Live Health Club News

Gold's Gym looking to end ties to Wisconsin franchisee

noreply@blogger.com (Fitness Life Marketing) — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 13:51:00 +0000

Gold's Gyms in Appleton, Menasha and Green Bay will be called something other than Gold's Gym at the end of the month. Gold's Gym International spokesman Dave Reiseman said the company and one of its Wisconsin franchisees, Vertical Fitness Group LLC, are in discussions "to arrange a mutual parting of ways," according to a post Thursday morning by Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel sports blogger Don Walker. Vertical Fitness Group owns the three northeastern Wisconsin Gold's Gyms plus two more in Hales Corners and Racine. Jon Barton and Jamie Nelson, two of the four owners here, confirmed they are in the process of splitting from the brand. Six more gyms in Minnesota that have some of the same partners also will leave the Gold's brand. The 11 facilities have about 125,000 members. The three northeastern Wisconsin gyms have 25,000 members, according to Barton. "We are in negotiations on a mutually agreeable exit out of Gold's Gym. Unfortunately this (announcement) is premature. We're not ready to put our whole plan out there yet," Barton said. "We are not selling (the clubs). We're not closing them. The clubs will be exactly the same. No members' rates will change," Barton said. Letters and emails will be sent to members by April 23 with details. Barton said negotiations are confidential and that he can't disclose the terms of the split. The agreement has not yet been signed. Likewise, Reiseman told the Journal-Sentinel that the conversations were ongoing and he couldn't discuss details. "This was 100 percent our initiation to leave the brand," said Barton, disputing the Journal-Sentinel's headline that read "Gold's Gym looking to end ties to Wisconsin franchisee." "The headline doesn't align with what really happened, but the context of the article is accurate," said Nelson. "We can say we're in negotiations to leave the brand in a very mutually agreeable way so that we can pursue our model for a fitness center and take our model to other locations that the current franchise restrictions won't allow us to do," Barton said. "This is us desiring to move forward and expand. We want to wrap up our relationship with Gold's Gym in a positive way." Barton said the ownership of the gyms will remain the same. The five Wisconsin branches are owned by Barton, Nelson, Tom Davidson and Jason Lang. One member who has used the local Menasha and Appleton Gold's Gyms for four years said she wasn't concerned about a name change. "Do I care if it doesn't have the Gold's Gym name on it? Probably not," said Christine Williams of Appleton. "I would be concerned if losing the Gold's name means they'd lose BodyStep and BodyFlow classes, which are (Les Mills) trademarked. As long as they have comparable classes, I'd be OK with it." Williams was unhappy about the "overselling" of the gym when it went to a $10-a-month fee structure because it caused overcrowding at peak times. But overall she hoped the gym would remain open and continue with comparable services. "There isn't any competition anymore. Lake Park is higher priced and it's difficult to get to from here. That leaves Planet Fitness, the Y and the 24-hour fitness places. There isn't competition of the caliber of Gold's." Gold's International spokesman Dave Reiseman could not be reached.

“Material Girl” Madonna to open innovative new gym in Chile

noreply@blogger.com (Fitness Life Marketing) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 16:08:00 +0000

Santiago will be the new home of the superstar´s third gym. “Material Girl” star and fitness fanatic Madonna will bring her very own gym chain called Hard Candy Fitness (HCF) to Chile’s capital this April. The announcement comes just months before the launch of the artist’s latest album, scheduled for release in March, titled “Gimme all your Luvin.’” Gym-goers in Santiago looking for a body like the 54-year-old Queen of Pop can expect zumba, cardio kickboxing, and Latin moves classes as well as being able to sign up for dance and toning classes that reflect the superstar’s own style of workout. Madonna’s collaborator and CEO and founding partner of Energy Fitness, Alex Wiesner, announced the opening on Tuesday.

He promises that the gym will be like no other in the country. “Hard Candy will focus on the playful aspects of dance and toning. We will bring Chile group classes created personally by Madonna and her international team of experts,” Wiesner told press. “Our members will be able to enjoy exercising using activities that will be unique in South America and of the highest quality.” HCF already has two centers. The first opened in November 2010 in Mexico City and was followed in December 2011 by another in Moscow. Santiago will complete the trio of gyms already renowned for being lavish, top-of-the-range gyms offering fitness experience closer to that of a five-star hotel. "If any of you have seen my shows, you know that I don't skimp on them, and the same is true for the gym.

We spend what it takes to make a globally first-class gym,” Madonna said following the opening of the first Hard Candy gym in Mexico City. Madonna, as with her other two gyms, has been very hands-on with the project from designing fitness programs, dance classes and the layout and decor of the center to advising on the music played in the gym. The name Hard Candy Fitness was taken from Madonna’s album released in 2008 and is a combination of "hard body" (toned body) and "eye candy" (pleasing to the eye), two concepts that sum up the spirit of Madonna’s fitness mission. The almost 10,000-square-foot gym in Santiago, located in the Parque Araucano mall in Las Condes, has cost $3 million to build and will have two levels, a spa, and two heated pools, one semi-Olympic and the other equipped with Jacuzzi technology for relaxation.

