september 2009

CONTENT

PT news & research

I drink, therefore I exercise
drinking Recent research from the US suggests that those who are more inclined to have an after work drink may also be more inclined to work some of the calories off by exercising.

Using data from the 2005 Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System (a yearly telephone survey of approximately 230,000 individuals in the US), the study team from the University of Miami discovered that the more people drink, the more likely they are to exercise.

Lead study author Michael French, a professor of health economics, said, ‘Alcohol users not only exercised more than abstainers, but the differential actually increased with more drinking. There is a strong association between all levels of drinking and both moderate and vigorous physical activity’.

The findings revealed that drinking was linked to a 10 per cent increase in exercise participation. Drinkers were shown to spend an average 7.2 minutes per week extra working out than their non-drinking counterparts.

Although he cautioned against excessive alcohol consumption, French said that exercise could help counteract some of the negatives associated with drinking; ‘While those who are at risk for problem drinking should minimise or curtail their consumption of alcohol, light to moderate drinking may be health-enhancing for some people. If responsible drinkers are using exercise to partially counteract the caloric intake from alcohol, that is not such a bad thing’.

Source: American Journal of Health Promotion

Exercise protects against type 2 diabetes in all age groups
An ongoing study in the US is looking at how exercise can help protect against diabetes by boosting the function of mitochondria, the energy centres of cells.

Dr Nicolas Musi, a diabetes specialist and associate professor in the School of Medicine at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, is studying the effects of physical activity on the mitochondria. By converting different nutrients into energy, mitochondria are mini-powerhouses for energy production.

Musi said, ‘With age, there is a decline in the number and function of the mitochondria. We did an exercise intervention in older individuals and noticed that physical activity improves mitochondrial function substantially in people over 65’.

Explaining that it is never too late to reap the health benefits of exercise, Musi said, ‘While the benefits are related to the amount of exercise, in general, any amount of exercise is better than none. Even small amounts of exercise can confer benefits. However, it is important to design an exercise program that will not cause harm, particularly in older persons or those compromised by conditions such as heart disease. If an older person has not done regular exercise for several years, it is best to begin a new exercise program under the supervision of a physician or certified trainer’.

A contributing factor of type 2 diabetes is age-related decline in the number of mitochondria, but this can be reversed with exercise; ‘Older patients have a high incidence of diabetes and pre-diabetes, but respond very well to exercise. We are investigating how physical activity can prevent diabetes in people who have pre-diabetes’ Musi said.

Although it is not known why exercise helps increase the fat and sugar-burning efficiency of muscles, it is hypothesised that physical activity may activate an enzyme called AMP kinase, which monitors energy levels, maintaining normal energy levels in cells.

Musi said, ‘Further study will help us understand how exercise works to improve our health. Also, by doing research in exercise, perhaps we can develop medications in the future that work like exercise. These could be used to help people who cannot exercise, and to maximize the benefits of exercise for those who can’.

Source: University of Texas Health Science

Are you sitting comfortably?
For years we have been told to sit up straight, but now researchers are questioning just how ideal the ‘ideal’ sitting posture really is.

A study carried out at the University of Queensland’s Centre of Clinical Research Excellence in Spinal Pain, Injury and Health, has found that the posture frequently advocated as ‘ideal’ is not achievable without assistance, and that the recommended ‘curved lower back’ takes considerable effort to maintain.

Lead researcher Dr Andrew Claus said that the decisions on what constitutes ‘good’ and ‘bad’ postures have traditionally been based on measurements of the pressure applied to spinal discs in different positions, and that the assumption that slouched positions are bad for you is based on this belief. His study, he says, is the first to accurately measure how the spine and muscles respond when manipulated in a range of postures.

‘That's the thing that we're starting to redress. It may be that slumped postures are uncomfortable for the spine and may cause people some problems, but the science to actually test or prove that is really weak’ Claus said.

For the study, sensors were attached to the backs of ten male participants, and the angle of their backs was monitored as they attempted to copy an assortment of postures. The ‘ideal’ curved lower back posture was not achievable for the men without the assistance of a physiotherapist, leading Claus to suggest that people need actual training and assistance to learn how to sit properly.

Previous research findings by the Centre of Clinical Research Excellence in Spinal Pain, Injury and Health appeared to show that, contrary to previous thinking, sitting is not linked to damaged spinal discs. Claus said, ‘There's reason for confidence that why we sit all day is partly because it's not as bad as we used to think. I do think that we're heading towards something really clinically useful once we get to the stage of clinical trials comparing one posture versus another and how people respond to that’.

Source: Manual Therapy

Workplace absenteeism cut with Alexander Technique
One of the world’s leading employers, Google, is at the forefront of a new plan to slash absenteeism, injuries and compensation claims using the Alexander Technique.

Google, ranked number four on the 2009 Fortune magazine’s top 100 best employers, first implemented the Alexander Technique for staff as part of a series of personal growth workshops. The internet giant is one of many companies searching for creative ways to solve the problem of absenteeism due to injury and ill heath.

The Alexander Technique is a centuries-old practice of body awareness. It provides users with an understanding of movement which enables them to correct their posture and body movement for better all-round health.

