Fitness Equipment Manufacturing Stays Global, But China’s Luster May Fade Health Club News

By Pamela Kufahl, editor Club Industry

As Star Trac moves its manufacturing from to mainland China, the spotlight has shown even brighter on that country as a location for fitness equipment manufacturing. China’s low labor costs have meant a slight advantage for companies that have manufacturing plants or partners there, some suppliers say, but as China’s labor costs continue to rise, that advantage may be dwindling. Does that mean that the U.S. manufacturing market will see growth?Doug Johns, global marketing director at Precor, Woodinville, WA, says it could. “In manufacturing in general, the trend is going to be that America will have a more competitive position than we have had,” he says. However, rising Chinese labor costs were just one factor in the decision by Med-Fit Systems, Fallbrook, CA, to move its Nautilus manufacturing from Taiwan and China to its Independence, VA, facility earlier this year, says Dean Sbragia, CEO of Med-Fit Systems. Med-Fit bought that plant for $2.1 million from Nautilus after its purchase of Nautilus’ commercial business last year. “It’s kind of the perfect storm right now—weak dollar, rising Chinese prices, rising energy prices,” Sbragia says. “To have control over our development, design, engineering, manufacturing and distribution all under one roof and absorbing that overhead increases our margins and allows us to be more competitive. The more volume we do through our factory, the more manufacturing variances we absorb, the more competitive we can be in this market. It all makes sense to us to utilize that facility to its fullest capacity.”http://clubindustry.com/inside_manufacturers/fitness-equipment-manufacturing-stays-global-but-chinas-luster-fades-20110701/?cid=nl_nb

Fitness Equipment Manufacturing Stays Global, But China’s Luster May Fade Health Club News

By Pamela Kufahl, editor Club Industry

As Star Trac moves its manufacturing from to mainland China, the spotlight has shown even brighter on that country as a location for fitness equipment manufacturing. China’s low labor costs have meant a slight advantage for companies that have manufacturing plants or partners there, some suppliers say, but as China’s labor costs continue to rise, that advantage may be dwindling. Does that mean that the U.S. manufacturing market will see growth?Doug Johns, global marketing director at Precor, Woodinville, WA, says it could. “In manufacturing in general, the trend is going to be that America will have a more competitive position than we have had,” he says. However, rising Chinese labor costs were just one factor in the decision by Med-Fit Systems, Fallbrook, CA, to move its Nautilus manufacturing from Taiwan and China to its Independence, VA, facility earlier this year, says Dean Sbragia, CEO of Med-Fit Systems. Med-Fit bought that plant for $2.1 million from Nautilus after its purchase of Nautilus’ commercial business last year. “It’s kind of the perfect storm right now—weak dollar, rising Chinese prices, rising energy prices,” Sbragia says. “To have control over our development, design, engineering, manufacturing and distribution all under one roof and absorbing that overhead increases our margins and allows us to be more competitive. The more volume we do through our factory, the more manufacturing variances we absorb, the more competitive we can be in this market. It all makes sense to us to utilize that facility to its fullest capacity.”http://clubindustry.com/inside_manufacturers/fitness-equipment-manufacturing-stays-global-but-chinas-luster-fades-20110701/?cid=nl_nb

Health Club News….”Urban Active Opens in Atlanta”…..Health Club News

Urban Active CEO Royce Pulliam was joined at the Atlanta club’s grand opening by many celebrity guests, including trainer Carlos Daniels and singer Jasmine Guy. Urban Active, Lexington, KY, attracted a star-studded crowd to the grand opening of its new Buckhead location in Atlanta last month. “Real Housewives of Atlanta” stars Sheree Whitfield, Phaedra Parks and Kandi Burruss were in attendance, as well as celebrity trainers Rahman Grayson, who trains Mary J. Blige, and Cliff Boyce, who works with Beyonce, Usher and Lil Wayne. Despite recently facing several lawsuits and receiving an “F” from the Better Business Bureau of Ohio for charging members after they canceled their memberships, the company continues to expand. CEO Royce Pulliam says the Buckhead club, the 36th for Urban Active, will likely be the first of several in the area. “We are very excited about the initial response to our first store and look forward to being the fitness choice for all of Atlanta in years to come,” says Pulliam. “We feel that our high energy product and service matches up with what Atlanta residents are looking for and expect in the ultimate fitness experience. We will focus the next 10 years in building out the market and are currently negotiating on three new sites in the city.”

