http://leisurefitness.OBrianDesign.com/ The Official Leisure Fitness News Feed en-us Tue, 10 Jun 2003 04:00:00 GMT Tue, 10 Jun 2003 09:41:01 GMT http://www.leisurefitness.com/ O'BrianDesign News@LeisureFitness.com Website@LeisureFitness.com http://leisurefitness.obriandesign.com/images/smalllogos/red.gif http://leisurefitness.OBrianDesign.com/ Press Releases http://www.LeisureFitness.com/news/website/index.asp The relocated Leisure Fitness on Concord Pike in Wilmington breaks the mold when it comes to shopping for fitness equipment, hot tubs (spas) and saunas. Our new store design moves away from the traditional approach of having equipment lined up by categories and moves us into a new concept of equipment grouped by brands. In addition to adding other health related products we have also expanded our equipment brand offerings to include entry level, value and premium lines. Our mission was to design a store with curves and a more spacious feel that allows for a more positive customer experience. Leisure Fitness is the brainchild of Wilmington native Katina Geralis. After graduating from the University of Delaware with a degree in physical education studies, Geralis worked in fitness sales for several years before starting the company in her garage in 1995. “My passion lies in helping people achieve their health and fitness goals by giving them access to quality exercise equipment that fits their lifestyle,” says Geralis. “That’s why I started the company.” “It has always been my vision to add other products to our stores, so we are very excited to expand our product offerings to include hot tubs (spas) and saunas. We carefully selected products that were health related and would positively impact people’s lives. Beginning with our three Delaware locations, you will find a mix of fitness equipment, hot tubs (spas) and saunas, all under one roof. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to build on our solid foundation of success with fitness equipment to create a one stop shop for fitness and healthy living. Now customers will have the opportunity to get a great workout at home and enjoy the benefits of a home spa,” states Geralis. Water hydro therapy and infra-red saunas have many different health benefits including weight loss, detoxification, stress reduction and improved sleep. From those humble beginnings, Geralis has taken Leisure Fitness to new heights as a woman-owned business in a male-dominated industry. With roughly $50 million in sales last year, the company continues to be the nation’s top dealer in Precor, Bowflex, and Nautilus fitness equipment. Leisure Fitness is the only fitness equipment dealer in the Mid-Atlantic region to stock 13 of Consumer Reports’ top-rated fitness products. A customer favorite since the opening of its first store, on Kirkwood Highway, right here in Delaware, Leisure Fitness has won numerous awards such as Number 1 Place for Fitness Equipment, Best Company to Work For and Number 1 Company to Watch, by the Wilmington News Journal. Customer satisfaction continues to be the foundation for the company’s success. Leisure Fitness sells both home and commercial fitness equipment and now hot tubs (spas) and saunas. In addition to the company’s 17 retail stores, Leisure Fitness maintains a commercial sales force throughout New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. Thu, 15 Mar 2007 15:21:36 GMT http://leisurefitness.obriandesign/com/news/1 General News http://www.LeisureFitness.com/news/website/index.asp Hi, thank you for finding us—and welcome to our brand new home on the web. You stopped by at a very good time. We’ve just launched our new site, and just moved to a beautiful new headquarters. To celebrate, we’re offering a superb Bowflex Xtreme 2 home gym—free to a lucky subscriber to our fitness and health newsletter. It could be you, so don’t forget to sign up. We hope you’ll enjoy our website and find it friendly, useful, and informative. We set out to create a site that would showcase our premier-brand home fitness equipment, and also enable you to compare brand for brand, feature for feature. Now, with our new Comparison tool, you can be a much better informed shopper. There are many new, state-of-the-industry products in our line-up—and two exciting new product lines: our affordable functional training kits, and our wide selection of Valeo® fitness accessories. We’ve added a Store Locator, accessible from every page, to let you locate and link to your nearest Leisure Fitness store. The website also features our online Fitness Magazine, and an online fitness space planner—but many of us think our greatest new addition is our Fitness Learning Centre. Buying Guides for cardio equipment… expert advice on creating your fitness plan, or designing your fitness space, or shopping for fitness equipment… an in-depth look at your