[VANCOUVER, BC] -- The Pacific Autism Family Network (PAFN) will open the doors of the GoodLife Fitness Family Autism Hub today, promising to advance autism research, learning, treatment and supports for families across British Columbia. This is the first facility of its kind, equipped with wired classrooms, lecture theatres and new technologies to extend the education and services to families in all parts of the province.

The 60,000 square foot centre on Cessna Drive has been under construction since 2014 and was made possible, in large part, through a $5 million donation from GoodLife Fitness. GoodLife Fitness Founder and CEO David ‘Patch’ Patchell-Evans has a 20-year old daughter, Kilee, on the autism spectrum and has been a significant supporter of autism research for many years.

“My passion to give Canadians the opportunity to live a healthier life remains undiminished, but what consumes me is a drive to help alleviate the suffering of families dealing with autism. As a father, I have navigated the education, scientific, behavioural therapy, medical world for nearly two decades to learn and contribute whatever I can. I have whole heartedly tried to tackle this challenge with all my skills and resources as a business entrepreneur and as a human being who cares deeply about the suffering and cost autism inflicts on Canadian families and our health care system,” said Patch.

Patch adds this new facility has a massive reach and offers state-of-the-art resources for families and individuals facing autism spectrum and related disorders in all parts of the province.

“It will make a huge difference in the areas of research, education and outreach. It’s about providing hope and a path forward for as many families as we can.”

Wendy Lisogar-Cocchia, co-founder of Pacific Autism Family Network and driving force behind the GoodLife Fitness Family Autism Hub, says with 69,000 people on the autism spectrum living in BC, the centre will be a welcome addition to the services available for families.

A unique full-day conference will be streamed live from Kuwait’s Al Corniche Club on December 8 starting at 10.00am (Kuwait time).

Organized by Doug Miller of Sales Makers International, the conference will cover how to attract, sell and retain different generations of members, and will include presentations by Bryan O'Rourke, Colin Milner, Dr Paul Bedford, Alan Leach, and Michael Scott Scudder. The event can be accessed by phone or computer with from VirtualRoadShow.online on the 8th of December.

IHRSA member clubs can watch live or re-view the download for a special price of £7.50 + VAT. The price of the Download AFTER the event is £150 + VAT. 

Augie’s Quest will receive 50% of the proceeds of this online event. Go to www.VirtualRoadShow.online and enter the name “augie” in the Special Code section on the Registration page. 

For more information, contact:  doug@salesmakers.com. 

The UK based fitness technology company Wexer has today acquired Dutch based company ClubVirtual. The combination of Wexer and ClubVirtual will create a new industry market leader leveraging Wexer’s recognised position as a global pioneer in virtual fitness, with ClubVirtual’s well-known brand in Europe.

With virtual installations in more than 40 countries, Wexer’s mission will remain the same after the acquisition: making world-class exercise accessible to more people through technology. CEO for Wexer, Paul Bowman states that this acquisition is part of the overall growth strategy.

“Over the past eight years, we have been able to secure a very strong market position across all continents. Predominantly by helping operators transform dead studio space into active space through the use of virtual classes.” he said. “Now, we are additionally helping clubs expand outside their four walls through streaming and mobile technology. This acquisition will allow us to empower more club groups faster when it comes to creating digital ecosystems to engage their members.”

The fitness industry is undergoing a period of intense change that is rapidly redrawing the competitive landscape and breaking down barriers between brick-and-mortar and technology. Through a number of strategic partnerships as well as constantly developing products and services, both Wexer and ClubVirtual have successfully helped club groups operate more effectively in this new and more technology-centric market.

“The thinking between our two companies is very aligned and becoming part of Wexer is a great next step for us as well as an incredible opportunity for our clients. We really look forward to continuing to support key operators in their endeavours to be of value to their members 24/7 through the use of technology, and excited to be on the forefront of this transformation of our industry” said CEO for ClubVirtual, Laurens de Kock.  

ClubVirtual will continue to operate their company to produce high quality virtual fitness content, which will continue under the ClubVirtual consumer facing brand.

No further details of the transaction have been disclosed.

