Health and Fitness Club Industry News: IHRSA
Friday, June 20th, 2025
HFA Partners With Maxwell Productions for Fitness Industry Event in Mexico
Posted: June 11, 2025 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - Latin America is set to be the home of the next evolution of the wellness, fitness and health industry thanks to a partnership between the Health & Fitness Association (HFA) and Maxwell Productions on Wellness & Fitness LATAM, November 20 - 21, 2025. Read More...
HFA Engages Hans Muench as Ambassador for the 2025 HFA European Congress
Posted: June 5, 2025 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - The Health & Fitness Association (HFA) has signed an agreement with Hans Muench, former Europe Director for HFA, to serve as Ambassador for the 2025 HFA European Congress, which will occur October 2 - 4 in Amsterdam. Muench will use his connections with health club operators and suppliers gained during the past 30 years in the fitness industry to help secure sponsorships and attendees to the Congress, particularly from Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg. Read More...
HFA Expands Its Global Reach With New Fitness Federation Partnerships in Turkey and North Macedonia
Posted: June 2, 2025 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - The Health & Fitness Association (HFA) is expanding its global reach by strengthening partnerships with fitness federations worldwide in an effort to promote that exercise is preventive medicine. Collaboration with regional federations representing health club and studio operators plays a crucial role in achieving this goal. In May, HFA formalized agreements with two key federations: the Turkish Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (TVGFBF) and North Macedonia Active. Read More...
Liz Clark Named Among Washingtonian’s 500 Most Influential People of 2025
Posted: May 19, 2025 in IHRSA
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Health & Fitness Association (HFA) President and CEO, Liz Clark, has once again been named to Washingtonian Magazine’s prestigious list of “Washington, DC’s 500 Most Influential People of 2025.” This marks the third time Clark has earned this distinction, underscoring her unwavering commitment to advancing health and fitness policy nationwide. Members on this list are selected through a rigorous process and must meet three key criteria: possess deep subject-matter expertise with an understanding of how to effectively drive action in Washington; grasp nuances and complexities of specific policy areas; and display expertise in fields believed to be particularly significant to the current slate of elected officials. Since joining HFA, Clark has led a transformation of the association’s advocacy efforts, significantly expanding its reach and effectiveness. Read More...
Industry Leaders Join HFA for the 2025 Fly-In and Advocacy Summit
Posted: May 15, 2025 in IHRSA
WASHINGTON, D.C. - More than 125 fitness industry leaders participated in 130 meetings with policymakers and one group held a meeting with White House staff at the HFA Fly-In and Advocacy Summit, May 5 - 7, in Washington, D.C. In the May 7 meetings, operators from health clubs, studios and industry suppliers asked for support of the Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act. Read More...
Fitness Industry Leaders Heading to Washington to Champion Preventive Health
Posted: May 2, 2025 in IHRSA
WASHINGTON, D.C. - More than 125 senior executives from across the health and fitness industry will convene in Washington, DC, this week for the Health & Fitness Association’s (HFA) 2025 Fly-In and Advocacy Summit, bringing a powerful message to lawmakers: It’s time to prioritize prevention and pass the PHIT Act. Fly-in participants will hold more than 100 meetings with congressional offices, urging members of Congress to co-sponsor the PHIT Act and support policies that improve health through physical activity. The summit also aligns with Physical Activity Month and the Congressional Physical Activity Challenge, reinforcing the importance of movement in national prevention strategies. Read More...
HFA’s 2025 Fitness Industry Census Needs Your Input
Posted: May 1, 2025 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - There’s still time to participate in the HFA 2025 Fitness Industry Census, a reinvigorated version of one of the industry's most valued benchmarking studies, formerly known as Profiles of Success.
This global survey collects confidential data from fitness facility operators across all segments of the industry, including gyms, studios, and multi-site fitness brands. The result will be a comprehensive, data-driven report providing actionable benchmarks on key operational and financial metrics. Read More...
U.S. Health Club and Studio Memberships Increase to Record 77 Million
Posted: April 7, 2025 in IHRSA
WASHINGTON, D.C. - A record 77 million Americans, or 25% of people aged six and older, were members of a gym, studio or other fitness facility in 2024, according to new data released by the Health & Fitness Association (HFA). When including non-member users, total fitness facility customers reached nearly 96 million, representing close to one in three Americans (31%). The rise in gym and studio participation signals growing interest in structured fitness, as the number of facility members increased by 20% between 2019 and 2024. Read More...
HFA Board Elects New Chair, Welcomes Five Leaders
Posted: March 27, 2025 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - At its March 11 meeting, the HFA Board of Directors elected five new members and a new Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer and Secretary with terms starting July 1. Luke Carlson, Founder and CEO of Discover Strength, was elected to serve as the next Chair. Read More...