exercise heart rate—we’ve tried to anticipate the information you need to shop for, and use, the ideal equipment to suit your fitness goals. And check out our Fitness Mythbusters section, where we confront the fictions with the facts. The truth may surprise you. We’re very proud of our new site, and we’d greatly appreciate your feedback. If you could tell us what you find useful or interesting, things you’d like us to add to the site, or any difficulties in finding your way around, it would be a great help in making our online experience even better for our visitors. Please enjoy our website—and don’t miss your chance to win the Bowflex Xtreme 2. Subscribe to our fitness and health newsletter before December 31st, 2006, and your name will be in the draw for a space-saving Bowflex® Xtreme 2 home gym—free to the lucky winner. Sun, 02 Jul 2006 08:00:00 GMT http://leisurefitness.obriandesign/com/news/2 Press Releases http://www.LeisureFitness.com/news/website/index.asp The new Leisure Fitness on Wisconsin Avenue in Bethesda breaks the mold when it comes to shopping for fitness equipment. From treadmills to bikes, from ellipticals to home gyms, the area’s largest selection of high-quality equipment is now being offered under one roof. Leisure Fitness is the brainchild of Silver Spring native Katina Geralis. After graduating from the University of Delaware with a degree in physical education studies, Geralis worked in fitness sales for several years before starting the company in her garage in 1995. “My passion lies in helping people achieve their health and fitness goals by giving them access to quality exercise equipment that fits their lifestyle,” says Geralis. “That’s why I started the company.” From those humble beginnings, Geralis has taken Leisure Fitness to new heights as a woman-owned business in a male-dominated industry. With roughly $40 million in sales last year, the company continues to be the nation’s top dealer in Precor, Bowflex, and Nautilus fitness equipment. Leisure Fitness is the only fitness equipment dealer in the Mid-Atlantic region to stock 13 of Consumer Reports’ top-rated fitness products. A customer favorite since the opening of its first store, Leisure Fitness has won numerous awards for outstanding customer service. Customer satisfaction continues to be the foundation for the company’s success. Leisure Fitness sells both home and commercial fitness equipment. In addition to the company’s fifteen retail stores, Leisure Fitness maintains a commercial sales force throughout New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. Wed, 28 Dec 2005 08:00:00 GMT http://leisurefitness.obriandesign/com/news/4 Press Releases http://www.LeisureFitness.com/news/website/index.asp Leisure Fitness, a leading supplier of home and commercial exercise equipment, is moving into Washington, DC with four stores acquired from Fitness Warehouse, who recently filed for bankruptcy. “We are very excited about expanding into Washington, DC,” states Katina Geralis, Leisure Fitness’ founder and President. “Our growth has always been driven by customer demand, and it is because of our customers that we are able to expand when others are downsizing.” Leisure Fitness has won numerous awards for outstanding customer service, born from the company’s goal of creating healthy communities. Leisure’s commitment to customer satisfaction continues to be the foundation of the company’s success and will be apparent in the operation of the Washington stores. Geralis feels strongly that an educated customer is a happy customer. “Leisure does not follow a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach,” states Geralis. “We help each customer define their unique fitness needs and goals, then we work with them to develop an equipment strategy that fits their life.” Geralis continues, “In our stores, we also provide free educational materials about health and fitness. It’s very important to us that we support our customers and help make them successful with their new equipment purchase.” In addition to bringing a commitment to the physical health and well-being of the Washington community, Leisure Fitness will create a healthy contribution to the local economy. The four stores will employ 23 people, all of which would have lost their jobs due to the closing of the Fitness Warehouse stores. Leisure Fitness anticipates contributing close to $8 million to the local economy. Leisure Fitness also offers services that enhance both the buying and the “after-the-sale” experience for the customer. These services include an in-house service department, a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, 90-days “same-as-cash” financing, and a highly trained sales staff to assure satisfaction before, during, and after the sale. Founded in 1995 in Newark, DE, Leisure Fitness has experienced phenomenal growth