More Changes Coming Up

Who said working at a publication was boring?
American Fitness may be no New Yorker, but it helps to have an open-minded boss to keep things interesting around here. Coming soon, our magazine is going to change up some of its pages.

It's already in the works—our Professional Edge section is getting bigger and moving to the front of the magazine. To emphasize our commitment as a "fitness industry" magazine, we want to give PE more room to feature industry-related news that affect all of us. Given the current economic situation in the U.S. (and perhaps the world soon) it would be irresponsible for us to ignore the most pressing concerns of our readers. The information we provide is a small, but vital, contribution that is instrumental to their decision-making as it relates to the industry.

If you have news about the industry, changes in a company, expansion news or any information that could serve our readers, please e-mail at lgomez.afaa@gmail.com.

Fitness Magazine: Change is in the horizon

So, without giving away many details let's just say that the magazine is about to get upgraded. Starting with our January/February 2009 edition, we're going to see some pretty dramatic changes in the magazine's content, layout and overall feel.

The goal is to make the magazine truly invaluable for our readers: fitness professionals. We know there are many sources of fitness industry news out there and we recognize the growing demand for better information. Ultimately, good information leads to better decisions--especially at this time of economic uncertainty.

I'll keep you posted when things start to shape up better for the new edition.

Sporting Goods: sales slow, according to survey

The Monthly Retail Trade Survey, prepared by the U.S. Census Bureau, reported sales in sporting goods stores of $3.51 billion (preliminary) for the most recent reporting month (June), a 0.7 percent increase from $3.49 billion in June 2007. This follows a 5.7 percent increase in May.

Sales growth year-to-date is behind the first six months of last year. Sales for the first six months of 2008 were $17.9 billion, up 4.8 percent from the first six months of 2007. At this time in 2007, sales were up 9.1 percent over the previous year.

Sales for 2007 grew more slowly than in 2006. Sales for 2007 reached $37.1 billion, up 8.1 percent from 2006 sales of $34.3 billion. Sales in 2006 were up 11.0 percent over the previous year. The 2006 growth represented the strongest increase in the past 10 years.

Total sales for calendar year 2005 were $30.89 billion, up 7.0 percent from 2004. In 2004 sales were $28.85 billion, up 6.2 percent versus 2003. Sporting goods store sales for all of 2003 were $27.17 billion, a 3.1% increase versus 2002 when sales were up a meager 0.2 percent.

The estimated annual sales for sporting goods stores in the U.S. Census Bureau Monthly Retail Trade is consistent with sporting goods sales reported in the NSGA study "The Sporting Goods Market," a fact that pleases NSGA. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates are based on data from the Monthly Retail Trade Survey, Annual Retail Trade Survey, and administrative records and have been adjusted using results of the most recent economic census.

For a full comparative chart of sales in sporting goods stores, visit the members-only "Research & Statistics" area of the NSGA website (www.nsga.org).

Blogging on hold

Sorry I haven't blogged lately. It's been very hectic at work, handling a million tasks and meeting deadlines right before I go on vacation Friday, Aug. 22.

As of right now I'm working on an article about the benefits of technology in health clubs and whether technology can attract/retain customers. If anyone knows anything about the subject matter, please contact me before Sept. 15.

Thanks and see you later.

China Olympics: A look behind the ever-breaking Olympic Record

Science Daily posted an interesting article Wednesday on what's behind an olympic record.

The article begins:

"The world-record pace for the marathon continues to improve for both men and women. For men, the record pace for the marathon is now about as fast as the record pace for the 10,000-meter run just after World War II. Today, champion athletes are running more than four times farther at speeds of well under five minutes per mile."

The article goes on to cite that part of it may be thanks to the overwhelming abundance of fitness clubs and cultural pressures to reach higher goals. But that's a debate that the industry might have to consider some other time.

China Olympics: A 21st Century China

Just for the record, the 2008 Beijing Olympics began today.

It's incredible how far China has come along with it being one of the very few communist countries. I have seen the making of the two buildings (the Bird's Nest and the Aquatic Center) in Beijing. Such an amazing architecture.

We'll keep an eye out for any news regarding our athletes, including Amanda Beard, who appeared as our cover girl for the American Fitness July/August issue of 2006. And of course, we'll keep an eye out for the usual news of steroids use, new world records and more political unrest.

IHRSA Lobbies for Physical Activity

IHRSA Calls for Greater Focus on Preventing Physical Inactivity, Chronic Disease, and Chronic Healthcare Costs

BOSTON- August 5, 2008- The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) announced today that it has urged the Republican and Democratic national committees to adopt pro-prevention and healthy living language in their official party policy documents when the national party conventions convene in Denver and Minneapolis – Saint Paul.

