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Did you hear?...Health magazine announces fitness/gear award winners
Jul 2, 2009
Now well-established, the fifth-annual Health magazine awards for fitness and gear for active people include a number of core manufacturers from both outdoor and fitness. Called “America’s Healthiest Fitness Awards,” the awards pick top products in six categories, including fitness equipment, apparel, shoes, gear, fuel and DVDs.
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SNEWS View: Is the fitness industry killing its own show?
Jul 1, 2009
Rumors and questions about the potential demise of the Health & Fitness Business show started filtering into the SNEWS® offices as early as last fall, but the ol' rumor mill ramped up into high gear in the last few weeks. It began to feel like a junior high school dance. Sorry, not even mature enough for a high school analogy. Everybody is buzzing about whether the other person was going, then nixing attendance for fear they'd be the "only" ones there. Like a speeding swirl of water rushing down a toilet bowl, so the industry has started to flush its own show into oblivion. Is that a cold slap in the face? You bet it is.
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Power Players' Lounge: Opportunity knocks -- do you hear it?
Jul 1, 2009
Each week, through the end of October 2009, a new column will be posted to the Power Players' Lounge. It's intended to be a place where our industry friends can gather to read and hopefully discuss ideas for improving business -- especially important during these challenging economic times. We encourage you to interact with others while hanging out in the Power Players' Lounge and it's our hope their columns will inspire imagination and debate.
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LeMond Fitness returns blow in court battle with Life Fitness
Jun 29, 2009
In a legal fisticuff that began the end of May, LeMond Fitness has delivered a return right hook to Life Fitness, filing a suit against the behemoth company in federal court charging breach of contract over Life's multi-million suit that claimed LeMond's cycles were "lemons."
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Business Solutions Forum: It seems my biz life is one emergency after another…how do I break the cycle?
Jun 29, 2009
Our Business Solutions Forum tackles the issues presented by retailers and business executives: I recognize the need to focus on the big picture, but everyday when I walk into work I am confronted with a non-stop stream of emergencies. I never have the luxury of spending time on the things that will make my business more successful in the future. How can I break this vicious cycle?
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Health & Fitness Business '09: Education, service and products all coming to Denver's last dance. Are you?
Jun 29, 2009
In what is likely the last time around for the Health & Fitness Business Expo in Denver after more than a decade, show organizers have put together a menu of exhibitors, education, service, parties and other networking opportunities for the Aug. 6-7, 2009, show.
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Will we be holding a Retailer of the Year party in your store? If you're one of the best, we will
Jun 29, 2009
Last year, SNEWS® and Backpacker put out a call for nominations seeking the best outdoor retailers in the United States. The response was overwhelming -- but that was 2008. This is 2009 and we are putting out the call for nominations again. Do you think your store is worthy? Do your customers? Will we be holding a customer-appreciation party in your store to celebrate next year? Only if you are nominated because you have to be nominated to win.
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Fitness financials: Hibbett shares dip after analyst downgrade, plus Sport Chalet, Finish Line
Jun 29, 2009
Hibbett shares dip after analyst downgrade. Sport Chalet Q4 sales drop 12.7 percent, reports loss. Finish Line swings to Q1 loss.
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Outdoor financials: Sport Chalet Q4 sales drop 12.7 percent, plus Hibbett Sports
Jun 29, 2009
For both the fourth quarter and FY 2009, Sport Chalet (Nasdaq: SPCHA and SPCHB) reported decreases in sales as well as a net loss hurt by "macro economic conditions." Plus, Hibbett shares dip after analyst downgrade.
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SCAM Alert: Did you book your hotel rooms at OR or HFB with Travel House Services?
Jun 26, 2009
If you or anyone at your company booked hotel rooms for either Outdoor Retailer Summer Market or Health & Fitness Business for 2009 using Travel House Services (www.travelhouseservices.com), your room reservations do not exist and you do not yet have hotel rooms for either show -- even though your credit card has likely been charged!
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Makoto Xergame
Jun 29, 2009
When the current owners of Makoto USA saw the game that would become Makoto at an arcade in 2002, they immediately realized its potential to provide both physical and mental fitness for anyone, from athletes to the elderly to folks in rehab. The SNEWS® team first saw a Makoto at the Health & Fitness Business show in Denver several years ago and, after playing it (over and over, we must admit), we had to get one for the office.

Coleman LED Quad Lantern
Jun 22, 2009
Pardon the pun, but Coleman's LED Quad Lantern presents one of the brightest ideas we've seen when it comes to lighting. It's unique because the body of the lantern has four detachable panels, each of which has six 5 mm, white LED lights. We tested the lantern during several car-camping trips and found that it was really handy when we had several people sharing a campsite.

Teva Sunkosi 2 water shoe
Jun 15, 2009
As a concept, water shoes are a fine idea. But we've suffered painful scrapes and blisters from poorly designed amphibious footwear, and frowned over many models that didn't dry as quickly as advertised. But Teva's Sunkosi 2 performed well, and proved to be exceptionally comfortable during numerous paddling trips, including an 18-day rafting journey down the Grand Canyon. Our testers said these shoes were not only easy on the feet, but they were also some of the most durable water shoes they've worn.

