Team YP

A beautiful gesture and a project that makes us proud: Hudayriat Island Beach opened in Abu Dhabi last week. The project was officially inaugurated by Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony and pigeons and balloons that were released.

Image source: The National. Image edited.

About Hudayriat Island

There is no better way to put it: Hudayriat Island is a “gift” to the people of Abu Dhabi, to enjoy their leisure time without opening the wallet – with exception of bike rentals and a big choice of food from food trucks, all other activities are free of charge.

Image source: The National. Image edited.

The project includes a 5km & 10km cycling and running track, it is even set to Olympic standards and able to host Triathlons. After installation of safety measures, the beach will open just after Ramadan. Visitors can soak up the sun on sunloungers, and the lifeguard are already on duty to watch over beachgoers. In addition, visitors can train on the football fields, volleyball courts, basketball courts, and beach football fields. Plenty of action!

A project we are proud of

We’re very proud to have been involved in the creation of Hudayriat Island. It started more than a year ago, when our colleagues over at SALFO asked us to step in and help bring this to life. With our know-how about the region, we advised on the design and layout of the sports facilities. As often, our involvement was in operations, and we created a working operational flow for the project.

Image source: The National. Image edited.

CEO Yves Preissler comments on the launch of Hudayriat Island: “Hudayriat Island in Abu Dhabi is representative of the ambition and generosity of the UAE. It’s a premier leisure destination with free activities for all visitors. I congratulate the Abu Dhabi Sports Council for the launch of such a vast project!”

Image credit: The National. Image edited.

Lovingly called “the bridge to nowhere” by Abu Dhabi citizens, we are happy that the bridge finally leads somewhere: To leisure paradise, where everything is free. The wait is over, and it was definitely worth it.

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All images & information from The National

Stands you should visit

Matrix Fitness

CUBE

Ziva

Last minute 1-2-1s!

I would like to invite the UAE Fitness market to brace itself. Because if there’s been a noteworthy market entry, it’s this one.

GYMNATION Is bound to launch in May 2018 as the region’s first budget concept.

You are looking at affordable fitness without any contracts of upfront payments. The concept is simple: No frills. No towels, sauna or steam room. Just a really fully kitted out gym, and a focus on exercising. Think RyanAir but in gyms.

The concept is unique and the first of its kind in the Middle East, budget gyms aren’t something that’s known in this market.

What Gymnation Say About their Concept

GYMNATION is Dubai’s most affordable and flexible gym, with gym memberships starting from AED 129 per month and no-contract-cancel-anytime membership options. You will find our gym welcoming with a no-judgements policy, in fact nearly a third of our members are first time gym users who are only just starting on their health and fitness journey.

We are here to make a difference and through GYMNATION we want to make sure everybody in Dubai has an affordable and welcoming gym option – that’s why we call ourselves THE PEOPLE’S GYM.

YP X GYMNATION

During our work with Gymnation, we had several areas we collaborated on: The first part was the equipment choice and supply, ensuring that the right machines for the concept were selected.

As usual, we follow through with the supply of the equipment. We reviewed the general fitout and advised Gymnation on the operational flow.

Finally, utilizing the space wisely is paramount, so our team consulted Gymnation in the layout and design.

Boutique Fitness is probably the single most remarkable trend making its way into the Middle East. With the first concepts popping up on the landscape, we thought it is about high time we put it under a magnifying glass and find out what it is all about.

What is Boutique Fitness?

As opposed to the large fitness institutions in the 80s that do a bit of everything, boutique fitness studios focus on one specific area of fitness. Offers range from cycling to kickboxing, from weight training to barre and from ballet barre to yoga. Class sizes are smaller and the boutique gyms are really focused on service & design – two things a demanding customer can never get enough of.

Why are they popular?

The Middle East is going through a major lifestyle shift: From a mostly sedentary lifestyle and poor food choices to a desire to look and feel good. This new desire for a healthy lifestyle brings along more healthy food choices and a larger “menu” of fitness offers to choose from.

