Treating Illness Before It Strikes

“TODAY correspondent Tiki Barber looks at how one organization is promoting healthy living. NBC’s chief medical editor, Dr. Nancy Snyderman, also weighs in on preventing illness.”

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/32625721#32625721

Summer Weight Loss

“It's something so many of us struggle with: getting healthy by exercising more, and eating less, and it's not just adults. Doctor Jo has the story of a Bay area teen who made weight loss his project over summer break.”

http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/health/doctor_jo/Summer_weight_loss

In Studies, Exercise Tops Angioplasty

“Working up a sweat may be even better than angioplasty for some heart patients, researchers say. Studies have shown heart patients benefit from exercise, and some have shown that it works better than surgical procedures. At a meeting of the European Society of Cardiology yesterday, several experts said doctors should focus more on persuading their patients to exercise rather than simply doing angioplasties. Angioplasty is the top treatment for people having a heart attack or hospitalized with worsening symptoms. It involves using a tiny balloon to flatten a blockage and propping the heart artery open with a mesh tube called a stent. ‘It’s difficult to convince people to exercise instead of having an angioplasty, but it works,’ said Rainer Hambrecht of Klinikum Links der Weser in Bremen, Germany. Hambrecht published a study in 2004 that found that nearly 90 percent of heart patients who rode bikes regularly were free of heart problems one year after they started their exercise regimen. Among patients who had an angioplasty instead, only 70 percent were problem-free after a year. Hambrecht is now conducting a similar trial, which he expects to confirm his initial findings: that for some heart patients, exercise is more effective than a surgical procedure. Other experts agreed that that would probably be the case.”

http://www.boston.com/news/health/articles/2009/08/31/exercise_may_be_better_treatment_than_angioplasty_for_heart_disease/

Obesity Adds To Risk Of Death After Stroke

“Obesity increases the risk of death after stroke in younger stroke patients, according to a new study. Dr. Amytis Towfighi, of the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, and Dr. Bruce Ovbiagele of the University of California, Los Angeles used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) on 20,050 adults. Of those adults, 547 had a stroke through 2000 and had weight records available. Of these, 211 were classified as overweight, and 127 were obese. Over an average of 14 years after their strokes, overweight and obesity contributed to a higher risk of death in younger stroke survivors, but in fact seemed to protect against death in the elderly. ‘Younger obese stroke patients...may benefit from timely comprehensive interventions aimed at promoting weight loss,’ Towfighi told Reuters Health.”

http://www.reutershealth.com/archive/2009/08/28/eline/links/20090828elin025.html

Boomers Revolutionizing Gyms

“As the Woodstock generation rocks into their 60s, they are revolutionizing yet another aspect of society – the gym. Looking to maintain a healthy quality of life, members more than 55-years-old joined gyms over the past 15 years at double the rate of the 35 to 54 age group. Fitness centers looking to capture this lucrative older market are springing up all over the country. In addition to services aimed at adults, seniors are seeking an atmosphere that is more relaxing and less competitive. What do you find in a Silver Gym?
• Low-impact cardio equipment and simple-to-use pneumatic weight machines.
• No classes with head-pounding music and hip-hop leaping movements. Instead there are lessons in yoga, Tai Chi, ballroom dancing and Pilates.
• Majority of classes scheduled during the late morning and early afternoon.
• Very senior-specific stuff such as driving simulators to improve driving skills, special equipment for brain exercises and Med Spas for non-surgical body contouring and facial rejuvenation.
• Low-cost, one-on-one personal training with experienced, degreed professionals. · Physical therapy covered by most types of insurances including Medicare.
• Age-specific nutritional programs.
Boomer gyms Fitness centers leading the silver charge include Nifty after Fifty®, Healthfit, and Club 50. Big chains such as Gold's Gym and Bally Total Fitness have been wading into the senior waters by pairing up with SilverSneakers, a fitness program for people with Medicare. Ad campaigns this fall targeting boomers by corporate and independent gyms leave no doubt that silver is the new green for the fitness industry.”

http://www.baltimoresun.com/health/fitness/sns-health-boomers-gyms,0,4867386.story

Serena Williams Prepares for U.S. Open With Power Plate(R)

“As fans turn to the U.S. Open to watch world-class tennis played by the most elite players in the world, the players themselves turn to Power Plate(R) to give them the competitive edge. According to Serena Williams, the reigning U.S., Australian and Wimbledon champion, and the favored choice to win the U.S. Open women's singles title, ‘Off court training is as important to me as on court. With the Power Plate(R), I'm able to accelerate my off court training and maximize the benefits.’ Power Plate(R) technology provides one of the most efficient and dynamic total-body workouts in less than 30 minutes utilizing scientifically-proven Advanced Vibration Technology(TM) that triggers involuntary muscle contractions 25-50 times per second while you exercise. This works up to 98 percent of muscle fibers, compared to only 20 percent when performing exercise with traditional strength training equipment. The result is a high-intensity exercise that increases strength, improves muscle tone and balance and helps reduce body fat. A recent study found that Power Plate exercise helped participants lose more weight than traditional exercise. Power Plate's(R) scientifically proven ability to reduce muscle pain and soreness and expedite the recovery of dam aged muscles and tendons is important to athletes such as Williams and Nadal.”

http://www.sys-con.com/node/1086099

Alabama Obesity Task Force To Join Alabama Communities Of Excellence

“The Alabama Obesity Task Force, a volunteer group interested in preventing and reducing obesity in Alabama, was recently provided the opportunity to join the Alabama Communities of Excellence (ACE). Miriam Gaines, the chair of the Obesity Task Force and director of the Alabama Department of Public Health's Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity, says, ‘The task force is honored to join the action of ACE and looks forward to functioning as a resource for community leaders in their efforts to lower the incidence and prevalence of obesity in individual communities.’ ACE, created in 2002, is a comprehensive approach to economic and community development with partners from the private sector, governmental agencies, utility and construction companies, as well as universities and other interested groups, working together to successfully aid Alabama's smaller communities in their efforts to plan, grow and prosper. As quality of life issues such as healthcare and wellness are vital to a community's success, the Alabama Obesity Task Force was invited to partner with ACE.”

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/162043.php

Strong Thighs May Mean Less Knee Pain for Women

“Stronger thigh muscles can help protect women, but not men, from the pain of arthritic knees, a new study finds. The knee is the most common joint affected by osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease, a major cause of disability in the United States, researchers say. In the United States, nearly 27 million adults suffer from osteoarthritis, and 16 percent of cases in people aged 45 and older affect the knee. Almost 19 percent of symptomatic knee osteoarthritis patients are women and 13.5 percent are men, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”

http://www.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=630403

Pulse Fitness Center Undergoes Transformation to New Raintree Athletic Club

“Martin Johns General Manager of the Pulse Fitness Center has announced that the club will be undergoing a complete transformation this fall beginning with the remodeling of the premises, occurring in tandem with the renaming and a re-branding of the establishment. ‘This project is to establish that the newly named Raintree Athletic Club will provide the best wellness program in a non-intimidating environment while providing the club's legendary customer service,’ stated Mr. Johns.”

http://www.coloradoan.com/article/20090826/CONNECTIONS02/908260349/Pulse+Fitness+Center+Undergoes+Transformation+to+New+Raintree+Athletic+Club

Zumba Draws Young And Elderly To Its Magic, Fun Workout

“For Rosa Escamilla, her dance exercise class was a way to bring energy back into her life. ‘After work, I would go home and end up doing nothing but eat and watch TV,’ said Escamilla, 57, of La Puente. Some two years later, she is 23 pounds lighter and able to fit into her 28-year-old daughter's Size 6 jeans. And the after-work energy is tremendous, she said. All thanks to Zumba, she said.”

http://www.sbsun.com/living/ci_13210902

Upcountry Fitness—The “Boutique Gym” Of Maui

“Despite these dire economic times, Upcountry Fitness continues to succeed by expanding and improving existing business, while creating a distinctive brand—the “boutique gym.” New owner Izaak Tyrrell and three principal investors have spearheaded the unique improvements to create an “intimate, innovative and individualized” facility, while remaining a functional and unpretentious environment. Upcountry Fitness is the only Power Plate-certified facility on Maui and employs only NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) Certified Personal Trainers. The wide variety of Freemotion equipment and individual theaters on all cardio equipment ensures that machines will be available any time of the day. Check out their new Physical Freedom Room, including group classes in yoga, zumba, boxing and much more. Upcountry Fitness is now offering a free trial to new members and a variety of membership fees to meet any budget. Visit www.upcountryfitness.com, call 575-7334 or stop by Upcountry Fitness at 810 Kokomo Road, within the Ha‘ikü Town Center.”

http://www.mauiweekly.com/page/content.detail/id/500274/Upcountry-Fitness-the--boutique-gym--of-Maui.html?nav=5014

Obese People Are At Greater Risk For Developing Alzheimer's

"‘It seems that along with increased risk for health problems such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease, obesity is bad for your brain: we have linked it to shrinkage of brain areas that are also targeted by Alzheimer's,’ said Pittsburgh's Raji. ‘But that could mean exercising, eating right and keeping weight under control can maintain brain health with aging and potentially lower the risk for Alzheimer's and other dementias.'"