“We strongly urge both parties to seriously address the culture of physical inactivity in this country that has led to epidemic levels of obesity and chronic disease,” said Joe Moore, president and CEO of IHRSA. “Not only have sedentary lifestyles taken a tragic toll on Americans’ health, but it also has driven up the cost of healthcare to all-time highs. Prevention must be a priority in both party platforms if we are to curb the cost of treating chronic diseases that inevitably arise when too many Americans lead sedentary lives.”

For years, IHRSA has been urging national policy makers—both on the Hill and in the Executive branch—to focus greater attention on increasing levels of physical activity in America, advocating practical, innovative ways to encourage Americans to exercise.

“IHRSA is urging the Democratic and Republican parties to adopt policies that will encourage Americans to be more physically active in order to reduce both the incidence of chronic disease and national healthcare costs,” Moore continued. “These policies should be part of a comprehensive program of preventive healthcare.”

Physical inactivity contributes directly to obesity and ultimately to chronic disease. Diabetes, heart disease, asthma, cancer and other chronic diseases are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States and account for the more than seventy five percent of dollars spent on medical care. They affect the quality of life for 133 million Americans and are responsible for seven out of every ten deaths in the United States. In fact, the U.S. Surgeon General has cited the lack of exercise and poor diet as a leading cause of death in America today, second only to tobacco.

“More than sixty percent of Americans fail to engage in the levels of physical activity that would bring them important health benefits,” said Moore. “If more Americans exercised regularly, we’d have lower levels of chronic disease in this country; we could better management diseases once they do occur; and as a country, we’d benefit from substantial savings in healthcare costs.”

In its letters to both the Democratic and Republican parties, IHRSA cited a study recently released by the Trust for America’s Health that demonstrated that an investment in disease prevention of $10 per person per year could save the United States $16 billion a year in healthcare costs within five years. “Prevention” was defined in the study as improved nutrition, smoking cessation and the promotion of physical activity. This report reinforces the estimate given by the Centers for Disease Control in 2005 that projected savings of $25 billion a year in healthcare costs if every American adult exercised on a regular basis.

Proposals for a More Physically Active America

IHRSA also is encouraging both parties to support two innovative and practical programs that currently are under active consideration in Congress and which have received broad support from numerous business and health promotion organizations throughout the United States:

The Workforce Health Improvement Program (WHIP) Act

This program will enable employers to provide subsidies to employees to enroll in fitness programs—without that subsidy being taxed as additional income to the employee. In a recent poll, 78 percent of Americans maintained that they would exercise more regularly if their employer offered such a subsidy as part of a worksite wellness program. This legislation is currently pending in Congress and has received wide bi-partisan support.

The Personal Health Investment Today Act (PHIT)

This legislation—which also has attracted significant attention in Congress, especially in the House Ways and Means Committee—will allow taxpayers to use up to $1000 a year from “pre-tax” accounts (such as flexible spending accounts) to pay for organized individual and team sports, recreation, and other physical activities. It will allow a family to use these accounts to pay for soccer clubs or Little League, for fitness club or YMCA memberships, or for home fitness equipment. Today these accounts are used predominantly for detecting diseases and for the drugs to treat them. The PHIT Act would allow them to be used for prevention. If adopted, this legislation would enable American taxpayers to save significantly on the cost of exercise.

Fitness Technology: The Future of Health Clubs?

Recently we have taken notice of the many ways the fitness industry is integrating technology to go beyond its call to provide health to everyone--more often, at no cost.

One example that was recently brought to my attention is the online community introPLAY, allows casual or avid athletes can track, share and compare stats of their own day-to-day fitness accomplishments. The Web site CEO, Anil Doshi, has allowed us to try it out.

From first look, the site includes a "locker room" that shows your day's progress; a "community" forum where members can compete; a blog and other features that make this a well-oiled machine. At the moment, the site is free, but be sure to read the site's Terms of Use.

Compared to other online services provided by health clubs, including mine, introPLAY is taking the lead to provide such a wholesome online experience for free. Nothing beats free.

Fitness Industry news: Club Industry in October

One of the things I appreciate of this industry is its willingness to invest in growth and innovation. And nothing shows it more than industry conferences and shows.

So far, the only conference I've attended was the IHRSA show in San Diego this past March. Before the show, I'd never seen so many people gathered in one room to show off their new gadgets. I was too overwhelmed to absorb a fifth of that day's visit, but it was worth the look and the experience.

I hope I get to go to the Club Industry show coming up in October. I'm crossing my fingers.