There are a lot of things to love about boutique fitness: The fact that a  boutique gym is a comfortable and beautiful place to stay in shape. Urban life can be isolated and lonely, and gyms are a great place to escape these feelings and be part of a likeminded community. As such, they fulfill one of our most basic human needs: belonging.

In addition, boutique gyms offer more services. Personal attention is a price paid happily by members, with a more personalized approach in training, nutrition, and tips for a healthier lifestyle.

Our Boutique Fitness Projects

At YP Consulting we had the pleasure to build a few amazing projects in the region, all of which fall into the boutique fitness category (and inspire you):

United Arab Emirates

Curvalicious

A boutique ladies fitness concept with a unique class concept and design details.

The Platform

A flexible hybrid of gym, studio and lifestyle space. It is a boutique fitness arena that creates an inviting atmosphere where you can train to reach your fitness goals through a multi-disciplinary workout approach.

Kuwait:

Peak Fitness

For the very best in ladies’ fitness, Peak Fitness offers cardio, strength training, and classes especially designed for women. We love the modern design and the playful colors in this boutique gym.

Coming Soon…

YP Consulting is currently working on a US Pilates franchise concept to introduce to Kuwait – we are excited to break the news soon!

The State of Kuwait is the world’s eighth biggest exporter and the tenth largest producer of oil with a small land mass of 20,000 square kilometers and 4.2 million population. Over the last 3 decades, the economy has been flourishing along with the world’s demand for oil.

Kuwait as Growing Economy

It’s ever-growing economy is renown to offer advantageous tax structures for entrepreneurs. In the “High-Income” economy rankings of the World Bank Group, Kuwait is 3rd, just after Taiwan and the Czech Republic:

The Fitness Market in Kuwait

When it comes to the fitness market in specific, the landscape in Kuwait is growing rapidly to keep up with the ever increasing demand. In a 2016 research by statista.com, the total number of fitness facilities in countries across the Middle East has been investigated. Kuwait is the country with the 5th highest number of gyms:

Now, when we turn the statistics around and look at the number of gyms per capita in Kuwait, the below is the result. For every 100,000 people, there are 15 gyms in Kuwait.

Movers & Shakers in Kuwait’s Fitness market

Along with it’s rapid growth, some of the fitness facilities have been able to secure a strong position. Here is a selection of the top players in the Kuwaiti Fitness industry.

Oxygen Gym

Oxygen Gym Kuwait

The very best for classic bodybuilding with a luxury feel: Oxygen Gym.Offers the biggest machine park one can imagine, consisting of international main stream and underdog fitness brands.

Circuit+ Fitness

One of the leading CrossFit Players in the market is Circuit+. Established in 2012, the premium CrossFit gym offers perfect size and services in 3 locations across Kuwait.

Peak Fitness

For the very best in ladies’ fitness, Peak Fitness offers cardio, strength training, and classes especially designed for women. We love the modern design and the playful colors in this boutique gym.

C-Club

With social interaction at the core of its concept, C-Club is a members only club. It overlooks the Arabian Gulf and gives one of the most exclusive facilities in Kuwait.

VFitness

Our selection of the very best PT studio in Kuwait: VFitness. The best international personal trainers accompany members on their fitness journey, with a prime location on the 32nd floor.

Upcoming trends in Kuwait’s Fitness market

At Yves Preissler Consulting, we always keep an eye on the next big trend to hit a market. in Yves own words: “Kuwait is a growing market, especially in fitness. One of the up and coming trends for Kuwait is Mixology. It is the mix of different types of concepts under the same roof.”

It’s no surprise that success comes from hard work. In Yves’ case, success is a lifestyle. His personal mantra is the mission statements for his companies: “Acta Non Verba”, meaning “Actions, Not Words”.

When you meet him you know it immediately: Yves loves the hustle. He has created a way of life that allowed him to build a small, ever-growing empire in the fitness industry. To get there, he has adjusted his lifestyle to suit his work. It takes a lot of discipline and focus: But we dare you to try and call him at any of these hours and find him grumpy – doesn’t happen!

