Search Weight Loss Topics:

Page 335«..1020..334335336337..340350..»

Home » Fitness » Page 335

Planet Fitness (NYSE:PLNT) reported first-quarter results on May 2. First-time gym users continue to flock to the company's popular fitness centers, prompting management to boost its financial outlook for the year ahead.

Metric

Q1 2017

Q1 2016

Year-Over-Year Change

Revenue

$91.1 million

$83.3 million

9.3%

Adjusted EBITDA

$42.3 million

$34.3 million

23.3%

Adjusted net income

$18.4 million

$15.2 million

21.2%

Data source: Planet Fitness Q1 2017 earnings press release. EBITDA = earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization.

Image source: Planet Fitness.

Planet Fitness opened 54 new stores in the first quarter -- up from 48 locations in the year-ago period -- bringing its total store count to 1,367 as of March 31, 2017.

Systemwide same-store sales jumped 11.1%, marking the gym chain's 41st consecutive quarter of positive same-store sales and third straight quarter of double-digit comp growth.

CEO Christopher Rondeau highlighted some of the reasons for Planet Fitness' success during a conference call with analysts:

There are a number of factors fueling our comp performance, including what we believe are some significant competitive advantages. It starts with our welcoming, nonintimidating environment featuring high-quality branded cardio and strength [equipment]. The fact that we are able to offer our differentiated, superior in-store experience for only $10 per month is incredibly compelling to our target audience of casual and first-time gym users.

In all, Planet Fitness added more than 1.2 million net new members during the first three months of 2017, pushing it past 10 million members in total. Moreover, approximately 40% of these members are first-time gym-goers. "We believe we are clearly growing the overall market by successfully targeting the approximately 80% of the U.S. population and Canada that currently does not belong to a gym," Rondeau said.

This strong membership growth helped to fuel a 33% increase in Planet Fitness's franchise segment revenue, to $36.8 million. In turn, franchise EBITDA leapt 35% to $32 million.

All told, Planet Fitness's adjusted net income rose 21.2% year over year to $18.4 million, or $0.19 per share.

These results prompted Planet Fitness to raise its 2017 full-year outlook, including:

"With approximately 1,000 new stores scheduled to open in the next 5 years," added Rondeau, "combined with our growing national and local advertising spend, we are confident that we'll continue to be successful in attracting more and more first-time and casual gym users to Planet Fitness."

Joe Tenebruso has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Planet Fitness. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Read more:
Planet Fitness, Inc. Lifts 2017 Earnings Forecast - Motley Fool

OLATHE, Kan. (BRAIN) Garmin on Wednesday reported a 2 percent gain in first-quarter revenue, to $639 million, as sales growth in its outdoor, marine and aviation segments countered declines in fitness and automotive sales.

Outdoor revenue rose 20 percent, to $116 million, on strong demand for outdoor wearables. Fitness revenue, which includes sales of Garmins cycling products, dipped 3 percent to $138 million during the period due to the maturing market for activity trackers particularly those without GPS capability, Garmin president and CEO Cliff Pemble stated in an earnings call.

While we continue to see the market for basic activity trackers mature, we also see growth opportunities in advanced wearables with GPS, and were confident in our product map going forward, Pemble said. Company officials did not detail cycling product sales during Wednesdays earnings call.

Overall, Garmins pro-forma net income for the first quarter rose 7 percent to $99 million, or 52 cents per share, topping Wall Street expectations.

See the article here:
Garmin Q1 revenue rises 2%; fitness sales dip - Bicycle Retailer

You sometimes hear students talking about how they will never use algebra in real life. Well, I dont frequently diagram sentences or play badminton, but that doesnt mean the time I spent in school on these activities wasnt worthwhile.

Its National Physical Fitness and Sports Month.

If you stopped thinking about participating in physical fitness and sports when you last closed your high school gym locker, it might be time to reconsider. American leaders realized fitness was vital for our citizens as early as 1956, when President Eisenhower created the President's Council on Youth Fitness. This council was renamed the President's Council on Physical Fitness in the early 1960s by President Kennedy to include people of all ages. We never outgrow the need for physical activity.

