DALLAS, Oct. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- With 65 percent of Americans considered overweight or obese and the epidemic of diabetes continuing to plague our society, Gold's Gym International, a National Strategic Partner of the American Diabetes Association (ADA), has made a corporate commitment to fight diabetes with fitness.

Starting November 1st, in conjunction with the launch of ADA's new "I Decide to Fight Diabetes" campaign and American Diabetes Month, Gold's Gym is unveiling a special online diabetes fitness center that provides free fitness information to anyone affected by the disease. Located at http://www.goldsgym.com/diabetes, its goal is to show Americans how to start an exercise program and incorporate fitness into their lifestyle.

"Diabetes is one of the biggest health crisis' facing our country today and we are taking action to turn this epidemic around," said Gene LaMott, president and CEO of Gold's Gym International. "Even a moderate amount of exercise can control diabetes or prevent type 2 diabetes all together. We're offering our resources and more than 40 years of expertise to help people develop a simple, easy to follow plan that can save their life."

At the heart of the new online fitness resource center is a special "Get Started" guide developed by Gold's Gym that shows consumers how to start an exercise program and stick to it. Whether you're new to exercise or need a little encouragement to restart a fitness regimen, the guide gives consumers the power to take control of the disease. From goal setting to recommendations on strength training and cardiovascular exercise, the guide offers something for anyone affected by diabetes.

Consumers visiting goldsgym.com/diabetes will also find a link to ADA's online risk assessment, free passes to their local Gold's Gym, success stories and a wealth of fitness, motivation and health tips written by the world famous Gold's Gym Fitness Institute.

"We know from research that 30 minutes of physical activity a day, at least five days a week, can help in delaying or preventing the onset of type 2 diabetes," said Lynn Nicholas, FACHE, CEO of the American Diabetes Association. "We also know that many people want to start a program for increasing their level of physical activity, but simply don't know where to begin. This can help provide people with a road map to learn about ways they can increase physical activity every day -- whether they are at home, on the road or in a gym."

In addition to the online resource center, Gold's Gyms across the country will be opening their doors throughout the month of November to anyone affected by diabetes to offer free fitness education. This includes open houses, free tours of the facilities, free fitness assessments and/or free passes to work out. Consumers are encouraged to visit goldsgym.com or call their local Gold's Gym to learn what activities they have planned for American Diabetes Month.

The November campaign represents another collaboration between Gold's Gym and the American Diabetes Association. In 2006, Gold's Gym became a National Strategic Partner of the Association and sponsors ADA's signature cycling event, Tour de Cure. This year, Gold's Gym finished the year as the nation's top fundraising team by raising over $600,000 in support of the Association's mission.

More than 75 million Americans are affected by diabetes. It is estimated that nearly 21 million have the disease and another 54 million have pre-diabetes. Even more alarming, recent statistics show that one in three children born today will develop diabetes in their lifetime.

About Gold's Gym

Established in Venice, Calif. in 1965, Gold's Gym is the largest co-ed gym chain in the world with more than 600 locations in 43 states and 25 countries. For more information about Gold's Gym, please visit http://www.goldsgym.com/ or call 1-800-99-GOLDS.

About the ADA

For more information on American Diabetes Month please call the American Diabetes Association at 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) or visit http://www.diabetes.org/.

CONTACT: Dave Reiseman of Gold's Gym, +1-214-296-5062,
dreiseman@goldsgym.com; or Sequoia Clare, +1-310-392-4244, sclare@riester.com,
for Gold's Gym

Web site: http://www.goldsgym.com/
http://www.goldsgym.com/diabetes
http://www.diabetes.org/