Paul Dundon of Direct Health Services said the average Australian worker takes 8.62 days off a year due to ill health, amounting to $26.6 billion in lost productivity for the Australian economy each year.

A growing number of companies are now focusing on preventative health for workers rather than the standard practice of using treatments and specialist referrals in the workplace. Other international employers trying to prevent workplace ill health include Victorinox, the makers of the Swiss Army Knife which employs almost 1,000 people in Switzerland.

A recent survey by Victorinox found that educating employees on body awareness through the Alexander Technique had a dramatic impact on absenteeism.

Prior to implementing their program a Victorinox representative described their situation as,

‘…helpless. For certain tasks, pain outweighed motivation and employees could not work because of symptoms of wear and tear. We had to take action. We decided to choose the Alexander Technique’.

Between 2002 and 2007, absenteeism at Victorinox was reduced by more than 42 per cent due to an Alexander Technique program. One employee who regularly treated chronic shoulder pain with physiotherapy and injections said a ‘new understanding of shoulder anatomy and how it functions in the movement sequence’ had dramatically reduced his body pain.

Commenting on the most valuable aspects they learned at the pilot Alexander Technique course, Google employees said:

‘Learning habits of caring for my back; realising that good posture is relaxed, not tense’.

‘…allowed me to refine my movements and realise that I wasn't developing worse habits, but simply becoming more aware of those bad habits’.

For more information on how to implement the Alexander technique with corporate clients, visit www.bodychance.com.au. Body Chance trains injury prevention experts in the Sydney CBD using methods based on the Alexander Technique.

Source: Body Chance

Got a support team?
I often get asked ‘what is the most important thing you have done for your business over the last 13 years?’ Was it;

Doing the latest technical course?
Starting my masters?
Opening a studio?
Buying new equipment?
Taking on trainers?

The answer is, I got some support! Specifically, in 2005 I took on some admin support for two days per week. The effect was beyond what I could have imagined. I suddenly had time to move ahead with my business, put more time into my studies and finally have some spare time!

Why? I was able to release myself from the small admin things we all need to do daily that add up to many hours over the course of a week. A block of 30 mins saved here and there suddenly gives you three to four hours per week to work on other things or take some down time. This works for a stand alone trainer as well as for a small fitness business.

What is your core business? You are a fitness professional, so this should be what you spend most of your possible earning time doing or working on. Not postage, emails, calendars, bookings, book keeping, web site management and other administration needs. Make a list one week of all the ‘stuff’ you do – you’ll be surprised how much there really is.

What is your time worth? Let’s say you charge $80 per hour. You can often find a good admin person at around $25 to $30 per hour. It just makes sense for you to use your time at $80 per hour rather than doing $25 tasks. And the beauty is that administration professionals can usually complete more than you in a shorter period of time, while saving you time and stress, because it’s their specialist area.

Other support you should find would include:

book keeper
accountant for tax help
legal advisor
graphic designer
printing.

The best way to find good people is the same way in which many of your clients find you – word of mouth. Ask your clients, especially those in business, who they use and approach them to see if you think they are a good fit for you. I always suggest you talk to two or three to get a feel for them first.

Sporting teams at the elite level, or professional codes, often feature as many or more support staff, as athletes or players. In my role with the AIS and Olympic sailing squad we have between 18 and 22 athletes each year in our care. This squad runs with six to eight technical coaches, three management and admin staff and six sports science/ sports medicine staff, including myself. This is a total of 15 support staff for the squad – and we are small funded squad.

It takes a lot of time, effort and skill for an athlete to win an Olympic medal or premiership and they are supported all the way through by equally dedicated talented and skilled staff. Why? To provide expertise and take the load off the athlete so they can do what they do best, perform at a high level. Like a professional sporting team with its own support staff you need a good support team around you so you can perform at a high level.

There are other types of support that you could make use of as you grow and develop your business.

PT buddies
Even though most of us are stand alone trainers, it is important that we do not look at other trainers as ‘the competition’. I believe it is really important to develop relationships with other trainers in your centre or district. Discussing issues with them keeps you fresh and networking is a great way to learn and grow together. The abundance mentality is a necessity here! I also encourage you to find the best trainer in your area and hire them as your trainer for six months. Learn from the best. You will be amazed at what you can learn both technically and business-wise.

A more formal approach is to find a mentor or hire a business coach. If you are really driven to move to the top, this is the final step for your personal and business growth. Even if you have a PT buddy, you will reach a stage where you need some more support, so invest the money and time in a mentor or coach. Just like the world’s best athletes rely on their coaches to guide them to further success, so should you. The cost will be returned many times over.

Andrew Verdon, Dip. Ex Sci
Andrew owns a successful personal training studio in Sydney. He combines a business background with over a decade of hands-on experience in the fitness industry. He also held the position of strength and conditioning coordinator for the 2004 and 2008 Australian Olympic sailing teams. For more information, call 02 9908 2499 or visit www.beyondstudio.com.au

Group Exercise, Mind Body News

egx

Want to take your freestyle GX skills to a whole new level?
International GX superstar, Rebecca Small is returning to Oz in October, to deliver this 1-day workshop in Melbourne (24th) and Sydney (31st).

