News Topics
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January 16, 2023
The Cult of Bike Helmets
Last year, health officials in Seattle decided to stop requiring bicyclists to wear helmets. Independent research found that nearly half of Seattle’s helmet tickets in recent years went to unhoused people, while Black and Native American cyclists in the city were four times and two times more likely, respectively, than white...
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January 13, 2023
2023 ICR: Fitness Chains Resume Aggressive Growth Plans
Speaking at the 2023 ICR Conference, executives from Planet Fitness, Life Time Group and Xponential Fitness indicated that their respective health clubs continue to see healthy recovery post-pandemic while noting stepped-up expansion plans. SGB Media
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January 13, 2023
SRAM’s rumoured eBike motor to come courtesy of Amprio buyout
Long rumoured to be testing out electric bike motors, SRAM has confirmed this week the buyout of Amprio, a division of the Rheinmetall Group. Amprio produces a made in Germany eBike motor system that has an established European servicing base. The system has got off to a slow start with...
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January 13, 2023
Can Outdoor Specialty Retailers Conquer the Booming Running Market?
The running market has always been hyper-competitive, but new retail challengers from the outdoor world are raising the stakes for players in the space. For the past three years, the running category has been the footwear industry’s biggest success story. As gyms closed amid the pandemic, a staggering number of...
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January 12, 2023
Are Protein Bars Actually Good for You?
The global market for protein bars is growing quickly and expected to swell to more than $2 billion by the end of 2026. Despite the advertising, nutrition experts say that protein bars aren’t all that healthy. The New York Times (paywall)
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January 12, 2023
Strava Has Laid Off Employees Ahead of Rising Prices. Here’s What Your Subscription Will Cost Next Month
The layoffs predated the reported uptick in price for premium features. The previous $7.99 monthly rate will increase to $11.99 on February 6—a significant 50 percent increase. Aol
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January 12, 2023
Dutch study: Two thirds of pro riders have poor bone health
The research conducted by the HAN University of Applied Sciences in Nijmegen, Netherlands, concluded that two-thirds of professional cyclists had poor bone density. A total of 93 elite and professional riders, both male and female, took part in the study. VeloNews
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January 12, 2023
Specialized Lays Off 8% of Employees
The latest staple outdoor company to announce massive layoffs: one of the U.S.’s biggest names in bicycles and bike gear. In a brief press release Wednesday, Specialized announced major cuts. Gear Junkie
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January 11, 2023
Trail Running and Drug-Testing: Where Do We Go From Here?
For years, trail running has had a reputation as a clean sport with a bit of a “wild west” vibe. But the globalization of the sport, increased level of competition, more sponsorship contracts, and the advent of bigger prize purses has started to change the sport in the past decade,...
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January 11, 2023
Detroit offers new e-bike with US-made frame, Zehus hub motor
The Zehus hub is similar to the one used by Cooper Bikes on models that BRAIN wrote about last April. The 250-watt motors have no wires; it can be adjusted wirelessly via a phone app. It offers 20 miles of range in its strongest power mode or 35 miles in...
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January 11, 2023
White Industries acquires iconic Rolf Prima and Astral Cycling in all-American takeover
White Industries is expanding into complete wheels through the acquisition of totemic hoop maker Rolf Prima and its sister brand Astral Cycling. The parts manufacturer has custom-built hubs for rim and wheel makers Rolf Prima and Astral Cycling since 2004 and 2017 respectively. Bike Radar
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January 11, 2023
JD Sports Posts 20 Percent H2 Growth Across North American Retail Banners
JD Sports Fashion Plc, the parent company of Finish Line, DTLR and Shoe Palace in the U.S. and sports fashion and outdoor retail brands Blacks, JD, Millets, and Go Outdoors in the U.K., realized sales growth of more than 10 percent in its organic retail businesses through 22 weeks of...
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January 10, 2023
When it comes to staying on pace in warmer conditions, women trump men
Staying on pace during the second half of a marathon can be a challenge in even the most favourable of weather conditions. Add in a little heat and the task becomes harder still – but women are better at it than men. That’s according to a new study, published in...
