Clubindustry

Nautilus announced yesterday that it is getting out of the commercial fitness business. Ed Bramson, CEO, had indicated to investors with the second quarter release of financials that the company was investigating this possibility. It appears that now, the company has made its decision. They are shopping around the commercial business, but no word on possible buyers. With the economy in the state that it’s in, who do you think is the most likely buyer for Nautilus’ commercial business?

Look for more details on this story tomorrow when we launch our new Web site.

Just a quick addition to my previous entry in which I noted that we are now on Twitter. As you may be able to tell, I’m a novice at the whole Twitter thing, so I didn’t think to give you the name under which we are listed. When you go to Twitter, search under clubindustry. Thanks!

OK. I promise that the headline on this entry is the last bad Twitter pun you’ll read from me here. From that headline, I’m sure you’ve guessed that we are now on Twitter. But that’s not the only thing we’re excited about. Not only can you follow us now on Twitter, but on Oct. 1, you’ll see a whole new design on our Web site. more

Hey, did anybody see Jack LaLanne on “The Jay Leno Show” last night? I missed it, but you can see our Lifetime Achievement Award winner make his appearance with actor Vince Vaughn. Those chair exercises still work today! more

While I was in Boulder, CO, two weeks ago on business, I worked out at a local club affiliated with the hotel where I stayed (and the club at which my boss is a member). The club seemed very clean, pleasantly designed with plush white towels and sanitizing spray (plus paper towels) ready for anyone who needed them. The locker room was gorgeous. However, if I was overweight, I don’t think I would be a member at this club. Why? Because they obviously didn’t want me to be a member. How could I tell? more

Did anyone else watch last night’s episode of “The Biggest Loser” and find themselves as appalled as I did at the first thing they had the new contestant do: run one mile? Is that really responsible? I don’t think so. Which of you has trained your trainers to make their 300-pound clients run a mile on the treadmill during their first session? And worse than that, the contestants were running outside in the heat, part of the time on the sand. What were the people behind this show thinking?

One of the contestants became so medically distressed by the end of the run that she had to be transported to the hospital by helicopter. Another contestant also had to go to the hospital. Throughout the rest of the show, the two trainers yelled and cursed at the contestants to “motivate” them to exercise. That’s not what would motivate me.

24 Hour Fitness is heavily affiliated with this show. If I were them, I’d consider asking to have some of their properly trained staff more involved in developing the challenges. Last night’s episode demonstrated that professionals in the fitness business are not making the decisions on this series. Instead, show biz people are.

While Augie Nieto’s presence on last weekend’s MDA Telethon was nothing less than inspirational, I couldn’t help feeling more sad than I did when I saw him last year on TV or even in person at the IHRSA show last March. more

The results have been tabulated and the winners have been notified. Now, we can proudly announce this year’s winners of the Best of the Best contest. Drum roll, please… more

Now that Bally Total Fitness has re-emerged from bankruptcy for the second time, have we seen the last of problems associated with this health club company? It’s hard to say. Bally has certainly decreased its debt to a more manageable level ($100 million vs. $800 million). And it has dropped a lot of clubs, which should help it be a little leaner.

But a lot of Bally clubs are needing some TLC. (See this example of problems at one Bally club in Miami.) And Bally’s problems go back a long way. If Michael Sheehan and his execs can turn around this company, they’ll certainly be hailed as heroes.

What do you think Bally’s chances are of getting back on the right track now under this new plan and new board?