Health Club News …..Ethics rule on free health club admission

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A 21-year-old state ethics rule barring West Virginia elected officials and public employees from accepting free admission to health clubs and exercise centers could be revised soon. The Ethics Commission on Thursday debated, but did not vote on a request from a state agency attorney seeking an exception to the health club ban for those traveling on government business.
At issue are hotels and motels that don’t have on-site exercise facilities, but provide passes or reimburse costs for guests to visit nearby health clubs.
Under a legislative rule adopted in 1990, public employees and officials are barred from accepting a variety of perks and benefits while traveling or attending conferences. In addition to being prohibited from accepting free passes to health clubs, public officials cannot accept free rounds of golf, for example.
Joan Parker, commission general counsel, noted that when the rule was adopted, hotels that featured health clubs typically provided premium facilities, offering massages and other spa services — a benefit distinct from today’s exercise and workout centers.In the request for an advisory opinion, the agency attorney noted that, these days, most hotels and motels provide exercise facilities at no additional charge to guests, and stated that agency staff should not be barred from accepting health club passes from those hotels that do not have on-site facilities.
“West Virginia is at the top of the list for obesity and other health problems,” the request noted. “The state should be encouraging people to exercise when traveling on government business.”Parker noted that a recent Ethics Commission advisory opinion similarly deemed that public employees’ participation in free or discounted wellness programs does not constitute a violation of the state Ethics Act’s prohibition on using public office for private gain.The commission on Thursday postponed a vote to approve the advisory opinion until August, after some commissioners raised questions, including former state Sen. Jack Buckalew.
“What would you say to the golfer who says, “I play golf for exercise?” he asked.
Parker said golf raises separate ethical issues, since the person who pays for the round of golf is effectively paying for access to the public official during the round.
Buckalew said he had other issues with the request, contending that public officials should be expected to carry out their public duties without the expectation of any “enticements,” such as access to exercise facilities when traveling.
Under the Ethics Act, the identities of individuals or agencies seeking advisory opinions are kept confidential.
By Phil Kabler

Health Club News …..Ethics rule on free health club admission

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A 21-year-old state ethics rule barring West Virginia elected officials and public employees from accepting free admission to health clubs and exercise centers could be revised soon. The Ethics Commission on Thursday debated, but did not vote on a request from a state agency attorney seeking an exception to the health club ban for those traveling on government business.
At issue are hotels and motels that don’t have on-site exercise facilities, but provide passes or reimburse costs for guests to visit nearby health clubs.
Under a legislative rule adopted in 1990, public employees and officials are barred from accepting a variety of perks and benefits while traveling or attending conferences. In addition to being prohibited from accepting free passes to health clubs, public officials cannot accept free rounds of golf, for example.
Joan Parker, commission general counsel, noted that when the rule was adopted, hotels that featured health clubs typically provided premium facilities, offering massages and other spa services — a benefit distinct from today’s exercise and workout centers.In the request for an advisory opinion, the agency attorney noted that, these days, most hotels and motels provide exercise facilities at no additional charge to guests, and stated that agency staff should not be barred from accepting health club passes from those hotels that do not have on-site facilities.
“West Virginia is at the top of the list for obesity and other health problems,” the request noted. “The state should be encouraging people to exercise when traveling on government business.”Parker noted that a recent Ethics Commission advisory opinion similarly deemed that public employees’ participation in free or discounted wellness programs does not constitute a violation of the state Ethics Act’s prohibition on using public office for private gain.The commission on Thursday postponed a vote to approve the advisory opinion until August, after some commissioners raised questions, including former state Sen. Jack Buckalew.
“What would you say to the golfer who says, “I play golf for exercise?” he asked.
Parker said golf raises separate ethical issues, since the person who pays for the round of golf is effectively paying for access to the public official during the round.
Buckalew said he had other issues with the request, contending that public officials should be expected to carry out their public duties without the expectation of any “enticements,” such as access to exercise facilities when traveling.
Under the Ethics Act, the identities of individuals or agencies seeking advisory opinions are kept confidential.
By Phil Kabler

Health Club News…Five Gold’s Gyms converting to Fitness Connection health clubs

A Virginia company that owns five Gold’s Gyms in the Triangle is converting the health clubs to a new name and promising various improvements for members.McLean, Va.-based Titan Fitness is changing the local Gold’s locations to Fitness Connection clubs. Members will start to notice new signs as early as next week, said Titan spokesman Matt Amodeo.Health clubs changing hands often create hassles related to fees, contracts and other changes that spur complaints among members. But Amodeo said this transition should be seamless for local customers.The clubs’ staff, contracts and prices won’t change. The parent corporation is also the same and Titan plans to add new equipment, age-specific fitness programs, dietitians and other services.”We want to adopt an overall wellness approach,” Amodeo said. “We have more flexibility as an independent chain to add things members have been asking for.”Titan recently bought the Houston-based Fitness Connection chain and ended its affiliation with Gold’s. Titan owns 17 clubs in the Triangle; Greenville, N.C.; Houston, Texas; and Nevada.But one change will effect local members who travel. Previously, they could use other Gold’s Gyms across the country for free.Now members will have access to more than 9,000 clubs in other cities affiliated with the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association. Many will offer free access, but some will charge a small fee, Amodeo said.The conversion of the Gold’s locations in this market will happen over the next three or four months, including various marketing and education efforts to explain the switch, Amodeo said. After that, Titan will look to add more Fitness Connection clubs in this region.The Gold’s Gyms that are converting to Fitness Connection are located in Raleigh at North Hills, on Six Forks Road and on Glenwood Avenue; in Cary on Kildaire Farm Road; and in the Durham side of Research Triangle Park on Emperor Blvd.

Health Club News…Five Gold’s Gyms converting to Fitness Connection health clubs

A Virginia company that owns five Gold’s Gyms in the Triangle is converting the health clubs to a new name and promising various improvements for members.McLean, Va.-based Titan Fitness is changing the local Gold’s locations to Fitness Connection clubs. Members will start to notice new signs as early as next week, said Titan spokesman Matt Amodeo.Health clubs changing hands often create hassles related to fees, contracts and other changes that spur complaints among members. But Amodeo said this transition should be seamless for local customers.The clubs’ staff, contracts and prices won’t change. The parent corporation is also the same and Titan plans to add new equipment, age-specific fitness programs, dietitians and other services.”We want to adopt an overall wellness approach,” Amodeo said. “We have more flexibility as an independent chain to add things members have been asking for.”Titan recently bought the Houston-based Fitness Connection chain and ended its affiliation with Gold’s. Titan owns 17 clubs in the Triangle; Greenville, N.C.; Houston, Texas; and Nevada.But one change will effect local members who travel. Previously, they could use other Gold’s Gyms across the country for free.Now members will have access to more than 9,000 clubs in other cities affiliated with the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association. Many will offer free access, but some will charge a small fee, Amodeo said.The conversion of the Gold’s locations in this market will happen over the next three or four months, including various marketing and education efforts to explain the switch, Amodeo said. After that, Titan will look to add more Fitness Connection clubs in this region.The Gold’s Gyms that are converting to Fitness Connection are located in Raleigh at North Hills, on Six Forks Road and on Glenwood Avenue; in Cary on Kildaire Farm Road; and in the Durham side of Research Triangle Park on Emperor Blvd.