Health and Fitness Club Industry News: IHRSA
Monday, November 3rd, 2025
A Decade of Growth: Health Club Membership Reaches 64.2M Americans
Posted: February 21, 2020 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - More than one out of five Americans belonged to a health club or studio in 2019, totaling 64.2 million consumers ages 6 and older. The latest data shows a fifth consecutive year of growth in membership, while the total number of members has grown by 28% since 2010. In all, 21.2% of Americans were members of a health club or studio in 2019. Read More...
Panelists Announced for the 24th Annual IHRSA Financial Panel
Posted: February 19, 2020 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - IHRSA, the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, and Rick Caro announce four new panelists for the annual IHRSA Financial Panel, taking place during IHRSA 2020. One of the most highly anticipated annual events of the IHRSA Convention, the Financial Panel not only provides attendees the opportunity to hear market reports from highly-regarded financial experts but advice on how to apply this knowledge to current issues impacting their health clubs and fitness businesses. Read More...
IHRSA Teams Up With Leading Italian Fitness Association
Posted: February 10, 2020 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - IHRSA has entered into a strategic agreement with ANIF, Italy’s leading association representing over 500 sports clubs and fitness operators. ANIF was created in 1996 and is headquartered in Rome, Italy. This agreement paves the way for a stronger collaboration between IHRSA and the Italian fitness industry, with ANIF members gaining access to IHRSA’s educational resources and global networking opportunities and IHRSA gaining a greater understanding of the Italian market. Read More...
IHRSA 2020 Prominent Sponsorships Still Available, including the IHRSA 5K Run/Walk
Posted: February 2, 2020 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - IHRSA 2020 is sure to attract the broadest spectrum of qualified decision makers from around the globe. Take advantage of the promotional options IHRSA has developed that will strengthen your brand recognition, maximize your reach and significantly impact your business before, during and after IHRSA 2020! Read More...
IHRSA Announces 2020 Industry Award Recipients
Posted: January 29, 2020 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - IHRSA, the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association has announced that four award recipients will be honored during IHRSA 2020, the association’s 39th Annual International Convention & Trade Show in San Diego, CA, March 18-21, 2020: The Associate Member of the Year Award will be presented on Wednesday, March 18, to SportsArt. The Woman Leader Award in honor of Julie Main will be presented on Thursday, March 19, to Paula Neubert, president and general manager, Club Greenwood. The President’s Award will be presented on Friday, March 20, to Richard Bilton, owner and president, Companhia Athletica. The Outstanding Community Service Award will be presented on Friday, March 20, to Fitness Formula Clubs (FFC) Oak Park. Read More...
IHRSA Launches 2020 Global Survey
Posted: January 22, 2020 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - To maintain the most up-to-date research on the global health club industry, the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub (IHRSA) recently launched the 2020 Global Report Survey. Industry leaders who participate in the survey will have a chance to be recognized among global leaders in the “Company Profiles” section of The IHRSA Global Report, IHRSA’s most requested research publication. Read More...
IHRSA Names SportsArt as 2020 Associate Member of the Year
Posted: January 20, 2020 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - IHRSA, the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, is pleased to announce SportsArt as the 2020 Associate Member of the Year. The Associate Member of the Year Award is presented annually to recognize an IHRSA member for their significant contributions to the advancement of the health club industry, as well as their support of IHRSA, its members, and its mission through program and event participation, advertising, and sponsorship. SportsArt, an IHRSA member since 1999, was selected as this year's honoree due to its outstanding achievements, innovations, and support of the health and fitness industry and its unwavering support of IHRSA and its members. Read More...
Support the IHRSA Foundation
Posted: December 30, 2019 in IHRSA
As 2020 begins, we are thankful for the ongoing support of the IHRSA Foundation. We hope you will support us in working toward an important goal: Making the benefits of physical activity accessible to everyone. Read More...
IHRSA Names Board of Directors Nominees
Posted: December 19, 2019 in Chains
BOSTON, MA - IHRSA, the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, has announced four nominees for the IHRSA Board of Directors. The four nominees are: Lan Wang - CEO of Catic Wellness Co., Ltd, Shenzhen, China; Luke Carlson - CEO of Discover Strength, Bloomington, MN; Aaron Moore - Director of Operations for VIDA Fitness, Washington, D.C.; Jose Teixeira - Head of Customer Experience for SC Fitness, Lisbon, Portugal. All four will stand for election during IHRSA’s annual meeting in March at the IHRSA International Convention & Trade Show in San Diego, CA. Read More...
Industry Leaders from Across the Globe Connected at IHRSA Women’s Leadership Summit
Posted: November 27, 2019 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - On November 14th, women and men from across the globe came together for the IHRSA Women’s Leadership Summit hosted by Athletic Business in Orlando, Florida. The event kicked off with a networking activity that set the tone for an afternoon of connection and sharing. During the interactive keynote presentation that followed, business coach, author, and speaker, Debbie Peterson, offered attendees tips to create clarity for their career and discover strategies for being more productive in ways that work with a demanding lifestyle. Read More...
