Cuts Fitness For Men Joins With IHRSA & ''Get Fit America'' Initiative Promoting Exercise & Healthy Lifestyles In Washington, D.C.

Business Editors

CLARK, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 25, 2004

Cuts Fitness For Men has joined forces with the International Health, Racquet and Sports Club Association (IHRSA) in the "Get Fit America" initiative being held in Washington, D.C. The effort brings together key companies and executives in the U.S. fitness industry to discuss and benchmark national fitness initiatives. The focus of the event is the proposed legislation titled The Workforce Health Improvement Program (WHIP) Act which would allow employers to deduct the cost of health club memberships for employees.

The Get Active America! Program is a nationwide challenge sponsored by the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association. The promotion is part of the industry's effort to fight obesity and its related health problems, which are expected to kill 400,000 Americans this year. Forty percent of Americans are sedentary and more than 129 million are overweight. Get Active America! Is the health club industry's ACTION plan to help combat these staggering numbers by making it easy for Americans to recognize the need for and develop a healthy lifestyle that includes exercise.

"We are honored to be a part of this exciting initiative to promote Exercise & Healthy Lifestyles," stated John Gennaro, Founder of Cuts Fitness For Men. "We recognize the importance of this effort and will be working closely with IHRSA to get the message out about the benefits of exercise across America."

The first Cuts Fitness For Men franchise opened in Clark, New Jersey in May, 2003. Since then, over 80 franchises have been acquired by franchisees in states including Arizona, Florida, Michigan, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, New Jersey, California, North Carolina, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. Cuts Fitness For Men is currently the fastest growing men's fitness franchise in the country and Gennaro expects to have over 700 franchise locations across the United States by the end of 2005.

Inactivity is a serious issue which leads directly to the Obesity problem in this country and around the world. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had hoped to reduce the incidence of adult obesity in the U.S. to less than 15% by 2010. Today, the figure stands at a whopping 31% and is climbing - inexorably, it seems.

By 2010, the CDC now estimates, the level of adult obesity will actually stand at 40%.

'The problem keeps getting worse,' acknowledges Tommy G. Thompson, the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). 'We've seen virtually a doubling in the number of obese persons over the past two decades, and this has profound health implications.' Obesity increases a person's risk of developing a number of serious health conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease, and certain types of cancer. Surgeon General Richard Carmona puts the cost - in terms of medical expenses and lost productivity - at $117 billion a year.

Obesity, however, is not an isolated problem. It is caused, in large part, by physical inactivity, which constitutes a health hazard in and of itself; and, unfortunately, a large number of Americans of normal weight are inactive. According to the CDC, 40% of Americans ages 45-64 and 60% of those over 75 are sedentary. From reducing the risk of heart disease, weight management, controlling cholesterol, diabetes, and high blood pressure levels to boosting energy levels and managing stress, study after study have shown that exercise can not only save our lives in the long-term but improve its quality as well. Moreover, according to the Surgeon General's Report on Physical Activity and Health, higher levels of regular physical activity are associated with lower mortality rates. Even those who are moderately active on a regular basis have lower rates of mortality than those who are least active.

'We want to open our doors to all Americans, regardless of their age, experience or fitness goals," said John McCarthy, the executive director of IHRSA. 'Our hope is that men will take advantage of the Cuts Fitness For Men experience and choose to pursue a healthy lifestyle for years to come."

Shorter workouts are an answer to the No. 1 complaint of would-be Boomer exercisers - not having enough time. "The half-hour programs are making exercise palatable," said Cedric Bryant, chief exercise physiologist for The American Council on Exercise (ACE). "This is an efficient approach to exercise, the perfect thing in our time-starved society," Bryant said. He added that the popularity likely will grow throughout the years as the sedentary, becoming more concerned about their health, are lured into the gym by a promise of a quick workout.

"Despite knowing more about the health benefits of exercise than previous generations, fewer than 20% of men work out on a regular basis", said Healy. "Given our partnership with IHRSA combined with the aggressive involvement of Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson and results from CDC studies and many others, we hope that more men will begin acting on this knowledge sooner. The 30 minute Body Cuts(TM) workout that we are featuring is really catching on and we are excited to be able to provide a convenient and effective solution developed exclusively for Men."

About Cuts Fitness For Men

Cuts Fitness for Men is the fastest growing men's fitness franchise in the United States. It features The "Body Cuts" (TM) System, a comprehensive 30 minute circuit training workout that helps members: Reduce Weight and Related Health Risks, Improve Cardio fitness and stamina, Increase Strength and Muscle Tone and Enhance Sports Performance. The "Body Cuts" (TM) System works every major muscle group and is designed for men of all ages and fitness levels to burn fat and build healthy muscle. Since the opening of its first franchise in May, 2003, over 80 franchises have been acquired by franchisees in states including Arizona, Florida, Michigan, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, New Jersey, California, North Carolina, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. The company expects to have over 1000 franchises by the end of 2005 and is seeking industry leading partners to facilitate the company's growth strategy.