4,000 Women Attempt New World Record at 2008 Lady of America/Ladies Workout Express Ab Crunch...(pTomorrow morning the crunchettes' train...),Health

Founded by Hamilton Township, New Jersey Ladies Workout Express club owner Tony Parziale -- a two-time Guinness Book of World Records holder for performing more than 4,000 crunches within a one hour time limit -- the Ab Crunch Challenge began as a small event in honor of a gym member who lost a child to cancer. Three years later, Parziale now nicknamed "Captain Crunch," has turned his ab crunching challenge into a national philanthropic competition with thousands of women and 200 Lady of America franchised gyms participating.

"I'm extremely proud to lead this national philanthropic fitness campaign," said Parziale. "The women participating in this challenge have worked hard to build up their core strength and fundraise for St. Jude and should be applauded for the collective number of crunches they perform, and money donated, at tomorrow's challenge."

"St. Jude is an incredible research center where doctors and researchers are committed to saving the lives of children with cancer and other deadly diseases," says Beth Lucas of Malibu, Calif. whose son is a St. Jude patient. "Ab Crunch Challenge participants are part of a vital team supporting the hospital's life-saving work and ensuring that no child is ever turned away because of a family's inability to pay."

For information about local Lady of America locations participating in the Ab Crunch Challenge, or to make a donation, visit http://www.abcrunchchallenge.org .