in the past few months. Since September of this year, Leisure has grown from four stores in Delaware and Pennsylvania to ten stores spanning the Mid-Atlantic Region. With the opening of the four new stores in Washington, DC, Leisure solidifies its position as a dominant force in the specialty fitness industry. Leisure Fitness sells both home and commercial fitness equipment. In addition to the company’s ten retail stores, Leisure Fitness maintains a commercial sales force of 11 throughout New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. Mon, 19 Nov 2001 08:00:00 GMT http://leisurefitness.obriandesign/com/news/5 Special Offers http://www.LeisureFitness.com/news/website/index.asp Exclusive Instant In-Store rebates on Precor Ellipticals, Treadmills, Home Gyms and Bike. Save $250 to $1000 instantly and bring your healthclub workout home! Plus 12 Months interest free financing when you mention this ad. Mon, 07 May 2007 13:50:00 GMT http://leisurefitness.obriandesign/com/news/6 Special Offers http://www.LeisureFitness.com/news/website/index.asp Friday,Saturday,and Sunday June 22-24 2007 .Over 200 pieces of fitness equipment available at savings up to 65% off on scratch 'n dents,up to 60% off accessories,belts and gloves. Nautilus NTR 300 treadmill save $1000, Precor 5.19 elliptical save $800, also save up to 65% on treadmills,60% on bikes,55% on home gyms,and 50% on ellipticals. 3 days only rain or shine at our Tyson's Corner location. Quantities are limited and it's first come, first served...So Hurry in for the best selection. Fri, 22 Jun 2007 13:50:00 GMT http://leisurefitness.obriandesign/com/news/7 Community Events http://www.LeisureFitness.com/news/website/index.asp Leisure Fitness is an official sponsor of the Delaware Today Single Mingle party held at Harry's Savoy Grill located on Nammans Rd. Exclusive savings for Single Mingle party attendees included 20% off on Precor fitness equipment, and an extra 10% off on top of advertised sale prices on any leisure spa. Thu, 7 Jun 2007 12:00:00 GMT http://leisurefitness.obriandesign/com/news/8 General News http://www.LeisureFitness.com/news/website/index.asp A UD P.E. major has become the most successful fitness equipment dealer in the Mid-Atlantic region. By Shannon Canton Petite and unassuming, Katina Geralis has an athletic look and gentle demeanor. She’s 41 but hardly looks her age. Most importantly, she radiates confidence. Her corporation, Leisure Fitness, is the only woman-owned company in the fitness equipment industry. It’s also a sales leader. (Leisure Fitness is the No. 1 Precor dealer and the No. 1 Nautilus dealer for retail sales in the country.) What began as a small fitness equipment shop has grown to a $30 million business, with 11 stores in five states and Washington, D.C., and 12 sales representatives. Plans for four more stores and three to four more sales reps are in the works for 2004. “She knew where she wanted to go from the beginning,” says her father Connie Geralis, a retired sales representative for Standard Distributing Co. “She’s always been a money maker.” At 12, Katina cut lawns and delivered newspapers. She entered the University of Delaware as a civil engineering major but graduated with a degree in physical education studies. “I always had a passion for fitness. I should have gone with it,” she says. Corporate fitness seemed like a good fit and she got a job at a gym on Kirkwood Highway, but she knew she wanted bigger and better things. “When she got out of college, she said she wanted to go into business for herself,” her father says. “I told her, ‘It takes a strong person,’ and she said, ‘I can do it.’ She was very aggressive.” But she had trouble choosing a professional career. Her dad helped her get her first sales job when he responded to an ad someone posted to sell a rowing machine and talked to Ken Billings, who was selling fitness equipment out of an old chicken coop in Middletown. Billings ran classified ads in the Yellow Pages up and down the East Coast. “They were looking for a sales person to sell equipment,” Connie says. “I told them about my daughter.” “I think he was worried about me,” Katina says. “At the time I was life guarding.” Katina wasn’t interested in selling at the time, Connie says, but he talked her into taking the job. “I told her to give it a try. If you are strong enough and aggressive, you’ll make money.” Katina liked the idea of helping people reach their fitness goals through exercise. After her first sale, she realized she could make money, too. “She took off after that,” Connie says. “You couldn’t stop her.” Katina grew American Fitness Products from ground level to a $2 million-a-dollar-a-year business. She says she learned how to fight for each sale and how to paint a picture over the phone to get the customer to travel down to the Middletown warehouse. After two