Health and Fitness Club Industry News: HFA
Thursday, June 4th, 2026
IHRSA Releases Resource to help Clubs Navigate Music Copyright Issues
Posted: February 12, 2019 in HFA
BOSTON, MA - The U.S. Copyright Act of 1976 makes it illegal to play copyrighted material in businesses, like health clubs, without the consent of the copyright owner. Music copyright laws can be confusing. Simply buying a CD or purchasing a streaming music subscription may not be enough to protect a health club or fitness business from inaccurate interpretations or unfair enforcement of the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976. To help clubs navigate the murky waters surrounding music copyright law, The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) has released a legal briefing paper on the topic. Read More...
IHRSA Announces 2019 Industry Award Recipients
Posted: February 1, 2019 in HFA
BOSTON, MA - IHRSA, The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association has announced that three award recipients will be honored during IHRSA 2019, the association’s 38th Annual International Convention & Trade Show in San Diego, California, March 13 - 16, 2019: The Associate Member of the Year Award will be presented on Wednesday, March 13 to MINDBODY. The Woman Leader Award in honor of Julie Main will be presented on Thursday, March 14 to Francesca Schuler, CEO, In-Shape Health Clubs. The Outstanding Community Service Award will be presented on Friday, March 15 to Midtown Sanctuaire of Montreal, Canada. Read More...
IHRSA and the Industry Leadership Council Gear Up for 2019
Posted: January 31, 2019 in HFA
BOSTON, MA - The country’s health is at stake. Many citizens and communities are suffering from sedentary lifestyles that fuel epidemic levels of lifestyle-related illnesses. Chronic diseases now cost the U.S. an estimated $2 trillion annually in medical costs and another $794 billion in lost worker productivity. The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) and the fitness club industry believe that lawmakers should actively support, or at least stay out of the way of, their constituents efforts to incorporate regular physical activity. Instead, fitness businesses are continuously threatened by legislation that would make running and/or joining a health club more costly and difficult. Read More...
IHRSA Announces New Board Nominees
Posted: December 18, 2018 in HFA
BOSTON, MA - IHRSA, The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, has announced four nominees for the IHRSA Board of Directors. The four nominees are: Frank Lawrence, CEO - Little Rock Athletic Centers, LLC; Chris Smith, CEO and President - SNFW Fitness BC Ltd.; Chris Stevenson, Owner - Stevenson Fitness; Greta Wagner, Executive Director, EVP - Chelsea Piers. All four will stand for election during IHRSA’s annual meeting in March at the IHRSA International Convention & Trade Show in San Diego, CA. If elected, each will serve a four-year term from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2023, joining the distinguished company of the current IHRSA Board... Read More...
How PHIT and Emerging Tech Could Change Policies and Your Gym
Posted: October 25, 2018 in HFA
BOSTON, MA (by IHRSA's Jeff Perkins) - PHIT has passed the House, but it remains in the Senate. With the midterm elections just days away and senators returning to their districts to campaign, work in the Senate is at a standstill. That means PHIT’s best chance of passing during this Congress is after the midterm elections (also known as the lame duck session). Procedural rules in the Senate make it harder to pass legislation in the Senate than in the House. In the Senate, a bill only needs a simple majority --51 votes-- to pass, but to guarantee you get to a vote, at least 60 votes are required for what is called cloture. Assuming 51 Republicans will vote yes, we need at least nine Democrats. Now is the time to get your Senator onboard with PHIT before the lame duck session in November. Read More...
IHRSA Introduces Mobile App for Passport Program
Posted: October 4, 2018 in HFA
BOSTON, MA - The IHRSA Passport Program is getting a mobile makeover with the launch of a new app in 2019. The user-friendly app will allow gyms and gym-goers to conveniently access the program on any mobile device. IHRSA has chosen TrainAway, based in Copenhagen, to digitalize the IHRSA Passport Program, capitalizing on the company’s innovative technology and user interface to give members of participating IHRSA facilities access to a worldwide network of health clubs when they travel. In 2018, more than 1,500 health clubs worldwide participated in the IHRSA Passport Program. Read More...
PHIT Act Passes the House, Now Moves to Senate
Posted: July 25, 2018 in HFA
WASHINGTON, D.C. - In a major step to help overcome the “Inactivity Pandemic” and improve the health of Americans, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act by a bipartisan vote of 277-142. The PHIT Act now moves to the Senate for consideration. The action in the House comes less than two weeks after being passed by the House Ways and Means Committee by a vote of 28-6. The PHIT Act was part of a larger package of health savings account (HSA) reform measures. Read More...
PHIT’s Next Step – A Vote in the House this Week!
Posted: July 24, 2018 in HFA
BOSTON, MA - For the first time ever, PHIT was reported out of the House Ways and Means Committee! This step clears an important legislative hurdle. Now, PHIT will be considered by the entire House, this week! That is where you come in. We need your help to get PHIT passed in the House. Please ask your member of Congress to vote for PHIT on the House floor! Your support can help us redefine the nation’s physical activity culture! Read More...
IHRSA Women’s Leadership Summit Coming to AB Show 2018
Posted: July 1, 2018 in HFA
BOSTON, MA and MADISON, WI - IHRSA and Athletic Business announce an agreement that will bring the IHRSA Women’s Leadership Summit to New Orleans, LA, during AB Show 2018. Last March, over 150 women came together for the 9th Annual IHRSA Women’s Leadership Summit at IHRSA 2018 in San Diego, CA. On November 8, IHRSA will build on the success of its annual event focused on learning, building and expanding networks and improving leadership skills during an interactive half-day event in New Orleans. Read More...
Health Savings Accounts Bill Includes PHIT – Help Pass It!
Posted: March 6, 2018 in HFA
BOSTON, MA - Congressman Mike Kelly (R-PA) has introduced the Bipartisan HSA Improvement Act (H.R. 5138). This Health Savings Accounts (HSA) reform bill bundles a number of HSA bills, including and most importantly to the health and fitness club industry, the PHIT Act! This HSA reform bill is now the best vehicle for getting PHIT included in the omnibus spending bill. Put simply, PHIT will pass if the omnibus spending bill includes the HSA bill. Read More...
The 2017 IHRSA Advocacy Impact Report with 2018 Legislative Forecasting
Posted: February 6, 2018 in HFA
BOSTON, MA - IHRSA's advocacy efforts are routed in the twin goals of protecting and promoting the health club industry. While you may prefer less government involvement in the club industry, the reality is, your state and national government introduce policies that could have a significant impact—for better or worse—on your business. One of IHRSA's jobs is to maximize the good, while minimizing the bad. Read More...
