Fitcorp and Boston Sports Clubs Merger Closing Soon

The deal between Boston Sports Clubs and Fitcorp will be finalized soon. The CEO of Town Sports International (owners of Boston Sports Clubs) said during his April 25th earnings call that the deal will close sometime during the second quarter (which is April, May, and June). This information is from an email we received from Town Sports International’s public relations department after emailing and calling them for two months: “We expect to close on the previously announced Fitcorp transaction during the second quarter. And this will provide us with five more clubs and four managed sites under operation.” Thousands of Bostonians will be affected by this deal, either as members of Boston Sports Clubs or as members of Fitcorp. But even more so for the Fitcorp members who would like to know if their gym will be closing, raising prices, or will be run over with BSC members who can now use the space. We will continue to provide information as we receive it.

So far this year, Americans are exercising less than last year, according to a new survey by Gallup. This April, 52.4 percent of Americans who said they exercised for at least 30 minutes three or more days per week is lower than the 53.9 percent who said so in April 2012. Last year, Americans’ exercise habits improved when it was the warmest year on record since 1895. But, April also broke more than 3,400 cold-weather records across the nation with some cities are still receiving snow in early May so this could be a major factor as to why people are exercising less this year. [Gallup]

Hospital employees cope with the aftermath of treating bombing victims. Caregivers at many of Boston’s world-class hospitals have reported persistent anxiety and sleeplessness. Now that many of the bombing victims have been discharged or moved to a rehab facility, hospitals are now focusing on caring for their own. Mass. General Hospital is providing free yoga, meditation, and massage. Boston Medical Center’s employee assistance program handled five times the typical number of requests for individual counseling in the two weeks following the attack. [Globe]

The new Downtown Crossing Walgreens has a variety of cool features in addition to the sushi that two brave editors tested last week, you can “try on” cosmetics at the Look Boutique counter by using a digital photograph of your face. Walgreens will also be diagnosing and treating patients and there is an Express Rx kiosk where customers can pick up common medications without having to wait for a pharmacist. There is also a Boston Moves for Health kiosk where you can join and track your progress through the city’s health initiative. [Jamaica Plain Patch]