Fitness Reads: Reinvigorate after day's work, ease chronic back pain with exercise

What did the SNEWS team read this week that other industry insiders might find interesting? Read on to find out.

• We first heard about PHIT America from the swimwear company Speedo, which has partnered with the organization to help further its mission of getting kids more active and solving the childhood obesity epidemic. Recently, IHRSA reported that PHIT America and the Children’s Obesity Fund partnered to help get kids more active. Tell us: Are you involved with PHIT America in any way?
• Being based in Boston, IHRSA and other Boston-based businesses were intimately affected by the Boston Marathon bombings and the search for suspects. Many are now raising money for the victims of the violence. Healthworks Fitness Centers for Women is running a promotion through May 5, whereby 18 classes have been designated part of the Boston Strong Group Fitness to raise funds for the victims.

• We weren’t totally surprised when we read this USA Today story that said 79 percent of American adults aren’t meeting the federal physical activity recommendations for both aerobic and strength exercises. All they need, according to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, is to do fun activities like walking, hiking, running, tennis, softball and somehow manage to incorporate strength training.
• We love to hear about people doing good things! Recently we read this Club Industry story about Precor donating nearly $15 million to YMCA of the USA for anti-childhood obesity programs in more than 50 facilities nationwide.

• Judging by what we heard while reporting the annual SNEWS FitBiz report, ellipticals and treadmills remain top sellers. So what are your customers reading about them in the newspapers? This Los Angeles Times article breaks down all the latest and greatest in ellipticals. Manufacturers, check out the list to see if you’re on it.

• Gadgets and technology: We love both. This USA Today story wraps up a list of some of our favorites and soon-to-be favorites. We liked both the Pear Mobile Training Intelligence System for iPhone (which interacts with iPhone to coach and motivate you, tell you where to work out in a new city and play your favorite tunes); and the DeLorme inReach SE Two-Way Satellite Communicator (which lets customers explore without fear of losing touch).

• Know someone who says they won’t get a flu shot because it doesn’t work? Well, tell them that if they get the flu shot and they exercise regularly, they’ll reap the benefits of avoiding flu during the cold season. This Indian Express story said exercise can boost the effects of the flu shot.

• Many people we know suffer from back pain. Is working out the answer? According to this Vancouver Sun story, doctors are prescribing exercise to people with chronic back pain.

• May is Older Americans Month, according to this release on the Sacramento Bee’s website. To honor it, the SilverSneakers Fitness Program released results of a survey it conducted among its members. The survey showed that active seniors have greater health and fitness results than their national senior counterparts.

• Generally we’re morning exercisers, but since we discovered an after work cycle class at our gym, we’ve been heading over there on Mondays and Wednesdays to get our sweat on. This story in The Gleaner said that exercising after a hard day’s work is one of the best ways to overcome stress and fatigue because it stimulates our heart function and increases blood flow.

Did you read anything interesting? Send it to us and we’ll check it out!