Other features include comfortable locker rooms with steam and sauna areas, personal trainers certified by HCF, and the latest in cardio and strength equipment. The gym will also have a Hard Candy Energy Bar - a lounge area, which will offer healthy food as well as displaying artwork and music from some of Madonna's favorite artists. The real highlight, however, Wiesner says, are the group classes designed by Madonna's personal trainer, Nicole Winhoffer.

"They are very motivating, very entertaining and they change quite often, every three months there are upgrades to the group class programs in order to constantly be offering something fresh, new and different," Wiesner told La Tecera. The project is a collaboration between Madonna, her manager Guy Oseary, Wiesner and Mark Mastrov, a leader in the global fitness industry, creator of New Evolution Ventures (NeV) and CEO of 24 Hour Fitness. The news comes amid rumors of a possible visit to the country by the celebrity in late 2012 as a part of her world tour. Whether the songstress herself will attend the opening of the gym like she did with the first HCF opening in Mexico has yet to be confirmed.

It is yet to be seen if the gym will be popular with Chileans, who were recently recorded to have the sixth highest rate of child obesity in e OECD and whether many will fork out the US$125 monthly membership as well as a one-time enrollment fee of US$210. The gym is, however, encouraging Chileans to register early online at www.energy.cl or at a stand in Parque Arauco mall for a reduced membership rate of US$88.

LA Fitness shut down for ongoing sanitary issues in the locker rooms, like clogged toilets, no soap and broken shower equipment.

noreply@blogger.com (Fitness Life Marketing) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 19:30:00 +0000

Morton Grove shut down LA Fitness on Wednesday due to ongoing sanitary issues in the locker rooms, like clogged toilets, no soap and broken shower equipment, officials said. More than 50 people had to leave the facility, 6821 Dempster St., when village officials closed it around 3 p.m., but most seemed to understand, said Ryan Horne, the village administrator pro-tem. The village has received many health complaints from gym members via e-mail, phone calls and at board meetings, he said. Despite trying to work with the club’s local management and speaking with officials in the company’s corporate office, nothing has been fixed, he added. “We are business friendly. We try to work with businesses to get them in compliance,” Horne said. “We absolutely did not want to do this.” Formerly Bally’s Health Club, the gym changed ownership sometime in late November or early December. Since then, club members have complained about sanitary issues, with many saying the locker rooms are not equipped with toilet paper or soap. Six complaints came in the day the gym was shut down, Horne added. Officials at LA Fitness could not immediately be reached for comment Thursday morning. Horne said corporate officials told him they didn’t budget correctly for supplies because they had no idea what the demand would be. They promised to swiftly correct the problems, but “that didn’t happen,” Horne said. “Maybe they just didn’t understand how busy this facility is,” Horne said. “This location, it’s an extremely busy club.” During Wednesday’s inspection, health officials discovered no soap, clogged toilets and learned paper towels were being used instead of toilet paper in the locker rooms. They also found broken water fountains and an inoperable Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant shower. The facility has also had a theft problem in the locker rooms, Horne said. Though corporate officials said they would make the areas more secure, four people on Wednesday afternoon reported someone broke into their lockers, officials said. If the gym fixes the issues, it can call the village and inspectors will return to the site to see if the problems have been fixed. He said he would like to see the club open again, provided it’s not a danger to public health. As people left the club, gym employees handed out addresses and numbers to other area LA Fitness clubs. Many gym-goers were glad to see the village addressing the situation, he said. “As we were working, people were coming up to us and saying, ‘You should have shut this down months ago,’” Horne said. “No one was mad at us.”

Cybex International, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter Results CYBI +22.37%

noreply@blogger.com (Fitness Life Marketing) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:11:00 +0000

Click here for full story:Cybex International, Inc. CYBI +22.37% , a leading U.S. manufacturer of premium exercise equipment, today reported results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2011. Net sales for the fourth quarter of 2011 were $43.1 million compared to $39.9 million for the corresponding 2010 period, an 8% increase. The Company reported net income of $34.7 million, or $2.03 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of ($57.1) million or ($3.34) per diluted share, reported for the corresponding 2010 period. The 2011 and 2010 results include a 2010 litigation charge pertaining to the jury verdict in the product liability suit, Barnhard v. Cybex International, Inc., and the 2011 adjustments to the charge relating to the settlement of the suit. Net income for the quarter excluding these charges and adjustments was $2.7 million or $0.16 per fully diluted share for 2011 and $1.5 million or $0.09 per fully diluted share for 2010. For the year ended December 31, 2011, net sales were $140.1 million compared to $123.0 million for 2010, a 14% increase. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $34.3 million, or $2.00 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of ($58.2) million, or ($3.40) per diluted share, for 2010.

