Health and Fitness Club Industry News: HFA
Wednesday, May 6th, 2026
IHRSA Supports Kenneth H. Cooper’s 90th Birthday Proclamation
Posted: March 3, 2021 in HFA
BOSTON, MA - What does the “Father of Aerobics,” also known as Kenneth H. Cooper, M.D., MPH, want for his 90th birthday? For Americans to live a healthier lifestyle. Cooper is the Founder and Chairman of Cooper Aerobics and a preventive medicine physician at Cooper Clinic. More than 50 years ago, he founded The Cooper Institute to establish a repository of health-related research and data and educate the public of the link between fitness and disease prevention. 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...
New Initiatives Announced for the Fitness Industry and Partners
Posted: February 12, 2021 in HFA
BOSTON, MA - In its most recent move to revitalize the fitness industry and ensure the success of its members, IHRSA, the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, formed the Industry Partner Advisory Council to advise the IHRSA Board of Directors in support of growing, protecting, and promoting the industry. The council is a representative body of IHRSA’s industry partners, formerly known as associate members, who manufacture or supply products or services related to fitness-related businesses’ operations. 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 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...
Global Alliance Forms to Foster Health & Fitness Worldwide
Posted: February 4, 2021 in HFA
BOSTON, MA - A high-level volunteer group of strategic thought leaders banded together to establish the Global Health & Fitness Alliance (GHFA). This alliance will support the growth and provide innovative solutions for the health and fitness industry. Read More...
IHRSA and REX Roundtables Agree on Strategic Partnership
Posted: February 2, 2021 in HFA, Suppliers
BOSTON, MA - The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) announces a strategic partnership with REX Roundtables for executives on various initiatives. The partnership aims to enhance the business, leadership and management skillset of fitness industry owners and operators to strengthen the overall industry. Read More...
New Year, New IHRSA Initiatives
Posted: January 15, 2021 in HFA
BOSTON, MA - The New Year is often a time for sweeping changes and large steps forward. 2020 has been a challenging year across the globe, especially for the health and fitness club industry. We have all put in countless hours of work to make our industry stronger, better and more resilient. As 2021 gets into full swing, IHRSA has a lot of new developments to share... 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...
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...
