Posted: 27 Oct 2010 07:08 PM PDT

Forbes Riley, Founder/CEO of SpinGym LLC, along with the creators of Skullcandy, Silly Bandz, Bumpits and FitFlops, will be profiled by Forbes Magazine on E! Entertainment's "Got Rich Quick: Outrageous Fortunes. Premiering Thursday, October 28, 2010, at 10:00 p.m. EST.

St. Petersburg, FL (PRWEB) October 27, 2010 –

E! Entertainment Network is on the rise with such hit shows as "Keeping Up with The Kardashians", Chelsea Handler's "Chelsea Lately" and "E! News with Ryan Seacrest and Guilana Rancic". This Thursday pop culture meets pop finance in the Forbes Magazine special, "Got Rich Quick"--spotlighting Forbes Riley and her portable SpinGym product (http://www.MySpinGym.com), as well as four other entrepreneurs who have masterfully turned simple ideas from sandals, head phones and rubber bands into must-have multi-million dollar companies.

Originally launched on the Home Shopping Network (HSN) in January 2010, SpinGym® is now sold internationally and is fast becoming a staple of fitness programs--with certified instructors offering classes incorporating SpinGym® into aerobics, kickboxing, Spinning and Pilates. From frequent fliers to desk jockey's to fitness clubs and rehab centers; SpinGym®'s popularity stems from the fact that it is stylish, compact, portable, and delivers powerful results.

"Over the years I've noticed that so many women have weak upper bodies and hate their arms (especially the saggy underarms)--they are embarrassed to go sleeveless. I originally developed the SpinGym for women who didn't have time to go to the gym or who didn't have the strength to do proper push-ups and pull-ups. What's most surprising is that we are now certifying SpinGym Trainers for use in their cardio, kickboxing and Pilates classes. I think SpinGym's appeal is that it really is an effective total body gym that fits in the palm of your hand" said Forbes Riley.

Recently the Keynote Speaker at the Chicago Black Inventors Conference (CBIC), Forbes made a resounding impression on the over 1,500 attendees who are hoping their inventions become the next must-have product for American households. "It is easy to see how someone with her energy, passion and commitment can become so successful. Forbes belief in SpinGym is infectious, and her enthusiasm for thinking out of the box extremely motivating. Simply one of the most outstanding speakers I've ever heard" said CBIC Chairman Calvin Flowers.

From Fox Business to The Strategy Room, and morning television shows nationwide, Forbes Riley is a recurring fitness and lifestyle expert who brings business acumen and real life experience to millions of viewers who find this mother of 7 year old twins captivating and energizing.

About SpinGym®

Introduced in January 2010, SpinGym® is a unique hand-held fitness product designed for people of all levels of fitness: from athletes to seniors, rehab to recreation. SpinGym® is fast becoming a staple of fitness programs with certified instructors offering classes incorporating SpinGym® into aerobics, kickboxing, Spinning and Pilates across the country.

Stylish, portable, compact, and weighing less than one pound, SpinGym® is a revolutionary new fitness product. Its award-winning, modern European design combines the physics of inertia and isokinetics to create a completely unique way to train, strengthen and sculpt the muscles of the arms, shoulders, back and core in just 5 minutes a day. This principle is called GRT (Gyrotronic Resistance Training®), and unlike free weights or gym machines, each rotation of the SpinGym® energizes and activates all the muscles of the upper body simultaneously - a breakthrough in the world of fitness. SpinGym® not only provides resistance, but because of the rotational forces created--it becomes a complete fat melting, calorie burning total body gym. SpinGym is offered with fitness and cardio workout instructional DVDs. For more information visit http://www.MySpinGym.com
About Forbes Riley®

Forbes Riley® is an award winning TV host, author, National Fitness Hall of Fame Inductee, and the Founder / CEO of SpinGym LLC. She is a two-time recipient of the Electronic Retailing Association's (ERA) "Best Female Presenter of the Year", and has been awarded "Best Live Shopping On-Air Guest". She is recognized worldwide for promoting several of the most successful infomercials of all time including the Jack Lalanne Juicer and Living Well Healthmaster, grossing in excess of $1 billion dollars. Forbes is a regular presence on televisions worldwide as a product spokesperson and television host--appearing on such networks as ESPN, TLC, Fit-TV, Animal Planet, ABC Family, HSN, QVC, The Shopping Channel (Canada), QVC London, IdealWorld (London), and recently starred in the feature film about raw food called "Super Charge Me!". Forbes continuing mission is to promote health, vitality and fitness as a lifestyle, not a fad. She divides her time between Los Angeles and Tampa Bay, with her husband and children. For more information about Forbes Riley, please visit http://www.ForbesRiley.com.

