Michele Thorington, certified trainer with Hurley Health and Fitness has your fitness tip for the day.
She is reminding you to make time to exercise. It's best to workout either five times a week attacking atleast 30 minutes of moderate exercise or two times a week taking on 20 minutes of vigorous exercise.
The second round of eliminations will take place next Thursday on the 23rd. Make sure to help your favorite loser stay in the competition by voting for them right here on the website.
Getting Your Kicks: NEMAA Karate and Kickboxing issues a fitness challengePosted by Kristal Spence on Oct 16 2008, 04:48 PM
It’s meant to be a workout like no other, giving any participant a true Biggest Loser experience, a popular weight loss series in its sixth American season on NBC. Over the summer, NEMAA Karate and Kickboxing developed its first fitness challenge that was advertised to the public. The challenge was conducted between June and August, offering participants more than 100 classes of turbo cardio kickboxing, kickboxing with bags, strengthening and toning classes, and nutritional counseling within an eight-week span.
“We had a big kickoff meeting and we gave them 30 seconds to do push-ups and sit-ups and we counted those so they could see that they had gained strength over the eight weeks,” certified kickboxing instructor Monique Johnson of Gales Ferry said.
She explained that participants were required to schedule their classes with her each week and their attendance was monitored.
“We also weighed [participants] in and then figured their percent weight loss in the eight weeks,” she continued. “I had them commit to five classes a week…There was an accountability factor and it made them put it on their calendar.”
Though there were many family members participating in the challenge together, the challenge was on a individual basis, Johnson said, with ages ranging from about 20 to 60 years old.
“We had a total of 40,” Johnson added. “I cut it off at 40 and we had 40 in the challenge.”
She said throughout the rigorous and dedicated eight weeks, she awarded prizes and incentives for participants to make those scheduled classes and made a point to e-mail participants when she didn’t see them. In addition, the exercisers were offered group nutritional counseling as well as personal consultation if they needed extra motivation and were told to keep eating logs when they were worried about not seeing results.
Johnson said most participants made it to the finish line, repeating their push-ups and sit-ups at the end of the program to measure their gained strength, and the person who lost the greatest percentage of weight received a complete makeover package and a $200 cash prize.
“I knew I was going to have some that would drop out,” she said. “It’s a big commitment and a lot of people come in with other things on their plate…I was surprised at how few we had drop out. I was extremely pleased…Also the instructors had to do a full sit-up for every pound total that they all lost,” she added, laughing. “We tried to implement some things to keep everyone really motivated, and that’s what it takes.”
Winner of the summer challenge Tim Lough said he originally heard about the challenge at Sub Fest.
“I wanted to lose weight, and it gave me an opportunity to have an activity with my youngest daughter,” he added, referring to his 19-year-old daughter Caitlin. “The experience was great. It forced me back into a routine of regular workouts. I also changed my eating habits. I went from two meals a day where I ate the wrong foods, and too much of them, to eating correctly three times a day with healthy snacks in between. The workouts were not the same boring routine. It was a mixture of aerobic exercise and kickboxing. No two workouts were the same. Each instructor has their own style and that made it enjoyable.”
Married with four kids and a local resident for about 11 years, Johnson said her journey to become a certified instructor and owner of the kickboxing program all started when she became a member of NEMAA Karate and Kickboxing when it opened in Uncasville in 2001.
Owner Chris Pennenga of Ledyard had recently retired from the Coast Guard, finally settling down and opening up the school. Having trained in martial arts all of his life, he said he knew he wanted to open the school because of his love for the sport, dedication to health and staying in shape, and enjoyment in teaching.
“I think I have a knack for teaching and when you find something that you’re good at, you try to excel at that,” he said. “I’ve had kids with me that have trained since they were 4 and now they’re 12 years old. It’s a big part of their lives…some are actually instructors now.”
Johnson said she began taking classes from Pennenga, who eventually certified her to start teaching. When the school expanded and moved to Groton, Johnson bought and now operates the school’s fitness program as Pennenga owns and operates the school’s martial arts program, both providing programs for Ledyard Parks and Recreation and Groton Parks and Recreation.
“That’s how it’s evolved to where we are now,” Johnson said, smiling.
The idea of the fitness challenge, they both agreed, was influenced by the show The Biggest Loser. After trying it out with Johnson’s class members and experiencing great success, they decided to broaden their participation to the public. After the summer challenge, Johnson said, many stayed and joined the gym.
“That was the hope, that they would get to the ultimate point, which is all about balance and finding time in your life for fitness, health, and nutrition and over an eight-week period, they would develop that as a habit,” Johnson continued. “We had many that have continued and will hopefully keep going toward their long-term goal and will maintain. It’s all about balance and that’s what we kept stressing over and over, that we were trying to help them find a balance with stress levels, fitness, nutrition, family, and work and have it all work together.”
The school is setting up for its Holiday Challenge, running Oct. 20 through Dec. 12 to keep health and fitness flowing through the holiday season and celebrated with friends on New Year’s.
Johnson said the challenge will run in basically the same manner with a makeover as the grand prize provided exclusively by Touch of Elegance Salon in Ledyard and a $100 cash prize. She added that this time around, group nutritional counseling on a weekly basis will be offered and that boxing gloves for the bag classes are included in the challenge price, as is a challenge T-shirt.
“Chris is also offering a second challenge this time, a Martial Arts Fitness Challenge,” she continued. “This challenge is for those that like mixed martial arts, grappling, sparring, push-ups, sit-ups, and martial arts classes. It will run basically the same as the fitness class challenge and for the same time period.”
“We’re going to run, we’re going to jump rope, we’re going to hit the bag, we’re going to wrestle, we’re going to grapple, we’re going to do everything,” Pennenga said, comparing their experience in the program similar to how a fighter would train. “It’s easy to get discouraged in exercise. You have to try to keep a positive attitude and that’s what we did and plan to do the entire time.”
“I would recommend the winter challenge to anyone who wants to get themselves in motion and avoid the winter ‘hibernation’,” Lough said. “The challengers are all just like you. They want to get in better shape and have fun doing it…We all work together.”
“My philosophy is balance, balance, and more balance,” Johnson emphasized. “I hope people take away from the challenge that making exercise a part of your regular routine will help you be mentally alert and physically healthy and energized so you can handle the challenges of every single day…There’s nothing like someone coming to you with that look of, ‘I can’t believe I did this,’” Johnson said, “and when they did that three weeks in the program or five weeks in the program, it re-motivates me to re-motivate everyone else. It’s really neat. They look like you just gave them a house..or gave them gold or something and I’m like, ‘You did it and you can keep doing it.’”
NEMAA Karate and Kickboxing is located at 1353 Gold Star Highway in Groton and can be reached at 860-445-5425. View pictures and more information
Friday, October 17, 2008
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Help Support Breast Cancer Awareness With Lifespring Health
SUNNYVALE, Calif., Oct 10, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- October is breast cancer awareness month! In honor of this, Lifespring Health is having a promotion to support breast cancer awareness and throughout the entire month, they will donate $5 to the Susan G. Komen Foundation each time you shop online through the Lifespring Health website.
About 182,460 women in the United States will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer this year. To increase, as well as fund, breast cancer awareness, Lifespring Health is offering members a unique way to shop for the cause. When you shop online with select partner retailers for pink ribbon products, those exclusive retailers will donate a portion of the proceeds to organizations helping raise awareness. In addition, Lifespring Health will donate $5 to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for each online transaction made throughout the month of October. Help support the cause that helps so many affected women worldwide just by shopping online with Lifespring Health this month!
"We at Lifespring Health want to do a little something to help support breast cancer awareness. Every little bit counts, and awareness is the first step to curing this serious disease," said Mark Pearson, CEO of Lifespring Health.
About Lifespring Health
Founded in 2005, Lifespring Health offers a free cash-back reward solution to help people afford to stay healthy. Lifespring Health is committed to helping individuals reduce the burden of spiraling health care and fitness expenses. Mark Pearson, CEO & founder, was inspired to start Lifespring Health based on media reports of 47 million uninsured individuals. He developed an innovative solution that works much like a frequent flyer program, except members are awarded cash back to use towards any health or fitness expense instead of air travel. The company's patent-pending free rewards program is the first loyalty program in the healthcare sector that provides individuals with options for funding health and wellness-related costs. Participants in Lifespring Health's free Cash Back Rewards Program earn cash back by using the Lifespring Health Everyday Rewards Visa, through online rebate shopping, or by inviting friends and family to join their Cash Cluster.
For more information, go to: http://www.lifespringhealth.com
About 182,460 women in the United States will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer this year. To increase, as well as fund, breast cancer awareness, Lifespring Health is offering members a unique way to shop for the cause. When you shop online with select partner retailers for pink ribbon products, those exclusive retailers will donate a portion of the proceeds to organizations helping raise awareness. In addition, Lifespring Health will donate $5 to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for each online transaction made throughout the month of October. Help support the cause that helps so many affected women worldwide just by shopping online with Lifespring Health this month!
"We at Lifespring Health want to do a little something to help support breast cancer awareness. Every little bit counts, and awareness is the first step to curing this serious disease," said Mark Pearson, CEO of Lifespring Health.
About Lifespring Health
Founded in 2005, Lifespring Health offers a free cash-back reward solution to help people afford to stay healthy. Lifespring Health is committed to helping individuals reduce the burden of spiraling health care and fitness expenses. Mark Pearson, CEO & founder, was inspired to start Lifespring Health based on media reports of 47 million uninsured individuals. He developed an innovative solution that works much like a frequent flyer program, except members are awarded cash back to use towards any health or fitness expense instead of air travel. The company's patent-pending free rewards program is the first loyalty program in the healthcare sector that provides individuals with options for funding health and wellness-related costs. Participants in Lifespring Health's free Cash Back Rewards Program earn cash back by using the Lifespring Health Everyday Rewards Visa, through online rebate shopping, or by inviting friends and family to join their Cash Cluster.
For more information, go to: http://www.lifespringhealth.com
Lonoke County fitness challenge kicked off
By Priscilla Campbell / Staff Writer / pcampbell@lonokedemocrat.com
Friday, October 10, 2008 2:55 PM CDT
People at Lonoke County Fitness Challenge want Sen. Bobby Glover know they are thinking about him at the challenge kickoff on the Lonoke County Courthouse steps Wednesday, Oct. 1 (Priscilla Campbell).
Lonoke will be trying to win the Lonoke County Fitness Challenge for the third year.
Ward won the challenge the first two years.
The Challenge began this year on the Lonoke County Courthouse steps on Wednesday, Oct. 1. The challenge will end Dec. 31.
County Judge Charlie Troutman said at the kickoff that when people take care of their self they visit the doctor less.
“It (challenge) is a worth well program,” Troutman said.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Challenge is between the cities of Lonoke, Cabot, Carlisle, Ward, Austin, Scott, Keo and England. These cities will be prorated, based on population, to ensure equal representation when comparing data.
Milton Garris, Lonoke County Health Department employee and director of the Fitness Challenge, said he expects a better competition from England, since the city has a new Health and Fitness Center.
Gil Standridge of England said the center will have a dedication Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. and an open house on Oct. 11 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., where people can use the equipment for free.
Garris said the challenge was started in 2003, because of an Lonoke County Behavioral Risk Factor Survey sponsored by the Arkansas Department of Health Center for Health Statistics and the Lonoke County Hometown Health Improvement Coalition that said people in Lonoke County are overweight and don’t exercise enough.
“It (challenge) was started to address those health issues,” Garris said.
The survey randomly selected 800 adults, who answered a telephone survey. Of the 800 people, 532 were women, 268 were men, 739 were white, 40 were black, and three were Hispanic.
The survey said thirty-nine percent reported to have at least one day a month of poor physical health.
According to the survey, “the average Lonoke County adult had five days of bad health and five days each month when health problems interfered with usual activities.
The survey also reported that:
Twenty-four percent did not participate in regular and sustained physical activity during the past month.
Sixty-one percent of Lonoke County adults are overweight and respondents age 40 to 64 were more likely to be overweight than others.
Twenty-four percent had some limitations on activity caused by a health condition.
Thirty-seven percent reported they had been given a high blood cholesterol diagnosis by a doctor.
Thirty-five percent reported they had a limitation in activities because of joint symptoms.
Garris said the goals of the challenge are to promote physical fitness, a healthy lifestyle, make exercise a part of their daily life, promote good eating habits and stay away from fast food and unhealthy snacks.
Garris also said the competition encourages and promotes people in the challenge.
Eligible exercises for the challenge are walking/jogging/running, swimming laps/water aerobics, court sports (including tennis, racquetball and basketball), bicycling, aerobic dance (jazzercise, low/high impact step aerobics), and the use of aerobic machines (treadmill, rower, stepper, elliptical skier and stationary bike).
A participant gets one point for every 30 minutes of exercise and five points for one pound of weight loss.
The city earning the most points is the overall winner. The winning mayor will get a plaque.
Every 15 days, participants need to turn in their exercise logs with their name, exercise period and date. Turn in stations are the Lonoke Community Center, Lonoke County Health Department, Cabot Community Center, Cabot Health Unit, England Health and Fitness Center, Ward City Hall, Austin Chamberlain Store and Carlisle City Hall.
People can also turn in their exercise log to Milton.Garris@arkansas.gov
People can join the challenge at any time.
Friday, October 10, 2008 2:55 PM CDT
People at Lonoke County Fitness Challenge want Sen. Bobby Glover know they are thinking about him at the challenge kickoff on the Lonoke County Courthouse steps Wednesday, Oct. 1 (Priscilla Campbell).
Lonoke will be trying to win the Lonoke County Fitness Challenge for the third year.
Ward won the challenge the first two years.
The Challenge began this year on the Lonoke County Courthouse steps on Wednesday, Oct. 1. The challenge will end Dec. 31.
County Judge Charlie Troutman said at the kickoff that when people take care of their self they visit the doctor less.
“It (challenge) is a worth well program,” Troutman said.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Challenge is between the cities of Lonoke, Cabot, Carlisle, Ward, Austin, Scott, Keo and England. These cities will be prorated, based on population, to ensure equal representation when comparing data.
Milton Garris, Lonoke County Health Department employee and director of the Fitness Challenge, said he expects a better competition from England, since the city has a new Health and Fitness Center.
Gil Standridge of England said the center will have a dedication Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. and an open house on Oct. 11 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., where people can use the equipment for free.
Garris said the challenge was started in 2003, because of an Lonoke County Behavioral Risk Factor Survey sponsored by the Arkansas Department of Health Center for Health Statistics and the Lonoke County Hometown Health Improvement Coalition that said people in Lonoke County are overweight and don’t exercise enough.
“It (challenge) was started to address those health issues,” Garris said.
The survey randomly selected 800 adults, who answered a telephone survey. Of the 800 people, 532 were women, 268 were men, 739 were white, 40 were black, and three were Hispanic.
The survey said thirty-nine percent reported to have at least one day a month of poor physical health.
According to the survey, “the average Lonoke County adult had five days of bad health and five days each month when health problems interfered with usual activities.
The survey also reported that:
Twenty-four percent did not participate in regular and sustained physical activity during the past month.
Sixty-one percent of Lonoke County adults are overweight and respondents age 40 to 64 were more likely to be overweight than others.
Twenty-four percent had some limitations on activity caused by a health condition.
Thirty-seven percent reported they had been given a high blood cholesterol diagnosis by a doctor.
Thirty-five percent reported they had a limitation in activities because of joint symptoms.
Garris said the goals of the challenge are to promote physical fitness, a healthy lifestyle, make exercise a part of their daily life, promote good eating habits and stay away from fast food and unhealthy snacks.
Garris also said the competition encourages and promotes people in the challenge.
Eligible exercises for the challenge are walking/jogging/running, swimming laps/water aerobics, court sports (including tennis, racquetball and basketball), bicycling, aerobic dance (jazzercise, low/high impact step aerobics), and the use of aerobic machines (treadmill, rower, stepper, elliptical skier and stationary bike).
A participant gets one point for every 30 minutes of exercise and five points for one pound of weight loss.
The city earning the most points is the overall winner. The winning mayor will get a plaque.
Every 15 days, participants need to turn in their exercise logs with their name, exercise period and date. Turn in stations are the Lonoke Community Center, Lonoke County Health Department, Cabot Community Center, Cabot Health Unit, England Health and Fitness Center, Ward City Hall, Austin Chamberlain Store and Carlisle City Hall.
People can also turn in their exercise log to Milton.Garris@arkansas.gov
People can join the challenge at any time.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
HEALTH AND FITNESS - Diabetes and Latin America, some answers
Barbara Ellington, Lifestyle Editor
Many adults have a family history of diabetes but the disease is getting even more prevalent in children. This is largely due to increased consumption of fast food, a diet high in calories, as well as cheap food that is low in nutrients. These were among the views expressed by Dr Leonel Villa-Caballero, of the medical department of the University of California, San Diego, at the sixth annual workshop on health in Latin America and the Caribbean held in LA Jolla, California, from September 22-25.
Other factors that accompany diabetes include hypertension, the excessive use of tobacco and obesity. There are two types of diabetes: type one found in children and type two, in adults over 40. A third, gestational diabetes affects women who are pregnant. The latter two are expensive to treat, so delaying early innovation of therapy is costly.
In Latinos, certain cultural beliefs, such as religion or a belief in destiny lead to the attitude that 'I can't do anything about it.' According to Dr Caballero, this attitude results in these people not going to the doctor when their eyesight goes bad. Also, insulin is taboo in the region and diabetes in the number-one cause of blindness among the group.
To stop the fast growth of new cases of the disease, Latinos must change their diet and do regular exercise. Figures show that Latinos are the world's largest consumers of soda, even more than Americans. It is also important to control blood pressure and obesity.
