In BRIEF

National Fitness Products of Canada (NFP) became authorized distributors in the Canadian market for FreeMotion Fitness Products. Included in the partnership is FreeMotion Fitness Products EPIC Strength and NordicTrack Commercial Cardio. With no retail stores, NFP is a wholesaler of fitness products, supplying fitness facilities across Canada.

A new student recreation center is in the works for Stephen F. Austin State University (SFA). The SFA Board of Regents authorized up to $150,000 for programming and design development after students approved a fee of up to $120 per semester to build the facility. Of 1,501 students voting, over 82 percent of them approved the measure.

Desert Southwest Fitness celebrated its 25th year in business by releasing their 2005 anniversary catalog.

Life Fitness exercise equipment helped keep the cast of “Ocean's Twelve” in ship-shape during filming. The manufacturer of cardiovascular and strength-training equipment was the official fitness equipment supplier to the cast of the new film, a sequel to the 2001 “Ocean's Eleven.” During filming in Amsterdam and Rome in early 2004, Life Fitness Atlantic BV and Life Fitness Italia designed exercise facilities to help the cast maintain their fitness levels. Both gyms had a wide range of Life Fitness' cardiovascular and strength-training equipment. The Amsterdam facility included a treadmill, Lifecycle exercise bikes, a total-body elliptical cross-trainer, a ParaBody GS4 Gym System and free weights. The Rome gym featured treadmills, Lifecycle exercise bikes, total-body elliptical cross-trainers, LeMond Revmaster group cycling bikes, and strength equipment from the premium Signature Series and Hammer Strength lines.

Lifestyle Family Fitness has leased a 31,000-square-foot facility in Apopka, FL. The new facility is Lifestyle's third location in the Orlando area and 21st companywide. Lifestyle also owns and operates two other fitness facilities in the Orlando area with plans to open two additional locations in Orlando in the next 12 months. Amenities in the future facility will include the latest strength and cardiovascular training equipment, as well as a group fitness area that will feature a $20,000 suspended wood deck floor system.

24 Hour Fitness will open a 24 Hour Fitness Sport Club in Austin, TX in early 2005 as a full-service fitness facility with numerous amenities including an indoor pool, an extensive line of cardio equipment, free weights, whirlpool, steam room and sauna. Members will have access to group exercise classes including yoga, Pi-Yo, 24 Tai Chi and cycling. Of particular note will be the availability of 24 Hour Fitness' newest Xpress Zone, a 30-minute circuit program designed in a specific order to maximize a full-body workout in a short amount of time.

LAMAR Health, Fitness and Sports, manufacturers of health and fitness equipment, became the distributor of Crocs footwear. Currently, LAMAR distributes Crocs shoes to independent bicycle dealers, specialty fitness stores, spas and fitness equipment, health clubs, YMCAs and JCCs.