SAINT-JEROME, QC - Alain Beaudry, president of Energie Cardio (EC) and David Patchell-Evans, founder and CEO of GoodLife Fitness
and IHRSA board chairman, announced that they have entered into a conditional partnership in Quebec.
Day-to-day management, the people who make the decisions, the employees and the brand of Energie Cardio will remain unchanged in Quebec.
Energie Cardio was founded in 1985 in Saint-Jerome, Quebec with current president Alain Beaudry at the helm. The company boasts more than 65 clubs,
140,000 members and 1,600 employees across Quebec. GoodLife was founded by David Patchell-Evans in 1979 in London, Ontario.
CHICAGO - In the U.S., Bally Total Fitness announced that it has emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy having completed the
reorganization outlined in its Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization, which was confirmed on August 19.
"Bally is moving in the right direction as we continue to systematically improve every aspect of this company," says CEO Michael Sheehan.
"With the dramatic restructuring of our balance sheet and improved financial performance, Bally is now positioned to put 100 percent of
our energy towards improving the customer experience and growing our business."
The approved plan, which includes financing from several sources, will enable Bally to reduce its debt by approximately $700 million to less than
$100 million.
The global fitness industry market continues to grow. In a statement yesterday, Anytime Fitness announced that it will soon be expanding into Mexico.
According to the IHRSA 2009 Global Report on the State of the Health Club Industry, there are currently approximately 2,200 health clubs in Mexico. The
Minnesota-based fitness club chain has signed a master franchisee agreement with entrepreneur Rodrigo Chavez, who plans to open at least 100 new clubs
within the next five years.
DENMARK - Equinox Fitness in Denmark isn't your typical fitness club and doesn't have a typical leader. Kristian Brandt, the club's CEO,
had never worked in the club industry before taking on his current job. But he credits his success to his inexperience.
"I asked a lot of stupid questions because I didn't know all the details," says Brandt, who worked in real estate for 15 years. "But every once in a
while, I come up with a good idea."
In fact, his ideas have increased Equinox's (no relation to the American chain of clubs) membership base by what he estimates to be 30 percent over
the past 11 months. It's his biggest idea that has turned more than a few eyeballs; membership at Equinox Fitness is free.
By Brenda Abdilla
Recruiting during times of high unemployment can be an exercise in extreme patience. Candidates can be relentlessly persistent with their
follow-up, and very often they are overqualified for positions for which they apply.
Overqualified candidates can be a good thing -but they can be a bad thing too.
The risks of an overqualified hire are threefold:
1) they may leave you as soon as the economy comes back;
2) if they secretly loathe their
jobs your company could miss out on the ideas and commitment of an eager and better qualified person; and
3) they may undermine the chain
of command because they are accustomed to being at a higher level.
VANCOUVER, BC - The International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) will roll out a new program in 2010 that recognizes the environment as an essential
dimension in older-adult wellness. The GREEN Planwill inform members about elements of indoor and outdoor environments. This program will delve into
ways to use the environment for wellness, as well as eco-friendly products, services, processes and designs, which contribute to a healthier world.
To further stress the importance of the environment, ICAA will launch an expanded wellness model next year that includes environmental wellness.
The association will also start printing its publications on recycled paper and deliver more member services over its website.
Among its elements, the GREEN Plan will include the ICAA Green Guide and ICAA Green Review, (online publications), ICAA Green Vendors Program,
ICAA Green Awards and the Going Green Preconference Series at the annual ICAA Conference. For more information, visit www.icaa.cc.
BOSTON - A new tends survey from The International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) shows that for the month of
July 2009 relative to July 2008, 67 participating U.S. IHRSA clubs indicated comparable or improved performance in several key areas of business.
Although many clubs reported declines in membership dues (45%), membership accounts (42%) and non-dues revenue (37%), the majority reported similar
or improved performance. Over half of respondents indicated steady or increased membership dues/fees revenue (55%) and number of membership
accounts (58%). Six out of 10 participants (62%) indicated comparable or increased revenue from non-dues services.
LONDON, ON. - David Patchell-Evans, the owner of GoodLife Fitness has just released his new book, The Real Sexy, Smart and Strong
(Wiley, 2009).
"I called this book, The Real Sexy, Smart and Strong with emphasis on the 'real', because it's my view that feeling really confident in life has to
do with accepting the body you have and working with your body to achieve the highest levels of energy possible," Patchell-Evans says. "And it's
remarkably easy. You don't need to spend hours on end at a gym. All you need is a half hour three times a week of exercise, and if you stick with
that you'll end up being more fit than 90% of the population."
Cybex has announced its newest endeavor, the launch of the "Sweet Spot" fitness program for golf and country clubs. The program is designed to
enhance member loyalty, drive year-round revenue, increase fitness centre usage and create a point of distinction to club prospects.
"Golfers were long considered among the most out-of-shape athletes, but today roughly 85 percent of professional tour players are completely
dedicated to a daily workout regimen," says John Aglialoro, Cybex chairman and CEO. "This trend toward fitness is gaining momentum at every level
of the game, because players of all ages and abilities now realize staying fit is a must when it comes to performing their best, having fun and
remaining healthy."
Cybex is offering the program in pre-sized and custom plans to align with the square footage of any club's fitness centre. The program is supported
by a club marketing program, which includes a launch party, educational posters, how-to guides, newsletter content, a variety of fitness regimens
and more. Additional resources are available at www.cybexgolf.com.
SCHILLER PARK, Ill.- Exercise equipment provider Life Fitness is looking for individuals whose commitment to working out has created
a life-changing experience. Its annual "I Live It!" contest asks people to share their inspirational success stories about exercisers with Life Fitness
equipment on their website.
People who tell their stories receive a free "I Live It!" T-shirt. The first place winner will receive a choice of $6,000 worth of Life Fitness equipment
or a trip for two to the JW Marriot Desert Springs Resort and Spa in Palm Springs, California. The second prize winner will receive a $500 shopping
spree, and the top 10 success stories will receive Life Fitness gear.
If the winner purchased equipment from a Life Fitness retail location in the last year or is a member of a fitness club, the dealer or fitness facility
will also win a product of up to $6,000. Entries must be received by March 31, 2010.
For more information, visit www.lifefitness.com/iliveit.
A new study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine shows that as little as four hours of physical activity each week can help prolong
life for seniors 85 and over.
Even in the "oldest old," a little physical activity goes a long way extending life by at least a few years for people in their mid- to late-80s,
Israeli researchers found. The three-year survival rate was about three times higher for active 85-year-olds compared to those who were inactive.
Older seniors benefited from walking at least four hours weekly, even if it was just in 15-minute strolls a few times daily.
"As little as four hours a week was as beneficial as more vigorous or prolonged activity," says study author Dr. Jeremy Jacobs, a geriatric specialist
at Hadassah Hebrew University Medical Center in Jerusalem. Active seniors also reported less depression and loneliness and a greater ability to perform
daily tasks.
For more information: Physical Activity, Function, and Longevity Among the Very Old
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
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