Increase in childhood diabetes
It is expected that, by 2025, more than 35 million people in Latin America will have diabetes; there will also be an increase in childhood and adolescent diabetes and there will be more cases of type two in children. The direct cost of treating the disease will increase and there will be a direct increase in renal deficiency as a result.
Dr Caballero said there is hope and noted some of the things that need to be done now, including education and motivation.
People need to control their sugar intake, diet and exercise.
The media can help by checking the facts on the disease, talking to the experts and passing on the information about disease and treatment to people.
Journalists can also offer constructive criticism about junk food and sedentary lifestyles and promote an active way of living and moving towards healthier habits.
Dr Leonel Villa-Caballero, is an investigator of family and preventive medicine at the school of medicine, University of California, San Diego, and director of Latin Initiative, 'Taking Care of Your Diabetes'.
(Next week: HIV/AIDS:Prognosis for the epidemic in Latin America and the Caribbean, recent research, stigma, new treatment authorisation)
Many adults have a family history of diabetes but the disease is getting even more prevalent in children. This is largely due to increased consumption of fast food, a diet high in calories, as well as cheap food that is low in nutrients. These were among the views expressed by Dr Leonel Villa-Caballero, of the medical department of the University of California, San Diego, at the sixth annual workshop on health in Latin America and the Caribbean held in LA Jolla, California, from September 22-25.
Other factors that accompany diabetes include hypertension, the excessive use of tobacco and obesity. There are two types of diabetes: type one found in children and type two, in adults over 40. A third, gestational diabetes affects women who are pregnant. The latter two are expensive to treat, so delaying early innovation of therapy is costly.
In Latinos, certain cultural beliefs, such as religion or a belief in destiny lead to the attitude that 'I can't do anything about it.' According to Dr Caballero, this attitude results in these people not going to the doctor when their eyesight goes bad. Also, insulin is taboo in the region and diabetes in the number-one cause of blindness among the group.
To stop the fast growth of new cases of the disease, Latinos must change their diet and do regular exercise. Figures show that Latinos are the world's largest consumers of soda, even more than Americans. It is also important to control blood pressure and obesity.
Increase in childhood diabetes
It is expected that, by 2025, more than 35 million people in Latin America will have diabetes; there will also be an increase in childhood and adolescent diabetes and there will be more cases of type two in children. The direct cost of treating the disease will increase and there will be a direct increase in renal deficiency as a result.
Dr Caballero said there is hope and noted some of the things that need to be done now, including education and motivation.
People need to control their sugar intake, diet and exercise.
The media can help by checking the facts on the disease, talking to the experts and passing on the information about disease and treatment to people.
Journalists can also offer constructive criticism about junk food and sedentary lifestyles and promote an active way of living and moving towards healthier habits.
Dr Leonel Villa-Caballero, is an investigator of family and preventive medicine at the school of medicine, University of California, San Diego, and director of Latin Initiative, 'Taking Care of Your Diabetes'.
(Next week: HIV/AIDS:Prognosis for the epidemic in Latin America and the Caribbean, recent research, stigma, new treatment authorisation)
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Pulse8 takes fitness training to a new level
The new state of the art Xdream interactive indoor fitness zone at Pulse 8 Health and Fitness Club is proving a huge hit.
The 30 station cycle zone takes keeping fit to a new level with the bikes having reel feel gears, brakes, handlebars, crank and seat sensors enabling each move the rider makes to be accurately portrayed.
It enables those using the bikes the opportunity to experience cycling around London, New york or across the highland, parklands or even the desert.
Team members of Reading Football Club could not wait to experience the zone first hand and immediately voted it a huge success”.
Club phsio Jon Fearn said: “ Using a bike in a gym can be quite boring but this training and working on strengthening muscles to new level”.
Chief Executive of Nirvana Spa and Pulse 8 Simon Brown said: “the Xdream experience is proving extremely popular - it is like cycling across busy cities but much safer”.
For Your Health: New Fitness Center
College students at SUNY Potsdam don’t have to go very far from their dormitory rooms to work out thanks to a new fitness center in Lehman Hall.
A former lounge has been turned into a new fitness center, helping to encourage students to adopt healthy lifestyles.
A dozen pieces of exercise and cardiovascular equipment, including computer-based stationary bikes, treadmills and elliptical trainers fill the room.
The center is in addition to the main exercise facility at Maxcy Hall and is being well utilized by students.
“I think our students are starting to understand they need to take care of themselves now in order to take care of themselves and their families in the future,” said Tanya Hewitt, fitness centers director.
College officials say while the Lehman Fitness Center is only open to resident students, the Maxcy Hall Fitness Center is open members of the public who purchase a Sports Club Pass.
The 30 station cycle zone takes keeping fit to a new level with the bikes having reel feel gears, brakes, handlebars, crank and seat sensors enabling each move the rider makes to be accurately portrayed.
It enables those using the bikes the opportunity to experience cycling around London, New york or across the highland, parklands or even the desert.
Team members of Reading Football Club could not wait to experience the zone first hand and immediately voted it a huge success”.
Club phsio Jon Fearn said: “ Using a bike in a gym can be quite boring but this training and working on strengthening muscles to new level”.
Chief Executive of Nirvana Spa and Pulse 8 Simon Brown said: “the Xdream experience is proving extremely popular - it is like cycling across busy cities but much safer”.
For Your Health: New Fitness Center
College students at SUNY Potsdam don’t have to go very far from their dormitory rooms to work out thanks to a new fitness center in Lehman Hall.
A former lounge has been turned into a new fitness center, helping to encourage students to adopt healthy lifestyles.
A dozen pieces of exercise and cardiovascular equipment, including computer-based stationary bikes, treadmills and elliptical trainers fill the room.
The center is in addition to the main exercise facility at Maxcy Hall and is being well utilized by students.
“I think our students are starting to understand they need to take care of themselves now in order to take care of themselves and their families in the future,” said Tanya Hewitt, fitness centers director.
College officials say while the Lehman Fitness Center is only open to resident students, the Maxcy Hall Fitness Center is open members of the public who purchase a Sports Club Pass.
Before starting to exercise, consider a fitness evaluation
Posted by Brenda Junkin/Plain Dealer Reporter September 30, 2008 08:48AM
Categories: Exercise and fitness, Impact, Living Impact, Plain Dealer
Before starting any exercise program, consider getting a fitness evaluation. And if you have health concerns, contact your doctor.
A fitness evaluation allows a trainer to learn the strengths and limitations of each person, said Debbie Dobson, personal training coordinator and program manager for the EMH Center for Health and Fitness in Avon. It includes a health history; an evaluation of endurance, strength, core stability, flexibility and body composition; weight-loss goals, blood-pressure check and posture analysis.
Based on the information gathered, you will be given an estimated aerobic-training zone or target heart-rate range, the rate at which your heart needs to pump to burn fat. For beginners, it's good to start around 50 percent to 60 percent of your maximum heart rate, building up to around 60 percent to 70 percent of your maximum heart rate to burn fat.
Most workout machines can read your heart rate while you exercise. But if you're working out without a machine, an inexpensive heart-rate monitor will do the same thing. The most accurate types use a strap that goes around the lower part of your chest.
Many gyms like Wellness Works Fitness and EMH Center for Health and Fitness offer fitness evaluations with their memberships. Some offer evaluations for nonmembers for a fee.
Life Time Fitness Resort Set to Open in Loudoun County, VA On Saturday, October 11
CHANHASSEN, Minn. - (Business Wire) Life Time Fitness, Inc. (NYSE: LTM) today announced that the Grand Opening of its newest sports and athletic, professional fitness, family recreation and resort-spa center in Loudoun County, Virginia, will occur Saturday, October 11, 2008, at 6:00 a.m. This is the Company’s fifth location in the market, joining Life Time Fitness centers in Fairfax, Virginia, Centreville, Virginia, Columbia, Maryland and the recently opening Rockville Life Time Athletic center in Rockville, Maryland.
Life Time Fitness members, area residents and special guests are invited to take part in a VIP preview celebration and ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, October 9, 2008, beginning at 6:45 p.m. The event will offer tours of the distinctive, large new facility and feature opportunities to experience program demonstrations and activities.
In keeping with the Company’s commitment to help members achieve and lead a healthy and active way of life, Life Time Fitness’ Loudoun County center will offer a comprehensive array of family sports and recreation, health and fitness and resort-spa amenities, programming and services, supported by a team of certified fitness and nutrition specialists.
Life Time Fitness officials commented on its latest opening in Virginia. “Our new Loudoun County center location is uniquely designed to meet the health and fitness needs of the entire family,” said Mike Gerend, President and Chief Operating Officer, Life Time Fitness. “Our state-of-the-art equipment, classes and programming, large indoor and outdoor aquatics and child activity centers, café and full service spas provide the ultimate fitness resort destination for families. Life Time Fitness has set a benchmark for delivering comprehensive health and fitness centers, programs and services of the highest possible quality at an exceptional value.”
Among the multitude of Life Time Fitness Loudoun County amenities are over 400 pieces of state-of-the-art cardiovascular and resistance equipment, multiple group exercise, Pilates and yoga studios with free and fee-based programs, a cycle theatre, team of certified personal trainers and programming, wide selection of adult and youth programs and activities, indoor rock climbing cavern, two full-size basketball courts, and dry saunas. The facility also features large indoor and outdoor aquatics centers, complete with a two-story waterslide, large, zero-depth recreation pools, heated indoor and outdoor lap pools and children’s interactive play areas, two whirlpools and an outdoor bistro.
Families will appreciate Life Time Fitness’ large, interactive child center, featuring a play maze, junior basketball court, computer lab, children’s activity areas, and a separate infant playroom. Dedicated family locker rooms also are available.
Furthermore, members can take advantage of LifeSpa, which delivers a full range of hair, nail and skin care services, and therapeutic massage, and LifeCafe, which offers the best in healthy food and beverage services.
Life Time Fitness provides 24 hour access, complimentary towel and locker service and an initial 30-day money-back guarantee with no long-term membership contracts.
For more information about Life Time Fitness Loudoun County, please visit www.lifetimefitness.com/loudouncounty.
About Life Time Fitness, Inc.
Life Time Fitness, Inc. (NYSE:LTM) operates distinctive and large, multi-use sports and athletic, professional fitness, family recreation and resort and spa centers. The company also provides consumers with personal training consultation, full-service spas and cafes, corporate wellness programs, health and nutrition education, the healthy lifestyle magazine, Experience Life, athletic events, and nutritional products. As of September 30, 2008, Life Time Fitness operated 77 centers in 17 states, including Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Utah and Virginia. The Company also operated one satellite facility and five preview locations in existing and new markets. Life Time Fitness is headquartered in Chanhassen, Minnesota, and can be located on the Web at www.lifetimefitness.com. LIFE TIME FITNESS, the LIFE TIME FITNESS logo, EXPERIENCE LIFE, and the LIFE TIME FITNESS TRIATHLON SERIES are registered trademarks of Life Time Fitness, Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Note To Editors:
Life Time Fitness Loudoun County is located at, 44610 Prentice Drive Sterling, VA 20166. The center’s telephone number is 703-433-0256
Please contact Kent Wipf at 952-229-7211 or kwipf@lifetimefitness.com for all Life Time Fitness preview, interview, photography or video requests.
Life Time Fitness, Inc.
Kent Wipf, 952-229-7211
kwipf@lifetimefitness.com
or
Jason Thunstrom, 952-229-7435
pr@lifetimefitness.com
Categories: Exercise and fitness, Impact, Living Impact, Plain Dealer
Before starting any exercise program, consider getting a fitness evaluation. And if you have health concerns, contact your doctor.
A fitness evaluation allows a trainer to learn the strengths and limitations of each person, said Debbie Dobson, personal training coordinator and program manager for the EMH Center for Health and Fitness in Avon. It includes a health history; an evaluation of endurance, strength, core stability, flexibility and body composition; weight-loss goals, blood-pressure check and posture analysis.
Based on the information gathered, you will be given an estimated aerobic-training zone or target heart-rate range, the rate at which your heart needs to pump to burn fat. For beginners, it's good to start around 50 percent to 60 percent of your maximum heart rate, building up to around 60 percent to 70 percent of your maximum heart rate to burn fat.
Most workout machines can read your heart rate while you exercise. But if you're working out without a machine, an inexpensive heart-rate monitor will do the same thing. The most accurate types use a strap that goes around the lower part of your chest.
Many gyms like Wellness Works Fitness and EMH Center for Health and Fitness offer fitness evaluations with their memberships. Some offer evaluations for nonmembers for a fee.
Life Time Fitness Resort Set to Open in Loudoun County, VA On Saturday, October 11
CHANHASSEN, Minn. - (Business Wire) Life Time Fitness, Inc. (NYSE: LTM) today announced that the Grand Opening of its newest sports and athletic, professional fitness, family recreation and resort-spa center in Loudoun County, Virginia, will occur Saturday, October 11, 2008, at 6:00 a.m. This is the Company’s fifth location in the market, joining Life Time Fitness centers in Fairfax, Virginia, Centreville, Virginia, Columbia, Maryland and the recently opening Rockville Life Time Athletic center in Rockville, Maryland.
Life Time Fitness members, area residents and special guests are invited to take part in a VIP preview celebration and ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, October 9, 2008, beginning at 6:45 p.m. The event will offer tours of the distinctive, large new facility and feature opportunities to experience program demonstrations and activities.
In keeping with the Company’s commitment to help members achieve and lead a healthy and active way of life, Life Time Fitness’ Loudoun County center will offer a comprehensive array of family sports and recreation, health and fitness and resort-spa amenities, programming and services, supported by a team of certified fitness and nutrition specialists.
Life Time Fitness officials commented on its latest opening in Virginia. “Our new Loudoun County center location is uniquely designed to meet the health and fitness needs of the entire family,” said Mike Gerend, President and Chief Operating Officer, Life Time Fitness. “Our state-of-the-art equipment, classes and programming, large indoor and outdoor aquatics and child activity centers, café and full service spas provide the ultimate fitness resort destination for families. Life Time Fitness has set a benchmark for delivering comprehensive health and fitness centers, programs and services of the highest possible quality at an exceptional value.”
Among the multitude of Life Time Fitness Loudoun County amenities are over 400 pieces of state-of-the-art cardiovascular and resistance equipment, multiple group exercise, Pilates and yoga studios with free and fee-based programs, a cycle theatre, team of certified personal trainers and programming, wide selection of adult and youth programs and activities, indoor rock climbing cavern, two full-size basketball courts, and dry saunas. The facility also features large indoor and outdoor aquatics centers, complete with a two-story waterslide, large, zero-depth recreation pools, heated indoor and outdoor lap pools and children’s interactive play areas, two whirlpools and an outdoor bistro.
Families will appreciate Life Time Fitness’ large, interactive child center, featuring a play maze, junior basketball court, computer lab, children’s activity areas, and a separate infant playroom. Dedicated family locker rooms also are available.
Furthermore, members can take advantage of LifeSpa, which delivers a full range of hair, nail and skin care services, and therapeutic massage, and LifeCafe, which offers the best in healthy food and beverage services.
Life Time Fitness provides 24 hour access, complimentary towel and locker service and an initial 30-day money-back guarantee with no long-term membership contracts.
For more information about Life Time Fitness Loudoun County, please visit www.lifetimefitness.com/loudouncounty.
About Life Time Fitness, Inc.
Life Time Fitness, Inc. (NYSE:LTM) operates distinctive and large, multi-use sports and athletic, professional fitness, family recreation and resort and spa centers. The company also provides consumers with personal training consultation, full-service spas and cafes, corporate wellness programs, health and nutrition education, the healthy lifestyle magazine, Experience Life, athletic events, and nutritional products. As of September 30, 2008, Life Time Fitness operated 77 centers in 17 states, including Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Utah and Virginia. The Company also operated one satellite facility and five preview locations in existing and new markets. Life Time Fitness is headquartered in Chanhassen, Minnesota, and can be located on the Web at www.lifetimefitness.com. LIFE TIME FITNESS, the LIFE TIME FITNESS logo, EXPERIENCE LIFE, and the LIFE TIME FITNESS TRIATHLON SERIES are registered trademarks of Life Time Fitness, Inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Note To Editors:
Life Time Fitness Loudoun County is located at, 44610 Prentice Drive Sterling, VA 20166. The center’s telephone number is 703-433-0256
Please contact Kent Wipf at 952-229-7211 or kwipf@lifetimefitness.com for all Life Time Fitness preview, interview, photography or video requests.
Life Time Fitness, Inc.
Kent Wipf, 952-229-7211
kwipf@lifetimefitness.com
or
Jason Thunstrom, 952-229-7435
pr@lifetimefitness.com
Monday, September 29, 2008
Make Family Health & Fitness Day Fun and Delicious
This Saturday - September 27th – is Family Health & Fitness Day. Here are a few ideas to make your Saturday healthy, fit, and fun to boot.
Pack a picnic basket of healthy choices and bike or walk to your neighborhood park. Whether you’re following a low fat, low carb, or low calorie diet these foods will fit the bill: take along fresh berries, vegetable crudités, Mozzarella cheese sticks, lean cold cuts, barbecued chicken (skinless for the low fat crowd), salsa, whole wheat chips or Low Carb Examiner Jamie Van Eaton’s recipe for Doritos style low carb chips, olives, nuts, unsweetened tea, and flavored or plain water. Remember portion control still counts no matter what eating plan you’re on.
Try a new activity or sport like horseback riding or hiking. Most urban areas have hiking trail and riding stables nearby with guided rides for every experience level. The whole family will enjoy the great outdoors while getting some exercise. Horseback riding burns approximately 270 calories an hour and hiking burns about 450 calories an hour. For more information on equestrian tours and hiking tours check out Hidden Trails.
