LA Fitness shut down for ongoing sanitary issues in the locker rooms, like clogged toilets, no soap and broken shower equipment.

Morton Grove shut down LA Fitness on Wednesday due to ongoing sanitary issues in the locker rooms, like clogged toilets, no soap and broken shower equipment, officials said.

More than 50 people had to leave the facility, 6821 Dempster St., when village officials closed it around 3 p.m., but most seemed to understand, said Ryan Horne, the village administrator pro-tem. The village has received many health complaints from gym members via e-mail, phone calls and at board meetings, he said.

Despite trying to work with the club’s local management and speaking with officials in the company’s corporate office, nothing has been fixed, he added.

“We are business friendly. We try to work with businesses to get them in compliance,” Horne said. “We absolutely did not want to do this.”

Formerly Bally’s Health Club, the gym changed ownership sometime in late November or early December. Since then, club members have complained about sanitary issues, with many saying the locker rooms are not equipped with toilet paper or soap. Six complaints came in the day the gym was shut down, Horne added.

Officials at LA Fitness could not immediately be reached for comment Thursday morning.

Horne said corporate officials told him they didn’t budget correctly for supplies because they had no idea what the demand would be. They promised to swiftly correct the problems, but “that didn’t happen,” Horne said.

“Maybe they just didn’t understand how busy this facility is,” Horne said. “This location, it’s an extremely busy club.”

During Wednesday’s inspection, health officials discovered no soap, clogged toilets and learned paper towels were being used instead of toilet paper in the locker rooms. They also found broken water fountains and an inoperable Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant shower.

The facility has also had a theft problem in the locker rooms, Horne said. Though corporate officials said they would make the areas more secure, four people on Wednesday afternoon reported someone broke into their lockers, officials said.

If the gym fixes the issues, it can call the village and inspectors will return to the site to see if the problems have been fixed. He said he would like to see the club open again, provided it’s not a danger to public health.

As people left the club, gym employees handed out addresses and numbers to other area LA Fitness clubs. Many gym-goers were glad to see the village addressing the situation, he said.

“As we were working, people were coming up to us and saying, ‘You should have shut this down months ago,’” Horne said. “No one was mad at us.”

Cybex International, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter Results CYBI +22.37%

Cybex International, Inc. CYBI +22.37% , a leading U.S. manufacturer of premium exercise equipment, today reported results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2011. Net sales for the fourth quarter of 2011 were $43.1 million compared to $39.9 million for the corresponding 2010 period, an 8% increase. The Company reported net income of $34.7 million, or $2.03 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of ($57.1) million or ($3.34) per diluted share, reported for the corresponding 2010 period. The 2011 and 2010 results include a 2010 litigation charge pertaining to the jury verdict in the product liability suit, Barnhard v. Cybex International, Inc., and the 2011 adjustments to the charge relating to the settlement of the suit. Net income for the quarter excluding these charges and adjustments was $2.7 million or $0.16 per fully diluted share for 2011 and $1.5 million or $0.09 per fully diluted share for 2010.

For the year ended December 31, 2011, net sales were $140.1 million compared to $123.0 million for 2010, a 14% increase. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2011 was $34.3 million, or $2.00 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of ($58.2) million, or ($3.40) per diluted share, for 2010. The 2011 and 2010 results include the litigation charge, and adjustments related to the charge, which increase (decrease) the 2011 and 2010 full year results by $1.76 and ($3.43) per diluted share, respectively. Net income excluding these charges and adjustments were $4.1 million or $0.24 per fully diluted share for 2011 and $0.4 million or $0.03 per fully diluted share for 2010.

Cybex also announced that it has increased the limits of its product liability insurance coverage to $25,000,000 for claims brought after December 1, 2011.

"We are pleased to report strong sales growth in all market segments in Q4," said John Aglialoro, Cybex Chairman and CEO. "Sales in North America increased 3% and sales outside North America increased 20% for the fourth quarter. Importantly, we accomplished these results during a time of global economic uncertainty while confronting an unfair and excessive jury verdict which is now behind us. Our growth is a testament to the health of the company and the value customers have for our innovative and superior products."

