Alberta headed to the polls on April 23rd 2012 – and for the first time in four decades, the incumbent Progressive Conservatives faced stiff competition from the Wildrose Party. However, in the end Albertan's decisively decided to re-elect a majority Tory government, a party which has now held the reigns of power since 1971.
Before and during the campaign, FIC worked diligently to promote the benefits of implementing our no age limit fitness tax credit, asking all parties to clarify their position on implementation, while showcasing our evidence with regard to the economic and health benefits of such a credit.
During the election, the Wildrose Party proposed a $500 culture, arts and sport tax credit for children. The party also pledged a $2,000 children's tax credit, at the cost of $130 million for the province. In theory, this children's tax credit would provide parents and guardians with a $2,000 tax deduction for each child under the age of 18. In turn, families who encourage their children to be involved in physical activity would have an extra $200 per year for each child.
Re-elected Alison Redford, Premier of Alberta, pledged during the campaign to introduce a $500 activity tax credit for seniors. Under the 10% provincial flat tax, that would save seniors $50 a year and cost the province $24 million. Premier Redford also announced that a re-elected Progressive Conservative government would introduce a $500 tax credit for children's physical activity which would cost the province $36 million.
The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) celebrated IHRSA 2012, its 31st Annual International Convention & Trade Show, March 14-17. The high-energy event, held at the Los Angeles Convention Center and L.A. Live Complex in Los Angeles, California, brought together over 11,800 fitness industry enthusiasts from 80 countries, underscoring the global fitness industry's commitment to promoting exercise and wellness for a healthier, more prosperous world.
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More than 150 educational, exercise, and networking sessions were held at this year's convention, including stimulating presentations by IHRSA President and CEO Joe Moore on the State of the Fitness Industry, Fast Company magazine founder William "Bill" Taylor (sponsored by Matrix Fitness), best-selling author Simon Sinek (sponsored by Precor Incorporated), best-selling author and former Apple Chief Evangelist Guy Kawasaki (sponsored by Technogym), and a special panel presentation (sponsored by SPRI Products) that included Cornell McClellan and Allyson Felix, members of the President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition (PCFSN).
Preparations are well underway for IHRSA 2013, IHRSA's 32nd Annual International Convention & Trade Show, which will take place at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Convention Center, in Las Vegas, Nevada, March 19-22, 2013.
| SPONSOR ANNOUNCEMENT | |
* IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM KEYSTONE FITNESS * Attention all clients, suppliers, and associates of Keystone Fitness. It has been 6 months since our last auction sale, and we are ready to go again!
Saturday May 5th @ 11am, we are hosting our first inventory surplus sale of 2012. We would like to invite you to take part in this event, join us here at our store for a fun filled day. Refreshments will be available on location, and our doors will open at 9am for pre-auction viewing.
Click Here for event details, or more info may also be found at the link provided below: www.infassets.com/auctions/257
We are blowing out some fantastic surplus inventory at this auction event, many top brands and models will be available at extremely low prices.
Here is a short list of some of the feature items:
Precor AMT's
Life Fitness 95 Series Cardio with LCD TV displays
Cybex Arc Trainers
Hammer Strength plate loaded and free weight equipment
Life Fitness Strength equipment
Pilates tables
A huge variety of dumbbells, barbells, and olympic plate sets
All items must go, no reserve prices! Make sure that you are on hand to participate in the savings! |
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We videoed demos of 8 new products on the tradeshow show floor at the LA Conference Centre during the IHRSA 2012 International Convention & Trade Show. Check out our webpage for the demo videos we brought back.
Video Coming Soon:
2012 Financial Panel Update with Rick Caro
Walkthrough at the first CDN Life Time Fitness Club in Mississauga, On.
A new survey from the American Cancer Society finds women are 10 percent less likely than men to make time for physical activities they enjoy and that 40 percent of women said they would be more physically active in their free time if it felt less like work and more like play. As a result, the American Cancer Society Choose You movement is calling on women to help close this gap and to discover fun ways to get active with its 100,000 Acts of Play Challenge.
