24 Hour Fitness® Launches Two Programs to Support U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Hopefuls for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - 24 Hour Fitness, the largest privately-owned U.S. fitness chain and the Official Fitness Center Sponsor of the 2012 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams, today announced two new programs to be made available to National Governing Bodies (NGBs) and their respective athletes, as they strive toward making the 2012 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams. 

The new Elite Membership and NGB Incentive programs, valued at more than $1 million, are designed to provide first-class gym and training access to more than 1,500 U.S. athletes along with providing a means of fundraising for these organizations.  Through its support of the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) and NGBs, 24 Hour Fitness has become one of the largest supporters of amateur athletics in the country. 

Elite Memberships are one-year, complimentary, All-Club passes which entitle athletes access to every 24 Hour Fitness location nationwide.  These memberships are allocated to NGBs based on the number of elite-level athletes they serve.  As part of the NGB Incentive program, participating NGBs will receive a percentage from the sale of all memberships, personal training sessions and online transactions, to help offset operating and program costs.

"24 Hour Fitness is proud to again provide support of the United States Olympic Team for a fifth time and help Team USA pursue their ongoing quest for gold at the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London," said Carl Liebert, Chief Executive Officer, 24 Hour Fitness. "We continue to look for additional ways to support Team USA athletes in fulfillment of their dreams." 

To date, 33 NGBs have applied to participate in the program and more than 300 athletes have already begun to reap the benefits of the meaningful training and fitness solutions that 24 Hour Fitness offers.  In addition, approximately 3,200 U.S. Olympic Team alumni have been invited to take part in the exclusive offer.  To purchase a membership and support the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams, visit the 24 Hour Fitness NGB page.

"24 Hour Fitness has been a great and valued partner," said Scott Blackmun, USOC Chief Executive Officer.  "The state-of-the-art training facilities, expertise and memberships they provide to Olympians, Paralympians and hopefuls will continue to play an important role in the team's success."

As part of its partnership with the USOC, which launched in 2003, 24 Hour Fitness is also helping the U.S. athletes train for the London Olympic and Paralympic Games by providing state-of-the-art equipment and expertise at U.S. Olympic Training Centers in Colorado Springs, Colo.; Chula Vista, Calif.; and Lake Placid, N.Y.

Furthermore, the company is once again assisting the USOC with the creation of a U.S. Team High Performance Training Center (HPTC) to be staffed by 24 Hour Fitness employees, also known as "Fitness Ambassadors," from the more than 420 locations across the United States.  Team USA's HPTC, which is currently under construction, is located at The University of East London, Docklands Campus.  The cardio, strength and conditioning facility will be approximately 6,000 square feet and has been designed  specifically for the USOC and Team USA's delegation of more than 550 athletes to train and ready them for competition while in London.

This will be the fifth Olympic Games for which 24 Hour Fitness has supported Team USA, having previously partnered with the USOC for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, Torino 2006 Olympic Winter Games, Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, and Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games. In addition, this is the second time 24 Hour Fitness has supported the U.S. Paralympic Team. 

About 24 Hour Fitness
Headquartered in San Ramon, Calif., 24 Hour Fitness, an innovative leader in the health and fitness industry, serves more than three million members in more than 420 clubs. Founded in 1983 as a one-club operation, 24 Hour Fitness pioneered the concept of making fitness accessible, affordable and a way of life for everyone. The company demonstrates its leadership through sponsorships like that of the U.S. Olympic Team and a commitment to the community through various charitable and in-kind donations. In addition, 24 Hour Fitness enjoys strategic partnerships with major consumer brands like Coca-Cola, Dial and Everlast and for the past nine seasons has partnered with NBC's popular reality TV show, "The Biggest Loser." Please call 1-800-224-0240 or visit www.24HourFitness.com for more information and to find the location nearest you.  

About U.S. Olympic CommitteeThe United States Olympic Committee (USOC) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the sole entity in the United States whose mission involves training, entering and underwriting the full expenses for the U.S. teams in the Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American and Parapan American Games. In addition to being the steward of the U.S. Olympic Movement, the USOC is the moving force for support of sports in the United States that are on the program of the Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American and Parapan American Games. For more information, please visit www.teamusa.org.