Health Club News….”Urban Active Opens in Atlanta”…..Health Club News

Urban Active CEO Royce Pulliam was joined at the Atlanta club’s grand opening by many celebrity guests, including trainer Carlos Daniels and singer Jasmine Guy. Urban Active, Lexington, KY, attracted a star-studded crowd to the grand opening of its new Buckhead location in Atlanta last month. “Real Housewives of Atlanta” stars Sheree Whitfield, Phaedra Parks and Kandi Burruss were in attendance, as well as celebrity trainers Rahman Grayson, who trains Mary J. Blige, and Cliff Boyce, who works with Beyonce, Usher and Lil Wayne. Despite recently facing several lawsuits and receiving an “F” from the Better Business Bureau of Ohio for charging members after they canceled their memberships, the company continues to expand. CEO Royce Pulliam says the Buckhead club, the 36th for Urban Active, will likely be the first of several in the area. “We are very excited about the initial response to our first store and look forward to being the fitness choice for all of Atlanta in years to come,” says Pulliam. “We feel that our high energy product and service matches up with what Atlanta residents are looking for and expect in the ultimate fitness experience. We will focus the next 10 years in building out the market and are currently negotiating on three new sites in the city.”

Closed Gym’s Members May Have Refund As Option

GREENVILLE, S.C. — If you are a former ZX Fitness member, you may have more options available than you thought. When ZX Fitness closed three of its gyms in the Upstate, members were told they could work out the remainder of their contracts at another gym. However, the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs says ZX Fitness members are not obligated to attend another gym and may be entitled to a refund. “Some members said they were told by ZX Fitness that they had to attend an alternative (gym). We want consumers to know that that is not correct,” said Carri Grube Lybarker, acting administrator for the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs. Last month, ZX Fitness closed its facilities in Greenville, Spartanburg and Taylors. The owner of Coop’s Fitness announced ZX Fitness members could work out the remainder of their contracts at his facility. While the offer was welcomed by ZX Fitness members, some Coop’s Fitness members complained about overcrowding and parking problems, resulting from the influx of new people. But now, ZX Fitness members can cancel their memberships altogether if they choose, and those who paid for their memberships in advance may be entitled to a refund. “It’s basic contract law,” Lybarker said. “When a consumer signs up for a membership with ZX Fitness, they signed up for that location, and not another location.”Lybarker said ZX Fitness members who paid in full and are unable to obtain a refund should file a complaint with her office by calling 1-800-922-1594. Full Document: SCDCA Release On ZX Fitness Michael Cooper, Coop’s owner, told News 4 he did not buy out ZX Fitness. He says he made no money on memberships paid in full and on those with payments pending he’ll get half the money with the rest going to ZX. Cooper said there is a lot of misinformation out there, which has even gotten his management threatened by customers. Cooper said no one is being forced to use his gym. He urged any ZX customers wanting to cancel to call that company’s main office. But Cooper said he’s already put in purchase orders for new equipment and for some of ZX’s old equipment. News 4 has also learned that the Curves location in Taylors has decided to honor the ZX Fitness memberships, too.

Closed Gym’s Members May Have Refund As Option

GREENVILLE, S.C. — If you are a former ZX Fitness member, you may have more options available than you thought. When ZX Fitness closed three of its gyms in the Upstate, members were told they could work out the remainder of their contracts at another gym. However, the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs says ZX Fitness members are not obligated to attend another gym and may be entitled to a refund. “Some members said they were told by ZX Fitness that they had to attend an alternative (gym). We want consumers to know that that is not correct,” said Carri Grube Lybarker, acting administrator for the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs. Last month, ZX Fitness closed its facilities in Greenville, Spartanburg and Taylors. The owner of Coop’s Fitness announced ZX Fitness members could work out the remainder of their contracts at his facility. While the offer was welcomed by ZX Fitness members, some Coop’s Fitness members complained about overcrowding and parking problems, resulting from the influx of new people. But now, ZX Fitness members can cancel their memberships altogether if they choose, and those who paid for their memberships in advance may be entitled to a refund. “It’s basic contract law,” Lybarker said. “When a consumer signs up for a membership with ZX Fitness, they signed up for that location, and not another location.”Lybarker said ZX Fitness members who paid in full and are unable to obtain a refund should file a complaint with her office by calling 1-800-922-1594. Full Document: SCDCA Release On ZX Fitness Michael Cooper, Coop’s owner, told News 4 he did not buy out ZX Fitness. He says he made no money on memberships paid in full and on those with payments pending he’ll get half the money with the rest going to ZX. Cooper said there is a lot of misinformation out there, which has even gotten his management threatened by customers. Cooper said no one is being forced to use his gym. He urged any ZX customers wanting to cancel to call that company’s main office. But Cooper said he’s already put in purchase orders for new equipment and for some of ZX’s old equipment. News 4 has also learned that the Curves location in Taylors has decided to honor the ZX Fitness memberships, too.

Health Club News…..Happy 4th of July!

