Harpers | News

Life at Harpers

Click here to visit our press centre

News

VAT rises to 20% 04-Jan-11
From 4th January 2011, VAT in the UK is rising from 17.5% to 20%. In line with these changes, from 4th January, Leisure Connection will also be increasing VAT to 20%. ...
read more »
Mandeville and Wenlock revealed at Stoke Mandeville Stadium 20-May-10
Wenlock and Mandeville were created from the last drops of steel left over from the construction of the final support girder for the Olympic Stadium. An animated film, based on a story by children&rsq...
read more »
Get Active Exercise Referral Programme giving hundreds a new lease of life 10-Mar-10
Harpers Fitness has been working in partnership with NHS organisations and Primary Care Trusts up and down the country to develop and deliver Exercise Referral Programmes for eligible patients within ...
read more »
HAVE YOU CONSIDERED SWIMMING AS PART OF YOUR EXERCISE PROGRAMME? 03-Mar-10
Swimming has a number of excellent benefits including improved heart and lung efficiency, weight loss and muscle toning all achieved with little stress on your joints. Swimming is great for stress re...
read more »
News…News…News… 24-Feb-10
The investment into Harpers continues We are continuing to invest and improve all our clubs and leisure centres in 2010 and beyond in a bid to offer private sector quality. In the past couple of m...
read more »
Are you registered to support the London 2012 Olympics? 17-Feb-10
We are keen to ensure the legacy of London 2012 continues long after the games so on the eve of 1000 days until London 2012 (31st October 2009) we, together with Sport England and champions of grass r...
read more »
Drop a Dress Size 10-Feb-10
This month, members and customers of Harpers Fitness will be able to benefit from a little extra help and support in a bid to shed those excess pounds and slim down after Christmas. We have included, ...
read more »
WORLD’S BIGGEST SWIM COMES TO A CENTRE NEAR YOU… 22-Jan-10
Date: 16-19 April 2010 Swimmers up and down the country will be making a splash for charity in April as they complete the Swimathon 2010 challenge at 19 pools helping to raise money for Marie Curie...
read more »
FREE personal training for all local people 18-Jan-10
Now that all the snow is melting and ice thawing people will start to give their New Year’s Resolutions some thought and start (hopefully) to plan some gym sessions. To kick start this new activ...
read more »
Sign up for the NSPCC’s Aerobathon and work out the best way to help children 14-Jan-10
Why not get fit this New Year and take part in the NSPCC’s biggest ever Aerobathon on Monday 8 February 2010. The sponsored two-hour aerobic workout will be led by qualified instructors at ex...
read more »
Harpers Fitness Sledge programme 08-Jan-10
Let it snow…Despite the snow being as pretty as a picture it won’t be doing your New Year’s resolutions any good! With schools closed and roads too icy to travel gym goers up and do...
read more »
A new healthy and more active lifestyle for just 1p!! 04-Jan-10
Harpers Fitness is encouraging more people to become active and enjoy regular physical activity for just 1p this January! With Christmas and New Year done and dusted for another year people have only ...
read more »
National Curry Week 18-Nov-09
With National Curry Week fast approaching, (week commencing 23rd November 2009) there’s never been a better excuse to reach for a menu and treat yourself to the most popular Great British takeaw...
read more »
Harpers Heroes receive great feedback! 12-Nov-09
The Harpers Heroes event went down a storm not only with staff but suppliers and shortlisted nominees alike. One piece of feedback shows how worthwhile the event was........ "We were t...
read more »
The winner from Harpers Heroes has her say 12-Nov-09
Dear Harpers, I want to thank you for everything you did to organise such a splendid event. I had a wonderful time at Bisham Abbey and was thrilled to be shortlisted for the award. That in itself w...
read more »
Five steps to get into the ‘Little Black Dress’ courtesy of Harpers Fitness 11-Nov-09
Being motivated to train when the rain is pouring and it’s cold outside when all your friends and colleagues opt for the pub rather than the gym can be hard. Harpers Fitness has some top tip...
read more »
Harpers Fitness celebrate inaugural Harpers Heroes Awards success 10-Nov-09
Harpers Fitness has successfully hosted its first ever member and customer awards, which recognised and celebrated the success stories and achievements of you – our valued members an...
read more »
Harpers Fitness supports national NHS ‘Know Your Limits’ campaign 29-Oct-09
Harpers Fitness is supporting the NHS’ high profile Know Your Limits campaign to help raise awareness of the relationship between alcohol and their health. Alcoholic drinks are n...