years, Katina left because of personality differences. “I needed bigger and better things,” she says. “I knew I could do it better.” But instead of going out on her own, she changed professions, becoming a construction project manager for Emory Hill. “I was the only female of eight project managers,” she says. Owner Bob Hill told her she became the best they had. She worked in commercial development for four years, then the real estate industry took a downturn and Emory Hill made major layoffs. “I was one of the cuts,” she says. A year later she returned to American Fitness Products. “I went back for nine months to see if this is what I like,” she says. “I was always looking to get ahead.” Next, she teamed up with John Wanner, owner of Fitness Concepts in Severna Park, Md. She convinced him to open a store in Delaware, putting in $10,000 of her own money for a 10-percent minority interest. The 2,000-square-foot store opened in 1992 on Kirkwood Highway next to Gold’s Gym. It was the first fitness equipment store in Northern Delaware. Fitness Concepts brought in $1.5 million in commercial and retail sales the first year. Katina worked seven days a week making the sales and used only two delivery men – one also did service. The second year, Wanner cut Katina’s pay. “He thought I was making too much,” she says. Katina knew it was time to go out on her own. “I felt like I knew the business well enough,” she says. “I was a manager working as an owner. I thought I could do things better, and he wasn’t open to my ideas.” “She was more aggressive than the bosses she was working for,” Connie says. “She said, ‘Dad, if I had my own place, I could really sell.’ So I said, ‘Give it a try.’” Katina opened Leisure Fitness in August 1995 with $20,000 of her own money and $100,000 U.S. Small Business Administration loan she qualified for as a female entrepreneur. She brought many clients, as well as her good relationships with vendors, with her. “I went out and started selling commercially out of my garage,” she says. She called Precor and secured them as a vendor. In November 1995 she found retail space on Kirkwood Highway and opened her first store. “It wasn’t much of a store,” Connie says. “But she knew she could reshape the building to make it the store she wanted and she did it.” She started off with a small inventory of Precor and Body Solid equipment. “It was one to show, one to go,” she says. “I remember selling the first bench out of a classified ad and I thought, ‘Oh no, what do I do now?’” When she first started, Katina says people would tell her she was not going to make it. She also felt she wasn’t taken seriously because she is a woman. “For a few years, people chalked it up to good luck,” she says. “I’m just now starting to get respect from the vendors.” Competing businesses would also try to intimidate her. Some dealers tried to come into Delaware and turned around, she says. “We were approached for purchase by other dealers and we said no.” The national chains Omni Fitness and Busy Body wanted to buy her out. “If we can’t buy you, we’ll crush you,” Katina says they told her. Busy Body has since gone out of business. In 2001 Leisure Fitness bought out the failing Busy Body stores in the Washington, D.C., area. Katina says she made the deal, closed the doors for two days and added better management and better equipment. “This company moves quickly,” says Director of Marketing Laura Bond. “Katina’s somebody who takes action.” Leisure Fitness currently sells equipment from more than 50 vendors. Its territory encompasses Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Washington, D.C. In December Leisure Fitness opened its 11th store in Princeton, N.J. It has recently opened stored in Timonium, Md., and Montgomeryville, Pa. The company intends to add 11 more stores and 10 sales representatives in its current territories by 2005. The Maryland-Virginia-Washington, D.C., area is Leisure Fitness’s biggest market’ however, Katina considers Delaware the company’s backyard. A Wilmington native, she now lives in Landenberg, Pa., with her three dogs and also has a home in Rehoboth Beach. Last year, Leisure Fitness built a corporate headquarters building in Newark. Behind the spacious building’s reception area is a large, glass-enclosed showroom and fitness center. Employees – 110 at press time – are encouraged to exercise by earning points toward Leisure Fitness apparel when they work out. Katina makes fitness a big part of her life, too. She exercises five days a week by running outside, using her Arc Trainer elliptical machine and lifting weights. As company president, Katina has moved from the day-to-day operations to building and expanding the company. She still works 12-hour days. Her father says she’s always concentrating on her business. “She doesn’t stop now. Saturday and Sunday, she doesn’t