Clubindustry

I’m a fan of The New York Times, so I’ve been watching with interest this week as this story published on Monday about getting skin infections from gym equipment has crept up to the top of the newspaper’s most popular articles list. This tells me people are concerned about getting MRSA from touching fitness equipment, or that they’re getting ready to be after reading the article. more

I talked to Richard Simmons yesterday for our Club Industry show preview in the September issue. What an amazing man! At age 62, he is still inspiring others to lose weight and live healthier lives. more

When most people think of the U.S. military, the word “cute” doesn’t often come to mind. That’s why I had to share this super cute photo essay from The Washington Post. Apparently, soldiers in Afghanistan rescued a litter of tiger-striped kittens that they found on base last summer. more

This photo I ran across recently reminds me of how creative U.S. troops are getting with fitness in the field. more

These reports about an alleged blackmailing scheme at the University of Kansas related to loaned fitness equipment to KU athletic director Lew Perkins made me wonder whether manufacturers really do loan out machines for potential customers to try out before buying it? Or maybe only if there are high-priced sports tickets at stake?! And if the equipment was a loaner, why didn’t the company take it back?

Sadly, KU has been the focus of another investigation about illegal ticket sales. Days before this latest hoopla (pun intended), KU released a report that found several former employees and a consultant sold nearly 20,000 men’s basketball and football tickets worth $1 million to $3 million for personal gain from 2005 to 2010. Can you say wheeling and dealing?

Does your club have a unique design element that you’d like to show off to Club Industry readers? If so, drop me a line at stephanie.bloyd@penton.com. Your club could be included in an August feature story on cool club designs. One facility I selected for the story has a working kitchen at the front desk! Be sure to watch for the article in the August print issue, and check your inbox for a special report on club design that also will come out that month.

A recent study found that obese kids are more likely to be bullied than thin kids, regardless of their gender, race, socioeconomic status, social skills or academic achievement. And past studies found that obese kids who are bullied are more susceptible to depression, anxiety and loneliness. That’s really sad, especially since it’s mostly preventable. more

It’s no wonder that so many non-gym goers are confused about the effects regular exercise has on their bodies. In reading this New York Times article on exercise studies, I must say all the mixed messages were confusing me, and I work for Club Industry magazine! more

For all you club owners out there who think your club is the best, now is your time to prove it. Entries for the Club Industry Best of the Best competition are due June 7, so download a PDF entry form today to get started.

If your club is a winner, you’ll get industry recognition at the Club Industry show on Oct. 8 in Chicago and will be featured in our magazine and on the Web site.

There are six award categories to choose from, including a new one—Best Member Appreciation Program. Check out the article on last year’s winners to learn more.

I got a press release from the mommy blog site Mom Logic that poked fun at this yoga instruction video for kids by Yogi Oki Doki. Granted, he’s an easy target. Oki Doki is teaching yoga on a farm with a Rastafarian Rooster (no, I am not making this up). See for yourself:

Despite its campiness, the video got me thinking. Yoga could be a great way to help treat kids with attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). And think about how effective it could be if you included elements of laughter yoga. Yoga and exercise are shown to help with mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression. Why not ADD?

Rasta Rooster aside, you’ve got to give Oki Doki props for doing yoga in skinny jeans!