The 100,000 Acts of Play Challenge calls on women to share their activity each time they get active in May at ChooseYou.com/Play. Each act of play will help the American Cancer Society spread the message about women's health and the importance of getting active through the Choose You movement.
For more information or to join the Choose You movement, visit ChooseYou.com.
Chicago's Bally Total Fitness Holding Corporation said it plans to sell 39 of its Fitness Centers to Blast Fitness Acquisition LLC, an affiliate of Blast Fitness Group. Terms of the sale were not announced.
While Bally expects that the transaction will be completed by May 1, there can be no assurance as to when, or whether, the transaction will be completed, the company said in a statement. Following completion of the transaction, Bally will continue to operate its remaining fitness clubs.
| SPONSOR ANNOUNCEMENT | |
COME AGAIN FITNESS
With Come Again Fitness On-Line Auction Site, buying or selling used commercial fitness equipment has never been so easy. Financing available for used equipment. Fitness equipment removal and installation assistance. Pre-certify the condition of your used commercial equipment.
Visit: www.ComeAgainFitness.com |  |
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Muscle Up Inc., a leading fitness distributor in Canada is pleased to announce its partnership with Tonic Performance, a new innovative brand focusing on functional training.
With over 25 years of experience in the health and fitness industry, Muscle Up is expanding its product line by adding high-quality cross training products to its distribution. Designed by Tonic Performance, this functional product line proposes a variety of highly efficient training articles to please the most demanding customers.
This partnership will not only offer customers an extended range of fitness products, but will provide any item at very competitive pricing along with great service. "There is no doubt that the addition of the Tonic Performance functional training products will make our gamut of products complete and please our customers, especially with our price point." Says Frances Michaelson, Owner of Muscle Up.
Alex Nicolle, Tonic Performance President added: "I'm very confident that our merge will result in a one-stop shop in terms of fitness equipment. Our vision is simple: high quality products, well priced and well delivered.
For more information, please visit www.muscleup.ca
Hedstrom, a Division of Ball, Bounce and Sport Inc. has acquired exclusive, worldwide distribution of BOSU products from Fitness Quest, Inc. Hedstrom is most recognized as the manufacturer of the original BOSU Balance Trainer.
"We have formed a new division called Hedstrom Fitness that will house the BOSU product line. And we have retained key employees and contractors from Fitness Quest, Inc. to ensure uninterrupted service," said Jim Braeunig, President and CEO of Hedstrom. "Our goals are to develop product line extensions, acquire other key fitness products, and become a more viable player in this market segment."
Officially launched in 2000, the BOSU Balance Trainer helped to introduce the concept of balance training to elite athletes and coaches, fitness professionals, medical and rehabilitation specialists, and schools and universities. The name "BOSU" is an acronym for "Both Sides Up," meaning the product can be used with either the dome or the platform side up. The BOSU brand also includes a unique, weighted stability ball called the BOSU Ballast Ball.
Hedstrom currently manufactures commercial and retail versions of the BOSU Balance Trainer and BOSU Ballast Ball.
Green Fitness Equipment Co., developer of preventative maintenance solutions for fitness equipment, is pleased to announce its first Pan European distribution partnership, with Veritek Global.
"Veritek is delighted to partner with the Green Fitness Equipment Company and represent its products. Our network of engineers across Europe makes us ideally placed to support the treadmill saver, " said Jim Edgar, managing director, Veritek Global.
Like a traffic light, the treadmill saver glows green, yellow and red to alert when maintenance is needed on the treadmill, prior to breakdowns resulting in reputation damaging 'out of order' signs. "The combination of our proactive treadmill saver and Veritek's wide coverage across Europe is very powerful," said Justin Hai, President of Green Fit Co. "We are excited to team up with Veritek to bolster the European fitness industry with service efficiency and energy savings."
S.G.S. Fitness is hosting the first annual GET YOUTH MOVING convention on September 29, 2012 in Ottawa, Ontario. Our event is a great opportunity for young, educated professionals to get great advice on how to stay fit as they transition to their adult years.
