Urban Active’s Stimulus Package Offers Free Workouts for 14 Days Throughout March to Help Keep People Strong During These Stressful Economic Times

Lexington, KY, March 07, 2009 --(PR.com)-- According to the National Coalition on Health Care, more than 25 percent said that housing problems resulted from medical debt, including the inability to make rent or mortgage payments and the development of bad credit ratings. About 1.5 million families lose their homes to foreclosure every year due to unaffordable medical costs. All of these facts coupled with the government’s second stimulus package (estimated at over $787 Billion,) the high unemployment rate, declining net-worth due to the economy’s uncertainty is wreaking havoc on many people’s health and overall well-being.

For years, we have all been made aware by experts and researchers that long-term stress can cause serious health problems. The most common stress effect is known as the silent killer, high blood pressure as well as, heart disease, depression and a whole array of other health problems.

The American Council on Exercise reminds Americans that one of the most effective methods of stress relief is exercise. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Association endorses exercise and recommends cardiovascular activity that elevates the heart rate for 15 to 30 minutes - three to four times per week, to alleviate stress.

Exercise is a form of preventative medicine that research has shown can lower the risk of many chronic diseases, improve overall health and help stave off the effects of aging, arthritis, cancer diabetes, heart disease, obesity, depression and osteoporosis.

There is also substantial evidence that physically fit people have less extreme physiological responses when under pressure than those who are not. This means that fit people are more able to handle the long- term effects of stress, without suffering ill health or burnout.

In a 2008 study, participants who averaged at least 2 health club visits per week over years incurred at least $1,252 less in health care costs in year 2 than did those who visited on average less than once per week. Urban Active’s stimulus package hopes to help get people to adopt a healthier lifestyle that will not only make them feel great, but save them lots of money in health care costs.

Urban Active is offering Free workouts for 14 days throughout March to help its communities get and stay strong to face any challenges that come their way without the implications of stress induced illnesses.

To find an Urban Active nearest you, please visit www.urbanactive.com. For more information about the studies and sources used in this press release, go to www.ihrsa.org/healthresources. The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) is a not-for-profit trade association representing health and fitness facilities, gyms, spas, sports clubs, and suppliers worldwide.

For media clearance, please contact Silvie Bordeaux at 818.205.9673 or Bordeauxprr@aol.com

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