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/161933.php

Fitness Meets High Fashion at New York Sports Clubs

“New York Sports Clubs the largest owner and operator of health and fitness clubs in the tri-state area, in partnership with Nolcha, an organization that supports, promotes and educates emerging fashion talent from around the globe, will offer an exclusive, invite-only look at how Nolcha Fashion Week’s models achieve the confidence to strut the runway. New York Sports Clubs’ Dr. Emily Splichal, podiatrist, creator and lead instructor of the Catwalk Confidence fitness series, will lead a select group of models, editors and fashion elite in her renowned Catwalk Confidence class on August 27, 2009 at New York Sports Clubs’ 59th and Park location on 502 Park Ave.The NYSC Catwalk Confidence exclusive preview will occur at the height of model casting for fashion week, providing a glimpse into the skills and composure needed to grace New York’s runways. Designed to help women walk comfortably and confidently in even the highest heels, the Catwalk Confidence class focuses on body alignment, core strengthening, isometrics and stabilization techniques to help stiletto lovers build proper posture, strength and balance. The class culminates in a choreographed ‘walk-off’ where participants are encouraged to don their highest heels and take to the catwalk with their newfound confidence. ‘As the fashion industry continues to push heels higher and higher, women try to rise to the challenge regardless of aches and pains,’ said Dr. Splichal. ‘Catwalk Confidence was designed to give women the strength and stability to wear their favorite designer heels pain-free, whether on the runway or the city sidewalks. It’s the power to not only look good, but also feel great doing it – a concept that New York Sports Clubs and Nolcha Fashion Week have both embraced.’”

http://eon.businesswire.com/portal/site/eon/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20090820005930&newsLang=en

Lifting Weights Can Be Fountain Of Youth For Maintaining Health

“Of all the history lessons about explorers, the one about Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon searching for the legendary Fountain of Youth while traveling in present-day Florida always stuck with me. My interest, however, may have been more about the idea that even in the early 16th century people were intrigued by something you could consume to live vital, long lives and that they would devote an entire, peril-filled exploration to find it. We're still fascinated by preserving our vitality, and the exploring hasn't stopped. It's just moved from the landscape to the laboratory. In recent decades, scientific researchers have learned a lot about health and longevity, and that there is not one fountain of youth but multiple ones. Yet some of us still refuse to drink from them. Exercise, one of those fountains of youth, consists of several aspects: flexibility, circulation and strength. And we need to tap into all of them. Two weeks ago, a study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that undertaking a program of weight lifting may help breast cancer patients prevent lymphedema, a painful and unsightly swelling of an arm or leg near the site where lymph nodes have been removed or damaged by radiation. Yes, weight lifting: the activity that still suffers from steroidal stigmas of self-consumed bodybuilders, of thick-necked football players and of pot-bellied Olympic lifters from Russia.”

http://www.postandcourier.com/news/2009/aug/25/lifting-weights-can-be-fountain-of-youth-for/

Fitness First Secures Blaze Deal To Launch Official Gaming Accessories

“Global leisure firm Fitness First is set to cash in on its brand name as it announced a new range of official videogame peripherals. Fitness First is the largest privately owned health club group in the world with over 540 clubs worldwide reaching over 1.4 million members in 24 countries. Peripherals manufacturer Blaze has secured the exclusive worldwide rights to produce Fitness First-branded ‘exer-gaming’ accessories across all platforms. David Langridge, head of group marketing at Fitness First said: ‘The group is on mission to make the world a fitter place so products which enhance our core business fit into this perfectly.’ Blaze’s Fitness First-branded accessories range include a Silicon Skin, which enhances players’ grip, as well as a Wii Fit Yoga Mat, which it claims ‘reduces impact and lessens strain’. Furthermore, Blaze will launch wrist and ankle weights and a full Wii Fit Workout Kit, which it says offers ‘the perfect combination of resistance, safety and style’. Chairman of Blaze Jason Cooper said: ‘We are delighted to be working with Fitness First. This is a great chance for us to build on our reputation for quality accessories with the perfect brand for our fitness range.’”

http://www.gamersdailynews.com/story-13074-Fitness-First-Secures-Blaze-Deal-To-Launch-Official-Gaming-Accessories.html

Palm Beach Sports Commission Supports PHIT Act

“The Palm Beach County Sports Commission announced that it supports H.R. 2105, the Personal Health Investment Today Act of 2009. According to the commission’s executive director Gerry Baron, the PHIT Act is legislation, pending in Congress, that will ‘allow for reimbursement of physical activity expenses using pre-tax dollars; reducing the costs of physical activity to encourage healthier lifestyles.’ ‘PHIT would allow taxpayers to place up to $1,000 for individuals and $2,000 for families a year in existing pre-tax medical accounts for reimbursement of physical activity expenses,’ Baron said. ‘Lower costs will promote active lifestyles and improve the health of Americans.’ Covered expenses include:
• Youth camp and physical activity fees
• Membership and dues in a health club
• Exercise/fitness classes or instruction (personal trainer)
• Sports league fees (adult and youth)
• Marathon/triathlon registration fees
• Equipment used exclusively for participation in physical exercise/activities The commission encourages South Floridians to send the below action letter to their U.S. representatives and senators. ‘We ask that you forward this information on to your coaches, parents, volunteers, family and friends,’ Baron stated. ‘If you have any questions you may call Sally Johnson, Executive Director, National Council of Youth Sports at (772) 781-1452.’”

http://www.southfloridaadventures.com/2009/08/22/palm-beach-sports-commission-supports-phit-act-2/

Snap Fitness’ Super Introductory Offer for Jayanagar, Basavangudi

“SNAP Fitness will now launch two more gyms in Bangalore with the Jayanagar Gym that opened on August 23rd and the Basavangudi Gym that will open on September 4th. As an introductory offer, SNAP is offering annual memberships at Rs. 10,000 per annum in Jayanagar till the end of the month and Basavangudi till the September 14th. Memberships at SNAP Fitness start at Rs. 14400 a year and 1500 monthly with members given the leeway to opt for memberships in the formats that they choose. The add-ons include nutrition & diet counseling, personalized exercising prescriptions, and in depth assessments. Technology is another key differentiator that sets SNAP apart from its peers. Members get swipe cards that enable them to access any SNAP gym worldwide, online diet and nutrition counseling and an online library of workouts.”

http://mybangalore.com/article/0809/snap-fitness-super-introductory-offer-for-jayanagar-basavangudi.html

New Health Club Is Coming To Auburn Mall

“Mall operator Simon Property Group said Everybodys Fitness Center, a high-end health club, is scheduled to open Oct. 1 at its Auburn Mall in Auburn. ‘Everybodys Fitness Center joins athletic equipment and apparel retailer Olympia Sports, athletic shoes and accessories outlet Finish Line, and noted sneaker store Footlocker to provide Auburn Mall visitors with a one-stop fitness shopping experience,’ Simon Property said in a press release. The release said the health club will have high-end finishes in the locker room, granite counter tops, an all natural juice bar, tanning services, massage chair, WIFI, free weights, indoor cycling, and the newest and most advanced state of the art fitness equipment available.”

http://www.boston.com/business/ticker/2009/08/new_health_club.html

Even Modest Fitness May Extend Lifespan

“People who stay even moderately fit as they age may live longer than those who are out-of-shape, a new study suggests. The study, of nearly 4,400 healthy U.S. adults, found that the roughly 20 percent with the lowest physical fitness levels were twice as likely to die over the next nine years as the 20 percent with the next-lowest fitness levels. That was with factors like obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes taken into account -- underscoring the importance of physical fitness itself, researchers report in the journal Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise. ‘Our findings suggest that sedentary lifestyle, rather than differences in cardiovascular risk factors or age, may explain (the) two-fold higher mortality rates in the least-fit versus slightly more fit healthy individuals,’ lead researcher Dr. Sandra Mandic, of the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand, noted in an email to Reuters Health. ‘These results emphasize the importance of improving and maintaining high fitness levels by engaging in regular physical activity,’ Mandic said, ‘particularly in poorly fit individuals.’ ‘Since it is recent physical activity that offers protection,’ Mandic said, ‘it is important to maintain regular physical activity throughout life.’ And since fitness is linked to longevity regardless of weight and health conditions like high blood pressure and high cholesterol, exercise is important for all, according to Mandic. That, she said, includes people who are thin and in generally good health.”...

http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSTRE57K3U920090821

Cybex Introduces the Cybex Institute for Exercise Science

“Cybex International, Inc. (NASDAQ: CYBI), a leading manufacturer of premium exercise equipment for the commercial and consumer markets, announced today the re-branding of its research arm as the Cybex Institute for Exercise Science, with the continued mission of disseminating scientifically accurate information applicable to the disciplines of general fitness, sports performance and clinical medicine. Under the guidance of Executive Director Paul M. Juris, Ed.D., the entity formerly known as the Cybex Institute will continue to partner with exercise research oriented universities, major hospitals and sports performance organizations nationwide, exploring areas of significant importance, such as cardiac health, obesity, orthopedic impact, sports and human performance."...

http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20090824005535&newsLang=en

Trover Health Systems Installs First Pink Treadmill

“Trover Health System’s Fitness Formula of Madisonville has a one-of-a-kind treadmill like no other in the state. Trover is the first facility in Kentucky to purchase a pink treadmill. Why? Because CYBEX, a leading manufacturer of exercise equipment, will donate 10 cents for every mile logged on any pink CYBEX 750T treadmill throughout the month of October 2009 - National Breast Cancer Awareness Month - to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation(BCRF). The new colorful treadmill was recently delivered to the facility located at 950 Hospital Drive in Madisonville, KY. ‘We were outfitting our Madisonville facility with all new CYBEX cardio equipment and when we heard about the pink treads and what CYBEX was doing, we felt it was a great way to promote the benefits of exercise, particularly for women who have breast cancer,’ said Kathy Edwards, Fitness Coordinator for Trover Fitness Formula."...

http://isurfhopkinsco.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3658:trover-health-systems-installs-first-pink-treadmill&catid=16:local-news&Itemid=500321

Americans Gained 73 Days to Live in 2007, CDC Says

“Life expectancy in the U.S. rose to a record 77.9 years, from 77.7 in 2006, according to preliminary data released today by the National Center for Health Statistics, a U.S. agency. The gain amounted to 10.4 weeks. A continuing decline in mortality rates for the top two killers, heart disease and cancer, contributed to the change. So did a 10 percent drop in deaths from the AIDS virus, the steepest decline since 1998. The U.S. still lags behind industrialized countries such as Japan, where life expectancy exceeds 80 years, said Sam Harper, an assistant professor in the epidemiology department at McGill University in Montreal. ‘That’s an ongoing area of investigation that people are rightly concerned about given how much money we’re spending in the U.S. on health care,’ Harper said today by telephone. ‘There’s clearly room for the U.S. to grow.’ Exercise and better diets are helping Americans make headway in preventing heart disease, Raul Caetano, dean of the University of Texas Southwestern School of Health Professions in Dallas, said today in a telephone interview. Cholesterol drugs have also reduced heart disease, while better care for patients with heart problems has lowered fatalities, he said. Improved cancer prevention and treatments have also pushed mortality rates down. Together, heart disease and cancer accounted for 48.5 percent of all deaths in 2007, the agency said. The mortality rate from heart disease dropped 4.7 percent, and from cancer, 1.8 percent.”