The 2011 and 2010 results include the litigation charge, and adjustments related to the charge, which increase (decrease) the 2011 and 2010 full year results by $1.76 and ($3.43) per diluted share, respectively. Net income excluding these charges and adjustments were $4.1 million or $0.24 per fully diluted share for 2011 and $0.4 million or $0.03 per fully diluted share for 2010. Cybex also announced that it has increased the limits of its product liability insurance coverage to $25,000,000 for claims brought after December 1, 2011. "We are pleased to report strong sales growth in all market segments in Q4," said John Aglialoro, Cybex Chairman and CEO. "Sales in North America increased 3% and sales outside North America increased 20% for the fourth quarter. Importantly, we accomplished these results during a time of global economic uncertainty while confronting an unfair and excessive jury verdict which is now behind us. Our growth is a testament to the health of the company and the value customers have for our innovative and superior products." Art Hicks, Cybex President and COO stated, "Operating income, excluding the impact of litigation charges, increased 40% in Q4 2011 compared to Q4 2010. We are excited to introduce our new Arc Trainer models and new entertainment displays at the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) trade show in March." The Company will hold a conference call today, February 15, 2012 at 4:30 p.m. ET.

Those who wish to participate in the conference call may telephone (888) 401-4685 from the U.S. or (719) 325-2122 for international callers. A live webcast of the conference call will be available at www.cybexintl.com or www.viavid.net . On Cybex's website under the category Company, click on Press, scroll to the bottom and select Q4 Earnings Release Conference Call. Please visit the website at least 15 minutes early to register for the teleconference webcast and download any necessary software. Real Player or Windows Media Player is required to listen to the webcast. A replay of the call will be available through Saturday, February 25, 2012 by dialing (877) 870-5176 or (858) 384-5517 for international callers. The access code for the replay is 9476085.

About Cybex Cybex International, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of premium exercise equipment primarily for commercial use. The Cybex product line, including a full range of strength and cardio training machines, is designed using exercise science to reflect the natural movement of the human body. Led by the Cybex Research Institute, Cybex fitness equipment is engineered to produce optimal results for users from the first-time exerciser to the professional athlete. Cybex products, designed and built in the USA, are available for a wide range of facilities, from commercial health clubs to home gyms, and are sold in more than 85 countries worldwide. For more information on Cybex and its product lines, visit the Company's website at www.cybexintl.com . This news release may contain forward-looking statements. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the statements made above.

These include, but are not limited to, the ability of the Company to comply with the terms of its credit facilities, competitive factors, technological and product developments, market demand, economic conditions, and the resolution of litigation involving the Company. Further information on these and other factors which could affect the Company's financial results can be found in the Company's previously filed Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, its Reports on Form 10-Q, its Current Reports on Form 8-K, and its proxy statement dated April 14, 2011.

Now, she said she's aggravated she can't start her workouts at Powerhouse!

noreply@blogger.com (Fitness Life Marketing) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 14:13:00 +0000

BATON ROUGE, LA - Signs promoting a $1 enrollment fee and $20 per month membership plans at Powerhouse Gym have been up for months on South Sherwood Forest Boulevard.The brand new gym was set to have a Jan. 13 grand opening. One member, who asked not to be identified, signed up in October. "We thought, 'Okay, three months it'll be ready,'" the woman said. "New Year's resolution, you know, get in shape. Well, New Year's came around. They didn't open." She said she paid $59 up front and some of her friends paid up to $700 for a full year's membership. Now, she said she's aggravated she can't start her workouts at Powerhouse. The woman is not alone. Dozens of people are taking their frustrations to the gym's Facebook page.Randy Young, the gym's general manager, said delays like this are normal."This will be my 109th gym," he said. "The original day was January 13th. The average gym in America opens between three months and six months late." The construction was on target for the January opening, according to Young, but problems with contractors slowed things down."When we first started the project we started with a contractor that was going to be a partner. [We] had problems with that contractor. He was building without permits," Young explained.City records show the department does not currently have permits on file to continue building Powerhouse Gym and in December, a stop-work order was issued.Young said he will have permits in the next couple of days and the gym should open in 30 days. That's two months after paid members planned to break a sweat in the gym. "You have other gyms in the area that have opened up in less time than this one has," one member said. "It was supposed to be a state-of-the-art place. I ain't seen it."Powerhouse insists the gym will be worth the wait and invited the news crew to tour the facility in the next couple of weeks to show progress. Young said members will not be billed until the gym open http://www.wafb.com/story/16929444/contact-9-powerhouse-gym?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=6738801

Gold’s Gym Opens Valencia Presale Office

noreply@blogger.com (Fitness Life Marketing) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:58:00 +0000

Gold’s Gym is opening a 5,000-square-foot preview center in Valencia today as it readies its new 35,000-square-foot location at Westfield Valencia Town Center to open later this summer. The preview center is open for the local community to stop by and sign up for a special membership rate and workout. Scheduled to open in August 2012, the new Gold’s Gym will be home to the cardio and weight equipment that includes individual LCD screens, iPod docking stations and a cardio movie theater, where members can watch films while working up a sweat. Members can also take advantage of strength-training equipment, a heavy-bags area, 25-meter outdoor pool, tanning center, jacuzzi and whirlpool, as well as personal training, men and women’s eucalyptus steam and sauna areas, a supplement store, kid’s club, pro shop and a selection of group-exercise classes. “We encourage everyone to stop by and check out our preview center to take advantage of our exceptional promotional rates and get a good feel for what’s to come,” said Rich Drengberg, vice president of sales and marketing for the Los Angeles’ Gold’s Gyms. Gold’s Gym preview center is located in the Westfield Valencia Town Center at 24201 W. Valencia Blvd., Suite 2065.

