Health and Fitness Club Industry News: HFA
Saturday, February 7th, 2026
New IHRSA Data Shows High, Growing COVID-related Closure Rates for Fitness Facilities
Posted: January 29, 2022 in HFA
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...
Blink Fitness Makes Getting Vaccinated Against COVID-19 Easier for New York City Communities
Posted: August 10, 2021 in Chains
NEW YORK, N.Y. - With New York City's recent announcement requiring proof of the COVID-19 vaccine to access gyms, indoor dining and performances, Blink Fitness is helping to provide free and convenient vaccine access to the communities where it operates. NYC Health + Hospitals' Test & Trace Corps initiative, which deploys mobile COVID-19 vaccination units throughout New York City, is working with Blink to position units at select Blink Fitness locations in the coming weeks. The program kicked off on Thursday, August 5th with a mobile vaccination unit at Blink's Canarsie, Brooklyn location and will continue throughout August at Blink Fitness locations throughout the city. Read More...
IHRSA Addresses New Vaccine Mandates for Health Clubs
Posted: August 6, 2021 in HFA
BOSTON, MA - On Tuesday, August 3, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that proof of vaccination will now be required to enter all restaurants, fitness facilities and indoor entertainment venues. Beginning August 16, staff and customers alike will need at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose to access indoor businesses. Enforcement of the mandate will start on September 13. As the Global Health & Fitness Association, IHRSA released the following statement in regards to the new CDC guidelines and vaccine mandates... Read More...
Congressional Champions Ask President Biden to Include GYMS Act in Next Relief Bill
Posted: June 7, 2021 in HFA
BOSTON, MA - On May 28, IHRSA's GYMS Act champions in the House of Representatives, Representatives Mike Quigley (D-IL) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), sent the following letter to President Biden, requesting that the GYMS Act be included in any future recovery or jobs act legislation. The letter highlights the devastation the industry has suffered as a result of COVID-19 related shutdowns, the importance of the industry to Americans recovering their health in the wake of this pandemic and broad bi-partisan support for the GYMS Act in the House of Representatives. Read More...
National Survey Reveals More Than 100 Million Americans Miss Pre-Pandemic Exercise Routines Resulting in “Basement Burnout”
Posted: June 2, 2021 in Chains
BOCA RATON, FL - After more than year of working out in front of computers and televisions, ordering new fitness equipment and searching for motivation to keep going, Americans are ready to shake off their "Basement Burnout," a new national survey found. Orangetheory Fitness, a global fitness brand known for its results-driven and science-based full-body workouts, partnered with Kelton Global to survey Americans on national sentiment around the pandemic's impact on consumers' fitness routines. Read More...
Gyms See Membership Increase as COVID Restrictions Ease
Posted: May 21, 2021 in Chains
NEW YORK, N.Y. - Crunch Franchise CEO, Ben Midgley, discusses fitness center reopenings and how the industry is bouncing back as COVID restrictions ease. Read More...
Planet Fitness Study Finds More Than Three in Four Americans (77%) Say the COVID-19 Pandemic Has Negatively Impacted Their Overall Health
Posted: May 3, 2021 in Chains
HAMPTON, N.H. - Results from a national study**, commissioned by Planet Fitness in April, show more than three in four (77%) Americans report that at least one aspect of their overall health and wellbeing has been negatively impacted by the pandemic. The American Psychological Association similarly found*** that more than half of U.S. adults (53%) have been less physically active than they wanted to be since the pandemic started, with a majority (61%) experiencing undesired weight changes, averaging 28 to 41 pounds gained. But, there is light at the end of the tunnel, with Planet Fitness finding that 92% of impacted Americans noting they are proactively doing at least one thing to improve their mental health. Read More...
Study Finds Inactivity a Key Risk Factor for Severe COVID-19
Posted: April 14, 2021 in HFA
BOSTON, MA - Physical activity has beneficial effects on several physiological systems associated with COVID-19 and can also benefit immune health, metabolic health and mental health. Evidence over the past year has found associations between physical inactivity and other lifestyle factors and the odds of severe COVID-19. Specifically, there’s a link between physical activity and COVID-19 outcomes. Read More...
IHRSA Drives Momentum as GYMS Act Gains Support
Posted: March 2, 2021 in HFA
BOSTON, MA - On February 5, 2021, U.S. Reps. Mike Quigley (D-IL) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) filed H.R. 890, the Gym Mitigation and Survival (GYMS) Act. Since then, IHRSA has been working on overdrive to gain support for the bill and strengthen the industry's voice in Congress with the creation of the GYMS Act Dashboard and deeper collaboration with fitness organizations. The bill would create a $30 billion fund to provide grants to affected businesses in the health and fitness industry disproportionately affected by state and local government closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read More...
U.S. Fitness Industry Revenue Dropped 58% in 2020
Posted: February 25, 2021 in HFA
BOSTON, MA - After posting record numbers in 2019, the U.S. health club industry was off to a promising start last year. No one would have imagined that by spring, virtually all gyms and studios would be closed. The pandemic took a harsh toll on fitness club operators, employees and consumers. And, it may take years for the industry to recover from the damage. Five indicators speak to the indelible mark COVID left on the industry last year: Industry revenue plummeted by 58%; 17% of fitness facilities permanently closed in the U.S.; Eight major fitness companies filed for bankruptcy; More than 1 million industry employees lost their jobs; Americans lacked access to their go-to outlets for fitness and health. Read More...
