LA Fitness Hosts Special Event Called Action for ALS to Help Find Cure for Lou Gehrig's Disease

IRVINE, Calif., Feb. 24, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- In support of Augie's Quest, LA Fitness announced today that it will host an in-club event called Action for ALS at more than 650 of the company's club locations on Saturday, February 27, 2016. Augie's Quest is a nonprofit research initiative dedicated to finding treatments and a cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). LA Fitness has donated to Augie's Quest for several years, and this year's fundraiser marks the sixth in-club event the company has held in support of this worthy cause.

LA Fitness will donate 100% of the proceeds from the event to Augie's Quest ALS research initiative. ALS is a progressive motor neuron disease that causes complete paralysis. Approximately 5,600 people are diagnosed with ALS each year, affecting as many as 30,000 Americans at any given time. Survival is typically three to five years after diagnosis, and no cure currently exists for the disease.

In March 2005, Augie Nieto, a prominent leader in the fitness industry, was diagnosed with ALS, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Despite the limitations of the disease, Augie continues to lead an active life and is an activist for others fighting the disease. After his diagnosis, Augie coped with his illness by drawing strength from his family, friends and a flood of letters and emails from supporters. Realizing that he could use his voice to raise awareness for others, Augie formed a team and created "Augie's Quest." With the sole purpose of finding a cure for ALS, the team he assembled to fight the disease and find a cure holds to one mission: identify the genetic basis of the disease in order to seek a treatment.

"By opening these classes to guests as well as members, it is our hope to maximize the donations this annual event raises for this important cause. We invite and encourage all those wanting to enjoy a great class in a great club for a very worthy cause to join us at our clubs on Saturday, February 27^th," said Bill Horner, Senior Vice President/Chief Real Estate Officer at LA Fitness.

"For six years, the leadership at LA Fitness has led by example, raising over $200,000 for ALS Research. It's my hope that their members and guests in the community will come together to follow their lead and make an impact in our search for a cure. No family should have to live with ALS. We are incredibly grateful that LA Fitness continues to support our Quest," said Augie Nieto, Chief Inspiration Officer of Augie's Quest.

In the spirit of the event LA Fitness has published an article to help build further awareness for ALS and Augie's Quest. Visit the official blog article: http://wp.me/p6TWKX-2NV.

The event is open to both members and guests for a suggested minimum donation of $20 in support of Augie's Quest. For more information on the event and how to make a donation, please visit: www.LAFitnessCares.com.

About LA Fitness
LA Fitness, founded in 1984, is one of the fastest growing health club chains in the U.S. and presently has more than 660 locations in 28 states, Washington D.C., and Canada. Its mission is to help as many people as possible achieve the benefits of a healthy lifestyle by creating a nationwide network of health clubs, offering its members the widest range of amenities and the friendliest service at an affordable price. To learn more about LA Fitness, visit www.lafitness.com or download the mobile app--search on iTunes or Google Play for LA Fitness. To find a club nearest you, call (800) LA FITNESS.

About Augie's Quest
Augie Nieto created Augie's Quest following his diagnosis of ALS in March 2005. Nieto is co-founder and former president of Life Fitness of Chicago, and former Chairman of Octane Fitness. Augie's Quest raises money primarily through a variety of special events, including: BASH for Augie's Quest; Tradition of Hope in Los Angeles; Big Canyon Golf in Newport Beach, Calif.; ClubCorp Charity Classic at golf clubs nationwide; and Clubs for the Quest, a program that allows various fitness clubs across the country to engage their members in fundraising programs and events to benefit Augie's Quest.

SOURCE LA Fitness

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