Gold's Gym International Acquires 11 Spectrum Athletic Club Locations in San Antonio

noreply@blogger.com (Fitness Life Marketing) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 19:50:00 +0000

Gold's Gym International Gold's Gym International (GGI), the world's leading authority on health and fitness, announced today that it has signed an agreement to acquire all 11 Spectrum Athletic Club locations in the San Antonio area. The deal is officially slated to close by the end of February 2012. With 9 clubs already serving residents throughout the market, Gold's Gym will now have a total of 20 locations in the Alamo City. "We are thrilled to bring these 11 Spectrum Athletic Clubs into the Gold's Gym family and feel this acquisition was a natural fit," said Jim Snow, president of Gold's Gym International. "Both of our organizations are built around a strong culture of service and a brand promise of delivering an outstanding fitness experience to our members. With 20 locations to choose from, it will now be more convenient than ever for San Antonio residents to stay in shape and reach their fitness goals. No matter where you live, chances are there's now a Gold's Gym right around the corner." As part of the deal, the 11 Spectrum Athletic Clubs will rebrand under the Gold's Gym name. All current Spectrum memberships will be honored. In addition to having future access to current Gold's Gyms in San Antonio, Spectrum members will gain travel privileges to Gold's Gym's network of 700 gyms in 43 states and 30 countries. For Gold's Gym members, plans are being developed for a tiered membership option that would allow access to former Spectrum locations. "We're confident that our members and our employees will be in good hands and will continue to enjoy the high level of service they've come to expect from us," said Bud Rockhill, chief executive officer of Spectrum. "We think it's a great fit and that the transition will be seamless. This deal will allow us to strategically invest in our twelve Spectrum locations in Southern California, a business that we will continue to operate going forward." Spectrum members will now be serviced by a strong ownership group with years of award-winning customer service experience. GGI is one of the largest and most respected companies in the fitness industry. Founded in 1965, the company has more than 47 years experience delivering life-changing results for its members and is universally perceived as the authority in fitness. In addition, GGI has invested heavily in club enhancements and development in recent months. This includes investing more than $20 million in club improvements, new gym development, franchise growth and acquisitions, all of which demonstrate the momentum behind the company. The company plans to build additional gyms in San Antonio. "We are very bullish on San Antonio. It has truly become a fitness-conscious city in recent years and the demand for health and fitness services has grown rapidly," continued Snow. "This acquisition is a testament to our enthusiasm about the city and its potential. San Antonio is now the biggest market in our corporate portfolio and the second biggest Gold's Gym market in the country, right behind Washington, D.C. We look forward to growing with the San Antonio community for years to come." Spectrum was advised by Integrity Square LLC, with legal advice from Burr & Forman LLP. About Gold's GymEstablished in Venice, Calif. in 1965, Gold's Gym is the largest full service gym chain in the world with more than 700 locations in 43 states and 30 countries. Gold's Gym offers the latest equipment and services, including group exercise, personal training, cardiovascular equipment, group cycle, Pilates and yoga. With nearly 3 million members worldwide, Gold's Gym helps all kinds of people achieve their individual potential through fitness. For more information please visit www.goldsgym.com or www.facebook.com/goldsgym. About Spectrum Spectrum Clubs, Inc. is one of the most respected fitness companies in the United States, with twelve premium locations in Southern California. With roots that trace back to 1979, Spectrum offers spacious, modern facilities, highly trained staff, the latest in fitness equipment, high-end amenities and a full range of fitness programming. Spectrum prides itself in providing a fitness experience designed to help its members achieve their individual goals. www.spectrumclubs.com SOURCE Gold's Gym International

World Gym Announces Plans to Expand to China

noreply@blogger.com (Fitness Life Marketing) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 20:36:00 +0000

Click for full story.
World Fitness Asia Limited (WFAL), the largest fitness operator in Taiwan has announced it will launch its first mainland China club this year, with plans to open an additional 100 stores within five years. “We have obtained a dominant position in our market (Taiwan) making it relatively easy to expand rapidly in greater China,” said John Caraccio, WFAL founder and President. WFAL currently operates 24 fitness clubs in Taiwan, and plans to double that number within the next two years, said Michael Sanciprian, CEO and partner of WFAL. WFAL plans to target 16 cities in China in which to expand, with per capita middle class incomes of $16,425 — such as Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen. Citing the lack of a dominant competitor in China and high consumer growth rates as the motivation for expansion, Sanciprian speculated that today’s Asian consumers were slowly becoming American-style consumers. “Today’s Asian consumer spends just as much on monthly dues, personal training and retail items as their counterparts in the U.S.,” said Sanciprian. WFAL opened its second “World Gym Elite,” — a more exclusive club than regular WFAL centers — in Taipei, Taiwan in February 2012, following the success of the first location in Taipei’s 101 Building, the world’s second tallest building. “The Taipei 101 club put us on the map in Asia, since so many Asian tourists pass through there every day, especially from mainland China,” said Sanciprian. “It’s become a natural extension that we go into China, given the language and cultural similarities with Taiwan.” WFAL memberships cost between $45 and $65 per month depending on the location, and average about $97,000 in monthly revenue for personal training per club.