Seize this rare opportunity to learn the best freestyle instructor skills, from one of the world's best instructor trainers!

This workshop will sell out, so avoid disappointment and book today!
To find out full details or to register online visit www.fitnessnetwork.com.au/gxsummit

A nice cup of stress relief
The findings of a recent UK study suggest that a cup of tea can reduce stress in more ways than one.

The study commissioned by the insurance company Direct Line found that many people appear to draw an association not only between decreased anxiety and drinking tea, but also with the act of making a cup of tea itself.

The research by psychologists Dr Malcolm Cross and Rita Michaels, from City University London, was conducted with the aim of measuring and better understanding the effectiveness of tea in inducing calm during an episode of anxiety. Additionally, they set out to gauge any possible calming effects of the actual tea making process.

For the study, 42 participants were divided into two groups; a tea drinking group, and a non-tea drinking group. Both groups filled in the psychological tests, the Spielberger test and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Adults (STAIA) which assess current levels of anxiety and a person’s tendency towards anxiety. In addition to these, the participants completed a deliberately stress-inducing time-restricted test.

At the conclusion of these tests, the tea drinking group was given a cup of tea, while the non-tea group was given a glass of water. Both groups then completed the anxiety test again.

In addition to the formal tests, the researchers also conducted group discussions to help them gauge the ‘emotive significance and impact of making tea for participants’.

The measured test results showed that tea drinkers displayed a 4 per cent reduction in stress levels after completing the anxiety task, whereas the non-tea drinkers exhibited a 25 per cent increase in anxiety levels. The focus group discussions revealed that ‘the ritual of making and consuming tea does make an important contribution to the overall effect of mediating stress’. Having a cup of tea was described as having a calming effect before and after stressful situations, and the experience was described as a ‘chill-out moment’ which drew a line under a stressful experience.

Cross and Michaels said that results showed that in addition to lessening the stress induced by the task, tea drinking also lowered anxiety to an even lower level than the individuals exhibited prior to the task. They also noted the social aspect of tea drinking, commenting, ‘The tea appeared to catalyse conversation, and helped build rapport both between the participant and tea-maker (research assistant) and amongst the wider group. The present study shows that during periods of stress, tea's reputation for inducing calm extends beyond the effects of its physical properties on our bodies and brains’.

The study was criticised for not being a randomised or blind study, and for not providing in-depth background information regarding the study participants. Reviewers of the study for NHS Choices described the study as ‘soft evidence supporting a common-sense theory’ and expressed the opinion that ‘better designed trials will be needed if anyone is really interested in how tea helps to calm tea drinkers’.

Source: www.teamergency.com and Medical News Today

Laugh all the way to health and happiness this spring!
This spring, Network member and mind body specialist Kathy Popplewell will be travelling along Australia’s east coast from Sydney to the Gold Coast sharing the simple, fun technique of laughter yoga, and helping more people experience the multitude of physical, emotional and mental benefits of laughter.

Laughter is a natural and free way to boost the immune system, reduce stress, increase resilience, enhance creativity, dissolve anger and enjoy life. Kathy will be facilitating FREE 45-minute Laughter Yoga sessions at 30 venues who have volunteered to host one of her Laughter Yoga sessions (also for free) in the 30-day tour, so that their staff, members and local community can gather together, connect and experience the benefits of laughter.

What is Laughter Yoga?
Laughter Yoga is a non-humour based form of laughter, combining gentle stretching, yogic breathing, simulated laughter exercises and childlike playfulness, designed to stimulate natural and spontaneous laughter.

When done in a group setting, the interaction with others adds to the contagious nature of laughter. This means that even though you start with simulated laughter, at some point you may not know where your pretend laughter ends and your real laughter begins as your natural laughter takes its own spontaneous journey!

Why the tour?
Firstly, it’s an experiment Kathy and her colleagues are performing on themselves to notice how laughing every day for six weeks influences their moods, attitudes, energy, overall health, happiness and relationships!

Secondly, they want to share the joy of laughter and laughter yoga with as many people as possible!

Would you like to host one of the Laughter Yoga sessions?
Kathy is looking for venues which would like to host the Laughter Yoga sessions during the 30-day Laughter Tour anywhere along the east coast from Sydney all the way up the Queensland Gold Coast. If you can provide the space free of charge; you have a members or mailing list that you could use to promote the event; and the space can also be made open to the public (i.e., non-members) for the event, please e-mail kathy@vibrance.com.au or call 0405 147 154.

If you or any of your clients or members would be interested in coming along to one of the Laughter Yoga sessions, please call Kathy on 0405 147 154 or e-mail kathy@vibrance.com.au to find out more about dates and locations.

Source: Vibrance.com.au

PLC Sydney Aerobics Champion Represents Australia
Year 10 student Chloe Wilson, from Presbyterian Ladies College (PLC) Sydney at Croydon, NSW has been selected to represent Australia at the 2009 Federation of International Sports, Aerobics and Fitness (FISAF) World Championships in December.

