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Health and Fitness Industry Declares 2007 The Year to Reshape the Way America Lives and Moves

Posted on: Monday, 4 December 2006, 06:00 CST

BOSTON, Dec. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Health clubs across the country are gearing up to help Americans of all ages ring in healthier lifestyles for 2007, says the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA). "I Lost It At The Club!" -- a fun and collaborative weight loss initiative focused on healthy living -- will be the first of a number of consumer-focused health initiatives designed to offer the support people need to reshape the way they live-and move.

"It won't be easy to counter the sedentary culture that has emerged in this country over the last thirty years," says Joe Moore, President and Chief Executive Officer, IHRSA. "Behavior change is a long-term process that needs constant positive support and motivation. That's where health clubs can help. Across the country, there are thousands of health clubs staffed with professionals who are eager and ready to provide the support that people need to become -- and remain -- physically active."

So while millions of Americans ring in 2007 vowing to take better care of themselves, the health and fitness industry is resolved to step up its support so more Americans achieve their long-term health goals.

Participating IHRSA health clubs will kick off 2007 with "I Lost It At The Club!" -- an eight-week program to help current and prospective club members fulfill their New Year's resolutions to lose weight and get in shape. Last year alone, the program helped more than 11,000 club members lose almost 20 tons -- that's 39,300 pounds -- of excess weight.

Clearly, more Americans join a health club as they ring in the New Year than at any other time of year. In fact, IHRSA estimates that 65 million Americans will visit a health club in 2007, and one million Americans will join health clubs in the month of January alone. Many of those joining will do so because they recognize the supportive community environment that health clubs provide. In fact, as many as 67 percent of adult club members say they joined because they feel they need the motivation and support that a health club gives.(1)

The kind of support that health clubs offer today has evolved with the changing needs of our society. In fact, in recent years, many health clubs have created programs designed to meet the particular needs of seniors, families, and people grappling with challenging health issues, such as diabetes and cancer.

"In 2007, IHRSA member health clubs will continue to provide consistent support in safe, comfortable environments-where the club member won't feel alone as he or she faces the challenges of weight loss, a lifestyle change, or a difficult health issue," says Moore. "We understand that it's this consistent professional and social support that increases an individual's chance of success in achieving their healthcare goals. Whatever your life situation, there's a health club for you and a team of professionals eager to give you the support and encouragement you need."

How to Find a Health Club That's Right for You

To help people find the right health club that suits their likes and needs, IHRSA offers the following tips, which are also available at http://www.healthclubs.com/

1) Identify your fitness goals and look for a health club that offers programs and services that will help you achieve them. 2) Ask your friends and co-workers where they workout and why. 3) Choose a health club close to home or work. A convenient location will make it easier to get to the club on a regular basis-and it will increase the likelihood that you'll stick to your new exercise routine. 4) Visit a health club during the timeframe when you are most likely to workout. This will help you truly gauge whether the club meets your needs and expectations. 5) Choose a club that makes you feels comfortable. Do the overall environment and staff put you at ease? 6) Check the locker rooms, equipment, and club amenities to determine if the facility is well organized and clean. 7) Talk to fitness instructors about their programs and ask how they are conducted, when classes are held and who attends. This will help determine if the club offers classes that interest you and are appropriate for your fitness level. 8) If you have a specific health challenge, look for a health club that has a personal trainer or fitness instructor trained and certified to work with people who have health challenges. Speak with the trainers to get a sense of how open and willing they are to speak with you about your special needs. And don't be afraid to ask them about their credentials or to see their certification. 9) When you join a club, ask about the membership agreement terms and take care to thoroughly review the application details. Be sure that you understand the cancellation policy, billing procedures, length of the agreement and membership renewal process to prevent confusion about your membership in the future. And don't ever feel pressured to sign any contract on the spot. You are entitled to take the contract home and read it before you make a final decision. IHRSA -- Organized Consumer Health Initiatives

As part of the annual Get Active America! program started three years ago, a wide variety of health clubs nationwide offer health-focused programs each May and open their doors for free for several days. The goal is to make it easier for Americans to exercise and to help them build regular exercise into their daily routines. IHRSA supports health promotion legislation to help encourage more active lifestyles, such as the Workforce Health Improvement Program (WHIP) Act (H.R.1634, S.772). This federal legislation seeks to combat chronic disease and obesity caused by inactivity by allowing for the balanced tax treatment of fitness center memberships as an employee benefit. Specifically, it reaffirms an employer's right to deduct the cost of subsidizing or providing off-site health club benefits to their workers. And it excludes the wellness benefit from being considered additional taxable income for employees. Current law allows employees to use on-site fitness facilities free of any tax implications. But when a business needs to outsource this health benefit, employees who receive off-site fitness center subsidies are required to pay income tax on the benefits. And their employers bear the associated administrative costs of complying with IRS rules. The WHIP Act eliminates this tax on off-site fitness center subsidies, making it easier for all employers to offer important exercise incentives for their workers.

IHRSA also supports the recently introduced Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Bill (H.R. 5479), which takes a giant step toward a healthier America. This legislation will allow for exercise and physical fitness programs and certain exercise equipment to be paid for out of pre-tax dollars by including them in tax deferred medical savings vehicles-such as flexible spending accounts (FSA) and health savings accounts (HSA). IHRSA believes that PHIT will help provide the level of support many Americans need to be able to adopt healthier lifestyles and become more physically active.

About IHRSA

IHRSA is a not-for-profit trade association representing health and fitness facilities, gyms, spas, sports clubs, and suppliers worldwide. IHRSA is committed to taking a leadership role in advancing physical activity, which is critical to health and the global battle against obesity and disease. IHRSA supports effective initiatives to promote more active lifestyles for all.

For more information, visit http://www.ihrsa.org/. For a listing of health clubs with programs for seniors, families, and people with special health concerns, contact IHRSA at healthprograms@ihrsa.org .

(1) Fitness American Style II, online survey conducted September 2004

International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA)

CONTACT: Brooke Correia of IHRSA, +1-617-951-0055 ext. 149 (office) or+1-617-823-1311 (cell), pr@ihrsa.org

Web site: http://www.ihrsa.org/

Source: PRNewswire

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