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aXiX3lQxOzCE#

Pregnancy Weight Gain Guidelines Might Raise Risk Of Large, Heavier Infants, Study Finds

“The recommended weight gain of 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy can increase women's risk for giving birth to infants that are large for gestational age -- LGA -- or have excessively high birthweights -- known as macrosomia -- according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study published in the July issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reuters reports. The study also found that prepregnancy body mass index appears to affect the association between LGA and weight gain, but BMI does not affect the link between macrosomia and weight gain.”

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/161264.php

Performance Food Centers Raises Funds for ALS Research in the Name of Friend and Fitness Industry Veteran Augie Nieto

“Performance Food Centers became involved in finding a cure for ALS when friend and fitness industry veteran Augie Nieto was diagnosed with the condition in 2005. ‘The juice bar and fitness industries are a tight-knit group’ said John Hocker, Vice President at Performance Food Centers. ‘We’re familiar with Augie’s battle with ALS and we want to help him and others afflicted by this condition.’ Augie Nieto has been a leader in the fitness industry for nearly three decades; since his diagnosis, Augie has worked tirelessly to raise funds to find a cure. A progressive neurodegenerative disease, ALS affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that eventually cause complete paralysis. As Co-Chairman for the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s ALS Division, Augie and his wife Lynne lead the ‘Augie’s Quest’ fundraising initiative to help find a cure for this affliction. With a focus on the nutrition and vitality of its customers, Performance Food Centers feels that every juice bar business should support a cause like Augie’s Quest. In an effort to ‘walk the talk,’ the smoothie juice bar supplier assembled staff to develop ideas on how it could support this worthwhile cause.”

http://www.pr-inside.com/performance-food-centers-raises-funds-r1445851.htm

Ahead of the Bell: Life Time Fitness

“A profitable club base and improving membership mix could bode well for Life Time Fitness Inc.'s fourth quarter, an analyst said Wednesday. Sharon Zackfia of William Blair & Co. said in a client note that the Chanhassen, Minn.-based fitness club operator has started to move away from single members and back toward its family and couple memberships. With memberships heading back toward couples and families, Zackfia said Life Time should see improvement in dues per member, which would help its fourth-quarter same-store sales and margins. The company's clubs continue to do well, she added, with all clubs more than three months old generating a profit. She maintained an ‘Outperform’ rating.”

http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/08/19/business-specialized-consumer-services-us-life-time-fitness-ahead-of-the-bell_6793523.html

National Yoga Month offers One Week Free Yoga

September Is National Yoga Month. Thousand Yoga Studios Nationwide Offer Free Yoga Classes And Events To Raise Awareness About Prevention And The Health Benefits Of Yoga.


“The Yoga Health Foundation has announced National Yoga Month 09.2009, a grassroots, community-based campaign to educate people about the health benefits of yoga and to inspire a healthy lifestyle. In September millions of health & socially conscious individuals will be practicing yoga at thousands of yoga studios, parks and homes around the globe. Hundreds of yoga studios and teachers across the country are offering the Yoga Month Card for One Week Free Yoga and free or donation-based classes especially for beginners and anyone interested in trying yoga for the first time. ‘Yoga has been practiced for the last 5,000 years and transformed into one of the most popular and effective methods to balance body mind, stay flexible, fit and healthy and prevent disease - mainly because it works.’ ‘Yoga has been practiced for the last 5,000 years and transformed into one of the most popular and effective methods to balance body mind, stay flexible, fit and healthy and prevent disease - mainly because it works,’ says Johannes R. Fisslinger, president of the Yoga Health Foundation. Yoga is attracting North American participants in numbers as high as 20 million. A recent Harris poll revealed that more than 100 million North Americans would like to practice Yoga for its health and fitness benefits. With many Hollywood celebrities like Gwenyth Paltrow, Madonna, Russell Simmons, Courtney Cox and Nicholas Cage, Meg Ryan, Ricky Martin practicing yoga and 27 billion spent in yoga-related products like yoga mats, clothing, DVD's, videos and books even traditional advertisers are paying attention. The extensive list of current Yoga Month partners include YogaFit, Jade Yoga, Lucy, Shakti Mat, Yoga Journal, LA Yoga, Organic Spa Magazine and studios like Yogaworks, Exhale, Equinox.”

http://www.onlineprnews.com/news/4637-1250650494-national-yoga-month-offers-one-week-free-yoga.html

A New Gym Model Beefs Up In Richmond

“The weight room is going back in time. Last year we wrote about a gym concept that’s not much more advanced than what the Greeks must have used. CrossFit members work out with medicine balls and ropes. They do pushups and pullups, squats and lift barbells. But the back-to-basics approach seems to have some serious appeal, and Richmonders are paying a premium — at least twice as much as a Gold’s or YMCA monthly membership. ‘This encompasses the most effective things I learned from over a decade training athletes,’ said Jason Struck, who used to be a trainer at Gold’s Gym and now operates CrossFit Full Circle from a garage in Richmond’s Northside. The gym has 12 members, and Struck hopes to get that to 30 or 40 and move out of the garage and into a dedicated facility. But even with only 12 members, the business is almost breaking even. ‘It doesn’t waste time with things that don’t get results. Most people are interested in fat loss. They want to look better and get stronger,’ Struck said. Struck has at least two other CrossFit comrades across town...."

http://www.richmondbizsense.com/2009/08/18/a-new-gym-model-beefs-up-in-richmond

Overweight Friends Eat More When They Dine Together

“Overweight children and teenagers may eat more when they have a snack with an overweight friend rather than a thinner peer, a new study suggests. In a study of 9- to 15-year-olds, researchers found that all kids, regardless of their weight, tended to eat more when they had the chance to snack with a friend than when they were with a peer they did not know. But the biggest calorie intakes were seen when an overweight child snacked with an overweight friend. The findings, reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, highlight the role of friends' influence in how much kids eat -- and, possibly, in their weight control. It's not surprising that children eat more when they are with friends instead of strangers, according to lead researcher Dr. Sarah-Jean Salvy, an assistant professor of pediatrics at the State University of New York at Buffalo. The same pattern has been found in adults, Salvy told Reuters Health in an email. This, she explained, may be partly because people are more self-conscious around strangers, and partly because friends act as ‘permission-givers.’

http://www.reutershealth.com/archive/2009/08/19/eline/links/20090819elin004.html

Snap Fitness Tops Twin Cities Companies In Inc. 500 List

“Snap Fitness Inc. was tops among the 11 Twin Cities-area companies making it onto Inc. magazine’s annual Inc. 500 list. The Chanhassan-based fitness chain ranked 16th on the list, which scored privately-owned companies based on how much their revenue grew between 2005 and 2008. Snap, with $31.7 million in revenue last year, boasted a growth of more than 5,906 percent.”

http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/provider/providerarticle.aspx?feed=ACBJ&date=20090812&id=10269589

Is Exercise for Weight Loss Really Pointless?

Doctors React to the Claim That Going to the Gym May Do Nothing for Weight Loss

“The idea that the way to lose weight is through diet and exercise is ingrained in our society. But an article in last week's Time magazine created a buzz in the blogosphere by questioning the value of the exercise part of the weight-loss formula. Doctors who treat overweight and obese patients were not pleased -- even if there was evidence to support the claim. ‘Yes, we have a magic drug for cholesterol, we have magic drugs for high blood pressure, but we don't have a magic pill for weight,’ said Dr. Martha Gulati, associate director of the Women's Heart Center at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. ‘To bring out a public health message that we should not exercise? That's absolutely the wrong message,’ Gulati said. ‘No matter how much exercise you do or don't do, your diet matters -- it's extremely easy to eat back more calories than you burn,’ said Dr. David Katz, "Good Morning America" medical contributor and director of the Yale University of Prevention Research Center. But Katz said the ‘ah ha, exercise is not good for weight loss’ idea troubles him and many other doctors who counsel people trying to lose weight. ‘What do people care about? Do they simply care about their dress size or do they care about their health?’ Katz said. ‘If you care about your health, exercise is your best friend.’ Katz pointed out that three behaviors -- not smoking, exercising and eating right -- have ‘a massive influence on your medical destiny.’ If people care only about losing weight, Katz quipped, ‘Why don't you just infect yourself with cholera? It would work for weight loss.’ Katz and many others who treat obesity agree exercise must not be ignored because of its importance for overall health, even if it doesn't make as big of an impact on the scale as people believe..."

