The Newsletter

Norwalk, CA - U.S. health club operator Bally Total Fitness Holding Corp has reached a deal with its lenders on a restructuring plan to help it exit from bankruptcy.

Bally's senior lenders have agreed to cut the organization's debt by at least $660 million, court papers show. The balance sheet restructuring also provides for new financing. Under the agreement, Bally's lenders will get 94 percent of the restructured company's equity, court papers show. The plan requires court approval. Bally, one of the largest U.S. health-club operators, filed for bankruptcy protection for the second time in 17 months in December.

As of end-December, Bally operated 328 fitness centers in 25 states, and the company and its non-debtor affiliates had consolidated assets of about $1.16 billion and consolidated liabilities of about $1.58 billion.

TORONTO - Kelly Murumets, president and CEO of ParticipACTION, was named one of More Magazine's "Top 40 over 40" for 2009. Murumets was recognized as one of the most compelling women over 40 in the "Amazing Advocates" category. More describes the winners in this category as "leading ladies who are trying to change the world we live in."

She is recognized (alongside women like Mary Jo Haddad, CEO of Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children, and country music legend Shania Twain) for "channelling new government funding into pushing Canadians to become 'the most physically active people on earth.'"

by Jim Labadie

After interacting with some of the most financially successful fitness professionals in North America, the differences between them and the typical trainer (struggling to stay afloat) have become very evident.

Here's what the best-of-the-best have going for them:

VANCOUVER - Colin Milner, founder and CEO of the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA), will be participating in The World Economic Forum's Network of Global Agenda Councils for the second year.

Milner created ICAA in 2001 to support professionals who develop wellness and fitness facilities and services for adults over 50. Milner will share his knowledge of active aging and aging-related issues in the coming year.

OTTAWA - The Heart and Stroke Foundation supports Pat Martin, member of parliament for Winnipeg Centre, in a call for the federal government to regulate trans fats.

After the release of the Trans Fat Task Force Report in June 2007, Health Canada gave the food industry two years to reduce the amount of heart-clogging trans fat in its foods, with government monitoring of trans fat levels in Canadian foods every six months in the interim. At that time, it also indicated that it would introduce regulations to virtually eliminate processed trans fats if progress was unsatisfactory.

LOS ANGELES - In late 2009, Ubisoft will be releasing Your Shape, a new fitness title that leverages the technological advances of an entirely new, revolutionary camera for the Wii system.

Your Shape is the first fitness game that comes with a camera peripheral included inside the box. Players scan their bodies and then projects their images onto a TV, creating a personalized and interactive workout. Based on the player's specific body shape analysis, fitness level and personal goals, Your Shape recommends the workout program best suited for them.

The game also features a virtual coach who provides motivation and feedback on all of the player's movements. A wide variety of exercises ensures that the workout routine is always fresh and exciting.

BOSTON - Statistics from The International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association's (IHRSA) "2009 First Quarter Index" show that the financial performance of commercial health clubs struggled in the first quarter of 2009 relative to the first quarter of 2008.

The sample included 18 leading U.S. health and sports club companies, representing a total of 530 facilities. In spite of overall wavering performance, select clubs experienced improved performance in the same time period. Participating clubs indicated growth from the fourth quarter of 2008 to the first quarter of 2009.

by Brenda Abdilla

Heard of Miley Cyrus, star of the Disney hit show Hannah Montana?

Cyrus was listed as one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in The World, and Forbes magazine ranked her #35 on "The Celebrity 100" list with personal earnings of over $25 million in 2008. However, Cyrus almost didn't get hired because she wasn't the type they were originally looking for.

TORONTO - Rogers Media, AstraZeneca Canada and Physical and Health Education Canada (PHE Canada) have introduced a school-based children's wellness initiative called At My Best.

The program addresses three key areas of wellness-physical, nutritional and emotional-and empowers teachers, parents and caregivers to inspire and motivate children and their families to make healthier choices today and develop lifelong healthy habits.

INDIANAPOLIS - New exercise guidelines are being developed that will give cancer survivors a comprehensive plan on how to safely start or maintain a physical activity program - and, in turn, enjoy a higher quality of life after battling the disease.

The guidelines are being spearheaded by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). Leading experts in cancer and exercise from around the world will present scientific evidence at an upcoming two-day conference on exercise considerations, risks and effects, and will produce a roundtable consensus statement within the next year.

Fitness Business Canada (FBC) is the trade magazine in Canada for owners, managers, directors and staff of health and fitness facilities. FBC is the primary trade publication for health and fitness facilities across Canada. FBC has earned outstanding reviews and respect from facility operators to its first issue in January 2000.

To get your copy, call our office at 888-920-6537 or email us at fbc@fitnet.ca