Here is his daily routine, his recipe for success:

4:30am: Wake up call (!). The hustle starts: After getting up, he spends the first 15 minutes reading while having his coffee. It’s also the time that he checks his emails and respond to the most important ones (his teams & partners are cased around the globe, so late night emails are no exception)

5:00am Playtime with his two dogs

5:15am Time for a healthy pre-workout breakfast: Steak and vegetables

6:00am – 8am Yves heads to the gym for his workout, then it’s time for a second breakfast

8:30am Arrival at the office. Check in on the most urgent points for the day

9:00am – 8:30pm Throughout the day, he speak to his business managers, operations, and admin teams. They have  weekly calls, meetings, take decisions and work on strategies. Inbetween, he takes 3 short breaks:

12:00 mid-day Healthy lunch and 30min rest

3:00pm A quick snack to keep energy levels high

7pm Healthy Dinner

8:30pm This is Yves’ time for personal development. Usually involves reading or learning a new language. Currently, he is learning Spanish

9pm Bed time – Buenas Noches

Sometimes, Yves is required to attend events in the evening – that makes the wake-up call trickier, but just as you guessed: When the alarm rings at 4:30am, you will find Yves wide awake, ready for another day in the hustle.

People who know me, know that I am positive, the born optimist. I rarely think of things going bad. But while that is my mindset, I also see the reality: There are many common pitfalls for new gym owners. Here’s a number for you: 30% of your startup team will resign within a year. Here’s another reality: Every gym project I have seen in the Middle East, has had a delayed launched from the opening date set in the first meeting – despite careful planning. The reason? Delays in construction, or even better, delays due to licensing!

Now, these aren’t “Armageddon” type of news, but rather obstacles that can be navigated. Still, they made me think of some of the common pitfalls, that can have outcomes that are hard to correct:

1) Underestimation of Costs

The list of costs for running a gym is long: From construction to equipment, from changing rooms to salaries, from decoration to printing. Here is one you might not have thought of: A delayed launch means a shift in your cash flow. There are running costs you have to cover until you break even. My tip: In your business plan, account for every cost item, however small, and expect a few months of rent & ongoing costs without income.

2) Lack of Overall Concept

Attentive readers of my blog know that this is my pet peeve: Having no concept. In order for any brand to work, it has to stand out from the competition. There is no two ways about it. Who is your target customer? Female expats. Where is your location? Next to a daycare facility. What are your target activities? Pilates and yoga classes. Targeting everyone and everything is not targeting, that is dilution and it’s dangerous.

3) Poor Procurement Planning

A few steps into a gym and I can tell who bought the equipment. It might sound funny, but it’s the truth. You won’t believe how often I see too much or too little equipment, or equipment that simply isn’t useful. This one connects back to the concept, and in this case my advice is simply: Work with an expert!

4) Competitors Anonymous

Here’s another pitfall I see a lot: Gym Owners who haven’t done their due diligence and researched the competition. Your concept must stand out, and it cannot if it’s a carbon copy. Try to find out as many details as possible about your competition, go train there to feel the space, realize the gaps. Trust me, it’s what I do when I work with a client.

5) Treating your Gym solely like a Hobby

A gym is a business, and the people who work with you are your employees. They need salaries, have problems with colleagues, want promotions, and you have to keep your staff motivated. Operations have to be finetuned, processes written, timelines kept. These basics are important, so don’t skip the nitty gritty.

A final personal note: We’ve referred to gym owners as supermen before, and trust me, this isn’t far fetched. There is no harm in getting advice. It’s no surprise that after most first conversations with a new client, they realize it’s not just about picking some machines. This is why I offer turnkey consulting, and my clients who commission the service are glad they did.

When I consult with my marketing team, we discuss topics to blog about. Now, when I saw the feature about the best gyms in the Middle East, my pulse went up immediately: I knew this was a topic I am keen to talk about.

Without further ado: These are my personal favorite places to train, and chances are that you might bump into me there early morning time, depending where I am located that day.

