Health and Fitness Club Industry News: HFA
Wednesday, May 6th, 2026
The Health and Fitness Industry Aims to Come Back Stronger Than Ever
Posted: July 9, 2021 in HFA
BOSTON, MA - On Tuesday, June 29, health and fitness industry stakeholders gathered for the second industry action event, United We Rise - Stronger Than Ever. The theme was “Relief and Recovery,” and the overarching message was clear: the world needs physical activity now more than ever, and we must capitalize on opportunities to emerge from the pandemic as a more united, more impactful, and more powerful industry. The distinguished speakers included... Read More...
2021 IHRSA Global Report: Fitness Industry Seeks Relief, Recovery
Posted: July 9, 2021 in HFA
BOSTON, MA - IHRSA, The Global Health & Fitness Association, released The 2021 IHRSA Global Report. This year’s report provides a comprehensive overview of the worldwide health and fitness industry with a focus on COVID-19’s impact on health clubs, gyms and studios. Information in the report is separated in four sections: Industry Overview, Industry Research, Company Profiles and Partner Profiles. Key research takeaways from The 2021 IHRSA Global Report include... Read More...
Health and Fitness Organizations Send Letter to Congressional Leadership
Posted: July 8, 2021 in HFA
BOSTON, MA - On June 17, 2021, IHRSA sent a letter, cosigned by 15 other organizations, to congressional leadership. This letter highlights why the health and fitness industry still needs relief from the economic devastation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re urging Congress to pass the GYMS Act (H.R.890/S.1613) and create a grant program for health and fitness businesses impacted by the pandemic. The letter builds on the GYMS Act's current momentum. Currently, 142 members in the House of Representatives and nine Senators have signed on, with more adding their names and supporting the GYMS Act each week. Read More...
Excitement Builds for IHRSA 2021: Full Program Now Available
Posted: July 7, 2021 in HFA
BOSTON, MA - IHRSA’s 40th Anniversary International Convention & Trade Show (IHRSA 2021) website is now live and includes a registration portal, the complete three-day schedule and more. From October 13-15, 2021, the health and fitness industry will converge at IHRSA 2021 in Dallas, TX, at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas. The occasion marks the association’s 40th anniversary, and the first time the industry will physically gather after a two-year hiatus. Read More...
New IHRSA Board Members and Leadership Set to Revive the Industry
Posted: July 3, 2021 in HFA
BOSTON, MA - July marks a new fiscal year at IHRSA. It also marks the start of a four-year term for four newly elected board members. As previously announced, beginning on July 1, 2021, IHRSA welcomed the following fitness industry professionals who will serve on the IHRSA Board of Directors: Luke Carlson, CEO of Discover Strength in Minneapolis, MN; Aaron Moore, Director of operations at VIDA Fitness & Aura Spa in Washington, D.C.; Jose Teixeira, Head of Customer Experience for SC Fitness in Lisbon, Portugal, and; Loni Wang, CEO of Catic Wellness Group, Ltd. in Shenzhen, China. Each of these individuals comes from diverse backgrounds and will bring new ways of thinking to the IHRSA Board. Read More...
Headlight 111: A Heartfelt Thank You From IHRSA’s Interim President & CEO, Brent Darden
Posted: June 30, 2021 in HFA
As members of a Headlight Team(s), each of you have been vital to an inclusive, integral, and effective strategy in the story of IHRSA’s revival! Quite simply, the reimagination of the trade association would not have been possible without all of you. The volunteer groups you were part of included in total, one hundred spectacularly talented and unstoppably optimistic industry leaders who, without a doubt, played a fundamental role in shaping a brighter future for all of us. It has been a blessing to work with all of you and I am indebted for your support of IHRSA, and by extension, the broad health and fitness community. Read More...
What to Expect at IHRSA 2021: Celebrate the Industry’s Revival
Posted: June 29, 2021 in HFA
BOSTON, MA - To put it mildly, it’s been a long and stressful two years since the global health and fitness industry gathered in-person. All of us at IHRSA eagerly await the day that we can all come together. If you haven’t started your countdown just yet, the Annual IHRSA International Convention & Trade Show (IHRSA 2021) is coming quick, October 13 - 15! Read More...
An Open Letter to the Health & Fitness Industry
Posted: June 18, 2021 in HFA
BOSTON, MA - IHRSA 2021 in Dallas, October 13 - 15, is our time to relaunch the momentum of growth for our industry in a BIG way! We will be “Celebrating the Industry’s Revival,” and we need you there! Uniting for our common cause is arguably more urgent and vital than it has been for the last 16 months. Now is the time to pull together and get business flowing again for us all. With travel restrictions lifting and a flood of clubs already indicating they are coming, we are confident the turnout to this year’s convention and trade show will be strong! We will take every precaution to keep you safe and we will make a promise to deliver to you the ideas, the technology, equipment and customers that will help you to turn the world’s appetite for fitness into your business growth. Read More...
Fitness Industry Asks Congressional Leaders to Support GYMS Act
Posted: June 17, 2021 in HFA
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Sixteen organizations, led by IHRSA, the Global Health & Fitness Association, and Community Gyms Coalition (CGC), released a letter calling on Congress to include H.R. 890 and S. 1613, the Gym Mitigation and Survival Act (GYMS Act), as part of any future economic recovery legislation. In addition to IHRSA and CGC, signatories to the letter included... Read More...
IHRSA Names Elizabeth Clark President & Chief Executive Officer
Posted: June 10, 2021 in HFA
BOSTON, MA - IHRSA, The Global Health & Fitness Association, has announced the appointment of Elizabeth Clark as the Association’s next President and CEO. Clark, a seasoned association executive, joins IHRSA at a critical time for the fitness industry and the association. IHRSA is the world's leading authority on the commercial health club industry. Clark previously led government relations and advocacy at the National Confectioners Association (NCA), the trade association for the $44 billion candy industry. Beginning August 16, she will be the first female chief executive in the association’s 40-year history. Clark's appointment concludes a five-month national search process completed by a six-member search committee chaired by Greta Wagner, Executive Director, Chelsea Piers Connecticut and IHRSA Board Member. Read More...