read more »
Harpers joins national winter warmers campaign 29-Oct-09
Harpers Fitness is helping a major national initiative reach local people this year with vital winter warming advice. Hundreds of “Keep Warm, Keep Well” leaflets will be distributed...
read more »
Ten steps to the perfect body 19-Oct-09
With a new season upon us being motivated to train after your summer holidays is always hard, especially when your friends and colleagues opt for the pub rather than the gym. Harpers Fitness has some ...
read more »
Back to school fitness 19-Oct-09
The new school year marks the end of summer and as the kids return to school, many adults decide to dust down their own PE kits in a bid to get into shape. Like the thousands of youngsters now get...
read more »
Health scare shocks mum of two to lose 12 stone 19-Oct-09
Two years ago, 28 year old mum of two, Amy Sewell weighed 22 stone and was dangerously overweight. So much so, that she began to suffer from heart palpitations and had to be referred to her local hosp...
read more »
Riverside Leisure Centre Manager jumps for a Grand! 25-Sep-09
Harpers Fitness staff from Riverside Leisure Centre in Norwich are pleased as punch with Contract Manager Phil Wright who successfully completed his 10,000 foot sky dive on Saturday 19th September in ...
read more »
Get vivacious after your vacation with Harpers Fitness 25-Aug-09
One of the best parts of the summer is packing up your life and slipping off for a couple of weeks of pure relaxation and utter indulgence. The most strenuous task of the day might be simply...
read more »
Harpers passes on VAT relief to charity 18-Aug-09
Harpers and its members have donated a whopping £40,000 to their nominated corporate charity – WheelPower, the national charity for wheelchair sport. Since December 2008 when the VAT r...
read more »
Summer Holiday Season 06-Aug-09
Life’s a beach… During the summer holiday season we are all looking forward to giving our minds a well earned rest from the stress of daily life but our bodies on the other hand wi...
read more »
Harpers Heroes Awards reach the half-way mark 28-Jul-09
Harpers Heroes, the new member awards programme, was launched two months ago and is still calling for customer entries as we reach the half way point. The awards recognise and celebrate the ...
read more »
Harpers Fitness supports the launch of the FIA’s More Active for Life Campaign 16-Jun-09
Harpers Fitness is fully supporting the launch of the Fitness Industry Association’s (FIA) More Active for Life Campaign by hosting family fun weekends this weekend (27-28 June) at all of its ce...
read more »
Ace your way to success with Harpers Fitness 16-Jun-09
No matter what time of year Tennis is a sport playable both indoors and outdoors. Should you feel inspired to dust off your rackets and take up tennis why not get started with Harpers...
read more »
‘Harp’-on your bike 09-Jun-09
As the 2009 Tour de France rapidly approaches, wannabe cyclists up and down the country will be donning their helmets and lycra shorts and hitting the roads. If you aspire to be the next Lance Arm...
read more »
Score a Hole in One with Harpers Fitness 09-Jun-09
As the summer approaches and the nice weather draws in, wannabe golfers will be dusting off their clubs, slipping into their checked golfing trousers and teeing off in the sunshine. If you aspire ...
read more »
Triathlon Tips for a Better Lifestyle... 08-Jun-09
David Coulthard, Health and Fitness Manager for Harpers Fitness, reveals how adapting your fitness regime to a similar programme such as that used my triathlon trainees can really make a difference to...
read more »
Harpers Fitness Support Men’s Health Week: 15th – 21st June 03-Jun-09
Every year during Men’s Health Week, thousands of men are encouraged to become more aware of preventable health problems and seek regular medical advice. More men are dying from skin can...
read more »
Men’s Health Week Top Tips 03-Jun-09
Nutrition • There is a clear link between obesity and cancer, putting on those extra cuddly pounds around your waist doubles your risk of getting cancer. Reduce your fat intake and replace satur...
read more »
Five steps to the perfect Bikini Body courtesy of Harpers Fitness 03-Jun-09
Being motivated to train when the sun is shining and all your friends and colleagues opt for the pub rather than the gym is always hard. Harpers Fitness, the name of community, public access leisure h...
read more »
Harpers Fitness welcomes its first triathlon trainee! 26-May-09
Lord Butler Leisure Centre in Saffron Walden, Essex has really been noticing a change for the better in some of their members this year. Jason Talbot (39) from Saffron Walden joined Harpers back in Fe...
read more »
Lets Get Ready to Ramble 20-May-09
Harper’s Fitness is supporting Get Walking Day 2009 on 30th May, 2009 by launching a new walking programme, which will prepare participants for the ups and downs of a countryside walk. Re...
