CBE Winter Report.qk - IHRSA

News & Notes
continued
Fitness First recognises member achievements
> A black tie gala dinner on
31 October in a chic London
hotel provided the backdrop
for some emotional and
inspirational stories of Fitness
First members who had
overcome many barriers to
regular exercise and put
their lives back on track.
The occasion was the
New You Achievement
Awards, a celebration of
members who achieved
their sport and fitness
goals, including some who
dealt with serious health
problems through exercise.
Now in its third year, the
New You Achievement
Awards has quickly become
CardioScan helps keep Holmes
Place members safe
an established annual event
for the company, which has
plans to expand it elsewhere
in Europe.
The judges, from Fitness
First management and television's
Dr Hilary Jones and
Angie Dowds, spent a day
with the 16 finalists to find
the winners. There were
1,200 entries this year and
the awards were split into
five categories—shape,
health, fitness, sport, and
staff. The personal trainers
who helped the finalists
reach their goals were
also recognised.
Senior management were
among the 200 guests who
> Holmes Place Iberia has
adopted CardioScan, an
early detection system for
heart problems, in all of its
clubs as part of its Wellness
Check service to members.
Simple changes to daily
routines can significantly
reduce cardiovascular
risk: a balanced diet, regular
physical activity, and no
smoking all bring benefits.
Through offering CardioScan,
Holmes Place staff can, in
just two minutes, measure
the index of cardiac stress
and calculate the level of
fitness, identifying any
cardiovascular risks in an
apparently healthy person.
The technology of the system converts graphics from
electrocardiagram (ECG) into a 3D colour image of the heart.
CardioScan is made by Energy-Lab Technologies in Germany,
and distributed in Portugal and Spain by HP Gestao e Consultoria,
Lda. For details visit www.cardioscan.de. �
Nick Smith and Ken Hodgson
watched the video interviews
with the finalists telling of
the difference exercise and
Fitness First had made to
their lives.
Needless to say, the stories
were inspiring.
Ken Hodgson, winner of
the health category, received
his award from Nick Smith,
fitness director. Three years
ago, Hodgson was beaten
unconscious when he tried to
stop thieves from stealing his
car. He suffered terrible
injuries and diabetes was
triggered by the attack.
Since he joined Fitness
First eight months ago, his
body fat percentage and
blood pressure have dropped
and he has gained a new
purpose and positive attitude
to life. �
Fitness dk shatters its own presale record
> The Dutch chain Fitness dk has opened its 33rd club with
presale beating all records—a total of 2,952 members at the
end of the opening day.
The club in Birkeroed spans 15,000sq ft and features an
aerobic/boxing area, Spinning area, and gym equipped by
Technogym. There is also a wellness area.
“We now serve 90,000 members, which means that one in
four people who exercises in Denmark is a member of one of
our clubs,” says CEO Rasmus Ingerslev. “We will continue
our growth strategy and have the next six new clubs lined
up. This means we will have 39 clubs in Denmark by the end
of this summer and expect to have surpassed the 100,000
members mark by that time.” �
Health Fact: Reversing the damage
♥> A study at the University of Leipzig,
Germany, has found that moderate
exercise can help heart failure patients
reverse some of the muscular damage
caused by their condition. Exercising
for 30 minutes a day on a stationary
bike for six months saw the regeneration of muscle
cells and the formation of blood vessels. �
www.ihrsa.org � JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2008 � Club Business Europe 11