Group fitness classes and community sports leagues are a great way to get involved as an adult. And you dont have to worry about wearing an ugly gymsuit or being picked last for the team. If the cost or time commitment is prohibitive, consider scheduling a walk with a friend or family member, or committing to playing outside with your children or grandchildren after dinner. The healthier your lifestyle, the better your quality of life...thats one equation even those of us who cant remember our algebra can solve.

Resources: http://www.active.com/fitness/articles/national-physical-fitness-and-sports-month http://foh.psc.gov/calendar/may.html http://azdailysun.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/columnists/recommended-physical-activity-for-all-ages-stages-of-life/article_e13db407-29fa-541f-b6fa-822d410cd174.html

Read more here:
National Physical Fitness and Sports Month - KRCU

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) The November Project Philadelphia is a free fitness movement made up of fun, out-of-the-box workouts twice a week.

If theres one word to describe it, its welcoming.

Anyones welcome, any fitness level, any age group, said John Combs, who helps lead the group. Were just trying to connect the city.

As you spend more time with the tribe, as they call themselves, a few other Ws come to mind.

People can be kind of wacky and everyones weird, but thats what I embrace about it, Combs said.

Combs went from a tribe member to a leader over the summer. He and co-leader Beth Blendell plan and lead the outdoor fitness sessions.

We say its like adult recess, Blendell said. You get to come here and hang out and talk to all of your friends and then you get a workout in without even realizing its happening.

The early-morning workouts take them all over the city.

Different environments make the workout more exciting, and it allows for some really cool views too, Combs said.

Now three years strong in Philadelphia, the November Project regularly attracts upwards of 100 people and as many as 300 in the summer. Started in Boston, the free fitness movement now has more than 30 chapters in cities worldwide.

Anytime Im in Philly, I get to work out with these cool people, said Risa Isard of Washington, D.C. Anytime Im anywhere else in the country, theres another city to join a workout with. So theres this network of cities.

Sanketh Guruswamy was persuaded to start coming two years ago. He hasnt stopped since.

Its a bunch of free workouts, everyones awesome, a little crazy, lots of sweaty hugs, he said. I was like, Sold! Im in!'

Another W? Weatherproof.

Never cancelled a workout, Combs said. Weve worked out in zero degree weather, rain, snow.

For all of their efforts, Combs and Blendell are only paid in hugs, high-fives and smiles, but they wouldnt have it any other way.

Its a lot of work, but it pays off because were helping a lot of people, Combs said. A lot of smiles. Its a good way to start the day.

The November Project meets every Wednesday and Friday at 6:30 a.m. Locations change so be sure to check their Facebook page here:www.facebook.com/NovemberProjectPHL

Trang Do came home to join the Eyewitness News team as a general assignment reporter in March of 2016. The Philadelphia native had previously been an investigative reporter with WMAR-TV in Baltimore, Maryland. Trang started her professi...

See the rest here:
Free Fitness Movement Taking Philly By Storm - CBS Philly

A fitness model was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of robbery, but its his hunky, off-the-clock photos that are making headlines.

After leading police on a dramatic car-and-foot chase, David Byers, a fitness model in Solana Beach, Calif., was arrested Wednesday in San Diego for allegedly robbing the same Riverside Chase bank twice and one Cos Cob Citco gas station, both located in Connecticut.

According to local news siteGreenwich Time, Byers, who was in possession of a handgun, will be charged with three counts of robbery, two counts of larceny, and a felony count of reckless endangerment.

I am surprised because David is one of my more popular models, and he doesnt strike me as a violent guy, Michael Stokes, a Los Angeles-based photographer who works with Byers, tells Yahoo Style. Hes definitely a bad boy, and hes disappointed a lot of women, but he texted me last week with news that he moved to New York to be with his girlfriend who hes very much in love with and that hes finally happy.

