Health and Fitness Club Industry News: Other News
Monday, May 6th, 2024
ICAA Releases a Call to Action to Reclaim Health and Wellbeing for Older People
Posted: April 28, 2021 in Other News
VANCOUVER, B.C. - As the populations of the world emerge from the pandemic year, no one believes that life will return to the way it was before COVID-19 shifted reality. During this transformative time, organizations and agencies can seize the opportunity to move beyond crisis management and develop a new, vibrant model to meet the needs and lifestyles of today’s older adult. Read More...
ALS TDI Board of Directors Appoints Fernando Vieira, M.D. as Chief Executive Officer
Posted: April 14, 2021 in Other News
CAMBRIDGE, MA - The ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI) Board of Directors has announced that Fernando G. Vieira, M.D., was appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ALS TDI during its April 7 meeting. Dr. Vieira has spent 20 years at ALS TDI conducting preclinical, translational and clinical research in ALS. As CEO, he is now stepping into the role held for the last 12 years by Steve Perrin, Ph.D., who will remain at ALS TDI as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors. Read More...
Paul Grzymkowski Passes Away at Age 72
Posted: April 13, 2021 in Other News
Fitness industry veteran and icon, Paul M. Grzymkowski passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on April 1, 2021 in Woodland Hills, California. He is survived by his devoted wife, Joanna Gunst Grzymkowski; brother Peter Grzymkowski; and sisters Margaret Halstead, Christine Grzymkowski and Karen Grzymkowski, as well as aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and his godchildren. Paul and his twin sister Christine were born on March 5, 1949 in Rochester, New York to Mary (Jacula) and Peter Grzymkowski. Read More...
Survey Released to Understand Software Preferences of Fitness Professionals at Clubs, Gyms and Studios
Posted: March 1, 2021 in Other News
MCLEAN, VA - Allison Flatley, Dr. Ted Vickey and Bonnie Patrick-Mattalian collaborate to create and release the 2021 Club Management System Survey. The survey looks at the purchasing decisions of those within the fitness industry regarding a club management system. The survey is Part I of the academic study. Part II will include roundtables. All respondents have the option of receiving the survey results. Read More...
Fitness Industry Council of Canada Asks Federal Government to Make Physical Activity Tax Deductible
Posted: February 11, 2021 in Other News
EDMONTON, CANADA - Fitness Industry Council of Canada (FIC) has taken its most powerful stance to improve the lives of Canadians, asking the Federal Government to include fitness memberships and services as a medical cost on personal taxes. This tax incentive would elevate Canada as a global leader by becoming a nation that supports and promotes health and wellness as part of a national health care strategy. Read More...
Community Gyms Coalition and IHRSA Applaud Introduction of Bipartisan GYMS Act to Save Thousands of Gyms and Fitness Studios from Bankruptcy
Posted: February 5, 2021 in IHRSA, Other News
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Community Gyms Coalition (CGC), representing more than 15,000 community gyms and fitness studios in the U.S., and the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), representing over 20,000 health and fitness facilities in the U.S., have welcomed the introduction of the bipartisan GYMS Act (H.R. 890) by Congressmen Mike Quigley (D-IL) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA). Read More...
Physical Activity Alliance Strengthens and Unifies Fitness Industry
Posted: February 4, 2021 in Other News
UNITED STATES - It is tempting for the health and fitness club industry to feel like lonely warriors while fighting to get the 80% of the American population who are inactive active. The reality is that a legion of organizations, coalitions and government agencies in the U.S. exist with the sole intention to increase physical activity. Yet, many of those organizations worked independently and without collaboration, until the Physical Activity Alliance (PAA) formation in 2020. Read More...
Four Things to Look for in ALS Research in 2021
Posted: January 15, 2021 in Other News
CAMBRIDGE, MA - While 2020 left the ALS research community adjusting to unprecedented circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 is showing some early promise as an exciting year in the search for effective treatments for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Here are some of the most important research findings and advancements to look forward to as we move into the new year... Read More...
Pennsylvania Fitness Alliance Issues Statement on Lifting of Prohibition on Indoor Fitness Facilities
Posted: January 5, 2021 in Other News
NEWTOWN, PA - Governor Tom Wolf (D-PA) has lifted a set of COVID-19 regulations. These regulations included a ban on indoor operations at gyms and fitness facilities. In response, Jim Worthington, on behalf of the Pennsylvania Fitness Alliance, issued the following statement... Read More...
Global Wellness Summit Presents Leadership Award to Lynne and Victor Brick
Posted: January 5, 2021 in Other News
TIMONIUM, MD - Global Wellness Summit (GWS), the foremost gathering of international leaders in the multitrillion-dollar global wellness economy, presented Lynne and Victor Brick with The Debra Simon Award for Leader in Furthering Mental Health Wellness. The Bricks were recognized for creating the John W. Brick Mental Health Foundation, Inc., honoring Victor’s brother John, who suffered from schizophrenia and died of complications from the disease. The Foundation’s purpose is to have holistic approaches—such as exercise, nutrition, and mind-body practices—integrated into the mental wellness delivery system. Read More...
Stephen Tharrett Passes Away on Tuesday, December 22, 2020
Posted: December 29, 2020 in Other News
We are extremely SAD to report to you that industry veteran and good friend, STEPHEN THARRETT, passed away on Tuesday, December 22, 2020. Stephen died of complications from a heart attack he suffered on December 20th. MAY STEPHEN THARRETT REST IN PEACE. Stephen Tharrett, was one of the greatest and most dedicated teachers and educators in the history of our industry. Stephen’s vast depth of knowledge and the vast breadth of his contributions to our industry, an industry that he loved so very much, is rivaled by a very tiny few in our industry. Stephen was partners with MARK WILLIAMSON in a company they called CLUBINTEL. Read More...
