JCC Receptionist Allegedly Stole Members’ Credit Card Numbers
EAST HILLS, NY -- After a six-month investigation, a Nassau County (NY) district attorney alleges that a 22-year-old former receptionist at the Sid Jacobsen Jewish Community Center in East Hills, NY, stole the credit card information of 18 JCC members and racked up more than $15,000 in bills from high-end department stores over the course of three months. If convicted, Elizabeth Young faces a maximum of seven years in prison. ...
More Than 150 Attend MACMA Conference
ELLICOTT CITY, MD -- Three clubs took top honors at the Mid-Atlantic Club Management Association (MACMA) annual conference on Aug. 9 in Ellicott City, MD. The three clubs were Annapolis Athletic Club in Annapolis, MD; Merritt Athletic Club in Eldersburg, MD; and SEC Fitness Center in Washington, DC....
Navy Gets Its First Fitness Uniform
WASHINGTON – Adm. Mike Mullen, chief of naval operations (CNO), recently approved the first Navy physical fitness uniform: a gold short-sleeved shirt and navy blue shorts. The shirt is moisture-wicking, made of odor-resistant polyester and has “Navy” in reflective lettering on the back and front....
Court Approves Bally’s Amended Plan
CHICAGO – The bankruptcy court handling the reorganization for Bally Total Fitness has approved Bally’s amended Chapter 11 plan, the company announced Tuesday....
Groups Update Physical Activity Guidelines
INDIANAPOLIS – Healthy adults ages 18 to 65 need moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity for at least 30 minutes five days each week or vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity for at least 20 minutes three days each week, according to updated physical activity guidelines released earlier this month by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the American Heart Association (AHA). ...
Bally Noteholders Approve Amended Plan
CHICAGO – The noteholders of Bally Total Fitness have approved the amended reorganization Chapter 11 plan proposed by stockholder Harbinger Capital Partners Funds, and all parties have signed a restructuring support agreement, Bally announced today....
Overweight Children Have Higher Rate of Absenteeism, Study Shows
PHILADELPHIA – Overweight children are absent from school on average 20 percent more often than their normal-weight peers, according to a new study conducted by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and Temple University....
Fitness Pros Want More From Moore
By: By Jennipher Shaver
NORTH PALM BEACH, FL -- Two fitness professionals are challenging filmmaker Michael Moore to get healthy. Jim Labadie and Ryan Lee recently created an e-mail campaign to raise awareness about the benefits of exercise and its role in preventive care. ...
Minimum Wage Increase and Higher Energy Costs Affect Erie Y
ERIE, PA -- The new Pennsylvania minimum wage and higher energy costs are affecting the YMCA of Greater Erie (PA). In fact, due to the increased expenses, the Y will no longer offer free swimming lessons to its members starting this fall, local Erie, PA, television station WHPTV reported. On July 1, Pennsylvania's minimum wage rose from $6.25 to $7.15. ...
Personal Training Stays on Top
SAN DIEGO -- Personal training, mind-body fusion and outdoor activities continue to be popular offerings at health clubs while stability balls, resistance bands and balance boards are the most frequently used equipment, according to the 12th annual IDEA Fitness Programs and Equipment Survey. The survey of 225 IDEA members, who consist of health club owners, fitness center managers and/or exercise program directors, measures the latest trends in programming and equipment use. ...
Nautilus CEO Steps Down
VANCOUVER, WA -- A month after releasing falling net sales for second quarter 2007, Gregg Hammann stepped down as president and chief executive officer of Nautilus Inc, Vancouver, WA. He also resigned his seat on the company’s board. Robert S. Falcone, Nautilus’ lead independent director, will serve as chairman, president and chief executive officer on an interim basis, according to the company. ...
Bally Amends Chapter 11 Plan
CHICAGO – Bally Total Fitness, which filed for bankruptcy on July 31, has filed a motion seeking approval to amend its prepackaged Chapter 11 plan to include an alternate proposal from shareholder Harbinger Capital Partners without the need to re-solicit votes from its creditors. Bally filed the motion Monday with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York in Manhattan....
New Army Fitness Center Showcases Design Criteria
FORT BENNING, GA -- The Sgt. 1st Class Paul R. Smith Fitness Center in Fort Benning, GA, will serve as a model for the Army’s future fitness facilities, according to a report from the U.S. Army. ...
Des Moines Y Broadens Family Membership Definition
DES MOINES -- The Greater Des Moines YMCA will sign a conciliatory agreement with Sandi and M Patton-Imani to broaden the Y’s definition of family to include cohabiting adults, according to the Des Moines Register. However, a representative from the Y told Club Industry's Fitness Business Pro that, as of Aug. 10, no agreement had been signed. ...
New Fitness Requirement to Take Effect in Florida
WEST PALM BEACH, FL – Elementary school students in Florida will have a mandated 30 minutes of physical education every day when they return to class in a few weeks. Gov. Charlie Crist signed the school fitness legislation into law in May....
Military Athletes Compete for Chance at World Games
POINT MUGU, CA -- Select sailors, soldiers, airmen and Marines stationed all over the world came together in late July to participate in the 2007 Armed Forces Triathlon Championships at Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) in Point Mugu, CA. The top five male and female athletes in the triathlon will be part of the 2007 U.S. Armed Forces Triathlon Team that will compete in the Conseil International du Sport Militaire (CISM) World Military World Games in Mumbai, India, Oct. 14-22....
24 Hour Suit Settled
SAN FRANCISCO—This week, the San Francisco Superior Court approved a class action settlement between 24 Hour Fitness and approximately 1.8 million current and former monthly members, according to a joint release from the law firms for both parties....
Fiserv to Acquire CheckFree
BROOKFIELD, WI—Fiserv Inc. is acquiring CheckFree Corp. for $4.4 billion, the companies announced yesterday. Under terms of the agreement, CheckFree shareholders will receive $48 in cash for each share of common stock. ...
Life Time Cited by Texas AG
DALLAS — The Texas Attorney General has cited Life Time Fitness, Eden Prairie, MN, for unlawfully dumping identifying information of its members—both adults and children—as well as its employees in easily accessible trash bins outside several clubs in Texas....
Bally Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
CHICAGO – Bally Total Fitness made it official last night: The second-largest revenue-producing club company in the industry filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy....
University of Kansas Addition Delayed
LAWRENCE, KS – The completion of a $6.3 million addition to the University of Kansas Student Recreation Fitness Center has been delayed, according to the University Daily Kansan. The addition, which includes four new multipurpose courts, an expansion of the free-weight area and two more racquetball courts, was scheduled for completion this past spring. ...
Study on Women in Sports Released
MOUNT PROSPECT, IL -- Among sports participants age 7 and older, females make up the majority in four of six activities surveyed in 2006 by the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA), according to data in the NSGA Sports Participation reports released in June. Females make up 71 percent of those who do aerobic exercise, 60 percent of those who do exercise walking, 56 percent who work out at a health club and 51 percent who use exercise equipment. ...
Athletic Club Winners Announced
SEATTLE -- The North American Association of Club Athletic Directors (NAACAD) recognized several award winners at its annual conference in June at the Atlanta Athletic Club....
Gainesville Health & Fitness Opens New Club
GAINESVILLE, FL -- Joe Cirulli, owner of Gainesville (FL) Health & Fitness Center, has opened a new facility in Tioga, FL. This two-level, interior fit-out is a coed fitness center and serves as a compliment to the original club....
Bally Will File for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
CHICAGO — Bally Total Fitness announced Friday that it will file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. ...
