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IRVING, TX -- Brothers Kirk and John Galiani, who once were
part-owners of Gold’s Gym International (GGI) and have been Gold’s
Gym franchisees since 1990, have left the Gold’s Gym brand.
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WASHINGTON, DC -- If trends continue, 43 percent of U.S.
adults could be classified as obese by 2018, according to a new study.
Currently, 31 percent of the adult population is considered
obese.
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ST. PAUL, MN -- Life Time Fitness is closing group exercises
classes at its club in downtown St. Paul, MN, as a result of declining
membership and club usage.
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BOSTON -- Fifty-three percent of health club operators showed
membership dues/fees revenue was down in September compared to September
last year, according to a survey by the International Health, Racquet
and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA).
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TUALATIN, OR -- The woman who was killed in an apparent
murder-suicide last week in Oregon was a group exercise instructor for
24 Hour Fitness.
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COLLEYVILLE, TX -- Life Time Fitness confirmed that a man was
found dead last week in one of its club’s pools.
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CLACKAMAS, OR -- An Oregon fitness club owner was arrested on
charges of sexually abusing an 18-year-old woman whom he invited to the
club for a free session.
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PORT ST. LUCIE, FL -- Layoffs at St. Lucie Medical Center
have forced the closure of the fitness center at the Port St. Lucie (FL)
Community Center.
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JEFFERSON CITY, MO -- Yoga studios in Missouri are now
required to charge sales tax for their services, a move that has yogis
statewide arguing that that their practices are a spiritual pursuit
protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution.
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WASHINGTON, DC -- Even though guidelines for the new Air
Force fitness program have yet to be officially approved and released,
revisions to the physical training program already are causing
controversy within the military community.
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LAFAYETTE, IN -- The YWCA of Greater Lafayette (IN) announced
that it will close its Health Services Program, which includes its
fitness facilities and swimming pool, effective Nov. 27.
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SEATTLE -- Seattle University canceled its decade-long
personal training rec center program because of declining student
participation.
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Gold’s Gym,
Irving, TX, has partnered with PetEdge Dealer Services, a national
distributor of pet care products, to launch a new toy and apparel line
designed for pets. The new pet clothing line includes a Gold’s
Gym-branded hoodie with a kangaroo pocket on the back, plus a pullover
Gold’s Gym tank top. Toys for pets include Gold’s Gym-branded rubber
balls, dumbbells and plush flyers with a squeaker. The products are sold
at independent retail shops throughout the country.
During the month of November, YMCAs across the country are celebrating
National Military Family Month by providing military families access to
programs focusing on youth development, family strengthening, and health
and well-being. Eligible military families can have their Y memberships
underwritten by the Department of Defense in a program started in 2008
called the YMCA
Military Outreach Initiative. During its first year, the initiative
aided more than 22,000 YMCA family and individual memberships. President
Barack Obama also proclaimed November as Military
Family Month.
The Aerobics and Fitness Association
of America (AFAA) and the National
Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA) announced a
strategic alliance to provide greater access to fitness education and
certification to NIRSA members. “NIRSA is a strong proponent of
professional development, and we are happy to be able to offer our
members additional benefits through AFAA,” said NIRSA Executive
Director Kent J. Blumenthal. NIRSA members can call 800-923-2346 to
learn more about the AFAA discount.
The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, is now home to the Master Sgt.
Sean Thomas Memorial Gym. Thomas was killed in Baghdad’s Green Zone
Area while serving with the Pennsylvania National Guard in 2007.
Thomas’ brother, Daniel Thomas Jr., told the Williamsport (PA) Sun-Gazette the honor probably was
motivated by his brother’s love for recreation—especially football
and ping-pong. “Other than the fact that he was very active in
recreation over there ... I would just think it was a new building that
they built and obviously felt that they should honor a fallen
soldier,” Daniel Thomas said.
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Motus USA, Los
Angeles, has formed a partnership with the International Council on Active Aging
(ICAA) to become a preferred vendor of the organization. Motus says it
will better serve and cater to the needs of the 50-plus market, which it
says is expected to grow by 25 percent in the next 10 years.
Cybex International Inc.,
Medway, MA, announced that Thomas J. Gordhamer has joined Cybex Capital
as vice president. Gordhamer, who had been with Icon Capital Corp. in
New York, has more than 30 years of experience in the financial services
industry and has produced more than $1 billion in financed transactions
during his career. Cybex Capital offers leasing and financing services
to the fitness industry as a wholly owned subsidiary of Cybex
International.
Les Mills International,
Auckland, New Zealand, recently purchased United States-based Les
Mills Northeast (LMNE). The company said the purchase allows the
current owners, Bill Austin, Mary Murphy, Don Murphy and Kim Kenyon, to
focus on their core Gold’s Gym business. Austin will remain involved
in the business as an advisor to Les Mills, while Don Murphy continues
in his role as a trainer and presenter for the brand for the Northeast
and other U.S agencies. Les Mills intends to retain the existing LMNE
sales staff and club coaches.
Jamba Juice, Emeryville,
CA, announced a three-year partnership with the national PTA designed to raise $1 million
for school-based programs that encourage healthy lifestyle choices in
schools nationwide. Jamba and national PTA created a school appreciation
card to be used with purchases at participating Jamba Juice locations.
Twelve percent of sales from the cards will be donated to PTAs (10
percent to local PTAs and 2 percent to the national PTA).
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I received an e-mail last week about an interesting way one
sergeant in Iraq boosted morale while encouraging fitness for his
troops. First Sgt. Gavin McIlvenna organized a trail race called
“Scramble in the Sand” on Nov. 9 to boost morale for soldiers
stationed at Camp Victory, Baghdad, Iraq.
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Be sure to watch “The Biggest Loser” in the next few
weeks. I got a note from Ian McGriff, head trainer and fitness director
at Tipton Lakes Athletic Club (TLAC) in Columbus, IN, that says Allen
Smith, a current contestant on the show, got the TV crew to come and
check out its local “Battle of the Bulge” weight-loss
competition.
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