WS 100 endurance run observations: Product, privacy and sloshing packs
Jul 1, 2009
"I was hanging out helping brain-dead runners summit the Devil’s Thumb climb in the Western States 100 last Saturday, June 27. It’s a nasty, rocky, 1,500 foot climb over 1.8 miles that comes for most in the hottest part of the day. And it was pretty hot, dry and dusty last weekend. As I escorted runner after runner from the top to the medical aid weigh-in, got their bottles and packs refilled, and made sure they were in OK shape for the remaining 52.2 miles, I found myself taking a look at the apparel, gear, food and product they all had. OK, SNEWS® is sick. We are always looking at brands."
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Sleeping bag manufacturers provide technical and durable features at a reasonable price point.
Jun 27, 2009
In the SNEWS Outdoor 2009 Magazine, our coverage of the hardgoods market included a trends and product report on tents and packs debuting for the spring 2010 season. Below, is the latest on the sleeping bags segment that was not included in the magazine. As with tents and backpacks, weight remains a key selling point for sleeping bags. Keep your eyes peeled for new collections, as well as updates to lines that have sold well for the past few years.
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Young Guns: Peek into the minds of designers whose innovative ideas are changing the industry
Jun 27, 2009
What will outdoor gear look like in the future? Peek into the minds of these designers whose innovative ideas are changing the industry. Originally published in the SNEWS Outdoor Summer '09 magazine, this special web feature includes two additional profiles of designers Tae Kim and Alan Yiu, as well as expanded coverage from each designer -- Hanna Boone, Josh Guyot, Ian Iverson, and Chris Miksovsky -- voicing his or her perspective on the outdoor industry's future. Also, look into the world of Project OR and its influence on student designers in a special added feature.
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Minx GTX
Apr 25, 2009
TheNorth Face Minx GTX is a perfect lightweight trail shoe for hikers who want to move quickly.

Stretch Diad Jacket
Apr 25, 2009
Designed for mountaineering and other sports in which weight and space are crucial, The North Face Stretch Diad is a waterproof, breathable jacket.

Mo Room™ Tent 2P & 3P
Dec 16, 2008
The Mo Room tent (2P and 3P) is the epitome of livability.

Purchasing and Inventory Manager - Osprey Packs
Listed - 07/03/2009

Velo Vie Bicycles - Velo Vie Bicycles
Listed - 07/02/2009

Accounting - Niner Bikes
Listed - 07/02/2009

Category Business Manager, Top-of-Car - Yakima Products, Inc.
Listed - 07/02/2009

Kodiak Boots / Terra Footwear / Unity - Kodiak-Terra USA, Inc.
Listed - 07/01/2009

Mechanical Draftsperson - Crank Brothers
Listed - 06/25/2009

Retail Store Manager- Lincoln City, OR - Columbia Sportswear Company
Listed - 06/23/2009

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Think About It: OIWC asks, what is the best way to get what you want?
Jun 17, 2009
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You are more important than “just a….”
Jun 17, 2009
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SNEWS Mini-Survey gives glimpse at how stores view customer buying motivation
Jun 15, 2009
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Boulder Outdoor Specialty Group grows design team, brings R&D in-house
Jul 1, 2009
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Highgear Receives Health 2009 America's Healthiest Fitness Award
Jul 1, 2009
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Hydration at Elevation: nuun and Mountain Madness Team Up
Jul 1, 2009
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Makoto Xergame
June 29, 2009
When the current owners of Makoto USA saw the game that would become Makoto at an arcade in 2002, they immediately realized its potential to provide both physical and mental fitness for anyone, from athletes to the elderly to folks in rehab. The SNEWS® team first saw a Makoto at the Health & Fitness Business show in Denver several years ago and, after playing it (over and over, we must admit), we had to get one for the office.
See all Product Reviews

SNEWS Readers' Choice: Our readers pick their top 25 products of the last quarter-century
Jun 22, 2009
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Grassroots Outdoor Alliance's Early Show offers early preview of trends and potential top sellers
Jun 19, 2009
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Outdoor Retailer Winter Market ’09: You want new and cool?
Mar 23, 2009
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Outdoor Retailer Winter Market '09: Layer up
Mar 4, 2009
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Outdoor Retailer Winter Market '09: Outerwear makers shell out jackets and pants -- and kids get in on the action too
Feb 27, 2009
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Outdoor industry rugby players unite for match against Utah locals during Outdoor Retailer
May 27, 2009
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SCAM Alert: Did you book your hotel rooms at OR or HFB with Travel House Services?
Jun 26, 2009
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EU iodine ban worries -- SNEWS provides the facts
Jun 26, 2009
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Business Solutions Forum: It seems my biz life is one emergency after another…how do I break the cycle?
Jun 29, 2009
Read story

Power Players' Lounge: Opportunity knocks -- do you hear it?
Jul 1, 2009
Read story

WS 100 endurance run observations: Product, privacy and sloshing packs
"I was hanging out helping brain-dead runners summit the Devil’s Thumb climb in the Western States 100 last Saturday, June 27. It’s a nasty, rocky, 1,500 foot climb over 1.8 miles that comes for most in the hottest part of the day. And it was pretty hot, dry and dusty last weekend. As I escorted runner after runner from the top to the medical aid weigh-in, got their bottles and packs refilled, and"

Read Comments

"denver show " by fabio ravasi (07/03/2009 16:22 MDT)
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"HFB " by John Price (07/02/2009 10:03 MDT)
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"Denver show. " by Dan Sharshel (07/02/2009 09:14 MDT)
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