Company also Elevates John Wildman to Senior VP of Marketing and Sales

    CHICAGO, Dec. 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Bally Total Fitness Holding Corporation
(Nasdaq-NNM: BFIT) has significantly strengthened its management structure
with the appointment of three key executives -- John Wildman, Senior Vice
President of Sales and Marketing; William G. Fanelli, Vice President of
Strategic Operations and John R. Wilson, Director of Operations, effective
immediately.
    "These announcements are the first step in building a top-flight
management team at Bally.  The new additions, will enable us to accelerate the
improvement of the company's operational and financial performance," said Lee
Hillman, newly named President and CEO.

    Bally Creates New Posts for Strategic Operations Development and
Implementation
    As part of the company's initiatives to fuel top line growth and enhance
profitability, Bally has named senior executives to two newly-created
positions.  William G. Fanelli, (34), has joined the company as Vice President
of Strategic Operations.  In this post Fanelli will be responsible for the
development and oversight of programs to enhance Bally's profitability through
revenue growth, new product offerings and cost reduction.  Most recently,
Fanelli served at Bally Entertainment as Director of Business Development.
    John R. Wilson, (31), has joined the corporate headquarters staff as
Director of Operations.  Wilson, who was previously a Chicago Area Supervisor
for the company, will work closely with senior management to develop and
implement pilot programs, revenue growth programs, cost cutting initiatives,
new product and service delivery, and will assist in the national rollout of
successful models.
    "Bill and John will play pivotal roles on the management team as we work
to accelerate growth of our core revenue sources and explore opportunities for
incremental revenues from complimentary businesses and services," said
Hillman.

    Wildman Named Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales
    John Wildman, 37, joined Bally Total Fitness as a sales and customer
service representative and rose through the organization to his most recent
post of Vice President of Sales and Marketing which he has held since July
1995.
    "John is uniquely qualified to spearhead our sales and marketing efforts
due to his combined experience in three critical areas -- sales, marketing and
club operations," said Hillman.
    "As a result, every marketing and sales initiative will be designed with
an eye toward execution at the club level in our more than 320 locations."

    Bally Total Fitness is the largest and only nationwide commercial operator
of fitness centers in the United States with over four million members and
320 facilities in 27 states and Canada.

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