Fitness Together Franchisees Launches Type 2 Diabetes Study in Massachusetts and Rhode Island

BOSTON, Mass. - Some of the newest clients exercising at area Fitness Together franchised studios in Massachusetts and Rhode Island are doing more than stepping on a scale to chart their progress. They're giving blood.

They are part of a type 2 diabetes observational study being conducted by area Fitness Together studios to examine the impact of a 26-week individualized fitness training program. Regular blood glucose tests with a small prick on the finger are as important as the exercise in measuring safe success.

"Diabetes is a major health issue affecting more than 24 million Americans, and our franchisees have told us they are happy to have a chance to make a difference," says Jeff Jervik, president and CEO of Fitness Together Holdings, Inc.

Fitness Together studios are welcoming a minimum of 50 subjects to the program and will share the results with the American Diabetes Association (ADA) of Eastern New England where the Fitness Together franchise group is also the Official Health and Fitness Sponsor for the ADA's Step Out: Walk to Fight Diabetes.

In one of the largest research projects of its kind, 42 Fitness Together studios have assembled across Massachusetts and Rhode Island to enlist men and women over the age of 30 who have been clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and are more than 30 pounds overweight. They will be monitored a Certified Diabetes Educator as well as Fitness Together studio personal trainers.

"Through this study, we will better understand the impact of diet and exercise on diabetes control, high blood pressure, one's sense of well-being and the costs of medications," explains Joan Hill, Registered Dietitian, Certified Diabetes Educator and Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist (RD, CDE, LDN).

"The mission of the ADA is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes. We are supportive of the Fitness Together franchise group's efforts to gather information for a better understanding on how working with a personal trainer can motivate those with diabetes to improve their control," said Chris Boynton, executive director for the Eastern New England area of the American Diabetes Association.

From July through December, the Fitness Together studios will chart weight loss and conduct A1c tests, which measure one's average blood glucose level and helps track if people are at risk of complications due to uncontrolled diabetes. The studios will also track blood pressure, medication use and sense of well-being before and after test results and look for indicators of significant health improvements from the clients. People with type 2 diabetes who wish to be part of the study should locate participating studios online.

Each client who signs up for the type 2 diabetes study must be cleared by a doctor to exercise and must agree to six-months of observation for the following:

• resistance training three times a week with a personal trainer in the studio
• cardiovascular exercise a minimum of three times a week in the studio
• an initial fitness evaluation followed by fitness re-tests every six weeks
• documenting of all meals in a nutrition journal
• frequent blood glucose checks at Fitness Together

In the help to fight diabetes, the Fitness Together studio franchise owners have also pledged to raise a minimum of $40,000 for the ADA Eastern New England Chapter. To join the cause, you can make a donation at participating studios at the "Cardio for a Cure" link in cooperation with the ADA.

About Fitness Together Holdings, Inc.:

Based in Highlands Ranch, Colo., Fitness Together Holdings, Inc., is one of the world's largest wellness organizations. The parent company oversees Fitness Together Franchise Corporation, a one-on-one personal training fitness franchisor established in 1983 that began franchising in 1996, and Elements Therapeutic Massage, Inc., a massage therapy franchisor that began franchising in 2006. Today, the combined franchise network has hundreds of franchises sold across the United States, Costa Rica, Brazil, Israel, Ireland, and Canada. Fitness Together Holdings, Inc. is not an official sponsor of the diabetes test in which Fitness Together franchise owners are participating, but are supportive of their involvement.

Franchise Information:

Fitness Together and Elements Therapeutic Massage are each actively selling franchises.