The décor maintains the club's urban theme through exposed timber and wall murals
A new independent health club in Christchurch, Dorset, is bidding to bring healthcare and fitness under one roof as part of a new integrative offering.
Manoj Patel, a chartered physiotherapist, is the brains behind Urban Health and Fitness – a health club venture which aims to provide a joint package of care to members through qualified PTs and a team of physiotherapists and chiropractors.
In addition to around 165 exercise classes a month, the facility – which opened at the start of September – offers specialised back care Pilates classes as it bids to cater for as wide a market as possible.
“Our focus is on engaging with people who want to change their lifestyle in a positive way,” said Patel.
“At some point, people will consider a more active lifestyle and we offer one solution to this. A small health club such as Urban Health and Fitness cannot afford to target pockets of people. We must engage and be accommodating to any person that comes through the door.”
The 3,200sq ft (297sq m) gym features a range of cardio machines (from Bodycharger in Taipei) and resistance machines (from Shanxi Yeekang Fitness products in China) which Patel sourced during his visit to FIBO 2013 in Germany. There is also a free weight section, a separate rooftop yoga and Pilates studio, as well as a range of specialist fitness equipment designed for the rehab of patients from the club’s health clinic.
Having funded the new venture through a bank loan and personal financing, Patel says he now plans to expand on the wide range of services they offer, particularly the therapeutic side of the business, with a view to integration with local charities and businesses.
According to research which tracked more than 147,000 people for 30 years, 90-120 minutes
of strength training a week may deliver some of the biggest long-term health rewards.
The UK's four Chief Medical Officers have published a refreshed edition of Physical activity
guidelines: UK Chief Medical Officers' report, updating the evidence that underpins the nation's
physical activity recommendations and placing greater emphasis on strength, balance, reducing
sedentary behaviour and, for the first time, supporting people taking weight loss medications.
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The décor maintains the club's urban theme through exposed timber and wall murals
A new independent health club in Christchurch, Dorset, is bidding to bring healthcare and fitness under one roof as part of a new integrative offering.
Manoj Patel, a chartered physiotherapist, is the brains behind Urban Health and Fitness – a health club venture which aims to provide a joint package of care to members through qualified PTs and a team of physiotherapists and chiropractors.
In addition to around 165 exercise classes a month, the facility – which opened at the start of September – offers specialised back care Pilates classes as it bids to cater for as wide a market as possible.
“Our focus is on engaging with people who want to change their lifestyle in a positive way,” said Patel.
“At some point, people will consider a more active lifestyle and we offer one solution to this. A small health club such as Urban Health and Fitness cannot afford to target pockets of people. We must engage and be accommodating to any person that comes through the door.”
The 3,200sq ft (297sq m) gym features a range of cardio machines (from Bodycharger in Taipei) and resistance machines (from Shanxi Yeekang Fitness products in China) which Patel sourced during his visit to FIBO 2013 in Germany. There is also a free weight section, a separate rooftop yoga and Pilates studio, as well as a range of specialist fitness equipment designed for the rehab of patients from the club’s health clinic.
Having funded the new venture through a bank loan and personal financing, Patel says he now plans to expand on the wide range of services they offer, particularly the therapeutic side of the business, with a view to integration with local charities and businesses.
According to research which tracked more than 147,000 people for 30 years, 90-120 minutes
of strength training a week may deliver some of the biggest long-term health rewards.
The UK's four Chief Medical Officers have published a refreshed edition of Physical activity
guidelines: UK Chief Medical Officers' report, updating the evidence that underpins the nation's
physical activity recommendations and placing greater emphasis on strength, balance, reducing
sedentary behaviour and, for the first time, supporting people taking weight loss medications.
Places Leisure has exchanged contracts to build and operate a flagship £60m water and leisure
destination on behalf of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.
The Republic of Ireland will become the latest market in PureGym’s expanding international
portfolio, with the first launch planned for Dublin in 2027.
Panatta brought together four of the most influential figures in bodybuilding history on the
stage of RiminiWellness 2026: Phil Heath, Lee Haney, Ronnie Coleman and Hany Rambod. [more...]
Active Blackpool is deploying Cornerstone Connect, a new digital interface allowing
disparate information from multiple systems to be aggregated into one dataset, to support
its focus on reducing health inequalities and improving healthy life expectancy. [more...]
+ More featured suppliers
COMPANY PROFILES
ukactive ukactive is the UK’s leading trade body for the physical activity sector, bringing together more tha [more...]