If you’re staying home, instead of playing board games or video games go outside. Kick around a soccer ball with the kids or throw around a Frisbee or football. Walk or ride bikes around the block. If it’s breezy fly a kite. Rainy days are perfect for an indoor dance party. Turn on the stereo and shake your booty. You can enjoy family togetherness while pursuing activities that improve health and fitness without even leaving your house. Exercise doesn’t have to be boring or tedious. Make it fun and the whole family will get involved.
Topics: Fitness , Family , Food , Fun
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Include other special offers from Examiner.com
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Discuss September 24, 5:21 PM If you’re a gardener you know zucchinis multiply like bunnies. Plant a single seed and it seems you end up with enough zucchinis to feed an army. Here are a few zucchini recipes from my cookbook “Love Those Vegetables!”... Read More
Topics: Recipes , Zucchini Carbohydrate Threshold Part Two – One Size Doesn’t Fit All
Discuss September 23, 6:12 PM If you’re fit and exercise intensely, be it mountain biking, bodybuilding, surfing, skating, or long distance running, your usage of carbohydrates for energy and performance will be different than that of sedentary people. Not to mention your burn... Read More
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Discuss September 22, 5:25 PM I planned a review of Gary Taubes book ‘Good Calories, Bad Calories’. Seems it’s already been reviewed six ways to Sunday. I decided to make references to it when its subject matter has relevance to what I want to write about instead... Read More
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Discuss September 19, 5:21 PM Knowing of my endless fascination with all things food and nutrition my husband brought home a Port Of Subs menu flyer and a laminated nutrition information card. Featured menu items on the laminated card were their nine “healthy” sandwich... Read More
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Discuss September 18, 6:02 PM My family tried Taco Bell’s Fresco Menu recently. Being a food detective of sorts I followed up with a visit to their website to check out the nutrition information. What I found made me think their Fresco is a fiasco.Their new Fresco Menu... Read More
Topics: Fast Food , Food Watch , Taco Bell Sex and The City Gym
Discuss September 16, 6:36 PM The St. Paul, Minnesota City Council has an ordinance that bans unsupervised 24-hour gyms. Are they anti-fitness? No. The ban was enacted due to concerns that these gyms might turn into fronts for prostitution.Although the city presently bans open door... Read More
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Discuss September 15, 5:09 PM What are the true keys to weight loss success? The answer to this question probably differs from person to person depending on individual issues and lifestyle. But certain things will surely apply to most. 1. Desire.You truly have to want to change.... Read More
Topics: Weight Loss , Motivation
Pack a picnic basket of healthy choices and bike or walk to your neighborhood park. Whether you’re following a low fat, low carb, or low calorie diet these foods will fit the bill: take along fresh berries, vegetable crudités, Mozzarella cheese sticks, lean cold cuts, barbecued chicken (skinless for the low fat crowd), salsa, whole wheat chips or Low Carb Examiner Jamie Van Eaton’s recipe for Doritos style low carb chips, olives, nuts, unsweetened tea, and flavored or plain water. Remember portion control still counts no matter what eating plan you’re on.
Try a new activity or sport like horseback riding or hiking. Most urban areas have hiking trail and riding stables nearby with guided rides for every experience level. The whole family will enjoy the great outdoors while getting some exercise. Horseback riding burns approximately 270 calories an hour and hiking burns about 450 calories an hour. For more information on equestrian tours and hiking tours check out Hidden Trails.
If you’re staying home, instead of playing board games or video games go outside. Kick around a soccer ball with the kids or throw around a Frisbee or football. Walk or ride bikes around the block. If it’s breezy fly a kite. Rainy days are perfect for an indoor dance party. Turn on the stereo and shake your booty. You can enjoy family togetherness while pursuing activities that improve health and fitness without even leaving your house. Exercise doesn’t have to be boring or tedious. Make it fun and the whole family will get involved.
Topics: Fitness , Family , Food , Fun
ShareThis Subscribe Feed Discuss / Read 1 Comments:
Include other special offers from Examiner.com
Terms of Use Next Article: Bosu Pro Series Equilibrium Workout Review
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Bosu Pro Series Equilibrium Workout Review
Discuss September 29, 6:01 PM This workout, although easier than the Reactive Strength and Power workout is still impressive. Combining yoga and Pilates moves along with balance and stretching, this workout puts serious emphasis on improving balance, flexibility and stabilizing... Read More
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Discuss September 25, 10:16 AM In the tradition of YouTube Watch ME Melt, Inc. has launched the world’s first online weight loss and fitness focused video sharing community.Dedicated to your adventures in fitness and weight loss Watch ME Melt is for you and by you. Grab... Read More
Topics: Fitness , Weightloss , Videos , VideoSharing Harvest Time – The Zucchini Files
Discuss September 24, 5:21 PM If you’re a gardener you know zucchinis multiply like bunnies. Plant a single seed and it seems you end up with enough zucchinis to feed an army. Here are a few zucchini recipes from my cookbook “Love Those Vegetables!”... Read More
Topics: Recipes , Zucchini Carbohydrate Threshold Part Two – One Size Doesn’t Fit All
Discuss September 23, 6:12 PM If you’re fit and exercise intensely, be it mountain biking, bodybuilding, surfing, skating, or long distance running, your usage of carbohydrates for energy and performance will be different than that of sedentary people. Not to mention your burn... Read More
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Discuss September 22, 5:25 PM I planned a review of Gary Taubes book ‘Good Calories, Bad Calories’. Seems it’s already been reviewed six ways to Sunday. I decided to make references to it when its subject matter has relevance to what I want to write about instead... Read More
Topics: LowCarb , Carbohydrates , Weightloss McDonald's Versus Port Of Subs - Who Wins The Fight To Be Crowned The Light Bite?
Discuss September 19, 5:21 PM Knowing of my endless fascination with all things food and nutrition my husband brought home a Port Of Subs menu flyer and a laminated nutrition information card. Featured menu items on the laminated card were their nine “healthy” sandwich... Read More
Topics: Fast Food , Food Watch , McDonald's , Port Of Subs Taco Bell’s Fresco Menu – Healthier or Hype?
Discuss September 18, 6:02 PM My family tried Taco Bell’s Fresco Menu recently. Being a food detective of sorts I followed up with a visit to their website to check out the nutrition information. What I found made me think their Fresco is a fiasco.Their new Fresco Menu... Read More
Topics: Fast Food , Food Watch , Taco Bell Sex and The City Gym
Discuss September 16, 6:36 PM The St. Paul, Minnesota City Council has an ordinance that bans unsupervised 24-hour gyms. Are they anti-fitness? No. The ban was enacted due to concerns that these gyms might turn into fronts for prostitution.Although the city presently bans open door... Read More
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Discuss September 15, 5:09 PM What are the true keys to weight loss success? The answer to this question probably differs from person to person depending on individual issues and lifestyle. But certain things will surely apply to most. 1. Desire.You truly have to want to change.... Read More
Topics: Weight Loss , Motivation
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Walls Gets Funds for Fitness -- John D. Bower School Health Grant Renewed
Walls Elementary is one of 10 public school districts in the state recently awarded a second John D. Bower, M.D., School Health Network Grant through the Mississippi Department of Educaton, Office of Healthy Schools.
Funded by The Bower Foundation, the $91,000 three-year (2008 through 2011) grant will support the further implementation of a Coordinated School Health Program. This program integrates children's health and academic needs so that all students can become fit, healthy and ready to succeed.
"We are honored to continue our involvement with this prestigious network of schools," said Milton Kuykendall, superintendent of DeSoto County Schools. "Three years ago, Walls Elementary School was selected as one of 10 schools across Mississippi to participate in this program and receive a $100,000 grant. They used these funds to transform their playground, adding equipment for every age group; have weight-management programs and health promotions for their staff; improve nutrition services; offer additional physical education opportunities; and encourage family involvement."
Kuykendall said Walls Elementary also has received grants to build a walking track (Alcoa Foundation), and was chosen to become a "Project Fit America School" (Blue Cross & Blue Shield Foundation). When a school is selected for Project Fit, it receives an outdoor gym that improves students' upper body strength, and indoor equipment to be used on rainy days.
"At Walls Elementary, students are offered a choice of salad or a regular school lunch. All students are allowed water bottles in the classroom. A new convi-oven was installed at the school to make baked products taste as if they were fried," said Becky Kelley, principal. "We are so pleased to have our grant extended with an additional $91,000. We know constantly improving the health and wellness of our students and staff also improves student achievement."
Originally published by Special to My Life .
(c) 2008 Commercial Appeal, The. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.
(Prudent Press Agency)---Boston, MA-- The Russian-American Dental Association (RADA) and the Russian-American Medical Association (RAMA) announce their 6th Annual Joint National Convention for dental and medical professionals. Held on October 4th and 5th at the Harbor Hyatt in Boston, MA, the Conference is now known as the preeminent conference for networking and the discussion of critical issues in the dental and medical practices.
RADA and RAMA organized this Convention after recognizing that the treatment of an individual requires consideration of all aspects of patient healthcare. The Convention will allow professionals from both fields to collaborate and contribute viewpoints regarding the medical treatment of various diseases, as well as discuss the latest preventative measures. “It is crucial that we cover these issues together: the Conference will provide a chance for a roundtable multidisciplinary discussion. In addition, we will talk about the latest developments in medical and dental science as well as RADA’s and RAMA’s humanitarian projects,” asserts Rada Sumareva, DDS, RADA President.
Providing medical assistance to improve the quality of life for people victimized by poverty, disaster, and civil war throughout the world. read more...
RADA is a nonprofit professional society of Russian-speaking dentists and dental professionals; RAMA is nonprofit organization of Russian-American physicians. The Convention is a unique conference providing both dental and medical professionals the chance to gather under one roof and exchange ideas. The event will enable Russian-speaking dental and medical professionals the chance to address problems in both industries, opportunities for humanitarian work, the link between systemic disease and oral health, and culturally-sensitive issues specific to Russian-speaking American doctors from various former Soviet Union Republics.
Additionally, the Conference will include nationally-known speakers in the dental and medical fields who will present the latest cutting-edge research and other topics across both industries. The Conference will also provide incredible networking opportunities—for those already working in the dental or medical fields—and those hoping to enter one of these industries.
The Conference exemplifies RADA’s mission. The organization began in 1999 as a meeting of seven dental practitioners who believed in forming an ethnic-focused organization which would aid other practitioners and impact the community. RADA was officially launched in June 2002. Today, its members come from the US, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Germany, Canada, Israel, Georgia, Belarus and other countries.
Russian American Dental Association (RADA), www.russiandentists.org is a national nonprofit organization with 501c (3) charity status. RADA is devoted to humanitarian and community work, as well as assisting dental professionals in their career goals, and providing education and research in the dental field. RADA sponsors and organizes charity events, holds medical professional conferences, offers Continuing Education courses and advises practitioners and organizations on the medical profession.
Russian-American Medical Association (RAMA), www.russiandoctors.org was founded and incorporated in 2002. RAMA was created to facilitate and enable Russian-American physicians and other healthcare professionals to excel in patient care, teaching and research, and to pursue their aspirations in professional, humanitarian and community affairs. russianDentists.org
Funded by The Bower Foundation, the $91,000 three-year (2008 through 2011) grant will support the further implementation of a Coordinated School Health Program. This program integrates children's health and academic needs so that all students can become fit, healthy and ready to succeed.
"We are honored to continue our involvement with this prestigious network of schools," said Milton Kuykendall, superintendent of DeSoto County Schools. "Three years ago, Walls Elementary School was selected as one of 10 schools across Mississippi to participate in this program and receive a $100,000 grant. They used these funds to transform their playground, adding equipment for every age group; have weight-management programs and health promotions for their staff; improve nutrition services; offer additional physical education opportunities; and encourage family involvement."
Kuykendall said Walls Elementary also has received grants to build a walking track (Alcoa Foundation), and was chosen to become a "Project Fit America School" (Blue Cross & Blue Shield Foundation). When a school is selected for Project Fit, it receives an outdoor gym that improves students' upper body strength, and indoor equipment to be used on rainy days.
"At Walls Elementary, students are offered a choice of salad or a regular school lunch. All students are allowed water bottles in the classroom. A new convi-oven was installed at the school to make baked products taste as if they were fried," said Becky Kelley, principal. "We are so pleased to have our grant extended with an additional $91,000. We know constantly improving the health and wellness of our students and staff also improves student achievement."
Originally published by Special to My Life .
(c) 2008 Commercial Appeal, The. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.
(Prudent Press Agency)---Boston, MA-- The Russian-American Dental Association (RADA) and the Russian-American Medical Association (RAMA) announce their 6th Annual Joint National Convention for dental and medical professionals. Held on October 4th and 5th at the Harbor Hyatt in Boston, MA, the Conference is now known as the preeminent conference for networking and the discussion of critical issues in the dental and medical practices.
RADA and RAMA organized this Convention after recognizing that the treatment of an individual requires consideration of all aspects of patient healthcare. The Convention will allow professionals from both fields to collaborate and contribute viewpoints regarding the medical treatment of various diseases, as well as discuss the latest preventative measures. “It is crucial that we cover these issues together: the Conference will provide a chance for a roundtable multidisciplinary discussion. In addition, we will talk about the latest developments in medical and dental science as well as RADA’s and RAMA’s humanitarian projects,” asserts Rada Sumareva, DDS, RADA President.
Providing medical assistance to improve the quality of life for people victimized by poverty, disaster, and civil war throughout the world. read more...
RADA is a nonprofit professional society of Russian-speaking dentists and dental professionals; RAMA is nonprofit organization of Russian-American physicians. The Convention is a unique conference providing both dental and medical professionals the chance to gather under one roof and exchange ideas. The event will enable Russian-speaking dental and medical professionals the chance to address problems in both industries, opportunities for humanitarian work, the link between systemic disease and oral health, and culturally-sensitive issues specific to Russian-speaking American doctors from various former Soviet Union Republics.
Additionally, the Conference will include nationally-known speakers in the dental and medical fields who will present the latest cutting-edge research and other topics across both industries. The Conference will also provide incredible networking opportunities—for those already working in the dental or medical fields—and those hoping to enter one of these industries.
The Conference exemplifies RADA’s mission. The organization began in 1999 as a meeting of seven dental practitioners who believed in forming an ethnic-focused organization which would aid other practitioners and impact the community. RADA was officially launched in June 2002. Today, its members come from the US, the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Germany, Canada, Israel, Georgia, Belarus and other countries.
Russian American Dental Association (RADA), www.russiandentists.org is a national nonprofit organization with 501c (3) charity status. RADA is devoted to humanitarian and community work, as well as assisting dental professionals in their career goals, and providing education and research in the dental field. RADA sponsors and organizes charity events, holds medical professional conferences, offers Continuing Education courses and advises practitioners and organizations on the medical profession.
Russian-American Medical Association (RAMA), www.russiandoctors.org was founded and incorporated in 2002. RAMA was created to facilitate and enable Russian-American physicians and other healthcare professionals to excel in patient care, teaching and research, and to pursue their aspirations in professional, humanitarian and community affairs. russianDentists.org
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Health Fitness Corporation Q2 2008 Earnings Call Transcript
Health Fitness Corporation (HFIT)
Q2 2008 Earnings Call
August 4, 2008 5:00 pm ET
Executives
[Dave Hynch] - Investor Relations, Health Fitness Corporation
Gregg O. Lehman - Chief Executive Officer President
Wesley W. Winnekins - Chief Financial Officer
Analysts
Ian Corydon - B. Riley & Company
Clint Morrison - Feltl and Company
Presentation
Operator
I would like to welcome everyone to the Health Fitness Corporation second quarter 2008 financial results conference call. (Operator Instructions) I will now turn the conference over to Mr. David [Hynch].
[David Hynch]
Thank you and good afternoon. I’m [Dave Hynch] of Investor Relations for Health Fitness Corporation. Welcome to the company’s second quarter 2008 conference call. With us this afternoon are Gregg Lehman, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer and Wes Winnekins, Chief Financial Officer.
By now everyone should have access to the earnings release, which went out earlier today. For those who do not have a copy, it is available at the Investor Relations Section of Health Fitness’s website at www.hfit.com. Today’s call is being webcast and a replay will be available on the company’s website for 30 days.
Before we begin please note that some of the remarks made today will be forward-looking and are subject to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ, and risk factors that may cause such results to differ, are identified in the company’s 2007 form 10-K annual report. Now I’d like to turn the call over to Gregg Lehman. Gregg.
Gregg Lehman
Thanks, Dave. Good afternoon everyone and thank you for joining us. We’re pleased to share our 2008 second quarter results with you today. During today’s call, I’ll discuss our progress during the quarter and Wes, of course, will summarize our financial results. And then I’ll wrap up with some perspective on additional progress and initiatives in the works to further improve our position in the market.
As you can see from our earlier press release, we experienced a successful second quarter despite a very challenging economy. As we discussed last quarter, Health Fitness Corporation is transitioning from a period of investment in our business into a phase where we start to reap the benefits of those investments. A few of our recent accomplishments include generating double-digit revenue gains for the third quarter in a row, improving gross margin to 29.4% versus 28% for the second quarter last year. Health management segment revenue represented 44% of total revenue compared to 38% a year ago and, of course, we completed our share repurchase program.
These accomplishments demonstrate our progress toward our long-term goals of revenue growth, margin expansion and the eventual shift of our revenue mix to 50/50 between our business segments and, of course, earnings per share expansion. Once again revenues expanded strongly on a year-over-year basis, up approximately 11%. This growth was again driven by our health management segment. As we continue to more our revenue further towards health management, we expect to improve the overall margin profile of our business over time.
During the quarter, our pipeline remained robust with a solid level of RFP activity. We are currently fielding an average of three to five RFPs each week, which is gratifying in this challenging market. During the 2008 second quarter, we received 25 RFPs in our health management segment, compared to 29 RFPs during the same quarter last year. And in fitness management, we fielded three RFPs, compared to seven last year.