Congress Reintroduces Game-Changing Bill to Lower Healthcare Costs Through Fitness
Posted: March 26, 2025 in IHRSA
WASHINGTON, D.C. - A bipartisan group of lawmakers reintroduced the Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act, a commonsense, cost-saving solution to empower more Americans to invest in their health through physical activity. As Congress works through the ongoing budget reconciliation process, PHIT offers a timely and fiscally responsible opportunity to address rising healthcare costs and improve nationwide access to preventive health solutions. Read More...
Statement from HFA President & CEO Liz Clark on the Passing of Red Lerille
Posted: March 14, 2025 in IHRSA
LAS VEGAS, NV - Health & Fitness Association President & CEO Liz Clark releases the following statement on the passing of Red Lerille: Red Lerille forged a path to success that is uniquely his own, benefiting his members along the way. Few industry leaders were as well known to their members as those who belong to the Red Lerille’s Health & Racquet Club, simply called Red’s. Read More...
The HFA Show 2025 Kicks Off
Posted: March 11, 2025 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - The Health & Fitness Association (HFA) is preparing to welcome industry professionals from around the world to The HFA Show 2025, taking place March 12 - 14 at Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas. As the premier conference and trade show for the health and fitness industry, this year’s event promises to be the biggest and most dynamic yet, featuring an enhanced conference structure, new trade show experiences and an exciting lineup of speakers. Read More...
HFA Show Will Feature 28th Annual Financial Panel
Posted: March 11, 2025 in IHRSA
LAS VEGAS, NV - Moderated by Management Vision and HFA Founder, Rick Caro, the 28th Annual Financial Panel on March 13 at The HFA Show 2025 in Las Vegas will analyze the financial trends that are driving challenges and opportunities within the industry. His guests will include: Amna Malik, Executive Director, Morgan Stanley; Zach England, Managing Director, Harris Williams; Robbie Shapiro, Managing Director, York Capital Management; and Marty Newburger, Partner, KSL Capital Partners. Read More...
Gold’s Gym SoCal Welcomes The HFA Show 2025 Attendees with Exclusive Fitness Access
Posted: March 11, 2025 in Chains, IHRSA
LOS ANGELES, CA - Gold’s Gym SoCal, the original home of fitness workouts, is extending a warm invite to all HFA attendees to enjoy complimentary gym passes to their world-class facilities during connecting travels through Los Angeles to the highly-anticipated HFA Show 2025 in Las Vegas (March 12 – 14). With state-of-the-art equipment, expert trainers and a welcoming environment, Gold’s Gym SoCal provides a premier fitness experience for those looking to maintain their routine or explore new workouts. Read More...
Health & Fitness Association Rebrands its Official Publication as Health & Fitness Business
Posted: March 3, 2025 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - The Health & Fitness Association (HFA) has rebranded its Association magazine: Club Business International (CBI) is now Health & Fitness Business (HFB). The new brand, launching with the March edition, brings a bold new look and a re-imagined approach to its content. Read More...
HFA Announces Its First Class of Inductees into the HFA Hall of Fame
Posted: January 30, 2025 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - The Health & Fitness Association (HFA) has chosen six industry leaders to be inducted into its inaugural HFA Hall of Fame class. The inductees are Dr. Kenneth Cooper, Rick Caro, Red Lerille, Julie Main, John McCarthy and Augie Nieto. The honorees will be inducted into the HFA Hall of Fame in a ceremony to be held from 7 – 9 PM on March 11 at The HFA Show in Las Vegas. Read More...
Government Intervention Can Increase Access to Fitness, According to HFA Research
Posted: January 29, 2025 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - Reducing financial barriers to fitness through public policy interventions or investments can help address the global physical inactivity crisis, according to new research from the Health & Fitness Association (HFA) and the Global Health & Fitness Alliance (GHFA), conducted in collaboration with Portas Consulting. Read More...
New Research Highlights the Global Potential of Affordable Fitness
Posted: January 27, 2025 in IHRSA
WASHINGTON, D.C. - New research by the Health & Fitness Association (HFA) highlights the important role affordability plays in addressing the global physical inactivity crisis. Covering 10 diverse markets, the study demonstrates how reducing financial barriers to structured exercise facilitated by fitness facilities could help drive substantial health, social and economic benefits. Read More...
The 2025 HFA European Congress Is Coming to Amsterdam October 2 – 3, 2025
Posted: January 22, 2025 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - The Health & Fitness Association’s annual European Congress will occur October 2 - 3, 2025, in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The event returns to its 2014 location at the iconic Beurs van Berlage, the former stock exchange building turned conference center. Read More...
Statement From Health & Fitness Association on the Death of East Bank Club Founder Daniel Levin
Posted: January 17, 2025 in IHRSA
BOSTON, MA - Daniel Levin, who founded the East Bank Club in Chicago in 1980, died on January 11 at the age of 94. He is survived by his wife, Fay Hartog-Levin, a former US ambassador to the Netherlands, along with three children, 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Read More...
