRT

Personalisation of products and services is the key to future-proofing your fitness business, says Ken Hughes of Glacier Consulting

The activity sector has to act now to embed the Active Every Day message in the public psyche, making it as potent a health mantra as Five a Day, says Kate Cracknell

Several international pilot studies look at the link between exercise and dementia across a lifetime

For budget-conscious facilities looking to expand their customer base, virtual classes are still a largely untapped market – particularly in the children and families segment

A leading US massage spa chain is aiming to start a revolution in the UK massage industry

An in-depth study of health club retention in North America identifies the factors that spell the difference between winning and losing

Jak Phillips visits Oxygen Freejumping in Acton and explores whether it can jumpstart the UK’s fledgling trampoline park market

Adventurer Sean Conway believes everyone can do what he does – he’s “just the guy from the pub” – and urges us to unlock our inner adventurer

New Pure Gym ambassador Sir Chris Hoy is on a mission to get the public moving

With its use of EMS technology, just one 20-minute workout a week is all that’s needed, say the manufacturers of the miha bodytec system

Cybex unveils its new Sparc Trainer – the next evolution of high intensity training

Leisure Industry Week relaunches this month having been acquired by BodyPower. We look ahead to what’s on offer this year

Are your reception staff your most undervalued retention resource? Dr Melvyn Hillsdon investigates

Stephen Tharrett of ClubIntel shares the findings from the 2015 International Fitness Industry Trend Report

Are ‘exercise passports’ the shake-up the industry needs to improve retention and market penetration?

The health club of the future will have to be more flexible and adaptable, says Imke Schuller of The Futures Company

Bryan K O’Rourke takes an in-depth look at beacon technology and considers its future implications for health and fitness clubs

Steven Ward and Tanni Grey-Thomspon, executive director and chair of ukactive, are challenging the activity sector to strive for greater things. Kate Cracknell reports

The former Lib Dem MEP and now president of EuropeActive talks to Kate Cracknell about transforming the ‘Cinderalla sport’ of fitness

Jak Phillips visits Olympian Daley Thompson’s new gym in Putney to see how he’s putting the fun and old-school values back into fitness

Early adopter operators of virtual classes have used the technology to maximise use of their studios. Is it time for your club to go virtual?

The former triathlon and Ironman world champion talks to Kate Cracknell about her new role as part of the team at parkrun

The founder of freerunning talks to Kate Cracknell about James Bond, growing his academy network, and the vital need for everyone to move and have fun

Touchstone Partners’ Tim Baker looks at the journey to becoming – and staying – a health club member