David Byers, a fitness model, is a suspect in three robberies. (Photo: Yuma Police Department)

Byerss muscular body is covered in colorful tattoos, including a neck design, the latter of which police emphasizedas a defining trait in thedescription of the model. This isnt Byerss first encounter with the law: According to Greenwich Time, in March he was charged with burglary, grand theft, and driving while intoxicated; and in 2016 he was arrested on unknown charges.

Theres also areportthat Byers falsely presented himselfas an ex-member of the U.S. Navy SEALs; however, Stokes, who photographs wounded soldiers, dismisses it as a rumor. According to David, his ex-girlfriend made that up, he tells Yahoo Style.

As for Byerss sudden fame,Stokes chalks upthe attention to Byerss bad boy appeal. He hasalook that makes women want to rehabilitate him, he tells Yahoo Style. Well, letshope that happens!

Read more from Yahoo Style + Beauty:

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest for nonstop inspiration delivered fresh to your feed, every day. For Twitter updates, follow @YahooStyle and @YahooBeauty.

Read more:
Fitness Model Arrested for Robbery Becomes Internet Sensation - Yahoo Food

BALTIMORE - De'Andre Wells basks in the spotlight of leading a spin class. At Brick Bodies Padonia, his hour long sessions are always packed. He says the low lights, pounding music and constant motion give him new life.

"What really attracted me to it is that I can be a DJ and a fitness coach," Wells says.

After four years in the Middle East with the 5th Special Forces group, his life wasn't always so positive. Like so many others who serve in combat, Wells was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

"You come out of combat, you're a different person," Wells says. "I went through the experience myself. I lived it and I'm still living it."

Over time, Wells found out on his own that intense exercise helped ease his symptoms; a discovery he chose to share with others. Through help from the VA, Wells started a business: American Group Fitness.

"Our mission really is to provide a service to veterans who need the support that they are not getting," he says.

Now, AGX Fitness is partnering with an indoor cycling center that takes spinning a little more seriously. STM Cycling, based in Baltimore's Pigtown neighborhood, offers a highly scientific program that helps cyclists grow by tracking and monitoring three personal statistics: Heart Rate, Power and Rate of Perceived Exertion. Hitting the goals requires constant mental focus throughout the workout, a practice that Wells says helps veterans keep their mind off of negative thoughts.

"This is the same culture we came from right?" Wells asks, "One of the demands of the military is that you have to be physically and mentally strong."

Under the partnership, a number of bikes will always be available for veterans in STM's workout center free of charge. Wells and AGX are planning more partnerships and resources to battle the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress.

"This is a tool that I've chosen and I know a lot of other veterans will choose to help them fight each day," Wells said.

Follow this link to find out more: https://www.deandrewells.com/american-group-fitness-agx-llc

Go here to see the original:
New Baltimore Fitness Program Targeting PTSD Sufferers - ABC2 News

(1) Adjusted net income and adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures. For reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted net income to U.S. GAAP ("GAAP") net income see "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" accompanying this press release.

Christopher Rondeau, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "There were several highlights from the first quarter that continue to underscore the growing popularity of our fitness offering and reinforce the strength of our business model.We added over 1.2 million net new members during the first three months of 2017 to surpass 10 million members system-wide. This increase was driven by the expansion efforts of our franchisees over the past year, including 54 new store openings and double digit same store sales growth during the quarter. Strong revenue and net income growth was fueled primarily by our high margin Franchise segment and contributed significantly to the Company's robust cash flow generation. With approximately 1,000 new stores scheduled to open in the next 5 years, combined with our growing national and local advertising spend, we are confident that we'll continue to be successful in attracting more and more first time and casual gym users to Planet Fitness."

Operating Results for the First Quarter Ended March 31, 2017

For the first quarter of 2017, total revenue increased $7.8 million or 9.3% to $91.1 million from $83.3 million in the prior year period. By segment:

System-wide same store sales increased 11.1%. By segment, franchisee-owned same store sales increased 11.5% and corporate-owned same store sales increased 4.5%.