About Wexer

Wexer, short for “World of exercise”, was founded in 2008 by fitness entrepreneur Rasmus Ingerslev. The company has grown from initially focusing on replacing dead studio space with virtual classes to offering a wide range of digital solutions that allow clubs to provide services to their members 24/7/365 in, and outside their clubs. Wexer works with numerous key stakeholders in the fitness industry including the majority of the top 25 health club groups globally.

www.wexer.com

About ClubVirtual

ClubVirtual was founded in 2008 by entrepreneurs Martijn van Lierop and Laurens de Kock. The company has more than 850 installations across 18 countries. Their mission is to create the ultimate fitness experiences for athletes of all levels with ClubVirtual’s well-known brand ClubVirtual Cycling^®. A successful immersive virtual cycling concept, currently available in 12 languages.

https://www.clubvirtual.com/en/fitnessclub/

The UK-based fitness technology company Wexer has today acquired Dutch based company ClubVirtual. The combination of Wexer and ClubVirtual will create a new industry market leader leveraging Wexer’s recognised position as a global pioneer in virtual fitness, with ClubVirtual’s well-known brand in Europe.

With virtual installations in more than 40 countries, Wexer’s mission will remain the same after the acquisition: making world-class exercise accessible to more people through technology. CEO for Wexer, Paul Bowman states that this acquisition is part of the overall growth strategy. 

“Over the past eight years, we have been able to secure a very strong market position across all continents. Predominantly by helping operators transform dead studio space into active space through the use of virtual classes,” he said. “Now, we are additionally helping clubs expand outside their four walls through streaming and mobile technology. This acquisition will allow us to empower more club groups faster when it comes to creating digital ecosystems to engage their members.”

The fitness industry is undergoing a period of intense change that is rapidly redrawing the competitive landscape and breaking down barriers between brick-and-mortar and technology. Through a number of strategic partnerships as well as constantly developing products and services, both Wexer and ClubVirtual have successfully helped club groups operate more effectively in this new and more technology-centric market.

“The thinking between our two companies is very aligned and becoming part of Wexer is a great next step for us as well as an incredible opportunity for our clients. We really look forward to continuing to support key operators in their endeavours to be of value to their members 24/7 through the use of technology, and excited to be on the forefront of this transformation of our industry,” said CEO for ClubVirtual, Laurens de Kock.  

ClubVirtual will continue to operate their company to produce high quality virtual fitness content, which will continue under the ClubVirtual consumer facing brand.

No further details of the transaction have been disclosed.

CONTACT:

Wexer: Paul Bowman, CEO

Email: Paul@wexer.com  

Phone: +447803 356994

ClubVirtual: Laurens de Kock, CEO

Email: Laurens@clubvirtual.com

Phone: +31 (0)85 888 28 53

About Wexer

Wexer, short for “World of exercise”, was founded in 2008 by fitness entrepreneur Rasmus Ingerslev. The company has grown from initially focusing on replacing dead studio space with virtual classes to offering a wide range of digital solutions that allow clubs to provide services to their members 24/7/365 in, and outside their clubs. Wexer works with numerous key stakeholders in the fitness industry including the majority of the top 25 health club groups globally.

About ClubVirtual

ClubVirtual was founded in 2008 by entrepreneurs Martijn van Lierop and Laurens de Kock. The company has more than 850 installations across 18 countries. Their mission is to create the ultimate fitness experiences for athletes of all levels with ClubVirtual’s well-known brand ClubVirtual Cycling^®. A successful immersive virtual cycling concept, currently available in 12 languages. 

We are excited to announce that SportsArt is now a preferred partner of the Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. Carlson Rezidor is one of the most dynamic hotel companies worldwide. Its core brands include Radisson Blu, Park Inn by Radisson, PrizeOtel, as well as the Quorvus Collection and Radisson RED. It features an industry-leading Responsible Business program that strongly promotes corporate social responsibility and is based on the principles Think Planet, Think People, and Think Together.

Steps towards this partnership began earlier this year when SportsArt delivered several of their ECO-POWR products to the brand new Radisson RED hotel in Brussels, Belgium. ECO-POWR cardio equipment allows users to generate and return utility-grade electricity to their facility’s power grid with every workout, which cuts costs for gyms and empowers users with the knowledge that they are helping the environment. This concept aligned with Raddison RED’s own eco-friendly initiatives.

“We’re excited to offer Carlson Rezidor’s hotel guests the ability to contribute to the world’s sustainability by working out on our ECO-POWR equipment, says Giorgio Gervasoni, SportsArt’s EMEA Managing Director.

