Board of Directors
The Health & Fitness Association Board of Directors is an experienced, intelligent team of industry leaders. They are chosen to serve the association in particular and the fitness industry in general by providing guidance, strategic direction, and insight that has a lasting global impact.
Chair
Chris Smith
FW Fitness BC Ltd.
Richmond, BC Canada
With over 25 years of experience in the fitness industry, Chris Smith has seen just about everything. From personal trainer to club operator, Chris has evolved alongside the ever-changing world of health and wellness. Now, Chris acts as the Chief Executive Officer and President of Fitness World, leading the operation of 15 clubs and growing across B.C.
With a Bachelor of Science in Community Health and Fitness Promotion from Portland State University, Chris has brought passion, dedication and perseverance to many fitness clubs throughout North America. What started as curiosity about how the human body can perform, lead to a lifelong commitment to providing accessible fitness solutions for everybody.
Grounded in his philosophy that fitness should be accessible to all, Chris develops diverse fitness and well-being programs throughout all Fitness World locations. Specifically, Chris strives to make a difference by reducing the negative health impacts of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity rates — knowing that movement in any form is a necessary element to help combat these conditions. Chris brings this passion to the international stage, supporting HFA's mission to grow, protect, and promote the health and fitness industry.
At the core of Chris’ role as a business partner, president, and leader is the facilitation of growth.
In addition to maintaining the operation of clubs and providing high-quality/low-cost fitness solutions to 60,000 members, Chris utilized his passion for fitness education to launch British Columbia Personal Training Institute (BCPTI). Founded in 2012, BCPTI is a comprehensive training program designed to equip and support new trainers with the necessary skills to succeed in their professions. While the core curriculum is based in science, BCPTI’s unique and exclusive content also focuses on excellent client service practices, building customer connections, and developing genuine relationships.
Throughout his career, Chris’ passion for human performance, personal growth and well-being has stayed constant. Fitness does not have a one-size-fits-all solution— and Chris is committed to finding new, innovative ways to prove accessible fitness programs that fit any lifestyle or goal.