Survey Finds Americans Struggling to Balance Love of Fall Sports With Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle

24 Hour Fitness to Help Motivate Americans Nationwide With Free Workouts Nov.
22-29
SAN RAMON, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
According to a new survey conducted by 24 Hour Fitness - the largest privately
owned U.S. fitness chain and a leading health club industry pioneer - the fall
sports season is one of the most difficult times of the year to maintain a
fitness regimen. And even though the results show that people are inspired by
their favorite sports and athletes, that inspiration is not translating into
action for most Americans.

The survey, which included more than 1,000 interviews by phone, found that one
in four Americans work out less often during the fall sports season and one in
ten Americans admit to skipping workouts to watch a sporting event or working
out only when they can tune in to the action while at the gym. With one in five
Americans claiming to watch sports events every day, it`s no wonder they
struggle to stay in shape during the fall when baseball playoffs collide with
the start of football, basketball and hockey seasons.

Unhealthy eating is a big factor as one third of those surveyed find themselves
consuming more junk food during the fall sports season. They also claim to have
trouble counting those calories: half of those surveyed find it easier to track
their favorite sports player`s statistics than their own personal caloric intake
and expenditure.

Still, the majority of Americans derive inspiration to accomplish their fitness
goals from sports and want solutions to maintain their goals during the busy
fall sports season. One third of the Americans surveyed cite football as the
sport that inspires them the most to set fitness goals. However, setting goals
doesn`t always lead to success. Participating in group exercises that relate to
their favorite sports would help, according to the survey results.

"It`s important to take note of lifestyle trends like this and help people take
action to get healthier, whether it`s simple improvements like walking instead
of driving or bigger challenges like training for a race," said Carl Liebert
III, chief executive officer, 24 Hour Fitness.

To help Americans find the perfect balance this fall, 24 Hour Fitness is
offering free workouts at every club nationwide, Nov. 22 - 29. In addition, with
sports fans committed to the game during the fall season, workouts can be
inspired by the action they see on the field. 24 Hour Fitness believes in the
power of fitness to change lives and offers the following tips for those looking
to put on their game face and hit the field running towards their health and
fitness goals:

* Set a goal of watching or listening to sports games while running, climbing or
pedaling on state-of-the-art cardio equipment at a gym. Bring a workout partner
to keep you motivated and focused on the game`s score and not the clock.
* Train like your favorite athlete while adding intensity and variety to
stimulate new muscle groups to burn more calories than fat. Try a group exercise
class such as Everlast Shadow Box or 24Cycle at 24 Hour Fitness to improve
strength, endurance and stability.
* Even the best athletes need coaching. Work out with a personal trainer who can
create a custom workout plan to help you reach your goals and improve your
quality of life.
* Take advantage of various tools available to you to help you stay fit, manage
stress and accomplish your fitness goals. Whether you are looking to lose weight
or track your activity and calories consumed, the bodybugg calorie management
system - used by contestants on "The Biggest Loser," is a high-tech armband that
will keep you accountable during the distractions of the fall sports season.

Let your favorite sports inspire you to start or continue your fitness journey
this fall season. You do not have to do it alone - 24 Hour Fitness offers
supportive group exercise class environments, certified personal trainers and
free seven day passes for your friend or family member to join you for a workout
at the gym. For more fitness tips or to join the online conversation, visit 24
Hour Fitness on Twitter, Facebook and youtube.

(StrategyOne conducted a nationally representative omnibus survey among 1,004
Americans 18+. Interviews were conducted via telephone from September 25-28
using the field services of Opinion Research Corporation (ORC). ORC uses a
rigorous methodology including random digit dialing and computer-assisted
telephone interviewing.

The margin of error for the total sample of adults (N=1,004) is ±3.1 at the 95%
level of confidence, which means that in 95 out of 100 times that a sample of
this size is drawn, the results would not vary by more than 3.1 percentage
points in either direction.)

About 24 Hour Fitness

Headquartered in San Ramon, Calif., 24 Hour Fitness, an innovative leader in the
health and fitness industry, serves more than 3 million members in more than 400
clubs. Founded in 1983 as a one-club operation, 24 Hour Fitness pioneered the
concept of making fitness accessible, affordable and a way of life for everyone.
The company demonstrates its leadership through sponsorships like that of the
U.S. Olympic Team and a commitment to the community through various charitable
and in-kind donations. In addition, 24 Hour Fitness enjoys strategic
partnerships with major consumer brands like Coca-Cola, Dial and Everlast and
for the past eight seasons has partnered with NBC`s popular reality TV show, The
Biggest Loser. Please call 1-800-224-0240 or visit www.24HourFitness.com for
more information and to find the location nearest you.

At a Glance: Survey Highlights

During the fall sports season:

* 23% find it difficult to maintain their health and fitness goals and 24% work
out less often
* 35% of Americans report they find themselves consuming more unhealthy food and
drinks
* Americans are inspired by sports with 76% identifying a sport that inspires
them to set fitness goals.
* Football is the top ranked sport, with 32% reporting that it inspires them to
set fitness goals.
* Sports figure that motivates them to reach their fitness goals are:

* David Beckham: 24%
* Kobe Bryant: 22%
* Derek Jeter: 20%
* Terrell Owens: 18%

Edelman
Tara Moore, 415-486-3216
tara.moore@edelman.com
or
24 Hour Fitness
Wendy Yellin, 925-543-3184
wyellin@24hourfit.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009