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/MensHealthNews/Story?id=8297625&page=1

Pilates: Getting To The Core Of The Matter

“Let the group fitness gadflies flit from belly dancing to body sculpting to circus stunts. Pilates people opt to take long, steady aim at the core. And they say the payoff is sweet: strength without bulk, slender thighs, flat-as-a-board abdomen. ‘With Pilates, the focus is core strength,’ said Jessica Matthews of the American Council on Exercise. ‘It concentrates on centering and encouraging improved posture and strength throughout the core.’ And while they might look like sophisticated sit-ups, the moves are performed with precision, concentration, breath control and flow. In fact, Pilates was originally called Controlology. ‘Because you're so aware of where the exercise is coming from, you're really focused on where you're working,’ Michele Bastos, Pilates instructor at the Crunch national chain of health clubs, said of the regimen now practiced by an estimated 10 million people worldwide. Unlike the 5,000-year-old practice of yoga to which it is often compared, Pilates is the 20th century creation of one man..."

http://www.reutershealth.com/archive/2009/08/17/eline/links/20090817elin007.html

Trust for America's Health Praises Major Foundations for Supporting Prevention as a Central Part of Health Reform

“Trust for America's Health (TFAH) applauds six of the nation's top health foundations in their call for prevention to be a central part of health reform. The California Endowment, The Kresge Foundation, Nemours, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and Kaiser Permanente issued a joint letter today saying that, ‘Over time, a focus on community prevention will improve health, save money, reduce demands on our health system and, most importantly, lead to a nation of healthier people and healthier places to live.’ These six foundations began the Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) Convergence Partnership in 2006 with the shared goal of changing policies and environments to achieve the vision of a healthy people living in healthy places and have invested in numerous community-based disease prevention programs that have yielded in evidence-based results. The foundations say that, ‘It is time to scale up these efforts by including robust financial support for community prevention in any health systems reform.’ ‘These philanthropies have provided leadership for years developing excellent programs that have been shown to have a real impact on improving health in communities,’ said Jeff Levi, Ph.D., Executive Director of Trust for America's Health (TFAH). ‘Health reform provides the opportunity to take these lessons learned and bring them to scale so we can improve the lives of millions of Americans and save billions of dollars in health care costs.’”

http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/08-17-2009/0005078834&EDATE=

Abdominally Obese At Higher Risk Of Several Illnesses, Australia

“A new study published in the Medical Journal of Australia has shown that Australians who are abdominally obese (large waist circumference) are at heightened risk of developing type 2 diabetes, the metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. The landmark AusDiab study surveyed 11,247 Australian adults aged 25 years or over in 1999 and 2000. In 2004 and 2005, 6537 of these participants returned for a follow-up physical examination. The study found that men and women who were obese were more than twice as likely to develop diabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal blood lipid (cholesterol) levels and the metabolic syndrome over the next 5 years compared to those with a normal waist circumference. It also found that the risk for each of these conditions started to increase at what were considered normal levels of waist circumference..."

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/160863.php

Everyday Leaders Bring Health Reform to Life [by Joe Moore]

“While leaders in Washington navigate the political quagmire of how to pay for health-care reform, there are things everyday leaders across America can do to move health reform forward. The fact is, part of our burgeoning health care costs are directly related to our burgeoning waist-lines. Sedentary lifestyles and poor eating choices lead to health problems, including the onset of Type 2 diabetes. Indeed, if the number of obese and overweight adults in the U.S. continues to grow as it has over the past three decades, nearly nine-out-of-10 adults will be considered overweight or obese by 2030. Over the last 30 years we've engineered a culture of living in America that minimizes movement, and, unless we act now, our children will inherit this culture of obesity. Government has a role to play, but changing a culture involves everyone, not just lawmakers. If the health-care reform effort going on in Washington today is to make any meaningful difference in improving America's health and controlling the cost of health care tomorrow, the leaders of America must create a national environment that supports wellness. Prevention, healthy lifestyle choices, and the promotion of exercise must be central to the effort. Leaders must emerge from all industries, sectors, and corners of the country, while existing leaders must make the health of their followers, employees and students a priority...

http://views.washingtonpost.com/leadership/guestinsights/2009/08/everyday-leaders-bring-health-reform-to-life.html

Want To Get Fit?

“Feel like you could stand to lose a few pounds? Want to get in better shape? Statistics from a report released in July show you're not alone. The report, based on 2006 through 2008 data from the Centers for Disease Control, and 2007 data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, ranked Kansas with the 18th-highest rate of adult obesity in the nation, at 27.2 percent. Kansas ranked 22nd-highest of overweight youth (ages 10-17) at 31.1 percent. With a target population like that, how difficult is it these days to successfully compete in the gym and fitness center business? The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) is a trade association representing for-profit health and fitness facilities. Its figures show that from 2004 to 2008, the number of health clubs in Kansas (333 in 2008) grew at a 55 percent pace. That ties Kansas for sixth with West Virginia in terms of club growth for the four-year period. The figures show that 17.7 percent of Kansans have a health club membership, according to the average from data collected from 2005 to 2007. Salinan Doug Longbine knows that member turnover is a staple in the health and fitness business. ‘You might have two guys quit and three join, and then three others quit and two join. But you've got to have people who have been with you (faithfully) to make it,’ said Longbine, who with his wife, Ann, owns and operates Next Level Fitness, 155 S. Fifth. Do tough economic times spell a decline in business for health clubs, gyms and fitness centers? Figures compiled by the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association don't reflect that. A survey of 180 IHRSA member clubs comparing January 2008 to January 2009 showed the majority of clubs -- 70 percent -- saw member attendance equal or surpass the previous January. There was even an improvement in membership accounts during the fourth quarter of 2008. ‘Members want to keep their membership and are finding ways to make that work,’ said Rosemary Lavery, public relations manager for the IHRSA, headquartered in Boston.”

http://www.saljournal.com/news/story/Gym-and-fitness-business-Money-story-080409

Obesity Could Cost Texas $15.6 Billion Next Year

“Obesity is the elephant in the room of health care reform, a public health catastrophe that kills well over 100,000 Americans a year, may cost Texas $15.6 billion next year in health care costs and lost productivity, and promises to shorten U.S. life expectancy for the first time since the Civil War. Whatever Washington does this year to try to lower medical spending almost certainly will be swamped by the nation's rising weight. Every third child born in 2000 is likely to wind up diabetic. Obesity strikes hardest at the poor and minorities; black women are nearly 40 percent more likely to contract heart disease than white women. Two out of three adults are overweight in Texas and nationwide. ‘Rising obesity rates are increasing health care expenditures per person in a way that is going to be very difficult to finance,’ said Jay Bhattacharya, a doctor and health economist at Stanford University's Center for Primary Care and Outcomes Research. ‘Unless there is some vast improvement in the efficiency of the health care system — and I mean vast — we're going to be spending a lot more just because a lot more people will have diabetes’ and other obesity related diseases. Prevention is the only cure. If obesity-prevention efforts are not implemented, Texas will have more than 15 million obese adults by 2040, according to projections by Texas State Demographer Karl Eschbach. Yet while health care legislation in Congress would raise spending on prevention of chronic disease, it does little to tackle the underlying obesity epidemic directly. In fact, most of the bills are silent on what many health professionals contend would be one of the most effective weapons: a tax on soda."

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/6574236.html

Goal Setting Helps Cut Type 2 Diabetes Risk

“Adults may be able to reduce their risk of developing type 2 diabetes as they age simply by setting diet and exercise goals and sticking to those goals, study findings hint. Older men and women who self-monitored their behavior and set healthier diet and physical activity goals not only lost weight and body mass over a year, but maintained their losses after 3 years, researchers report in the journal Diabetes Care. This low-cost approach could have a public health impact on diabetes prevention, ‘if the program reaches a major proportion of those at risk,’ Dr. Pilvikki Absetz, from the National Institute for Health and Welfare in Helsinki, Finland, noted in an email correspondence with Reuters Health.

http://www.reutershealth.com/archive/2009/08/14/eline/links/20090814elin003.html

Lindon Health Club Offer Low Cost Health Care

“It totally fills the gap for us. I didn’t even know something like this existed.’ Kristin Hess and her family are members of Nucea Health and Fitness in Lindon. Her husband, Garin, is a small business owner. They have insurance, but the deductibles are high. Kristen says that prevented her from getting medical care for their three kids. ‘Because we have such a high deductable we often don’t go into the doctors office maybe as often as we should.’ But the Hess’s are now getting the medical attention they need in a non-conventional way. They are members of Nucea Health and Fitness. At the health club, you pay just $60 dollars for a family, and $35 for singles. That gets you unlimited access to the gym, and also the nurse practitioner. There are no hidden costs, or deductibles. Nucea is the brainchild of two brothers, one is a nurse practitioner, who provides medical care to members, and the other is a physical fitness trainer who teaches members how to stay healthy so they don’t have to visit his brother..."

http://www.abc4.com/content/news/slc/story/Lindon-health-club-offer-low-cost-health-care/fIO_hl13lkq20zMB6BVdqQ.cspx

Lindon Health Club Offer Low Cost Health Care

“It totally fills the gap for us. I didn’t even know something like this existed.’ Kristin Hess and her family are members of Nucea Health and Fitness in Lindon. Her husband, Garin, is a small business owner. They have insurance, but the deductibles are high. Kristen says that prevented her from getting medical care for their three kids. ‘Because we have such a high deductable we often don’t go into the doctors office maybe as often as we should.’ But the Hess’s are now getting the medical attention they need in a non-conventional way. They are members of Nucea Health and Fitness. At the health club, you pay just $60 dollars for a family, and $35 for singles. That gets you unlimited access to the gym, and also the nurse practitioner. There are no hidden costs, or deductibles. Nucea is the brainchild of two brothers, one is a nurse practitioner, who provides medical care to members, and the other is a physical fitness trainer who teaches members how to stay healthy so they don’t have to visit his brother..."

http://www.abc4.com/content/news/slc/story/Lindon-health-club-offer-low-cost-health-care/fIO_hl13lkq20zMB6BVdqQ.cspx

Goodlife Fitness Expands Atlantic Presence By Acquiring Nubody's Fitness Centres

“GoodLife Fitness is expanding its presence in Atlantic Canada with the acquisition of Nubody's Fitness Centres Inc. The London, Ont., company, which has 170 clubs across Canada, will acquire the chain's 23 clubs and add 50,000 more members. Nubody's founder and president, Dean Hartman, said he would step down as owner this fall after signing the sales agreement. Hartman opened the original Nubody's Fitness Centre in Dartmouth, N.S., in 1983. GoodLife, founded by David Patchell-Evans in 1979, already has eight clubs in Atlantic Canada. Terms of the deal, which is expected to close Aug. 31, were not disclosed.”