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January 10, 2023
TIME Pedals partner with Trek-Segafredo
TIME Pedals have announced a new multi-year agreement, becoming the exclusive pedal supplier for Trek-Segafredo men’s and women’s WorldTour teams. The agreement, part of SRAM’s partnership with Trek, marks the return of the brand to the men’s WorldTour and the expansion of its pedals to now 3 women’s WorldTour teams,...
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January 10, 2023
New study says Strava kudos motivate you to run more
The study, published in the Journal of Social Networks, analyzed Strava profiles to see how runners in the same virtual Strava club influenced each other’s running behaviour. Researchers focused on five different Strava clubs in the Netherlands that functioned as an online extension of real-life running clubs, totalling 329 members....
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January 10, 2023
adidas to Combine Canadian And US Business Units In Major Organizational Shift
“Historically, these teams have operated separately as two individual markets. Therefore, this restructure will enable more speed and cohesion across the entire North American market. The implementation of these changes has started and will conclude by the spring. Business operations will be mainly based out of our U.S. headquarters in...
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January 9, 2023
More Prize Money Is Flowing Into Trail Running. What Does That Mean for the Sport?
Run Rabbit Run is one of the rare American trail races that offers a relatively large prize purse, and for a decade, it’s been the largest in the sport. Hughes earned $15,000 for winning the women’s race and split another $5,000 with Arizona trail runner Peter Mortimer (who placed 12th...
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January 9, 2023
Porsche eBike Performance begins recruitment drive
Porsche eBike Performance GmbH has begun 2023 just as the wider Porsche business moved in 2022. With regards to eBikes; at a significant pace. Now formally established as a business unit, the organisation is expanding. That means new hires, to build out on the organisational capabilities, and enhance capacity. Cycling...
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January 9, 2023
Xponential Fitness Expects To Meet, Or Exceed, Full-Year Guidance
The company expects to meet or exceed the high end of the previously provided full-year 2022 outlook. North American system-wide sales of $1.03 billion, exceeding the high end of the guidance range of $995.0 million to $1.005 billion, and an increase of 46 percent as compared to full year 2021. SGB...
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January 9, 2023
Lululemon Shares Drop After Weak Q4 Guidance
The Vancouver, British Columbia-based brand now projects Q4 net revenue to be between $2.660 billion to $2.700 billion, compared to a previously outlined range of $2.605 billion and $2.655 billion. Q4 diluted earnings per share are expected to be between $4.22 and $4.27, tighter and lower than the previously outlined...
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January 9, 2023
Global Medalists, National Record Holders, Olympians and Paralympians Among 127th Boston Marathon Women’s Field
The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) proudly announced today the women’s professional field for the 127th Boston Marathon, featuring decorated Open, Wheelchair and Para Athletics Division athletes from 18 countries. Among the field are global medalists, national record holders, Olympians and Paralympians, as well as five Boston Marathon champions. BAA
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January 5, 2023
Pickleball Soars to 37M Players in U.S.
Pickleball is coming off of its best year yet. The sport, which exploded in popularity during the pandemic, saw more than 36.5 million people in the U.S. play between August 2021 and August 2022, according to a report by the Association of Pickleball Professionals. Before the report, around 5 million people played pickleball....
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January 5, 2023
Italian distance runner given 36-year ban from racing
Italian distance runner Alessandro Braconi of Pallanza, Italy, will not be eligible to compete until 2058 after receiving a ban of 36 years for the use/attempted use, possession, and trafficking/attempted trafficking of a prohibited substance. This follows his provisional suspension after a positive drug test in March 2022. Canadian Running
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January 4, 2023
Active Lifestyle Stocks Face Turbulence In 2022
The majority of stocks in the active lifestyle space took it on the chin in 2022 as broader stock markets in the U.S. saw their worst performance since the 2008 financial crisis. All three of the major averages suffered their worst year since 2008 and snapped a three-year win streak....
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January 4, 2023
The best fitness kit at CES 2023: next-gen smartwatches, sleep trackers, cycling and more
CES 2023, the annual Las Vegas technology convention happening right now, is showing off TVs, automotive stuff, smart home tech, and many other innovations which often never see the light of day. Health tech also plays a big part on the event floor, with a whole zone of the convention...