Health Fitness Corporation, which operates across the USA and Canada, has published upbeat first quarter results and has opened a further site in Minneapolis.

Revenues rose 12.4 per cent to $7,518,000 with earnings before taxes by 52.2 per cent to $450,010.

CEO and president, Jerry Noyce, said the sharp gain in revenue is due to the addition of new management contracts and the expansion of services from existing contracts. "The sales and marketing strategies we have implemented over the past two years continue to improve our top-line performance," Noyce said.

"Our ongoing efforts to control operating expense as our business grows should continue to benefit our bottom line performance."

The 16,000sq foot centre in Minneapolis, will serve more than 5,000 Best Buy employees and contract staff. "The on-site fitness center and wellness program were designed with employees in mind – to harbour increased productivity, increased retention, increased pride and ultimately a more efficient organisation," said Cindy Laughlin, Best Buy’s human resources senior manager.

The centre offers strength and cardio-exercise equipment, outdoor basketball and volleyball courts and individual fitness assessments and exercise prescriptions, wellness education and group fitness classes; health risk assessments and web-based fitness tracking and family self-care information.

Health Fitness provides "results-oriented" fitness, assessment, wellness and occupational health services to businesses, hospitals, universities and communities. The company now manages 200 sites. Details: www.hfit.com