In BRIEF

The National Federation of Professional Trainers earned its National Commission of Certifying Agencies accreditation in mid-November. The certifying agency joins a short list of agencies that have received their accreditation. The International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association has recommended that by the first of this year, its member health clubs only hire personal trainers with certifications from accredited certifying agencies.

Fitness Formula Ltd. CEO Gale Landers is going it alone at Fitness Formula Ltd and its eight affiliated Fitness Formula Club locations in Chicago after buying out the interests of his partners.

Iron Grip Barbell Company outfitted the U.S. Olympic Team's fitness facility in Torino, Italy, with Iron Grip free weight equipment. Iron Grip was invited to participate in the fitness center project through 24 Hour Fitness, who also donated equipment. The fitness facilities established by 24 Hour Fitness will provide U.S. athletes with the opportunity to continue their training 24 hours a day throughout the 2006 Olympic Winter Games.

For the second year, STOTT PILATES has teamed with Kellogg Canada to arm Canadians with tools to help them reach their mind-body fitness goals and fulfill New Year's resolutions. In January, Kellogg's Special K and STOTT PILATES will offer Canadian consumers a free toning ball or one of two toning ball workout DVDs. These inserts are valued at $15 each, and can be found in specially marked boxes of Special K cereal and Vector meal replacement in Canada while quantities last.

The third World Aquatic Health Conference, sponsored by the National Swimming Pool Foundation®, is scheduled for Sept. 20-21, 2006, with an opening reception on the evening of Sept. 19, at the Radisson Hotel & Suites in Austin, TX. For the first time, an aquatic conference will be held both live and via the Web starting one week later.

The Core Spinal Fitness Systems by MedX launched in January its Eliminate Back Pain Tour. The tour kicked off in Florida and will stop at major golf courses and country clubs across the state. A tour bus has been converted and painted the Core's signature color lime green. It holds the five machines that comprise The Core system, and golfers and facility managers can try the equipment first hand on the tour. To find out more, visit www.fitness4golfers.com.