have time to play,” he says. “She’s always thinking of it, always working on it. If you are sitting down, talking to her, her mind is somewhere else and she starts jotting down notes to herself.” “I feel like we are in the height of our business right now,” Katina says. “I don’t want to let off the pedal.” Mon, 7 Jun 2007 13:50:00 GMT http://leisurefitness.obriandesign/com/news/9 General News http://www.LeisureFitness.com/news/website/index.asp By Eileen Dalabrida Business Ledger Katina Geralis knows it takes a lot of sweat to build a successful business. She took her company, Leisure Fitness, from her garage to a 30,000-square-foot headquarters in Newark, racking up $30 million in sales last year and becoming the nation’s top dealer in Precor and Nautilus equipment. She was profiled in the first issue of The Business Ledger. Geralis’ formula of setting lofty goals and motivating employees made her the Small Business Administration’s choice for the 2004 Entrepreneurial Success Award for Delaware. “Leisure Fitness’ rapid growth is a testament to Katina Geralis’ extraordinary entrepreneurial drive and vision,” said Jayne Armstrong, director of SBA’s Delaware district office. “I have been exposed to a lot of successful businesses throughout my economic development career, but I have never been more impressed than I was when I toured Leisure Fitness.” Today, Leisure Fitness operates 11 retail locations, with plans to open four more stores this year. Sales in 2004 are projected at $38 million. The company goal is to hit the $50 million mark in 2005. Goals are an important part of the corporate culture at Leisure Fitness, where the business model was inspired by two best sellers: Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey and Good to Great by Jim Collins. Taking a page from Covey, Geralis and her team set WIGS or “wildly important goals.” Those goals are: To be No. 1 in the Mid-Atlantic; have customers for life; and build and maintain an all-star team. Each of the more than 100 employees at Leisure Fitness is charged with supporting goals. On the executive level, business decisions are made by a team. There’s a six-member leadership team; the management team is comprised of the leaders and eight others. To nurture a positive work environment, Leisure Fitness hosts monthly team-building parties, a big summer bash for employees and their families and a year-end holiday celebration. The company offers a 50-percent match on its 401(k) plan, an employee fitness center and generous leave policy. That commitment to employees pays off. When Leisure Fitness experiences the challenges that come with rapid growth, team members step up to the plate to get the job done. “The best part is making a difference in people’s lives and giving them more opportunity than they could ever imagine, providing a wonderful place to work where they are appreciated, rewarded – and they have fun,” Geralis said. “It truly is an honor to work with them everyday.” Geralis, 41, holds a degree in physical education studies from the University of Delaware. Her entrepreneurial personality led her first into sales of fitness equipment, working out of a converted chicken coop in Middletown. Next, she went into project management with Emory Hill and then back into fitness as a manager for Fitness Concepts, running a 2,000-square-foot operation on Kirkwood Highway in Wilmington. But she wasn’t getting a big enough slice of the pie working for other fitness companies. And she was laid off from the construction company when building slipped into the doldrums of the early 1990s. Geralis’ solution was to go into business for herself, founding Leisure Fitness in 1995 with the help of a $100,000 loan from the SBA. “The most rewarding part of being an entrepreneur is being in control of my own destiny, making it happen every day,” she said. “It’s winning, being number one, staying on top and meeting with success, having a vision of what something can be and making it happen.” Armstrong said Geralis and entrepreneurs like her are leading the way in a surge of women-owned businesses. “Women are the fastest growing segment in business,” Armstrong noted. “They are redefining the glass ceiling by leaving corporate America to start their own businesses.” At Leisure Fitness, the mix currently stands at 60 percent retail, 40 percent commercial clients, including MBNA, Hotel DuPont and local YMCAs. All service and installation is handled in-house. On the retail front, the inventory at each store is customized to meet the demographic of that specific market, based on purchases of primary and secondary customers. Leisure Fitness built its network of stores with an unconventional approach. In each new market, the company sent in sales representatives to stimulate interest before committing to brick and mortar – instead of building stores