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Cyndi Mulligan
Reicol, LLC
727.366.2726
Email Information

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Expansion nearly complete at Franklin Health and Fitness - Smoky Mountain News

Posted: 27 Oct 2010 05:53 AM PDT

A 4,000-square-foot, $800,000 expansion that includes a major renovation at the Franklin Health and Fitness Center will be finished in about eight weeks.

"We're wrapping it up," said Rodney Morris, the facility's general manager.

Additions include a new aerobics room, a cardio room with updated equipment, a new women's locker room, a remodeled and expanded men's locker room, an enhanced spinning room, an expanded KidsZone, a redesigned service desk and a new entrance with handicap access. There will also be new paint and flooring throughout the center.

Franklin Health and Fitness Center opened at its current location on East Main Street in 1988. Rodney's father, Dr. Ed Morris, was an original founder and is now sole owner of the center. This is the second — and by far the largest — expansion at the facility.

To build or not to build

Morris appeared before Macon County commissioners back in September 2007 at a public hearing on a countywide recreational bond referendum that, if passed, would have built a county recreation center.

Morris told commissioners then that his facility operated on a small profit margin and that any loss of members could result in Franklin Health and Fitness having to close its doors. That bond referendum ultimately failed.

Rodney Morris said that, at this time, he didn't see a great need for another recreational center in the county and that the majority of voters must have felt the same way.

"If there wasn't a facility already here, they [commissioners] could have made a better case," Morris said.

Members first

Sean Callahan, owner of Wind River Construction of Franklin — the company doing the expansion — said he got an unusual request from Morris.

"They asked us to slow down a little," he said. Callahan said the construction was done in phases to ensure members always had access to the facility.

Rodney Morris said that member access and convenience was paramount during construction. "We're open from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.," Morris said. "Sean and his crew went above and beyond to help us accommodate our members."

Callahan said that meant working lots of nights. "All the tile had to be laid at night," he said. And it meant adding stages to the plan so they could come in after hours when members wouldn't be there.

Jerry Wright has been a member for the 22 years Franklin Health and Fitness has been in business.

"I helped cut the ribbon," Wright said.

Wright called the expansion "first class," and said that members were inconvenienced as little a possible.

"At one time they were thinking they may have to close some to accommodate the construction, but they worked around that. I am very pleased that they didn't have to shut down," said Wright.

Wright said he remembers 22 years ago when he heard of plans for a new fitness center in Franklin. "I'm a racquetball player," Wright said, "and when I heard they were gonna have racquetball courts I went down to sign up. At that time Western Carolina was the closest place to play."

Wright said he and his family enjoy many of the amenities at Franklin Health and Fitness Center.

"My son takes karate twice a week and the pool is really a fun place for the family," he said.

Wright said there's nothing better on a cold winter's Sunday afternoon than loading the family and heading to the fitness center's 25-yard heated saltwater pool.

Building plans

Bernlohr Architects of Annapolis, Md., designed the expansion and remodeling.

"We interviewed several architects but when we talked with Jim [Bernlohr], we knew he was the best fit for us," said Rodney Morris.

The firm had worked on more than 150 fitness centers across the country

Callahan said the plans were straightforward and the design was good.

"The architects have never had to make a site visit, everything has gone according to plan, " Callahan said.

And those plans include a passive electric-solar design along with a natural gas backup that's used to heat the pools and showers. The roofing, which uses light colored, reflective shingles, is LEED-certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and hot water is provided by energy-star certified tank-less hot water heaters.

Morris said the architect, the builder and the sub-contractors were all knowledgeable and comfortable using the latest technology to help create an environmentally friendly environment. Morris said the green building design not only makes sense from an environmental standpoint but that it is also money-saving in the long run.

Meeting needs

Rodney Morris said the driving force behind the expansion was meeting needs.

"Our membership is growing, the town of Franklin is growing and people are more health-conscious," he said.