Chloe will travel to Martinique, the French island just above Brazil, with a team of fellow aerobic athletes. At the competition Chloe will compete in the Junior Individual Female category in which she will perform a two minute aerobics routine involving jumps, push-ups, presses, kicks and leaps. Chloe describes her sport as ‘a mix between dancing, gymnastics and aerobics’.

‘It’s really exciting that I get to represent Australia and I really enjoy performing in front of an audience’, said Chloe.

Chloe, who has been training in aerobics for six years and trains for about 15 hours per week, owes her selection to a history of achievements including her recent success at the NSW State Schoolaerobics Championships where she became the Gold Medallist in the Secondary Senior Singles Female category. At the Schoolaerobics National Championships Chloe came second, being the youngest person in her division.

At the 2008 FISAF World Championships in Russia Chloe came fourth in the world, setting a new record for her age and category.

‘What I love about this sport is these opportunities to bring all my hard work to a point where I can display my fitness and strength’.

Chloe is part of PLC Sydney’s Talented Individual Programme (TIP) which nurtures elite sportswomen and musicians who have extraordinary time commitments in their chosen area of expertise. The aim of the program is to help the students manage their commitments while encouraging them to strive for excellence in their academic pursuits.

Source: PLC

G'Day to all Group Ex Instructors!
As you and I know, the fitness industry is becoming firmly established as a vital and necessary service for the health and wellbeing of society. Group fitness plays an integral role in the enhancement of a community's overall health and fitness. The promotion of new and existing classes available at fitness facilities and health clubs is essential and has been performed since the dawn of lycra and headbands. However, in today's environment it is not enough to just post a sign on the noticeboard and expect or assume members to know about new or upcoming classes. Consistency is the key to today's marketing of group fitness classes. Promotions that will educate the members/clients, and illustrate the quality, talent and diverse choices available in your centre will guarantee a successful outcome.

You have probably witnessed or experienced a situation where a club promotes a particular class and only a handful of participants turn up on the day of event. What could you do to change that outcome? Here are some tried and true class promotion techniques;

Announce new classes through a speaker (provided there is one at your local gym and approval is granted) at regular intervals during operating hours
Change the notice with a new slogan/tag line message with each day leading up to the new or themed class
Produce small flyers which can be attached to membership cards upon return to clients when they enter or exit the premises
Place a series of posters around the gym in positions which are likely to be in the line of sight of members, not just at a single point location
Allow participants a 'taste-tester' or preview of the new class, perhaps conduct this at the end of your regular class
Ask reception, gym floor staff and membership sales to help with class promotion during their communication with potential and existing clients
Promote the class on the timetable using a different design and colours to the regular timetabled classes. This could also be effective on the online timetable.
Promote through your facility’s newsletter (online or print) ensuring the message content and image is appealing.
If your club takes an innovative approach to all kinds of marketing activities and has a generous budget, consider printing fun promotional t-shirts for staff and instructors to wear during the month. With this approach there's no excuse for members not to know about the promotion. It's highly effective and the message is definitely mobile!

The list of promotional ideas is endless; try lots of methods and try to gauge which is most effective (perhaps by staggering the implementation of the promo techniques and measuring class attendance after each new technique has been added).

Until next eNews, stay healthy and happy to ya all Groovy and Inspiring Group Ex Instructors!

Kinnie Ho

Nutrition News

Helping clients who eat too much
It is safe to say that for many of our clients, weight gain is caused by overeating. Overeating though, does not necessarily equate to lots of smorgasbords, desserts and indulgent restaurant meals; overeating can mean as little as a few extra nuts a day, snacking when not hungry or an extra sweet treat at night – small amounts of extra food over long periods of time.

The good news is that, like many behaviours, overeating can be managed with a few simple techniques that you can help teach your clients to help them identify if they are overeating and most importantly, how to stop if they are.

Are they overeating?
One of the simplest things that you can do to help your clients determine if they are overeating is to have them keep a food diary for a few days. Another great option is to have them calculate the number of calories that they are eating by logging onto www.calorieking.com.au and entering their day’s worth of food onto a database. Remember, the average female will burn between 6,000 and 7,000kJ each day and the average male between 8,000 and 10,000kJ each day. For slow, sustainable weight loss, adults need to aim to consume between 600 and 1,000 fewer kilojoules each day.

When does the overeating occur?
The next step is to identify when the overeating is most likely to occur. Does it only occur late at night; or when the client is bored? Or does it occur when meals are enjoyed away from the home when proper meal planning has not taken place?

Once an overeating pattern has been identified, simple strategies can then be implemented to help manage and prevent the overeating. For example, suggesting that a client goes to bed earlier or has a small snack before they eat out so they are not so hungry when they arrive at the restaurant.

Preventing overeating
A second, rather obvious, strategy to help prevent overeating is to make sure that clients are not self-sabotaging. The most common form of self-sabotage is purchasing high fat, tempting foods such as biscuits, cakes and chocolates and keeping them in the house. Remind your clients that if the food is there, research has repeatedly shown that they will eat it.

Hunger management is another important aspect to prevent overeating. Active individuals will often try and reduce their food intake, which can result in them feeling over hungry and increasing their likelihood of binge eating. Encourage your clients to plan and eat regular meals with both low GI carbohydrates and lean proteins to avoid the late afternoon munchies that can result in even the most resolute dieters consuming too much.

