Briefs

WOW! Work Out World, a family-owned-and-operated chain of health clubs has recently acquired Coastal Fitness in Manahawkin, NJ.

▸▸▸

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) has signed a new agreement with the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA) to become an exercise and aging educational partner of the USTA. The new partnership will work toward better understanding and being a resource for the rapidly expanding 50+ demographic, which represents nearly 30 percent of the U.S. population.

▸▸▸

Mobile Diet Pal is a new Java application that turns mobile phones into tools in the fight with obesity, according to Radu Iancu M.D., the program's author. Mobile Diet Pal is a diet supervisor that goes on a diet with its user, counting calories and carbs and virtually guiding the user through the diet of choice, he added.

▸▸▸

Robert J. Marzec, the former managing partner and audit partner of the Minneapolis office of PricewaterhouseCoopers, and a 35-year veteran of that firm, has been named to the board of directors of Health Fitness Corp.

▸▸▸

Fitness Systems Inc. has released a new commercial heavy bag rail system for cardiovascular training rooms in the fitness center industry. The design team at FSI has manufactured a patented overhead rail system that spans the entire length of any training floor. Heavy bags can be rolled and locked into position for punching and kicking exercises and then removed from the floor in a matter of seconds, the company said.

▸▸▸

Tom Perkins, founder of the Personal Trainer Success Center, is offering complimentary 30-minutes coaching sessions for fitness professionals and health clubs.

▸▸▸

Many top fitness instructors and equipment manufacturers will be in Washington D.C. from July 28-Aug. 1, 2004 for the annual DCAC International Fitness Conference and Trade Show.

▸▸▸

New Paradigm Partners, a consulting and management company, now the management company for the Eclipse Fitness Sports and Wellness club, announced plans for almost $1 million in renovations. The club, formally known as Planet Gym, will include three group fitness studios, children's play area, spa facilities, racquetball, basketball, full free-weight and circuit training areas.