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Family may sue in Gold's Gym death

noreply@blogger.com (Fitness Life Marketing) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 00:08:00 +0000

COLONIE, NY - The family of the man who died after he was tased by Colonie police has indicated they may sue the city. Their attorney confirms to NEWS10 that the family of Chad Brothers has filed a notice of claim, a necessary step before a lawsuit can be filed. The town and the Colonie Police Department are named.

NEWS10 was first to show you the surveillance video from October, of 32-year-old Brothers on what police call a "drug-fueled tirade," at Gold's Gym in Latham.

Brothers was tased multiple times and later died. A toxicology report shows he had steroids and PCP, in his system. The Colonie Town Attorney says the town is prepared to defend itself against any lawsuits.

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Anytime Fitness CEO’s Book: “Working Out Sucks”

noreply@blogger.com (Fitness Life Marketing) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:44:00 +0000

Chuck Runyon’s new book acknowledges that “working out may suck,” but it cites alternatives like heart disease, diabetes, and less sex as much worse. Health Club News: .... Brought to you by courtesy of http://fitnesslifemarketing.com/

A new book by Chuck Runyon, CEO and co-founder of Hastings-based Anytime Fitness, LLC, hit bookstore shelves Tuesday—and it poses some provocative questions about staying fit. The book’s title starts out with a statement that one might not expect from the chief executive of a fast-growing fitness center franchise, but the complete title offers more insight into the book’s content: It’s called Working Out Sucks! (And Why It Doesn’t Have To): The Only 21-Day Kick-Start Plan for Total Health and Fitness You’ll Ever Need.According to a company press release, Runyon’s philosophy acknowledges that “working out may suck,” but he cites alternatives like heart disease, diabetes, and less sex as much worse. He also asks readers to ponder provocative questions such as, “Should parents of fat kids go to jail?” and “Is money allergic to fat people?” All proceeds from the book go to Limbs for Life, an Oklahoma City, Oklahoma-based nonprofit that provides prosthetic care to individuals who are unable to afford it. Watch the video trailer below to learn more about the book. Founded in 2002, Anytime Fitness now has more than 1,700 clubs and 1.3 million members worldwide. The company was featured as one of Twin Cities Business’ “Small Business Success Stories” in 2009, and it has recently been expanding rapidly. The franchise announced earlier this week that it has expanded to the Middle East.

IHRSA Announces Annual List of Health Club Trends for 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Fitness Life Marketing) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 14:12:00 +0000

Click Here For Full Story By working with its global membership base of over 10,000 club and fitness businesses, examining industry research, and monitoring consumer fitness behaviors, IHRSA has identified the most significant trends health club goers will see over the next 12 months.A quick listing of the trends is below or read the complete explanation of each trend.

#1: More People Working Out in Clubs Club membership has increased more than 10% over the past three years despite the poor economy...

#2: Specific Programming and Certifications for Baby Boomers

As people age, strength, balance and functional training become even more important...

#3: Youth Programming

Health club members under the age of 18 grew from 3.8 million in 2007 to 6.1 million in 2010...

#4: Social Exercise

People want to have fun, experience great music, share the group "high"...

#5: Small Group Personal Training

Over 91% of the IHRSA clubs surveyed offer personal training, however the growth in training has not come from one-on-one training...

#6: Technology

Whether you want to track your mileage, speed, number of workouts, calorie burn, or strength level, there is an app for that...

#7: Convenient Fitness Options

A gym visit is not the only to-do on most people's calendars...

#8: Corporate Wellness Benefits

Employers are increasingly aware that a fitness benefit creates a happier, more productive work force, reduces employee health care expenses...

#9: Body Weight Exercise

Body-weight leverage equipment has become a must-have in many gyms...

#10: Physician Prescribed Exercise

Physicians are just beginning to prescribe the real wonder drug...

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LA Fitness Grants National Access, Bally Members Drop Lawsuit Threat

noreply@blogger.com (Fitness Life Marketing) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:49:00 +0000

It appears that lifetime Bally Total Fitness members, who originally appeared to have been left out in the cold after their clubs were purchased by LA Fitness earlier this month, will have a place to work off the holiday pounds after all. According to a statement posted on the LA Fitness website late last week and follow-ups from Patch to previously unhappy customers, the company has doubled down on its decision to honor lifetime agreements, now to the satisfaction of almost all those affected.

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Arrested at the health club after groping an employee's genitals in a nearby parking lot one day earlier.

noreply@blogger.com (Fitness Life Marketing) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:45:00 +0000

A 67-year-old Chicago male and regular patron of LA Fitness, 1618 Sherman Ave., was arrested Tuesday at the health club after groping an employee's genitals in a nearby parking lot one day earlier. The employee, a 23-year-old Chicago resident who works at LA Fitness, said the suspect approached him in the nearby parking lot late Monday night, Evanston Police Department spokesman Cmdr. Jay Parrott said.

