As the World Tans

Tanning is the most popular topic on the FM blog, even though there’s only been one post on the subject. It’s generated the most comments, most of which support tanning in fitness facilities.

Tanning enthusiasts have been getting some long-awaited public love lately, thanks to Project Runway contestant and admitted “tanorexic” Blayne, E!'s reality show Sunset Tan, and Republican Vice President nominee Sarah Palin, who installed a tanning bed in the Alaska governor’s mansion when she took that office.
*A brief aside: Why are people who tan in excess called “tanorexics”? Doesn’t that term imply that they deny themselves tanning, the way anorexics deny themselves food? Enlighten me in the comments, please.

I happen to agree with FM Senior Editor Anne McDonnell when she says tanning has no place in the fitness industry. But let’s be honest: As long as it’s a viable profit center, some fitness facilities will continue to offer it to members. Just like some will continue to sell dietary supplements, and hire sub-par personal trainers. Without strict and enforceable industry standards, it’s a buyer-beware market — especially for fitness center members.

If the McCain/Palin ticket is victorious in the polls this November, it will mark the first time that a woman takes that office. But there may be another milestone, as well: The White House’s first tanning bed.

Is that a boost for the tanning industry, or what?

No More Excuses

I’m sure you’ve heard all of the reasons people give for being overweight: I have a thyroid problem, it’s my glands, I have big bones, it’s genetic. Well, now there are no more excuses (except the obvious ones of little exercise and poor diet). A new study found that “vigorous physical activity can help even people genetically prone to obesity keep the weight off.” The study found that those who had an obesity-related gene called FTO, but were very physically active, weighed about the same as others who did not carry the gene.

This doesn’t mean you now have the right to call your members liars or slackers, but it does give you more scientific evidence to back those claims you’ve been making for years: No matter what your genes say, exercise can and does help people keep their weight down.

Keep in mind that if your members really do have a medical condition that makes it difficult for them to keep the weight off, they will need to exercise more than the average person to do so. So, while some of your members may be lying about their “medical condition” in order to explain their weight, those who really have a medical condition will need a well-planned program, and lots of motivation, to help them reach their goals.

Fit to Lead

Pummeling the presidential candidate you hope will lose? Sweet! Kudos to Washington Sports Clubs staff who came up with a creative way to sweep up its members in election fever! Known as VOTERobics, the circuit training classes are held to patriotic soundtracks, and include moves with coined terms such as “jumping Johns” and “bouncing Baracks.” Participants can even take a swing at their least-favorite candidate whose plastic masks have been attached to the top of a heavy bag.

Fitness should play a role in this election, both in what we’re doing in our facilities and out. Of course, it would be best if our industry could find some way to convince our politicians that more attention needs to be paid to the role of fitness in society, starting from the top. As the obesity problem continues to plague the United States, we need healthy role models now more than ever. Is it so unreasonable to expect, then, that our presidential candidates be fit? Especially as leaders who set an example for our nation’s children, and who serve in a job that is demanding and stressful?

This issue was recently talked about in the article, Health of candidates called a legitimate issue. Over the years, the landscape has been changing. It’s been a long time since we’ve had an obese president (William Howard Taft weighed more than 300 pounds), or one with a serious medical condition. These days, it is expected that candidates release their medical records and tout their fitness regimens to the media so they can prove their fitness for the job. After all, the public has to worry about enough without having to worry about our president-elect keeling over due to some illness caused by an unhealthy lifestyle.

In this election, the 25-year age difference between Obama and McCain clearly plays in Obama’s favor. But, both have strikes against them. McCain has his limitations due to his history of skin cancer and injuries he suffered as a prisoner of war. However, his doctor and campaign staff let it be known that he has a “strong heart” and he participates in light exercise. Obama was a smoker up until 2007, just a year ago, but he now sticks to a strict fitness regimen and is depicted as a jock. In short, they both want to be known as candidates who think fitness is important.

Fitness may not be a major issue in this election, but the fact that it’s being paid attention to more is a positive thing. I’m glad McCain and Obama are taking it seriously. Of course, I still wouldn’t mind taking a smack at … .

Off the Grid

I read an article the other day about The Green Microgym in Portland, Ore. Owner Adam Boesel modified some exercise cycles so that they generate electricity. “Boesel has re-engineered a small motor to capture the pedal power from a trio of Spin bikes [to] generate electricity for the gym’s television and stereo system,” says KOAA.com.

I’m a big fan of modifying (also known as “hacking”) objects to fit a specific need. One of my favorite websites showcases people’s ingenious modifications of Ikea furniture. Repurposing is good for the pocketbook and the environment.

I think what Boesel has done is creative and innovative, and should be applauded. Short of ordering the four-person Team Dynamo, which harnesses the collective power of exercisers as they pedal and turn hand cranks — or investing in some of the other electricity-generating equipment options FM Senior Editor Anne McDonnell discussed in her earlier post about the subject — what other choice do fitness-center-owning inventors who want to get off the grid have but to hack their existing equipment?

This is a feel-good story meant to inspire other facility owners to think outside the box to achieve new levels of eco-consciousness. But I do have some questions.

What about the warranty? Once you modify a piece of fitness equipment, the warranty is null and void, right? And, if you’re not as scientifically and mechanically inclined as Boesel, there’s a good chance you’ll really break something.

What about insurance? How do insurance companies cover a facility with modified equipment? Will they even consider it?

As I said before, I admire Boesel’s initiative. But do I think it’s the ideal solution for most fitness center owners? Not even close.

Put Your Money Where Your Waist Is

While some employers reward people for healthy behavior, others are beginning to take more drastic measures. With rising healthcare costs, and costs rising in many aspects of business, companies are trying to balance their budgets in ways employees may never have expected. Namely, charging them for being overweight.

Alabama, the second-fattest state in the U.S., is giving its more than 37,000 state employees one year to lose weight, or they will pay $25 per month for health insurance that otherwise is free. The state already charges workers who smoke.

While some people may think this is extreme, I – and I expect many in the fitness industry – think it is a fine solution to a problem that could otherwise get out of control. Since incentives such as free T-shirts or water bottles aren’t worth the effort to lose weight for many people, those types of small rewards only benefit people who are already fit, or who are already on their way to changing their behavior.

For people not already taking part in a fitness program, getting started can be the most difficult part. However, faced with a fee of up to $300 per year, maybe exercise doesn’t seem all that bad. And, as we all know, once they get started, there will be infinite rewards for these employees, in addition to not losing that $25.