On the commitment front, during the quarter, we secured two commitments in health management, up-sold health management services to two fitness management customers and expanded services for four fitness management customers. This is compared to 11 health management commitments and one new commitment and one customer expansion within fitness management during last years second quarter.
We still believe that economic conditions are prompting some companies to lengthen their evaluations periods preceding a commitment. But despite these lengthening evaluation periods, corporate America maintains considerable enthusiasm for employee health improvement services and the means to minimize the effect of rising health care costs.
Operating expense as a percent of revenue was essentially even with the same period last year. As I stated earlier we have completed the investment phase of our growth strategy and we are now focused on sales opportunities and enhancing operational efficiencies.
Now, I’d like to turn the call over to Wes for a more detailed rundown of our financial results for the quarter. Wes.
Wesley Winnekins
Thanks, Gregg. For the second quarter total revenue increased 10.8%, to 18.8 million, compared to 17 million last year. Once again, our health management segment largely drove this growth. Revenue from health management increased 28% to 8.3 million compared to 6.5 million during Q2 2007. Within the segment program and consulting services rose 44% year-over-year, while staffing services increased 17%. The significant jump in program and consulting services is attributable to new and existing customers and the resulting increase in biometric screening and health coaching and advising services.
Gross margins in health management were 35.4% during the quarter, compared to 38.8% for Q2 2007. The decrease is due, in part, to lower pricing for new business won in 2007 and the cost of additional screening and health coaching staff hired in late 2007 to meet forecasted future demand for these services.
Turning to our fitness management segment, total revenue was essentially flat compared to the same period last year, which reflects the company’s success in replacing revenue lost from contract cancellations that occurred during the first six months of 2007. Gross margins in our fitness management segment increased to 24.7%, from 21.3% during the prior year period, chiefly due to higher margins on new staffing services business and improved margins for personal training services.
Regarding new customer commitments, cross selling activity and contract expansions during the quarter, the annualized revenue that may be realized from this activity is 2.4 million. This will be partially offset by a potential annualized revenue loss of $200,000 from fitness management contract cancellations.
A quick look at quarterly operating expenses. For the quarter, operating expenses as a percent of revenue were 26%, essentially even with the same period in 2007. From a dollar standpoint, we expect future operating expenses to remain consistent with current levels. At the same time we believe that operating expenses, as a percent of revenue, will decline as the company achieves revenue growth and operational productivity enhancements.
For the quarter, net earnings were .36 million, compared to .17 million for the prior year period. Basic and diluter earnings per common share were $0.02, compared to $0.01 for last year's Q2.
Before I turn the call back to Gregg, a quick look at our balance sheet position. We entered the quarter with approximately $202,000 in cash, compared to 1.9 million at the end of 2007. Working capital decreased approximately 857,000 to 7.6 million since the end of 2007. We continue to carry no long-term debt and have stockholder's equity of 25.5 million. We expect our balance sheet and existing credit facility will provide sufficient working capital to fund our operating needs for 2008.
Finally, on May 27, 2008, the company completed its share repurchase plan. Under this plan, the company bought approximately 1.1 million shares of its common stock on the open market in accordance with Security and Exchange Commission Rule 10B18 and other pertinent rules and regulations. Share repurchases were funded by the company’s available working capital. Now back to Gregg for some perspective on our growth strategies.
Gregg Lehman
Thanks, Wes. As we continue into the second half of 2008, we are pleased with our achievements and we remain optimistic about the opportunities that lay before us. We’re very confident in our business model, which performed very well in the face of economic sluggishness. Our service offerings present a compelling solution for a company seeking to combat rising healthcare costs, increased productivity and reduced absenteeism.
One of the highlights of the quarter was a commitment we secured with a large mid-Atlantic-based manufacturing company. This particular situation evidences a growing market trend towards combining disease management and lifestyle change management services. To deliver on this opportunity, we partnered with a disease management vendor to develop a tailored package, with Health Fitness serving as a health adviser. This solution will seamlessly integrate our platform with our partner’s disease management platform, which will improve the outcomes reporting process for the entire continuum of care. This commitment, which is in the low seven figures for Health Fitness, illustrates our ability to meet evolving market demands and deliver a blended platform where necessary. Currently we are in the implementation phase of this commitment. This example also illustrates how we’re focused on adapting for the future, as the market is increasingly asking for a one-stop shop to address employee wellness needs.
As part of this adaptation process, we have defined a company-wide theme for the year. That is we’re helping employers design what we call 21st Century Health Benefit Plan for their employees. We believe this theme offers a compelling value proposition to companies regardless of the economic environment.
Operationally we are still focused on productivity, profits and scalability. When I mention internal productivity, a key function is, of course, sales. On an interim basis, I’m taking a much more direct role within the sales organization. So along with our sales team, we are working to ensure that our value proposition and the message about 21st Health Century Benefit's design is being well articulated and received.
Let me just drill down a bit on the 21st Century Health Benefit design. There are five pillars to this design. The first one is to develop a culture of health. The second is change the benefit design from an acute care focus to chronic care and, of course, prevention. Number three, use appropriate incentives to drive people to their engagement. And four, integrate all health programs with consistent data collection and output that is actionable and finally, the five pillar, make a long-term commitment by senior management.
We are also fine tuning our internal processes. For instance, we are increasing the probability of securing new commitments by ramping up our direct marketing initiatives, expanding our marketing targets and, of course, improving the process for pre-qualifying our prospects. We’re also re-evaluating how we convey our value proposition to the market. Our research development and outcomes division, which we call RDO, continues to develop outcomes-based ROI focused methodologies.
We’re moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach, typical in the market. Now, our approach will focus on a time-one versus times-two claims analysis using match case control groups. These outcomes measures will serve two purposes. First, they will eventually enhance the core of our business platform. They will help us develop a data dashboard to help our customers with their internal analyses, and increase their ability to make more informed decisions as to adding additional services. Secondly, they will help us provide solid outcomes reporting to our clients on the cost effectiveness of their programs and, more importantly, to measure the impact of those programs on employee health and productivity. This change in approach will also help our product development team to strengthen our program offerings and ROI reporting tools.
On the product front I’d like to preview some exciting developments. We are progressing toward expanding our product offering to reach more small to mid size employers utilizing channel resellers. We believe there is significant opportunity to extend our e-Health platform to companies where health care costs, as a percentage of overall expense, are often more pronounced.
Additionally, we are continuing to work with a large client to translate our international insight health risk assessment into 35 culturally adapted languages. Once this is complete, we will be able to offer this capability on a global scale. This initiative is a direct response to feedback that we received from large scale customers that they are looking for ways to extend the application of these programs across their business lines.
We believe these and other efforts will continue to enhance our market position. We have a solid sales pipeline, an enhanced service set, more efficient processes and systems, and the resources necessary to address the growth goals before us. We continue to navigate through a tough economy and have increased our revenues and gross margins. We have a number of initiatives in the works designed to drive additional top-line growth, enrich our product offering and capabilities and appropriately manage expense levels. This gives us much cause for optimism.
In conclusion, Health Fitness is well positioned to help corporate America reduce health care costs, one of the highest costs business face today. We are the leading stand alone provider of health and fitness management services for employers. And we continue to take the steps necessary to enhance that position. These steps include focusing on internal processes, productivity and scalability of our product offering.
We also aim to help our customer design a 21st Century Health Benefit Plan with an impactful ROI. We will also continue to serve as a thought leader and actively communicate the benefits of lifestyle management to our target market. Our health and fitness management services are well integrated which have allowed us to effectively leverage our existing base of fitness management clients for cross selling opportunities. We will continue to maximize our service potential and existing customers going forward. And with our health management segment leading the way, we continue to gradually shift our mix of business toward a higher growth, higher margin profile.
We’re pleased with our progress for the first half of 2008 and we look forward to updating you in the quarters ahead. And with that, that concludes my formal remarks and I’d like to turn it over to our operator for Q&A. Operator.
Question-and-Answer Session
Operator
(Operator Instructions). Your first question is from Ian Corydon - B. Riley & Company.
Ian Corydon – B. Riley & Company
Thank you. Could you just kind of talk about the average size of the RFPs you’re looking at versus last year.
Gregg Lehman
Yes. Hi, Ian, this is Gregg. Last year the average size of our opportunities were probably in the low $200,000 range and they’re moving up in the high $200,000 to low $300,000 range, although we’ve seen several opportunities well into the seven figure range, which is, you know, usually you’ll have one or two of those a year, but we have several of those opportunities still in the pipeline.
Ian Corydon – B. Riley & Company
Okay. And has there been any change to your win rate versus last year? Or any change in the competitive environment?
Gregg Lehman
The answer to both of those questions is yes. We’ve seen the win rate drop slightly, only because employers are being much more deliberate in their decision making processes. By that I mean it’s probably extending three to four months longer than it was a year ago at this time. And because the opportunities are bigger, you know, the competitive landscape is much different. A year ago we were competing predominately with vendors that were almost exclusively in, what I call, the wellness and prevention space. This year, we’re finding that we’re competing with more one-stop-shop, such as the disease management companies and several health plans that have aggregated many companies together and are offering these services to their customer base and outside of their customer base as well.
Ian Corydon – B. Riley & Company
Okay. And last question, on the health management revenue growth rate dropped a little bit from the first quarter, to around 27, 28% in the second quarter. Is that a realistic growth rate for health management revenues for the back half of the year, in that kind of 25, 30% range?
Wesley Winnekins
Yes, Ian, this is Wes. You know, we haven’t provided guidance with respect to where we see the remainder of the year coming out. And with the economy the way it is and potential customers delaying decisions, it’s hard to tell how the growth rate is going to play out the remainder of the year.
Gregg Lehman
Let me just add one piece of color commentary to that, Ian, this is Gregg. I will say this, as we noted in our conference call, our pipeline still remain very, very robust. We’re still getting three to five new RFP opportunities per week. Even though the decisions are delayed, employers are not foregoing the opportunity to look for health management services. Why is that? I think predominately because we’ve been able to demonstrate to the market that, for the first year, the cost of providing the service is pretty much budget neutral based on the return on that investment and also it impacts positively productivity and absenteeism rates.
So while employers maybe delaying their decision making, they’re not foregoing the decision altogether. We’ve had a number of employers that are saying, we’d like to do a pilot this year to at least get our big toe in the water and then deploy your full platform of services, perhaps for 2009. And we have several opportunities in the pipeline along that regard too. So it really gives us quite a bit of cause for optimism, in spite of a very sluggish economy.
Ian Corydon – B. Riley & Company
Okay. And has there been any change in the time to implementation, you know, after you get the win? Or is that pretty consistent to last year?
Gregg Lehman
That’s still pretty consistent year-over-year. It’s just the decision that’s being delayed. Once the decision is made, implementation usually takes place, as I mentioned in our Q1 earnings call, somewhere between, you know, 60, 90 days after we get the award. So that’s been pretty consistent.
Ian Corydon – B. Riley & Company
Okay. Thank you.
Operator:
Your next question is from Clint Morrison - Feltl and Company.
Clint Morrison - Feltl and Company
Hey, guys. Nice quarter. Can I just clarify sort of the RFPs and the wins and so forth. You secured two new health management, but is up-selling a couple of fitness guys to health management, were those RFPs? And are those considered to be sort of wins or is that considered something different?
Gregg Lehman
The answer to the first part of your question was some of those are RFP’, but others we have been able to short circuit the RFP, because we have our regional vice presidents talking directly with our customers. Just to amplify on that a bit, Clint, I’ve been averaging anywhere from 12 to 15 client visits per quarter. A couple of those have resulted in an opportunity for us, which we’re pursuing.
Just to explain the breadth and depth of our health management services, and those were predominately fitness management customers, you know, based on our integrated health solution approach of trying to cross-sell. The others were by RFP and because they know that we have a full spectrum of services now, not just being a fitness management provider, but also offering health management services, we’ve been able to get the RFP. So that’s very gratifying. And what was the last half of your question?
Clint Morrison - Feltl and Company
Well, I guess what I’m trying to – I’ve looked at it and for the last, sort of, four or five quarters, you guys have gotten at least a couple of dozen health RFPs. And it looks like you won two in this quarter and I’m trying to say gee, is that a miss or are these upscales also wins, so we could add all those together? It seems like either you’ve got, you know, things have stretched out and you’ve got a huge backlog of RFPs out there because of the slower decision, or that your, sort of, win rate may be, you know, going down a bit.
Gregg Lehman
Well, let me give you some color commentary on that. I think because the competition has changed, you know, some employers have decided to go to their health plans for example and say can I have an intermediate term solution by seeing if you have some of these services that I need until the market improves for their client? So that’s been – I count that as a no decision as opposed to a loss.
You know, we’ve had some losses, but not — I wouldn’t say it’s an alarming number of losses as much as delays. So for example, with the two wins compared to the 11 wins last quarter, one of the things that I look at, and I do count, by the way, the upselling opportunities as a win, because that service is going to go to somebody, whether it’s us or not or whether it’s an RFP or not. It expands our opportunities for existing clients and, quite frankly, Clint, it’s going to make it harder for them to leave us if we’re offering a full spectrum of services.
The other thing I would point out is that I can think of four opportunities right now that should have had a decision in the second quarter that we should hear something from them, all four of those, within the next two to four weeks. So again that was a delay, so we couldn’t account for that win or loss in the second quarter.
Clint Morrison - Feltl and Company
Okay. But it does sound like the numbers are going up, because, obviously, this is, I guess, the most net revenue you’ve brought in, you know, in four quarters.
Gregg Lehman
Absolutely. And that’s why, Clint, we’re still very bullish on the company’s long-term strategic plan. This is a market condition that every company has to deal with and we’re deal with it, I think, very effectively.
Clint Morrison - Feltl and Company
Okay. And last question with regards to margins, if you look on the health side sort of the net health margins were, you know, about as anticipated. But there was a big, you know, program went way down and staffing went way up. Sort of can you explain what happened there?
Wesley Winnekins
Yeah, Clint, this is Wes. We’ve gotten some better pricing on our staffing contracts and that’s why you see the increase in margin there. And beginning in the first quarter, I was talking about the decrease in our programs and consulting margins. Where in 2007 we brought on board a couple of fairly large contracts that we had to competitively price to win the business and consequently, that has affected, negatively affected, our program and consulting margins for the first two quarters of this year.
Now our intent is as we continue to sell new health management contracts that by and large are predominantly programs-driven, we hope our pricing on those contracts will allow us to increase the programs and consulting margin back up over the next few quarters.
Clint Morrison - Feltl and Company
Okay. Thank you. That takes care of me.
Operator
(Operator Instructions) At this time, there are no further questions.
Gregg Lehman
All right. This is Gregg Lehman, again. I want to thank all of you for joining us on our call today. And we look forward to updating you on our 2008 third quarter results in November. Thank you very much and have a great week.
Operator
This concludes today’s conference. You may now disconnect.
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Baby Boomers - Health and Fitness Book Release
Total Health For Life: Mind & Body, The Baby Boomer's Bible of Health", by 54 year old Rico Connor, (Amazon.com in paperback) launched its marketing campaign today all over the Web. Connor's huge YouTube (totalhealth4life) list and Web membership grows daily as he teaches baby boomers how to achieve optimal health, reverse aging, fight disease and train your mind to be successful at anything in just 7 hours a week! His lifestyle was created and designed for success, with the busy individual in mind to cut through fitness and diet myths and give precise content on how to transform your mind and body.
turning back the hands of time
Las Vegas, NV (PRWEB) September 22, 2008 -- Total Health For Life: Mind & Body, The Baby Boomer's Bible of Health", by 54 year old Rico Connor, (Amazon.com in paperback) launched its marketing campaign today all over the Web. Connor's huge YouTube (totalhealth4life) list and Web membership grows daily as he teaches baby boomers how to achieve optimal health, reverse aging, fight disease and train your mind to be successful at anything in just 7 hours a week! His lifestyle was created and designed for success, with the busy individual in mind to cut through fitness and diet myths and give precise content on how to transform your mind and body.
Connor was featured on the local FOX 5 channel on the morning news on July 10th about being fit at 50. The book is a vehicle to transform your mind and body into a state where you enjoy the ultimate fulfillment of your life -- physically and mentally. It is not another fad diet, or a DVD with a new aerobic twist that you can't and won't stick to. It is based on science and tailored by experience. It is a workable lifestyle which after a few months you will not even think about, because you won't be counting calories or keeping religious notes.
"Total Health For Life: Mind & Body, The Baby Boomer's Bible of Health" , by 54 year old Rico Connor.
The book is a culmination of over twenty five years of absorbing knowledge and through a trial and error process, forming his own system of becoming optimally healthy. In going through numerous health regimens and each one of them had some good points but none of them ties all aspects of what Rico calls total health, together in one program. The book wasn't written to help sell a home gym machine but to help people. It was written after years of seeing people struggling to lose weight, gain weight, or get in shape, only to watch them sabotage their efforts and waste their time in the gym because they didn't have the proper knowledge, motivation, willpower or discipline. Even worse was seeing people that had a decent grasp of strength training and aerobic exercise but obtained minimal results because of poor diet!
It incorporates the teachings of Anthony Robbins, Joe Vitale, Wayne Dyer and others.
To be successful at being healthy the art of mind-body connection must be learned and practiced every day. By using it your health and fitness, and every phase of your life will improve.
The book is a very entertaining, easy read that informs, inspires, teaches and gives the tools to succeed where most programs fail, because it is flexible, all encompassing, and written with busy people in mind. It cuts through all of the fads, misconceptions and quackery in the health and fitness fields and teaches you the science of becoming the healthiest you'll ever be in just 7 hours a week. Even though the book is targeted towards Baby Boomers, the lifestyle works for males and females of all ages -- teens, adults and seniors.
