Health and Fitness Club Industry News: HFA
Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026
IHRSA European Congress 2020 Postponed Amid COVID-19 Lockdowns
Posted: November 2, 2020 in HFA
BOSTON, MA - With countries across Europe going into another round of COVID-19 related lockdowns, and after extensively consulting with many fitness industry leaders who have seen their health clubs in many countries close, IHRSA has made the difficult decision to postpone the upcoming IHRSA European Congress 2020: Virtual Edition to the spring of 2021. Working in conjunction with Club Industry and SIBEC, IHRSA will share the latest industry research and support the Future of Fitness virtual event to be held November 16 - 18. Read More...
National Study Reveals the Current Fitness Habits of the American Gymgoer
Posted: October 28, 2020 in HFA
BOSTON, MA - The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) released first-of-its kind data from a new national survey* of Americans with gym memberships that addresses their physical and mental state throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The full results from the study, which was conducted in collaboration with leading international insights company Kelton Global, a Material Company, are published in “The COVID Era Fitness Consumer” IHRSA report, and it delves into how Americans feel about the pandemic overall, what effects it has had on their overall health and fitness, how the virus has shaped their personal wellness outlooks, their overall comfort levels returning to the gym and more. Read More...
IHRSA Responds to Joe Biden’s Comment on Closing Gyms
Posted: October 27, 2020 in HFA
BOSTON, MA - During the final presidential debate on Thursday, October 22, each candidate was asked a question on their strategy to fight off the Coronavirus. Former Vice President Joe Biden asserted that he does not support a national shutdown, but he also suggested in his statement that he would consider shuttering health and fitness clubs, along with bars, if the community transmission rate rises above a certain level. IHRSA has sent the following letter to Biden aimed at addressing his comments and informing the candidate that health and fitness clubs are not part of the problem but part of the solution. Read More...
IHRSA and Medical Fitness Association Establish Partnership
Posted: October 22, 2020 in HFA, Suppliers
BOSTON, MA - The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) and the Medical Fitness Association (MFA) have formed a strategic partnership with a common goal of promoting exercise as a primary prevention tool and cost effective treatment option for people with chronic illnesses. As the Coronavirus pandemic lingers, the health and fitness industry continues to provide physical activity guidelines to the public to help them maintain or improve their overall health. Read More...
IHRSA Forms Medical, Science and Health Advisory Council
Posted: October 19, 2020 in HFA
BOSTON, MA - To protect public safety while improving population health and individual health risks, and advance the health and fitness industry, IHRSA, the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, has formed a Medical, Science and Health Advisory Council. The council will advise and support IHRSA’s Executive Staff and Board of Directors on current research and science. The purpose and objectives of the group will be to... Read More...
IHRSA Introduces the National Health & Fitness Alliance
Posted: October 13, 2020 in HFA
BOSTON, MA - To ensure the industry has a seat at the table when policymakers are meeting on issues that impact the health of the nation, IHRSA, the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, and the IHRSA Board of Directors introduce the National Health & Fitness Alliance. Before the coronavirus crisis, health and fitness businesses across the U.S. were already facing an onslaught of anti-business regulation and litigation, on top of the perennial issues that handcuff club operators from serving their members. Now, with lengthy lockdowns, untenable capacity restrictions, and threats of reclosures, the need for a stronger, more politically powerful fitness industry in Washington, D.C., and state capitals across the country has never been greater. Read More...
IHRSA Announces New Dates and Location for IHRSA 2021
Posted: October 6, 2020 in HFA
BOSTON, MA - The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) has announced that the Annual IHRSA International Convention & Trade Show (IHRSA 2021) will now take place September 20 - 22, 2021, in Los Angeles, CA. IHRSA 2021 marks the association’s 40th anniversary. In fact, IHRSA 2021 will take place exactly 40 years to the month of IHRSA’s founding in September of 1981. Read More...
Reps. Quigley & Fitzpatrick File Health & Fitness Recovery Act
Posted: October 2, 2020 in HFA
BOSTON, MA - Since previous government programs have not been sufficient for all the health and fitness facilities affected by COVID-19, U.S. Reps. Michael Quigley (D-IL) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) have filed the Health & Fitness Recovery Act of 2020. IHRSA, the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, and IHRSA Board Ex-officio, Jim Worthington, of the Newtown Athletic Club worked with Fitzpatrick to draft the bill. Then, Gale Landers of Fitness Formula Clubs was brought on board to gain Quigley’s endorsement so that the bill would have both Republican and Democratic representation. Read More...
CDC: Close Contact, Dining Out (Not Clubs) Linked to COVID-19
Posted: September 25, 2020 in HFA
BOSTON, MA - Data on exactly how COVID-19 is transmitted, and which places of public accommodation present the highest risk for transmitting COVID-19, are still emerging. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published a new study examining which places people testing positive and negative for COVID-19 most likely visited. The study found that people who tested positive for COVID-19 were more likely to have dined at a restaurant and to have a close contact who was positive for COVID-19 compared to people who tested negative. The authors note that situations in which adhering to mask-wearing and social distancing are difficult appear to create higher risk environments for COVID-19 transmission. Fitness centers providing ample social distancing and implementing (and enforcing) mask policies would not create such an environment. Read More...
IHRSA’s Lobbying for the Fitness Industry Continues
Posted: September 24, 2020 in HFA
BOSTON, MA - Although health and fitness clubs are open, to some degree, in every state, things are still bad for the fitness industry. Restrictions, maximum capacities, member cancellations and cleaning protocols, for example, are making it tough for many businesses to stay afloat. This is an update of IHRSA’s lobbying activity. Read More...
IHRSA Foundation, ACE Obtains Funding to Improve Exercise Inclusion for People with Intellectual Disabilities
Posted: September 23, 2020 in HFA
BOSTON, MA - The IHRSA Foundation and the American Council on Exercise (ACE), supported by the UNESCO Chair in Inclusive Fitness, Sport & Recreation, PE, have had a first joint project approved by Special Olympics with funding through their Inclusive Health Innovation Grant. The grant, supported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), aims to support organizations in making practices more inclusive and tip the balance toward a fully inclusive world where people with intellectual disabilities (ID) are fully and intentionally included in mainstream fitness programs and services. Read More...
