GOLD’S GYM PARTNERS WITH UBISOFT ON NEW CARDIO WORKOUT VIDEO GAME
Gold’s Gym International announced recently that it has partnered with Ubisoft to create the video game Gold’s Gym: Cardio Workout. The game is available exclusively for the Wii™ home video game system from Nintendo. Compatible with the Wii Balance Board™ accessory, the game provides players with a personal training experience. Users can perform a variety of exercises, including cardio boxing, running, sit-ups and other activities while also tracking burned calories and body weight evolution. In addition, the game offers multiple training modes and fitness levels, and the difficulty of the gameplay evolves as the player’s fitness level increases.
INVESTOR GROUP LED BY NEW EVOLUTION FITNESS CO. TO ACQUIRE CRUNCH
Crunch announced recently that it has reached an agreement to be acquired by its senior secured lenders, New Evolution Fitness Company (NEFC) and certain investing affiliates of Angelo, Gordon & Co. The sale will be accomplished through a bankruptcy process that permits other interested parties to make competing offers. The sale is expected to close in early July.
“This process of reorganization, along with the ongoing involvement of NEFC, will allow Crunch to emerge as a strong player focused on what we have become famous for: Being the place where entertainment meets fitness,” said Tim Miller, CEO of Crunch. The company said it has secured sufficient capital to fund operations through its reorganization.
ELEMENTS ANNOUNCES EXPANSION INTO CANADA
Upscale women’s fitness brand elements has announced its expansion into Canada with a flagship center-city Toronto location. The club, expected to open in early 2010, will bring its signature balanced approach to a healthy lifestyle to the Toronto market, with a focus on body, beauty and mind. Relying on expert guidance and support, elements creates a platform for women to come together in an environment of health and wellness.
HEALTH MAGAZINE RATES EQUINOX NO. 1
In its April issue, Health magazine rated Equinox Fitness Clubs No. 1 in a listing of the healthiest fitness clubs in the United States, according to a panel of expert trainers and nutritionists who were asked to rank the clubs. The criteria used to determine the winners included ratings based on equipment, staffing, classes, nutrition and green practices. Visit health.com/health/service/magazine to read the full story.
SPECTRUM NAMES NEW CEO
Bud Rockhill was recently named Spectrum’s new president and CEO. Rockhill, who has served in the fitness and wellness industry for more than 25 years, was one of the three owners of Colorado-based Club Sports International – now known as The Wellbridge Co. “I’m thrilled to be on board with the Spectrum Clubs team,” Rockhill said in a statement. “Spectrum has a tradition of excellence, and I’m very much looking forward to building on that tradition in a time when Spectrum is expanding its presence.”
30 MINUTE FITNESS in Great Neck, N.Y. collected over 1,000 pounds of food during its 12th annual food drive in the club’s largest collection to date. The food was collected for Island Harvest, an organization that helps needy families throughout Long Island by sponsoring food pantries, soup kitchens and delivery of groceries to those who are homebound.
GOLD’S GYM INTERNATIONAL and the Gold’s Gym Franchise Association announced the formation of a task force to jointly create a group purchasing program to replace the current national vendor program, and also have made a commitment to work together to plan, implement and host the 2009 Gold’s Gym Convention this summer in Las Vegas.
CURVES INTERNATIONAL was recently named the American Association of Franchisees and Dealers (AAFD) Franchisor of the Year for 2009. Curves was chosen due to the company’s support and encouragement in the development of an independent franchisee association.
PLANET FITNESS brought in several thousand new memberships during an April 2009 promotional campaign that allowed members to sign up for $1 down and $10 per month memberships.
TOWN SPORTS NTERNATIONAL reported slightly higher revenue in the first quarter at clubs that were opened or acquired after March 31, 2007. While TSI’s performance in clubs that were opened or acquired prior to March 31, 2007 has been impacted somewhat by the recession, the company is well-prepared to weather the storm.
77 The percentage of Americans who have insufficient levels of vitamin D, according to a recent study from the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine. Otherwise known as the sunshine vitamin, certain foods – including cod liver oil, salmon, tuna fish and fortified cereals and miilk – are rich in the nutrient. But researchers say exposing arms and legs to the sun for 10 to15 minutes every day might be the best way to get the vitamin D you need.
Health Club Workout Participants Increased in 2008
According to survey findings that were recently released by the National Sporting Goods Association (NSGA), the number of individuals who worked out in a fitness club increased from 33.8 million in 2007 to 39.3 million people in 2008. This jump in numbers made working out at a club the no. 8 most popular participant activity in the NSGA’s annual survey.
