Health and Fitness Club Industry News: IHRSA
Monday, May 10th, 2021
IHRSA Restructures Membership Options
Posted: April 30, 2021 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - IHRSA, The Global Health and Fitness Association, is modifying its current membership structure and broadening membership opportunities to unite and assist the health and fitness industry post-COVID. To offer its members more opportunity to engage and take advantage of the benefits that best suit their needs, IHRSA will shift to a tiered benefit structure for health clubs. Developed in conjunction with a team of industry leaders, membership options for clubs will include... Read More...
Over 100 Members of Congress Now Support the GYMS Act
Posted: April 29, 2021 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - After a year of working tirelessly to demonstrate to Congress the health and fitness industry is in dire need of financial relief, our efforts are paying off. We have reached the impressive milestone of 103 co-sponsors for the Gym Mitigation & Survival (GYMS) Act (H.R. 890). U.S. Reps. Mike Quigley (D-IL) and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) filed the GYMS Act to bring dire financial assistance to health and fitness clubs, gyms and studios impacted by the pandemic. Read More...
Your Guide to All Things Dallas for IHRSA 2021
Posted: April 22, 2021 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - IHRSA has officially announced that the 40th Annual IHRSA International Convention & Trade Show (IHRSA 2021) is moving from Los Angeles, CA, to Dallas, TX, and from September to October 13 - 15. Deciding on Dallas for IHRSA 2021 seemed like a no-brainer as this Texas city, and the fourth largest metropolitan area in the U.S., is filled with delicious dining, plenty of outdoor activities, and fun attractions. If you plan on joining us for IHRSA 2021, here’s a guide with plenty to do during your stay with recommendations from locals: our very own IHRSA interim President & CEO Brent Darden, and Brad Wilkins, president of Cooper Health and Fitness in Dallas, TX and member of IHRSA’s board of directors. Read More...
IHRSA 2021 Moves to Dallas in October
Posted: April 20, 2021 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) has announced that the 40th Annual IHRSA International Convention & Trade Show (IHRSA 2021) is moving from Los Angeles, California to Dallas, Texas, October 13-15, 2021. The shift from Los Angeles to Dallas is to ensure that IHRSA members, industry partners, federations and attendees from around the world will be able to safely gather to celebrate the fitness industry’s revival at IHRSA 2021. Read More...
Study Finds Inactivity a Key Risk Factor for Severe COVID-19
Posted: April 14, 2021 in IHRSA
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 Welcomes Members to Board of Directors and Elects Officers
Posted: April 7, 2021 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - For the first time, IHRSA, the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, held its annual meeting virtually to elect new members to its Board of Directors and provide updates to the membership. During the meeting, the membership elected four industry professionals to serve on the IHRSA Board of Directors. Four-year terms will begin on July 1, 2021, for the newest Board Members: Luke Carlson, Aaron Moore, Jose Teixeira and Loni Wang. Read More...
Ten Industry Veterans to Lead the National Health and Fitness Alliance
Posted: April 5, 2021 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - The arrival of COVID-19 in the United States revealed a devastating truth to fitness industry stakeholders: policymakers and public health professionals in many jurisdictions do not understand or appreciate the essential role that health clubs and fitness facilities play in communities across the nation. In response, IHRSA has resolved to unite industry stakeholders around initiatives that highlight the health and fitness industry’s distinctive value. A major new initiative is the National Health & Fitness Alliance (NHFA), which aims to unite the advocacy, public affairs, stakeholder engagement, fundraising and lobbying efforts of the national health and fitness industry to represent and protect the entire U.S. fitness industry. Read More...
Four Industry Leaders Nominated to IHRSA Board of Directors
Posted: March 21, 2021 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - A slate of four industry leaders have been nominated to serve on the Association’s Board of Directors and will stand for election during the IHRSA Annual Meeting on March 30 at 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM EDT. If elected, they will serve from July 1, 2021, through June 30, 2025. IHRSA members are encouraged to register to attend the annual meeting where IHRSA Board Chair, Carrie Kepple, and IHRSA Interim President and CEO, Brent Darden, will also provide updates on recent IHRSA activities. Read More...
The Fitness Industry’s Road to Revival Leads to IHRSA 2021
Posted: March 18, 2021 in IHRSA
LOS ANGELES, CA - For the hundreds of companies that supply all the goods and services that power the fitness industry, now is the time to plan to capitalize on what promises to be a robust recovery this fall. The best place to do so is at IHRSA 2021 in Los Angeles this September. IHRSA 2021 won’t just be a trade show but a gathering of the global health and fitness community. Don’t miss your chance to participate in celebrating the industry’s revival with the leaders that have done so much to help our industry survive and safeguard its future. Read More...
IHRSA Reveals Medical, Science and Health Advisory Council Members
Posted: March 18, 2021 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - IHRSA, the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, has confirmed 12 qualified professionals to lead its Medical, Science and Health Advisory Council. The Council’s formation began in October 2020, as the need to align the health and fitness industry with experts in the broader medical, science, and public health fields grew. The overall goals for the group are to: protect public safety, improve population health and individual health risks, and foster collaboration between the medical community and health and fitness industry. Read More...
Community Gyms Coalition and IHRSA Statement on the Passage of the American Rescue Plan
Posted: March 12, 2021 in IHRSA
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Community Gyms Coalition (CGC), and the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), groups representing more than 40,000 gyms and fitness studios across the U.S., has released the following statement in response to the House passage of the American Rescue Plan Act, the latest stimulus package... Read More...
Stimulus Bill Snubs Fitness Industry, Fight for Relief Persists
Posted: March 12, 2021 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - The latest stimulus package did not include economic relief for the health and fitness industry. So, it is crucial to keep an eye on everything that’s going on in Washington, D.C. and continue to push forward with all lobbying efforts. Here's a recap of everything going on at IHRSA... Read More...
IHRSA Supports Kenneth H. Cooper’s 90th Birthday Proclamation
Posted: March 3, 2021 in IHRSA
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 IHRSA
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 IHRSA
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 IHRSA
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 IHRSA, 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 IHRSA
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 IHRSA, 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 IHRSA
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...