Want to lean more about the psychology of eating and weight loss? Get ‘Psyched Up for Weight Loss’ with leading nutritionists Susie Burrell and Matt O’Neill; a one day seminar for health professionals that will be touring Sydney – 13 November; Melbourne – 6 November; and the Gold Coast – 4 December. Check out www.smartshape.com.au/a/938.html for dates and registration details.

Susie Burrell
Susie is one of Australia's leading dietitians, with training in both nutrition and psychology. She balances her clinical work in obesity at The Children’s Hospital Westmead with media work for The Sunday Telegraph’s Body & Soul supplement, Channel Nine’s TODAY show and a number of magazines. Susie’s non-work obsessions include her chocolate Burmese cat Charlie, watching tacky American television and following the NRL.

Cereal and popcorn packed with antioxidants
A recent US study has highlighted the antioxidant benefits of breakfast cereals, popcorn and wholegrain snacks.

A team led by Joe Vinson, a professor of chemistry at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania, tested more than 30 brands and types of breakfast cereals and found that the majority of wholegrain breakfast cereals and numerous other grain-based snacks contain notable levels of polyphenols – antioxidants believed to have considerable health benefits.

‘Cereals have a plethora of [good things]. They all have polyphenols’ said Vison; ‘Early researchers thought the fibre was the active ingredient for these benefits in whole grains – the reason why they may reduce the risk of cancer and coronary heart disease. But recently, polyphenols emerged as potentially more important. Breakfast cereals, pasta, crackers and salty snacks constitute over 66 percent of whole grain intake in the US diet’.

‘We found that, in fact, whole-grain products have comparable antioxidants per gram to fruits and vegetables. This is the first study to examine total phenol antioxidants in breakfast cereals and snacks, whereas previous studies have measured free antioxidants in the products’ he said.

Polyphenols have anti-inflammatory properties and are thought to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and other illnesses. Cereals containing wholegrain corn or oats contained the highest amount of polyphenols, approximately 0.2 per cent by weight per box. Wheat-based cereals came second with 0.07 per cent, and rice cereals finished up with 0.05 per cent.

Levels of polyphenols at breakfast time can also be increased by adding dried fruits or spices such as cinnamon to your cereal. Popcorn was also found to be high in the antioxidant, packing a powerful 2.6 per cent, and wholegrain crackers managed 0.45 per cent.

Vinson commented; ‘We always think of fruits and vegetables as the primary sources of polyphenols. But many people, especially students, don't eat enough of them. Here we have a product that is very familiar in the diet and that people like to eat. We can push kids to eat more whole grains’.

Nutritionist Eva To, a specialist in obesity and diabetes management, added a note of caution to the findings, saying, ‘Wholegrain cereal is a great replacement for high-fat breakfast food or as a replacement for no breakfast at all, since breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But moderation is the key. Many cereals contain ingredients that may not be very good for you, such as excessive sugar. Cereals are easy to binge on. It is very important to follow the serving size suggestions’.

Source: HealthDay News

High coffee intake may cause headaches
Recent research indicates that individuals who consume high levels of caffeine may be increasing their risk of getting headaches.

Researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology looked at data from Norway’s 1995-1997 Nord-Trondelag Health Survey which questioned over 50,000 individuals about their caffeine intake and headache frequency.

The study found that people who drank five cups or more of coffee daily (500mg) experienced 18 per cent more headaches than those who drank fewer caffeine-rich drinks.

Conversely, however, the researchers also found a link between low caffeine consumption (125mg per day) and chronic headaches. Caffeine is commonly used in headache painkillers.

Norwegians, like their Scandinavian neighbours Denmark and Sweden, consume an average four cups of coffee daily, equating to approximately 400mg of caffeine – twice that of other European countries and the US.

The findings appeared to concur with some previous studies which had found similar links, but conflict with others which have shown no connection. Lead study author, Knut Hagen, said it was unclear whether the caffeine caused headaches or whether those with a tendency to get headaches use caffeine to help alleviate the pain. However, he went on to suggest that those with frequent, rather than chronic, headaches reduce their caffeine consumption, saying, ‘People who suffer from headaches should be focused on their caffeine use, because it can be a cause of their headaches’.

Source: Journal of Headache Pain

An apple a day…
A new study has shown that fruit may be even better for us than we think.

It is already known that fruit contains beneficial antioxidants, but the latest international research has found that peaches, apples and nectarines contain up to five times more polyphenols (disease-fighting antioxidants) than previously believed.

A team from the Institute of Food Research in Norwich, England, investigated non-extractable polyphenols, which had been ignored until now. These cannot be broken down and measured as easily as ‘extractable polyphenols’ which are usually the focus of such studies.

Sara Arranz, a researcher from the Spanish Council for Scientific Research in Madrid which also worked on the study, said, ‘These polyphenols need to be treated with acid to extract them from the cell walls of fruit in the lab. If non-extractable polyphenols are not considered, the levels of beneficial polyphenols such as proanthocyanidins, ellagic acid and catechin are substantially underestimated’.

