Health and Fitness Club Industry News
Wednesday, January 21st, 2026
Senate Passes 8 Badly Needed PPP Fixes
Posted: June 4, 2020 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - On Wednesday evening, the Senate unanimously passed a bill that aims to provide fixes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The bipartisan bill, known as the Paycheck Protection Flexibility Act was passed almost unanimously by the House last week. The bill now heads to President Trump for his signature. The bill would... Read More...
How to Reopen Fitness Centers Post-COVID-19
Posted: June 4, 2020 in Suppliers
LOMBARD, IL - In mid-March 2020, COVID-19 forced the entire fitness industry to change course, with most fitness centers having to close to reduce the spread of the virus. As most states move forward with lifting restrictions and allowing fitness centers to reopen, several facilities are trying to figure out the HOW. Power Wellness has put together a comprehensive playbook to assist facilities as they reopen. Read More...
ACE Makes Donation to the Advancement Project to Help End Structural Racism
Posted: June 3, 2020 in Suppliers
SAN DIEGO, CA - It's time for structural racism to end. The ACE family's hearts breaks for black people who live in fear of injustice. To do our part, ACE has donated $25,000 to the Advancement Project. We encourage our allies in fitness and physical activity promotion to do the same. Contribute to one of the many organizations working diligently for a more just United States. Read More...
The American College of Sports Medicine Releases Official Statement on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Posted: June 3, 2020 in Suppliers
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) is committed to diversity; we value and seek diverse and inclusive participation within the fields of exercise science and sports medicine. The college promotes expanded diversity in membership, involvement and access to leadership. Diversity within ACSM creates a working and learning atmosphere that encourages varied perspectives and an open exchange of ideas. For more than a decade, ACSM has had a strategic focus on diversity, equity and inclusion within its membership, leadership and educational programming. Read More...
ClubIntel Announces Upcoming Release of Industry Study Entitled: What Members Say Matters – A National Fitness Industry Study of What Members Say is Needed if Health/Fitness Facilities Want Them Back
Posted: June 2, 2020 in Suppliers
DALLAS, TX - ClubIntel, a global leader in conducting market research related to the health/fitness industry, has announced that it will release a ground-breaking study the week of June 8, 2020. The study explores the behaviors and experiences of health/fitness facility members pre-COVID-19 closures and during COVID-19 closures, a profile of the best predictors of those who will return and a detailed list of the most influential requirements facilities should provide to ensure members feel physically and emotionally safe to re-enter their gyms. Read More...
NiCole Keith, Ph.D., FACSM, becomes 64th President of the American College of Sports Medicine
Posted: June 1, 2020 in Suppliers
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Each year at the ACSM Annual Meeting's Friday evening banquet, the current ACSM President is recognized and thanked for their contributions to the college. At this time, the President-elect is brought to the stage, a ceremonial passing of the gavel occurs and the new President begins their duties by leading the Saturday Board of Trustees meeting. This year, however, was different. It was determined that Nicole Keith, Ph.D., FACSM, would take over as ACSM President effective June 1. This is the date following what would have been a series of events at the San Francisco Annual Meeting celebrating and recognizing both Dr. Keith and William Kraus, M.D., FACSM, the 63rd President of ACSM. Read More...
How ALS TDI is Moving Forward with Phase 1 Reopening of Lab
Posted: June 1, 2020 in Other News
CAMBRIDGE, MA - ALS TDI’s Chief Scientific Officer Fernando Vieira, M.D., talks about how ALS TDI is allowing more scientists to enter the lab in accordance with Massachusetts Phase 1 reopening guidelines. ALS TDI thank you for support over the last few months, which has allowed us to maintain the pace of promising ALS research amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. This first week of June, in accordance with the Massachusetts phased reopening guidelines, ALS TDI began allowing more of our scientists and researchers to return to the Cambridge-based lab. While pleased to be able to resume additional operations the safety of staff remains a top priority. Read More...
IHRSA Announces Key Considerations & Risk Assessment Tools
Posted: May 28, 2020 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) is pleased to announce the release of the key considerations document for sports, fitness, aquatics & ancillary facilities and clubs in the context of COVID-19 with accompanying risk assessment and mitigation tools. A working group, instigated and led by IHRSA, produced these documents. In addition, consultation took place with ICREPS (International Confederation of Registers for Exercise Professionals) and EREPS (European Register of Exercise Professionals). Read More...
USTA Awards PTR with Full Accreditation to Improve Tennis Delivery Across the United States
Posted: May 28, 2020 in Suppliers
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. - The United States Tennis Association (USTA) announces that the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) has received full accreditation under the USTA’s accreditation program for organizations and institutions that certify U.S. tennis teaching professionals. The goal of the program is to elevate professional tennis coaching standards by implementing mandatory pre-certification standards for those seeking to become a certified teaching pro and to provide an improved and consistent continuing education program for all current certified professionals who are members of accredited organizations. Read More...
EXOS Partners with Hyperice
Posted: May 28, 2020 in Chains
PHOENIX, AZ - EXOS, a leader in human performance, announces its global partnership with Hyperice, a recovery and performance technology brand that specializes in vibration, compression and percussion devices. This collaboration will bring Hyperice’s recovery methods products, and additional health and fitness technology based offerings to EXOS’ workplace, physical therapy and sports performance clients worldwide. Read More...
