Nottingham University’s new SYNRGY-based Active Trail is proving a hit with students and staff alike

There’s a new mindset among consumers regarding how they want to consume fitness – and it means the health club sector will need to place greater emphasis on creating unique, engaging experiences, says Kate Cracknell

Transport for London invites you to ‘Walk the Tube’

The fitness industry may be growing, but it needs to do even more to achieve future success. David Minton looks at moves in the private and public sector, and the need for all clubs to better embrace the power of social media

Steven Ward offers his views on what the new DCMS Sporting Future strategy means for the physical activity sector

Exercise may enhance the plasticity of the adult brain, making it more flexible and open to new ideas and ways of learning, according to new research from the University of Pisa, Italy

A proliferation of opportunities to be physically active. ukactive’s Steven Ward looks ahead to 2016

The coming together of sport and fitness – encapsulated in the new DCMS strategy – marks a huge opportunity for health clubs and leisure centres to play to their strengths and tap into new funding streams, says Kate Cracknell

Only 60 per cent of people coming into a gym to make enquiries are asked for their contact details. Mystery shopper specialist Proinsight shares the findings of its latest research into sales performance across the fitness sector

Business theorist Nir Eyal – who specialises in the intersection of psychology, technology and business – offers a sneak preview of his keynote presentation at IHRSA 2016

Stephen Tharrett and Mark Williamson of brand insights firm ClubIntel share a glimpse into the work and resulting outcomes of the recent 2015 International Fitness Industry Trend report - What’s All the Rage

Mintel’s senior leisure and technology analyst, Paul Davies, looks at the current state of the health and fitness market, and asks how club operators can be more innovative in 2016 and beyond

Strictly Come Dancing’s Darcey Bussell tells us all about her new group exercise programme

Health clubs are popping up in increasingly diverse locations – so how do you decide if a site is right for you?

Dance-based fitness classes are booming. Hayley Price takes a look at how health clubs and leisure operators are responding to the growing variety of offerings on the market

There’s a new, more relaxed attitude among consumers in terms of loyalty, says Imke Schuller of The Futures Company

We’re consistently wrong about how much physical activity people actually do – and it affects our own inclination to exercise. Hannah Shrimpton reports on the findings of Ipsos Mori’s research

Is it worth encouraging your members to visit their health club more frequently? Dr Melvyn Hillsdon does the sums based on the latest data and findings from the TRP 10,000 survey

The European fitness market continues its strong growth, with the total number of health and fitness club members now exceeding 50 million, according to the latest European Health & Fitness Market Report

Stressed-out sports captains, struggling to put out a team on a cold Tuesday evening in Stoke, have been thrown a lifeline – an app which links up available sportspeople with local teams in need of players.

Former Twitter CEO Dick Costolo has announced that he is working on a new fitness software platform which will seek to integrate existing apps and workouts with a strong “community aspect.”

Fitness tracking devices are expected to remain the dominant force in the wearable tech market over the next three years, according to new research, although smartwatches are anticipated to gradually increase their market share.

Disney and Creative England have named Liverpool-based tech firm Citrus Suite as the winner of an £80,000 development fund to create an app that inspires families to lead healthier lifestyles.

It’s understood that IMAX, which specialises in creating immersive 3D and 4D cinematic experiences, is looking to move into the US health and fitness industry.

Sports minister Tracey Crouch has highlighted the importance of technology and apps in trying to mobilise people from disadvantaged communities to get active.

Fitbug Holdings has secured the services of innovation specialist and former Nokia high flyer Dr Mark Ollila as a non-executive director.

Fitness start-up Dibs Technology has raised US$1m (€920,000, £687,000) in seed funding as the fledgling business bids to expand the reach of its dynamic-pricing technology for fitness classes.

Spanish wellness destination SHA Wellness Clinic has recently added a bioenergetic unit to its medi-spa offerings. The unit is a high-tech system for evaluating and improving health, based on human energy, and was developed in-house by Dr Ana Maria Oliva, a biomedical engineer.

A new €4m high performance training facility – designed to help Ireland’s Olympic hopefuls win medals at major events – will open its doors in Dublin next month (February 2016).

Fitbit, the world’s biggest seller of wearable technology, is being sued in the US over claims that its heart rate monitors are inaccurate and place exercisers at risk.