A new trend is keeping adult millennials — the generation of Americans born roughly between 1980 and 2000 — in good shape: for-profit businesses that run adult sports leagues. Popping up around the country, such businesses set up teams, arrange for referees, and coordinate practice and game sites. Customers sign up as part of a team or as free agents, with costs running anywhere from $50 per person to $90 per person for a season. Eric Willin, COO of EZFacility, a sports business software provider in Woodbury, New York, says that such for-profit leagues are a natural fit for millennials. “Members of the millennial generation tend to have grown up with schedules packed with extracurricular sports,” he says. “They learned…

The Florida Gators, the University of Florida’s intercollegiate football team, recently announced plans to construct a $15 million indoor practice facility. Currently the only team in the Southeastern Conference league to lack designated indoor practice space, the Gators were forced to miss 30 practices in 2014 because of weather-related events. The new facility will house a 120-yard synthetic turf field, additional space for practice drills, three camera platforms, satellite training-room facilities, equipment storage, and restrooms. “It’s crucial for a top-tier college athletic center to offer indoor practice space,” says Eric Willin, Chief Operating Officer, of EZFacility, a sports facility management software developer in Woodbury, New York. “The world of major collegiate sports is ultra-competitive. For a team like the Gators…

Anytime Fitness, in partnership with the Minnesota-based nonprofit Tee It Up for the Troops, recently launched Operation Heartfirst, a program that supports veterans who want to open their own Anytime Fitness franchises. The program offers honorably discharged veterans a $125,000 grant and a $125,000 loan as start-up capital for the development of an Anytime Fitness Franchise. The program also waives Anytime Fitness’s initial franchise fee and ongoing royalty payments. It allows selected franchisees the opportunity to determine the precise location of their gyms. “Operation Heartfirst is an innovative program in which all involved parties win,” said Eric Willin, COO, of EZFacility, a gym management software developer in Woodbury, New York. “It’s unconscionable that the unemployment rate for military veterans is…

A new indoor ice center slated to open in the Bronx, New York, in 2017 will generate more than $1.7 billion in economic benefits to the surrounding community, according to a study recently released by the center’s developer. If built according to plans, the 750,000-square-foot facility, known as the Kingsbridge National Ice Center, will become the largest of its kind, hosting nine indoor ice rinks and a giant community center. The facility will occupy an existing building, the Kingsbridge Armory, which has stood vacant since 1996. Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter, spokesperson for the Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance, called the ice center “a game changer” for the neighborhood. She said, “We’re on the cusp of creating a new economy for the Northwest Bronx.”…

A new indoor ice center slated to open in the Bronx, New York, in 2017 will generate more than $1.7 billion in economic benefits to the surrounding community, according to a study recently released by the center’s developer. If built according to plans, the 750,000-square-foot facility, known as the Kingsbridge National Ice Center, will become the largest of its kind, hosting nine indoor ice rinks and a giant community center. The facility will occupy an existing building, the Kingsbridge Armory, which has stood vacant since 1996. Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter, spokesperson for the Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance, called the ice center “a game changer” for the neighborhood. She said, “We’re on the cusp of creating a new economy for the Northwest Bronx.”…

In recent years, the fitness industry has seen a surge in popularity of mud-runs and obstacle course races. Exercise enthusiasts are drawn in by the unique experiences, sense of accomplishment and camaraderie with fellow competitors at these events. With the rise of big name competitions such as The Warrior Dash, Spartan Race and Tough Mudder (just to name a few), clubs and gyms need to assume many of their clients will want to compete. According to RACKED.com, Tough Mudder alone has had over 1.5 million participants since it began in 2010 and it is estimated that roughly 15,000 people participate in each event. Fitness businesses can capitalize on this increasing popularity by offering programs specifically catered to these challenges. Although…

Markham, ON (May 22, 2015) - Jonas Software has announced the acquisition of Apps That Fit LLC "MiGym", provider of a market leading mobile app for the fitness industry in North America. MiGym provides gyms, health clubs and fitness businesses with a self-branded app that their members download and use to stay in touch with the club, check-in to the facility, book classes, refer new members, and more. With the acquisition of Apps That Fit LLC "MiGym", Jonas Software now boasts over 50 independently operating brands within 12 different markets. About Jonas Software Jonas Software is the leading provider of enterprise management software solutions to 10 different vertical markets throughout the world. With 47 distinct brands operating within these 10 vertical…

Members of Congress, after working closely with the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA), an organization of professional athletic trainers and supporters of the profession, recently introduced the Sports Medicine Licensure Clarity Act. The new bill allows athletic trainers and other sports medicine professionals to be covered by medical malpractice insurance as they travel, with athletes under their care, outside of their primary licensure state. Athletic trainers are health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to provide medical health care to athletes. Currently, medical malpractice insurances are not required to provide coverage to athletic trainers and other sports medicine professionals for treating athletes, while outside of their primary licensure state. In other words, these medical professionals are at risk of professional…

Fit3D, the developers of innovative body imaging technology, recently launched their new product that is set to take the field of fitness assessment to the next level. The ProScanner allows the user to see beyond the pounds as they work to achieve their fitness goals. According to Club Solutions, an industry leading fitness magazine, the high-tech measuring system scans the user’s entire body and provides accurate feedback about their fitness progress with a 3D model. The results identify elements that cannot be seen with a common weight scale, such as muscle development, BMI, increased endurance, etc. Ultimately, the state of the art scale allows clients to visually see progress. “This really is the next evolution of fitness assessment.” said Joseph…

A new multi-purpose sports facility, TNT Sportsplex, opened its doors in downtown Kingsport, Tennessee. According to Times News, the new facility spans 30,000 square feet, holds four high school regulation sized basketball courts, and can hold approximately 560 people. The downtown Kingsport facility has been tailored for leagues, tournaments, and camps to accommodate a wide range of sports and activities. In addition, customers have the option to rent courts for a variety of occasions such as birthday parties. The biggest upside, to adding a sports facility to downtown Kingsport, is the new customers and revenue it will bring to local businesses. “TNT Sportsplex is a game changer for the downtown Kingsport area.” said Joseph Rossi, an employee of EZFacility, a…