The book is much more than just a way to achieve a long, healthy, disease free, quality life. It places great value on the mastery of mind-body connection to also change and improve your relationships with family and loved ones, to rise and advance in your profession, and to take advantage of all that life has to offer. It urges you to take the time to get to know your inner-self, to find out what gives your life meaning and a sense of purpose, and to proceed in that direction. Your rewards will be fulfillment, a great sense of self-worth, and happiness.
The site www.totalhealth4life.net: The site's mission is teaching the "secret" of staying youthful, fit, and disease free, finding happiness within; and motivating people to take action "today" to start their own journey into "total health" of the mind and body -- then, most importantly, giving back by passing it on to others. It teaches and motivates males and females of all ages to live the best quality of life and to have a mindset for success at any endeavor.
About the author:
Rico's expertise is in the fields of mind-body connection, nutrition, strength training, and supplementation. He has won the only two contests he has ever entered and he has been featured in Muscle & Fitness, FLEX, AXL, MAQ, 944, and LVAC magazines. He writes a monthly health column called "Rico's Room" for Strip LV Magazine, and contributes to MAQ Magazine on a regular basis. Muscle & Fitness covered his amazing self-transformation from a skinny, unhealthy youth, into a Masters Bodybuilding Champion and health & fitness author. What are the results of his Ultimate Regimen? He has optimal health, rarely gets sick or pulls/strains a muscle, has the energy of a young adult, and has a happy and fulfilled life. Proof of the program's claim of "turning back the hands of time" seems validated by Rico's physique. He seems to have shredded 15 to 20 years off his body age.
Rico is available for speaking engagements and Corporate Wellness Programs.
Total Health For Life, LLC's second phase will feature its own premier line of vitamins, supplements and protein powders/drinks.
Q2 2008 Earnings Call
August 4, 2008 5:00 pm ET
Executives
[Dave Hynch] - Investor Relations, Health Fitness Corporation
Gregg O. Lehman - Chief Executive Officer President
Wesley W. Winnekins - Chief Financial Officer
Analysts
Ian Corydon - B. Riley & Company
Clint Morrison - Feltl and Company
Presentation
Operator
I would like to welcome everyone to the Health Fitness Corporation second quarter 2008 financial results conference call. (Operator Instructions) I will now turn the conference over to Mr. David [Hynch].
[David Hynch]
Thank you and good afternoon. I’m [Dave Hynch] of Investor Relations for Health Fitness Corporation. Welcome to the company’s second quarter 2008 conference call. With us this afternoon are Gregg Lehman, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer and Wes Winnekins, Chief Financial Officer.
By now everyone should have access to the earnings release, which went out earlier today. For those who do not have a copy, it is available at the Investor Relations Section of Health Fitness’s website at www.hfit.com. Today’s call is being webcast and a replay will be available on the company’s website for 30 days.
Before we begin please note that some of the remarks made today will be forward-looking and are subject to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ, and risk factors that may cause such results to differ, are identified in the company’s 2007 form 10-K annual report. Now I’d like to turn the call over to Gregg Lehman. Gregg.
Gregg Lehman
Thanks, Dave. Good afternoon everyone and thank you for joining us. We’re pleased to share our 2008 second quarter results with you today. During today’s call, I’ll discuss our progress during the quarter and Wes, of course, will summarize our financial results. And then I’ll wrap up with some perspective on additional progress and initiatives in the works to further improve our position in the market.
As you can see from our earlier press release, we experienced a successful second quarter despite a very challenging economy. As we discussed last quarter, Health Fitness Corporation is transitioning from a period of investment in our business into a phase where we start to reap the benefits of those investments. A few of our recent accomplishments include generating double-digit revenue gains for the third quarter in a row, improving gross margin to 29.4% versus 28% for the second quarter last year. Health management segment revenue represented 44% of total revenue compared to 38% a year ago and, of course, we completed our share repurchase program.
These accomplishments demonstrate our progress toward our long-term goals of revenue growth, margin expansion and the eventual shift of our revenue mix to 50/50 between our business segments and, of course, earnings per share expansion. Once again revenues expanded strongly on a year-over-year basis, up approximately 11%. This growth was again driven by our health management segment. As we continue to more our revenue further towards health management, we expect to improve the overall margin profile of our business over time.
During the quarter, our pipeline remained robust with a solid level of RFP activity. We are currently fielding an average of three to five RFPs each week, which is gratifying in this challenging market. During the 2008 second quarter, we received 25 RFPs in our health management segment, compared to 29 RFPs during the same quarter last year. And in fitness management, we fielded three RFPs, compared to seven last year.
On the commitment front, during the quarter, we secured two commitments in health management, up-sold health management services to two fitness management customers and expanded services for four fitness management customers. This is compared to 11 health management commitments and one new commitment and one customer expansion within fitness management during last years second quarter.
We still believe that economic conditions are prompting some companies to lengthen their evaluations periods preceding a commitment. But despite these lengthening evaluation periods, corporate America maintains considerable enthusiasm for employee health improvement services and the means to minimize the effect of rising health care costs.
Operating expense as a percent of revenue was essentially even with the same period last year. As I stated earlier we have completed the investment phase of our growth strategy and we are now focused on sales opportunities and enhancing operational efficiencies.
Now, I’d like to turn the call over to Wes for a more detailed rundown of our financial results for the quarter. Wes.
Wesley Winnekins
Thanks, Gregg. For the second quarter total revenue increased 10.8%, to 18.8 million, compared to 17 million last year. Once again, our health management segment largely drove this growth. Revenue from health management increased 28% to 8.3 million compared to 6.5 million during Q2 2007. Within the segment program and consulting services rose 44% year-over-year, while staffing services increased 17%. The significant jump in program and consulting services is attributable to new and existing customers and the resulting increase in biometric screening and health coaching and advising services.
Gross margins in health management were 35.4% during the quarter, compared to 38.8% for Q2 2007. The decrease is due, in part, to lower pricing for new business won in 2007 and the cost of additional screening and health coaching staff hired in late 2007 to meet forecasted future demand for these services.
Turning to our fitness management segment, total revenue was essentially flat compared to the same period last year, which reflects the company’s success in replacing revenue lost from contract cancellations that occurred during the first six months of 2007. Gross margins in our fitness management segment increased to 24.7%, from 21.3% during the prior year period, chiefly due to higher margins on new staffing services business and improved margins for personal training services.
Regarding new customer commitments, cross selling activity and contract expansions during the quarter, the annualized revenue that may be realized from this activity is 2.4 million. This will be partially offset by a potential annualized revenue loss of $200,000 from fitness management contract cancellations.
A quick look at quarterly operating expenses. For the quarter, operating expenses as a percent of revenue were 26%, essentially even with the same period in 2007. From a dollar standpoint, we expect future operating expenses to remain consistent with current levels. At the same time we believe that operating expenses, as a percent of revenue, will decline as the company achieves revenue growth and operational productivity enhancements.
For the quarter, net earnings were .36 million, compared to .17 million for the prior year period. Basic and diluter earnings per common share were $0.02, compared to $0.01 for last year's Q2.
Before I turn the call back to Gregg, a quick look at our balance sheet position. We entered the quarter with approximately $202,000 in cash, compared to 1.9 million at the end of 2007. Working capital decreased approximately 857,000 to 7.6 million since the end of 2007. We continue to carry no long-term debt and have stockholder's equity of 25.5 million. We expect our balance sheet and existing credit facility will provide sufficient working capital to fund our operating needs for 2008.
Finally, on May 27, 2008, the company completed its share repurchase plan. Under this plan, the company bought approximately 1.1 million shares of its common stock on the open market in accordance with Security and Exchange Commission Rule 10B18 and other pertinent rules and regulations. Share repurchases were funded by the company’s available working capital. Now back to Gregg for some perspective on our growth strategies.
Gregg Lehman
Thanks, Wes. As we continue into the second half of 2008, we are pleased with our achievements and we remain optimistic about the opportunities that lay before us. We’re very confident in our business model, which performed very well in the face of economic sluggishness. Our service offerings present a compelling solution for a company seeking to combat rising healthcare costs, increased productivity and reduced absenteeism.
One of the highlights of the quarter was a commitment we secured with a large mid-Atlantic-based manufacturing company. This particular situation evidences a growing market trend towards combining disease management and lifestyle change management services. To deliver on this opportunity, we partnered with a disease management vendor to develop a tailored package, with Health Fitness serving as a health adviser. This solution will seamlessly integrate our platform with our partner’s disease management platform, which will improve the outcomes reporting process for the entire continuum of care. This commitment, which is in the low seven figures for Health Fitness, illustrates our ability to meet evolving market demands and deliver a blended platform where necessary. Currently we are in the implementation phase of this commitment. This example also illustrates how we’re focused on adapting for the future, as the market is increasingly asking for a one-stop shop to address employee wellness needs.
As part of this adaptation process, we have defined a company-wide theme for the year. That is we’re helping employers design what we call 21st Century Health Benefit Plan for their employees. We believe this theme offers a compelling value proposition to companies regardless of the economic environment.
Operationally we are still focused on productivity, profits and scalability. When I mention internal productivity, a key function is, of course, sales. On an interim basis, I’m taking a much more direct role within the sales organization. So along with our sales team, we are working to ensure that our value proposition and the message about 21st Health Century Benefit's design is being well articulated and received.
Let me just drill down a bit on the 21st Century Health Benefit design. There are five pillars to this design. The first one is to develop a culture of health. The second is change the benefit design from an acute care focus to chronic care and, of course, prevention. Number three, use appropriate incentives to drive people to their engagement. And four, integrate all health programs with consistent data collection and output that is actionable and finally, the five pillar, make a long-term commitment by senior management.
We are also fine tuning our internal processes. For instance, we are increasing the probability of securing new commitments by ramping up our direct marketing initiatives, expanding our marketing targets and, of course, improving the process for pre-qualifying our prospects. We’re also re-evaluating how we convey our value proposition to the market. Our research development and outcomes division, which we call RDO, continues to develop outcomes-based ROI focused methodologies.
We’re moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach, typical in the market. Now, our approach will focus on a time-one versus times-two claims analysis using match case control groups. These outcomes measures will serve two purposes. First, they will eventually enhance the core of our business platform. They will help us develop a data dashboard to help our customers with their internal analyses, and increase their ability to make more informed decisions as to adding additional services. Secondly, they will help us provide solid outcomes reporting to our clients on the cost effectiveness of their programs and, more importantly, to measure the impact of those programs on employee health and productivity. This change in approach will also help our product development team to strengthen our program offerings and ROI reporting tools.
On the product front I’d like to preview some exciting developments. We are progressing toward expanding our product offering to reach more small to mid size employers utilizing channel resellers. We believe there is significant opportunity to extend our e-Health platform to companies where health care costs, as a percentage of overall expense, are often more pronounced.
Additionally, we are continuing to work with a large client to translate our international insight health risk assessment into 35 culturally adapted languages. Once this is complete, we will be able to offer this capability on a global scale. This initiative is a direct response to feedback that we received from large scale customers that they are looking for ways to extend the application of these programs across their business lines.
We believe these and other efforts will continue to enhance our market position. We have a solid sales pipeline, an enhanced service set, more efficient processes and systems, and the resources necessary to address the growth goals before us. We continue to navigate through a tough economy and have increased our revenues and gross margins. We have a number of initiatives in the works designed to drive additional top-line growth, enrich our product offering and capabilities and appropriately manage expense levels. This gives us much cause for optimism.
In conclusion, Health Fitness is well positioned to help corporate America reduce health care costs, one of the highest costs business face today. We are the leading stand alone provider of health and fitness management services for employers. And we continue to take the steps necessary to enhance that position. These steps include focusing on internal processes, productivity and scalability of our product offering.
We also aim to help our customer design a 21st Century Health Benefit Plan with an impactful ROI. We will also continue to serve as a thought leader and actively communicate the benefits of lifestyle management to our target market. Our health and fitness management services are well integrated which have allowed us to effectively leverage our existing base of fitness management clients for cross selling opportunities. We will continue to maximize our service potential and existing customers going forward. And with our health management segment leading the way, we continue to gradually shift our mix of business toward a higher growth, higher margin profile.
We’re pleased with our progress for the first half of 2008 and we look forward to updating you in the quarters ahead. And with that, that concludes my formal remarks and I’d like to turn it over to our operator for Q&A. Operator.
Question-and-Answer Session
Operator
(Operator Instructions). Your first question is from Ian Corydon - B. Riley & Company.
Ian Corydon – B. Riley & Company
Thank you. Could you just kind of talk about the average size of the RFPs you’re looking at versus last year.
Gregg Lehman
Yes. Hi, Ian, this is Gregg. Last year the average size of our opportunities were probably in the low $200,000 range and they’re moving up in the high $200,000 to low $300,000 range, although we’ve seen several opportunities well into the seven figure range, which is, you know, usually you’ll have one or two of those a year, but we have several of those opportunities still in the pipeline.
Ian Corydon – B. Riley & Company
Okay. And has there been any change to your win rate versus last year? Or any change in the competitive environment?
Gregg Lehman
The answer to both of those questions is yes. We’ve seen the win rate drop slightly, only because employers are being much more deliberate in their decision making processes. By that I mean it’s probably extending three to four months longer than it was a year ago at this time. And because the opportunities are bigger, you know, the competitive landscape is much different. A year ago we were competing predominately with vendors that were almost exclusively in, what I call, the wellness and prevention space. This year, we’re finding that we’re competing with more one-stop-shop, such as the disease management companies and several health plans that have aggregated many companies together and are offering these services to their customer base and outside of their customer base as well.
Ian Corydon – B. Riley & Company
Okay. And last question, on the health management revenue growth rate dropped a little bit from the first quarter, to around 27, 28% in the second quarter. Is that a realistic growth rate for health management revenues for the back half of the year, in that kind of 25, 30% range?
Wesley Winnekins
Yes, Ian, this is Wes. You know, we haven’t provided guidance with respect to where we see the remainder of the year coming out. And with the economy the way it is and potential customers delaying decisions, it’s hard to tell how the growth rate is going to play out the remainder of the year.
Gregg Lehman
Let me just add one piece of color commentary to that, Ian, this is Gregg. I will say this, as we noted in our conference call, our pipeline still remain very, very robust. We’re still getting three to five new RFP opportunities per week. Even though the decisions are delayed, employers are not foregoing the opportunity to look for health management services. Why is that? I think predominately because we’ve been able to demonstrate to the market that, for the first year, the cost of providing the service is pretty much budget neutral based on the return on that investment and also it impacts positively productivity and absenteeism rates.
So while employers maybe delaying their decision making, they’re not foregoing the decision altogether. We’ve had a number of employers that are saying, we’d like to do a pilot this year to at least get our big toe in the water and then deploy your full platform of services, perhaps for 2009. And we have several opportunities in the pipeline along that regard too. So it really gives us quite a bit of cause for optimism, in spite of a very sluggish economy.
Ian Corydon – B. Riley & Company
Okay. And has there been any change in the time to implementation, you know, after you get the win? Or is that pretty consistent to last year?
Gregg Lehman
That’s still pretty consistent year-over-year. It’s just the decision that’s being delayed. Once the decision is made, implementation usually takes place, as I mentioned in our Q1 earnings call, somewhere between, you know, 60, 90 days after we get the award. So that’s been pretty consistent.
Ian Corydon – B. Riley & Company
Okay. Thank you.
Operator:
Your next question is from Clint Morrison - Feltl and Company.
Clint Morrison - Feltl and Company
Hey, guys. Nice quarter. Can I just clarify sort of the RFPs and the wins and so forth. You secured two new health management, but is up-selling a couple of fitness guys to health management, were those RFPs? And are those considered to be sort of wins or is that considered something different?
Gregg Lehman
The answer to the first part of your question was some of those are RFP’, but others we have been able to short circuit the RFP, because we have our regional vice presidents talking directly with our customers. Just to amplify on that a bit, Clint, I’ve been averaging anywhere from 12 to 15 client visits per quarter. A couple of those have resulted in an opportunity for us, which we’re pursuing.
Just to explain the breadth and depth of our health management services, and those were predominately fitness management customers, you know, based on our integrated health solution approach of trying to cross-sell. The others were by RFP and because they know that we have a full spectrum of services now, not just being a fitness management provider, but also offering health management services, we’ve been able to get the RFP. So that’s very gratifying. And what was the last half of your question?
Clint Morrison - Feltl and Company
Well, I guess what I’m trying to – I’ve looked at it and for the last, sort of, four or five quarters, you guys have gotten at least a couple of dozen health RFPs. And it looks like you won two in this quarter and I’m trying to say gee, is that a miss or are these upscales also wins, so we could add all those together? It seems like either you’ve got, you know, things have stretched out and you’ve got a huge backlog of RFPs out there because of the slower decision, or that your, sort of, win rate may be, you know, going down a bit.
Gregg Lehman
Well, let me give you some color commentary on that. I think because the competition has changed, you know, some employers have decided to go to their health plans for example and say can I have an intermediate term solution by seeing if you have some of these services that I need until the market improves for their client? So that’s been – I count that as a no decision as opposed to a loss.
You know, we’ve had some losses, but not — I wouldn’t say it’s an alarming number of losses as much as delays. So for example, with the two wins compared to the 11 wins last quarter, one of the things that I look at, and I do count, by the way, the upselling opportunities as a win, because that service is going to go to somebody, whether it’s us or not or whether it’s an RFP or not. It expands our opportunities for existing clients and, quite frankly, Clint, it’s going to make it harder for them to leave us if we’re offering a full spectrum of services.
