Let them eat cake later: Americans hosting "fitness parties"

Runners wearing masks of U.S. President Barack Obama and Republican Presidential Nominee Mitt Romney work out on a treadmill as part of a fitness promotion in New YorkBy Dorene Internicola NEW YORK (Reuters) – From spinning birthday celebrations to pole dancing bachelorette bashes, U.S. gyms are offering fitness parties as new way to mark life's milestones – with a few friends and a good sweat. Gyms and fitness studios are often eager to host the festivities, which light up darkened rooms after hours and expose potential new members to their services. "We've created bachelorette parties, birthday parties, college reunions and divorce parties," said Donna Cyrus, senior vice president of programming at Crunch, a national chain. …