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IDEA Launches FitFeed™
Source: IDEA Health & Fitness

SAN DIEGO, March 27, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- IDEA Health & Fitness Association, the world's largest organization of health and fitness professionals, recently launched FitFeed™, where visitors will find the top 30 trending headlines in health and fitness from 250,000 fitness professionals.

FitFeed collates the most popular content being shared via Twitter, Facebook and IDEA Client Share by 250,000 fitness professionals. The results are displayed by popularity in real time and any item from the Internet that enough fitness professionals are sharing through their social networks will be included.  Content comes from big sites like www.fitnessmagazine.com or www.NewYorkTimes.com, to articles from small fitness blogs and anything in between.

Users can also view trending hashtags on Twitter, comment back and forth on FitFeed content, share FitFeed content via Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google Plus and IDEA Client Share, and see how many times a piece of content has been shared, who has shared it, the social network it was shared on and what time and day it was shared.

"FitFeed is unique because it's the first and only place where you can see what experts in fitness are sharing with their colleagues and clients in real time," says IDEA Executive Director Kathie Davis.  "Fitness professionals and enthusiasts will benefit tremendously, not just from the wisdom of crowds, but from the wisdom of a crowd of experts."

FitFeed is a free resource and can be found by visiting www.ideafit.com/fitfeed.

About IDEA Health & Fitness Association
IDEA Health & Fitness Association is the world's leading organization of fitness and wellness professionals. We deliver world-class content and continuing education to fitness professionals through three channels: our seven publications, including the award-winning IDEA Fitness Journal; our world-class fitness conferences; and hundreds of streaming videos and DVD courses available on our website www.ideafit.com.
Posted At 9:14 AM • Comments (0)

Synthetic Turf Council Accepting Entries for its Annual ‘Search for the Real Field of Dreams’
Source: Synthetic Turf Council

(Atlanta, Ga.) The Synthetic Turf Council is now accepting submissions for its fifth annual Search for the Real Field of Dreams, which recognizes the power that synthetic turf has to transform communities and schools, and keep youth active, healthy and fit. The unique national contest is open to schools (K-12 and college), parks, businesses and public spaces in the United States and Canada that have compelling stories about the impact of their synthetic turf field or installation.

"Winning this national competition in 2012 for our field was a great honor,” said David Manzo, President, The Cotting School in Lexington, Massachusetts. "The opportunity to create a synthetic playing field on our campus was a dream come true for our students. The cheers at our Saturday morning Challenger Little League games can be heard across our campus and the smiles of the students and their families can be seen for miles around!"

More than 8,000 synthetic turf athletic fields are in use across North America, along with numerous playgrounds and recreation spaces. Interested students, coaches, faculty, parents, parks and recreation managers, business owners and local supporters can easily nominate an installation. Submissions are due by September 1, 2013 and will be evaluated by an independent panel of judges. The Grand Prize is $1,000, and all winners receive publicity and a modest cash award. Visit www.syntheticturfcouncil.org to learn more.

Established in 2009, STC’s Search for the Real Field of Dreams is open to any school, park, business, municipality or organization that currently has a synthetic turf field, park, playground or surface in use. The size of the space doesn’t matter; it is judged on the impact made on individuals and the community. Fields must be installed by an STC member company. Previously submitted entries can be resubmitted with the exception of the Grand Prize or Top Category Winners. Past winners have included a community park that serves over 17,000 children with physical and cognitive challenges, a once-failing high school whose playing field helped bolster the student graduation rate and a Navajo Nation elementary school that increased student fitness levels.

About the Synthetic Turf Council
Based in Atlanta, the Synthetic Turf Council (STC) was founded in 2003 to promote the industry and to assist buyers and end users with the selection, use and maintenance of synthetic turf systems in sports field, golf, municipal parks, airports, landscape and residential applications.  The STC is also a resource for current, credible, and independent research on the safety and environmental impact of synthetic turf.  Membership includes builders, landscape architects, testing labs, maintenance providers, manufacturers, suppliers, installation contractors, infill material suppliers and other specialty service companies.  For more information, visit www.syntheticturfcouncil.org.  

