September 20, 2023 Update: Congress resisted legislation that included any additional COVID-related spending and failed to pass direct targeted relief to the health and fitness industry. Since publishing, IHRSA has also retired its Quorum account. To participate in active campaigns, visit the IHRSA action center.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN—August 12, 2021—The Fitness Business Association (FBA) - formerly the Association of Fitness Studios – announced today that FBA has joined the National Health & Fitness Alliance (NHFA) to actively participate in, and promote the passage of, the GYMS Act in Congress.

The NHFA is working with individuals, business owners, and community partners in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., to help pass the GYMS Act (H.R. 890/S.1613). The bipartisan bill will provide federal grants of up to 45% of 2019 revenue to fitness facilities across the country struggling to recover from state-ordered closures and operating restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is a major, industry-wide effort for a cause that’s second to none,” said Josh Leve, FBA founder and CEO. “The fitness industry was brutally shortchanged when COVID-induced remedies were passed by Congress. FBA is proud to step up and do everything we can to help rectify the situation.”

“We welcome the participation of FBA and it’s audience to support this incredibly important cause,” said Gale Landers, CEO of Fitness Formula Clubs (FFC) and chairman of NHFA. “It’s an all hands on deck effort by the entire fitness industry to take our rightful place in the healthcare continuum.”

The Impact of COVID on the Fitness Industry

COVID-19 has devastated the fitness industry:

  • $20.4 billion in lost revenue in 2020 – a 58% decline from 2019
  • 17% of facilities permanently closed in 2020
  • According to industry research, fewer than 50% of small gyms and studios expect to survive through 2021 without federal support
  • According to data released by Yelp, gyms and fitness facilities currently face higher closure rates than nearly any other industry, including restaurants and bars
  • 1.4 million jobs lost - 44% of jobs in the industry

How Does the GYMS Act Help?

If passed, the GYMS Act (Gyms Mitigation and Survival Act) will create a $30 billion fund to provide grants to affected businesses in the health and fitness industry. A sample of expenses the grant would cover include:

  • Payroll costs
  • Rent or mortgage payments, including interest
  • Utilities
  • Interest on debt accrued before February 15, 2020, taxes
  • Payments required for insurance on any insurance policy costs required under any State, local, or Federal law or guideline related to social distancing
  • And more

What Can You Do?

You can help get health and fitness facilities the relief that they need in three simple steps:

  1. Participate in the campaign targeting Senators from your state.
  2. Post it in your club! We’ve created a QR code flyer to print out to share with staff and members to get everyone involved in ensuring health and fitness facilities don’t get left behind.
  3. Share these campaigns as much as possible! Anyone can take action on behalf of health and fitness facilities.

More information on the GYMS Act can be found at:

About the FBA

The Fitness Business Association (FBA) is the only membership community dedicated solely to fitness businesses of all types. FBA provides owners and fitness professionals a wide array of business-specific products, services, and benefits that enable them to more effectively manage and grow their businesses, building on the passion, compassion, and courage they’ve already shown. FBA educational offerings include SUCCEED! Fitness Business Conventions & Expos - both in-person and virtual.

About SUCCEED! Conferences & Expos

Launched in May 2019 as an in-person event, and continuing with three COVID-induced virtual events in 2020 and 2021, SUCCEED! Conferences & Expos have drawn over 15,000 owners, operators, fitpros, and aspiring fitness business owners of all types. The next event is the SUCCEED! Virtual Conference & Expo, August 26-28, 2021.