International news
196-club Nordic merger finally signed off
In Scandinavia, the merger of SATS, Elixia and Fresh Fitness has been completed following a year-long anti-trust process. Altor Equity Partners, the private equity fund that acquired the chains, confirmed to Health Club Management that the transaction closed on 6 June, bringing the three brands together under the umbrella of Health & Fitness Nordic. The combined portfolio now comprises 196 clubs following anti-trust divestments, 567,000 members as at March 2014, and a turnover of NOK2.8bn in 2013. For further details, turn to page 40 for an interview with Reynir Indahl, chair of Health & Fitness Nordic and senior advisor for Altor Equity Partners. Details:
http://lei.sr?a=C3t9Y
Jackie Joyner-Kersee joins forces with ACSM
Olympic legend Jackie Joyner-Kersee has joined forces with the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) with a shared vision to transform the health of families and communities. Since her retirement, Joyner-Kersee has been a passionate advocate for healthy living in her hometown of East St Louis, working with public schools, community partners and corporate sponsors. “It’s critical that we continue to expand our efforts to engage families in understanding the importance of an active lifestyle and good nutrition,” says Joyner- Kersee. “By partnering with ACSM, we can accelerate our reach by taking this message to under-served communities nationwide.” “The impact Jackie is having in her
community has been exemplary,” says ACSM president William Dexter. “We look forward to helping her expand this programme across the country.” Details:
http://lei.sr?a=F4P9Z
Upgrade for Dutch club Fit Form Sport
Fit Form, based in the Netherlands, has recently upgraded its offering by installing top of the range equipment from Star Trac. The club now offers the embedded range of Star Trac cardio – including E-series treadmills and cross-trainers – which allows it to offer fitness testing. Details:
http://lei.sr?a=K7g9x
24 ‘Fitness tax’ for Washington?
Fitness enthusiasts in Washington DC have hit out at council plans to impose a ‘fitness tax’ on wellness facilities, warning the move could price poor people out of physical activity. With nearly 35 per cent of US adults
classified as obese, the proposals to subject Washington’s gyms, tanning salons and yoga studios – among other businesses – to a 5.75 per cent sales tax from 1 January 2015 have met with opposition. A ‘Say NO to DC Gym Tax’ Facebook
group has about 750 members, while an online petition urging a council U-turn has attracted more than 2,671 signatures.
Graham King, owner of Roam Fitness in
Glover Park, recently organised a protest involving a group exercise session outside the mayor’s office. King is worried the tax will discourage poorer residents from working out, which could lead to the exacerbation of the nation’s health crisis. The council says its broad raft of tax changes is designed to offset a long-term consumer shift from spending on goods towards spending on services, while leaving the majority of residents better off. The final vote was due as this magazine went to print. Details:
http://lei.sr?a=R4p4T
Opponents staged a workout protest outside the mayor’s John A Wilson Building offices Sale of 24 Hour Fitness completed
Health club chain 24 Hour Fitness – one of the largest fitness chains in the United States, with nearly 4 million members and over 400 clubs across the country – has been sold by owners Forstmann Little to a group of North
American investors, for a reported figure in excess of US$1.9bn. AEA Investors, Fitness Capital Partners and Global Leisure Partners joined with Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan to acquire the portfolio, which Forstmann Little grew by nearly 100 clubs since buying it for US$1.6bn in 2005. A new CEO and president will be installed at 24 Hour Fitness, with Mark Smith set to replace current CEO Elizabeth Blair this month. Forstmann Little had been
trying to sell the health club chain for nearly two years, as it bids to wind down its investments following the 2011 death of co-founder Theodore Forstmann.
24 Hour Fitness: Nearly 4 million members of over 400 clubs Read Health Club Management online at
healthclubmanagement.co.uk/digital
Details:
http://lei.sr?a=u1H5P July 2014 © Cybertrek 2014
PHOTO:
SHUTTERSTOCK.COM/ WIKIMEDIA COMMONS / AGNOSTICPREACHERSKID
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