04 letters
The industry needs to push for a better understanding of music licensing and its legal basis, says Steele Williams of jumpbumpy

06 news round-up
£67m leisure hub for Wigan, an ecofriendly gym for Harrow, the UK’s first leisure centre is rebuilt, plus the latest supplier and training news

12 international news
Virgin Active has its sights firmly set on Australia and énergie fitness for women reaches Latvia

14 fia update
The new Code of Practice – a ‘badge of trust’ for the industry – is launched this month

18 reps update
Results from the REPs/SkillsActive’s special populations review

20 people news
Innes Kerr is head of The énergie Group’s new business support service, plus senior appointments at The Club Company

22 competitive edge
Charity events for staff and members

23 diary dates
SIBEC UK takes place this month

24 everyone’s talking about... special populations
With increasing numbers of members coming from ‘special population’ groups, we ask whether we’re expecting too much of our fitness instructors

26 interview: andrew holt
The MD of Parkwood Leisure talks of success in local authority facilities management and the challenges ahead for the private sector

30 love thy neighbour
Jo Talbot pays a visit to GL-14, set within a residential development of listed buildings in Bedfordshire, to see how the company’s new club model is working out

34 touching the void
We take a look at the fi rst known study to define the positive and negative side effects of massage

36 kidding around
Standalone clubs or ‘tag on’ facilities at multi-purpose sites – what’s the future for kids’ fitness?

40 buy & sell
Including Virtual Trainers in Life Fitness treadmills

42 winds of change
Much has been said about the advent of budget clubs. We take a look at the main players bidding for a share of the UK ‘no frills’ market

46 pre-owned success
We talk to a selection of operators about the cost savings of buying pre-owned equipment

50 supplier profile: matt pengelly, star trac
Kate Cracknell talks to the UK MD of Star Trac about the company’s new Expect Different campaign

54 hosts with the most
Interaction with members is key to retention, but are we giving our staff the right training or incentives?

58 automation nation
Whether your needs are data extraction, freeing up staff, or standardisation across sites, the latest CRM systems meet the brief

64 fitness-kit special: lockers & changing rooms
Including infrared cabins from MagMed and MRSA-busting cleaning products from Bonasystems

66 a worthy investment
With more and more clubs adding spa facilities, we take a look at the offerings of some of the front-runners. Plus a focus on swimming pools

70 living in harmony
We mystery shop the awardwinning Wildmoor Spa & Health Club and get a lesson in integration

80 lightweights
Fish-watching for a good night’s sleep