Young Canadians are growing weary of the glamorization of ultra-thin bodies, and many feel too self-conscious about their bodies as a result of watching TV, movies and videos. Our convention is offering free seminars on wellness, fitness, diet and need-to-know information about what you eat and how you exercise. There will be free goodies and a complimentary catered reception for everyone who wants to learn more from our professional presenters.
S.G.S. Fitness is a NON-PROFIT organization whose goal is to raise awareness of youth health and education by hosting charitable events across Canada. We would like to thank our donators, partners and supporters in helping Young Canadians develop and maintain an active and healthy lifestyle.
For more information contact Jonathan Kerr at 514-883-7576, email at john@sgsfitness.com, or visit www.sgsfitness.com
Nexersys integrates fitness and gaming with the intelligence of a personal trainer into a multi-function striking machine. The Nexersys interactive experience teaches, challenges, and leads users to their fitness goals by progressing them through content rich training programs and providing personalized feedback including accuracy, pace, power, points, heart rate and caloric burn. Nexersys delivers a High Intensity Interval Cross Training workout through strategically sequenced 4-minute technique, strike, core and cardio video training and avatar gaming rounds.
For more information, visit www.nexersys.com or call (877) 824-4348.
Fitness Day on the Hill June 13, 2012
You are invited to join Fitness Industry Council of Canada (FIC) on June 13th 2012,as we host a Fitness Day on the Hill event in Ottawa. This event will be held on the Parliament lawn and include a group exercise class for all members to participate. It will alsoprovide representatives from the fitness industry an opportunity to interact with key government officials and members of parliament.
One of the major goals of Fitness Day on the Hill is to keep the proposed Adult Fitness Tax Credit (www.adultfitnesstaxcredit.ca) in the forefront – reminding the Government of Prime Minister Harper's promises to introduce a new $500 Fitness Tax Credit for adults and double the existing Children's Fitness Tax Credit once the budget is balanced.
This event will also provide FIC with the opportunity to advocate for our newest initiative, Caloric Menu Legislation (CML)/MenuTruth.ca. CML would require fast food chains, with 10 or more locations, to post the number of calories beside prices on menu boards and flag high sodium content in food items. MenuTruth.ca a is a website that allows Canadians to advocate for a CML by sending ePostcards directly to their given Province's Premier, Minister of Health, as well as the Federal Minster of Health, and Prime Minister.
FIC would like to invite all our supporters and their members to Ottawa this June 13 the and help advocate for these two initiatives.
CPTN Presents Dare To be Different
Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre
May 31st, June 1-2, 2012 Toronto, ON.
www.cptn.com
Earn CEC's for CPTN, OFC, CATA and NSCA
Speakers: Steve Lidstone, Chris Chapman, Jess Koffman, Kim Chapman, Jennifer Sygo, Rochey Wilson, Vera Taramon.
Topics: Sandbag Training, Exercise Analysis, Athlete Development, Power Yoga, Show Me the Money, More than Calories In, Calories Out.
National Capital FitDay
June 16th 2012,
Ottawa, ON.
With a diverse range of seminars, group sessions, and sporting activities all brought together in one location there is truly something for everyone from the beginner looking to make a change to the seasoned athlete. For more information visit: www.nationalcapitalfitday.com
Employment Wanted / Opportunities
Ever Wanted To Own "More Than Just a Gym"?
Just 45 minutes north of the GTA, an impeccably finished, state-of-the-art "sports and fitness club" (with a licensed food and beverage component and locker rooms that would do a private members' club proud) is now on the market. The asking price is $675,000. To "build and equip" this club from scratch, an investment of more $1.2 million would be required.
If you (or someone you know) would like more information, please contact Mike McPhee at 647-828-3207 or clubteamworks@hotmail.com as soon as possible, because this one won't be around for long. As always, anyone that "provides a referral" that leads to a sale, will be rewarded with a $2,500 finder's fee.
Fitness Business Canada (FBC) is the trade magazine for owners, managers, directors and staff of health and fitness facilities in Canada. FBC is the primary trade publication for health
and fitness facilities across Canada. Since its first issue 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.
Next Issue: July / August 2012
Special Features: Retention & Customer Service
Product Focus: Selectorized Equipment
Editorial Highlight: Teen Programs
plus much more...look for it in July!
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