In BRIEF

The Almaden Valley Athletic Club in San Jose, CA, introduced a nutrition program designed to provide individualized diet prescriptions aimed at disease prevention, weight loss and improving overall health and quality of life. Nutritionist and personal trainer Vesna Mardesic joined the club's staff to oversee the program.

The West Chester Area YMCA in West Chester, PA, launched a $2.5 million capital campaign to pay for its new campus in East Goshen township. The new facility, which will open in fall 2007, will be about the same size as its current facility but will feature free parking, better locker rooms and workout areas and two pools.

Life Fitness' Signature Series strength line won a 2005 Silver IDEA in the annual Industrial Design Excellence Awards. Sponsored by BusinessWeek magazine and run independently by the Industrial Designers Society of America, these awards “represent the best of the best from the U.S., Asia and Europe,” according to the magazine.

Octane Fitness, a manufacturer of elliptical cross trainers, added Edward O'Connor as its new chief financial officer, and Shawn Patton as its vice president of sales. The company also moved to a new corporate headquarters in Brooklyn Park, MN, to accommodate its growth.

FitRewards, the official rewards program of IHRSA, and Retention Management have partnered to provide fitness centers with fully integrated active retention service.

The American Council on Exercise (ACE) was selected as a winner in the 12th annual National Health Information Awards. The program recognizes the nation's best consumer health information materials and outreach. ACE received a Merit Award for Best Television Public Service Announcement for its “Active Kids” piece.

Knowing that aging feet can stay pain-free and support an active lifestyle, the International Council on Active Aging has joined forces with the Institute for Preventive Foot Health and THOR·LO Inc. to launch a Web site on preventive and therapeutic foot health. For more information, visit http://www.icaa.cc/footcare.htm.

The second World Aquatic Health Conference attracted 231 leaders from eight countries and 33 states who participated in 40 seminars in September at the Pacific Palms Conference Resort in City of Industry, CA. Seminar sessions included research on recreational water illness prevention, health benefits of aquatic activities and effective public pool and spa inspections.

Efi Sports Medicine donated $80,000 worth of exercise equipment to Marine and Army troops in Iraq. After receiving requests from soldiers overseas who wanted to stay in shape but couldn't take bulky exercise equipment, the company sent at least 160 Total Gym 9000 exercise units to Marines based at Camp Pendleton and Army units out of Fort Carson.

The Waldo County YMCA in Maine is partnering with three school districts, local health care providers and parents to launch a new program to address obesity-related health issues, in particular the growing number of diabetic children and young adults in the county. FLASH, a community-based educational program for youth and their families, is designed to develop good eating habits, regular physical activity and media literacy, and improve self-esteem and promote positive thinking. Participants will receive a 12-week free membership to the Y and learn how to make permanent changes in their eating and exercise habits.

Lenny Silberman, the assistant vice president of program services for the Jewish Community Center, was honored as the National Youth Sports Administrator of the Year. He received the STRIVE award, which is given to leaders for their passion and commitment to help children succeed in youth sports activities. He created the Day of Caring, a Day of Sharing at the JCC Maccabi Games and has helped to improve the Israel Sport Center for the Disabled, a rehabilitation facility in Israel.

The YMCA Lamar-Dixon branch in Gonzales, LA, created a physical education program for home-schooled students. Forty-seven children from 25 families registered for the twice-a-week program. The branch is offering the classes due to the growing number of home-schooled children in the area and parental demand for a structured physical education class for the children.

SCIFIT Systems Inc. selected Randy Yost as vice president of operations. Yost will be responsible for the service and quality of the products. Previously, Yost spent 12 years with Stairmaster/Nautilus, beginning as director of materials management and leaving as the general plant manager.