The Rezidor Hotel Group chose SportsArt for its commitment to sustainable solutions that will contribute to its Responsible Business practices. We at SportsArt are proud to grant others with the ability to transform their workout into an environmentally-friendly solution that can impact the Earth.

“SportsArt ECO-POWR and RED are a perfect match,” comments Inge Huijbrechts, Vice President of the Responsible Business program at Carlson Rezidor. “Guests of RED have state-of-the art fitness equipment at their disposal and do their part for the environment at the same time, by producing electricity as they work out. The connection to technology is seamless and the energy is used to charge phones, mobile devices or goes directly back to the grid. This is our way of connecting Responsible Business with the guest experience and delivering Sustainable Brands to our guests.”

Moving forward, SportsArt equipment – specifically its ECO-POWR cardio equipment – will be available for all Hotel Brands like Quorvus Collection, Radisson BLU, Radisson RED, Park Inn by Radisson and PrizeOtel.

“Creating a better world requires teamwork, passion and partnership,” says Giovanni Berselli, EMEA Sales Director of the Hotel Channel at SportsArt. “I truly believe there isn’t a more ethical company than Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group. Together, we will enhance guests’ experience by combining our eco-friendly fitness solutions and Carlson Rezidor’s Responsible business values. It’s time to give back to the world.”

The above partnership currently applies only to EMEA countries. For inquiries regarding ECO-POWR, contact Giovanni Berselli at g.berselli@gosportsart.ch (International inquiries) or  Ivo Grossi at igrossi@gosportsart.com (United States).

About SportsArt Fitness

Since 1977 SportsArt Fitness has been an industry innovator in the design and manufacture of high quality cardiovascular and strength equipment for commercial, medical and residential use. They retain control over every aspect of the design and manufacturing process to ensure proper integration, maximum performance and longer product life. SportsArt maintains TÜV certifications for ISO 9001 quality management ISO 14001 environmental management, demonstrating their strong commitment to sustainable manufacturing practices. With hundreds of patents worldwide for innovative fitness technologies, SportsArt Fitness is the leading green fitness partner, developing equipment that is instrumental in rebuilding and sustaining lives. For more information, visit http://us.gosportsart.com.

(November 30, 2016) San Diego, CA— ClubConnect (http://www.clubconnect.com) is proud to announce that MYZONE (http://www.myzone.org/) signed onto its education platform today, solidifying its commitment to health club education. Through ClubConnect’s advanced learning management system, MYZONE will create educational courses for fitness professionals to learn how to effectively measure their clients’ effort and help them reach their goals with the MYZONE versatile chest strap monitoring system. 

Starting today, the MYZONE courses will be accessible for free to ClubConnect health clubs. Fitness professionals working at over 4,500 health clubs around the world are now able to tap into this critical education directly from their ClubConnect dashboards. In addition to MYZONE, other world-class education companies including EXOS, Gray Institute, ACSM, and TRX use the ClubConnect proprietary learning management system to deliver their industry-leading education.

“We needed a partner who was best in class. LMS is about more than online hosting of education; it is about accessibility, convenience, accountability and reach. For us, ClubConnect was the obvious choice," said Emmett Williams, President of MYZONE.

Jason Davis, President of ClubConnect (an Inspire360 company), said, “ClubConnect is the education hub for the world’s largest and most successful health clubs. I’m thrilled that MYZONE has put their education at the center of that hub. By including their education on ClubConnect, fitness professionals at over 4,500 locations will have 24/7 access to their best in class content.”

About Inspire360

Inspire360 is dedicated to providing inspired software that is fanatically focused on helping health clubs and organizations in the fitness and wellness industry achieve remarkable success. Originally developed under IDEA Health & Fitness Association, the company builds on decades of experience in the health and fitness industry to deliver world-class software to educate fitness professionals and enhance profits for health clubs. Its two flagship products, ClubConnect and CoursePlus, are used by some of the most respected names in fitness, like the American College of Sports Medicine, EXOS, Lifetime Fitness, and Gold's Gym. For more information, visithttp://www.clubconnect.com.

Trade Media, Consumer Press and Fitness Bloggers are invited to join IHRSA and the most innovative people and companies in the fitness industry as we celebrate 36 years of bringing the best of the industry together.

