Time to Shape Up, Lard Butts!
Earlier this week, Richmond.com noted (" Shapin' Up ") that the Richmond region, based on 2006 data, had the 18th highest obesity rate among major American cities. That may explain why the region has become such a popular location for new health clubs.
In June, reports Richmond BizSense , American Family Fitness opened a 90,000-square-foot club at Short Pump, bringing its locations in the region to seven. Catering to the suburban family crowd, the enterprise has seen annual visits increase from 340,000 per location two years ago to 435,000.
Meanwhile, the Cary Street gymnasium at Virginia Commonwealth University is undergoing a $43.3 million renovation, whilile the Weinstein Jewish Community Center has replaced all the equipment in its health club.
About 15 percent of the U.S. population belongs to a health club, Kremer reports. But only 19 percent responding to a Forbes Magazine survey admitted that they hadn't exercised regularly.
Despite that alleged physical activity, 63 percent of the population has managed to get either overweight or obese. As for the exercise they're supposedly engaging in, Richmonders must be squeezing in sit-ups and push-ups while sitting in front of the tube. Richmonders watch 32 hours of television per week on average.
Please sign in to respond | | Register