Posted At 9:14 AM • Comments (0)

America’s Fitness Authority Initiates “Action Tour for a Healthier America”
Source: American Council on Exercise
 
LAS VEGAS- (March 21, 2013) —Turning vision into action - such was the rallying cry from American Council on Exercise (ACE) leaders at the 2013 IHRSA (International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association) Convention & Trade Show Wednesday in Las Vegas.

Speaking to hundreds of fitness professionals, gym owners and industry leaders, ACE President and CEO Scott Goudeseune announced the launch of an “Action Tour for a Healthier America” – a grassroots effort led by ACE to get up close and personal with the challenges associated with eliminating the obesity epidemic.

“Our industry has excelled at helping fit people continue to stay fit, and that’s important.  But we can do more,” Goudeseune said. “It will take tough conversations to reach those in need and to understand the complex socioeconomic and psychological issues embedded deeply in the obesity crisis. ACE will soon hit the road to meet with local officials, fitness facility managers and the public in communities nationwide to better understand the obstacles people face on the journey toward a healthy lifestyle and how the industry can help them overcome those roadblocks.”

At IHRSA, ACE leaders said a national disconnect is especially apparent when clubs consider that two-thirds of Americans are overweight or obese but only 15 percent use fitness facilities. Despite the booming industry, clearly, more work needs to be done to reach those most in need.

To ensure public safety and maximize effectiveness, ACE leaders also stressed the need for a firmer commitment among clubs to only hire fitness professionals who hold certifications accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). In addition, they also called for continued development of specialists trained to work with those impacted by obesity and other high-risk populations including those affected by musculoskeletal disorders, diabetes and heart disease.

According to Goudeseune, transformational change is needed to pull the nation back from the brink of a health and economic crisis. ACE’s Action Tour for a Healthier America will be the first of a series of initiatives to help strengthen the link between the fitness industry and those impacted by obesity.

“ACE’s network of 50,000 certified professionals pursued careers in fitness because they had a calling to help others and showcase the benefits of a fit life in the pursuit of better health,” he said. “As an industry, our role is to provide the infrastructure, teaching and tools to do so, whether that’s embedding a certified Health Coach in every fitness facility or working with insurers to guarantee every American has access to fitness options.”

ACE’s Action Tour for a Healthier America is scheduled to kick-off this summer with dates and locations to be announced shortly.

About ACE
Since 1985, American Council on Exercise (ACE) has evolved from a small nonprofit dedicated to educating people about proper fitness to a 50,000-strong network of certified Personal Trainers, Group Fitness Instructors, Health Coaches, and Advanced Health and Fitness Specialists. As the largest NCCA-accredited nonprofit fitness certification organization in the world, ACE provides quality continuing education to professionals and conducts independent science-based research to protect all Americans from unsafe and ineffective products. Our goal is to inspire people to live their most fit lives through free fitness resources including workouts, nutrition information and expert advice. For more information, call (800) 825-3636 or visit ACEfitness.org.

Posted At 3:00 PM • Comments (0)

Clemson University Unveils New Sporturf Indoor Practice Field Field
Source: Sporturf

Clemson, S.C. (March 21, 2013) –Clemson University has recently unveiled its new indoor football practice facility with the help of Sporturf, an international manufacturer and builder of synthetic turf fields. Launched in time for winter workouts and spring practice, this installation marks the third Sporturf practice field built on university grounds since 2004.

“This facility further demonstrates the university’s commitment to competing to be the best,” said Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney.

Clemson selected Sporturf for the indoor facility to keep a continuity of turf surfaces they play and practice on throughout the year. Sporturf has utilized Ten Cate PE fibers in over seven different Clemson Athletic facilities over the past decade. Practicing on the same surface you play on is very important with four of the 12 games on the 2013 Clemson Tigers football schedule to be played on the same type of Sporturf PE fibers. Allowing student-athletes to adjust from natural to synthetic on game week is crucial for the safety and timing of the fast paced Clemson offense.

 “Offering clients like Clemson the opportunity to build a direct relationship with their synthetic turf manufacturer gives them unprecedented peace of mind,” added Darby McCamy, Sporturf Fields Vice President. “We have bridged the gap between owner and manufacturer with our team of certified field builders, who focus on the design-build process more than the next sale.”