Members of the media are invited attend and report on IHRSA 2017 with a complimentary PRESS Registration.

The IHRSA Trade Show will once again showcase new fitness technology, products, and programs, with over 350 exhibiting companies at one of the largest trade shows in IHRSA's history.

Your complimentary PRESS pass also gives you access to early morning workouts and innovative group exercise classes taught by leading instructors.

The IHRSA 2017 International Convention & Trade Show will take place in Los Angeles, California at the Los Angeles Convention Center, March 8-11, 2017. The full Convention is four days, March 8-11, and the Trade Show is once again the middle two days, Thursday, March 9 and Friday, March 10. Please see ihrsa.org/convention for more information on the premier U.S. event for the gym, fitness, and wellness industries.  

To register for your press pass, please send proof of credentials to Shannon Vogler at pr@ihrsa.org. We look forward to seeing you in Los Angeles in March!

WEBSTER, TX —December 1, 2016— Jonas Fitness^®, the leading provider in enterprise club management software and payment solutions, today announces that Scott Burgess is to be named President of the organization, effective January 1, 2017. Burgess, who has held the role of Chief Operating Officer at Jonas Fitness since 2014, will assume official responsibility for the company’s overall leadership and direction.  He will also continue to work closely with the executive team to formulate and implement ongoing strategic plans.

Burgess, a 20-year veteran of Jonas Fitness, has spent over 11 years in an executive leadership role.  Before joining Jonas Fitness, Scott was Director, Client Services for the CheckFree banking electronic commerce division.  Scott’s background includes 15 years’ experience in operational support and implementation of software and services in the health/fitness and electronic commerce industries. In addition to Scott’s professional experience, his academic background includes a Bachelor of Science degree from The Ohio State University.

“I’m really excited for Scott Burgess and for our employees and customers. Scott has been crucial to making Jonas Fitness the business it is today, and we’re excited to formalize his role as President of the business as of January 1, 2017,” said Scott Saklad, Jonas Fitness CEO. “He and the senior team at JFI have over 40 years of experience in this business, and we will continue with our mission to be champions for our customers and admired for our products and our people.”

About Jonas Fitness:

Jonas Fitness’ integrated software and payments platform helps health club operators solve business challenges and improve cash flow with their profitability in mind.

Jonas Fitness, a subsidiary of the 70 company Jonas Software family, benefits from an association of 20+ additional brands serving the club, fitness and sports markets, and today, leverages that deep industry expertise with these offerings.

IHRSA, The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association has announced four nominees for the IHRSA Board of Directors.

The four nominees are:

• Bryan O’Rourke, Owner of Gold’s Gym, Houston, TX and CEO, Integerus, LLC
• Alan Leach, Regional Manager, West Wood Clubs, Ireland
• Carrie Kepple, Club Manager, Les Mills, New Market, New Zealand
• Brad Wilkins, Senior Vice President, Operations and Chief Operating Officer, Cooper Aerobics and Cooper Wellness Strategies, Dallas, TX

All four will stand for election at the Annual Meeting during the IHRSA 2017 International Convention & Trade Show in Los Angeles, California on Friday, March 10, 2017.

If elected, each will serve a four-year term from July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2021, joining the distinguished company of the current IHRSA Board of Directors:

• Chair, Rasmus Ingerslev, REPEAT & Stockholm Leisure Partners
• Bill Beck, Club Fit Jefferson Valley
• Allison Flatley, Corporate Fitness Works
• Gustavo Borges, Academia Gustavo Borges
• Derek Gallup, New Evolution Ventures
• Jim Zupancic, Stafford Hills Club
• Larry Conner, Stone Creek Club and Spa
• Missy Moss, Nike Athletic Centers
• Ray O'Connor, Wisconsin Athletic Club
• Jim Worthington, Newtown Athletic & Aquatic Club
• Steve Capezzone, Healthtrax International
• Jason Reinhardt, Go M.A.D Fitness
• Anastasia Yusina, Fitness Development LLC
• Christian Pierar, De Fitness Organisatie (DFO)
• Ex-Officio, Molly Kemmer

About the IHRSA Board of Directors

Working with their peers and colleagues, IHRSA’s Board of Directors helps guide the industry with strategic direction and insight. Each year, two to four IHRSA members (club operators) are elected to the Board to replace outgoing members. For additional information and photos of current board members, please visit ihrsa.org/board. For the by-laws, election process and board responsibilities, please visit ihrsa.org/governance.

