TSI Revenues Increase 8 Percent in Second Quarter 2008
NEW YORK -- A growth in membership and personal training revenue as well as a low attrition rate highlighted the second quarter 2008 results for Town Sports International (TSI)....
Small IHRSA Study Shows Positive Results for First Quarter 2008
BOSTON -- Despite a slowing economy, a recently conducted survey of 18 leading U.S. health and sports club companies shows that financial performance improved for the first quarter ending March 31, compared to the same period last year....
Cybex Sales and Income Down in Second Quarter
By: By Pamela Kufahl, editor
MEDWAY, MA -- Cybex International Inc.’s second quarter net sales and net income were down in the second quarter compared to the same period last year. Net sales were $33.1 million, 4.6 percent lower than the $34.7 million for the corresponding 2007 period. Net income was $128,000 compared to $1.1 million for the corresponding 2007 period. ...
Richard Simmons Reaches Out to Congress in Support of Physical Education
WASHINGTON, DC -- Trading in his glittery tank top and striped shorts for a suit and tie, famed fitness guru Richard Simmons spoke at a hearing before Congress on Thursday, urging the House Education and Labor Committee to expand physical education in public schools. ...
Grand Rapids Y Replaces Three Water-Free Urinals
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- During a renovation at the David D. Hunting YMCA in Grand Rapids, MI, operators recently replaced three of the facility's water-free urinals with a more traditional model. ...
At Sea, Navy Ship Tries Yoga
USS BONHOMME RICHARD -- Although the flight deck of the USS Bonhomme Richard (BHR) usually sounds like a whir of loud rotor blades, those noises are replaced a few times a week with something a bit unusual for a Naval ship -- the sound of ambient music. Since mid-July, the flight deck has been the setting for yoga classes. ...
Life Fitness Is Bright Spot for Brunswick
By: By Pamela Kufahl, editor
CHICAGO -- Life Fitness had a 9 percent sales increase in the second quarter despite difficulties in the consumer side of the business, according to earnings released yesterday by Brunswick Corp., owner of Life Fitness. ...
Life Time Surging During Tough Economic Times
By: By Stuart Goldman, managing editor
CHANHASSEN, MN -- Despite the continued struggles of the economy that has affected most of the club industry, Life Time Fitness continues to experience steady growth, reflected in the second-quarter results that the company announced today....
Nautilus Closing Tulsa Facilities by End of the Year
VANCOUVER, WA -- After experiencing revenue losses for the last several quarters, Nautilus Inc. announced plans today to consolidate its U.S. manufacturing and distribution facilities. ...
IDEA Survey Finds Fitness Facilities Focusing More on Community
SAN DIEGO -- Fitness facility owners are focusing on building communities for their members, according to results from the IDEA Fitness Programs and Equipment Survey. The 13th annual survey also finds that although new pieces of equipment and group exercise formats are popular in clubs, the old standbys are holding strong in popularity, too. ...
Fitnessgram Tests Reveal More About Texas Schoolchildren
AUSTIN, TX -- After further analysis of the results of the Fitnessgram test created by The Cooper Institute of Dallas and given to Texas schoolchildren in grades 3-12 this spring, children in high poverty levels have poorer fitness, and physically fit students tend to perform better on state standardized exams....
Physical Fitness May Slow Brain Atrophy in People With Alzheimer’s
KANSAS CITY, KS -- A new study shows that exercise may help slow brain shrinkage in people with early Alzheimer’s disease. In the study, people with early Alzheimer’s who were less physically fit had four times more brain shrinkage than normal older adults....
Two Military Fitness Centers in Construction Bill
WASHINGTON, DC -- Air Force and Navy Fitness may be adding new fitness centers to their ranks. A new fitness center at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina and Naval Air Station Kingsville (TX) were recently added by House appropriators to President Bush’s fiscal 2009 military construction request....
24 Hour Sues Bally Over CEO Hiring
By: By Stuart Goldman, managing editor
CHICAGO -- 24 Hour Fitness, San Ramon, CA, has filed a lawsuit against Bally Total Fitness, Chicago, accusing Bally of illegally hiring new CEO Michael Sheehan away from 24 Hour to gain access to trade secrets. The lawsuit was filed Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois....
Planet Fitness Puts World Gym Up for Sale
By: By Stuart Goldman, managing editor
DOVER, NH -- It appears the World has become too much to handle for one Planet. Planet Fitness, which two years ago bought World Gym for around $10 million, is putting World Gym up for sale, Planet Fitness CEO Mike Grondahl confirmed Tuesday....
Arkansas Fitness Trainer Convicted of Rape
FAYETTEVILLE, AR -- A fitness trainer was convicted Wednesday of rape and was sentenced to a total of 45 years in prison, according to the Northwest Arkansas Times....
Indiana Y Closed Due to Bomb Threat
FORT WAYNE, IN -- After a bomb threat early Monday morning, administration at the YMCA of Greater Fort Wayne (IN) closed its Allen County, IN, branches until 9 a.m. as a safety precaution. ...
Life Time Fitness Triathlon Set for Saturday
CHANHASSEN, MN -- The Life Time Fitness Triathlon will be held Saturday in Minneapolis and will include 11 triathletes who have qualified for next month’s Summer Olympics in Beijing. The event marks the start of the 2008 Life Time Fitness Triathlon Series Race to the Toyota Cup, which offers a $1.45 million purse....
Study Finds That Keeping a Food Diary Doubles Weight Loss
PORTLAND, OR -- Something as simple as keeping a food diary can double a person's weight loss, according to a new study. ...
Manufacturers Face Tough Economy
By: By Pamela Kufahl, editor, and Jennipher Shaver, senior associate editor
NATIONWIDE -- Some fitness equipment manufacturers across the country are being hit hard by the slowing economy and rising energy and material costs. To reduce costs, some companies are laying off workers and restructuring. Others report they are doing business as usual. ...
In BRIEF
Health and fitness industry sales and marketing professional Eddie Tock has launched a new company, Eddie Tock Health Club Sales and Marketing Consulting....
Manufacturers Face Tough Economy
By: Pamela Kufahl and Jennipher Shaver
Nationwide Some fitness equipment manufacturers across the country are being hit hard by the slowing economy and rising energy and material costs, but...
Diabetic Numbers on the Rise
By: Pamela Kufahl
Washington, Dc More than 24 million people, or 8 percent of the U.S. population, have diabetes, according to new 2007 prevalence data estimates released...
Retention Management Helps Decrease Member Attrition
Pinehurst, Nc The FirstHealth Center for Health & Fitness in Pinehurst, NC, decreased member attrition by 5 percent over the last year while using Retention...
More Employers Offer Incentives for Health
By: Pamela Kufahl
Washington, Dc Major U.S. employers using incentives to promote employer-sponsored health and wellness programs rose from 62 percent to 71 percent between...