Sporturf is located in Dalton, Georgia, with fields installed worldwide. In addition to Clemson, other collegiate fields in the region include The Citadel, Samford University, Savannah State and Piedmont College.

 
About Sporturf
Headquartered in Dalton, Georgia, Sporturf supplies large and small customers alike with the widest variety of turf in the world. The company is a division of Controlled Products, a leading ISO-9001 manufacturer of synthetic turf worldwide. Sporturf has built fields from Russia to Brazil with notable International installations including the Haiti FIFA National Stadium and Eddy Coello Stadium in Ecuador. Sporturf utilizes Ten Cate PE fibers that are in over 5,000 International fields.

Posted At 3:00 PM • Comments (0)

Connor Sport Court International Celebrates 75 Years of March Madness with the Final Four Floor Tour
Source: Connor Sport Court

AMASA, MICHIGAN-March 20, 2013--Connor Sport Court International, the official floor of the NCAA Final Four, will transport the game floor from their manufacturing plant in Michigan to the Georgia Dome in Atlanta over a five-day period, while making tour stops at different universities along the way. Each tour stop will feature entertainment and activities, including a photo opportunity with a replica of center court, basketball shoot offs, free swag and more.

This year marks the eighth year that Connor Sport Court International
has produced the floor for the NCAA Final Four tournament and the fifth Final Four Floor Tour. Connor Sport Court International is proud to
celebrate 75 years of March Madness alongside the NCAA. "We look forward to participating in the NCAA Final Four every year," said Ron Cerny, President and CEO of Connor Sport Court International." The Floor Tour has grown each year and we enjoy interacting with the enthusiastic basketball fans at each stop."

This year, the Final Four Floor Tour is scheduled to make the following stops:

*    UTC Chattanooga-Monday, March 25th at 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. located on UTC's Campus
*    Dalton State-Monday, March 25th at 2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. located on Center Campus
*    Mercer-Tuesday, March 26th at 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. located by Mercer's Athletic Complex
*    CBA Sports-Wednesday, March 27th 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at CBA Sports Headquarters: 3115 Medlock Bridge Road Norcross, GA 30071
*    Georgia State-Thursday, March 28th at 12:30 p.m.-2 p.m. located on Gilmer Street near Hurt Park
*    Arrival at Georgia Dome-Friday, March 29th at 8:00 a.m. located at the Georgia Dome

Connor Sport Court will also supply the court for the 2013 Women's Final Four on April 7-9, 2013.

Connor Sport Court builds the portable floor for installation at the Final Four venues each year. The NCAA Final Four courts for both men and
women are manufactured from the best premium hard maple. A few weeks prior to the Final Four tournament, the floor is constructed, inspected and then disassembled at the Amasa plant. The floor will then be sent to one of the company's finishing partners in Chattanooga, TN before the floor is loaded up for the tour and delivered to the Georgia Dome.

About Connor Sport Court International
Founded in1872, Connor Sport Court International has established themselves as the standard for professional and collegiate sports. Hardwood used in the courts is from a renewable resource, with the U.S. growing six times more hardwood than is harvested each year. Sport Court is a registered trade mark of Connor Sport Court International.  Since 1974, it has identified the original and authentic modular sport surface, continuously improved and patented to provide the highest levels of quality and performance. Connor Sport Court International is proud to be the only sports surfacing company in the world that is independently audited and verified as "Zero Waste" and fully ISO 9001:2008 certified.
Posted At 3:00 PM • Comments (0)

IFSC Announces Entre-Prises as Official Climbing Wall Supplier
Source: Entre-Prises

MARCH 12, 2013 -- Entre-Prises (EP) is excited to announce our new partnership with the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) as Official Climbing Wall Supplier. This partnership was signed on Saturday 9th March, 2013, during a Press Conference in Shanghai on the occasion of the IFSC 8th Annual Plenary Assembly hosted by the Chinese Mountaineering Association (CMA).

It is important for the Olympic Selection Committee to see the interest in sport climbing around the world. EP would like to encourage athletes, fans and supporters to show a joined effort by Liking and Sharing SportClimbing2020 on Facebook today.

For Entre-Prises, partnering with the IFSC is a commitment to realizing the Olympic dream. We value a similar passion to develop the sport of climbing and continue a leading role, bringing climbing to a wider audience. EP will also serve as a consultant to the IFSC, providing ideas and solutions from our valued international climbing team.

