Fitness industry analyst Ray Algar will deliver a keynote session at Leisure Industry Week (LIW) 2015, exploring what the future holds for the ‘squeezed middle’ of the gym market.

Algar, whose attendance underlines the new LIW owners’ commitment to providing quality educational sessions, will outline his latest research in a presentation called What is the future for clubs that operate and believe in the mid-market?.

Having documented the inexorable rise of low-cost gym brands over the past decade and subsequent emergence high-end specialised boutique gyms, Algar is well-placed to examine the impact of this pincer attack on traditional mid-market clubs like Fitness First and soon-to-be-sold LA fitness. In his session, the MD of Oxygen Consulting will explore how mid-market brands are redefining themselves to remain relevant in an evolving industry and trying to safeguard a sustainable future.

According to Algar, the session will cover:

• Insights into how the industry is forking along two distinct pathways – self-service and supported.

• How to understand the strategic implications for club brands operating in the mid-market.

• Explore how a mid-market club is growing while facing intense competition from budget gyms.

“The market has moved on significantly since LIW launched in 1989 and like all other industry stakeholders needs to evolve,” Algar told Health Club Management.

“I am pleased it is being refreshed under new owners and believe the educational programme should as much be a part of the visitor experience as the exhibitor halls.”