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5haZ38b6mlFNAWEj1MkZDmwhs1RMw

Gym Becoming Social Networking Hub

“Women are willing to skip office but not gyms. Men are avoiding dates but not gyms. Rise of the gym culture is no more about physical fitness alone, it’s increasingly becoming a social networking hub for those using it. The entry of international fitness chains such as UK's Fitness First and US-based Gold’s Gym besides expanding footprints of homegrown Talwalkars has given a facelift to the Rs 500-crore gym industry. Till now the industry had a boutique presence besides the dinghy akhadas producing private bodyguards for the rich and loan recovery agents for banks. Though bollywood celebrities and TV stars continue to flock fitness centres, there’s has been a significant surge in the number of corporates taking gym membership over the past 2-3 years. ‘Unlike the previous years, when health clubs were seen as places to exercise and stay fit, executives across sectors are now frequenting them to enhance their social circle,’ Fitness First managing director Vikram Aditya Bhatia said. Going to the gym is increasingly becoming an urban culture. Besides health reasons, it is more to do with lifestyle these days. ‘We started our operations a year ago and we are adding close to 800 people every month’" Mr Bhatia said. The UK-based chain has around 10,600 users in India, of which around one third are women...

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News-by-Industry/Gym-becoming-social-networking-hub/articleshow/4893347.cms

Healthy Lifestyle Habits May Be Associated With Reduced Risk Of Chronic Disease

“Four healthy lifestyle factors-never smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly and following a healthy diet-together appear to be associated with as much as an 80 percent reduction in the risk of developing the most common and deadly chronic diseases, according to a report in the August 10/24 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. Cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes-chronic diseases that together account for most deaths-are largely preventable, according to background information in the article. ‘An impressive body of research has implicated modifiable lifestyle factors such as smoking, physical activity, diet and body weight in the causes of these diseases,’ the authors write. The largest reduction in risk was associated with having a BMI lower than 30, followed by never smoking, at least 3.5 hours of physical activity and then adhering to good dietary principles. ‘Our results reinforce current public health recommendations to avoid smoking, to maintain a healthy weight, to engage in physical activity appropriately and to eat adequate amounts of fruits and vegetables and foods containing whole grains and to partake of red meat prudently,’ the authors write. ‘Because the roots of these factors often originate during the formative stages of life, it is especially important to start early in teaching the important lessons concerning healthy living.’”

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/160504.php

Exercise May Help in Leukemia Recovery

“Exercise helps improve symptoms of fatigue and depression experienced by leukemia patients who are undergoing treatment, a new study shows.It included 10 people who did individualized exercise sessions while in the hospital for the three to five weeks of the induction phase of leukemia treatment. The sessions included aerobic and resistance exercises, core exercises and light stretches that were tailored to each person's fitness level and leukemia symptoms. When they were discharged from the hospital, the participants were given an aerobic-based exercise program to use during their two-week home recovery period.
They were assessed at the start of the study and after they'd completed the exercise program.
‘We found that the patients experienced significant reduction in total fatigue and depression scores, as well as improved cardiorespiratory endurance and maintenance of muscular endurance,’ Claudio Battaglini, an assistant professor of exercise and sport science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a member of the university's Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, said in a university news release. ‘This is important because of the numerous side effects related to cancer treatment, and particularly leukemia treatment, which requires confinement to a hospital room for four to six weeks to avoid the risk of infection,’ Battaglini said. ‘We have demonstrated that these patients not only can complete an exercise program in the hospital, but that they may receive both physiological and psychological benefits that could assist in their recovery.’ The study was published in the current issue of Integrative Cancer Therapies.”

http://www.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=629664

Goodlife Chain Buys Nubody’s Fitness Clubs

“Strutting along a Halifax boardwalk late last week, fitness guru David (Patch) Patchell-Evans spoke confidently about growing his chain of GoodLife Fitness Clubs from 170 locations to 200 before the end of the year. The CEO knew it was an easy claim to make. He’d just come from a private meeting with Dean Hartman, president and co-owner of Nubody’s Fitness, where he’d agreed to buy the Atlantic chain’s 23 clubs. He couldn’t disclose the details because the agreement still needed to go to the lawyers, but on Thursday Mr. Hartman confirmed the sale, for an undisclosed price, would close on Aug. 31.‘This is a business where you have to drive with both hands wrapped tightly around the wheel. After 27 years of driving that way, I’m looking forward to driving with just one finger,’ said Mr. Hartman in an interview. Interviewed a year ago, Mr. Hartman and Tanya Matthews, his wife and business partner, said they planned to have 35 Nubody’s locations in Atlantic Canada by 2010, and more than 75 in Eastern Canada by 2015. But three months ago, Mr. Patchell-Evans made a serious purchase offer the pair had to consider. ‘It was like all the stars came into alignment,’ said Mr. Hartman. ‘It’s bittersweet because relationships that have been built up over the years are going to change, but it is a good move for the company. I have a lot of respect for Patch and his customer-focused approach.’ Mr. Patchell-Evans said in a release that the customer-focused philosophy of Nubody’s meshes well with his firm’s corporate beliefs, with the strength of both companies meaning more benefits for members and access to more clubs. There will be no changes for staff or for customers, said Mr. Hartman, who will stay with the organization for at least a few months to ensure a smooth transition. He couldn’t say whether the Nubody’s centres will be rebranded under the GoodLife banner, but said that Mr. Patchell-Evans is well aware the Nubody’s brand is very strong in the region.”

http://thechronicleherald.ca/Business/1137379.html

Dwayne [The Rock] Johnson's Latest Role: Diabetes Awareness Ambassador

“Dwayne Johnson has battled wrestlers, spies and all manner of bad guys on screen. In real life, he's tackling an even more powerful foe: diabetes. ‘Get outside. Play a game. Do something active together,’ urges the Race to Witch Mountain star – who's just been named the new national ambassador for the Diabetes Aware campaign – in a public service announcement that makes its debut on PEOPLE.com. ‘We can make a difference in our own families through exercise, eating right and teaching healthy behaviors to our children,’ Johnson, 37, says in the PSA, sponsored by Novo Nordisk and the Entertainment Industry Foundation. The campaign aims to reach the 24 million Americans living with diabetes, along with the estimated 6.2 million who are unaware they have the disease. ‘I want to encourage families to be active and eat right,’ says Johnson, who is dad to 8-year-old daughter Simone Alexander. ‘Small steps can go a long way in managing diabetes, its complications, and raising healthy, active children.’ The actor becomes the latest celebrity ambassador to join the Diabetes Aware program since it began in 2004. Past ambassadors include Halle Berry, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Dustin Hoffman.”

http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20297323,00.html

DC Ranch Village Health Club & Spa To Host Second Annual Special Olympics Arizona Triathlon

“DC Ranch Village Health Club & Spa will host the second annual Traditional Sprint and Unified Triathlon to support Special Olympics Arizona on September 12, 2009. The event will consist of two courses: The Unified Triathlon and the Sprint Triathlon. The Unified Distance offers a modified course in which teams consisting of a Special Olympics Arizona athlete(s) and one or two teammates can complete the course, and participation is free. This modified course consists of a 50 yard swim, 2.5 mile bike ride and 1/2 mile run. The Sprint Triathlon enables individuals or teams to complete the event, and will consist of a 300 yard swim, 20K bike ride, and 5K run."


http://pr-usa.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=250169&Itemid=28

DC Ranch Village Health Club & Spa To Host Second Annual Special Olympics Arizona Triathlon

“DC Ranch Village Health Club & Spa will host the second annual Traditional Sprint and Unified Triathlon to support Special Olympics Arizona on September 12, 2009. The event will consist of two courses: The Unified Triathlon and the Sprint Triathlon. The Unified Distance offers a modified course in which teams consisting of a Special Olympics Arizona athlete(s) and one or two teammates can complete the course, and participation is free. This modified course consists of a 50 yard swim, 2.5 mile bike ride and 1/2 mile run. The Sprint Triathlon enables individuals or teams to complete the event, and will consist of a 300 yard swim, 20K bike ride, and 5K run."


http://pr-usa.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=250169&Itemid=28

Generate Profits and Improve Member Satisfaction with the New IHRSA’s Guide to Personal Training

Boston, MA – August 10, 2009 – The International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) recently released IHRSA’s Guide to Personal Training: How to Generate Profits and Improve Member Satisfaction, sponsored by the American Council on Exercise (ACE). This comprehensive resource is designed to assist club owners and operators who either have existing personal training programs, or are looking to offer them for the first time, to gain insight into valuable information and maximize their personal training programs.

