Club Leaders in India Join Forces to Support New Fitness Association

GOA, India—September 1 and 2, 2018—Thirty-eight of the leading fitness club owners in India came together in Goa, India, to join forces and create a new path to growth of the fitness industry and higher member penetration for the country. They set aside their natural competitive views and practiced the concept that “together is better” by supporting the formation of an official Indian Association of clubs. The Association (currently spearheaded by UHFF – United Health & Fitness Forum, based in Pune) has the intent to focus on growth challenges across India, collectively acting against key strategic operational issues such as high GST (goods and services tax) and import duties, and enacting standards for clubs and personal trainers.

The effort to be “part of something bigger” will bring results when the membership works together to reduce the impact of negative common issues, speak with one voice to the public, media and government, and bring a greater degree of professionalism to the fitness industry in India. Key on the strategic plan is now to widen the awareness of this initiative throughout India and bring in club owners from across the nation to join these collective efforts.

IHRSA joined with lead sponsor Precor and their local Indian distributor TIFC (The India Fitness Connect) to bring these leaders together, and created the agenda and environment for sharing and cooperation. John Holsinger (Director, IHRSA Asia Pacific) and Richard Beddie (CEO, Exercise Association of New Zealand and Chair, ICREPS) facilitated the weekend and program. At the end of the event, John and Richard agreed that “we couldn’t have hoped for a better outcome than was achieved, and it was the Indian Leadership who created their own roadmap to growth.” John added, “after working in and out of the rapidly growing Indian industry for 20 years it was supremely gratifying to see these Leaders put aside their own personal agendas and realise they can achieve much more if they work together. With this solid plan, and good follow-up actions towards their commitments, the Indian industry will certainly achieve cohesive growth as a result of the time and collective efforts put forward this weekend!”

IHRSA is committed to help the industry grow globally, and supports the formation and legitimization of UHFF in being the catalyst to move the Indian industry forward.