BC Brunswick Corp

US Health Club Members Proclaim -- 'I Lost It at the Club!' -- and Lose Over 12 Tons Of Excess Weight BOSTON, April 25 /PRNewswire/ -- In its inaugural year, "I Lost It at the Club!," a fitness industry weight loss initiative coordinated by the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) and sponsored by equipment manufacturer Life Fitness, helped over 6,500 participating health club members lose a staggering 12 tons (25,587 pounds) of excess weight. 650 IHRSA member health clubs participated in the eight-week program, which began on January 10, 2005. "This initiative was established to support both current and prospective health club members to fulfill their New Year's resolutions to lose weight and get in shape," said John McCarthy, executive director of IHRSA. "The program's overwhelmingly positive results are a testament to the creativity and commitment of fitness professionals who work tirelessly to assist club members to achieve their fitness goals." There is no question that more Americans make the decision to join a health club as they ring in the New Year than at any other time of the year -- IHRSA estimates that one million Americans joined health clubs in the month of January alone. A recent study that measured American attitudes about exercise indicated that 79 percent of current health club members joined a health club to get in better shape and 54 percent joined to lose weight.(1) In addition, health club exercise proved more effective than any other weight loss method, according to the IHRSA/ASD Obesity-Weight Loss Trend Report. Comparing weight loss methods, 30 percent of health club exercisers reported being "very/extremely" successful in their weight loss attempt, while only 26 percent of formal dieters, 21 percent of outdoor exercisers and 19 percent of home exercisers reported the same. "We are thrilled with the success of the program," said Jay Megna, executive vice president, sales and service, Life Fitness. "We believed that this program would engage club members in a fun, collaborative effort to lose weight, while helping them focus on living longer, healthier, more productive lives. The great results speak for themselves." Participating health clubs were encouraged to use "I Lost It at the Club!" to reinvigorate their existing programs, to introduce new programs and to hold special educational seminars. Participants were also encouraged to use the program to foster a sense of community in the club, bringing members together as participants in the same weight-loss program. IHRSA provided additional program ideas and tools, including activity cards, member newsletters and weight loss tracking sheets. About Life Fitness Life Fitness, a division of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE:BC), is the global leader in designing and manufacturing a full line of high-quality fitness equipment for commercial and consumer use. It is the largest commercial fitness equipment provider in the world and the only fitness equipment manufacturer that has been providing premium equipment for more than 27 years. Life Fitness' cardiovascular and strength-training products, including the renowned Lifecycle exercise bike, are used in health, fitness and wellness facilities, as well as in homes, worldwide. The company is headquartered near Chicago and distributes its equipment in more than 120 countries. About IHRSA The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) is a nonprofit association dedicated to the growth, protection, and promotion of the health club industry, and represents more than 6,500 clubs worldwide. IHRSA is an international leader in health club industry education and research. (1) IHRSA, and Ketchum Research. Fitness American Style II: A Look at How and Why Americans Exercise. 2004 CONTACT: Brooke MacInnis Correia, IHRSA (617) 951-0055, ext. 149 (office) (617) 823-1311 (cell) DATASOURCE: International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) CONTACT: Brooke MacInnis Correia of IHRSA, +1-617-951-0055, ext. 149 (office) or +1-617-823-1311 (cell),

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