Many of Britain’s major gym chains, Fitness First, LA Fitness and Cannons just to name a few are now owned by private equity groups. Private equity has been attracted to gym companies because they have traditionally had strong asset backing, such as freehold properties, and there has been the potential to consolidate the industry further. (thebusiness.co.uk)

Virgin is all speculation at present, time will tell as the gym market becomes increasingly competitive and big movers continue to flex their muscles. 

Virgin Active first hit Britain and Spain in 2005, when it took over 13 Esporta health clubs. Last year, Virgin Active became Britain’s second biggest fitness chain after a $1.5 billion takeover of the Holmes Place health club brand secured an additional 47 clubs.  The chain now has 165 clubs in Britain and Europe. 

Andrew McShea, Queensland spokesman for gym chain Goodlife, said he wasn’t afraid of competition.  “We know Virgin Active is looking to come to Australia, but it’s not something Goodlife is concerned about,” he said.  “We’ve got a strong foothold in Queensland and a bit of competition will help keep us on our toes.

“It’s also good for the industry and gets more people into health and fitness.”

LivingWell bosses said they were also confident in their brand strength.
A Virgin spokeswoman said that the Australian Virgin Active launch had yet to be finalised.  “It is one of the areas we are looking at setting up here because it is a very successful chain overseas,” she said.   (couriermail.com.au)

The plus of more gyms means more benefits for the consumer/members service is king in the fitness industry.  Price isn’t the consideration anymore.  People want to join a club that offers programming, specific guidance through personal training and many other related services such as; health and wellness seminars.  Tell us what you think???????  Service or facilities?

 One of the key secrets to tilting the tax laws in your favor is to own your own business and shift the taxing structure to your advantage. In this article, we are going to cover just a small fraction of the 300 deductions that are available to you as a business owner.

But first, I’d like to start with a question: At any point in your life, did your accountant make it a point to do a comprehensive review of the tax deductions that you can put to work for you? If you are like most people, the answer is probably not. I don’t mean that as a slam against accountants. It’s simply a wake up call to the fact that most accountants and C.P.A.’s are simply income tax preparers, not income tax planners. They may do a fine job of preparing tax returns but the information that you are now learning is simply outside the scope of their services.

With that as a background, let’s take some time to highlight a few of the more powerful, yet lesser-known deductions that are available. When I speak at seminars, I often teach people about my Top-Ten favorites or what I sometimes call “The Golden Tax Secrets”. In no particular order, they are:

1. Achievement Awards:  Each year, your company can give away to its employees three separate awards. Each of these awards is worth up to $1,600 per year in kind.  That means that you can’t write the employee a check for $1,600, but rather, you can present him or her a tax deductible gift (in kind). Examples include ski equipment, a plasma TV, golf clubs, cookware, etc.  You get the idea.  The gift can really be anything other than cash.

      The first gift is for longevity. This is reserved to companies in existence for five years or more.  You can present the gift to your longest standing employee and if you are the ONLY employee of the company, then this would definitely be YOU.

      The second is gift is for safety.  This gift is typically reserved for companies in a risky business like construction or a factory.  I suppose rehabbing real estate would qualify.

      The third gift is for sales excellence.  You can award your best salesperson this award based on their outstanding performance during the previous year.

2. Your Annual Corporate meeting:  The law requires you to update your formal corporate documents each year.  This includes keeping accurate financial records, corporate resolutions and minutes, etc. So, as the owner of your business, you can combine your annual meeting with a vacation, kill two birds with one stone and make the entire trip tax deductible!  And you can bring your family, too.
  
3. Your Corporate Gym:  Unfortunately, the IRS won’t let you directly deduct the cost of your gym membership.  However, under section 132 (h) of the tax code, you can deduct the cost of the Gym equipment.  So that Nautilus set, your Bow Flex machine, even the Gazelle Trainer that you’ve seen on television – not to mention free weights, a work out bench, etc – are all tax deductible through your company.
  
4. Business Gifts:  Your company can give gifts to individuals of up to $25.00 per year. Often, these gifts are given as year –end or holiday bonuses. But a little known nuance is that your company’s gifts to other companies are unlimited. So I suppose your company could give a corporate gym membership away to your friend’s company.  I I can’t see any reason for your friend’s company to provide a corporate gym membership to your company in return.
  
5. Meals and Lodging:  Under section 119, your company can cover the costs of meals and hotel expenses required for overnight stays.  These trips might involve researching new products, better sources of supplies, new real estate deals, etc.
  
6. Put Your Kids on the Payroll:  Instead of paying your kids an allowance, hire your kids and put them to work. They’ll learn first hand, the importance of having their own business, and their salary is fully tax deductible.
  
7. Seminars:  Your company can pay for the cost of educational seminars- even if they have nothing to do with your current business.  So, for example, if you want to learn how to invest in foreclosures, your comapy can pay the freight. What about things like golf lessons, ski lessons, dance lessons or scuba diving?  These can all be included!
  
8. Dependant Care Plan:  The tax code allows you to deduct up to $5,250 for the costs associated with caring for dependants  This includes young children and our adult parents who, nowadays often have to turn to us for help.
  