Source: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry

Club Corner

Crunch clubs re-emerge from credit-crunch
According to a recent news release, the US chain of Crunch fitness clubs will emerge from Chapter 11 Bankruptcy having now been acquired by an investor group.

Crunch announced that its sale to an investor group led by New Evolution Fitness Company (NEFC) and Angelo, Gordon & Co. has been approved by the Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, and that the transaction is expected to close by mid-September.

Chairman of Crunch and founder of NEFC, Mark Mastrov, said, ‘Crunch will emerge debt free with a leaner, stronger portfolio of clubs in four markets. This new ownership group and capital structure will allow Crunch to grow strategically while continuing to provide our members with a fresh and innovative fitness experience. We’re exiting this process with a plan for strong growth in our core markets of New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Miami and intend to establish new locations quickly. With that said, we are happy to announce that we began pre-sale on a new location in Danville, CA (San Francisco Bay Area) that will open in late September, with more to come in the months ahead. We are excited to partner with Angelo Gordon and Crunch management in growing this exciting brand’.

Crunch head honcho Tim Miller resigned from his CEO position but is due to retain a voice within the company in a new advisory role. Stepping into the dual role of CEO and Vice Chairman, Jim Rowley, partner at NEFC, will oversee Crunch; ‘I look forward to continuing my work with the great Crunch team and Angelo Gordon to capitalise on the power of the Crunch brand. By building on our innovative group fitness programming, dynamic personal training offerings, and by continuing to bring fun to fitness, we will continue to develop into a world-class fitness organisation’ Rowley said.

Brent Leffel, managing director of Angelo Gordon, said ‘The health club industry has proven to be strong and resilient through this downturn and Crunch is very well-positioned for success given its healthy, debt-free balance sheet and the involvement of NEFC. We at Angelo Gordon are thrilled to be partnering with the industry-leading NEFC team in growing Crunch. We would also like to thank Tim Miller for his service to Crunch and we wish him well in his future endeavors’.

Source: BusinessWire/IHRSA

NZ music body uses PI’s to spy on small businesses
If you are familiar – and you should be – with the ruthless money-grabbing behaviour of the PPCA in Australia in its legal action to enormously increase the money it earns from the playing of music in gyms, then the actions of the equivalent body in NZ may come as no shock. You may, however, be surprised at the apparent pettiness of the actions.

A recent article which featured on the front page of the NZ Herald reported how Phonographic Performance NZ has begun hiring private investigators to hunt down people who play background music in their work establishments.

In the example given in the newspaper, an Auckland designer was secretly filmed in his company showroom, where low-level background music was playing softly from his MP3 player.

Lawyers for PPNZ confirmed that they are proceeding with legal action to get the $155 that they claim is owed for the performance. A number of cafes around the city which play background music are also being pursued.

If this is the extent that the greedy organisation will go to for minor amounts, consider how much harder the music industry behemoths will fight for the 4,000 per cent increase they are hoping to extract from Australian gyms.

Fitness Australia’s Operation M.U.S.I.C urgently needs to raise funds to pay the legal costs involved in fighting the PPCA and get the best possible result for the fitness industry. You can contribute to Operation MUSIC at www.operationmusic.org.au/join-the-fight.html

An amount of $1.00 per member per centre is a good guide for contributions,
but any amount is welcome and greatly appreciated.

Source: Paul Richards, CEO Club Physical; & Australian Fitness Network

13,000 clubs worldwide now deliver Les Mills programs
Despite recessionary times, Les Mills International has achieved significant growth worldwide, with the 13,000th health club signing on to deliver LES MILLS™ group exercise programs.

‘Reaching 13,000 clubs and facilities is a significant milestone for us’ said Philip Mills, founder of Les Mills International; ‘We have spent more than two decades developing every aspect of our business to ensure we offer clubs, facilities and consumers the best group fitness experience in the world’.

In the last five years Les Mills International has grown from a licensee base of 9,000 to 13,000 clubs worldwide, and weekly attendance of LES MILLS™ group fitness programs has more than doubled, from under three million to an estimated six million.

Recent IHRSA data shows the average global total health club attendance per week is 1.7 times per week1. Recent independent research2,3 shows LES MILLS™ class participants attend their clubs 3.4 times per week, highlighting the role of group exercise as a profit centre for fitness facilities.

‘We give clubs and facilities access to comprehensive instructor recruitment and training strategies, access to our leading Group Fitness Management system, and extensive marketing support. But most importantly, we offer magical fitness experiences that make people want to exercise, and which act as a key acquisition and retention tool’ said Mills.

Les Mills International is the largest pre-choreographed group fitness provider in the world. With over 70,000 instructors, its eight exercise-to-music programs reach over six million participants every week. Approximately 90 per cent of all licensed clubs offer BODYPUMP™, Les Mills International’s most popular group fitness program. BODYPUMP™, the original barbell class that strengthens the whole body, accounts for approximately 25 per cent of total LES MILLS™ program licenses.

1IHRSA 2006-2008
2Les Mills/HCD/IHRSA Member Satisfaction Survey 2009
3Les Mills Brand Research Survey, Nielsen 2008

Source: Les Mills International

Budget club chain targets country towns
The low-cost, 24/7 fitness chain, Jetts Fitness, is spreading across Australia, and looks set to make its foray into areas not often served by larger chains.