read more »
How to Keep Fit Safely in Summer 20-May-09
What to Wear! When exercising wearing lightweight, loose fitting clothing promotes sweat evaporation and a cooling effect by letting more air pass over the body. Although recently, well known b...
read more »
Run to the beat and feel great with Harpers Fitness 15-Apr-09
Everyone has their favourite album to listen to when they’re working out; some pound it out on the treadmill to Kings of Leon while others swing to Pet Shop Boys on the cross trainer, Ethiop...
read more »
Harpers Fitness help thousands take to the water 14-Apr-09
The launch of the Government’s two year free swimming initiative has been a fantastic success with thousands of people taking to pools since it launched. Harpers Fitness, which is support...
read more »
Harpers Fitness helps your pound go further 08-Apr-09
Spring has most definitely sprung this month and with the sun in the sky and a fresh breeze in the air, now is the time to put the spring back in your step by starting the season with a fit an...
read more »
Harpers Fitness Launch Harpers Heroes Awards 08-Apr-09
There may be Miss World and Mr Universe, which celebrates the crème de la crème of the body beautiful but it’s about time the average Joe’s of this world were recogni...
read more »
How to look good naked......at the gym! 01-Apr-09
How to look good naked…at the gym! Harpers Fitness is launching a brand new concept in gym programming. They are encouraging their members and customers across their leisure centres to bare...
read more »
Harpers Fitness launches new online Nutrition Shop at www.harpersnutrition.co.uk 31-Mar-09
Harpers Fitness launches new online Nutrition Shop at www.harpersnutrition.co.uk Harpers Fitness has launched a new online shop www.harpersnutrition.co.uk, which specialises in offering lifest...
read more »
Harpers Strike's debut performance on Blue Peter 26-Mar-09
Stars of Harpers Strike, Danny Ball (22) and Liam Richards (20) appeared on legendary children’s television programme Blue Peter on Tuesday 24th March at 4.35pm on BBC1. Performing alongs...
read more »
Get fit on the water with Harpers 25-Mar-09
Get fit on the water with Harpers As this year’s university boat race approaches many people may feel inspired to take to the water as a way of keeping fit. But if there’s no sig...
read more »
Free Swimming Initiative 11-Mar-09
Harpers Fitness is supporting the Government’s swim4life campaign which launches in April. The campaign is linked to the nationwide Change4Life campaign which aims to help people to le...
read more »
New Faces for Party Animals 25-Feb-09
February 2009 New Faces for Party Animals at Harpers Fitness Planning your child’s party can be stressful, which is why Harpers is re-launching its timeless and trusted party packages for pa...
read more »
Change4life: The Healthy Living Revolution Starts Here 13-Feb-09
We all need to be more active and eat more healthily to halt the rising tide of obesity. If we do nothing, by 2050 90% of today’s children will be overweight and at risk from serious diseases &n...
read more »
Harpers invest nearly half a million pound into Wyboston Health and Fitness 29-Jan-09
Harpers invest nearly half a million pound into Wyboston Health and Fitness, creating one of Bedfordshire’s finest gyms Harpers at Wyboston Health and Fitness at Wyboston Lakes has re-launche...
read more »
Exercise motivation to achieve your fitness goals 29-Jan-09
So you’ve made a positive start to 2009, you started training an a regular basis and you’ve managed to keep up this change in your lifestyle for a few weeks but now its getting harder and ...
read more »
Harpers Strike coming to a leisure centre near you! 01-Jan-09
Harpers Fitness has linked up exclusively with Liam Richards and Danny Ball, better known as Strike to provide a fun-based martial arts programme for children, which will launch in January 2009. Harp...
read more »
New Year Fitness Sale now on – save 50% at your local Harpers Fitness 01-Jan-09
Get a new job; drink less; cut down on chocolate and do more exercise…these are just a few of the resolutions that many of us make come January the 1st. This year, Harpers Fitness is help...
read more »
Harpers Fitness Top Tips to kickstart the New Year 01-Jan-09
Avoid stepping on the scales for a few days after the Christmas/New Year binge – that’s because it’s possible to gain several pounds in weight without actually gaining fat. Do the p...
read more »
Leisure Connection invests £220,000 into new equipment 23-Dec-08
To kick start the New Year and the busiest time of the year for gyms and health clubs, Leisure Connection has invested £220,000 into new equipment across their estate. This national investment ...