For the first quarter of 2017, net income was $17.9 million, or $0.14 per diluted share, compared to net income of $16.3 million, or $0.09 per diluted share in the prior year period. Adjusted net income (see "Non-GAAP Financial Measures") increased 21.2% to $18.4 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, from $15.2 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, in the prior year period. Adjusted net income has been adjusted to reflect a normalized federal income tax rate of 39.5% for the current year period and 39.4% for the comparable prior year period and excludes certain non-cash and other items that we do not consider in the evaluation of ongoing operational performance (see "Non-GAAP Financial Measures").

Adjusted EBITDA, which is defined as net income before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, adjusted for the impact of certain non-cash and other items that we do not consider in the evaluation of ongoing operational performance (see "Non-GAAP Financial Measures"), increased 23.3% to $42.3 million from $34.3 million in the prior year period.

Segment EBITDA represents our Total Segment EBITDA broken down by the Company's reportable segments. Total Segment EBITDA is equal to EBITDA, which is defined as net income before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (see "Non-GAAP Financial Measures").

Executive Leadership Promotion

The Company announced that Dorvin Lively, currently Chief Financial Officer of Planet Fitness, has been promoted and will now serve as President and Chief Financial Officer effective immediately. In this newly created position, Lively will oversee the brand's technology and real estate and development functions, as well as its corporate stores, in addition to his ongoing oversight of all finance related functions.

Rondeau, commented, "Dorvin has been instrumental in the successful expansion of our brand since joining Planet Fitness in 2013. During his tenure as Chief Financial Officer, we have more than doubled the number of stores system-wide while achieving strong financial returns for our franchisees, and more recently our shareholders. The Board of Directors and I are confident that Dorvin's experience and deep knowledge of our business will prove invaluable as we execute the Company's growth strategies."

Rondeau continued, "My passion for the Planet Fitness brand and my commitment to bringing affordable and non-intimidating health and wellness to millions of people has never been stronger. We have an exciting future ahead, and with Dorvin's well-deserved promotion, I look forward to increasing my focus on brand growth, long-term strategic initiatives, and franchisee and shareholder returns."

2017 Outlook

For the year ending December31, 2017, the Company now expects:

Presentation of Financial Measures

Planet Fitness, Inc. (the "Company") was formed in March 2015 for the purpose of facilitating the initial public offering (the "IPO") and related recapitalization transactions that occurred in August 2015, and in order to carry on the business of Pla-Fit Holdings, LLC ("Pla-Fit Holdings") and its subsidiaries. As the sole managing member of Pla-Fit Holdings, the Company operates and controls all of the business and affairs of Pla-Fit Holdings, and through Pla-Fit Holdings, conducts its business. As a result, the Company consolidates Pla-Fit Holdings' financial results and reports a non-controlling interest related to the portion of Pla-Fit Holdings not owned by the Company.

The financial information presented in this press release includes non-GAAP financial measures such as EBITDA, Segment EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income and Adjusted net income per share, diluted to provide measures that we believe are useful to investors in evaluating the Company's performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are supplemental measures of the Company's performance that are neither required by, nor presented in accordance with GAAP. These financial measures should not be considered in isolation or as substitutes for GAAP financial measures such as net income or any other performance measures derived in accordance with, GAAP. In addition, in the future, the Company may incur expenses or charges such as those added back to calculate Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income and Adjusted net income per share, diluted. The Company's presentation of Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted net income and Adjusted net income per share, diluted should not be construed as an inference that the Company's future results will be unaffected by similar amounts or other unusual or nonrecurring items. See the tables at the end of this press release for a reconciliation of EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Total Segment EBITDA, Adjusted net income, and Adjusted net income per share, diluted, to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measure.