The other thing I would point out is that I can think of four opportunities right now that should have had a decision in the second quarter that we should hear something from them, all four of those, within the next two to four weeks. So again that was a delay, so we couldn’t account for that win or loss in the second quarter.
Clint Morrison - Feltl and Company
Okay. But it does sound like the numbers are going up, because, obviously, this is, I guess, the most net revenue you’ve brought in, you know, in four quarters.
Gregg Lehman
Absolutely. And that’s why, Clint, we’re still very bullish on the company’s long-term strategic plan. This is a market condition that every company has to deal with and we’re deal with it, I think, very effectively.
Clint Morrison - Feltl and Company
Okay. And last question with regards to margins, if you look on the health side sort of the net health margins were, you know, about as anticipated. But there was a big, you know, program went way down and staffing went way up. Sort of can you explain what happened there?
Wesley Winnekins
Yeah, Clint, this is Wes. We’ve gotten some better pricing on our staffing contracts and that’s why you see the increase in margin there. And beginning in the first quarter, I was talking about the decrease in our programs and consulting margins. Where in 2007 we brought on board a couple of fairly large contracts that we had to competitively price to win the business and consequently, that has affected, negatively affected, our program and consulting margins for the first two quarters of this year.
Now our intent is as we continue to sell new health management contracts that by and large are predominantly programs-driven, we hope our pricing on those contracts will allow us to increase the programs and consulting margin back up over the next few quarters.
Clint Morrison - Feltl and Company
Okay. Thank you. That takes care of me.
Operator
(Operator Instructions) At this time, there are no further questions.
Gregg Lehman
All right. This is Gregg Lehman, again. I want to thank all of you for joining us on our call today. And we look forward to updating you on our 2008 third quarter results in November. Thank you very much and have a great week.
Operator
This concludes today’s conference. You may now disconnect.
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Baby Boomers - Health and Fitness Book Release
Total Health For Life: Mind & Body, The Baby Boomer's Bible of Health", by 54 year old Rico Connor, (Amazon.com in paperback) launched its marketing campaign today all over the Web. Connor's huge YouTube (totalhealth4life) list and Web membership grows daily as he teaches baby boomers how to achieve optimal health, reverse aging, fight disease and train your mind to be successful at anything in just 7 hours a week! His lifestyle was created and designed for success, with the busy individual in mind to cut through fitness and diet myths and give precise content on how to transform your mind and body.
turning back the hands of time
Las Vegas, NV (PRWEB) September 22, 2008 -- Total Health For Life: Mind & Body, The Baby Boomer's Bible of Health", by 54 year old Rico Connor, (Amazon.com in paperback) launched its marketing campaign today all over the Web. Connor's huge YouTube (totalhealth4life) list and Web membership grows daily as he teaches baby boomers how to achieve optimal health, reverse aging, fight disease and train your mind to be successful at anything in just 7 hours a week! His lifestyle was created and designed for success, with the busy individual in mind to cut through fitness and diet myths and give precise content on how to transform your mind and body.
Connor was featured on the local FOX 5 channel on the morning news on July 10th about being fit at 50. The book is a vehicle to transform your mind and body into a state where you enjoy the ultimate fulfillment of your life -- physically and mentally. It is not another fad diet, or a DVD with a new aerobic twist that you can't and won't stick to. It is based on science and tailored by experience. It is a workable lifestyle which after a few months you will not even think about, because you won't be counting calories or keeping religious notes.
"Total Health For Life: Mind & Body, The Baby Boomer's Bible of Health" , by 54 year old Rico Connor.
The book is a culmination of over twenty five years of absorbing knowledge and through a trial and error process, forming his own system of becoming optimally healthy. In going through numerous health regimens and each one of them had some good points but none of them ties all aspects of what Rico calls total health, together in one program. The book wasn't written to help sell a home gym machine but to help people. It was written after years of seeing people struggling to lose weight, gain weight, or get in shape, only to watch them sabotage their efforts and waste their time in the gym because they didn't have the proper knowledge, motivation, willpower or discipline. Even worse was seeing people that had a decent grasp of strength training and aerobic exercise but obtained minimal results because of poor diet!
It incorporates the teachings of Anthony Robbins, Joe Vitale, Wayne Dyer and others.
To be successful at being healthy the art of mind-body connection must be learned and practiced every day. By using it your health and fitness, and every phase of your life will improve.
The book is a very entertaining, easy read that informs, inspires, teaches and gives the tools to succeed where most programs fail, because it is flexible, all encompassing, and written with busy people in mind. It cuts through all of the fads, misconceptions and quackery in the health and fitness fields and teaches you the science of becoming the healthiest you'll ever be in just 7 hours a week. Even though the book is targeted towards Baby Boomers, the lifestyle works for males and females of all ages -- teens, adults and seniors.
The book is much more than just a way to achieve a long, healthy, disease free, quality life. It places great value on the mastery of mind-body connection to also change and improve your relationships with family and loved ones, to rise and advance in your profession, and to take advantage of all that life has to offer. It urges you to take the time to get to know your inner-self, to find out what gives your life meaning and a sense of purpose, and to proceed in that direction. Your rewards will be fulfillment, a great sense of self-worth, and happiness.
The site www.totalhealth4life.net: The site's mission is teaching the "secret" of staying youthful, fit, and disease free, finding happiness within; and motivating people to take action "today" to start their own journey into "total health" of the mind and body -- then, most importantly, giving back by passing it on to others. It teaches and motivates males and females of all ages to live the best quality of life and to have a mindset for success at any endeavor.
About the author:
Rico's expertise is in the fields of mind-body connection, nutrition, strength training, and supplementation. He has won the only two contests he has ever entered and he has been featured in Muscle & Fitness, FLEX, AXL, MAQ, 944, and LVAC magazines. He writes a monthly health column called "Rico's Room" for Strip LV Magazine, and contributes to MAQ Magazine on a regular basis. Muscle & Fitness covered his amazing self-transformation from a skinny, unhealthy youth, into a Masters Bodybuilding Champion and health & fitness author. What are the results of his Ultimate Regimen? He has optimal health, rarely gets sick or pulls/strains a muscle, has the energy of a young adult, and has a happy and fulfilled life. Proof of the program's claim of "turning back the hands of time" seems validated by Rico's physique. He seems to have shredded 15 to 20 years off his body age.
Rico is available for speaking engagements and Corporate Wellness Programs.
Total Health For Life, LLC's second phase will feature its own premier line of vitamins, supplements and protein powders/drinks.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Health & Fitness : Accuray Licenses Technology From Morphormics for Prostate Cancer Treatment Planning
SkyNewswire.com)---SUNNYVALE, CA & CHAPEL, HILL, N.C. -- Accuray Incorporated (Nasdaq: ARAY), a global leader in the field of radiosurgery, announced today that the company is partnering with Morphormics Incorporated, a start-up company out of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, in the development and licensing of autocontouring technology. The technology automatically identifies and draws the boundaries of the prostate and surrounding critical structures, enabling the treatment planning software to focus radiation dose on the prostate and minimize delivering dose to the surrounding critical structures. This partnership reflects Accuray's focus on advanced technologies to improve the treatment of prostate cancer.
Traditionally in radiation oncology treatment planning, a CT scan is acquired and clinicians work slice by slice to contour -- or draw -- the patient's anatomy by hand. This process can be challenging and time consuming because the planning CT image offers poor contrast, making it difficult to distinguish the boundaries between the prostate, bladder and rectum.
Improving the lives of neglected children in remote communities all over the world.read more... Positively Impact Someone's Life Today!
Autocontouring -- also called autosegmentation -- helps clinicians save time and improves the efficiency of their contouring by offering estimated anatomical boundary contours for the prostate and surrounding anatomy that can be matched to the patient's CT scan using corresponding image points.
"We looked at a number of companies and believe Morphormics offers the best technology to help our customers improve their productivity and patient outcomes," said Euan S. Thomson, Ph.D., president and CEO of Accuray Incorporated. "In keeping with Accuray's mission to provide clinically relevant technologies, this endeavor is another example of our commitment to improving clinicians' ability to treat prostate cancer."
"We are excited to have Accuray as our first customer and look forward to partnering with them to develop our autocontouring technology," said Ed Chaney, founder of Morphormics and professor of Radiation Oncology and Biomedical Engineering at UNC Chapel Hill. "As a medical physicist myself, I recognize the importance of extreme accuracy and precision in cancer care and believe this technology is a significant advancement in prostate cancer planning and workflow."
Accuray will demonstrate the Morphormics prostate autocontouring capability as a technology under development at the company's booth #1701 during the 50th American Society for Therapeutic Radiology & Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting September 21-25, 2008 in Boston.
About the CyberKnife(R) Robotic Radiosurgery System
The CyberKnife Robotic Radiosurgery System is the world's only robotic radiosurgery system designed to treat tumors anywhere in the body non- invasively. Using continual image guidance technology and computer controlled robotic mobility, the CyberKnife System automatically tracks, detects and corrects for tumor and patient movement in real-time throughout the treatment. This enables the CyberKnife System to deliver high-dose radiation with pinpoint precision, which minimizes damage to surrounding healthy tissue and eliminates the need for invasive head or body stabilization frames.
About Accuray
Accuray Incorporated (Nasdaq: ARAY), based in Sunnyvale, Calif., is a global leader in the field of radiosurgery dedicated to providing an improved quality of life and a non-surgical treatment option for those diagnosed with cancer. Accuray develops and markets the CyberKnife Robotic Radiosurgery System, which extends the benefits of radiosurgery to include extracranial tumors, including those in the spine, lung, prostate, liver and pancreas. To date, the CyberKnife System has been used to treat more than 50,000 patients worldwide and currently more than 140 systems have been installed in leading hospitals in the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit http://www.accuray.com
Online Certificates in Nutrition, Fitness, and Health
(OPENPRESS) September 20, 2008 -- These interactive, comprehensive Web-based Certificate programs, several with an optional elective field internship course, are a collaboration between Educational Fitness Solutions, the College-University Partners Network™, industry experts, internship affiliates, a board of advisors, and national organizations. These online programs will allow students from around the world to fit courses into their busy work and home schedules.
The certificates in Nutrition, Fitness, and Health are designed to supply essential educational pathways and career opportunities to those seeking to start a career in the emerging health/fitness industry, those actively involved in the Allied health/medical field and registered dietitians who desire continuing educational units/credits. In addition, those from the surrounding community who want the most up to date information on how to become/stay healthy will benefit from these certificates as well.
Courses are instructor led, and you benefit from ongoing guidance, instruction, and interaction from instructors who hold either a master’s or doctoral degree in exercise physiology, kinesiology, biomechanics, physical therapy, nutrition or other exercise science related degrees. The instructors are leading experts, national presenters, and teachers in the health and fitness industry who will support their students and can serve as valuable resources and mentors. The certificate programs are offered three times per year in the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters, and can be completed in 3 to 6 months, depending on the certificate program. Courses may be taken individually if desired and students have up to 2 years to complete a certificate.
These online program’s will provide advanced education and CECs or CPEUs for group fitness instructors, personal trainers, RD’s, physical therapists, nurses, athletic trainers, and chiropractors seeking recertification or career advancement. In addition, the growth in demand for a qualified fitness professional attests to the fact that this is a valuable, much needed service profession. According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau publication Occupational Outlook Handbook, overall employment for fitness professionals is expected to increase 44% from 2002 to 2012.
These programs are offered in partnership with many of the nation’s leading health and fitness organizations. Students graduating from the certificate programs will be eligible to receive educational, membership, and national certification exam opportunities. The following national organizations are partners in these programs: The American Council on Exercise (ACE), Health Club Managers, Inc., Idea Health and Fitness Association, International Council on Active Aging (ICAA), Aquatic Exercise Association (AEA), Personal Fitness Professional (PFP), American Senior Fitness Association (SFA), Healthways SilverSneakers® Fitness Program, Women’s Health Foundation, and Healthy Moms.
Traditionally in radiation oncology treatment planning, a CT scan is acquired and clinicians work slice by slice to contour -- or draw -- the patient's anatomy by hand. This process can be challenging and time consuming because the planning CT image offers poor contrast, making it difficult to distinguish the boundaries between the prostate, bladder and rectum.
Improving the lives of neglected children in remote communities all over the world.read more... Positively Impact Someone's Life Today!
Autocontouring -- also called autosegmentation -- helps clinicians save time and improves the efficiency of their contouring by offering estimated anatomical boundary contours for the prostate and surrounding anatomy that can be matched to the patient's CT scan using corresponding image points.
"We looked at a number of companies and believe Morphormics offers the best technology to help our customers improve their productivity and patient outcomes," said Euan S. Thomson, Ph.D., president and CEO of Accuray Incorporated. "In keeping with Accuray's mission to provide clinically relevant technologies, this endeavor is another example of our commitment to improving clinicians' ability to treat prostate cancer."
"We are excited to have Accuray as our first customer and look forward to partnering with them to develop our autocontouring technology," said Ed Chaney, founder of Morphormics and professor of Radiation Oncology and Biomedical Engineering at UNC Chapel Hill. "As a medical physicist myself, I recognize the importance of extreme accuracy and precision in cancer care and believe this technology is a significant advancement in prostate cancer planning and workflow."
Accuray will demonstrate the Morphormics prostate autocontouring capability as a technology under development at the company's booth #1701 during the 50th American Society for Therapeutic Radiology & Oncology (ASTRO) Annual Meeting September 21-25, 2008 in Boston.
About the CyberKnife(R) Robotic Radiosurgery System
The CyberKnife Robotic Radiosurgery System is the world's only robotic radiosurgery system designed to treat tumors anywhere in the body non- invasively. Using continual image guidance technology and computer controlled robotic mobility, the CyberKnife System automatically tracks, detects and corrects for tumor and patient movement in real-time throughout the treatment. This enables the CyberKnife System to deliver high-dose radiation with pinpoint precision, which minimizes damage to surrounding healthy tissue and eliminates the need for invasive head or body stabilization frames.
About Accuray
Accuray Incorporated (Nasdaq: ARAY), based in Sunnyvale, Calif., is a global leader in the field of radiosurgery dedicated to providing an improved quality of life and a non-surgical treatment option for those diagnosed with cancer. Accuray develops and markets the CyberKnife Robotic Radiosurgery System, which extends the benefits of radiosurgery to include extracranial tumors, including those in the spine, lung, prostate, liver and pancreas. To date, the CyberKnife System has been used to treat more than 50,000 patients worldwide and currently more than 140 systems have been installed in leading hospitals in the Americas, Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit http://www.accuray.com
Online Certificates in Nutrition, Fitness, and Health
(OPENPRESS) September 20, 2008 -- These interactive, comprehensive Web-based Certificate programs, several with an optional elective field internship course, are a collaboration between Educational Fitness Solutions, the College-University Partners Network™, industry experts, internship affiliates, a board of advisors, and national organizations. These online programs will allow students from around the world to fit courses into their busy work and home schedules.
The certificates in Nutrition, Fitness, and Health are designed to supply essential educational pathways and career opportunities to those seeking to start a career in the emerging health/fitness industry, those actively involved in the Allied health/medical field and registered dietitians who desire continuing educational units/credits. In addition, those from the surrounding community who want the most up to date information on how to become/stay healthy will benefit from these certificates as well.
Courses are instructor led, and you benefit from ongoing guidance, instruction, and interaction from instructors who hold either a master’s or doctoral degree in exercise physiology, kinesiology, biomechanics, physical therapy, nutrition or other exercise science related degrees. The instructors are leading experts, national presenters, and teachers in the health and fitness industry who will support their students and can serve as valuable resources and mentors. The certificate programs are offered three times per year in the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters, and can be completed in 3 to 6 months, depending on the certificate program. Courses may be taken individually if desired and students have up to 2 years to complete a certificate.
These online program’s will provide advanced education and CECs or CPEUs for group fitness instructors, personal trainers, RD’s, physical therapists, nurses, athletic trainers, and chiropractors seeking recertification or career advancement. In addition, the growth in demand for a qualified fitness professional attests to the fact that this is a valuable, much needed service profession. According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau publication Occupational Outlook Handbook, overall employment for fitness professionals is expected to increase 44% from 2002 to 2012.
These programs are offered in partnership with many of the nation’s leading health and fitness organizations. Students graduating from the certificate programs will be eligible to receive educational, membership, and national certification exam opportunities. The following national organizations are partners in these programs: The American Council on Exercise (ACE), Health Club Managers, Inc., Idea Health and Fitness Association, International Council on Active Aging (ICAA), Aquatic Exercise Association (AEA), Personal Fitness Professional (PFP), American Senior Fitness Association (SFA), Healthways SilverSneakers® Fitness Program, Women’s Health Foundation, and Healthy Moms.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Austin schools flop on fitness tests
Teachers, parents, students working on problem, but statistics show Hispanic kids, ones from poorer families fare poorly.
By Molly Bloom
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Austin students from poor families tend to be less physically fit than students from wealthier families, an American-Statesman analysis of school district data shows. And Hispanic students tend to be less physically fit than students of other races.
A 2007 state law required all school districts to give students standardized fitness evaluations measuring height-weight proportionality, cardiovascular capacity, strength and flexibility. The first evaluations were given to students in the 2007-08 school year.
Austin's trend mirrors statewide results, and national studies that show higher rates of physical inactivity and obesity among Hispanic and poor adults and children put them at higher risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, joint and bone disease, and other health problems.
Regardless of fitness trends among various demographic groups in Austin, "what's really striking is the absolute level of poor fitness across the board in general," said Dr. Aliya Hussaini, a health program grant officer at the Dell Family Foundation, which has invested $85 million in childhood health issues in Texas, including support for health and fitness programs at 97 Travis County public elementary schools.