What Should People Living With ALS Do About the COVID-19 Vaccine?
Posted: December 17, 2020 in Other News
CAMBRIDGE, MA - People living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) may be more susceptible to severe cases of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, including severe and life-threatening complications. This places people living with ALS in the group of those with comorbidities, any simultaneous disease or condition that could possibly make a COVID infection more severe or deadly, who may be among the earlier candidates to receive a vaccine for the virus. As vaccines become more available, many people in the ALS community have begun to ask what they need to know about them, especially whether they are safe for people living with ALS. Read More...
SilverSneakers Pulse Survey: 85% of U.S. Senior Respondents Plan to Take COVID-19 Vaccine
Posted: November 24, 2020 in Other News
NASHVILLE, TN - Tivity Health® Inc. (Nasdaq: TVTY), a leading provider of health improvement solutions, including SilverSneakers, the nation's leading community fitness program for older adults with 16 million eligible members nationwide, unveiled the results of a nationally representative survey of its SilverSneakers members, with almost 4,000 seniors responding from 49 U.S. states. The SilverSneakers Pulse survey uncovers senior perceptions of a COVID-19 vaccine and their willingness to receive the vaccine once available. Read More...
ALS TDI Honors Community Members with 2020 ALS Leadership Awards
Posted: November 23, 2020 in Other News
CAMBRIDGE, MA - 2020 has been a year unlike any other. Facing a global pandemic, economic uncertainty, and the realities of lockdowns, quarantines and social distancing, the ALS community still found many creative ways to stay strong and united, even from afar. The support of this community has been incredibly important to keeping research to end Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) at the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI) going, despite the many challenges we’ve all faced this year. Read More...
California Fitness Alliance Responds to Court’s Ruling on Lawsuit
Posted: November 13, 2020 in Other News
SACRAMENTO, CA - The California Fitness Alliance (CFA) is disappointed in Friday’s ruling in Los Angeles Superior Court that granted the State of California’s request to temporarily block two properly-noticed depositions, including the deposition of Dr. Sonia Angell, the former State Public Health Officer who allowed indoor fitness establishments to reopen at half capacity in June before shutting them down without evidence on July 13. Indoor fitness establishments, despite implementing strict safety protocols, still have not reopened in many counties across the state and the ones that are open are in jeopardy of closing because of the State’s arbitrary tier system that does not rely on science or data. Read More...
Thousands of Local Gyms Urge Congress to Include Direct Support for Fitness Industry in Any Post-Election Relief Package
Posted: November 9, 2020 in Other News
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Community Gyms Coalition (CGC), a group representing more than 15,000 community gyms in the U.S., has urged Congress to include direct support for the fitness industry in any post-election relief legislation, in order to help gyms survive the financial impact of mandatory closures and operating restrictions from the COVD-19 pandemic. Leaders in the fitness industry rallying behind the relief effort include CrossFit, Mindbody, Orangetheory Fitness, Self Esteem Brands, Xponential Fitness and Zumba Fitness. Read More...
Medical Fitness Association Names Kevin McHugh to Board of Directors
Posted: November 6, 2020 in Other News
PINEHURST, NC - The Medical Fitness Association (MFA) has announced that Kevin McHugh, COO of The Atlantic Club in New Jersey, a MFA Certified Facility, has been appointed to the MFA Board of Directors. Mr. McHugh will serve a three-year term beginning in January 2021.
“We are honored to have Kevin serve on our Board of Directors,” said Robert D. Boone, FACHE, FMFA, President and CEO of the Medical Fitness Association. “The MFA Board is comprised of a dedicated group of medical fitness professionals. Kevin has been an integral part of the MFA membership for the past eight years." Read More...
Novus Therapeutics Announces Enrollment of First ALS Patient in Phase 2 Trials of AT-1501, A Drug Invented at ALS-TDI
Posted: November 2, 2020 in Other News
CAMBRIDGE, MA - The ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI) is excited to share a significant step in the advancement of AT-1501, a drug invented at ALS TDI, as a potential treatment for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Novus Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company, has announced that the first subject has been enrolled in the Phase 2a clinical trial evaluating AT-1501 in adults. Read More...
How to Advance ALS TDI’s Latest Discovery in the Lab
Posted: September 30, 2020 in Other News
CAMBRIDGE, MA - The ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI) recently announced the discovery of a new drug target, Type I PRMTs, for ALS caused by the C9orf72 mutation. We were excited to share those recent findings with the broader ALS research community and with you. We remain in the early days with this discovery, but we are optimistic as we take steps to further advance our findings. Because we can’t complete all of these steps alone, we are developing partnerships to make progress against each of these objectives. However, that progress won’t be possible without the continued support from the ALS community. Read More...
CFA Asks Court to Restore Reasonable & Equitable Statewide Access to Fitness
Posted: September 15, 2020 in Other News
SACRAMENTO, CA - The California Fitness Alliance (CFA) announced it has filed legal action in Los Angeles County Superior Court seeking to restore reasonable access to indoor fitness. CFA believes that government should not continue preventing Californians from having equitable and safe access to indoor fitness centers and the proven benefits, including maximizing their resilience to COVID-19, that exercise provides to their physical and mental health. Read More...
