Fitness Industry Asks Congressional Leaders to Support GYMS Act

    IHRSA, the Global Health & Fitness Association—joined by 15 community organizations—urges congress to include the GYMS Act in COVID recovery legislation.

    WASHINGTON, D.C.—June 17, 2021—Today, 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.

    “Government-mandated COVID-19 business closures and restrictions have taken an enormous toll on fitness facilities across the country - one out of every five has closed permanently and tens of thousands more are at risk, resulting in economic devastation for the facilities and their workers. As our nation continues to recover from the devastating impacts of COVID-19, fitness facilities require and deserve specific assistance due to the economic harm they have suffered and the critical role they play in restoring Americans’ physical and mental health,” said Jeff Perkins, Vice President of Government Relations at IHRSA.

    In addition to IHRSA and CGC, signatories to the letter included:

    • the American College of Sports Medicine,
    • American Council on Exercise,
    • Climbing Wall Association,
    • Coalition for the Registration of Exercise Professionals,
    • Fitness Business Association,
    • IDEA Health & Fitness Association,
    • International Council of Shopping Centers,
    • International Franchise Association,
    • International SPAAssociation,
    • JCC Association of North America,
    • Medical Fitness Association,
    • National Academy of Sports Medicine,
    • Sports & Fitness Industry Association, and
    • the Yoga Alliance.

    About IHRSA

    IHRSA, the Global Health & Fitness Association, is a not-for-profit trade association representing the global fitness industry of over 200,000 health and fitness facilities and their suppliers. IHRSA maintains a leadership role in advancing physical activity, which is critical for peak health and to fight the battle against obesity and chronic lifestyle disease.

    As the world's leading authority on the commercial health club industry, IHRSA’s mission is to grow, promote, and protect the health and fitness industry, while providing its members with benefits and resources. IHRSA and its members are devoted to making the world happier, healthier, and more prosperous through regular exercise and activity promotion. IHRSA is the publisher of Club Business International, the leading monthly magazine for the global fitness industry. Founded in 1981, IHRSA will be hosting its 40th Anniversary International Convention & Trade Show in Dallas, TX, on October 13-15, 2021, to celebrate the industry's revival!

    Author avatar

    IHRSA Staff @IHRSA

    This article was a team effort by several IHRSA experts.