Bally Total Fitness and the American Diabetes Association Join Together to Raise Awareness about the Benefits of Physical Activity and Healthy Eating in the Prevention of Diabetes and Its Serious Complications.

CHICAGO -- Bally Total Fitness Initiates Year-Long Fund Raising Campaign to Raise One Million Dollars for the Fight Against Diabetes

Bally Total Fitness (NYSE: BFT) announced today that it is joining forces with the American Diabetes Association (ADA) to support ADA's mission to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. The Bally/ADA relationship will seek to raise awareness about diabetes and to educate Americans about the benefits of living a healthy and active lifestyle. Being overweight or obese is the leading modifiable risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Components of the relationship will include participation in ADA's America's Walk for Diabetes and the many ADA-sponsored Diabetes EXPO events that take place throughout the United States. Additionally, ADA and Bally will work together on national fundraising and educational efforts, starting with the observance of American Diabetes Alert Day on March 22. American Diabetes Alert is a one-day "wake-up" call to inform the public about the seriousness of diabetes, particularly when left undiagnosed or untreated. On Alert Day this year, the more than 350 Bally Total Fitness clubs across the country will join in the effort to reach millions of Americans who are currently living with, or are at risk of developing, diabetes.

"The American Diabetes Association is excited about our relationship with Bally Total Fitness and the resources that Bally's can bring to help us in the fight against diabetes," said Lynn B. Nicholas, FACHE, chief executive officer of the Association. "Working together, we will be able to extend the reach of our messages about the benefits of maintaining a healthy lifestyle through increased physical activity, weight management and healthy eating. These are important lifestyle factors that can help Americans reduce their risk for developing type 2 diabetes as well as to help people with diabetes prevent serious diabetes-related complications."

"Bally Total Fitness is committed to supporting the important mission of the American Diabetes Association. We have spoken with many charitable organizations about developing a charitable alliance and concluded that the ADA would be our charity of choice because of the direct link between exercise and the prevention of diabetes," said Paul Toback, chairman and CEO of Bally Total Fitness. "Diabetes touches millions of people each year and we look forward to educating our members, employees and fellow Americans about how staying active and maintaining a healthy weight can help prevent the development of this serious disease and its complications."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the incidence of diabetes has jumped nearly 50 percent in the past 10 years. It's estimated that about 1.3 million people will be diagnosed with diabetes this year and one in three Americans born in 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime. In addition, approximately 41 million Americans have pre-diabetes, a condition that puts them at increased risk for type 2 diabetes. With factors such as obesity - as it relates to poor diet and physical inactivity - impacting Americans of all ages, it's important to understand the lifestyle factors associated with the development of type 2 diabetes and the small steps people can take to help delay or prevent this serious disease.

About the American Diabetes Association

The American Diabetes Association is the nation's premier voluntary health organization supporting diabetes research, information and advocacy. The Association's mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. Founded in 1940, the Association provides services to hundreds of communities across the country. For more information please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383). Information from both these sources is available in English and Spanish.

About Bally Total Fitness

Bally Total Fitness is the largest and only nationwide, commercial operator of fitness centers, with approximately four million members and nearly 440 facilities located in 29 states, Mexico, Canada, Korea, China, and the Caribbean under the Bally Total Fitness(R), Crunch Fitness(SM), Gorilla Sports(SM), Pinnacle Fitness(R), Bally Sports Clubs(R) and Sports Clubs of Canada(R) brands. With an estimated 150 million annual visits to its clubs, Bally is dedicated to improving the lives of active, fitness-conscious consumers and being the leader in providing health and fitness services and products. For more information, visit www.ballyfitness.com.