The non-GAAP financial measures used in our full-year outlook will differ from net income and net income per share, diluted, determined in accordance with GAAP in ways similar to those described in the reconciliations at the end of this press release. We do not provide guidance for net income or net income per share, diluted, determined in accordance with GAAP or a reconciliation of guidance for Adjusted net income and Adjusted net income per share, diluted, to the most directly comparable GAAP measure because we are not able to predict with reasonable certainty the amount or nature of all items that will be included in our net income and net income per share, diluted, for the year ended December 31, 2017. These items are uncertain, depend on many factors and could have a material impact on our net income and net income per share, diluted, for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Investor Conference Call

The Company will hold a conference call at 4:30 pm (ET) on May 2, 2017 to discuss the news announced in this press release. A live webcast of the conference call will be accessible at http://www.planetfitness.com via the "Investor Relations" link. The webcast will be archived on the website for one year.

About Planet Fitness

Founded in 1992 in Dover, N.H., Planet Fitness is one of the largest and fastest-growing franchisors and operators of fitness centers in the United States by number of members and locations. As of March 31, 2017, Planet Fitness had approximately 10.1 million members and 1,367 stores in 48 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada and the Dominican Republic. The Company's mission is to enhance people's lives by providing a high-quality fitness experience in a welcoming, non-intimidating environment, which we call the Judgement Free Zone. More than 95% of Planet Fitness stores are owned and operated by independent business men and women.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain statements, approximations, estimates and projections with respect to our anticipated future performance, especially those under the heading "2017 Outlook," ("forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on the Company's current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of the business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of the Company's control. Actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially include risks and uncertainties associated with competition in the fitness industry, the Company's and franchisees' ability to attract and retain new members, changes in consumer demand, changes in equipment costs, the Company's ability to expand into new markets, operating costs for the Company and franchisees generally, availability and cost of capital for franchisees, acquisition activity, developments and changes in laws and regulations, our substantial indebtedness, our corporate structure and tax receivable agreements, general economic conditions and the other factors described in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, and the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as required by law, neither the Company nor any of its affiliates or representatives undertake any obligation to provide additional information or to correct or update any information set forth in this press release, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

Planet Fitness, Inc. and subsidiaries

Condensed consolidated statements of operations

(Unaudited)

(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

For the three months ended

March31,

2017

2016

Revenue:

Franchise

$

30,281

$

21,491

Commission income

6,516

6,186

Corporate-owned stores

27,041

25,697

Equipment

27,264

29,969

Total revenue

91,102

83,343

Operating costs and expenses:

Cost of revenue

21,124

23,639

Store operations

15,184

14,732

Selling, general and administrative

13,820

11,845

Depreciation and amortization

7,951

7,703

Other gain

(32)

(186)

Total operating costs and expenses

58,047

57,733

Income from operations

33,055

25,610

Other expense, net:

Interest expense, net

(8,763)

(6,367)

Other income

682

393

Total other expense, net

(8,081)

(5,974)

Income before income taxes

24,974

19,636

Provision for income taxes

7,108

3,291

Net income

17,866

16,345

Less net income attributable to non-controlling interests

9,024

12,977

Net income attributable to Planet Fitness, Inc.

$

8,842

$

3,368

Net income per share of Class A common stock:

Originally posted here:
Planet Fitness, Inc. Announces First Quarter 2017 Results - PR Newswire (press release)

Planet Fitness (PLNT), Mondelez International (MDLZ), Diamondback Energy (FANG) and Devon Energy (DVN) topped estimates late Tuesday, while Inphi (IPHI) sank on weak guidance.

Estimates: Profit to vault63% to 44 cents a share, on a 40.6% sales gain to $93.51 million.

Results: EPS of 44 cents on revenue of $93.6 million.

Outlook: Q2 EPS of 27-39 cents, well below consensus for 46 cents, on revenue of $80 million-$88 million, below consensus for $96.3 million.