To provide much needed research and industry data on the Mexican health club market, IHRSA, the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, has released the IHRSA State of the Mexican Health and Fitness Industry Report.

According to the report, which was sponsored by Movement, and compiled in collaboration with Club Intel with support from Mercado Fitness, 12,376 Mexican fitness facilities generate an estimated U.S. $1.8 billion in revenue from 4.1 million members.

Read more.

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. – November 14, 2016 – Iron Grip Barbell Company, the industry-leading manufacturer of durable, innovative, American-made free weight equipment, will showcase its newest product—the  XL® Handle Dumbbell at the Athletic Business Show this week in Orlando. The dumbbell features a substantially thicker handle design, measuring a full 1-3/4 inches in diameter from end to end. The extra-wide handle diameter allows the user to fully engage the muscles in the fingers and hands, increasing grip strength and potentially leading to greater activation of the adjoining muscles in the wrists, forearms, and biceps.

Benefits of a Strong Grip

Improved grip strength can benefit athletes in a variety of sports, ranging from football to basketball to swimming to gymnastics to wrestling. For example, gymnasts rely heavily on hand and forearm strength, which directly relates to mastery of their own bodyweight. A strong grip also supports dexterous throwing, catching, and overall ball handling skills in sports such as baseball, football, and basketball. Ultimately, every push and pull in sports begins with an athlete’s hands, and the stronger their hands are, the stronger the athlete can be.

In a similar way, a stronger grip can also enhance conventional strength training exercises in the gym. During full-body movements such as deadlifts, hands and forearms can often be the weakest link, preventing someone from maximizing larger muscle group development.

One of the added benefits of incorporating XL Handle Dumbbells into a regular training regimen is that workouts can be shorter and more efficient. Hand strength is exercised while working larger muscle groups, thereby reducing the need for a separate grip-training workout and saving time.

While athletes and strength training professionals recognize the unique advantages of training with Iron Grip’s XL Handle dumbbells, everyday gym-goers can also benefit from the XL Handle’s challenging design. Improved grip strength can enhance performance in recreational sports like golf, tennis, rock-climbing, and paddle boarding. Increasingly, serious fitness enthusiasts are relying on their local health clubs to provide cutting-edge equipment that can support more advanced training techniques. But gym members of every age and conditioning level will appreciate how improved grip strength can enhance everyday activities, like carrying a suitcase or even opening a stubborn jar.

Heavy-Duty Construction

The XL Handle Dumbbells share many of the same heavy-duty features that contribute to the longevity and durability of Iron Grip’s existing Urethane Dumbbells. The XL Handle dumbbell’s solid, one-piece construction is achieved by press fitting each handle into precisely drilled and chamfered solid steel heads, and then welding the joints for added stability and strength. The heads are then encapsulated in Iron Grip’s proprietary, American-made urethane, which is specially formulated to resist wear and tear and stay looking new longer. Like all Iron Grip dumbbells, the heads are permanently engraved and filled with high-contrast, easy-to-read weight markings. All of these details combine to ensure Iron Grip dumbbells offer reliable, maintenance-free performance for the life of the product.

Sacramento, Calif. (December, 19 2016) – SportsArt today announces its partnership with Sacramento Eco Fitness, a new gym opening this month dedicated to sustainability and eco-friendly fitness initiatives. The studio will feature SportsArt’s ECO-POWR line of spinning bikes for a first of its kind indoor cycle studio which harnesses the power cyclists produce during their workouts and puts it back into the facility’s power grid.

SportsArt’s ECO-POWR cardio equipment turns human energy into utility grade electricity through a micro-inverter similar to the technology found in solar panels and wind turbines. When plugged into a power outlet, the equipment will convert human energy into electricity and a single workout can produce more than 160 watts per hour per unit of electricity. Additionally, club owners can leverage the power gym members are producing through their daily workouts and start seeing significant energy cost savings. 

“For years, I’ve looked for a way to get community members excited about two things: improving their personal health by becoming physically active and becoming engaged in sustainable practices and eco-friendly programs,” said Jose Antonio Avina II, founder of Sacramento Eco Fitness. “With the ECO-POWR equipment, we now have the tools to harness the human kinetic energy generated during each workout – this gives us the potential to power our own building and the surrounding business as well.”