“The vast majority of health clubs offer personal training, yet only a small percentage of club members are utilizing them,” said Jay Ablondi, IHRSA Executive Vice President of Global Products. “By removing barriers that are preventing people from exercising with personal trainers, such as time constraints, cost, anxiety, etc., club operators can greatly increase their non-dues revenue and better serve their communities.”

http://cms.ihrsa.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=page.viewPage&pageID=20453&nodeID=15

Casey Conrad at the IHRSA Institute in Lake Tahoe [video]

“I'm here at the IHRSA Institute for Professional Club Management speaking on Marketing. Great group of attendees this year and WOW, what a location! We did a really cool team building exercise today and if you watch the video for today's post you'll see me embarass myself on the world wide web! All good fun. Of course, in addition to having some fun during down time the sessions here are fabulous. Great opportunity to learn new things, remind us of things that work and network with other industry professionals.”

http://smartclubmarketing.blogspot.com/2009/08/casey-conrad-at-ihrsa-institute-in-lake.html

Weight Lifting May Be OK After Breast Cancer

“A new study challenges the belief that breast cancer patients with lymphedema in their arms should avoid weight lifting. Lymphedema is fluid buildup that causes swelling. In breast cancer patients, it can be a lasting side effect of removing lymph nodes during breast cancer surgery. To avoid making lymphedema worse, heavy lifting of any kind is typically discouraged for breast cancer survivors with lymphedema. But the new study, published in the Aug. 13 edition of The New England Journal of Medicine, shows that weight lifting may actually help breast cancer survivors with lymphedema. The study included 141 U.S. women who had completed breast cancer treatment. Half of the women got a free membership to a local health club and got trained in weight lifting by trainers who were knowledgeable about lymphedema. For comparison, the other women weren't asked to start weight training, and they got a one-year pass to a health club only when the study ended. The women in the weight lifting group worked out twice a week at their health clubs. They did weight lifting exercises that target the upper and lower body, as well as stretching, a cardio warm-up, and exercises for their abdominal and back muscles. The women wore custom-fitted compression garments on their affected arm. Their trainers made sure the weight lifting exercises were challenging but not too hard. Arm measurements taken throughout the study showed that women in the weight lifting group weren't more likely than women in the comparison group to have their affected arm swell by 5% or more. In fact, the women in the weight lifting group reported greater improvement in their lymphedema symptoms -- and of course, they got stronger, too. ‘These findings support the potential benefits of a slowly progressive weight-lifting program in women with breast cancer-related lymphedema, in conjunction with appropriate use of compression garments and close monitoring for arm and hand swelling,’ write the researchers, who included Kathryn Schmitz, PhD, MPH, of the University of Pennsylvania's Abramson Cancer Center. The study ‘provides strong reassurance regarding the safety of appropriately supervised weight training in women with a history of breast cancer and lymphedema,’ states an editorial also published in the New England Journal of Medicine.”

http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/news/20090812/weight-lifting-may-be-ok-after-breast-cancer

LifeFitness, Fiserv, Technogym and IHRSA ON THE MOVE

“LifeFitness, Fiserv, Technogym and the International, Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) were leaders in L&T Health and Fitness’ 25,000 ON THE MOVE Challenge. At IHRSA’s 28th Annual International Convention and Trade Show in San Francisco, L&T Health and Fitness (L&T) approached companies, groups and associations within the fitness industry and asked them to commit to physical activity for 25 days during the month of June. For every participant, L&T would donate 25¢ to Augie’s Quest, the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s (MDA) research initiative to find treatments and a cure for ALS. The 25,000 ON THE MOVE challenge raised $3,500 for the cause. L&T applauds LifeFitness, Fiserv, Technogym and IHRSA for their commitment to providing a healthy work environment for their employees. A special thanks to the individual program champions:

· Stephanie Weiss, LifeFitness

· Carmen Lewis, Fiserv

· Erica Tillinghast and Kim Stantus, Technogym

· Kathryn Horne, IHRSA”

The Trapeze, the Catwalk, the Gym

“A tiny redhead with electric-blue shoes strikes up the carnival music. Sixteen people prance forward and backward in vague unison, grip their trapeze bars, tuck their knees in, yelp and swing. Welcome to ... the gym. This Equinox class, which uses modified circus equipment as part of a cardiovascular workout, is called Jukari Fit to Fly, and it is just the latest in the collection of unorthodox classes that health clubs around the country have introduced. Yes, the bread-and-butter classes are still there — basic yoga, muscle toning, calisthenics — but often they are side by side with less standard fare like pole dancing or Army-style boot camp workouts. At gyms that have made oddball classes into a hallmark, executives say they are trying to satisfy their clients’ increasing demand for novelty. At the Crunch chain, for instance, the goal is to introduce a handful of new classes every quarter, said Donna Cyrus, a senior vice president. ‘We look very hard for entertainment in fitness,’ Ms. Cyrus said. ‘I try to see what the trends are, and I look for instructors with theatrical abilities.’ Not all fitness clubs are so experimental. At New York Health and Racquet Club, the group fitness director, Maryann Donner, said that bizarre-sounding classes can draw members, “but if you have no idea what the workout is, based on the name, I don’t know how attractive that will be.” And some members still love ‘the very staid classes,’ like Stretch, Sculpt, and Cardio, she said. Carol Espel, the national director for group fitness and Pilates at Equinox Fitness Club, said that her company tries to avoid “programming fluff,” although it has offered classes like a Brazilian derrière-lift and Skinny Jeans Workout. ‘We don’t want to offer something just because it was on ‘Oprah,’ Ms. Espel said. For example, ‘we would never offer pole dancing.’ But Equinox does offer Jukari Fit to Fly. The word Jukari is derived from the Sicilian word ‘jucare,’ meaning ‘to play,’ and the class, which was introduced in June in 14 cities, was developed through a partnership between Reebok and Cirque du Soleil. The redheaded Equinox instructor, Sara Haley, said that Reebok sent her as a ‘guinea pig’ to Cirque du Soleil’s Montreal base last year to see if any of its acrobatic equipment could be adapted for the gym. A team at Reebok and Cirque du Soleil then refined the recommendations and the result is the specially designed FlySet, which is like a trapeze, ‘but the ropes are way thicker, safer,’ she said.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/30/health/nutrition/30fitness.html?_r=1&ref=nutrition

Leading Exercise Scientist Points To Increasing Evidence That Sedentary Lives Can Be Deadly

“As many as 50 million Americans are living sedentary lives, putting them at increased risk of health problems and even early death, a leading expert in exercise science told the American Psychological Association. Speaking at APA's 117th Annual Convention, Steven Blair, PED, called Americans' physical inactivity ‘the biggest public health problem of the 21st century.’ Blair is a professor of exercise science and epidemiology at the University of South Carolina's Arnold School of Public Health. He is one of the world's premier experts on exercise and its health benefits and was the senior scientific editor of the 1996 U.S. Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health. Research has shown approximately 25 percent to 35 percent of American adults are inactive, Blair said, meaning that they have sedentary jobs, no regular physical activity program and are generally inactive around the house or yard. ‘This amounts to 40 million to 50 million people exposed to the hazard of inactivity,’ Blair said in an interview. ‘Given that these individuals are doubling their risk of developing numerous health conditions compared with those who are even moderately active and fit, we're looking at a major public health problem.’ Blair's extensive research comes primarily from the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study, in which he found that fitness level was a significant predictor of mortality. The ongoing study began in 1970 and includes more than 80,000 patients. The message should be simple, he said: Doing something is better than doing nothing, and doing more is better than doing less, at least up to a point. ‘We need numerous changes to promote more physical activity for all, including public policies, changes in the health care system, promoting activity in educational settings and worksites, and social and physical environmental changes. We need more communities where people feel comfortable walking. I believe psychologists can help develop better lifestyle change interventions to help people be more active via the Internet and other technological methods.’”

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/160343.php

Disease Prevention Not Just Screenings

“This weekend, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) sent a letter to Rep. Nathan Deal and other Congressmen regarding the scoring of prevention, in response to a July 16 question by Deal on the subject. Faithful to CBO’s previous statements, the letter said that investing in prevention won’t yield cost savings to the government, though some forms of prevention can be cost-effective. What CBO says is true, depending on how you define prevention. Prevention is a continuum of care that works in three different ways: averting disease (primary prevention), detecting disease (secondary prevention) and managing disease (tertiary prevention). Much of CBO’s letter is devoted to secondary prevention efforts, i.e., screenings and tests for disease, which they call ‘medical preventive care.’ But if you look at studies on cost savings from prevention, it’s really primary prevention – averting disease in the first place, eating healthy, exercising regularly and avoiding bad habits like smoking — that has shown to yield cost savings. Both the White House and Congress have rallied behind prevention as a cost saving mechanism and a path to health improvement, and I commend them for their efforts on this. However, CBO’s letter underlines a yet-to-overcome hurdle that prevention advocates must surmount if they want prevention included as a sustainable element of health reform, and that’s making sure everyone (CBO, the American public) knows exactly what we mean when we say prevention (and it’s not just disease detection and screenings).”

http://fightchronicdisease.org/media/blog/?p=214

Mediterranean Diet Plus Exercise Lowers Alzheimer's Risk

“Eating a Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, legumes and healthy fats, and increasing physical activity levels can reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, a new study shows. The latest research, published in the Aug. 12 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, is more evidence that healthy living can help ward off cognitive decline. Following both healthy habits is a plus, said study author Dr. Nikolaos Scarmeas, an assistant professor of neurology at Columbia University Medical Center in New York City. "There is some evidence [already] that a healthy diet, the Mediterranean diet, may be protective for our risk of getting Alzheimer's disease," he said. "In the current study we wanted to see if there was an independent effect of physical activity and diet." So Scarmeas and his team looked at 1,880 men and women without dementia living in New York, average age 77, and gave them tests every 1.5 years from 1992 through 2006, evaluating how well they followed a Mediterranean-type diet and their weekly participation in various physical activities."

http://www.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=629895

Phys Ed: Can Running Actually Help Your Knees?

“In article in Skeletal Radiology, a well-respected journal, created something of a sensation in Europe last year. It reported that researchers from Danube Hospital in Austria examined the knees of marathon runners using M.R.I. imaging, before and after the 1997 Vienna marathon. Ten years later, they scanned the same runners’ knees again. The results were striking. ‘No major new internal damage in the knee joints of marathon runners was found after a 10-year interval,’ the researchers reported. Only one of the participants had a knee that was truly a mess, and he’d quit running before the 1997 marathon (but had been included in that study anyway). His 1997 knee M.R.I. revealed cartilage lesions, swelling and other abnormalities. In the years that followed, the knee became worse, showing augmented tissue damage and more serious lesions. His exam prompted the researchers to wonder whether he would have been better off persisting as a runner, because, as they speculate, ‘continuous exercise is protective, rather than destructive,’ to knees.”