"However, Q2 revenue will be adversely impacted primarily by inventory accumulation in China Long Haul and Metro, which represents 40% of worldwide optical communications demand," said CEO Ford Tamer in a statement. "We are confident in the growth opportunities for Inphi in 2017 and 2018, in the long haul, metro and inter- and intra-data center markets, because of our product positioning with leading customers and growing market share,"

Stock: Inphi sank 15% late. Shares finished 4.3% lower at 40.54 amid a broad semiconductor sell-off. The fabless chip designer, which has an optical communications unit, reports ahead of fiber-optic parts maker Lumentum (LITE), which is set to reveal fiscal Q3 earnings early Thursday.

Also after the close, optical equipment maker Oclaro (OCLR) gave weak revenue guidance, sending shares down 7%. Lumentum fell 4% late, and Acacia Communications (ACIA) lost 1.7%.

Estimates: EPS should climb 4.2% to 50cents despite a 1.3% revenue dip to $6.372 billion.

Results: EPS of 53 cents on revenue of $6.41 billion.

Stock: Mondelez rallied 3% late. Shares fell 0.7% to 43.77. Shares were back below the 50-day, where they have tradedfor much of the past year. Its52-week high in February came amid merger buzz.

Estimates: Per-share earnings of 16 cents, rising from a year-ago gainof 15 cents. Revenue is seen rising 8.4%, to $90.38 million.

Results: EPS of 19 cents on revenue of $91.1 million.

Outlook: Full-year EPS of 74-77 cents, vs. consensus views for 75 cents, on revenue of $404 million-$415 million.

Stock: Planet Fitness edged up 0.15% late. Shares closed down 1% at 20.27. The gym chain remains lodged well below a 22.23 buy point from a cup-shaped, first-stage base, having made a negligible advance from earlier breakoutsin the past year.

Analysts have been bullish on Planet Fitness' unique strategy that marries low membership costs with a judgment-free setting.

RELATED:

Planet Fitness Bumps 'Gymtimidation' Lunks To Powerlift Its Gyms

Estimates: Earnings to rocket to 60 cents from 2 cents a year ago, as sales climb 150.2% to $218.9 million.

Results: EPS of $1.04 on revenue of $235 million. Production rose 61%, including an acquisition.

Outlook: Diamondback Energy kept its full-year spending outlook of $800 million-$1 billion.

Stock: Diamondback dipped 0.4% late. The shale producer ended down 0.6% at 98.38 as oil prices sold off. Shares have been consolidating for nearly three months and were testing long-term support levels on Tuesday.

Estimates: Per-share profit of 40 cents vs. a year-ago loss of 53 cents, as revenue soars 43.2%, to $3.045billion.

Results: EPS of 41 cents on revenue of $3.55 billion.

Outlook: Devon maintained its full-year capex spending outlook of $2.285 billion-$2.69 billion.

Stock: Deven rallied 2.3%. Shares dropped 1.2% at 38.85.

RELATED:

Apple Beats Views On Earnings, Comes Up Short On Sales

Gilead Stock Topples On Consensus-Lagging Q1 Sales, Earnings

Paycom Software Earnings, Revenue Top Estimates

Twilio Earnings Beat, Guidance Falls Short, Stock Plummets

8:36 PM ET Techs led stock futures Tuesday night following Apple's mixed results and a slew of other after-hours earnings. Facebook and Tesla...

8:36 PM ET Techs led stock futures Tuesday night following Apple's mixed results...

Read the original here:
Planet Fitness - Investor's Business Daily

The studys findings might also explain why runners, cyclists and others athletes can hit the wall when they push themselves hard. Photograph: Tim Flach/Getty Images

For those who cannot exercise, it could be the answer: rather than spending hours in the gym, the benefits of fitness training could be delivered in a tablet.

The prospect of an exercise pill might be music to the ears of couch potatoes, long-distance truck drivers and stressed-out office workers, but researchers believe it could transform the lives of people who are unable to exercise because of obesity or serious physical disabilities.

Hopes for such a pill emerged on Tuesday from scientists who found that an experimental drug allowed mice to run on a treadmill for 270 minutes before exhaustion set in. Mice that went without the drug lasted only 160 minutes before reaching their physical limit.

