BOSTON, MA—April 6, 2020—IHRSA, the International Health Racquet & Sportsclub Association, launched a webinar series to help club operators over the world learn best practices from industry leaders.

The fourth webinar in the series will take place Thursday, April 9, at 10:00 a.m. EDT. This webinar will be made available as an on-demand video for those who cannot join live.

Session Title: Coronavirus Conversations: Global Perspectives on Health Clubs & Physical Activity

Speakers: Fiona Bull, MBE, Ph.D., Msc., Program Lead, Global Physical Activity, Prevention of Noncommunicable Diseases, World Health Organization, and Walter MacDonald, Director of Fitness Operations, Shenzhen Catic Wellness

Date: Thursday, April 9, at 10:00 a.m. EDT

Presented by Fiona Bull, World Health Organization, and Walter McDonald, Shenzhen Catic Wellness

Join IHRSA for another international perspective on the coronavirus, its impact on health clubs and your staff and members, and physical activity around the world.

In many ways, the coronavirus pandemic is a great unifier; perhaps for the first time, health clubs around the world are facing the same epic challenge. While the specifics of each club’s situation may vary, there are global learnings to be shared.

This webinar will feature two speakers who will each bring an international perspective that you can apply to your club’s recovery strategy.

First, the World Health Organization’s Fiona Bull will address the virus’ global impact on physical activity and explain how health clubs can play a crucial role in helping to keep the world moving. You’ll learn how to incorporate WHO initiatives and become a champion for physical activity in your community during the pandemic.

Next, Walter MacDonald, fitness operation director at CW Group, will dive into tactical advice gained while operating clubs in Shenzhen, China. He will discuss planning for re-opening, supporting members and staff, and looking after your own mental health. You’ll walk away with key advice from a club that encountered the crisis earlier than other regions.

Learning Objectives:

  • Apply international learnings to your club’s reopening strategy
  • Learn from another club that has been through closures and reopenings
  • Generate ideas to keep staff and members active and engaged
  • Plan to clearly communicate with members to strengthen future retention
  • Learn strategies to look after your own mental health

Registration for the webinar is open now.

To access recordings to past Coronavirus Conversations webinars:

About IHRSA Resources

As a member-owned, not-for-profit trade association, most IHRSA products are released primarily to the IHRSA membership. In an emergency situation like this, the entire fitness industry is one family, so these resources are available for all fitness businesses.

"The health and fitness industry has never backed away from a challenge,” said Joe Moore, IHRSA president and CEO. “IHRSA stands ready to help the industry through this worldwide problem.

It’s what associations do. It’s why we exist…”

IHRSA will continue to create resources, collect and share best practices, and answer questions as needed. Please reach out and let us know your questions.

About IHRSA

IHRSA, the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, is a not-for-profit trade association representing health and fitness facilities, gyms, spas, sports clubs, and suppliers worldwide. IHRSA and its members are dedicated to making the world healthier through regular exercise and activity promotion.

IHRSA maintains a leadership role in advancing physical activity, which is critical to global health and the battle against obesity and chronic lifestyle disease. IHRSA provides its members and clubs around the world with benefits and resources to help them better prepare for and get through all situations that arise. IHRSA supports policies that promote more active lifestyles to foster a healthier, happier, more prosperous world.