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L.A. Fitness buys old Malio's block for $4.8 million

noreply@blogger.com (Fitness Life Marketing) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:33:00 +0000

One of Tampa's most coveted pieces of property will go from selling steaks and cocktails to helping people burn off calories. The former Malio's Steakhouse at 301 S. Dale Mabry Highway has officially been sold to L.A. Fitness of Irvine, Calif., which plans a multi-story fitness complex. Sales price: $4.8 million, according to county records.Health Club News: .... Brought to you by courtesy of http://fitnesslifemarketing.com/

Gold's Gym Grand Opening Another Brand New Location

noreply@blogger.com (Fitness Life Marketing) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 23:07:00 +0000

RICHLAND, Wash.—After a few delays, the grand opening of the Gold's Gym in Richland is only a week and a half away. They plan to open their doors January 24th. The new facility is off Duportail Street and Queensgate in Richland. It will be 13,000 square feet bigger than the Kennewick gym and have a few more amenities."We're offering a new hot yoga studio in there which is fantastic. I'm very excited for it. We're offering additional acquetball courts, a different style of cardio pieces with additional technologies, just a few more up grades," say Jon Evans, Director of Fitness. The official opening date is January 24th.

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1 dead, 1 wounded outside Texas fitness center

noreply@blogger.com (Fitness Life Marketing) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 17:50:00 +0000

SAN ANTONIO - San Antonio police have detained a suspect in the fatal shooting of a fitness center worker and the critical wounding of the victim's girlfriend outside the club. Police Chief William McManus says investigators believe a Planet Fitness member, who allegedly opened fire Sunday night in a parking lot, wanted to date the woman but she wasn't interested. She also works at the center. Police obtained club records to help locate the suspect early Monday at an apartment complex. Further details on him were not immediately released.McManus says the woman was shot multiple times and has been taken to a hospital. Her name and more details on her condition were not immediately available Monday. Her boyfriend was dead at the scene of the shootings, around 7:15 p.m. Sunday.

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L.A. Fitness Buys Out Bally In Michigan

noreply@blogger.com (Fitness Life Marketing) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 17:45:00 +0000

DETROIT (WWJ) – You won’t see any more Bally Total Fitness Clubs in Michigan. The 12 Bally locations in Metro Detroit are being converted to L.A. Fitness clubs under a deal announced Thursday. California-based L.A. Fitness acquired 171 clubs from Bally, which will no longer have any locations in Michigan. L.A. Fitness already has six clubs in Southeast Michigan — in Bloomfield Hills, Livonia, Royal Oak, Southfield, Troy and Warren. Bally will continue to operate 100 clubs in other states

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Covering Gym Fees Might Be Money Saver for Medicare

noreply@blogger.com (Fitness Life Marketing) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:45:00 +0000

Paying the gym-membership fees of seniors joining private Medicare supplemental insurance plans -- which by law cannot deny coverage based on illness -- attracts healthier adults, potentially saving the U.S. insurer money, a new study suggests.Analyzing 22 Medicare Advantage plans, including half that added fitness club memberships and half that didn't, Brown University researchers found that plans with fitness benefits had 6 percent more seniors who reported being in excellent or very good health. The number of new enrollees in such plans reporting activity limitations was 10.4 percent lower, and those reporting difficulty walking was 8.1 percent lower than in plans not offering gym memberships."Insurance companies are at risk for paying for all covered services, so there's a strong financial incentive to enroll people who are healthy rather than those who are sick," said study co-author Dr. Amal Trivedi, an assistant professor of health services, policy and practice at Brown.Obviously, covering gym memberships costs money, so there's a calculus between [that] versus attracting healthier enrollees," Trivedi added. "What this suggests is that offering gym memberships is an attractive business proposition."The study is published Jan. 12 in the New England Journal of Medicine.Medicare is the U.S. government's health insurance program for people 65 and older. Medicare Advantage plans, which are administered by private insurers approved by Medicare, offer coverage for extra services such as vision, hearing, dental and/or prescription drugs. The plans must accept all applicants, but individual premiums are risk-adjusted based on pre-existing medical conditions. Sicker applicants, therefore, pay higher premiums than healthier ones.Coverage of fitness clubs jumped significantly in the past decade. Looking at 101 Medicare Advantage plans from 2002 to 2008, the researchers found that the number offering gym memberships jumped from 14 to 58. "That's a fourfold rise, which I suspect is even higher now," said Trivedi, noting that more than 300 total Medicare Advantage plans are currently available. "I think the magnitude of the effect was surprising to us, and this is a topic that was not studied before."Trivedi, who also practices at the VA Medical Center in Providence, R.I., and co-author Alicia Cooper also obtained data from the Medicare Health Outcomes Survey -- which collects information such as health, social and demographic status from a random sample of beneficiaries. The sample included nearly 5,000 Medicare Advantage beneficiaries ages 65 and older in 11 plans that added fitness-membership benefits in 2004 or 2005 along with 11 plans that did not.Dr. Tamara Kuittinen, director of medical education in the department of emergency medicine at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, said some private insurance plans covering all ages also offer gym memberships, which she compared to a "carrot on a stick to living healthily.""Aging is a complicated process, but I think [this practice is] a positive incentive for those who, say, need to join a gym or talk to their doctor about staying healthy," she said. "Studies show if you're active in your senior years, you live longer. It improves mental health as well as physical health." By Maureen Salamon

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LA FITNESS NEWS: Blockbuster deal will change the landscape of the health club industry

noreply@blogger.com (Fitness Life Marketing) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 22:43:00 +0000

The LA Fitness acquisition of Bally marks the second big deal in the industry in the past four days.