There are approximately 1,800 current members at Franklin Health and Fitness Center. Morris said the facility employs about 50 people, with seven full-time staff members. The expansion will likely create a few more employment opportunities.

Morris said the center is diligent in finding the best possible employees and instructors.

"We always conduct a series of interviews," he said "and all of our instructors must present a class for co-workers before they work with members."

"We look for instructors with experience. And many of our instructors have four-year degrees in their fields," Morris said.

"All of our instructors must either be certified or obtain certification as a requirement for employment," he added.

Morris said the new additions and enhancements should nearly double membership capacity at the facility. However, he said there is still room for growth.

"We own three-and-a-half acres here," Morris said "and we are prepared to meet the needs of our members."

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FOCUS ON PLAINVILLE: Dancing toward health (VIDEO) - Bristol Press

Posted: 25 Oct 2010 09:45 AM PDT

Monday, October 25, 2010 10:08 PM EDT

By DIANE CHURCH
Staff writer

PLAINVILLE — Local senior citizens have spent the past few weeks swaying, stretching, sweating and having fun at the weekly Zumba Gold class at Plainville Senior Center.

The class was held every Wednesday since Sept. 15. The last one was Oct. 20.

Amy Gray, the Zumba instructor, leads the hour-long class, which includes a warm-up in the beginning and some stretches at the end.

"It's low impact, so it's easy to follow," she said. "But they sweat it out and get a good workout."

Gray, who lives in Terryville, has been teaching Zumba for one and a half years. She no longer teaches regular Zumba because a case of osteoarthritis in one ankle makes impact painful. But there is a sizable audience for the somewhat slower and easier Zumba Gold, which Gray teaches at senior centers, YMCAs and continuing education. She also leads Aqua Zumba classes at the Hospital for Special Care in New Britain.

Zumba is now one of the hottest fitness trends. It blends various Latin dance rhythms such as Cha-Cha, Meringue, Salsa and Tango with aerobics, creating a fun, dynamic atmosphere where participants burn lots of calories, get a cardio workout and increase flexibility.

"It's fun. It's addictive," said Shawn Cohen, the senior center's executive director. "You gotta try it."

Fourteen ladies showed up for the class, in T-shirts, exercise pants and sneakers. Gray said that men usually don't attend the classes, although they can also benefit from the workout. An infomercial for a set of Zumba DVDs features a male teacher.

The class starts slow, with marching in place. Gradually the steps become faster and steps to the side and back are included. Arm movements are added, upping the calorie burn. The Latin music becomes faster.

After about 40 minutes, Gray told the class to put on the brightly colored scarves piled on a nearby table. Each participant chose a scarf and tied it around her waist. The rows of metal beads and coins jingled softly as they danced to a Tango beat.

After that the class kicked back into gear, with kicks and faster, more elaborate steps. At times it resembled country line dancing, but with different music. The last song was a popular club song called the "Seniotrs dance themselvesCupid Shuffle," which is an easy to follow line dance.

"You're lucky. That's my short version," Gray told the participants. Then they stretched to slow music and were finished.

Zumba Gold is the latest fitness option at the Senior Center, joining walking, Tai Chi, Wii Bowling, Yoga and aerobics. The center also has treadmills and exercise bikes for those who prefer to work out on their own.

Many of the participants are looking forward to the next sessions of Zumba, which start Nov. 8. All senior citizens are welcome to attend. No experience is necessary.

"The workout is very good," said Paula Pompei of Bristol. "She builds it up, then slows it down and builds it up again. I recommend it to anyone who can do it."

"I would do it twice a week if it were available," said Carol Lambert of Plainville. "If you don't use it, you lose it."

Locally, Nutrition Kingdom has lessons in regular Zumba, Zumba Toning and ZumbAtomic, a kid's version. Celebrations Unlimited Dance Hall is also planning to offer Zumba classes.

Gray will offer a Zumba Gold demo Nov. 18 at the senior center's 35th anniversary open house.

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Health Aerobics Cardio

Thursday, October 28, 2010

“Celebrity Health & Fitness Expert Forbes Riley’s Outrageous Fortune - YAHOO!” plus 2 more

“Celebrity Health & Fitness Expert Forbes Riley’s Outrageous Fortune - YAHOO!” plus 2 more

To build or not to build

Members first

Building plans

Meeting needs

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