The Newsletter

CALGARY - The Forzani Group Ltd., Canada's largest retailer of sporting goods, has taken control of all nine Ontario Fitness Source locations. The previous owners chose to opt out of their franchise contracts (which is legal in Ontario under certain conditions) thereby giving control of the stores and the rights to future expansion to Forzani.

According to Tom Quinn, The Forzani Group president, the stores were closed in April for one to two weeks for internal reorganization purposes. Quinn adds that Forzani is considering increasing the square footage of the stores to be more in line with big box stores. The first of these stores will be opening in Edmonton this fall with another 20 to 30 opening across Canada at later dates.

CALGARY - Alberta Health Minister Ron Liepert says a tax break for people to get in shape has been eliminated due to the cost. A private members' bill, which would make Albertans eligible to claim up to $500 each for fitness expenses, was passed in the legislature last year, but scrapped in last month's provincial budget.

Liepert said Sunday the credit was cut because there's not enough money to make it happen.

OTTAWA - The Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS) has announced the grant recipients for its Mothers in Motion program, made possible through a financial contribution from the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Ten communities were selected to collaborate with CAAWS on the development and implementation of physical activity and/or sport program for mothers of low socioeconomic status.

On Average for Every 100 Employees
44 suffer from stress
38 are overweight
31 use alcohol excessively
30 have high cholesterol
26 have high blood pressure
25 have cardiovascular disease
24 don't exercise
21 smoke
20 don't wear seatbelts
12 have asthma
6 are diabetic
Source - Dept of Health and Human Services, 2007

MISSISSAUGA, ON - Mississauga will launch a new fee assistance program called "Active Assist" on May 4, 2009, to enable residents living in low-income households to register and participate in structured, quality recreation activities.

Active Assist provides eligible low-income households a fee credit of $275 per person, per year, deposited into their Recreation and Parks program account.

RIYADH - A group of Saudi women launched an electronic campaign opposing a recent decision by the country's ministry of local affairs to close all female wellness centres that are not under the supervision of a government hospital or clinic. The women argue that the wellness centres associated with hospitals are very expensive, and they fear that their health and physical wellbeing will be negatively affected by the closures.

"Why are only males allowed to exercise in gyms that are independent, non-certified and not under medical supervision when they have the same needs?" asks one of the protesters. "A woman is more in need of exercise because of the different stages that she passes through including pregnancy, birth and other stresses that she cannot find relief from in other places."

According to a government representative, only wellness centres and clubs that do not have the required permits are being closed.

April 23rd

Great opportunity for trainers who would like their own studio. Everything you need, owner has to move.

Vancouver island location, concept/equipment and 'centre in a box' can be opened in any location if the island isn't where you want to be. Act soon and only serious inquiries please.

For more information email Felice at fitnessopportunity@live.com

ST. CATHARINES, ON - John Fulton, owner of Downtown Health Club for Women/Fulton Fitness and the Canadian Constitution Foundation (CCF) announced an alliance today for Fulton's pending human rights trial in front of the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. The case is set for hearing in Toronto on June 15 and involves the gym membership application of a transgendered woman to Fulton's women-only gym in 2006.

Fulton's case has garnered national attention and controversy after the Human Rights Commission agreed to represent the transgendered woman.

VANCOUVER, WA - Fitness company Nautilus, Inc., on being alerted that counterfeit goods entered Canada, filed suit against importer/distributor, SC Excel Technology, Inc. of Montreal and obtained an order to enter its premises and seize counterfeit goods and relevant records.

Facing overwhelming evidence of intentional importation of counterfeit goods, SC Excel Technology admitted its actions and was permanently prevented from trading in Nautilus and Bowflex products. The seized goods were delivered to Nautilus.

One of my clients recently asked what I thought about having a team of people interview potential new staff members.

I had to answer the client's question with this question:

Why are you considering it?

CHANHASSEN, Minn. - Life Time Fitness Inc. has announced that its president and chief operating officer, Michael J. Gerend, will be leaving the company. The change is effective May 1, 2009, subject to the finalization of a separation agreement.

Gerend joined Life Time Fitness in 2003 after having served as president and chief executive officer of Champion Air. Prior to that, he held numerous senior management positions at Northwest Airlines, Inc.

BETHESDA, MD -The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with EB Brands, has announced a voluntary recall of about 3 million fitness balls. When overinflated the balls may unexpectedly burst while in use, causing the user to fall to the floor. EB Brands has received 47 reports of fitness balls unexpectedly bursting, including reports of a fracture and multiple bruises.

SAN DIEGO -The American Association of Franchisee and Dealers (AAFD) announces that Curves International, Inc. is their 2009 Franchisor of the Year. Curves International is the franchisor of Curves fitness centres, the world's largest fitness network with nearly 10,000 franchisee-owned fitness clubs serving four million women worldwide. Curves is also one of the fastest growing franchise companies in history.

INDIANAPOLIS - More than 5,000 national and international experts will gather in Seattle May 27 - 30, 2009, for the 56th American College of Sports Medicine's (ACSM) annual meeting.

An exhibit hall will run in conjunction with the meeting, featuring scientific equipment and products, demonstrations, and professional publications.