Sacramento Eco Fitness is a boutique gym studio that aims to be fully energy independent by using equipment like SportsArt’s ECO-POWR line to convert energy generated by equipment into utility-grade electricity for the gym. The facility is the first fitness center in California to support both working out and sustainability initiatives. The gym is also planning workout incentives, like reduced memberships for gym members, for people utilizing SportsArt’s ECO-POWR line.

“Working with Jose and the team at Sacramento Eco Fitness has been a pleasure and we are thrilled to partner with a business that aligns so well with the mission of our eco-friendly products. The ECO-POWR technology not only promotes sustainability practices with their members but helps improve the gym’s bottom line,” said Ivo Grossi, Vice President for SportsArt. “We are excited to see the success of our ECO-POWR line in this first sustainable spinning studio and look forward to reaching all eco-conscious gym members across the nation as we expand our partnerships in the coming year.”

Currently, SportsArt’s ECO-POWR line is used in 400 gyms and hotels across the world and plans to double that number within the next 12 months. 

For inquiries regarding ECO-POWR, contact Giovanni Berselli at g.berselli@gosportsart.ch (International inquiries) or Ivo Grossi at igrossi@gosportsart.com (United States). Or visit http://us.gosportsart.com.

(December 21, 2016) San Diego, CA— ClubConnect, the fastest growing club software platform in the fitness industry, is proud to announce that US Fitness (http://www.sportandhealth.com/) has joined its platform. ClubConnect (http://www.clubconnect.com) is the premiere health club-focused platform that powers the education for the world’s top health clubs. The platform includes certification verification, a fitness-specific LMS, 200 CEC courses, over 10,000 professional award-winning articles, a proprietary education score for each staff member, customized dashboards, a program-design tool, and much more.

Staying on top of the most current education has become a massive trend over the last few years with top health clubs including Life Time Fitness, Gold’s Gym, and Anytime Fitness, signing onto ClubConnect to satisfy this need. Today, US Fitness and its 40+ club locations joined this prestigious group of health clubs by partnering with ClubConnect to power their staff education. The ClubConnect platform currently delivers education to over 4,500 health clubs around the world.

Jason Davis, President of ClubConnect (an Inspire360 company), said “US Fitness has high standards for their partners. We are thrilled US Fitness has made a commitment to club education by signing onto ClubConnect. Their staff now has access to the best tools and resources in the industry.” 

About Inspire360

Inspire360 is dedicated to providing inspired software that is fanatically focused on helping health clubs and organizations in the fitness and wellness industry achieve remarkable things. Originally developed under IDEA Health & Fitness Association, the company builds on decades of experience in the health and fitness industry to deliver world-class software to educate fitness professionals and enhance profits for health clubs. Its two flagship products, ClubConnect and CoursePlus, are used by some of the most respected names in fitness, like the American College of Sports Medicine, EXOS, Lifetime Fitness, and Gold's Gym. For more information, visit www.clubconnect.com.

(WICHITA, KS) – Genesis Health Clubs has announced today that they have purchased an additional Omaha area club from Nebraska Elite Sports and Fitness Complex.

Nebraska Elite Sports and Fitness Complex is a massive 108,000 square foot facility, including fitness floor, indoor running track, cycling studio, weight and cardio machines, spa, dry sauna, steam room, tennis, basketball, volleyball, and a full-service day care.  In addition, its swimming pool and yoga studio have both been recently remodeled.  It is also the home of The Elite Sports Volleyball Teams.

Owner Larry Welch Jr. is excited for the future of the club.  “This facility is near and dear to my heart.  I’m so proud of what we’ve managed to accomplish over the years and it’s bittersweet to let go of that tradition.  It was important to make sure that our members and employees ended up in good hands, and I’m thrilled to have Genesis Health Clubs continue our tradition of service and excellence.”

Beginning today, Nebraska Elite Sports and Fitness Complex members gain access to nine additional clubs in Omaha and Lincoln, as well as many more locations across the Midwest.

Genesis Health Clubs made its largest acquisition in club history in the spring and summer of 2016, doubling in size to 40 clubs between April and June. Along with clubs in Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma, Genesis purchased seven clubs in Omaha, and two in Lincoln, Nebraska.

