BOSTON, MA—August 2, 2019 — IHRSA, the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, and World Wellness Weekend are excited to announce their collaboration in promoting the third annual World Wellness Weekend, running September 21-22, 2019.

On World Wellness Weekend, spas, fitness centers, salons, yoga studios, and sports organizations will open their doors to the community, offering fun, free wellness activities. This weekend provides an opportunity for fitness, beauty, tourism, and sport professionals to showcase their diverse offerings, and for community members to experience new wellness services in places they may never have tried before.

“IHRSA is proud to join this global initiative to promote physical activity and wellness around the world,” said Helen Durkin, IHRSA executive vice president of public policy. “This initiative aligns with our collective mission to make the world healthier through regular exercise, and a natural extension of what our clubs already do. This initiative supports IHRSA both in our collaboration with the World Health Organization and its Global Action Plan on Physical Activity goal of reducing physical inactivity by 15% by 2030, as well as in our goal for the industry to reach 230 million health club members by 2030.”

Participating locations will offer at least one free wellness activity during the weekend. A list of events can be found on the World Wellness Weekend site and the World Wellness Map.

World Wellness Weekend is supported by over 50 organizations, including the United Nations Global Sustainability Index Institute and the European Commission.

“The purpose of World Wellness Weekend (WWW)," says Jean-Guy de Gabriac founder of WWW and CEO of Tip Touch International, "is to remind people that it feels GREAT to be WELL, physically, mentally, emotionally & socially. While health is a relationship between your body & a doctor, wellness is a responsible relationship between your body/mind and yourself. The support of IHRSA means a LOT in order to encourage fitness clubs & professionals showcase their expertise & enthusiasm to coach people in becoming their best version.”

The goal of World Wellness Weekend is to create exposure for the fitness, spa, tourism, and sports industries and all that it offers globally. Joining in World Wellness Weekend can open up new ways to generate new membership opportunities from new potential customers. Gym members are encouraged to introduce their fitness club to a colleague, neighbor, or relative so they can become “Wellness Buddies.” Wellness Buddies are accountable to improve each other’s wellness and fitness condition.

IHRSA and World Wellness Weekend are inviting IHRSA member clubs to join the initiative to promote wellness in their communities this September by:

  • Opening their doors to the community for a free wellness activity on September 21-22, 2019;
  • Registering their events with World Wellness Weekend;
  • Post “Well-fies” (wellness selfies) on social media, and tag @IHRSA on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram using hashtags #WorldWellnessWeekend, #wellnessbuddies, and #wellnessforall.

About IHRSA

The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) 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 supports policies that promote more active lifestyles to foster healthier, happier lives.

About World Wellness Weekend

World Wellness Weekend is a GLOBAL event with LOCAL activities, celebrated each year on the third weekend of September just before the equinox (this September 21-22, 2019). In 100 countries, wellness professionals (fitness, beauty, sport, hospitality, and tourism) speak as one voice to show that adding FUN and creativity to HEALTH PREVENTION stimulates people to walk more, jog or “plog” (Swedish verb to jog and clean up nature), dance, stretch, meditate … alone, with friends (Wellness Buddies), or family.