Art Hicks, Cybex President and COO stated, "Operating income, excluding the impact of litigation charges, increased 40% in Q4 2011 compared to Q4 2010. We are excited to introduce our new Arc Trainer models and new entertainment displays at the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) trade show in March."

The Company will hold a conference call today, February 15, 2012 at 4:30 p.m. ET. Those who wish to participate in the conference call may telephone (888) 401-4685 from the U.S. or (719) 325-2122 for international callers. A live webcast of the conference call will be available at www.cybexintl.com or www.viavid.net . On Cybex's website under the category Company, click on Press, scroll to the bottom and select Q4 Earnings Release Conference Call. Please visit the website at least 15 minutes early to register for the teleconference webcast and download any necessary software. Real Player or Windows Media Player is required to listen to the webcast.

A replay of the call will be available through Saturday, February 25, 2012 by dialing (877) 870-5176 or (858) 384-5517 for international callers. The access code for the replay is 9476085.

About Cybex

Cybex International, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of premium exercise equipment primarily for commercial use. The Cybex product line, including a full range of strength and cardio training machines, is designed using exercise science to reflect the natural movement of the human body. Led by the Cybex Research Institute, Cybex fitness equipment is engineered to produce optimal results for users from the first-time exerciser to the professional athlete. Cybex products, designed and built in the USA, are available for a wide range of facilities, from commercial health clubs to home gyms, and are sold in more than 85 countries worldwide. For more information on Cybex and its product lines, visit the Company's website at www.cybexintl.com .

This news release may contain forward-looking statements. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the statements made above. These include, but are not limited to, the ability of the Company to comply with the terms of its credit facilities, competitive factors, technological and product developments, market demand, economic conditions, and the resolution of litigation involving the Company. Further information on these and other factors which could affect the Company's financial results can be found in the Company's previously filed Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, its Reports on Form 10-Q, its Current Reports on Form 8-K, and its proxy statement dated April 14, 2011.

Now, she said she's aggravated she can't start her workouts at Powerhouse!

BATON ROUGE, LA - Signs promoting a $1 enrollment fee and $20 per month membership plans at Powerhouse Gym have been up for months on South Sherwood Forest Boulevard.The brand new gym was set to have a Jan. 13 grand opening. One member, who asked not to be identified, signed up in October.
"We thought, 'Okay, three months it'll be ready,'" the woman said. "New Year's resolution, you know, get in shape. Well, New Year's came around. They didn't open."
She said she paid $59 up front and some of her friends paid up to $700 for a full year's membership. Now, she said she's aggravated she can't start her workouts at Powerhouse. The woman is not alone. Dozens of people are taking their frustrations to the gym's Facebook page.Randy Young, the gym's general manager, said delays like this are normal."This will be my 109th gym," he said. "The original day was January 13th. The average gym in America opens between three months and six months late." The construction was on target for the January opening, according to Young, but problems with contractors slowed things down."When we first started the project we started with a contractor that was going to be a partner. [We] had problems with that contractor. He was building without permits," Young explained.City records show the department does not currently have permits on file to continue building Powerhouse Gym and in December, a stop-work order was issued.Young said he will have permits in the next couple of days and the gym should open in 30 days. That's two months after paid members planned to break a sweat in the gym. "You have other gyms in the area that have opened up in less time than this one has," one member said. "It was supposed to be a state-of-the-art place. I ain't seen it."Powerhouse insists the gym will be worth the wait and invited the news crew to tour the facility in the next couple of weeks to show progress. Young said members will not be billed until the gym open
http://www.wafb.com/story/16929444/contact-9-powerhouse-gym?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=6738801

Gold’s Gym Opens Valencia Presale Office

Gold’s Gym is opening a 5,000-square-foot preview center in Valencia today as it readies its new 35,000-square-foot location at Westfield Valencia Town Center to open later this summer.

The preview center is open for the local community to stop by and sign up for a special membership rate and workout.

Scheduled to open in August 2012, the new Gold’s Gym will be home to the cardio and weight equipment that includes individual LCD screens, iPod docking stations and a cardio movie theater, where members can watch films while working up a sweat.