Austin students in general are in worse shape than those in all but three of the state's 10 largest districts. About 19 percent of all Austin students fall in the "healthy zone" on all of the fitness measures; below them on the list are students from the Fort Bend district, near Houston, with 15 percent; Houston, with 13 percent; and Dallas, with 11 percent.
Austin has a higher proportion of unhealthy students, as measured by the percentage of students falling in the "healthy zone" on all of the fitness tests, than all but eight of the 28 public school districts in Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop and Caldwell counties for which fitness data are available.
In the Wimberley school district, none of the 1,010 students tested passed all of the tests, a surprising result considering the district's athletic championships in recent years and its relatively low proportion of students from low-income families.
Wimberley superintendent Dwain York said district staff members are investigating the low fitness scores.
A renewed push
The requirement to test students' physical fitness each year is one of the recent efforts by state legislators, including state Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Lewisville, to draw attention to and improve children's health through the public school system.
After regular physical education classes in Texas elementary schools were phased out in 1995, Texas schoolchildren were not required to participate in physical activity during the school day beyond taking physical education classes in high school.
In 2002, the state began requiring kindergartners and elementary school students to participate in daily physical activity for at least 135 minutes a week, which averages out to 27 minutes a day.
The 2007 law, sponsored by Nelson, also requires middle school students to have at least 30 minutes of daily physical activity in at least four semesters. Those requirements take effect this school year. Lawmakers have discussed physical activity requirements for high school students, who currently must have a minimum of 1.5 physical education credits to graduate.
State law now also requires elementary and middle schools to adopt comprehensive health plans addressing health education, physical fitness, nutrition and parental involvement.
The 2007-08 school year was the first time that all districts were required to give the fitness tests to all students in grades 3 to 12, so most parents won't know whether their schools' efforts to keep kids healthy are paying off until results come back from this school year's evaluations.
Though a growing body of research shows that physical fitness programs can improve student academic performance, several studies, including a 2007 study by the Austin school district, have found that family income has a bigger influence. The Austin study, which included fifth- and seventh-graders, found only a "modest relationship" between fitness and academic achievement.
This fall, the Texas Education Agency plans to release a statewide report examining the relationship between children's fitness levels and academic performance, attendance, discipline and other measures.
Texas tests, but ...
Texas is one of several states that require schools to give students standardized fitness tests and report the results to the state, according to the National Association for Sport and Physical Education. Others include California, Connecticut, Delaware and West Virginia.
But Texas is the only state to require all but the youngest students to be tested: Most other states test only three or four grades. But unlike California and Connecticut, which report schools' fitness test results on their annual school report cards, the Texas Education Agency does not publish individual schools' results.
The $230 cost to each Texas district for the equipment and computer software used to conduct the fitness tests and report the results was covered by private donations raised by the Cooper Institute, the Dallas-based nonprofit that created the software.
In the 2007-08 school year, in part to comply with state law, the Austin school district launched a coordinated effort to improve student health.
The district revised its physical education curriculum and encouraged school staff members and administrators to take physical education as seriously as any other class.
Playing badminton in P.E. class in the spring convinced Isaac Rodriguez, then a fifth-grader at Hart Elementary School in Northeast Austin, that the game could be "kind of fun." But even more important to Isaac was the chance to get up and move around.
"I just like getting out of the classroom," he said.
Feeling the squeeze
In spite of significant school-by-school disparities in Austin students' fitness levels, the Austin school district has no plans to give schools with higher proportions of less healthy students more fitness-focused staff, equipment or professional training, Austin schools health coordinator Tracy Diggs Lunoff said.
Few other Central Texas districts plan to focus resources on less healthy schools, either.
The Lake Travis school district has added centers with nutrition information in every school's library and is introducing a health program this school year focusing on proper nutrition — again, in each school, rather than at specific schools or student groups.
Last week, Austin trustees approved a budget amendment of $60,000 to fund a health and wellness specialist position previously paid for through a grant. The specialist visits campuses to help implement fitness and health programs.
Though schools are responsible for students for at least 35 hours each week, countless factors that affect students' health — like what they eat at home, how much exercise they get, and how much tobacco use they're exposed to — are largely outside the district's control, Lunoff said.
At Maplewood Elementary School in East Austin, parent Wendy Morgan said she didn't think that her daughter and her classmates necessarily needed more physical education teachers or equipment.
However, Morgan said, it is unfair that Maplewood's outdoor facilities are in worse shape than those at Austin schools in wealthier neighborhoods: The basketball poles tilt and the track field is lumpy and lacks a water fountain.
About 46 percent of Maplewood students were at a healthy weight relative to their heights last year, compared with the district elementary school average of 70 percent.
More than 75 percent of the school's students qualify for free- or reduced-price lunches; about 40 percent of students are Hispanic.
Azucena Garcia, principal of Sanchez Elementary School, said more resources at her campus would be welcome.
A few years ago, a grant allowed Garcia to hire an extra physical education teaching specialist who helped supervise students' daily physical activity time. The specialist also set up an after-school yoga program for students and a morning walking group for parents, among other programs.
And it helped. According to the state fitness report, 72 percent of Sanchez's students are at a healthy weight. More than 90 percent of the school's students qualify for free- or reduced-price lunches; about 93 percent of students are Hispanic.
When the grant funding ended, the extra physical education teacher's position was cut, and some of the initiatives the specialist started fell by the wayside, Garcia said.
"I'm always looking for more opportunities," Garcia said. "As it is, it's up to interest and how much you're willing to do."
By Molly Bloom
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Austin students from poor families tend to be less physically fit than students from wealthier families, an American-Statesman analysis of school district data shows. And Hispanic students tend to be less physically fit than students of other races.
A 2007 state law required all school districts to give students standardized fitness evaluations measuring height-weight proportionality, cardiovascular capacity, strength and flexibility. The first evaluations were given to students in the 2007-08 school year.
Austin's trend mirrors statewide results, and national studies that show higher rates of physical inactivity and obesity among Hispanic and poor adults and children put them at higher risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, joint and bone disease, and other health problems.
Regardless of fitness trends among various demographic groups in Austin, "what's really striking is the absolute level of poor fitness across the board in general," said Dr. Aliya Hussaini, a health program grant officer at the Dell Family Foundation, which has invested $85 million in childhood health issues in Texas, including support for health and fitness programs at 97 Travis County public elementary schools.
Austin students in general are in worse shape than those in all but three of the state's 10 largest districts. About 19 percent of all Austin students fall in the "healthy zone" on all of the fitness measures; below them on the list are students from the Fort Bend district, near Houston, with 15 percent; Houston, with 13 percent; and Dallas, with 11 percent.
Austin has a higher proportion of unhealthy students, as measured by the percentage of students falling in the "healthy zone" on all of the fitness tests, than all but eight of the 28 public school districts in Travis, Williamson, Hays, Bastrop and Caldwell counties for which fitness data are available.
In the Wimberley school district, none of the 1,010 students tested passed all of the tests, a surprising result considering the district's athletic championships in recent years and its relatively low proportion of students from low-income families.
Wimberley superintendent Dwain York said district staff members are investigating the low fitness scores.
A renewed push
The requirement to test students' physical fitness each year is one of the recent efforts by state legislators, including state Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Lewisville, to draw attention to and improve children's health through the public school system.
After regular physical education classes in Texas elementary schools were phased out in 1995, Texas schoolchildren were not required to participate in physical activity during the school day beyond taking physical education classes in high school.
In 2002, the state began requiring kindergartners and elementary school students to participate in daily physical activity for at least 135 minutes a week, which averages out to 27 minutes a day.
The 2007 law, sponsored by Nelson, also requires middle school students to have at least 30 minutes of daily physical activity in at least four semesters. Those requirements take effect this school year. Lawmakers have discussed physical activity requirements for high school students, who currently must have a minimum of 1.5 physical education credits to graduate.
State law now also requires elementary and middle schools to adopt comprehensive health plans addressing health education, physical fitness, nutrition and parental involvement.
The 2007-08 school year was the first time that all districts were required to give the fitness tests to all students in grades 3 to 12, so most parents won't know whether their schools' efforts to keep kids healthy are paying off until results come back from this school year's evaluations.
Though a growing body of research shows that physical fitness programs can improve student academic performance, several studies, including a 2007 study by the Austin school district, have found that family income has a bigger influence. The Austin study, which included fifth- and seventh-graders, found only a "modest relationship" between fitness and academic achievement.
This fall, the Texas Education Agency plans to release a statewide report examining the relationship between children's fitness levels and academic performance, attendance, discipline and other measures.
Texas tests, but ...
Texas is one of several states that require schools to give students standardized fitness tests and report the results to the state, according to the National Association for Sport and Physical Education. Others include California, Connecticut, Delaware and West Virginia.
But Texas is the only state to require all but the youngest students to be tested: Most other states test only three or four grades. But unlike California and Connecticut, which report schools' fitness test results on their annual school report cards, the Texas Education Agency does not publish individual schools' results.
The $230 cost to each Texas district for the equipment and computer software used to conduct the fitness tests and report the results was covered by private donations raised by the Cooper Institute, the Dallas-based nonprofit that created the software.
In the 2007-08 school year, in part to comply with state law, the Austin school district launched a coordinated effort to improve student health.
The district revised its physical education curriculum and encouraged school staff members and administrators to take physical education as seriously as any other class.
Playing badminton in P.E. class in the spring convinced Isaac Rodriguez, then a fifth-grader at Hart Elementary School in Northeast Austin, that the game could be "kind of fun." But even more important to Isaac was the chance to get up and move around.
"I just like getting out of the classroom," he said.
Feeling the squeeze
In spite of significant school-by-school disparities in Austin students' fitness levels, the Austin school district has no plans to give schools with higher proportions of less healthy students more fitness-focused staff, equipment or professional training, Austin schools health coordinator Tracy Diggs Lunoff said.
Few other Central Texas districts plan to focus resources on less healthy schools, either.
The Lake Travis school district has added centers with nutrition information in every school's library and is introducing a health program this school year focusing on proper nutrition — again, in each school, rather than at specific schools or student groups.
Last week, Austin trustees approved a budget amendment of $60,000 to fund a health and wellness specialist position previously paid for through a grant. The specialist visits campuses to help implement fitness and health programs.
Though schools are responsible for students for at least 35 hours each week, countless factors that affect students' health — like what they eat at home, how much exercise they get, and how much tobacco use they're exposed to — are largely outside the district's control, Lunoff said.
At Maplewood Elementary School in East Austin, parent Wendy Morgan said she didn't think that her daughter and her classmates necessarily needed more physical education teachers or equipment.
However, Morgan said, it is unfair that Maplewood's outdoor facilities are in worse shape than those at Austin schools in wealthier neighborhoods: The basketball poles tilt and the track field is lumpy and lacks a water fountain.
About 46 percent of Maplewood students were at a healthy weight relative to their heights last year, compared with the district elementary school average of 70 percent.
More than 75 percent of the school's students qualify for free- or reduced-price lunches; about 40 percent of students are Hispanic.
Azucena Garcia, principal of Sanchez Elementary School, said more resources at her campus would be welcome.
A few years ago, a grant allowed Garcia to hire an extra physical education teaching specialist who helped supervise students' daily physical activity time. The specialist also set up an after-school yoga program for students and a morning walking group for parents, among other programs.
And it helped. According to the state fitness report, 72 percent of Sanchez's students are at a healthy weight. More than 90 percent of the school's students qualify for free- or reduced-price lunches; about 93 percent of students are Hispanic.
When the grant funding ended, the extra physical education teacher's position was cut, and some of the initiatives the specialist started fell by the wayside, Garcia said.
"I'm always looking for more opportunities," Garcia said. "As it is, it's up to interest and how much you're willing to do."
Getting Fit
Discussing the myths of health and performance: Great North Run training
IN a series of fortnightly articles, we have been discussing the myths and contentious issues that exist in the health and fitness world. I have consequently been asked an excellent question, my favourite so far. “How do I complete the Great North Run?” Quite a daunting task if you’ve never experienced 13.1 miles on foot. There are thousands of us currently preparing for the run and all have a training routine of some sort.
We all have different motivations. Whatever is driving you to take part, and no matter what stage you are at in your training, I will share with you some fundamentals that all levels of athletes need to pay full attention to.
l Reaching your potential: A big mistake often made when preparing for the run and, in fact, many sports is to simply look at what the activity entails and then train this exclusively. Yes, you will need to be gradually building up the road miles as part of your training, but this alone will inevitably lead to reduced performance levels, injury and your system breaking down. There are certain key factors that should be the base of your conditioning.
l What you eat, how you move and when you sleep: Consideration of these three factors will ensure you are in your best condition to train and not just complete the run, but beat that personal best.
It seems obvious, but I have found it alarming how many of us who are looking for enhanced health and performance actually drastically negate these areas. Sometimes it seems that we don’t fully appreciate how important it is that we eat the right foods at the right time of the day, recover correctly and sleep at the right times. Often it is a simple case of priorities.
l Eat, move and be healthy: A fantastic book that I recommend to establish a holistic approach, not just to the run, but your pursuits and life in general, is Eat, Move and be Healthy by Paul Chek. As a Chek exercise coach I urge you to embrace these factors to prevent breaking your body down and to build a strong system that gives rise to sustained energy levels, a rock-solid immune system and boosted performance levels. Your conditioning programme will also be enhanced by the support of the trainers at BodyGuards Personal Fitness Gym, who embrace this approach (contact below).
l More myths? In two weeks’ time we will look at this approach in more depth with regards to the run.
In the meantime, what topics, trends, exercises, and advice do you want some clarity on?
IN a series of fortnightly articles, we have been discussing the myths and contentious issues that exist in the health and fitness world. I have consequently been asked an excellent question, my favourite so far. “How do I complete the Great North Run?” Quite a daunting task if you’ve never experienced 13.1 miles on foot. There are thousands of us currently preparing for the run and all have a training routine of some sort.
We all have different motivations. Whatever is driving you to take part, and no matter what stage you are at in your training, I will share with you some fundamentals that all levels of athletes need to pay full attention to.
l Reaching your potential: A big mistake often made when preparing for the run and, in fact, many sports is to simply look at what the activity entails and then train this exclusively. Yes, you will need to be gradually building up the road miles as part of your training, but this alone will inevitably lead to reduced performance levels, injury and your system breaking down. There are certain key factors that should be the base of your conditioning.
l What you eat, how you move and when you sleep: Consideration of these three factors will ensure you are in your best condition to train and not just complete the run, but beat that personal best.
It seems obvious, but I have found it alarming how many of us who are looking for enhanced health and performance actually drastically negate these areas. Sometimes it seems that we don’t fully appreciate how important it is that we eat the right foods at the right time of the day, recover correctly and sleep at the right times. Often it is a simple case of priorities.
l Eat, move and be healthy: A fantastic book that I recommend to establish a holistic approach, not just to the run, but your pursuits and life in general, is Eat, Move and be Healthy by Paul Chek. As a Chek exercise coach I urge you to embrace these factors to prevent breaking your body down and to build a strong system that gives rise to sustained energy levels, a rock-solid immune system and boosted performance levels. Your conditioning programme will also be enhanced by the support of the trainers at BodyGuards Personal Fitness Gym, who embrace this approach (contact below).
l More myths? In two weeks’ time we will look at this approach in more depth with regards to the run.
In the meantime, what topics, trends, exercises, and advice do you want some clarity on?
Friday, August 29, 2008
Tennessee Retirement Community Highlights Health, Fitness and Upscale AmenitiesWEBWIRE – Monday, August 25, 2008
Active adults consist of boomers age 55 and over who find themselves at a stage of social transition. Many are ready to reinvent their careers, or continue their education. Some may be looking to become more involved in an active lifestyle taking up golf, hiking, reading or arts and crafts. Whatever their individual goals may be, most active adults are looking to make the most of their time, which tends to become busier as it fills with the activities they’ve been “meaning to do”.
Communities such as Centennial Bluff, in Oak Ridge Tennessee, just outside Knoxville, offer onsite amenities and activities geared to the preferences of the active pre-retired and retirees.
Information on the Tennessee community is available online at http://www.centennialbluff.com/community.htm
Residents in active adult communities like Centennial Bluff benefit from onsite activities specifically geared to their interests. For example, walking is one of this market’s most highly preferred activities. At Centennial Bluff, the community entrance is directly across from a four mile walking/biking trail that runs along the shore of Melton Hill Lake. Adjacent to the community is the 18-hole Centennial Golf Course.
In addition to living just steps away from these beautiful attractions, community residents can also enjoy the gorgeous lake side views and lush greenery of these neighboring assets from the privacy of their homes’ terraces.
CEO Bruce Matzel stated, “Equally important to the many onsite amenities is the convenience of the nearby town of Oak Ridge and the city of Knoxville which complement our fabulous variety of activities. Centennial Bluff offers the best of all worlds.”
Active adult communities provide the convenience of onsite amenities to help their homeowners leverage busy schedules, foster meeting one another and form new friendships. These activities are centered in their 12,000 SF amenity clubhouse. In fact, Centennial Bluff offers so many activities and amenities that there will be two fulltime staff members, the lifestyle director and concierge, to help coordinate clubs and arrangements for owners.
The club will house a state-of-the-art fitness center, full-service spa, billiard room with wet bar, flat screen TVs and his/hers card rooms. There’s also an arts and craft room, business center, gathering lobby with conversation areas, banquet dining for 100 persons, barbeque area, pet-park, outdoor pavilion with fireplace and heated pool with hot tub.
When asked about the many activities found at the community, Matzel answers, “The activity plan of Centennial Bluff was carefully planned based on research of the lifestyle preferences of active adults. We listened to our market and designed the community accordingly. Our owners have all the same benefits of a four star resort, literally at their doorstep.”
Communities such as Centennial Bluff, in Oak Ridge Tennessee, just outside Knoxville, offer onsite amenities and activities geared to the preferences of the active pre-retired and retirees.
