People who go to the fitness club regularly are less likely to suffer an exercise-related heart attack than those who only exercise infrequently. A study of nearly 3 million members of one of America's large chains of health and fitness centers found a very small number of such deaths - only 71 in a 2-year period from a total of 182.3 million workouts. Still, the risk was slightly higher among those who exercised less than once a week.

The breakout of the fatal heart attacks is as follows: (2 non-club members were eliminated)

• 34 exercised less than once a week
• 16 worked out 1 or 2 days a week
• 16 exercised 3 to 4 days a week
• 3 exercised 5 times or more weekly

The average age of those who died was 52.5 years, and the risk was higher in men.

The study's authors recommend regular workouts, since people who are more regular attendees are less likely to experience exercise-related cardiovascular complications. They also recommend that occasional exercisers avoid vigorous exercise.