Members can also take advantage of strength-training equipment, a heavy-bags area, 25-meter outdoor pool, tanning center, jacuzzi and whirlpool, as well as personal training, men and women’s eucalyptus steam and sauna areas, a supplement store, kid’s club, pro shop and a selection of group-exercise classes.

“We encourage everyone to stop by and check out our preview center to take advantage of our exceptional promotional rates and get a good feel for what’s to come,” said Rich Drengberg, vice president of sales and marketing for the Los Angeles’ Gold’s Gyms.

Gold’s Gym preview center is located in the Westfield Valencia Town Center at 24201 W. Valencia Blvd., Suite 2065.

Gold's Gym International Acquires 11 Spectrum Athletic Club Locations in San Antonio

Gold's Gym International

Gold's Gym International (GGI), the world's leading authority on health and fitness, announced today that it has signed an agreement to acquire all 11 Spectrum Athletic Club locations in the San Antonio area. The deal is officially slated to close by the end of February 2012. With 9 clubs already serving residents throughout the market, Gold's Gym will now have a total of 20 locations in the Alamo City.

"We are thrilled to bring these 11 Spectrum Athletic Clubs into the Gold's Gym family and feel this acquisition was a natural fit," said Jim Snow, president of Gold's Gym International. "Both of our organizations are built around a strong culture of service and a brand promise of delivering an outstanding fitness experience to our members. With 20 locations to choose from, it will now be more convenient than ever for San Antonio residents to stay in shape and reach their fitness goals. No matter where you live, chances are there's now a Gold's Gym right around the corner."

As part of the deal, the 11 Spectrum Athletic Clubs will rebrand under the Gold's Gym name. All current Spectrum memberships will be honored. In addition to having future access to current Gold's Gyms in San Antonio, Spectrum members will gain travel privileges to Gold's Gym's network of 700 gyms in 43 states and 30 countries. For Gold's Gym members, plans are being developed for a tiered membership option that would allow access to former Spectrum locations.

"We're confident that our members and our employees will be in good hands and will continue to enjoy the high level of service they've come to expect from us," said Bud Rockhill, chief executive officer of Spectrum. "We think it's a great fit and that the transition will be seamless. This deal will allow us to strategically invest in our twelve Spectrum locations in Southern California, a business that we will continue to operate going forward."

Spectrum members will now be serviced by a strong ownership group with years of award-winning customer service experience. GGI is one of the largest and most respected companies in the fitness industry. Founded in 1965, the company has more than 47 years experience delivering life-changing results for its members and is universally perceived as the authority in fitness.

In addition, GGI has invested heavily in club enhancements and development in recent months. This includes investing more than $20 million in club improvements, new gym development, franchise growth and acquisitions, all of which demonstrate the momentum behind the company. The company plans to build additional gyms in San Antonio.

"We are very bullish on San Antonio. It has truly become a fitness-conscious city in recent years and the demand for health and fitness services has grown rapidly," continued Snow. "This acquisition is a testament to our enthusiasm about the city and its potential. San Antonio is now the biggest market in our corporate portfolio and the second biggest Gold's Gym market in the country, right behind Washington, D.C. We look forward to growing with the San Antonio community for years to come."

Spectrum was advised by Integrity Square LLC, with legal advice from Burr & Forman LLP.

About Gold's GymEstablished in Venice, Calif. in 1965, Gold's Gym is the largest full service gym chain in the world with more than 700 locations in 43 states and 30 countries. Gold's Gym offers the latest equipment and services, including group exercise, personal training, cardiovascular equipment, group cycle, Pilates and yoga. With nearly 3 million members worldwide, Gold's Gym helps all kinds of people achieve their individual potential through fitness. For more information please visit www.goldsgym.com or www.facebook.com/goldsgym.

About Spectrum

Spectrum Clubs, Inc. is one of the most respected fitness companies in the United States, with twelve premium locations in Southern California. With roots that trace back to 1979, Spectrum offers spacious, modern facilities, highly trained staff, the latest in fitness equipment, high-end amenities and a full range of fitness programming. Spectrum prides itself in providing a fitness experience designed to help its members achieve their individual goals.

www.spectrumclubs.com

SOURCE Gold's Gym International