IHRSA Releases 2019 Profiles of Success
Posted: November 7, 2019 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) has released its annual Industry Data Survey (IDS) results and the accompanying publication, IHRSA Profiles of Success. The report provides a detailed analysis of the annual performance of leading health and fitness clubs, including results in key metrics such as revenue, membership growth and retention, traffic, payroll, non-dues revenue and EBITDA. Club reinvestment and profit center analysis as well as income statement and balance sheet data are also provided. Read More...
Health Club Leaders from 35 Countries Gather at IHRSA’s European Congress in Dublin
Posted: October 18, 2019 in IHRSA
DUBLIN, IRELAND and BOSTON, MA - Over 500 fitness industry professionals came together in Dublin, Ireland for the 19th Annual IHRSA European Congress, which took place October 14 - 17. Participants traveled from 35 countries across continents to network and learn about what leaders need to know now as the health club business continues to undergo rapid change. Read More...
Keynote Speakers & Agenda Announced for IHRSA 2020
Posted: October 4, 2019 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association has announced that four keynote speakers will be headlining the 39th Annual IHRSA International Convention & Trade Show in San Diego, California. IHRSA 2020 promises to be the most exciting event of the year for industry leaders, filled with phenomenal keynote and education sessions, numerous opportunities to network and brand new and exclusive educational offerings. The convention and trade show will take place March 18 - 21 in San Diego, CA. Read More...
Health Club, Gym, & Studio Usage Reach All-Time High
Posted: September 30, 2019 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) has released the 2019 Health Club Consumer Report. This annual publication, based on a nationwide sample of more than 20,000 interviews, provides demographics and health, sports and fitness participation data on America’s health club consumers. "U.S. health club usage reached an all-time high in 2018 as more than 71 million people utilized health and fitness services at a fitness center, gym, or studio,” said Jay Ablondi, IHRSA’s Executive Vice President of Global Products. Read More...
2019 IHRSA Women’s Leadership Summit Lineup Announced
Posted: August 30, 2019 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - IHRSA, the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, has announced the lineup for the IHRSA Women’s Leadership Summit, hosted by Athletic Business, on November 14, 2019, in Orlando, FL. Debbie Peterson, business coach, author, and speaker, will kick off the event with a keynote titled “Mindset Strategies for Career Growth.” And, Michele Melkerson-Granryd, IHRSA Board Member and General Manager of Castle Hill Fitness 360 in Austin, TX, will moderate “People, Perspective, & Purpose,” a panel discussion with three influential industry leaders: Lynne Brick, Carol Nalevanko and Greta Wagner. Read More...
IHRSA Announces World Wellness Weekend Collaboration
Posted: August 2, 2019 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - IHRSA, the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, and World Wellness Weekend are excited to announce their collaboration in promoting the third annual World Wellness Weekend, running September 21-22, 2019. On World Wellness Weekend, spas, fitness centers, salons, yoga studios and sports organizations will open their doors to the community, offering fun, free wellness activities. This weekend provides an opportunity for fitness, beauty, tourism and sport professionals to showcase their diverse offerings, and for community members to experience new wellness services in places they may never have tried before. Read More...
Recipients of Two 2019 IHRSA Institute Scholarships Announced
Posted: June 25, 2019 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - The IHRSA Institute has been a foundation for developing business leaders in the health club industry for more than 30 years. IHRSA is pleased to announce the recipients of two scholarships to attend the 2019 event this summer: Maureen Eggers, Health & Fitness Manager for Washington Athletic Club in Seattle, WA, is the recipient of The John McCarthy Scholarship. Jason Stokes, General Manager and Managing Partner of Sportsplex-New Windsor in New Windsor, NY, is the recipient of The Curt & Jane Beusman Scholarship. Read More...
IHRSA Report: Worldwide Health Club Membership Now 183M Strong
Posted: May 31, 2019 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) released The 2019 IHRSA Global Report. According to the publication, global health club industry revenue totaled $94 billion (USD) in 2018, as more than 210,000 clubs served 183 million members. A perennial IHRSA bestseller, The IHRSA Global Report provides a comprehensive overview of the health club industry. Read More...
How IHRSA Can Help Your Club Stop a Proposed Sales Tax
Posted: May 17, 2019 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - What do lawmakers do when they want to discourage smoking or drinking too much sugar? They tax those products. So, why would these lawmakers do the same to healthy lifestyles when the country, actually most of the developed world, is dealing with: chronic illness, lack of access to places to exercise and rampant obesity. Read More...
IHRSA Thanks Lawmakers for Prioritizing Kids’ Health
Posted: April 24, 2019 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - To encourage healthy lifestyles for kids and raise awareness about childhood obesity and physical inactivity, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Senate have designated the week of April 22 – 26 "Every Kid Healthy Week." In Pennsylvania, over 30% of adolescents aged 10-17 are overweight or obese. These resolutions, House Resolution 842, and Senate Resolution 72, create an opportunity to engage youth, and their families, in regular physical activity, and educate them on the risk factors associated with a sedentary lifestyle. Read More...
