Health and Fitness Club Industry News: HFA
Saturday, April 25th, 2026
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 HFA, 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...
Anytime Fitness Franchise Owners Across Canada Call on Provincial Leaders to “Tell Us What It Will Take” to Safely Reopen Health Club Industry
Posted: February 1, 2021 in Chains
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Owners of independently-operated Anytime Fitness locations across Canada are sending letters to provincial leaders and health officials in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec, where health clubs remain closed, inviting them to work together with the health club industry to establish province-approved safety and sanitation protocols that permit these essential businesses to reopen. Anytime Fitness, with more than 200 locations across Canada, provides health and wellness services to more than 100,000 Canadians and is one of the country’s largest health club brands. Read More...
ACSM Statement on COVID-19 Vaccine
Posted: January 27, 2021 in Suppliers
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - As a trusted champion for health, ACSM supports science, the use of science in public policy and the use of the COVID-19 vaccination to control the pandemic and save lives. ACSM encourages its members and certified professionals, as well as the public, to get the vaccine when it is made available. Read More...
What the COVID-19 Vaccine Means for the Fitness Industry
Posted: January 12, 2021 in HFA
BOSTON, MA - Within weeks of the emergence of COVID-19, scientists had already begun work on developing a vaccine. By fall, both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna’s vaccines were leading the race, and in November, both had reported their vaccines were over 90% effective in preventing COVID-19 infection in phase 3 clinical trials. In December, health authorities in several countries approved or provided emergency authorization for use of these vaccines, and healthcare workers and long-term care residents received the first vaccines. As of January 8, 2020, three vaccines are approved for use in certain countries/regions. The vaccine is key to returning the world to business as usual, but the effect will not be immediate. We will likely be dealing with COVID-19 restrictions, protocols and effects throughout 2021. 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...
Medical Experts: Let Gyms Keep Serving Their Communities
Posted: December 23, 2020 in HFA
BOSTON, MA - Decisions about COVID-19 must be based on facts and evidence. Research and data are increasingly demonstrating both the safety and importance of the health club industry. To amplify medical and science-based experts' voices, IHRSA is gathering a diverse group of medical and health professionals who believe in both the importance of exercise and the vital and safe role health and fitness clubs play with proper risk mitigation steps. Read More...
What the $900 Billion Omnibus COVID Relief Bill Means for Gyms
Posted: December 23, 2020 in HFA
BOSTON, MA - Congress has finally passed a COVID relief bill, and this alert summarizes what you need to know about the $900 billion package. While it is good to see Congress finally take action, the bill fell short of expectations. Unfortunately, the bill does not contain specific grants for health and fitness businesses. The good news is some Democratic leaders are already describing it as a “down payment” for a larger relief bill expected to come in the new 117th Congress, following the change in administration. There are a few provisions that should prove helpful to many clubs, including... Read More...
Power Wellness Safely Surpasses One Million Medical Fitness Center Visits
Posted: December 23, 2020 in Chains
LOMBARD, IL - Collectively across 29 locations nationwide, Power Wellness has managed over one million visits since reopening their first client’s location in May 2020. As a result of strictly enforced safety protocols, the reported COVID-19 positive reports from staff and members have been below 0.05%, and generally identified as arising from external contacts. Ongoing independent research is demonstrably indicating that fitness centers are less likely to spread COVID-19 than other retail service industries. Read More...
Representatives From 12 States Support Fitness Industry Relief Bill
Posted: December 22, 2020 in HFA
BOSTON, MA - With what is potentially the most chaotic lame-duck session in U.S. history, the Health and Fitness Recovery Act of 2020 (H.R.8485) continues to pull in new sponsors. Currently, the bipartisan Health and Fitness Recovery Act has 22 sponsors from 12 states and D.C. The bill’s most recent sponsors include U.S. Reps. Brendan Boyle (D-PA), Seth Moulton (D-MA) and Dwight Evans (D-PA), all of whom signed on in mid-December. U.S. Reps. Mike Quigley (D-IL) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) filed the Health & Fitness Recovery Act to address the fitness industry’s dire need for economic relief brought on by the impact of coronavirus. Read More...
In-Shape Health Clubs Declares Bankruptcy Amid Pandemic
Posted: December 16, 2020 in Chains
BAKERSFIELD, CA - In-Shape Health Clubs, which has locations throughout California, has declared bankruptcy. In a letter to members, In-Shape Health Clubs CEO, Francesca Schuler, said because of the pandemic the majority of their gyms have been closed the majority of this year leading the chain to have to restructure its business model. The letter said members will not see their membership status change moving forward. Read More...