Information on the Tennessee community is available online at http://www.centennialbluff.com/community.htm
Residents in active adult communities like Centennial Bluff benefit from onsite activities specifically geared to their interests. For example, walking is one of this market’s most highly preferred activities. At Centennial Bluff, the community entrance is directly across from a four mile walking/biking trail that runs along the shore of Melton Hill Lake. Adjacent to the community is the 18-hole Centennial Golf Course.
In addition to living just steps away from these beautiful attractions, community residents can also enjoy the gorgeous lake side views and lush greenery of these neighboring assets from the privacy of their homes’ terraces.
CEO Bruce Matzel stated, “Equally important to the many onsite amenities is the convenience of the nearby town of Oak Ridge and the city of Knoxville which complement our fabulous variety of activities. Centennial Bluff offers the best of all worlds.”
Active adult communities provide the convenience of onsite amenities to help their homeowners leverage busy schedules, foster meeting one another and form new friendships. These activities are centered in their 12,000 SF amenity clubhouse. In fact, Centennial Bluff offers so many activities and amenities that there will be two fulltime staff members, the lifestyle director and concierge, to help coordinate clubs and arrangements for owners.
The club will house a state-of-the-art fitness center, full-service spa, billiard room with wet bar, flat screen TVs and his/hers card rooms. There’s also an arts and craft room, business center, gathering lobby with conversation areas, banquet dining for 100 persons, barbeque area, pet-park, outdoor pavilion with fireplace and heated pool with hot tub.
When asked about the many activities found at the community, Matzel answers, “The activity plan of Centennial Bluff was carefully planned based on research of the lifestyle preferences of active adults. We listened to our market and designed the community accordingly. Our owners have all the same benefits of a four star resort, literally at their doorstep.”
Presidential Fitness
By Beth Swindell
Published: Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 11:04 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 11:13 a.m.
If the mention of a presidential physical fitness test brings back terrible memories of pull-up bars and climbing the rope in gym class, have no fear. With the new Adult Fitness Test, you can spend more time achieving a healthier lifestyle and less time trying to figure out who’s going to write you that note to get out of gym.
Related Links:
Fit Physicians
Thankfully, for those of us who would rather do just about anything than go back to seventh-grade P.E., this new test ends up being less test and more guidelines for better living. The Adult Fitness Test, recently introduced by the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, is based on that famed test given to children ages 6 to 17 in schools across the country. The adult version helps people over the age of 18 determine fitness levels and make changes that lead to a better lifestyle. You may not get a certificate signed by the president at the end of it all, but you can really get into better shape.
“I think the test is a very positive thing,” says Brian Kenney, trainer and manager at O2 Fitness in Wilmington. “Obesity is an American epidemic, and having individuals test themselves to see where people are and where they need to go is a step in the right direction.” The new test measures fitness levels using four components: aerobic fitness, muscular strength, flexibility and body composition (or Body Mass Index). Each of the components focus on the FITT concept: the frequency, intensity, time and type of activity.
Nick Kentrolis from Crest Fitness in Wilmington says he’s seen the test before, but he’s glad it’s getting attention again. He sees it as a way to get people to set workout routines and stop getting taken by fads and trends in the exercise industry. “People need to know where they are and work from there,” Kentrolis says. “Based on your own fitness level, you can put together a program to get your body going, and then you can specialize from there once your level of fitness begins to increase.”
Interested in trying it yourself? Online, the program runs something like this:
For the aerobic test, you must complete a 1-mile walk or 1.5-mile run. The council cautions that if you do not practice these activities for at least 20 minutes three times per week, you should not attempt this part of the test.
The muscular strength test involves half sit-ups and push-ups in a certain time frame, and the flexibility component of the test is measured by the sit-and-reach test, all of which are explained in detail on the Web site.
The Body Mass Index test is a formula used to determine body composition. The council notes this test is not always accurate if you have high muscle mass because muscle weighs more than fat. A BMI table on the site explains what your results mean.
In effect, the Adult Fitness Test allows individuals to evaluate their health and fitness without the dreaded audience that makes many of us fear gym in the first place. You can go to the Web site, enter your data and use the results as a benchmark to help get you into shape. The calculated score will tell you which percentile you fall into for each component, and you can re-take the test as often as you would like to chart your fitness growth.
Kevin Butler, a trainer at Gold’s Gym, says understanding why you are in the gym in the first place is crucial to actually achieving the results you’re after. He sees the new fitness test as a way to set “more realistic goals” and to make fitness a yearlong priority instead of just another resolution that gets forgotten. “Adults can do just as much to improve their fitness as young people, and they should know this,” Butler says. “It is important to work out smarter as you get older and realize that it’s not a competition. It’s not a race, it’s a process.”
Are you wondering why you would take the time to go online and put yourself through what you thought you’d left behind along with homework and acne? Kenney wants to make sure his clients understand that any form of initial fitness assessment is not meant to make them feel that they are in bad shape, and this Adult Fitness Test is no different. “It is to see where you are and to focus on progress,” he says. “Use the test to help you, be consistent and dedicated, and then take it again to see where you have grown.”
The test requires you to challenge yourself and record information you may not want to acknowledge. However, in that acknowledgment, you can find the power to change and to start doing something positive about your health.
For Kentrolis, this concept is a good one because it is designed to take at least some of the focus away from weight loss and other issues that can hinder progress. “Stop worrying about losing weight and start thinking about feeling better, having more energy, getting stronger and getting more flexibility,” Kentrolis says. “Do a little more today than you did yesterday, and that, combined with diet and nutrition, will make you successful.”
Whether you use the Adult Fitness Test, a trainer or your own backyard to help figure out what kind of shape you are in, it is important to set health and fitness goals that are right for you, and of course, to keep those goals. After all, if your child is presidentially fit, shouldn’t you be, too? “It’s not how you start, but how you end,” Butler says.
Published: Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 11:04 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 11:13 a.m.
If the mention of a presidential physical fitness test brings back terrible memories of pull-up bars and climbing the rope in gym class, have no fear. With the new Adult Fitness Test, you can spend more time achieving a healthier lifestyle and less time trying to figure out who’s going to write you that note to get out of gym.
Related Links:
Fit Physicians
Thankfully, for those of us who would rather do just about anything than go back to seventh-grade P.E., this new test ends up being less test and more guidelines for better living. The Adult Fitness Test, recently introduced by the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, is based on that famed test given to children ages 6 to 17 in schools across the country. The adult version helps people over the age of 18 determine fitness levels and make changes that lead to a better lifestyle. You may not get a certificate signed by the president at the end of it all, but you can really get into better shape.
“I think the test is a very positive thing,” says Brian Kenney, trainer and manager at O2 Fitness in Wilmington. “Obesity is an American epidemic, and having individuals test themselves to see where people are and where they need to go is a step in the right direction.” The new test measures fitness levels using four components: aerobic fitness, muscular strength, flexibility and body composition (or Body Mass Index). Each of the components focus on the FITT concept: the frequency, intensity, time and type of activity.
Nick Kentrolis from Crest Fitness in Wilmington says he’s seen the test before, but he’s glad it’s getting attention again. He sees it as a way to get people to set workout routines and stop getting taken by fads and trends in the exercise industry. “People need to know where they are and work from there,” Kentrolis says. “Based on your own fitness level, you can put together a program to get your body going, and then you can specialize from there once your level of fitness begins to increase.”
Interested in trying it yourself? Online, the program runs something like this:
For the aerobic test, you must complete a 1-mile walk or 1.5-mile run. The council cautions that if you do not practice these activities for at least 20 minutes three times per week, you should not attempt this part of the test.
The muscular strength test involves half sit-ups and push-ups in a certain time frame, and the flexibility component of the test is measured by the sit-and-reach test, all of which are explained in detail on the Web site.
The Body Mass Index test is a formula used to determine body composition. The council notes this test is not always accurate if you have high muscle mass because muscle weighs more than fat. A BMI table on the site explains what your results mean.
In effect, the Adult Fitness Test allows individuals to evaluate their health and fitness without the dreaded audience that makes many of us fear gym in the first place. You can go to the Web site, enter your data and use the results as a benchmark to help get you into shape. The calculated score will tell you which percentile you fall into for each component, and you can re-take the test as often as you would like to chart your fitness growth.
Kevin Butler, a trainer at Gold’s Gym, says understanding why you are in the gym in the first place is crucial to actually achieving the results you’re after. He sees the new fitness test as a way to set “more realistic goals” and to make fitness a yearlong priority instead of just another resolution that gets forgotten. “Adults can do just as much to improve their fitness as young people, and they should know this,” Butler says. “It is important to work out smarter as you get older and realize that it’s not a competition. It’s not a race, it’s a process.”
Are you wondering why you would take the time to go online and put yourself through what you thought you’d left behind along with homework and acne? Kenney wants to make sure his clients understand that any form of initial fitness assessment is not meant to make them feel that they are in bad shape, and this Adult Fitness Test is no different. “It is to see where you are and to focus on progress,” he says. “Use the test to help you, be consistent and dedicated, and then take it again to see where you have grown.”
The test requires you to challenge yourself and record information you may not want to acknowledge. However, in that acknowledgment, you can find the power to change and to start doing something positive about your health.
For Kentrolis, this concept is a good one because it is designed to take at least some of the focus away from weight loss and other issues that can hinder progress. “Stop worrying about losing weight and start thinking about feeling better, having more energy, getting stronger and getting more flexibility,” Kentrolis says. “Do a little more today than you did yesterday, and that, combined with diet and nutrition, will make you successful.”
Whether you use the Adult Fitness Test, a trainer or your own backyard to help figure out what kind of shape you are in, it is important to set health and fitness goals that are right for you, and of course, to keep those goals. After all, if your child is presidentially fit, shouldn’t you be, too? “It’s not how you start, but how you end,” Butler says.
Presidential Fitness
By Beth Swindell
Published: Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 11:04 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 11:13 a.m.
If the mention of a presidential physical fitness test brings back terrible memories of pull-up bars and climbing the rope in gym class, have no fear. With the new Adult Fitness Test, you can spend more time achieving a healthier lifestyle and less time trying to figure out who’s going to write you that note to get out of gym.
Related Links:
Fit Physicians
Thankfully, for those of us who would rather do just about anything than go back to seventh-grade P.E., this new test ends up being less test and more guidelines for better living. The Adult Fitness Test, recently introduced by the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, is based on that famed test given to children ages 6 to 17 in schools across the country. The adult version helps people over the age of 18 determine fitness levels and make changes that lead to a better lifestyle. You may not get a certificate signed by the president at the end of it all, but you can really get into better shape.
“I think the test is a very positive thing,” says Brian Kenney, trainer and manager at O2 Fitness in Wilmington. “Obesity is an American epidemic, and having individuals test themselves to see where people are and where they need to go is a step in the right direction.” The new test measures fitness levels using four components: aerobic fitness, muscular strength, flexibility and body composition (or Body Mass Index). Each of the components focus on the FITT concept: the frequency, intensity, time and type of activity.
Nick Kentrolis from Crest Fitness in Wilmington says he’s seen the test before, but he’s glad it’s getting attention again. He sees it as a way to get people to set workout routines and stop getting taken by fads and trends in the exercise industry. “People need to know where they are and work from there,” Kentrolis says. “Based on your own fitness level, you can put together a program to get your body going, and then you can specialize from there once your level of fitness begins to increase.”
Interested in trying it yourself? Online, the program runs something like this:
For the aerobic test, you must complete a 1-mile walk or 1.5-mile run. The council cautions that if you do not practice these activities for at least 20 minutes three times per week, you should not attempt this part of the test.
The muscular strength test involves half sit-ups and push-ups in a certain time frame, and the flexibility component of the test is measured by the sit-and-reach test, all of which are explained in detail on the Web site.
The Body Mass Index test is a formula used to determine body composition. The council notes this test is not always accurate if you have high muscle mass because muscle weighs more than fat. A BMI table on the site explains what your results mean.
In effect, the Adult Fitness Test allows individuals to evaluate their health and fitness without the dreaded audience that makes many of us fear gym in the first place. You can go to the Web site, enter your data and use the results as a benchmark to help get you into shape. The calculated score will tell you which percentile you fall into for each component, and you can re-take the test as often as you would like to chart your fitness growth.
Kevin Butler, a trainer at Gold’s Gym, says understanding why you are in the gym in the first place is crucial to actually achieving the results you’re after. He sees the new fitness test as a way to set “more realistic goals” and to make fitness a yearlong priority instead of just another resolution that gets forgotten. “Adults can do just as much to improve their fitness as young people, and they should know this,” Butler says. “It is important to work out smarter as you get older and realize that it’s not a competition. It’s not a race, it’s a process.”
Are you wondering why you would take the time to go online and put yourself through what you thought you’d left behind along with homework and acne? Kenney wants to make sure his clients understand that any form of initial fitness assessment is not meant to make them feel that they are in bad shape, and this Adult Fitness Test is no different. “It is to see where you are and to focus on progress,” he says. “Use the test to help you, be consistent and dedicated, and then take it again to see where you have grown.”
The test requires you to challenge yourself and record information you may not want to acknowledge. However, in that acknowledgment, you can find the power to change and to start doing something positive about your health.
For Kentrolis, this concept is a good one because it is designed to take at least some of the focus away from weight loss and other issues that can hinder progress. “Stop worrying about losing weight and start thinking about feeling better, having more energy, getting stronger and getting more flexibility,” Kentrolis says. “Do a little more today than you did yesterday, and that, combined with diet and nutrition, will make you successful.”
Whether you use the Adult Fitness Test, a trainer or your own backyard to help figure out what kind of shape you are in, it is important to set health and fitness goals that are right for you, and of course, to keep those goals. After all, if your child is presidentially fit, shouldn’t you be, too? “It’s not how you start, but how you end,” Butler says.
Published: Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 11:04 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 11:13 a.m.
If the mention of a presidential physical fitness test brings back terrible memories of pull-up bars and climbing the rope in gym class, have no fear. With the new Adult Fitness Test, you can spend more time achieving a healthier lifestyle and less time trying to figure out who’s going to write you that note to get out of gym.
Related Links:
Fit Physicians
Thankfully, for those of us who would rather do just about anything than go back to seventh-grade P.E., this new test ends up being less test and more guidelines for better living. The Adult Fitness Test, recently introduced by the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, is based on that famed test given to children ages 6 to 17 in schools across the country. The adult version helps people over the age of 18 determine fitness levels and make changes that lead to a better lifestyle. You may not get a certificate signed by the president at the end of it all, but you can really get into better shape.
“I think the test is a very positive thing,” says Brian Kenney, trainer and manager at O2 Fitness in Wilmington. “Obesity is an American epidemic, and having individuals test themselves to see where people are and where they need to go is a step in the right direction.” The new test measures fitness levels using four components: aerobic fitness, muscular strength, flexibility and body composition (or Body Mass Index). Each of the components focus on the FITT concept: the frequency, intensity, time and type of activity.
Nick Kentrolis from Crest Fitness in Wilmington says he’s seen the test before, but he’s glad it’s getting attention again. He sees it as a way to get people to set workout routines and stop getting taken by fads and trends in the exercise industry. “People need to know where they are and work from there,” Kentrolis says. “Based on your own fitness level, you can put together a program to get your body going, and then you can specialize from there once your level of fitness begins to increase.”
Interested in trying it yourself? Online, the program runs something like this:
For the aerobic test, you must complete a 1-mile walk or 1.5-mile run. The council cautions that if you do not practice these activities for at least 20 minutes three times per week, you should not attempt this part of the test.
The muscular strength test involves half sit-ups and push-ups in a certain time frame, and the flexibility component of the test is measured by the sit-and-reach test, all of which are explained in detail on the Web site.
The Body Mass Index test is a formula used to determine body composition. The council notes this test is not always accurate if you have high muscle mass because muscle weighs more than fat. A BMI table on the site explains what your results mean.
In effect, the Adult Fitness Test allows individuals to evaluate their health and fitness without the dreaded audience that makes many of us fear gym in the first place. You can go to the Web site, enter your data and use the results as a benchmark to help get you into shape. The calculated score will tell you which percentile you fall into for each component, and you can re-take the test as often as you would like to chart your fitness growth.
Kevin Butler, a trainer at Gold’s Gym, says understanding why you are in the gym in the first place is crucial to actually achieving the results you’re after. He sees the new fitness test as a way to set “more realistic goals” and to make fitness a yearlong priority instead of just another resolution that gets forgotten. “Adults can do just as much to improve their fitness as young people, and they should know this,” Butler says. “It is important to work out smarter as you get older and realize that it’s not a competition. It’s not a race, it’s a process.”
Are you wondering why you would take the time to go online and put yourself through what you thought you’d left behind along with homework and acne? Kenney wants to make sure his clients understand that any form of initial fitness assessment is not meant to make them feel that they are in bad shape, and this Adult Fitness Test is no different. “It is to see where you are and to focus on progress,” he says. “Use the test to help you, be consistent and dedicated, and then take it again to see where you have grown.”
The test requires you to challenge yourself and record information you may not want to acknowledge. However, in that acknowledgment, you can find the power to change and to start doing something positive about your health.
For Kentrolis, this concept is a good one because it is designed to take at least some of the focus away from weight loss and other issues that can hinder progress. “Stop worrying about losing weight and start thinking about feeling better, having more energy, getting stronger and getting more flexibility,” Kentrolis says. “Do a little more today than you did yesterday, and that, combined with diet and nutrition, will make you successful.”
Whether you use the Adult Fitness Test, a trainer or your own backyard to help figure out what kind of shape you are in, it is important to set health and fitness goals that are right for you, and of course, to keep those goals. After all, if your child is presidentially fit, shouldn’t you be, too? “It’s not how you start, but how you end,” Butler says.
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