LA Fitness, Irvine, CA, is acquiring 171 clubs from Bally Total Fitness, Chicago, for $153 million, the companies announced today. The blockbuster deal will change the landscape of the health club industry.The acquisition involves Bally clubs in 16 states plus the District of Columbia. The deal is expected to be completed on Nov. 30. After completion of the transaction, Bally will continue to operate its remaining 100 clubs.

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LA FITNESS NEWS: Blockbuster deal will change the landscape of the health club industry

noreply@blogger.com (Fitness Life Marketing) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 22:30:00 +0000

LA Fitness, Irvine, CA, is acquiring 171 clubs from Bally Total Fitness, Chicago, for $153 million, the companies announced today. The blockbuster deal will change the landscape of the health club industry. The acquisition involves Bally clubs in 16 states plus the District of Columbia. The deal is expected to be completed on Nov. 30. After completion of the transaction, Bally will continue to operate its remaining 100 clubs. Click Here For Full Story.

Story By Stuart Goldman.

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I Will Weight Loss Studio Sales Manager Needed Located At Gold's Gym Anderson,SC

noreply@blogger.com (Fitness Life Marketing) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 18:08:00 +0000

Realistically earn between 2k to 3k per month with a guaranteed base, plus healthy commission and profit bonus structure.

I Will Weight Loss Coaching Center located inside Gold's Gym in Anderson, SC is seeking a highly motivated, hard working, fitness and weight loss minded sales manager with experienced closing skills plus the ability to work morning and evenings with the afternoons and weekends off. You will work as a sales manager implementing a proven weight loss system with the necessary sales tools to make you successful.

Must have a passion for sales and fitness.
Must enjoy helping people improve their health and lose weight.
Must posses strong self management skills.
Must be able to turn incoming phone calls into new clients.
Must not be afraid to speak with current members and new guest.
Must be able to meet very reasonable sales goals each month with no excuses
Must be able to stay self motivated without having someone over seeing you each day.
Must be the type that works harder if you are projecting to not reach your current goal.
Must be drug and alcohol free.
Be your own boss!
Drug-free workplace.
Background screen and good sales manager references required.

Call Greg Smith 1-864-221-7710

At The Anderson, SC Location

Resume Not Required

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NYC health club member sues for $230K over what he says was broken promise of free breakfast

noreply@blogger.com (Fitness Life Marketing) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 22:32:00 +0000

NEW YORK — A lawyer says there’s no such thing as the free breakfast promised by a high-end New York City health club, and he says he should get more than $200,000 for the missing meals.Richard Katz says in a fraud suit made public Wednesday that the Setai Club told him in December 2009 that his $5,000-a-year membership included a “full complimentary breakfast.” The suit says the free fare stopped flowing in August 2010, and the club wouldn’t return his money.Club representatives and Katz didn’t immediately return calls Wednesday night.He’s demanding $230,000 in damages over the breakfasts and $500,000 for what he calls a libelous comment by a Setai worker.The club is a block from Wall Street. Its website boasts amenities including “complimentary breakfast” at a chic neighboring eatery.

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Health clubs scramble for Cardinal Fitness customers

noreply@blogger.com (Fitness Life Marketing) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 14:18:00 +0000

A marketing free-for-all has broken out among health clubs after Cardinal Fitness abruptly closed six of its Indianapolis locations Tuesday and Wednesday.Using social media, phone blitzes and news releases, area fitness facilities are trying to lure the hundreds of people who no longer have a gym to call their own.The weeding out of half of the 12 Cardinal Fitness workout places in the metro area was a result of a weak economy, in which gym memberships are seen as a luxury, and a congested market with too many clubs chasing too few workout enthusiasts."We just couldn't get membership where we needed. Those six locations were struggling, and they were taking down the other six. We had to make some hard decisions," said Maribeth St. Pierre, project manager for Black Diamond, Wash., businessman John Bahlenhorst, who owns the six remaining Cardinal Fitness facilities in Indianapolis, two others in Indiana and five in Wisconsin.The LA Fitness chain bought the memberships of the closed Cardinal Fitness facilities for a price that barely covered the final payroll at the six closed clubs, St. Pierre said."They (LA Fitness) promised to honor all contracts as written. It's the best deal we could get for our members," she said.But other health clubs quickly began angling to sign on the former Cardinal Fitness members by offering special deals.Westview Healthplex Sports Club offered to waive its enrollment fee and give a month's free use of its club. The JCC Indianapolis on the Northside and Family Fun & Fitness on the Far Eastside dangled similar incentives."We are doing a lot of social media promotion" on Facebook and Twitter, said Devon Brown, manager at Family Fun & Fitness, which had already signed up several Cardinal Fitness members by Wednesday afternoon.A winnowing out of health clubs was expected in a market that has seen the number of fitness facilities more than triple in the past 13 years, to the current number of slightly more than 100, said Kent Allison, director of membership services at Westview Healthplex, which opened 13 years ago.In the past two years, he said, as new chains such as LA Fitness and Planet Fitness opened in Indianapolis, "none of us has really seen an influx of new membership," he said. "We're borrowing and taking from the other clubs."Matt Peterson, 47, a prison chaplain, found his Cardinal Fitness club in Broad Ripple locked Wednesday when he went to work out."I can understand, given the economy the way it is," he said. But "it would have been nice to have known" that the closing was coming, he said.Another jilted member, Brad Parisey, said he rushed to put a hold on the automatic $20 monthly payment to Cardinal Fitness from his checking account, only to be told by his bank that it would charge a $33 fee for a stop order. Parisey elected to monitor his bank account closely to make sure Cardinal doesn't continue to withdraw the $20.John Good, manager of the East Washington Street Cardinal Fitness site, said he was trying to reassure members that his location remains open, despite reports that all local Cardinal Fitness clubs had closed.

