Contours Express Fitness Clubs Offer Osteoporosis Prevention to Members

NICHOLASVILLE, Ky., May 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Ten million people in the United States are currently affected by Osteoporosis, 80% of whom are women. And, according to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, 44 million Americans have the potential to be affected. But, Osteoporosis IS preventable. Contours Express, the country''''s #2 all-women circuit training gym behind industry-leader Curves, provides its members a strength training regimen with weight-bearing equipment which builds bone density and helps to combat osteoporosis by physical means, versus the hydraulic equipment available at Curves. According to leading doctors and the National Osteoporosis Foundation, weight-bearing and resistance-training exercises are among the top five ways to help prevent this disease. "Millions of women in the United States are susceptible to low bone mass and structural deterioration, key symptoms of Osteoporosis -- but, there are ways to help combat this major public health threat," says Dr. Mary Lloyd Ireland, Orthopaedic Surgeon & President, Kentucky Sports Medicine Clinic. "The use of weight-bearing equipment seen at Contours Express' nationwide is a very important physical preventative measure for women of all ages because it improves bone density and lessens the risk of fractures." Osteoporosis, or porous bone, is a disease characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to bone fragility and an increased susceptibility to fractures, especially of the hip, spine and wrist, although any bone can be affected. Luckily, in past years, more and more people have become aware of this disease and are being proactive about prevention. But, there is still room for improvement, and Contours Express -- the ONLY all-women's circuit training gym featuring weight-bearing equipment -- is helping fight the effects of Osteoporosis by providing their members the most effective equipment to build bone density. "Contours Express provides positive and negative resistance on weight-bearing equipment made to fit a woman's physique. The strength training regimen helps women build bone density and prevent osteoporosis, as opposed to the hydraulic equipment provided at Curves," said Bill Helton, President of Contours Express. Dr. Ireland recommends leading a healthy and balanced life of activity with a regimented program like the one featured at Contours Express. She notes that it's important to combine weight-bearing or resistance-training with a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D and a healthy lifestyle (no smoking or excessive alcohol intake). There are several resources available to learn more about Osteoporosis including: http://www.nof.org (National Osteoporosis Foundation), http://www.AAOS.org (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)and http://www.RJOS.org (Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society). Contours Express, based in Nicholasville, Kentucky, second only to Curves, is enjoying phenomenal success with more than 350 fitness centers operating nationwide. Additional locations include Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Europe, Asia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Guam, and Australia. By 2009, company executives project at least 1,000 Contours Express clubs will be operating around the world. For more information, visit http://www.ContoursExpress.com Dr. Mary Lloyd Ireland Mary Lloyd Ireland is an Orthopaedic Surgeon and President of Kentucky Sports Medicine Clinic in Lexington, Kentucky. Dr. Ireland received her Medical Degree from the University of Tennessee. Her residency was at the University of California, Irvine and her fellowships in Sports Medicine were at Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts and Hughston Orthopaedic Clinic, Columbus, Georgia. Dr. Ireland served as Team Physician for EKU from 1988 to January 2006, Team Physician for the University of Kentucky from 1985 to 1996. She served as Medical Coordinator and Head Physician for the Bluegrass State Games from 1985 to 1996. She served as Head Physician at the Olympic Sports Festival in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1990 and as a Medical Staff Member at the Olympics in Barcelona, Spain in 1992. Dr. Ireland serves on the editorial board for numerous journals including the American Journal of Sports Medicine, Journal of Athletic Training, Journal of Sport Rehabilitation and The Physician and Sportsmedicine. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and American College of Sports Medicine. She is a member of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society and an affiliate member of the National Athletic Trainers Association. Dr. Ireland has served on the Kentucky Medical Association's Committee on School Health, Physical Education, and Medical Aspect of Sports from 1987 to the present and also has served on the Kentucky State Advisory Council on Athletic Trainers from 1992 until the present. Dr. Ireland has published numerous articles and chapters. She is co-editor of The Female Athlete (Saunders 2002) and editor of the AAOS Instructional Course Lectures -- Sports Medicine, published (2005). She is involved in numerous endeavors regarding gender differences, injury patterns, treatment and prevention of the knee and shoulder.