Health and Fitness Club Industry News: IHRSA
Friday, September 19th, 2025
IHRSA Seeks Fitness Facilities to Participate in 2022 Global Survey
Posted: March 30, 2022 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - IHRSA, the Global Health & Fitness Association, is calling on health clubs, gyms and studios worldwide to partake in its 2022 Global Report Survey with the chance to be featured in its bestselling and most requested research publication, The IHRSA Global Report. Health club, gym and studio operators can complete the survey in just 10 - 15 minutes. This year’s survey gathers basic company contact information as well as membership levels, club count figures, number of employees and revenue data for 2019, 2020 and 2021 in order to gain insight on how the industry’s pandemic recovery is stacking up. Read More...
Global Health and Fitness Alliance Advisory Council Elects New Chair
Posted: March 28, 2022 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - The Global Health & Fitness Alliance (GHFA) announces the election of Andrea Bell as the New Chair and Richard Beddie as Vice Chair of the GHFA Advisory Council as it ramps up its efforts to establish the health and fitness sector as an essential service and key contributor within the healthcare continuum. Andrea and Richard take up their new positions on April 1, 2022. Read More...
IHRSA Foundation and Fitness Industry Tackle Mental Health Issues
Posted: March 16, 2022 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - The fitness industry is working to normalize mental health and recognize it as another element of overall wellness that needs to be exercised and cared for. With the recently released IHRSA Foundation toolkits, health clubs, gyms and studios are able to provide consumers with mental health programming and initiatives that fit their individual needs. Read More...
Registration is Open for IHRSA 2022
Posted: March 15, 2022 in IHRSA
MIAMI, FL - Join thousands from across the health and fitness club industry in Miami Beach at IHRSA's 41st International Convention & Trade Show, June 22-24. At IHRSA 2022, you’ll attend three inspiring keynote sessions and learn from over 125 industry experts and thought leaders. Additionally, you will be able to explore over 360,000 square feet of exhibit space, interact with more than 300 exhibits, participate in 11 exercise classes and network with over 6,000 global fitness professionals, suppliers and industry partners. Read More...
Statement from IHRSA CEO & President Liz Clark on Congress’s Failure to Provide Relief
Posted: March 11, 2022 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - Despite broad bipartisan and bicameral support, Congress has once again left our industry, which has been disproportionately affected by government mandates, without federal relief. The small business owners and millions of employees we represent have faced devastating losses since the beginning of the pandemic and allowing them to continue to drown is a dereliction of duty by our elected officials. As a result, they've continued to put the health of Americans on the back burner and perpetuated the devastating economic impacts of this pandemic on local studio or gym owners. Nevertheless, our industry has a lot to be proud of. Read More...
Project 435 – Uniting the Fitness Industry to share ONE Message with One Voice!
Posted: February 28, 2022 in IHRSA, Other News
Project 435 is a National Health and Fitness Alliance Effort to secure strong representation in every congressional district throughout the United States. The Project 435 goal and #1 priority is collective and committed effort with all stakeholders in the industry that will form a team of fitness professionals that is active in spreading the message to all 435 Members of The House of Representatives through a grassroots effort focusing on the key premise. Read More...
IHRSA 2022 Brings Fitness Industry Professionals to Miami Beach
Posted: February 22, 2022 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - IHRSA’s 41st International Convention & Trade Show (IHRSA 2022) is set to take place from June 22-24, 2022, in the bold and beautiful Miami Beach, Florida, at the Miami Beach Convention Center. The IHRSA 2022 website is now live and includes a registration portal, schedule at a glance and more. For the second year in a row, IHRSA 2022 will be a hybrid event, offering on-site as well as virtual components and programming. Read More...
New Mental Health Tools Now Available to All Fitness Centers
Posted: February 15, 2022 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - The IHRSA Foundation has developed two new resources to assist health and fitness facilities when designing initiatives and programs to address consumer mental health and wellbeing. The IHRSA Foundation created the following resources thanks to a generous grant from the John W. Brick Mental Health Foundation: Supporting Mental Health & Well-being: A Toolkit for Health & Fitness Centers; and Perspectives on Supporting Mental Health & Well-being in Health & Fitness Facilities: A Survey of Fitness Professionals. Read More...
New IHRSA Data Shows High, Growing COVID-related Closure Rates for Fitness Facilities
Posted: January 29, 2022 in IHRSA
WASHINGTON, D.C. - This week, IHRSA, the Global Health & Fitness Association, unveiled new industry data showing yet another increase in the number of health clubs, gyms, studios that have closed since this time last year. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, 25% of all fitness facilities have closed across the country, and 30% of studios closed as of January 1, 2022, an increase of 11% since January 1, 2021, which has left the industry looking to Congress for support. Read More...
Tireless Efforts in 2021 Provides Fitness Industry Hope for 2022
Posted: December 28, 2021 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - Congress and legislatures across the country are home for the holidays, which means there will be little happening before the New Year. So, let’s review all our advocacy actions accomplished in 2021 that lay the groundwork for success in 2022... Read More...
Reimagining IHRSA: An Open Letter From President and CEO, Liz Clark
Posted: December 13, 2021 in IHRSA
As we head into the holiday season grappling with yet another COVID variant, I hope that you, your colleagues, and your families remain healthy. I have recently wrapped up my first 100 days as IHRSA’s CEO and wanted to share some experiences, observations and actions underway to accelerate the modernization of our association. My first few months in this great industry have been amazing. I’ve learned a lot, heard from many of you, and worked with my IHRSA colleagues and our engaged board to chart a course to advance our association and our industry. Read More...