“This is a very exciting time for our company,” said Rodney Steven II, Owner/President of Genesis Health Clubs, “We are so excited to continue to grow in Nebraska. With 10 locations in the state, it’s now our second largest market. We are a locally owned and operated business and we aren’t going anywhere. We plan on remodeling this club to bring in our brand and to transform it into one of the nicest facilities in the Midwest.”

Genesis Health Clubs is the leading health and fitness provider in the Midwest. When asked about making this club a Genesis, Steven replied, “I think that we have a lot of work to do to really bring our brand into this club and will be focusing on that heavily. The future holds great things for this club and its members!”

For more information visit genesishealthclubs.com.

About Genesis Health Clubs

As its name implies, Genesis Health Clubs is a place for new beginnings. Members enjoy state-of-the-art equipment, group fitness programs and customized personal training programs. Members receive professional health and fitness coaching from certified staff grounded in expertise and intensive training. Facilities feature racquetball and basketball courts, tennis courts, indoor running tracks, swimming pools, whirlpools and dry saunas. The clubs offer childcare at most locations.

Genesis has 41 clubs in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Nebraska. Nebraska locations include eight in Omaha (including the newly-acquired Nebraska Elite Sports and Fitness Complex) and two in Lincoln.

RESTON, VA, January 3, 2017 — Register before January 25 and save $75 for the premier professional development event for health and physical educators — the 132nd National Convention & Expo of SHAPE America – Society of Health and Physical Educators, March 14-18, in Boston. Health and physical educators will be inspired with new ideas, skills, and ways to transform their schools, while making connections with like-minded colleagues and learning about new funding ideas to support their programs.

Knowing that health and physical educators are vital to students’ social-emotional learning, SHAPE America invited Maya Enista Smith, executive director of Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation, and Steve Gross, chief executive optimist of the Life is Good Kids Foundation, to keynote the Opening General Session on Wednesday, March 15. In her presentation, Enista Smith will discuss “Creating a Kinder and Braver World” while Gross will discuss “Discovering the Power of Optimism.” Sponsored by Fuel Up to Play 60 and Reebok, the Thursday General Session will feature the chef of the New England Patriots, Chef Brad, and an NFL player as well as Olympian Aly Raisman.  Dean Kriellaars, Ph.D., University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, will highlight his work with Cirque de Soleil as he presents “Physical Literacy: the Gateway to Active Participation” on Friday, March 17.

According to SHAPE America President Jackie Lund of Georgia State University, “With the recent ESSA legislation, it is a time of great opportunity for the health and physical education professions. To succeed all of us will need new skills, knowledge and the motivation to impact the learning and behavior of America’s children beyond our traditional role in classrooms and gymnasiums.”

Here’s one such convention opportunity: On Tuesday afternoon, March 14, SHAPE America Past President Steve Jefferies and other leaders in the field will host a “50 Million Strong by 2029 Forum,” an interactive session designed to inspire and provide direction on how to get all of America’s school-age children physically active and healthy. Learn firsthand how this commitment will challenge all of us to reconsider, reimagine and redesign how we deliver physical education and health education to America’s students. Hear how progress will be measured, what current evaluation tools and processes can be used to evaluate success, and how you can be a “champion.”

Complimentary 50 Million Strong T-shirts will be given away to the first 300 registered participants.   

Research will also have a large presence in Boston. The Research Council is hosting a session titled, “Learning from the Past, Making History” which will be a session that contains a historical perspective of SHAPE America and its research disciplines followed by a discussion about the future. This session will include research and discussion by SHAPE America members Hans van der Mars, Missy Parker and Kevin Patton.  Russ Pate of the University of South Carolina will present the “U.S. Report Card on Physical Activity in Children and Youth” while CDC Health Scientist Shannon Michael discusses the “Report on Secular Changes in Physical Education Attendance in the U.S.” and Christina Economos, associate professor, Tufts University, presents “Best Practices in School District-Wide Efforts to Promote Students’ Physical Activity.”

Want to see what other convention sessions you’d like to attend? Check out the preliminary program and schedule-at-a-glance chart! Then, head to the convention registration page to take advantage of $75 in early-bird savings!