Fitness Equipment: Office Gym

I've come across smaller versions of these at my gym, but none as big or sturdy enough to hold a laptop. I saw this featured in the Los Angeles Times last week and I meant to blog on it earlier.

This is its short description: SurfShelf is a laptop mount for treadmills/cardio machines.

This is a neat way to make good use of your time.

Economy: Positive Earnings at Health Sports Clubs

As the economy (and news of the economy) glooms like a bad hangover, there's at least one report of good news within the fitness industry.

A recent survey found that 18 leading United States health and sports clubs had a good start this year with plenty of green in the quarter ending March 31, according to Industry Insights, Inc. The International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) reported the findings today.

The surveyed companies reported an average 15 percent increase to $17.5 million growth in the first quarter of 2008, according to IHRSA's index. Among other gains, non-dues revenues grew by 17.5 percent to $5.5 million; same-store revenue for those in operation for at least two years grew by an average 2.9 percent to $6.5 million.

This might be a great example of the phrase, "What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger."

Re-certification: CEU via E-mail.

So I'm getting word that our new CEU will be delivered via e-mail to all fitness professionals. How AFAA plans to do that is beyond my pay rate. But it sounds like a good idea.

Because fitness professionals often have to be re-certified after some time, they look for ways to save money and get their education in tip-top shape. And a lot of people (I don't know the exact figures) do seem to like the concept of reading a research article and taking a short exam for just a few units. And for $25, that's a save.

That's the equivalent of me taking a $25 one-unit class editing class at a community college. If it's going to make me a better editor, it's worth the time and money.

Why Personal Trainers look for American Fitness

That's the question I asked when I began working at AF.

And sure enough there were many answers: It's the articles. It's the glossy pages. It's the celebrity cover stories--Jennifer Love Hewitt, John Schneider, Kristi Yamaguchi, etc. And finally, it's the CEU Corner.

CEU--an acronym for Continuing Education Unit--is what fitness professionals are required to earn (about 15, my guess) to RE-certify. That's, of course, if they want to continue their career in fitness. But alas, CEUs are not easy to get. Historically, AF has offered only 2 measly CEUs from its CEU Corner article. Every article (which is heavy on research) is followed by an exam that must be submitted so the person may earn those two units.

But soon, I hear, we'll be adding more CEUs to the magazine. That is, we'll be adding another CEU or making the current one longer so that each magazine will carry more CEUs to earn. I guess we won't know until the details are ironed out.

I'll keep you posted.

Magazine cover design for fall

We got a peek of the Sept/Oct 2008 cover and inside layout of AF yesterday. The designers at Barbara Brown Marketing & Design (BBMD) did a great job.

As part of the process to put together a magazine, designers have to spend a lot of time putting together the pieces that make the magazine look nice: the colors, the fonts, the images, the layout of the text, etc. It's not an easy task.

During the last few weeks before the magazine is printed, we often have to work with the designers on a regular (almost daily) basis to make sure we eliminate all the blemishes--typos, misplaced images, bad pagination. Sometimes we must cut something out at the last minute, which gives us a different layout than the one we see in the beginning.

So rest assured that what we saw yesterday may somewhere along the next two months change, hopefully for the better.

Mark Consuelos lands on American Fitness

Our September/October 2008 edition went to the designers about a month ago and we should be getting a preview of the cover in a few days.

That's always something exciting because we don't always know what to expect. Sometimes we must make last-minute changes to photos, articles and pagination. Our managing editor, Kevin, has the difficult task to make these make-it-or-break-it decisions.

This time, our cover "guy" Mark Consuelos (Kelly Ripa's second half), hasn't presented any issues. He's coming out in a new Hallmark movie, "For the Love of Grace," and a TV show called "Husband for Hire." We've yet to see what the inside pages of the Sept./Oct. edition look like.

I'll keep you posted on the details.

Top Stories of the summer: Kristi Yamaguchi, Beijing Olympics

It's a great pleasure to debut this blog with the announcement of our July/August 2008 print edition. We began production back in February and March. And as with most of our editions, it took some unexpected turns, which included Kristi Yamaguchi's victory on ABC's reality TV show "Dancing with the Stars."

How we even got Kristi as our cover "girl" for this edition is another story. But we got her knowing she was in the TV show as it launched its sixth season. But because the process of putting the magazine together is so laborious and takes a long time, we were expecting the magazine to come out after the season was over--after a "star" was crowned.

Nonetheless, I remember the night she won. All of us editors called each others' cell phones, saying how we needed to change the wording of her article. At the time, the story just made reference to her appearing on the show. The new change included the fact that she won.

By that time, the magazine was already on the hands of our designers. It took just a phone call to make the changes.

We are pleased with the results and we are happy for Kristi.