Anytime Fitness Asia Acquired by Inspire Brands Asia Amidst COVID-19 Crisis
Posted: May 27, 2020 in Chains
SINGAPORE - Anytime Fitness Asia has been purchased by Inspire Brands Asia, a consortium of its top submaster franchisees in Malaysia, Philippines, and Singapore; lead investor Exacta Capital Partners; and co-investor Aura Group. The acquisition includes the Master Franchisee license in Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Macau, with over 350 locations sold and over 250 gyms opened. Read More...
Gold’s Gym and PUMA Join Forces to Introduce Limited-Edition Performance Wear Line
Posted: May 27, 2020 in Chains
BOSTON, MA - Gold's Gym, one of the world's trusted fitness authorities, and global sports brand, PUMA, have partnered to create a performance wear collection designed for working out anywhere with street-ready style and features. The PUMA x Gold's Gym limited collection brings together PUMA's legacy in sports performance with the rich heritage of Gold's Gym in an exclusive men's, women's and unisex apparel line that includes high-intensity training footwear along with retro-inspired apparel and accessories. Read More...
MyZone Launches the First Virtual Live Group Fitness Class: MZ-Remote
Posted: May 26, 2020 in Suppliers
U.K. - MyZone has recently launched the world’s first virtual live group workout, MZ-Remote, where participants can connect and exercise together, whilst receiving real-time biometric feedback and personalised coaching from a trainer, based on their effort. MZ-Remote is a live virtual gym training tool that displays the heart rate feedback of all participants on one screen, no matter where they choose to workout. Read More...
Planet Fitness Donates More Than 10,000 Slices Of Pizza to Healthcare Workers Nationwide in Honor of Fitness Brand’s Pizza Monday
Posted: May 26, 2020 in Chains
HAMPTON, N.H. - Planet Fitness, Inc., one of the largest and fastest-growing global franchisors and operators of fitness centers with more members than any other fitness brand, recently donated more than 10,000 pizza slices, valued at $25,000, in honor of the fitness brand’s Pizza Monday, where members are traditionally treated to pizza on the first Monday of the month. The donation effort is in partnership with Pizza vs. Pandemic, an organization formed by Slice Out Hunger, Slice and Pizza to the Polls, who are feeding frontline workers by coordinating pizza deliveries with independent pizzerias. Read More...
Technogym Mywellness: New Digital Features to Assist Fitness Clubs Re-opening Plans
Posted: May 25, 2020 in Suppliers
CESENA, ITALY - As governments in many countries are easing lockdown restrictions, fitness facilities are getting ready to re-open and welcome back customers. After the pandemic, health has certainly risen to the top of the list of consumers' personal priorities, especially after so many weeks of lockdown. Now, more than ever, the importance of movement and exercise, with the support and motivation of fitness professionals, will be in high demand. And, this time has also given a strong acceleration to the digital revolution in all sectors. Read More...
IHRSA Outlines Safe & Successful Reopening of Clubs Worldwide
Posted: May 21, 2020 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - It's been over four months since the first countries began mandating the closure of more than 200,000 fitness clubs across the globe, with China closing clubs on 24 January. Since the lockdown period began, global exercise levels have declined sharply. The more than 200 million global health club members have been without access to their health clubs. This lockdown has had a disastrous impact on mental health, stress and depression, all serious afflictions mitigated by regular exercise. Because of this, IHRSA, the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, is assisting the industry to open as quickly as safely possible. Read More...
First 10 States to Reopen Provide Rules Affecting Health Clubs
Posted: May 20, 2020 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - IHRSA reviewed the guidelines and requirements issued in the first 10 states to allow indoor fitness operations to resume. Every state has, or will have, general guidelines for businesses related to coronavirus-sanitation protocols. All fitness centers should review their state’s general business protocols in addition to any health club-specific requirements. The following states demonstrate the wide breadth of guidance and requirements released so far... Read More...
Potential Legislation Impacting Gyms In a Post-pandemic World
Posted: May 20, 2020 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent closure of virtually all health clubs across the country have impacted the industry in unprecedented ways. Although the crisis is far from over, it is important to consider what the world might look like post-pandemic. It is a common practice of legislators to create laws reactively. While most clubs have conducted themselves responsibly during these turbulent times, the actions of a handful of operators could result in a legislative backlash against clubs. Read More...
GoodLife Fitness Thanks Frontline Healthcare Workers
Posted: May 20, 2020 in Chains
LONDON, ONTARIO - GoodLife Fitness, Canada’s largest fitness chain, is offering healthcare workers free access to digital Member content and rewards in appreciation for their invaluable work during the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. While GoodLife Clubs remain closed, healthcare professionals will be given free access to the GoodLife app and Member portal, where they will find online fitness and mental wellness resources to help take care of themselves at home. Read More...
Power Wellness’ COVID-19 Survey Results
Posted: May 20, 2020 in Suppliers
LOMBARD, IL - COVID-19 has had a significant financial impact on medical fitness centers nationwide. In March, Power Wellness conducted a survey of medical fitness professionals representing 57 locations, across 12 states on the effects COVID-19 has had on their facilities. The results are in... Read More...