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/11/phys-ed-can-running-actually-help-your-knees/

Rate Of Severe Childhood Obesity Up Sharply In U.S.

“The rate of severe obesity among U.S. children and teenagers more than tripled over the past three decades, a new study finds. Using data from a long-running government health survey, researchers found that as of 2004, nearly 4 percent of 2- to 19-year-olds in the U.S. were severely obese. That was up more than three-fold from 1976, and more than 70 percent from 1994, the researchers report in the journal Academic Pediatrics. ‘Children are not only becoming obese, but becoming severely obese, which impacts their overall health,’ lead researcher Dr. Joseph A. Skelton, of Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, said in a news release from the university. ‘These findings,’ he added, ‘reinforce the fact that medically-based programs to treat obesity are needed throughout the United States and insurance companies should be encouraged to cover this care.’ The study also found that minority and lower-income children are at particular risk of severe obesity -- which, in children and teenagers, is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) in the 99th percentile for one's age and gender.

http://www.reutershealth.com/archive/2009/08/11/eline/links/20090811elin006.html

More Evidence Healthy Living Brings Long Life

“People who adopt four healthy behaviors -- never smoking, regular exercise, eating well and maintaining a healthy weight -- can dramatically reduce their likelihood for chronic disease and an early death, a new study confirms. On average, healthy living may cut your odds for heart disease, cancer and diabetes by about 80 percent, the researchers said. ‘We're talking about relatively straightforward behaviors that pretty much everyone knows about already,’ said study author Dr. Earl S. Ford, a medical officer with the U.S. Public Health Service and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ‘But there's unfortunately a gap between people realizing what's good for them and doing what they might want to do.’ ‘We're showing that for a very wide range of diseases -- not just one chronic disease, but many -- these few behaviors really do have a major impact on prevention,’ Ford said. He and his colleagues reported the findings in the Aug. 10/24 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.”

http://www.healthday.com/Article.asp?AID=629887

‘Brown Fat’ May Be Key In Obesity Battle

"Recent discoveries are highlighting a good type of fat, called ‘brown fat,’ that offers a potential new weapon to scientists looking for ways to fight obesity. Unlike better-known white fat, brown fat converts stored energy into heat. It was long known to exist in infants but had been thought to disappear with age. Then this spring, three research groups reported that brown fat exists in at least some adults. And two groups of Boston researchers have reported finding cellular switches that can be flipped on to make brown fat cells out of ordinary skin cells and other types of cells. ‘This is definitely a very big change in our thinking, because it really does mean now there is an opportunity to really work with this as a way to burn off energy,’ said Dr. C. Ronald Kahn, head of obesity and hormone action research at the Joslin Diabetes Center who is involved in both lines of research. The discoveries raise the possibility that in the future, obesity could be treated by spurring the growth of brown fat cells in patients, transplanting such cells, or increasing the activity level of patients’ existing brown fat, Kahn said. Exercise also offers an effective way to burn more calories, but as Dr. Francesco S. Celi, a clinical investigator at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, says, ‘It’s proven, but it’s tough.’ The new research, he said, allows scientists to start thinking seriously about new ways of upping the calorie burning side of the equation. All the work, outside scientists said, is likely to spur pharmaceutical companies to look at ways to trigger brown fat - whether it is a drug that can promote brown fat growth or activity, or taking cells, turning them into brown fat in a dish, and transplanting it back into people.”

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/08/11/brown_fat_may_be_key_in_obesity_battle/

Pricey Membership, But It’s Worth the Climb

“Brooklyn is now home to a long-adored activity: rock climbing. Brooklyn Boulders, the new rock climbing gym, is an 18,000-square-foot space with neon skittle-looking grips all the way up to its high ceilings. This is the first rock climbing-only space to land in Brooklyn, as residents before had to get their fix at places such as Chelsea Piers and Manhattan Plaza Health Club. Located at Degraw Street and Third Ave, it welcomes people of all ages and stages, the club said. Owners Jeremy Balboni and Steven Spaeth believe they have found a niche to fill -- bringing the pleasures of outdoorsy Colorado to anxious urbanites in Brooklyn. The décor is a twist of fun cartoon paintings, graffiti murals, and vibrant colors, giving it an urban vibe -- fitting for its setting just blocks from the Gowanus canal. The 18,000 square foot space has a 30 foot ceiling, and what it says is ‘too much’ climable terrain to count. It is no secret that fitness centers have suffered in this economy. Bill Zimmerman, chairman of the Climbing Wall Association, is worried that such a narrow hobby will yield little profit. ‘If you’re trying to justify, you ain’t going to do it. This is about rich guys who want a great climbing facility and they’re going to build I no matter what. And more power to them,’ he told City Room. Members look at the situation differently. Many of them find the new gym to be an escape from the financial and emotional pressures many face. Amir Keinan, 26, was laid off in November and purchased a $600 membership before the gym opened. He found this was a good investment for himself-and brought him more stress relief than added stress. “This place is encouraging. It offers a lot of moral support,’ he told City Room.”

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/around-town/events/Pricey-Membership-But-Its-Worth-The-Climb-52903342.html

'Skinny Jeans' Class Aims To Aid Your Zip

The Skinny Jeans Workout concentrates on core muscles, balance and posture. A cross between ballet, butt-burning stretches and light weight lifting, the workout involves the entire body. Lisa Grimmer, a group fitness instructor, teaches the class. ‘What I love about Skinny Jeans is it takes everything from Pilates -- the core workout, which would be the tightening around of your abdominal muscles, your lower back. People think of that as ‘the core.’ But there's also the shoulder girdle, which we work out a lot in Skinny Jeans, too,’ says Grimmer. ‘So really we're thinking about anything that would be postural or placed into your jeans, so you've got your abdominals, of course, and we work the inner and outer thighs that go into the jeans.’ Tracy Cherpeski Bannister, another class instructor, believes posture is key to fitting into tight pants. The class is usually taught in bare feet, for maximum balance. It forces ‘our bodies to be smarter,’ says Bannister. She reasons that by freeing up your feet, you have to use your brain as well. ‘You have to think and feel what's happening. If you don't [go barefoot], then it's not a waste of time, but you don't get as much out of it as maybe you should.’”

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/08/10/skinny.jeans.workout

Does It Matter What The Doctor Weighs?

“That question is at the heart of a debate set off when Dr. Regina Benjamin was nominated for surgeon general. A MacArthur Foundation ‘genius’ grant recipient who set up a medical clinic in hurricane-ravaged Alabama, Benjamin hasn't responded publicly to criticism that her extra pounds may set a poor example. Her supporters say she is being treated unfairly; after all, many previous surgeon generals -- most of them men -- weren't so skinny themselves. But with the nation's obesity problem worsening, some advocates say it's increasingly critical for healthcare workers and those with visible, influential roles to ‘walk the walk’ and serve as role models. ‘A doctor doesn't need to be perfect, but it'd be hard for me to take financial advice from a CPA who had just filed for bankruptcy,’ said Dr. Timothy Harlan, medical director of the Tulane University School of Medicine, who says he believes physicians should make a genuine effort to be healthy."

http://www.latimes.com/features/health/la-he-surgeon-general10-2009aug10,0,5052150.story

Alliance for a Healthier Generation Honors Over 100 Schools for Wellness Programs

“The Alliance for a Healthier Generation, a partnership between the William J. Clinton Foundation and the American Heart Association (AHA), has recognized 114 schools that have fostered healthy learning environments for students and staff as part of the Alliance's Healthy Schools Program, WCCO reports. Among the schools recognized for their achievements, Lynwood, Calif.-based Cesar Chavez Middle School modified its food offerings to ensure that 30 percent or less of an items calories are derived from fat, all food items are free of trans-fat, and fresh fruits and vegetables are available. Meanwhile, West New York Public School #5, an elementary school in New Jersey, now offers a morning wellness program one hour before school, three days per week, where students learn about nutrition, the core components of fitness, and the correlation between healthy food choices, physical activity and academic achievement.”

http://www.rwjf.org/childhoodobesity/digest.jsp?id=20960

Psychologist Says Parents Can Help Stop The Obesity Epidemic

“Childhood obesity has quadrupled in the last 40 years, which may mean today's children become the first generation to have a shorter lifespan than their parents, a leading obesity expert told the American Psychological Association on Saturday. However, parents can help stave off this impending crisis if they help their children to eat better and exercise, according to Edward Abramson, PhD. Abramson, professor emeritus at California State University-Chico, teaches psychology and is author of the books ‘Body Intelligence’ and ‘Emotional Eating.’ Parents can increase the odds of getting a child to try a new food by having the child see them enjoying the food and having the child help prepare the unfamiliar food, said Abramson. ‘If the child is in the kitchen cooking with Mom or Dad, it's unlikely that he/she will refuse the food that they've helped prepare.’ Physical activity can also help prevent obesity even when there is a tendency to gain weight due to genetics, Abramson said. Research has shown that 4- to 7-year-old children of active parents were six times as likely to be active. Exercise in school lowers the risk for obesity, whereas time spent watching TV or on the computer playing video games increases the risk.”