Warehouse Gym (Dubai)

Warehouse Gym, Dubai

This is the first warehouse style gym in the region, and you might have guessed it: I like innovators and leaders. Warehouse Gym have exercise facilities for a wide variety of interests on offer, and use the very best  equipment brands available to cater to their customers needs. In addition, it’s a very well run gym, and they offer consistently good service.

MProve (Abu Dhabi)

MProve Gym, Abu Dhabi

Also a warehouse style gym, MProve is located in Abu Dhabi. Due to the different membership demographic, they also have a female only gym – well thought of, to cater to the local society and support the growth of fitness while following traditions. Owned by a visionary local who offers top service with top coaches to make a difference.

Oxygen (Kuwait)

Oxygen Gym, Kuwait

The best best bodybuilding gym in the world and my favourite gym to train at. Offers the biggest machine park one can imagine, consisting of international main stream and underdog fitness brands. Oxygen is a place where fitness meets luxury fit out for a super fair price. Oxygen is my favourite gym globally.

Arena (KSA)

Arena, KSA

Another mixed used facility where fitness meets martial arts. The mix of strength training at Arena with skill based martial arts training, cardio and classes offers members a great mix and caters to multiple needs.

So, in summary: What makes a good gym?

I like gyms who have a clear identity and vision. This is something you subliminally acknowledge the second you walk in the door. Another important points is usability: The product on offer is designed with the user in mind. No design and branding can make up for a poor layout or sloppy operations. I always take a closer look to see that the gyms follow through what they promise and stay consistent in this promise.

Your team at the gym do an amazing job motivating your members to give their best again and again. But what about your staff? Who motivates them?

To know how to get started, we first have to understand where motivation comes from. While some might argue it’s 100% based on salary, I have a different point of view. It’s really a number of elements playing in unison: A positive supportive work environment, recognition of skills, and constant growth & learning in the form of training. In our experience, the presence of these factors makes for a more motivated workforce. Because good talent is attracted by a great learning opportunity, not primarily by remuneration – and these are the types of employees you want in your company.

Determining the need for training

Businesses evolve and so must your people. Staying current with what consumers wants means staying competitive. When it comes to the workplace, fitness clubs are an intimate environment if you will, everyone working closely together. Add on top of that the transient work nature of the Middle East, and you got yourself a parkour of questions.

Here are some tips & steps I like to cover when identifying the need for training in a new team:

1. Look at the individual: Some of your team members might already be more experienced than other: Whether through simply having more work experience or exposure to different work environments & countries. We start where we start, and work our way up.
2. Different learning types: Every person has a different way of learning. While some are more autodidact, others might benefit more from a written guide. Some of your team members might be dyslexic – a video guide is a better choice for them.
3. Identify the status quo: now that you understand the need for personalized training, take stock of where your team member is. What it his current knowledge, where are his strengths and weaknesses? Be prepared to discuss this positively in a feedback session.
4. Set goals: In an open conversation, try to identify your employees’ goals. What is his chosen career path? Is he looking to freelance in the future, or wants to own his club one day? For your admin staff, which area of the business are they interested in growing into? You might benefit from a motivated front desk employee who is interested in taking on some of your operational tasks.
5. What’s needed to close the gap? Now that you know where the goal and the current status quo is, you can identify the right training. Whether it’s managing people, time management, practical training in operations, of additional qualifications: It should be a plan tailored to the individual.
6. Keep it SMART: I am a big supporter of SMART goals, as it gives the employee a tangible action plan. Additionally, it’s a good idea to break goals down into monthly, maybe even weekly tasks, so the team member can be accountable for taking small steps in the right direction – with your ongoing support and acknowledgement.

What we do additionally at Yves Preissler Consulting

I like to lead the way when it comes to building a great team here at Yves Preissler Consulting. My team has allocated time for personal development, reading, and learning. Personally, I find mentoring a very valuable source of information, for me personally and my team alike, because I know: An environment of constant learning and trust makes for a happy workforce.