Norm Cates

■Hello Everybody! This is your Club Insider Publisher and Tribal Leader checking in with our 295th monthly edition. Yahoo... here we GO!

■I'm very sad to report that FRED STRECK, the one person I attribute my involvement in our great industry to because he helped me and our other two partners, RICH BOGGS and RAY IRWIN, get our CourtSouth chain of nine racquetball sports clubs off the ground here in the Atlanta area way back in 1977. I've written a report on Fred's passing, and it appears on Page #3. I also want to express my sincere condolences to Fred's wife, JUDY, his two grown children, DANIELLE STRECK MUSOF and CARL STRECK, and his grandchildren, for the loss of their beloved Dad and Grandfather. May Fred Streck Rest In Peace.

■Is America a great country, or what? I want to take a little time today to apologize to our international subscribers, because last month, I wrote in these Norm's Notes: "I love America!" without mentioning those countries. The reason I'm apologizing here today is not because I wrote those words, because I do LOVE America, as I'm sure many of you do, too, but because I didn't mention the fact that I also love you folks in Canada, Mexico, South America, Europe and other countries around the world where we have paid subscribers to Club Insider. I believe you're all doing great things for your members and their families in your clubs, and for that, I TIP MY HAT TO YOU ALL!

■PLANET FITNESS received some nice coverage in an article written by AIMEE BLANCHETTE of the Minneapolis Star Tribune with the June 26th article headline where it was published in The Atlanta Journal Constitution reading: They like 'dad bods,' they cannot lie. The Author explained the results of a study commissioned and conducted by Planet Fitness, which concludes that, "Acceptance of the male physique that suggests, 'I work out occasionally, but also eat a lot of pizza,' is on the rise. Moreover, the study says, 'Not only are dad bods becoming more common, but women actually find men with softer stomachs more attractive than guys with rock hard abs,' says JAIMIE MEDEIROS, Vice President of Marketing at Planet Fitness, in a news release promoting a $10 calendar with monthly tips for 'working your dad bod.'" Author Blanchette added, "While it seems unusual for a fitness company to celebrate the mediocrity of the average male physique, the New Hampshire-based company prides itself in offering a welcoming, non-intimidating environment, which it calls the 'Judgement Free Zone.'" The study also found six other conclusions and featured a photo of movie star LEONARDO DiCAPRIO. If you want to read the entire article with the other six conclusions, send me an email at email@example.com, and I'll send you a copy.

■Speaking of PLANET FITNESS, in July 11th's Club Insider Weekly Edition, which arrives 3-4 times a month, and is well-produced by my partner and son, JUSTIN CATES, we published a Planet Fitness Press Release announcing, "that certain of its subsidiaries intend to complete a refinancing of their existing senior secured credit facilities with a new securitized financing facility." If you missed that announcement, we've published it for you again on Page #30.
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