A frequent topic of discussion in our meetings is how the industry can learn to better speak to and serve members of their communities that are overweight. No one will deny that this is a struggle for our industry or that is it one that must be overcome.
Right now about 17% of Americans are members at health clubs. Meanwhile, 67% of Americans are either overweight or obese. Clearly, our industry has a tremendous amount to offer the majority of Americans that struggle with their weight, but before we can help them, we must make them feel welcome enough to enter our clubs.
A sad story came across my desk this morning about a woman who was asked not to use the equipment at her new gym because of her weight. At 380 lbs. the management felt it was unsafe for her to use certain equipment that had weight limits. They offered her an alternative fitness plan, but she was not interested and instead took her story to the local television station.
This story is sad for a few reasons. First, it must have been a crushing emotional blow to this woman for whom weight must be a brutal daily struggle. Second, it's sad because the story will become an excuse for others to not step foot in a gym because it will reinforce their perception that gyms are only for skinny people. That means, these people won't reap the health benefits that are out there and waiting for them.
As an industry, we must do a better job of making overweight people feel welcome at clubs. That is not just about how there are treated when they are there, but how we market to them and attract them to our facilities in the first place. Personally, I feel the industry would be better served to cease using all images of ultra thin women in sports bras working out. Now, I've worked out in a lot of clubs in my day and I can honestly tell you, it's a pretty rare site to see. But for those that haven't been to a lot of clubs, it's no wonder they feel that they need to lose weight BEFORE they join a gym because all of the ads make it look like the land of beautiful people!
Let's start showing images that reflect the people that are really in the club. Young, old, and middle-aged. Athletes, average Joe's and Jane's, and yes, people struggling with their weight. The more we do this, the better we will be able to serve everyone and make our country a healthier place. We have the knowledge, we have the passion, we have the equipment for safe and effective weight loss. Now, let's put out the welcome sign for everyone.
Before I sign off, I just want to say that there are some amazing programs out there in our clubs that welcome people struggling with their weight and help them succeed in living a healthy lifestyle and those stories far out-number the stories like the one I came across today.
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Governments Eye Healthy Lifestyles for Tax Revenue
As shocking as it may sound, the fitness industry faces attempts by state and sometimes local governments every year that try to tax health club membership dues and services.
We strongly believe that exercise is medicine, so for us that is like taxing a your insurance co-pay for an annual wellness exam with your physician. No one politician would ever suggest that idea. Yet, in state after state they target residents who have taken control of their health and exercise at health clubs.
Currently, Governor Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania and members of the Washington DC Council are considering proposals that would extend the sales to certain services, including health clubs. We're rallying fitness professionals and health club members in Pennsylvania and DC to speak out against taxes on their healthy habits. To date the response has been impressive, with thousands of messages sent to legislators.
All of this brings up a bigger question though: why is your health club membership a favorite target of legislators?
There are many possible answers to this question. Most legislators will claim that a shift from a product-based economy to one the centers on the sale of services, necessitates that all services be taxed. Based on your personal beliefs on taxation, you could find merit in that argument. But why is it that the services of physicians, hospitals, and clinics are never included? They too offer services.
Clearly, there is am important need to educate legislators everywhere that exercise is medicine and just as they would never consider taxing diabetes testing supplies, they should also never consider taxing exercise in the safe and supportive communities of health clubs.
- Bre McGahey
We strongly believe that exercise is medicine, so for us that is like taxing a your insurance co-pay for an annual wellness exam with your physician. No one politician would ever suggest that idea. Yet, in state after state they target residents who have taken control of their health and exercise at health clubs.
Currently, Governor Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania and members of the Washington DC Council are considering proposals that would extend the sales to certain services, including health clubs. We're rallying fitness professionals and health club members in Pennsylvania and DC to speak out against taxes on their healthy habits. To date the response has been impressive, with thousands of messages sent to legislators.
All of this brings up a bigger question though: why is your health club membership a favorite target of legislators?
There are many possible answers to this question. Most legislators will claim that a shift from a product-based economy to one the centers on the sale of services, necessitates that all services be taxed. Based on your personal beliefs on taxation, you could find merit in that argument. But why is it that the services of physicians, hospitals, and clinics are never included? They too offer services.
Clearly, there is am important need to educate legislators everywhere that exercise is medicine and just as they would never consider taxing diabetes testing supplies, they should also never consider taxing exercise in the safe and supportive communities of health clubs.