About Entre-Prises
Entre-Prises mission is to bring climbing and its core values to everyone through designing, manufacturing and ensuring the success of climbing walls. Our history includes 30 years of experience and over 6,000 climbing walls built around the world. The EP team is a global, multi-cultural group combining skills to create the best product quality, innovation and elegance.
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Posted At 2:23 PM • Comments (0)

Omnisports First Asthma & Allergy Friendly Certified Sports Floor
Source: Tarkett Sports

Together, asthma and allergies are the most prevalent health conditions hindering our population. There are approximately 60 million asthma and allergy suffers currently in the United States, which equates to about one in five Americans. Asthma and allergies are particularly disruptive in education, causing around 10.5 million school absences per year.

Since most Americans spend up to 90% of their time indoors, regulating indoor air quality has become the front-line of mitigating asthma and allergy symptoms. The asthma & allergy friendlyTM certification was developed to scientifically test and identify products that are healthier for asthma and allergy sufferers. For flooring, this involves:
•    A low capacity for allergen retention
•    The ability to remove accumulated allergen by the recommended cleaning technique
•    A recommended cleaning that will not result in exposure of the operator to airborne allergen
•    An installation that does not result in elevated levels of chemicals such as: formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and other VOCs.

Omnisports 6.5mm and 8.3 mm exceed all of the asthma & allergy friendly certification standards with the popular GreenLayTM installation method as well as installation with Tarkett Sports’ Multi-Poxy adhesive. This certification is a result of Tarkett Sports’ Balanced Choice environmental approach, creating “People-Friendly Spaces” that promote health and well-being during product use and maintenance. Brian Oliver, Senior Marketing and Corporate Relations Manager at the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, commented that “our organization is excited about the certification of Omnisports and the potential it brings to promote healthier indoor environments in not only homes and offices, but schools and sports venues as well.”

Since indoor sports and physical education are intended to promote physical health, creating a healthy space for these activities is only fitting. Through the new asthma & allergy friendly certification of Omnisports, Tarkett Sports intends to bring more awareness of indoor air quality concerns to sports environments such as schools, gymnasiums, churches, community centers, and fitness centers.
Posted At 2:08 PM • Comments (0)

Sports, Fitness Community to Gather for Suicide Prevention Fundraiser
Source: Scott Dennis Foundation
 
WICHITA, KS -- Sports and fitness professionals from across the country will gather in Wichita June 7-8 for the 1st annual Scott Dennis 44 Fund Golf Tourney and Charity Event, raising awareness and financial support for suicide prevention and grievance counseling.  

The weekend event features a golf tournament along with a dinner, auction and dance to raise funds for Sedgwick County suicide prevention organizations led by KidzCope, which serves grieving children and families. 

The events are hosted by the Scott Dennis 44 Fund, honoring Wichita native Scott Dennis, who after a college football career and time as a strength coach, represented leading commercial fitness equipment brands including Precor, Cybex and StairMaster to fitness clubs, universities and YMCA’s.  After Dennis death by suicide in late 2012, close friends created the foundation to honor his legacy and generate financial support, counseling, education and advocacy for suicide prevention and counseling organizations.

A best-ball golf tourney kicks off the gathering with a 9 a.m. shotgun start June 8 at Hidden Lakes golf course, with notable names from Kansas sports in attendance and a variety of individual and team prizes on tap.  Cost is $1,000 per four -player team. 

In the evening, the fun moves to the Grand Ballroom of the Drury Plaza Hotel Broadview for a dinner, and silent and live auction featuring sports memorabilia, golf and racing packages. Doors open at 5:00 p.m., with the dinner and auction followed by entertainment by national country talent The Chris Weaver Band. 

Dinner and golf reservations can be made by contacting Brook Phillips at brook182@gmail.com, or 316-641-0584.  Also, special overnight rates are available through 1-800-Drury Inn (378-7946), or online via paypal, at donate@sd44fund.com. 

Interested parties who can’t attend the charity event can make contributions to Equity Bank, c/o 44 Fund/Scott Dennis Foundation, 555 North Webb Road, Wichita KS  67206.
Posted At 2:08 PM • Comments (0)




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