Health and Fitness Club Industry News
Monday, August 17th, 2026
“Diet” Products Can Make You Fat, Study Shows
Posted: April 25, 2017 in Other News
ATHENS, GA - High-fat foods are often the primary target when fighting obesity, but sugar-laden “diet” foods could be contributing to unwanted weight gain as well, according to a new study from the University of Georgia. Researchers found that rats fed a diet high in sugar but low in fat, meant to imitate many popular diet foods, increased body fat mass when compared to rats fed a balanced rodent diet. The high-sugar diet induced a host of other problems, including liver damage and brain inflammation. Read More...
Curves International to Appeal Partial Verdict in Texas
Posted: April 22, 2017 in Chains
WOODWAY, TX - Curves International announced the company's plan to challenge the portion of a recent jury verdict that found for some of the plaintiffs in a Texas lawsuit disagreeing with how the fitness company supported a group of its franchisees in the past. Even though the plaintiffs won less than 10% of what they originally sought, Curves disagrees with the preliminary court rulings that allowed even the reduced claim to go to the jury, in addition to the part of the verdict for any plaintiff awarded any fraction of its claim. Read More...
IHRSA Announces Thunderclap Campaign to #PassPHIT
Posted: April 20, 2017 in HFA
BOSTON, MA - To bring increased attention to PHIT, legislation that would make physical activity more affordable, IHRSA, the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association recently launched a social media initiative to promote the #PassPHIT campaign. The goal of this campaign is to promote the benefits of passing PHIT, while generating more engagement from the industry, its members, and its customers in asking Congress to support the legislation. "We are reaching out to all corners of the industry to garner support with the hopes that this #PassPHIT message will reach tens of thousands of people across multiple social media platforms," said Meredith Poppler, IHRSA’s Vice President of Advocacy Communications & Leadership Engagement. The campaign was launched by IHRSA President and CEO, Joe Moore, with an invitation to join the association’s #PassPHIT Thunderclap campaign. Read More...
EXOS and adidas Extend Partnership Through 2021
Posted: April 20, 2017 in Suppliers
PHOENIX, AZ - With nearly 20 years of history between the two companies, EXOS and adidas announced the extension of their long-term partnership. This extension will allow adidas to combine their product expertise with EXOS’ human performance experience to better serve all types of athletes. EXOS believes that human performance is for everyone, and it’s about achieving what matters to you. To help people find what matters to them, EXOS provides solutions across the four pillars of human performance: Mindset, Nutrition, Movement, and Recovery. Read More...
ACE Study Investigates the Effectiveness of Zumba Gold for Maintaining Cardiovascular Health
Posted: April 19, 2017 in Suppliers
SAN DIEGO, CA - The dance-inspired group fitness class, Zumba, offers a low-impact version that’s designed for middle-aged and older adults. But, can the lower-intensity Zumba Gold deliver on the promise of a safe, fun and effective exercise for baby boomers? To shed light on how many health benefits the hip-shaking really offers, the American Council on Exercise (ACE) commissioned an independent study to determine if Zumba Gold meets current guidelines for improving and maintaining cardiorespiratory fitness in seniors. Read More...
Escape Fitness and Stages Cycling Open First LA Functional Fitness Boutique Showroom
Posted: April 19, 2017 in Chains
CINCINNATI, OH - A retired Los Angeles Arts District industrial building now has a new look, life and purpose as Sanctuary Fitness, a first of its kind fully outfitted Escape Fitness and Stages Cycling functional showroom/fitness boutique club for customers to experience the capabilities of both companies. Read More...
IHRSA Announces #WhyGetActive Campaign Celebrating National Physical Fitness and Sports Month
Posted: April 18, 2017 in HFA
BOSTON, MA - To celebrate National Physical Fitness and Sports Month, and to raise awareness of the many reasons to be physically active, IHRSA will be providing daily content on the benefits of physical activity that clubs can share with their networks. Club operators, fitness professionals and industry stakeholders are encouraged to use this information in their member and prospect communications to promote that May is a great time to renew a commitment to a healthy, active lifestyle. Read More...
acac Fitness & Wellness Centers Raise More Than $90,000 for the Focused Ultrasound Foundation
Posted: April 18, 2017 in Chains
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - The Focused Ultrasound Foundation announced the donation of more than $90,000 from acac Fitness & Wellness Centers. The money was raised during acac’s most successful “Work Out and Give Back” campaign to date. Founded in 1984 as the Atlantic Coast Athletic Club, acac offers comprehensive fitness and wellness programming and has more than 65,000 members in 12 locations. Their physician referred exercise program, p.r.e.p., is the cornerstone of acac’s medical fitness programming. acac partners with area hospitals, physicians and other healthcare professionals to provide services for people of all ages. Read More...
John Young Joins Johnson Health Tech as Vice President of Commercial Business for Pan-Asia
Posted: April 18, 2017 in Suppliers
COTTAGE GROVE WI - Johnson Health Tech (JHT) named John Young Vice President of the Pan-Asian Commercial Business. Young, who joins JHT with more than 20 years of proven fitness sales experience, will provide sales leadership for the commercial segment based in the Pan-Asian region, including key accounts, distributors and wholly owned subsidiaries. Read More...
Life Time Fitness and GGP Partner In Retail Shopping Centers
Posted: April 13, 2017 in Chains
CHICAGO, IL and CHANHASSEN, MN - The rapidly changing consumer landscape and ever-growing healthy living mindset have converged as S&P 500 retail real estate company, GGP (NYSE: GGP), and Healthy Way of Life Company, Life Time, have announced plans to transform the consumer retail experience at four GGP properties across the country, with more likely to come. GGP and Life Time are collaborating to reimagine the mall spaces traditionally occupied by large anchor stores. The collaboration will bring comprehensive, resort-like healthy living, healthy aging and healthy entertainment destinations to these properties and better serve time-starved consumers and their evolving needs and demands. Read More...