50+ Year Industry Veteran, Chuck Leve, Passes Away
Posted: November 23, 2021 in IHRSA, Other News
FBA - MINNEAPOLIS, MN - It's with great sorrow we inform you that on Thursday, November 11th at 1:11 am Chuck Leve, devoted husband, father, papa, and fitness industry veteran passed away in his home surrounded by his family. Chuck's contributions to the fitness industry span over 50 years. As Executive Director of NCCA, one of IHRSA's predecessors, and over the next 28 years Chuck helped usher in a new era in the fitness industry. His many accomplishments include... Read More...
Emergency Temporary Standard on Biden Vaccine Mandate Released
Posted: November 4, 2021 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - On September 9, President Biden announced the “Path out of the Pandemic,” a set of wide-reaching regulations meant to contain the surge in cases of COVID-19 across the nation and move the country back towards normal. Amongst the announced regulations is a vaccine mandate for federal workers and contractors, healthcare workers and employees of large businesses. At the heart of these regulations is the directive to the Department of Labor to ensure that all businesses with 100 or more employees are either vaccinated or tested for COVID-19 on a weekly basis. This is estimated to cover over 80 million workers in the United States. Here are details of the announced Emergency Temporary Standard... Read More...
Reunited & It Felt So Good! IHRSA 2021 Ignites Fitness Industry Comeback
Posted: October 22, 2021 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - After a daunting two year hiatus, last week, fitness industry professionals gathered for IHRSA 2021, the 40th Anniversary IHRSA International Convention & Trade Show. For the first time ever, IHRSA 2021 attendees were able to join in-person in Dallas, Texas, or virtually to attend education sessions presented by industry experts, network, socialize with other fitness professionals and experience cutting edge fitness industry equipment and technology during the Trade Show. Read More...
IHRSA Foundation Mid-Year Updates
Posted: October 20, 2021 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - The IHRSA Foundation was established in 2012 with a core mission: to promote health through exercise. The importance of "health through exercise," has never been more apparent than in the last 18 months. As a global pandemic took its toll, the importance of physical activity for physical health, mental health and even protection against more severe COVID-19 outcomes became more evident, so too has the need to create inclusive, equitable access to opportunities to be physically active for people of all ages and abilities. The IHRSA Foundation shared many exciting updates in our 2020 Annual Report including... Read More...
Nine Fitness Industry Leaders Set to Advise on GHFA Initiatives
Posted: October 4, 2021 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - The Global Health & Fitness Alliance (GHFA), an IHRSA initiative launched to establish the health and fitness sector as an essential service and a key contributor within the healthcare continuum, announced its inaugural nine-member Advisory Council. The GHFA Advisory Council’s main priority is producing the first-ever Global Economic Impact Report, which GHFA members worldwide are currently developing and funding to benefit the global fitness industry. The report will analyze the industry’s social and economic contributions to society and deliver a comprehensive overview of its direct and indirect value. Read More...
Three Reasons International Gyms are Attending the IHRSA 2021 Hybrid Event
Posted: September 22, 2021 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - It’s time to get together again, and while we wish everyone could join us in person at IHRSA’s 40th Anniversary International Convention & Trade Show in Dallas, we understand that, for some, that may be difficult. That’s why we’ve created the IHRSA 2021 Hybrid Event. So, no matter where you are, you can celebrate the fitness industry’s revival with all the resources and networking opportunities IHRSA 2021 has to offer. The Hybrid Event is not a webinar or a bunch of on-demand videos. The virtual component will be held in conjunction with the in-person Dallas event, providing networking and learning 24-7 during all three days of IHRSA 2021, playing during four time zones. Here are three reasons why you’ll want to join us even if you can’t make it in person. Read More...
SBA Offers Gyms Safe Harbors for Loan Forgiveness
Posted: September 16, 2021 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - If you were one of the gyms, health clubs or studios fortunate enough to receive a Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loan in the first round of PPP back in the spring of 2020, you are probably getting ready to file your application for loan forgiveness. If you, like many other gyms, clubs, and studios, particularly those in California, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, and Washington, were closed by state mandate or operating under severe capacity restrictions during the period of this PPP loan, you may be concerned about meeting the requirement that 60% of your loan be spent on payroll to qualify for full forgiveness. Read More...
IHRSA Takes Additional Steps to Keep You Safe During IHRSA 2021
Posted: September 15, 2021 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - In an abundance of caution, IHRSA is taking every precaution to prevent the spread of the virus and prioritize attendee health and safety at the IHRSA International Convention & Trade Show (IHRSA 2021). We are continuing to closely monitor the situation for critical updates. We are committed to hosting a successful event by implementing new protective measures to help fitness professionals recover from this period of uncertainty, revive passions for their craft and reconnect with peers to move the industry forward together. In addition to the standard event steps listed, and updated frequently, on the health and safety page of the IHRSA 2021 website, our team has taken extra steps to ensure attendees feel protected. Read More...
IHRSA’s 40th Annual International Convention & Trade Show Goes Hybrid
Posted: September 8, 2021 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - In light of the challenging travel restrictions for many and the health and fitness industry’s important worldwide community, the 40th Annual IHRSA International Convention & Trade Show (IHRSA 2021) will offer a rich and robust in-person and virtual program. As many other associations, and even IHRSA member clubs, have pivoted to offer in-person and virtual options, the IHRSA 2021 hybrid program has been in the works for some time. This program will allow global attendees and partners, wherever they may be, to participate and connect in celebrating the industry’s revival. Read More...
