Precor selected as preferred supplier to Gold’s Gyms Canada

Press release For immediate release,
January 16, 2006
Precor Inc.

Precor contact: Jim Zahniser
Public Relations Manager
503-539-5158
zahniser@precor.com

Gold’s Gyms of Canada contact: Ziad Jaber
CEO, Northland Fitness Inc.
503-539-5158403-338-4653
zahniser@precor.comziadjaber@goldsgymcanada.com

Precor selected as preferred supplier to Gold’s Gyms Canada

Woodinville, WA – Leading fitness equipment brand Precor has been named preferred vendor for Northland Fitness Inc., master franchiser for all of Gold’s Gym operations in Canada.
Through the agreement with Calgary-based Northland Fitness, Precor will provide future Canadian Gold’s Gyms facilities with strength and cardio equipment, and be the exclusive entertainment systems provider.
Northland currently operates a Gold’s Gym in northwest Calgary, with another location set to open spring 2006 in northeast Calgary.
Nationwide, Gold’s Gym Canada has committed to open 40 Gold’s Gyms over the next 10 years, with locations opening early 2006 in the West Edmonton Mall in Edmonton, Normanview Crossing in Regina, Northgate Mall in Calgary, and University of British Columbia in Vancouver.
“Precor offers a total package of equipment and services, from strength to entertainment, backed up with unmatched support. We know we can rely on the quality and performance of Precor equipment, and we’re confident of Precor’s commitment to play a role on the Gold’s Gym team in Canada,” said Ziad Jaber, CEO of Northland Fitness Inc.
Jaber noted that the Precor relationship is important because Gold’s Gym members “demand the best of the best,” and that Gold’s Gym franchisees are dedicated to providing the most user-friendly fitness facilities in the marketplace, with personal service and state-of-the-art equipment and entertainment.
“We feel strongly that our relationship with Precor will help Gold’s Gyms in Canada meet our members needs and challenges in 2006 and beyond,” said Jaber.
In addition to featuring premium-quality Precor cardio and strength equipment, the new Gold’s Gyms will include Cardio Theater entertainment systems, and ClubCom music video entertainment and club promotion services. In addition to sales and service, Precor is involved in financing fitness and entertainment equipment in some Gold’s Gym locations.
“Ziad has an aggressive vision and plan to meet the Canadian consumer’s rapidly growing interest in fitness and wellness with an extensive network of state-of-the-art Gold’s Gyms,” said Jeremy Gill, Precor commercial sales manager for Canada. “The entire Precor team is thrilled to be part of this initiative, as Northland Fitness and its franchisee network expands to make Gold’s Gym a preferred name in fitness throughout Canada.”
A former amateur boxer with a lifetime passion for fitness, Jaber became involved with Gold’s Gyms as a franchisee in 1999. He founded Northland Fitness in 2003 to build and franchise Gold’s Gyms locations throughout Canada.
Gold’s Gyms International has similar master franchisee arrangements with leading fitness organizations in 26 countries worldwide, with master franchisees responsible for strategic expansion of the Gold’s Gym brand in their respective country.
Northland Fitness currently has franchise partners British Columbia, Edmonton, Regina and Mississauga, and is actively seeking additional franchise partners across Canada.
Gold’s Gym International is known as an authority in fitness since 1965, expanding to become the largest co-ed gym chain in the world, with 2.5 million members in 620 locations in 26 countries. Gold’s Gyms offer the latest equipment and services including group exercise, personal training, cardiovascular equipment, spinning, Pilates and yoga, while maintaining its core weight lifting tradition.
About Precor
Precor was founded in 1980, now operating production, distribution and headquarters facilities near Seattle, Wash., with offices in the UK, Germany, Benelux, Spain, France, Switzerland, Austria, Japan and China. Engineered to move the way you move, Precor equipment sets the global standard for fluid, natural, low-impact workout experience.
Precor is a subsidiary of Amer Sports Corp. (www.amersports.com), one of the world’s largest sports equipment companies, with internationally recognized brands Wilson, Atomic, Suunto and Precor. In late 2005, Amer expanded its family of sports equipment brands, acquiring winter sports, outdoor apparel, cycling and skateboard brands Salomon, Mavic, Bonfire, Arc’Teryx, and Cliché.
# # #