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/160243.php

Annapolis Athletic Club Expands in Eastport

“The Annapolis Athletic Club last week began a $500,000 construction project that will expand the gym and renovate existing space. Club owner Mike Myers said the gym is taking over the 4,000 square feet that was formerly home to the Annapolis Senior Center with plans to transform it into a new Pilates studio, a multipurpose room for parties and group exercise classes, and a conference facility. The project is slated to be finished by December. The goal is not necessarily to increase membership, but to meet the needs of the gym's current 2,000 members, Myers said. ‘We know what our members want,’ he said. ‘We have a lot of loyalty.’ The club is expanding at a time when the local gym landscape is changing. Despite the recession, Myers said his club has been able to maintain monthly dues of roughly $83. That's about $28 more than the median price that some for-profit, commercial fitness centers charge, according to the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association. Myers said that figure accounts for gyms within a broad range of demographics, but that his rates are ‘comparatively priced.’ Unlike some other gyms, the Annapolis Athletic Center includes classes and other services built into its monthly member fee, he said. Still, Myers said the gym has worked out payment plans with members having trouble. ‘You don't want to create exceptions across the board, but you are very willing to listen to what the story is,’ he said. Rosemary Lavery, spokeswoman for the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association, said the health club industry has been hit by recession, but that gym membership is something that many people are not willing to give up. ‘Not taking care of yourself is not going to help you push through tough times,’ she said. She said industry revenue rose to $19.1 billion in 2008 compared with $18.5 billion in 2007. She said the clubs that will do well in the future are the ones reinvesting in their current facilities now. ‘It's a lot harder to gain a prospective member than keep a current one,’ she said.”

http://www.hometownannapolis.com/news/bus/2009/08/05-40/Annapolis-Athletic-Club-expands-in-Eastport.html

Fitness First To Invest Rs125 Cr To Add Gym Space

“UK-based health club operator Fitness First is planning to invest Rs125 crore in India by 2012 to add two lakh sq ft of gym area in 11 new clubs. The company is also looking to have a total membership of 55,000 across its health clubs in India as it strives to become a Rs200 crore company in the country during next three years. ‘We will be investing around Rs125 crore to add 11 more fitness clubs in Delhi NCR, Mumbai and Bangalore by 2012. This will entail a total space of two lakh sq ft,’ Fitness First India Managing Director Vikram Aditya Bhatia said. He said the investment will come from the UK-based parent company through the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) route. Fitness First currently operates four clubs in Delhi NCR, Mumbai and Bangalore with a space of 78,000 sq ft. ‘With less than 0.4% of the Indian population visiting organised sector fitness clubs, the potential for us is immense. In our four clubs, we have a membership of around 11,000 and we are adding over 800 new members every month,’ Bhatia said. He said the club-members have an average age of 35 years and 40% of them are women. ‘With 15 clubs by 2012, we are hopeful of having a total membership of 55,000 regulars. Our target is to achieve a turnover of Rs 200 crore in another three years,’ he added. Fitness First has around 550 clubs in over 20 countries across the globe with 5.5 million clients.”

http://www.livemint.com/2009/08/07140612/Fitness-First-to-invest-Rs125.html?h=B

Health Club Use Shouldn't Be Taxed

With the controversy over the reformation of the health care industry raging on a national level, it might be well advised for the federal government to look at the innovative way we are dealing with this issue in New Jersey. Virtually any doctor will tell you, in the absence of administering a life-saving drug or procedure, the most valuable prescription available is plenty of exercise and proper nutrition. In this state we have a unique way of approaching this intervention. A membership in a reputable fitness center is the perfect solution to a myriad of ills, assuming it is used properly. Not only does the center provide a plethora of exercise equipment to enhance cardiac health, flexibility, and muscular development, there are other possibilities. Most centers offer classes on smoking cessation, proper nutrition, controlling obesity or stress, and opportunities to obtain new life enhancing skills such as Tai-Chi, Pilates or Yoga. All of these things, with no doubt whatsoever, contribute to better health and fewer medical bills. So what do we do in New Jersey? We tax memberships in a health club. What a splendid idea. Instead of letting people try to stay healthy and maybe giving them tax breaks to maintain a healthy lifestyle, we tax them and make them pay more money. Absolutely brilliant.”

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20090807/OPINION02/908070314/-1/newsfront/Health-club-use-shouldn-t-be-taxed

Study: Cholesterol Levels Tied To Increased Risk For Dementia

Experts agree that a three-pronged approach of daily exercise, stress reduction and nutrition can naturally lower levels. A diet rich in olive oil, nuts, whole grains, fiber, fresh fruit, vegetables and a limited amount of red meat is best, according to the Mayo Clinic. ‘These people were between 40 and 45 years old when their cholesterol was measured. That is many years before one would get dementia. This is a modifiable risk factor that can be changed’ Whitmer said. ‘If someone changes their diet, exercises and works on stress, supplements could be what pushes them over the edge and helps complete the picture and lower their levels effectively,’ Bergstrom said. More traditional treatments such as prescription medications are also an option for those people who eat a heart-healthy diet and exercise daily, but still need help lowering their overall cholesterol.”

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/08/04/cholesterol.dementia/index.html?imw=Y&iref=mpstoryemail

Gold's Gym: A Vision Of Strength -- Gold’s Gym Honors Eddie Dail With Visionary Award

“Honoring innovation, business intelligence and contributions to the long-term value of its brand around the world, Gold’s Gym named Eddie Dail the 2009 winner of its prestigious Visionary Award during the company’s annual franchise convention in mid-July in Las Vegas. Throughout the past 12 months, Dail has been a partner in opening more Gold’s Gym locations in the United States than any of the brand’s other franchisees. Dail and his business partners have successfully overcome harsh economic conditions to expand Gold’s Gym’s presence with a total of five new gym openings in Virginia and Wisconsin. He now owns and operates 12 gyms between the two states. Additionally, Dail has plans in place to open another 10 to 15 gyms within the next one to two years. ‘I am thrilled to be recognized as one of the leading gym owners within the Gold’s Gym family,’ said Dail, who opened his first Gold’s Gym 19 years ago. ‘There are so many strong Gold’s Gym owners and I am thankful to many of them for helping me grow my business over the years. Without the support of others, I could not be where I am today.’ Dail also serves his peers through his involvement with the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA). He has worked with IHRSA to push forward two pieces of fitness legislation on Capitol Hill. He has worked with Virginia Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner, and U.S. Congressman Eric Cantor to draft a pair of bills that will help reduce the obesity rate in the United States by increasing the percentage of the population that uses health clubs.”

http://www.wisbusiness.com/index.iml?Article=166489

Connect Your Mind And Body With Group Centergy

“The room is dark except for a few candles lit on an elevated platform where two women are spotlighted. Soft music plays. Everyone in the room is barefoot and standing on cross-shaped mats. It doesn’t look like the typical setup for a group fitness class, but then again, Group Centergy isn’t a typical group fitness class. Jan Crawford, a Group Centergy instructor at Gold’s Gym Elite, said the class draws inspiration from yoga and pilates, but it is ‘driven by choreography.’ ‘We want to appeal to a wider variety of people,’ said Crawford. ‘We give you little bites instead of the whole platter.’ But that doesn’t mean the class is easy. The poses are challenging and are intended to increase flexibility, strength and balance. Crawford said that is the biggest benefit of Group Centergy. ‘It gives people a different perspective of what they can do.’ ‘We can inspire our body to work in different ways,’ added Lindsay Urquhart, another Group Centergy instructor at Gold’s Gym Elite. ‘You can always push further.’ In addition to the physical benefits, Crawford said the class can also have positive effects on stress and longevity. Crawford recommends taking the class 2-3 times per week, though she said you can benefit from just once a week. She added that noticeable results take longer with Group Centergy because ‘flexibility comes in micromillimeters. You’ll feel the strength before flexibility.’ Crawford, who will be 58 this year, hopes that her age will inspire beginners, giving them an “if she can do it, I can do it, too” attitude.”

http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/health/story/798467.html

Credit Crunch Likely To Worsen Obesity Epidemic

"Levels of debt have been associated with an increased risk of being fat. Researchers writing in the open access journal BMC Public Health blame the trend on the high price of healthy food, and a tendency for people worried by debt to comfort eat. Eva Münster, from the University of Mainz, Germany, worked with a team of researchers to study more than 9000 people, finding that 25% of the 949 people in debt were medically obese, compared to only 11% of the remaining 8318 participants. She said, ‘The recent credit crunch will have health implications for private households. While income, education and occupational status are frequently used in definitions of socioeconomic status, levels of debt are not usually considered. We've shown that debt can be associated with the probability of being overweight or obese, independent of these factors.’ The researchers explain that debt can affect a series of risk factors for chronic diseases, for example by limiting leisure time activities and participation in social events. The quality of an individual's diet can also be negatively affected. According to Münster, ‘A person's ability to pick and choose the food they eat often depends on the financial resources they have available. Energy-dense foods such as sweets or fatty snacks are often less expensive compared to food with lower energy density such as fruit or vegetables.’

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/160078.php

Gym Offers New Concept In Fitness Technology

“‘We want it to be 24 hours of positive workouts and self-esteem enhancing fun,’ said owner Gina Kiser, who owns the gym along with her husband, Henry Kiser. The large, state-of-the-art fitness center will be approximately 8,500 square feet and showcase Life Fitness Cardio Equipment featuring attached 17-inch widescreen televisions with iPod compatibility. In fact, Kiser said, Adrenaline 24/7 is the only certified hammer strength training facility in northern Louisiana. A quick look around the gym showcases its attention to detail. There are tanning beds, an aerobics studio and nursery care. Personal trainers also are welcome to use the facilities. Currently, the gym is looking for aerobics and martial arts instructors and has part-time openings for nursery care workers. Kiser said Adrenaline 24/7 is offering a zero enrollment fee for the first 150 people who join the gym. There also will be a $25 per month/ individual membership rate for anyone who joins by Monday.”

http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20090805/BOSSIER/908040346/Gym-offers-new-concept-in-fitness-technology

PhyEd Health Club Open for Business [Wisconsin]

“PhyEd Health Club announced last week it is now open to the public for business. The health club offers the Twin Ports’ most advanced equipment and programs. PhyEd is the Official Hammer Strength Center of the Northland featuring strength equipment used by professional and collegiate teams as well as military and law enforcement. Originally designed for athletes who demand high-performance training equipment, the machines deliver the most biomechanically correct movements and the lowest starting resistance in the industry. The plate loaded machines and benches are complimented by Iron Grip urethane coated plates, dumbbells, and barbells. PhyEd is also a FreeMotion Facility and offers TechnoGym Kinesis classes.”

http://www.superiortelegram.com/event/article/id/36551/group/News/