Fast food chains offer free gym membership

LOUISVILLE, Ky., Dec. 31 (UPI) -- One of the largest purveyors of fast food in the United States has a deal for those who eat its high-calorie offerings -- a free gym membership.

The Dallas Morning News reports that Yum Brands Inc. and Bally Total Fitness Holding Corp. are partners in the offering of a four-week membership at a Bally fitness center. Yum, headquartered in Louisville, Ky., owns KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut as well as the Long John Silver restaurants, and the deal is good for anyone who eats at one of its outlets in January.

Matt Messinger, a Bally spokesman, said the chain's clubs are great places "if you just ate fast food and want to work it off."

January tends to be a busy month for health clubs and fitness centers since getting more exercise is a common New Year's resolution. The numbers tend to taper off in February.