and then starting to sell. The four new stores slated to open this year will be in the New Jersey and Washington D.C. markets. Four more stores are projected for 2005. The company is also looking ahead in its response to concerns that America’s children are growing fat and out of shape. Leisure Fitness now carries a line of youth equipment, including small treadmills. Overall, the company carries products from more than 50 vendors. “Leisure Fitness is a great example of how small businesses continue to drive the American economy,” Armstrong said. Mon, 7 Jun 2007 13:50:00 GMT http://leisurefitness.obriandesign/com/news/10 General News http://www.LeisureFitness.com/news/website/index.asp By Robin Brown The News Journal Nine years ago, Katina Geralis was a University of Delaware graduate with a bachelor of science in physical education, an idea and a garage where she could work. That combination has blossomed into Leisure Fitness, which is poised to hit the $50 million-a-year mark in fitness equipment sales and service. With Geralis’ attention to a corporate culture of training, leadership and employee recognition, the Newark-based company also has flexed its way into a double win in this year’s Best in the Business awards. Judges chose Leisure Fitness not only as the best place to work in the retail sector, but also recognized as a company to watch because of rapid success and projected growth. Only three years ago, the company moved from it’s 7,000-square-foot corporate headquarters and warehouse into a custom 30,000-sqare-foot facility. Thriving with a strategy of representing new innovative products to stay once step ahead of fitness trends, Leisure Fitness has more than doubled it’s facilities since then. More expansion is on the horizon, with plans for additional retail and warehouse space in nearby states. Leisure Fitness’ aim is to double its business volume in the next 5 years. Inside the company, there is an employee-supportive atmosphere that includes awards programs, leadership training efforts, a company newsletter, family activities and special events said Bryanne Harris, project manager of the marketing department. It’s a work hard, play hard kind of place and, she said. Harris said she and other employees appreciate Geralis’ stewardship of the company’s top-notch corporate atmosphere, characterized by her open door policy and commitment to coaching. “In addition to high-level skill training within each department,” she said, “all members of the management team as well as key members of the sales, marketing and logistics teams complete annual training programs in principle-centered leadership, time management and interdependence.” Harris said another aspect that makes Leisure Fitness a model work place is it’s commitment to community involvement, including partnerships with YMCA’s, sponsorship of sports teams and donation of exercise equipment to the Delaware State Police. “It’s wonderful for us, especially because staying in shape is an integral part of our profession,” said state police spokeswoman Cpl. Helen Ann C. Zane. Harris said that knowing they promote fitness – improving the health and quality of life for Delawareans – is as much a source of pride for employees as recognition of a job well done, which ranges from frequent high-fives among the staff to formal programs such as an annual awards banquet. Mon, 7 Jun 2007 13:50:00 GMT http://leisurefitness.obriandesign/com/news/11 Press Releases http://www.LeisureFitness.com/news/website/index.asp LEADING FITNESS EQUIPMENT RETAILER EXPANDS Leisure Fitness doubles the size of its corporate headquarters NEWARK, DE – Leisure Fitness, a leading supplier of brand-name home and commercial exercise equipment, announces its move into a new state-of-the-art 70,000 square foot corporate headquarters. The new corporate headquarters features a 40,000 square foot warehouse, a 3,500 square foot commercial equipment showroom / employee fitness center, and state-of-the-art audio/visual technology in the 1,400 square foot “mega conference room” that doubles as an employee training center. “We’re very excited about moving into the new corporate headquarters,” says Matt Torggler, Vice President for Leisure Fitness. “The new building has allowed us to expand our infrastructure to support the tremendous growth of our business over the past five years. Our employees and our customers benefit from this new facility.” Leisure Fitness is the brainchild of Silver Spring, MD native Katina Geralis. After graduating from the University of Delaware with a degree in physical education studies, Geralis worked in fitness sales for several years before starting the company in her garage in 1995. “My passion lies in helping people achieve their health and fitness goals by giving them access to quality exercise equipment that fits their lifestyle,” says