During the American Revolution, the legal separation of the Thirteen Colonies from Great Britain occurred on July 2, 1776, when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed in June by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia.[4][5] After voting for independence, Congress turned its attention to the Declaration of Independence, a statement explaining this decision, which had been prepared by a Committee of Five, with Thomas Jefferson as its principal author. Congress debated and revised the Declaration, finally approving it on July 4. A day earlier, John Adams had written to his wife Abigail:
The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more. Adams’s prediction was off by two days. From the outset, Americans celebrated independence on July 4, the date shown on the much-publicized Declaration of Independence, rather than on July 2, the date the resolution of independence was approved in a closed session of Congress.
Historians have long disputed whether Congress actually signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, even though Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin all later wrote that they had signed it on that day. Most historians have concluded that the Declaration was signed nearly a month after its adoption, on August 2, 1776, and not on July 4 as is commonly believed. In a remarkable coincidence, both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the only signers of the Declaration of Independence later to serve as Presidents of the United States, died on the same day: July 4, 1826, which was the 50th anniversary of the Declaration. Although not a signer of the Declaration of Independence, James Monroe, the Fifth President of the United States, died on July 4, 1831. Calvin Coolidge, the Thirtieth President, was born on July 4, 1872, and thus was the only President to be born on Independence Day.

Health Club News…..Happy 4th of July!

During the American Revolution, the legal separation of the Thirteen Colonies from Great Britain occurred on July 2, 1776, when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed in June by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia.[4][5] After voting for independence, Congress turned its attention to the Declaration of Independence, a statement explaining this decision, which had been prepared by a Committee of Five, with Thomas Jefferson as its principal author. Congress debated and revised the Declaration, finally approving it on July 4. A day earlier, John Adams had written to his wife Abigail:
The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more. Adams’s prediction was off by two days. From the outset, Americans celebrated independence on July 4, the date shown on the much-publicized Declaration of Independence, rather than on July 2, the date the resolution of independence was approved in a closed session of Congress.
Historians have long disputed whether Congress actually signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, even though Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin all later wrote that they had signed it on that day. Most historians have concluded that the Declaration was signed nearly a month after its adoption, on August 2, 1776, and not on July 4 as is commonly believed. In a remarkable coincidence, both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the only signers of the Declaration of Independence later to serve as Presidents of the United States, died on the same day: July 4, 1826, which was the 50th anniversary of the Declaration. Although not a signer of the Declaration of Independence, James Monroe, the Fifth President of the United States, died on July 4, 1831. Calvin Coolidge, the Thirtieth President, was born on July 4, 1872, and thus was the only President to be born on Independence Day.

Health Club News….Tax Payers Still Paying For Weiner’s Workouts….Unbelievable!

Rep. Anthony Weiner can still get his demons out at the House Health Club, though he resigned from Congress a week ago in the wake of a lurid Twitter scandal. As an ex-member of Congress, the New York Democrat will enjoy certain perks in the nation’s capital for the rest of his life — in addition to a pension that could easily be worth $1 million over the next several decades. On the list of facilities he’ll have access to is the House Health Club, the location where several photos of Weiner in various states of disrobe may have been taken. He’ll also be allowed to use the Library of Congress, eat in House restaurant facilities and park on the House side of the Capitol — space permitting. And in case he has a hankering to deliver a thunderous speech, former members typically are afforded floor privileges while Congress is in session. For the time being, Weiner is working on honing his mental state more than his abs. The New York Post reports that Weiner is about to enter an “intensive” rehab program, as he and wife Huma Abedin try to salvage their marriage.Abedin is pregnant, and Weiner has said they have no intention of splitting up. A former colleague told the Post the ex-congressman is “headed next” to the rehab program.Weiner resigned after admitting to sending lewd photos over the Internet to several women.Health Club

Health Club News….Tax Payers Still Paying For Weiner’s Workouts….Unbelievable!

Rep. Anthony Weiner can still get his demons out at the House Health Club, though he resigned from Congress a week ago in the wake of a lurid Twitter scandal. As an ex-member of Congress, the New York Democrat will enjoy certain perks in the nation’s capital for the rest of his life — in addition to a pension that could easily be worth $1 million over the next several decades. On the list of facilities he’ll have access to is the House Health Club, the location where several photos of Weiner in various states of disrobe may have been taken. He’ll also be allowed to use the Library of Congress, eat in House restaurant facilities and park on the House side of the Capitol — space permitting. And in case he has a hankering to deliver a thunderous speech, former members typically are afforded floor privileges while Congress is in session. For the time being, Weiner is working on honing his mental state more than his abs. The New York Post reports that Weiner is about to enter an “intensive” rehab program, as he and wife Huma Abedin try to salvage their marriage.Abedin is pregnant, and Weiner has said they have no intention of splitting up. A former colleague told the Post the ex-congressman is “headed next” to the rehab program.Weiner resigned after admitting to sending lewd photos over the Internet to several women.Health Club

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