With over 50 clubs open or under build, the Australian owned franchise has plans to bring its brand of fitness to regional towns across the country.

The managing director of the franchise system, Brendon Levenson, says the overwhelming success of Jetts’ current regional centres has prompted the company to focus its efforts on developing this market.

‘Our experience in these towns is that consumers are looking to lead active and healthy lifestyles, but are often limited by a lack of good gym facilities due to smaller populations. The company’s small footprint, low overhead structure allows us to establish great facilities in towns with as few as 10,000 people and with lower rents these clubs are driving substantial financial returns for their club owners’.

Jetts has plans for major regional hubs throughout NSW and VIC, including Ballarat, Bendigo, Albury/Wodonga, Wagga Wagga and Tamworth, as well as smaller community areas such as Lismore, Goulbourn and Moe.

‘We’re looking for suitable franchisees throughout regional Australia to join our cause and help change the shape of their town through our low cost, easy access model’ Levenson said.

The Jetts concept takes an opposite end approach to traditional fitness operators. Cutting out the least used components such as pools, steam rooms and crèches allows it to offer low fees, convenient, smaller locations and 24/7 access.

Now servicing over 20,000 members and growing at a rate of over 3,000 per month, the group has a goal of operating 230 clubs nationwide by 2012.

Levenson concluded, ‘2009 has been a bumper year to date for our model. Consumer demands are now higher than ever due to the shifting economy and this has placed a higher emphasis on value-based fitness services’.

Source: Invigorate

Announcements

What hot topics are pushing our industry’s buttons?
Written by Network and select guest authors, the Network blog keeps you up
to speed with the hottest industry-related topics. Go to www.fitnessnetwork.com.au, select the Community tab and click on ‘Network Blog’ to check out the hot topics, post
your comments and help shape our industry. Recent posts include;

Prepare to get hairy for Movember!
Movember is an annual, month-long celebration of the moustache (‘Mo’) which highlights men’s health issues, specifically prostate cancer and depression in men, during the month formerly known as November.

Mo Bros (men who grow a Mo), supported by the Mo Sistas (women who love a Mo), can register at www.movember.com and then start the month with a clean-shaven face, after which they have the remainder of Movember to grow and groom their moustache.

The idea for Movember was conceived in Melbourne by a few mates over a beer in 2003. There were 30 Mo Bros in the first year and by 2008 there were 124,000 Mo Bros and Sistas in Australia alone, although it also takes place in New Zealand, UK, Ireland, Canada and the US. In 2008, 173,435 Bros and Sistas raised AUS$29.7 million.

In Australia, Movember seeks to highlight the genuine risk’s to male health posed by prostate cancer and depression by raising awareness and funds for The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australian and beyondblue: the national depression initiative. Each year in Australia, 1 in 11 men will develop prostate cancer before they are 70, and close to 3,000 men will die. In Australia, 1 in 8 men will experience depression in their lifetime – and most of them will not seek help.

Big steps have been taken towards changing attitudes and habits relating to men’s health but there is still much to be done to catch up with the women’s health movement. Movember aims to provoke conversation around men’s health, with a view to breaking down traditional taboos and habits.

As a result of the 2008 campaign, The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (PCFA) and beyondblue: the national depression initiative, split the funds raised ($8,135,630 each) enabling them to implement a series of important initiatives.

At the end of Movember, a series of Gala Partés are held across Australia (and the world) to thank Mo Bros and Sistas for their fundraising efforts during the month. Mo Bros (dressed to suit their Mo) and Mo Sistas (dressed to suit their Mo Bro) come together to celebrate the Mo and compete for a number of category titles.

You can take part in Movember as an individual, but why not get your clients and members involved, do some relationship building and register as a team at www.movember.com?

Source: Movember

Dry July makes a million for Australian cancer patients
Dry July, the annual charity fundraiser that challenges people to give up alcohol for a month to raise sponsorship for adult cancer patients, raised a total of $1,263,590 for this year’s event. Network eNews helped raise awareness of this relatively new event, now in its second year, earlier in the year.

Dry July aims to directly improve the wellbeing of cancer patients by providing organisations with the funds to create better environments and support networks for patients and their families. It also aims to make people more aware of their own drinking habits and the value of a balanced, healthy lifestyle.

‘Most Australians have felt the effects of cancer, either directly or indirectly, and we wanted to do something that would make everyday life a little bit easier for those suffering from the illness’ said Brett Macdonald, co-founder and executive director of Dry July; ‘The great thing about Dry July is that you also get to help yourself whilst helping others’.

In 2008 Dry July had 1,049 participants who raised $257,283 for The Prince of Wales Hospital Foundation including Dreams 2 Live 4 committee. This year 4,113 participants took part in raising funds for six different adult cancer hospitals across the country. After final donations closed at midnight on 31 August 2009, NSW had raised the most of any state during this year’s event, with $813,957 of donations going to The Prince of Wales Hospital Foundation.