The endurance boost was accompanied by other apparent health benefits, scientists found, leading mice who had the drug for eight weeks to put on less weight and better control their blood sugar levels, suggesting a pill might also help people with diabetes.

Scientists led by Ronald Evans at the Salk Institute in San Diego made the discovery after they set out to explore what endurance meant on the molecular level. If we really understand the science, can we replace training with a drug? he said.

They turned to a drug known as GW501516 which had previously been shown to improve stamina and burn fat faster. Through a series of tests with mice on treadmills, Evans found that the drug changed the activity of nearly 1000 genes. Many of the genes that became more active were involved in the breakdown and burning of fat. But other genes were suppressed, including some that convert sugar into energy.

Writing in the journal Cell Metabolism, the scientists describe how the findings might explain why runners, cyclists and others athletes can hit the wall when they push themselves hard. The drug makes the body burn fat faster, but also burn sugar more slowly. The upshot is that, on the drug, the drop in blood sugar level that is responsible for the feeling of hitting the wall happens much later than normal.

In endurance sport competitions, such as cycling, marathon runs, race walking and cross-country skiing, hitting the wall is a dramatic demonstration of sudden and complete exhaustion, the scientists write. But the drug, which achieves its effects through muscle proteins called PPARD, is sufficient to dramatically improve endurance capacity.

Exercise activates PPARD, but were showing that you can do the same thing without mechanical training. It means you can improve endurance to the equivalent level as someone in training, without all of the physical effort, said Weiwei Fan, the papers first author.

The compound was originally developed by what is now GlaxoSmithKline and a US company called Ligand pharmaceuticals in the 1990s. Intended to treat metabolic and cardiovascular disease, it was later abandoned, apparently after a number of studies found that high doses might cause cancer.

But despite the drug being dropped commercially, scientists continue to study the compound. A decade ago, tests in animals showed that it could potentially boost stamina. The finding spawned a black market for the drug, and its subsequent abuse by some athletes in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The following year, the World Anti-Doping Agency banned the drug and warned that it was not safe.

Ali Tavassoli, professor of chemical biology at Southampton University who was not involved in the latest study, said that any exercise pill that scientists develop could potentially be abused, not only by athletes, but by horse trainers and others.

But there are groups of people who for one reason or other cannot exercise, people with real problems, and you could potentially have a pill that gives them some of the benefits of exercise, he said. A pill of this sort might allow them to a place where they can start to exercise for real.

Tavassoli is not convinced that an exercise pill will arrive any time soon though. Personally, I am not certain that such a pill would be possible. Theres a big difference between showing in an organism that you can mimic exercise over the short-term and demonstrating the long-term effects of doing this.

Someone with obesity or diabetes might be taking a pill for 40 or 50 years. What happens when you take a drug like this for that long? What happens to you? These are big unanswered questions, Tavassoli said. I cant see these things getting regulatory approval.

Louise MacKenzie, a pharmacologist at the University of Hertfordshire, who has studied GW501516, said it was once considered a wonder drug because of its potential to treat a number of medical conditions. But while the compound appears to have benefits at low doses, it can have bad side effects at high doses. It goes from being remarkably healthy to being the complete opposite, theres no in-between, she said. Nevertheless, MacKenzie said the drug was a good starting block for scientists hoping to find new ways to treat patients. I can definitely see a future where the problems are solved. You just need to have enough clever scientists working on them, she said.

See original here:
'Exercise pill' could deliver benefits of fitness in tablet form - The Guardian

WBTW - Myrtle Beach and Florence SC

Fitness Championship comes to Myrtle Beach WBTW - Myrtle Beach and Florence SC There's so many things that Myrtle Beach adds to the personality of the Stewart Fitness Bodybuilding Championship. When you think of beaches, you think of people being in shape. So, we're going to bring people from all across the country to compete in ...

Read this article:
Fitness Championship comes to Myrtle Beach - WBTW - Myrtle Beach and Florence SC

Page 335«..1020..334335336337..340350..»

Home » Fitness » Page 335