Gym Culture Not Working Out For The French

“The French may love to look good but few are willing to work up a sweat over it. Despite increasing awareness of the benefits of healthy eating and physical exercise, going to the gym in France is still a niche activity that has yet to capture the mainstream. France's generous healthcare system, its cultural preference for outdoor sports and its lack of affordable good-quality clubs are seen as reasons behind the country's low rate of gym goers, even relative to laid-back neighbors Spain or Italy. ‘It appears to me that more people are sitting in cafes smoking cigarettes and drinking coffee than working out ... the French don't see fitness as a lifestyle,’ says American-born fitness consultant Fred Hoffman, who has lived in Paris for 21 years. Only 5.4 percent of French people belonged to a health club in 2008, according to the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association, compared with 9.5 percent for Italy, 11.9 percent for the United Kingdom and 16.6 percent for Spain.”

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE68Q20520100927?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+reuters%2Flifestyle+%28News+%2F+US+%2F+Lifestyle%29

New CV Kit for Technogym

“Technogym has introduced the Crossover, a new cardio machine enabling a combination of lateral and elliptical movement. The Crossover provides upper and lower body training, with complete muscle activation allowing optimal calorie burning and ensuring maximum glutes activation. It offers a fixed-stride cyclical exercise and completes the Technogym Excite+ line with the ‘Lateral Today Body’ concept. According to the manufacturer, the machine is suitable for varying fitness levels and all types of workout. Meanwhile, Technogym was recently appointed as the official supplier for the first Youth Olympic Games, which took place in Singapore from August 14-26. The company will also be the official supplier for the upcoming Olympic Games, which will be held in London in 2012.”

http://www.hoteliermiddleeast.com/9504-new-cv-kit-for-technogym

First Santa Cruz Business Goes Solar Thermal with New California Solar Initiative Rebate

"Toadal Fitness is the first Santa Cruz business to take advantage of the new California Solar Initiative (CSI) Thermal Program for commercial businesses. Toadal Fitness will be among the first commercial applications of the CSI thermal program in California, and the first commercial application in the City of Santa Cruz, according to Paul Burrowes, COO of Free Hot Water. To mark the occasion, a ribbon cutting ceremony took place on the roof at Toadal Fitness’ downtown location with Santa Cruz’s Vice-Mayor, Ryan Coonerty, who was on hand to recognize Toadal Fitness’ commitment to the environment and sustainable business practices. ‘I think it is great that local businesses, like Toadal Fitness, are taking the lead in responding to climate change. I expect that this is only the first of...

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/partner/free-hot-water/news/article/2010/09/first-santa-cruz-business-goes-solar-thermal-with-new-california-solar-initiative-rebate

For Gym, Fitness For Entire Family

“William White, of Anytime Fitness, said childhood obesity isn't a children's epidemic. ‘It's a family epidemic,’ he said. One out of three children are overweight or obese, according to national health campaigns. And if a parent is overweight, the child is 50 percent more likely to be overweight. That's why it's time for parents to start taking charge, White said. ‘Parents as well as children should do healthy things together,’ he said. Anytime Fitness will be participating in a promotion to help parents get fit and guide their children. The program, which has been running through this month, gives the person a 30-day membership for free from the date they come in for their first visit. It also provides 30 minutes with a trainer...

http://www.ocala.com/article/20100926/ARTICLES/100929732/1001/NEWS01?Title=For-gym-fitness-for-entire-family&tc=ar

Twists And Turns That Make A Difference

“It has the latest fitness equipment, from a Cybex training circuit to stationary Expresso Cycles with video screens that let you bike virtually through a bucolic countryside. It holds classes in yoga, Pilates, boot camp and the hottest exercise trend, Zumba. And it offers personal training, massage therapy and a variety of health screenings. Yet it's not a glitzy mirror-wall health club aimed at fitness-minded singles. In fact, its business has nothing to do with fitness. It's Cisco, worldwide provider of networking systems for business. And Cisco, with its state-of-the-art workout center, is hardly alone among its contemporaries in...

http://www.newsobserver.com/2010/09/26/701199/twists-and-turns-that-make-a-difference.html

U.S. Children Will Exercise From Coast To Coast

“US children will exercise for 10 continuous hours on October 7, 2010 to promote healthy lifestyle and combat childhood obesity. In a unique attempt toward the fight against childhood obesity, children in the United States are going to exercise for ten continuous hours on Thursday, October 7, 2010 in the second annual Exercise US, or Exercise United States day. As stated in US News & World Report referring to the Exercise US program - - ‘In a unique attempt to fight childhood obesity and cuts being made to school physical education programs, elementary, middle, and high schools from New York...

http://pr-usa.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=494991&Itemid=31

Balance and the Elderly [Joe Moore Letter to the Editor]

“To the Editor: Re “Staying on Balance, With the Help of Exercises” (Retirement section, Sept. 16): Not only does loss of balance make us susceptible to life-threatening falls, but it also threatens our independence. Loss of balance and mobility is the main reason many adults go into assisted living facilities. And once people lose their independence, declines in health and fitness levels tend to become more rapid. As we’ve become an increasingly mechanized, sedentary society, people have lost their full range of body movements. But many health clubs offer programs that are intended to help people reawaken the sensory responses that keep them on their feet. And basic balance work can be incorporated into most resistance training and cardio routines. Balance is just one example of how exercise plays a critical role in healthy aging. Be sure to ask for instructors certified to teach balance, and always ask why an exercise is being done.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/24/opinion/lweb24balance.html?_r=1&partner=MOREOVERFEATURES&ei=5040