"It's been phone call after phone call," Good said.

Star reporter Jeff Swiatek

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Virgin Active's New Campaign Uses Jane Fonda's Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Fitness Life Marketing) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 20:17:00 +0000

Virgin Active, a popular Health Club all over the world, opens its awesome campaign for RetroAerobics. And for their massive promotion, the club was able to convince Harry Langdon, a popular photographer, to use Jane Fonda’s Retro pictures. Fonda’s pictures were taken during the 80’s when she was about to release a book about health and fitness. Because of its creativity, retro aerobics has been one of the most popular exercises in the 80’s. Virgin Active lets people relive the retro days through their modern version of retro aerobics classes.Upon airing their creative video ad, everyone got so excited to try the 80’s exercise routine.

Virgin Active, a popular Health Club all over the world, opens its awesome campaign for RetroAerobics.

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Health and Fitness Clubs industry is expected to remain in a growth phase, with revenue expected to rise at an average annual rate of 2.6% to $28.2 billion in the five years to 2016,

noreply@blogger.com (Fitness Life Marketing) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 13:54:00 +0000

Despite experiencing solid growth during the past decade (with the exception of the past two years), the market has not yet reached saturation. As a result, the Gym, Health and Fitness Clubs industry is expected to remain in a growth phase, with revenue expected to rise at an average annual rate of 2.6% to $28.2 billion in the five years to 2016, according to IBISWorld, the nation’s largest publisher of industry research. During this period, demand is expected to improve as the US economy stabilizes and unemployment declines. According to IBISWorld’s latest report, the Gym, Health and Fitness Clubs industry has benefited greatly from the vast array of marketing campaigns and ensuing consumer trends for fighting obesity and improving health. Gym membership numbers have increased considerably over the past 10 years, rising from 36.3 million in 2002 to more than 42.8 million by 2011. This trend has resulted in soaring demand for fitness activities, and industry operators have capitalized on this growth by expanding establishments in both size and number.However, the industry has not been recession-proof. In 2008 and 2009, demand for gyms and health clubs weakened as consumers cut back on discretionary spending. But compared with other industries, the Gym, Health and Fitness Clubs industry has remained remarkably resilient, as increased leisure time and boosts in health and morale from exercise have kept the industry highly competitive. Gyms and health clubs have broadened their markets and are offering value to gym-goers in a bid to retain membership numbers throughout the recession's aftermath. The downturn has also favored the growth of small-budget gyms with fewer amenities over more expensive, all-inclusive clubs. In fact, many smaller operators have expanded over the past two years despite the economic climate. Overall, industry revenue is expected to grow at an average annualized rate of 1.7% to $24.8 billion over the five years to 2011, including growth of 2.3% in 2011.According to IBISWorld analyst, Mary Gotaas, over the next five years, the industry will benefit from increased youth and baby boomer memberships. “Revenue will expand at an average annualized rate of 2.6% to $28.2 billion over the five years to 2016,” says Gotaas. “Firms will profit from growing interest in staying fit, and the industry will transition toward larger and all-inclusive clubs.” With total health club memberships expected to reach 47.5 million in 2016, players will capitalize on this growth and provide members with additional services in a bid to increase registration and retention rates.Due to the fragmented nature of the Gym, Health and Fitness Clubs industry, no players hold a market share larger than 5.0%. IBISWorld’s latest report findings discusses major players like 24 Hour Fitness Worldwide Inc., Life Time Fitness, Bally Total Fitness Holding Corporation, Curves International Inc., Town Sports International Holdings Inc., and Gold's Gym International Inc., a chain with more than 600 facilities in 40 US states and 30 countries.

Survival of the fittest

Even in the midst of the economic downturn, the industry has maintained steady growth, with membership rates growing consistently and profit remaining solid. Demand for gyms and health and fitness clubs will continue to rise over the next five years, as the general public becomes more health-conscious and the aging population places a greater emphasis on staying fit. Additionally, the amount of leisure time and growth in household incomes will positively affect businesses, leading operators to expand into larger facilities.In-depth industry market research presented in a logical and consistent format. Including pages of insights covering industry conditions, key statistics, competitor analysis and market share, product and customer segmentation and a 5 year forecast. Gym membership numbers have increased considerably over the past 10 years, rising from 36.3 million in 2002 to more than 42.8 million by 2011

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