Washington, D.C.—October 15, 2024—The Health & Fitness Association (HFA) is proud to announce the release of its 2024 State Advocacy Report, showcasing the association’s tireless work to protect the health and fitness industry from harmful legislation. The report underscores the crucial role of advocacy in ensuring the success and sustainability of fitness facilities across the United States.
In 2024, HFA tracked over 1,000 bills affecting the fitness industry and engaged with 20 state legislatures on a range of issues, including auto-renewal contracts, membership cancellation policies, sales tax on fitness memberships and liability waivers. Through more than 100 meetings with lawmakers, HFA secured 48 legislative wins, safeguarding businesses from costly regulatory burdens.
“Our state advocacy program is the heart of what we do because it protects fitness facilities on the front lines,” said Liz Clark, HFA president & CEO. “Whether we’re preventing harmful regulations or pushing for policies that promote growth, we are committed to ensuring that our members’ businesses can thrive, free from unnecessary burdens.”
The 2024 report highlights several key victories, including blocking proposals that would have required expensive staffing increases due to new phone cancellation rules in California and defending the industry’s use of liability waivers to manage insurance risks in Maryland.
Adam Zeitsiff, chair of the National Health & Fitness Alliance and CEO of Dominique Dawes Gymnastics & Ninja Academy, emphasized the importance of HFA membership and industry support in driving these efforts: “Industry engagement is vital, not just to fund our advocacy work but also to help connect the dots between lawmakers and the real-world impact of their decisions on health and fitness businesses. With the support of our members, we can continue to educate elected officials and ensure our voice is heard.”
As HFA looks ahead to 2025, the organization remains committed to addressing the evolving legislative landscape, continuing to advocate for fair policies that benefit the entire fitness community.
For more information and to download the full 2024 State Advocacy Report, visit https://www.healthandfitness.o....