Geralis. “That’s why I started the company.” From those humble beginnings, Geralis has taken Leisure Fitness to new heights as a woman-owned business in a male-dominated industry. With roughly $50 million in sales last year, the company continues to be the nation’s top dealer in Precor fitness equipment. A customer favorite since the opening of its first store, Leisure Fitness has won numerous awards for outstanding customer service. Customer satisfaction continues to be the foundation for the company’s success. Leisure Fitness sells both home and commercial fitness equipment. In addition to the company’s sixteen retail stores, Leisure Fitness maintains a commercial sales force throughout New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. MON, 7 Jun 2007 13:50:00 GMT http://leisurefitness.obriandesign/com/news/12 Press Releases http://www.LeisureFitness.com/news/website/index.asp NEWARK, DE – Leisure Fitness Equipment, a leading supplier of home and commercial exercise equipment, announces the opening of 3 new fitness equipment stores: TIMONIUM, MD (New Store #9) 2080 York Road, Suite 140 * 443-318-0282 Located in the Timonium Crossing Shopping Center MONTGOMERYVILLE, PA (New Store #10) 1460 Bethlehem Pike * 267-708-0211 Located in the NEW Shoppes at English Village PRINCETON, NJ (New Store #11) 3321 Brunswick Pike * 800-517-5744 Located across from the Quaker Bridge Mall Founded in 1995 by Katina Geralis, Leisure Fitness has experienced phenomenal growth, driven by customer demand. What began as one woman’s vision of a healthy community has grown into a company’s commitment to the health and fitness of all communities. The opening of these 3 new stores represents a major milestone in Leisure Fitness’ plan to be the largest distributor of specialty fitness equipment in the Mid-Atlantic. “When I opened Leisure Fitness, I didn’t do it for money or recognition,” states Geralis, Leisure Fitness President. “I did it because fitness is my passionand I wanted to make it available to people.” Geralis continues, “I never imagined that in my quest, a bigger company would emerge, dedicated to serving the needs of home and commercial buyers throughout a 5-state region.” A customer favorite since the opening of its first store, Leisure Fitness has won numerous awards for outstanding customer service. Customer satisfaction continues to be the foundation for the company’s success. Leisure Fitness sells both home and commercial fitness equipment. In addition to the company’s 11 retail stores, Leisure Fitness maintains a commercial sales force throughout New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC. Mon, 12 Jan 2004 13:50:00 GMT http://leisurefitness.obriandesign/com/news/13 Press Releases http://www.LeisureFitness.com/news/website/index.asp On the move in the East, Leisure Fitness has acquired the two Fitness Superstore outlets in the Philadelphia area, reaching 14 stores so far this year. "It was a classic win-win," James Bond, Leisure's retail director told SNEWS®. "It was quick. It was territory we needed…. It really rounds out our Philadelphia stores." Meanwhile, Superstore founder Joe Alter, focusing in the last few years on his Evo Fitness retail equipment brand as well as is Smooth Fitness Internet brand, will maintain distribution of his products in the stores. "It's a natural fit," Alter said. "We weren't interested in a retail business very much anymore, and it was such a small piece of our revenue. It makes sense to partner with one of the biggest retailers in the region." Financial details of the agreement were not disclosed, although both said the two stores -- in Cherry Hill, N.J., and in King of Prussia, Penn., -- will continue to carry the Evo line. Plus, Leisure will get a feeling for the equipment brand, decide how it fits with its current product line, and expand placement of it into a selection of its other stores, Bond said. Fitness Superstore started as a retailer in the area in 1985, but moved in 1997 into manufacturing and equipment, first through its smoothfitness.com Internet brand, then with its brick-and-mortar Evo brand in January 2002. Alter said the Evo brand is picking up dealers, distribution and percentage, will increase its booth size at the Health and Fitness Business show in Denver in August, and will show a line of new elliptical models, including commercial product. "We're going after that full-blown, equipment-abusive club market," he said. The deal happened quickly, both said, with talks barely starting about 60-90 days when both heard through the grapevine that they should talk. The deal itself closed in mid-June. The acquisition takes Leisure Fitness to 14 stores, but No. 15, which will be in Maryland, is already under construction and slated for a mid-September opening. Mon, 7 Jun 2007 13:50:00 GMT http://leisurefitness.obriandesign/com/news/14