9. Moving Expenses:  Your company can pay the cost of an executive move – whether it is across town or across the country.
 
10. Your Retirement Plan.  Your company can establish its own retirement plan.  It can include you, your spouse and even your kids.  There are MANY different types of retirement plans to choose from, and a retirement specialist can help you choose the best types of plans for you and your family. Imagine hiring your child, grandchild, or niece/nephew to work for your business and paying them a tax deductible salary which they place into a tax deductible retirement fund from the time they are age 7. You might also want to self-direct that plan into your favorite investments.  Just imagine the financial head start that would give them.

And those are just ten of my favorites. There are many more available to help you save on taxes. By applying these tax deductions, along with the other 300 deductions available to business owners, you can save yourself thousands of dollars each year on your tax bill. Take some time to see what deductions are available to you, and be sure you aren’t overpaying your taxes like millions of other Americans!

I have spent years studying the tax code looking for ways to help people lower their tax bill and keep more of what they earn. I have uncovered several tax deduction strategies that can be used by anyone to slash their tax bill and save thousands of dollars each and every year. I also focus on helping people protect themselves from the potential financial ruin of lawsuits.

Drew Miles
Find out more and get three powerful tax saving tools at: http://www.TaxSlashing.com/?kw=article
Article Source: http://www.a1-articledirectory.com

Between Oct. 8-20, if women bring in a minimum $25 donation to the American Cancer Society or proof of a current mammogram, they can join Curves for a special service fee of $25. Current members who donate a minimum of $5 will be eligible for weekly prize drawings all month.

source: www.dhonline.combreastcancer.txt

4. After you’ve completed two of the above resistance/interval days, perform one other purely interval day mixed with some LSD training (long slow distance training).  After you’ve completed your 20 minutes of interval training, add on another 30-40 minutes of purely moderate to hard LSD training.  If you’re always doing your cardio training on the bike try the x-trainer, rower or treadmill to add some variety and shock the body into shape.
5. The above examples only equate to three visits to the local gym.  
6. On the other remaining days – yes, that’s 4 days - ensure you hit at least 10,000 steps.  
7. Get the eating under control and you’re guaranteed results.
Source:  media release http://www.unsw.edu.au/news/pad/media/2007/jan/Fat_exercise.html

Participants of the course will set goals, be provided with assistance  as well as having measurements taken.  The Australian Medicial Association (AMA) has described the proposal as a ‘flash in the pan initiative’ with Federal President Dr Roseanna Capolingua labelling it as only a short-term solution.

I believe maybe a short-term solution that may have long term gain for some participants.  This initial course may just be the beginning.  From the Doctors perspective the group may introduce maintenence programs etc….    Why not trial a pilot program starting with just 100 people?   What do we have to lose?  A lot I think.  With 60% of the population overweight something has to be done other then just some ad campaigns. 

One can think of 24 hour fitness centers, as a one stop fitness shop; a place where you can go to at any time of the day, to work on your general well being. This type of centers can be found in a lot of areas around the United States, and even the world! 
 
Most of these fitness centers, or gyms, cater for all needs. They therefore carry a big variety of equipment including:
* Weight training equipment and machines
* Cardio vascular fitness tools
 
But the fact that these gyms are open all day and night is not the only factor that makes them so popular with people. There are other facilities which make these centers attractive to people! For instance, many of them have locker rooms so you can comfortable use them to change, shower, an also keep your personal items safe in the lockers provided. Some also offer child care facilities! So you need not worry about where you are going to leave you child until you work out, and you don’t have to spend money on baby sitters. You can rest your mind assured that your child is being taken care of in the baby sitting area, whilst you work out and get in shape.
 
Getting started is quick and easy. Most of these 24 hour gyms offer a variety of flexible subscription terms and payment options, ensuring that you choose the plan that best suits your budget and needs. Personal training is also offered at many centers, usually at an extra fee. However, the majority of gyms offer a one time personal training session upon the start of a new membership. This makes sure that you are guided through the place and machines during your first visit, to help you make the most of your membership and your workout!
 
Many fitness centers include other extra amenities besides the normal equipment and tools we associate with gyms. In fact many of them offer all, or a mixture of, the following:
* Heated pool
* Hot tub / Jacuzzi
* Steam room

* Squash court
* Aerobics classes
* Yoga and Pilates classes
 
Choosing which 24 hour fitness center to go to truly depends on what you want to achieve. The beauty of it is that a lot of these gyms offer a variety of services, which will satisfy your needs and help you achieve your fitness goals.
 
It is therefore strongly suggested to find out which 24 hour fitness centers are available in your area, and choose one which suits your needs first. Good luck on your fitness goals… here’s to your health and fitness!
 
Note: It is important to consult your doctor before embarking on any fitness program. Always seek professional advice in advance.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/benefits-of-24-hour-fitness-centers-208436.html

About the Author:
Freelancer at   http://www.freefitnessbooks.com  , Maya Matthews strives to provide fitness information to people worldwide. Visit  http://www.freefitnessbooks.com  to access  free fitness ebooks .