Fitness Industry Roundup: A New CEO to ‘Help Muscle Up’

In times of COVID and while pursuing financial relief, positive media coverage is beneficial for the fitness industry—especially when it comes from a popular business-focused publication. This week, we share an article from The Wall Street Journal that features IHRSA President and CEO Liz Clark, ukactive check-in data, and study results that promote light exercise for stroke survivors.

Plus, Life Time is leading the way towards “a full healthy way of life experience,” and two companies partner up to provide education in the Asia-Pacific.

The Wall Street Journal Interviews IHRSA CEO Liz Clark

The Wall Street Journal released an article on September 3, in which IHRSA’s CEO, Liz Clark, opens up about her lobbying and past work experiences, her lifelong commitment to fitness, and what she has planned for IHRSA and the fitness industry. As a previous public policy executive for the National Confectioners Association who successfully marked candy-making an essential service amid the pandemic, Liz plans on using her connections on the Hill to bulk up the fitness industry’s clout.

Another main topic in the interview revolved around the GYMS Act and gaining relief for health and fitness-related businesses. “There’s a perception that people go to gyms because they are vain, and why do we need to help them,” Clark told The Wall Street Journal. “But there are gyms and fitness studios in every single congressional district, and they are hurting, and we haven’t gotten relief.” To ensure the fitness industry never endures another year like 2020, Liz is focused on building a Washington team that includes communications, lobbying, and a political action committee to dole out campaign contributions.

Find out what else Liz had to say. (Fair warning, a subscription may be required.)

ukactive Check-in Data Highlights Low COVID Transmission Rate at Gyms

From April 12 to August 15, ukactive gathered data from over 1,500 UK fitness facilities, resulting in more than 77 million visits. As stated in Sustain Health Magazine, the ukactive report results show an overall rate of just one case per 100,000 visits. In the same period, the Government reported 160.6 cases for every 100,000 people living in the UK. Huw Edwards, CEO of ukactive, said, “The latest data collated from our members shows that our sector’s commitment to safety and monitoring remains as strong as ever, ensuring our facilities will remain open and accessible in order to play their essential role in our nation’s recovery.” The UK fitness industry attributes its success to its dedication to maintaining high safety standards and abiding by strict protocols.

Read more.

Minimal Physical Activity May Reduce Long-term Mortality in Stroke Survivors

A recent study in the medical journal, American Academy of Neurology, finds that those who walk, garden, or bike two to three hours per week after having a stroke may have a 54% lower risk of death from any cause. ScienceDaily highlights that the study results found a greater benefit for those under 75 who exercised at least that amount, concluding that their risk of death was reduced by 80%. "Our results suggest that getting a minimum amount of physical activity may reduce long-term mortality from any cause in stroke survivors,” said Raed A. Joundi, M.D., D.Phil, study author, stroke fellow at the University of Calgary, and member of the American Academy of Neurology. “These results might have implications for guidelines for stroke survivors in the future.”

Read the full story.

New Life Time Development Offers Spaces to Live, Work, Exercise, & Play

Club Industry reports that Life Time Coral Gables, a 14-story, 1.2 million-square-foot development, features an 80,000-square-foot luxury athletic resort, a 25,000-square-foot Life Time Work, and 495 residences as part of Life Time Living. “For nearly 30 years, we have operated premier athletic resorts and, for the first time, 'second home' has a new meaning as members truly can live, work, exercise and play in this amazing development offering a full healthy way of life experience," said Gino Santia, director of Life Time Coral Gables. Life Time Coral Gables opened its athletic resort on August 10 and is the first destination of Life Time’s 150 locations to include Life Time Work and Life Time Living.

Learn more about Life Time Coral Gables.

Asia-Pacific Gains Education From Precision Nutrition & International Fitness Academy Partnership

In a press release, Precision Nutrition (PN), the world’s largest online nutrition and healthy lifestyle coaching and certification company, announced a partnership with International Fitness Academy (IFA), an Australian-owned and operated fitness education company. The partnership aims to set the standard for fitness professionals’ education and career progressions in Australia, Southeast Asia, and the United Arab Emirates. Rhys Davis, CEO of International Fitness Academy, said, “Our partnership with Precision Nutrition is about breaking boundaries in online learning and creating exciting opportunities for the next generation of fitness coaches.”

As a certified reseller, IFA will offer the following PN products to their customers:

• PN Level 1 Nutrition Certification

• PN Level 2 Nutrition Certification Master Class

• PN Academy

• Specialized Courses and Advanced Certificates

• ProCoach Nutrition and Fitness Coaching Software

Discover more about the courses, certifications, and software.

Has your health or fitness-related business been featured in the news recently? We want to know! Send a link to any news article or video that highlighted your business to pr@ihrsa.org, and we may include it in a future issue of the Fitness Industry Roundup.