Colorado Springs, CO, January 10, 2017 - The National Swimming Pool Foundation (NSPF) is proud to announce the eighth installment of the Pool & Spa Operator^TM Handbook since 2004. The 2017 edition includes needed updates and additions that were provided by NSPF Instructors and industry experts throughout the past three years, since the last publication in 2014.

“Caring for pools and spas requires knowledge of chemistry, engineering, microbiology, physics, public health, regulations and more,” states Thomas Lachocki, Ph.D., CEO of NSPF. “We are able to provide new, relevant details in the handbook thanks to all who help us keep pace with these fast-changing technological and regulatory knowledge areas,” he concludes.

General changes to the Handbook include updated text, charts, pictures, cover art, and acknowledgments. More specific changes include:

• ●  Updated Model Aquatic Health Code (MAHC) information
• ●  Modified volume formula
• ●  Updated stats on CDC inspections
• ●  New studies on crypto, norovirus outbreaks, treating crypto, and legionella stats
• ●  Disinfectant charts and active strength percentages
• ●  Modified breakpoint chlorination, potassium monopersulfate, and metallic algicides information and added a section on chloramine prevention
• ●  Updated recommended pool temperatures per the Red Cross
• ●  Added information about the expanding industry of Float Tanks
• ●  Updated CDC stats about drowning, data on the Virginia Graeme Baker Act,and added Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) text
• ●  Added information on Advanced Service Technician training

“We enable the swimming pool and spa industry to continue entrusting us with their training needs, by ensuring that our products are updated to industry standards with expert input from educators and leaders worldwide. Our products help keep pools safer, open, and efficient, encouraging people to live healthier lives,” states Rose Lyda, Product Development Manager.

For more details about the 2017 publication of the Pool & Spa Operator Handbook, please reach out to customer service at service@nspf.org or order a copy today.

About the National Swimming Pool Foundation  

We believe everything we do helps people live healthier lives. Whether it’s encouraging more aquatic activity, making pools safer, or keeping pools open, we believe we can make a difference. NSPF offers products and programs that are technically sound, convenient, and beautifully designed. In 2012, we launched the Step Into Swim Campaign , a 10 year initiative to create one million more swimmers. In 2016, to further their mission, NSPF combined forces with Genesis, an educational leader for builders of residential pools and spas. As a 501(c)(3) non-profit located in Colorado Springs, CO., proceeds go to fund research and to help create swimmers. The National Swimming Pool Foundation has been keeping pools safe and open since 1965. Visit nspf.org, genesis3.com, or call 719-540-9119 to learn more.

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (Jan. 11, 2017) — The “Tennis Industry Innovation Challenge,” which will take place at the 2017 Tennis Owners & Managers (TOM) Conference in Orlando, Fla., March 27-29, will showcase new and innovative products designed to help grow tennis businesses.

From now until Feb. 15, companies and individuals can submit their pitch for their products, software, services, etc. at TheTOMConference.com by filling out a short application form. Finalists from the online application process will have the opportunity to present their innovative product or service to a panel of judges—and in front an audience of tennis industry leaders and top tennis facility owners/managers—at the TOM Conference in a “Shark Tank”-like competition.

There is no cost to enter the Challenge. Finalists will be chosen from among the online applicants, and those finalists will receive media exposure through the TIA in the lead-up to the conference, along with special recognition at the event itself. The winner of the Tennis Industry Innovation Challenge will receive $1,000, a one-year TIA membership, a national press release, coverage in Tennis Industry magazine, additional exposure through TIA marketing and social media channels, and a commemorative plaque.

Leadership Performance Strategist Carlos Salum of the firm Salum International Resources will lead a panel of judges that will determine a winner. To apply for the 2017 Tennis Industry Innovation Challenge, visit TheTOMConference.com/innovation-challenge/.

About the TIA                                                                                         

The Tennis Industry Association, the not-for-profit trade association for tennis, is THE unifying force in the tennis industry whose mission is to promote the growth and economic vitality of the business of tennis by working closely with its industry partners and in support of the USTA in their development of initiatives to increase tennis participation. Core TIA activities include producing more than 70 U.S. and global research reports annually on participation and consumer/trade research, managing the largest relational database, along with hosting annual TIA Tennis Forum, Leadership meetings and the T.O.M. Conference at major tournaments and events. Visit TennisIndustry.org or call 866-686-3036.