read more »
Sign Up for Free Swimming 23-Dec-08
Harpers Fitness has thrown its support behind the government’s announcement about free swimming in England. From the 1st April 2009, free swimming will be available to the over 60’s and in...
read more »
Know Your Limits 12-Dec-08
Did you know that a 250ml glass of wine or a pint of beer can contain about the same number of calories as a sausage roll? Do you know how your drinking habits are affecting your health and fitness? T...
read more »
An exercise bike made for two? 07-Dec-08
Couples strolling hand-in-hand and wearing matching knits; jewellery adverts with lovers adoring gazes - as the dark chilly nights close in it seems that you can't escape paired off couples and if you...
read more »
Beat the Balti bulge with Harpers this National Curry Week Lifestyle 21-Nov-08
People in Britain certainly do not need an excuse to get stuck into a curry at the weekend. It is estimated that 3.5 million curries are eaten each week and a staggering £2.8 billion is spent ea...
read more »
Budding Bonds on a budget and would-be Madonnas saving money flock to UK's community gyms 27-Oct-08
You don't have to be a Daniel Craig or Madonna to enjoy the benefits of a personal trainer, according to fitness specialists Harpers. Despite the credit crunch, Harpers' gyms in local authority leisur...
read more »
Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre hits UK Quest high! 17-Oct-08
Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre, managed by Leisure Connection on behalf of Sport England, has just been awarded Quest's 'Excellent' rating with an outstanding estimated score of 89% after a rigor...
read more »
GB Paralympians re-open Blackwater Leisure Centre after £240,000 investment 01-Oct-08
Leisure Connection re-opened its new-look Harpers fitness gym at the Blackwater Leisure Centre on Thursday 2nd October. This forms part of a new nationwide initiative to re-brand all Harpers gyms to o...
read more »
Dorking Sports Centre to benefit from £290,000 refurbishment 29-Sep-08
Leisure Connection is to re-launch its new-look Harpers fitness gym at the Dorking Sports Centre on the Monday 13th October. This forms part of a new nationwide initiative to re-brand all Harpers gyms...
read more »
Loddon Valley Leisure Centre benefit from £120,000 youth fitness initiative 09-Sep-08
Leisure Connection is launching The Pod, a £120,000 youth fitness facility, at its Loddon Valley Leisure Centre. The Pod will include ZigZag's interactive fitness equipment, specially designed t...
read more »
Stoke Mandeville Stadium celebrates 60 years of Wheelchair Sport with the opening of its new Tennis 12-Aug-08
John Curry CBE, Chairman of the All England Ground Plc., helped celebrate 60 years of wheelchair sport by opening two new tennis courts at Stoke Mandeville Stadium. Stoke Mandeville Stadium has provi...
read more »
Harpers Re-launch new look flagship leisure facility in Norwich 08-Aug-08
Leisure Connection re-launched the first new-look Harpers fitness gym - at its flagship site - the Riverside Swimming Centre in Norwich on the 14th August. This forms part of a new nationwide initiati...
read more »
Leisure Connection teams up with Fit for Sport to deliver summer kids camp 27-Jun-08
As the summer holidays draw ever closer, Leisure Connection has teamed up with Fit for Sport to provide Ofsted registered holiday programmes for children across nine Leisure Connection sites...
read more »
Sally is slimmer and now she's a swimming! 13-Jun-08
An Olympic gold medallist is to meet a North East slimmer who has gone to great lengths to shed the pounds and has also inspired a national slimming chain. Sally Scott, of Peterlee, enrolled on the...
read more »
The Swim Gym Marathon Challenge 21-May-08
Leisure Connection is launching a £90,000 fundraising drive to support disabled athletes ahead of the 2012 Paralympic Games. This is as part of nationwide campaign called Wheel Appeal, which has...
read more »
Leisure Connection launches new training package that will transform public access provision. 16-Apr-08
Leisure Connection, the name behind Harpers Fitness, is launching a new concept in public access health club provision. From May 2008 they will be rolling out, across their estate of 70+ centres, a...
read more »
Sleaford Arts Festival On You Tube! 11-Mar-08
The link below takes you on to You Tube where you can see a fantastic 6.26 min clip of the Sleaford Arts Festival organised by ArtsNK (managed by Leisure Connection) with North Kesteven District Counc...
read more »
Drink Decaf To Lower Your Diabetes Risk! 23-Jan-08
Most of us like a good cup of coffee now and then, whether it's an espresso in the morning to wake us up or a latte in the afternoon when catching up with friends, but research has suggested that deca...
read more »