Queensland had the highest individual fundraiser in Rebecca Levingston from ABC radio Brisbane, with an incredible $52,618 raised for Brisbane’s Mater Adult Hospital. 702 ABC Perth Listeners took the prize for highest fundraising group with a tally of $37,664 for the Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.

A full list of donations by hospital is below, and can also be found at www.dryjuly.com:

ACT – The Canberra Hospital – $38,798
NSW – Prince of Wales Hospital Foundation including Dreams 2 Live 4 committee – $813,957
QLD – The Mater Adult Hospital – $109,063
SA – The Queen Elizabeth Hospital – $66,109
VIC – The Royal Melbourne Hospital – $84,153
WA – Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital – $171,949

Presentation evenings will be held during September at each of the hospitals to hand over the funds raised, present awards to the highest fundraisers and celebrate the efforts of everyone that took part.

Phil Grove, co-founder and executive director of Dry July said, ‘For people to be so generous and give so much to Dry July in just its second year is incredible. Although we are raising funds for a very serious cause, we have tried to take a more light-hearted approach and we hope everyone made it through a difficult month with a smile on their face. We truly thank all those that took part and donated from the bottom of our glasses!’

For more information on taking part in next year’s Dry July, visit www.dryjuly.com or call 0416 830 470.

Source: Dry July

Book review

Classic title review

Title: Sculpting her Body Perfect, 3RD edition
Author: Brad Schoenfeld
Reviewed by: Peter Lawler
Publisher: Human Kinetics, 2008
Details: Paperback, 238 pages, 60-minute DVD
RRP: $33.95; Network member price: $31.56 if purchased online at www.fitnessnetworkcentre.com/products/showproduct.cfm?isbn=0736073884

I am really disappointed I was sent this Brad Schoenfeld title to review. This very same man has written/ produced Look Great Naked (2001); Look Great Sleeveless (Yawn)(2002); and Look Great Naked, a 3-part video series – and I get cop a sculpture book – some poor, demented chiseller banging away at the block of marble, covered in dust hoping something artistic will emerge. Enough of this frustration!

Our boy Brad has impressive credentials. He is regularly published in quality women’s magazines, has appeared ‘on hundreds of television shows and radio programs across America’ and has been bestowed the title of ‘master trainer’ by the International Association of Fitness Professionals (page 237). One trait that Brad does not possess is modesty. His Preface is littered with self-adulation. This book says Brad, ‘is the ultimate body-sculpting guide for women ...has changed peoples lives mentally, physically and emotionally …received rave reviews …garnered endorsements from some of the fitness industry elite’.

It is fair to say if a book makes it to its 3rd edition with sales in excess of 100,000 it must be either good or trashy. Any text written exclusively for women that sells must be respected. As the author says, ‘it was considered taboo for women to lift weights …the prevailing belief was training decreased femininity thereby masculinising the female physique.’ (page XV). Some women and body conscious teens are still terrified they will become muscle-bound merely by walking past the gym let alone entering and working out. Perhaps the solution for the reluctant is body-sculpting as distinct from body-building. This is the message of this book.

The Introduction claims this book and its inclusive programs will place the participants in ‘physique heaven’. Sliding such garbage aside for recycling, a patient reading of our boy Brad’s book reveals that women are expected to work very hard to attain their spot in Nirvana. The first phase of the program is one exercise per body zone. Three sets of each interspersed with 30 seconds rest after 15 to 20 repetitions – no sweat! In less time than it takes you to read ‘War and Peace’ you have advanced to Level III. Here delicate, vulnerable women are expected to complete 2 to 4 exercises per muscle group for 2 to 4 sets of 15 to 20 reps and less than 30 seconds rest to failure on all exercises due to high intensity – now that’s tough! No wonder he calls his system ‘High-Energy Fitness’. To minimise the deaths which litter gym floors, the author suggests the training routine be split and spread over three days.

The book now enters the comfort zone – chapter after chapter of common everyday exercises enticingly wrapped in seductive titles like: Shapely Shoulders, Hourglass Back, Beautiful Biceps, Toned Triceps and every woman’s dream – Diamond Calves. Each chapter offers ample exercises for the specified body zone, usually via a machine. Millions of photographs ensure that even the most obtuse trainer cannot go wrong. Alas and alack, the models are not naked.

We have reached page 200. What a journey! Our boy Brad does not like aerobic classes, a fearless statement that appears in Chapter 15 ‘Fat Burning with Aerobics’. The author challenges the myths of aerobics and concludes: the stair climber does not create the big butt… you can overtrain… low intensity training is not a better fat burner than high intensity – and so it goes on. Having chastised the sacred site of aerobics, the chapter concludes with ample information as to the best approach serious trainers can derive from correct adaptation to aerobic modalities.

Chapter 16 focuses on training during pregnancy and, as sunset falls, this text concludes with a protocol of how best to maintain your gains against the temptation of detraining.

And now to the DVD. Sixty minutes with Brad. If all 118 exercises contained in the print chapters were to appear on this DVD it would constitute a mini series. Therefore it is a selected four to five exercises per body zone that are demonstrated by models guided by Brad’s instructions. Most beginners (the target group for this publication), will find the DVD very helpful in establishing sound exercise technique.

RECOMMENDED.