Christian publishers and retailers alike are pumped about health and fitness books. They say that the category is on the rise with more people looking for help from a biblical point of view to stay in shape or take care of their bodies.

People are looking for inspiration and encouragement from those "who have ‘been there and done that,' offering hope from their stories," Gospel Light Vice President for Sales and Marketing Bob Bever told Christian Retailing magazine.

"The health and fitness category is growing, but the ability to tie people into groups that approach this from a spiritual as well as physical perspective is the key to not just marketing the product, but seeing true success in people's lives."

Retailers "need to understand that people are looking for answers that work and are not ‘faddish,' " Bever added. "Consumers are smart and know the difference between emotional hypes and true wholeness approaches, which include a commitment to spiritual health and growth."

Gospel Light is just one publisher releasing new health-related titles in the coming weeks, including three additions to its popular "First Place 4 Health" series.

Lorraine Valk--who owns Banner Books Parable Christian Store of St. Joseph in St. Joseph, Mich., with her husband, Jim--carries 50 titles, devoting three, 4-foot shelves to the category.

"It feels like it has been on a slight increase this past six months," she said of the category. "I think with health insurance, or lack thereof, people are being a little more aware of what they should be doing."

Read the full report in the Sept. 21 issue of Christian Retailing.

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