- Bre McGahey
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
White House Task Force Releases Childhood Obesity Plan
First lady Michelle Obama, flanked by three cabinet members, released the 124-page report from the White House Task Force on Childhood Obesity yesterday. The report made 70 recommendations with the goal of reducing the current childhood obesity rate of about 20 percent back down to 5 percent by 2030.
"For the first time -- this is the key -- we're setting really clear goals and benchmarks and measurable outcomes that will help tackle this challenge one step, one family and one child at a time," Mrs. Obama said.
The plan focuses on five key areas determined by the task force, they include: prenatal care, empowering parents with nutritional information and community support, getting healthier foods into schools, increasing access to healthy foods in neglected urban and rural neighborhoods, and making sure that all kids are physically active.
IHRSA had submitted comments to the Task Force regarding the fitness industry’s potential role in increasing physical activity among the nation’s youth. The comments urged policymakers to seek partnerships with health clubs to expand opportunities for physical activity. IHRSA’s comments are reflected in at least two of the recommendations:
Recommendation 5.15: Local governments should be encouraged to enter into joint use agreements to increase children’s access to community sites for indoor and outdoor recreation.
Recommendation 5.16: The business sector should be encouraged to consider which resources and physical assets like fields and gyms can be used to increase students’ access to outdoor and indoor recreational venues. Corporations, for example, may have large grounds that they can make available for children in the community to play soccer or engage in other outdoor activities.
More details about the report, including recommendations related to physical activity can be found at LetsMove.gov.
Download the section on physical activity (PDF 927 KB).
View a summary of IHRSA’s recommendations to the Task Force.
- Bre McGahey
"For the first time -- this is the key -- we're setting really clear goals and benchmarks and measurable outcomes that will help tackle this challenge one step, one family and one child at a time," Mrs. Obama said.
The plan focuses on five key areas determined by the task force, they include: prenatal care, empowering parents with nutritional information and community support, getting healthier foods into schools, increasing access to healthy foods in neglected urban and rural neighborhoods, and making sure that all kids are physically active.
IHRSA had submitted comments to the Task Force regarding the fitness industry’s potential role in increasing physical activity among the nation’s youth. The comments urged policymakers to seek partnerships with health clubs to expand opportunities for physical activity. IHRSA’s comments are reflected in at least two of the recommendations:
Recommendation 5.15: Local governments should be encouraged to enter into joint use agreements to increase children’s access to community sites for indoor and outdoor recreation.
Recommendation 5.16: The business sector should be encouraged to consider which resources and physical assets like fields and gyms can be used to increase students’ access to outdoor and indoor recreational venues. Corporations, for example, may have large grounds that they can make available for children in the community to play soccer or engage in other outdoor activities.
More details about the report, including recommendations related to physical activity can be found at LetsMove.gov.
Download the section on physical activity (PDF 927 KB).
View a summary of IHRSA’s recommendations to the Task Force.
- Bre McGahey
Monday, February 15, 2010
IHRSA Heartily Applauds First Lady’s Let’s Move Initiative and Vows Support
IHRSA on Friday, pledged its support of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move initiative and praised the First Lady for her leadership in tackling the problem of childhood obesity—a long-standing issue that threatens both the health of America’s children and the future of our country.
“On behalf of the entire health club industry, IHRSA heartily commends Mrs. Obama for standing up and leading America in a nationwide effort to solve the problem of childhood obesity,” said Joe Moore, IHRSA’s president and CEO. “As a devoted mother of two school-aged children, Mrs. Obama understands that the problem of childhood obesity isn’t about statistics. It’s about real children and real families in need of workable solutions. It’s about real parents struggling to protect the health of their children in a culture and environment that often work against them. Mrs. Obama’s pragmatic, compassionate, and hands-on approach to solving the problem will serve as an inspiring example on which all of us can model our efforts.”
The health and fitness industry believes strongly that regular exercise is a pivotal antidote to the obesity problem. For almost 30 years, the industry has been working to increase physical activity in America, while IHRSA has been speaking out and working tirelessly on the need to incorporate exercise into the health care continuum as part of preventive care.
In a letter to Mrs. Obama, Moore stated: “The health club industry is an important and effective resource for introducing young people to a lifetime of exercise, fitness, and healthy behaviors. We want to make sure that this far-reaching network of community-based fitness centers and professionals is at your disposal in the nation’s fight against childhood obesity and that it is not overlooked…
By educating our youth about exercise and nutrition, by showing them how much fun physical activity can be, by instilling healthy lifestyle habits at an early age, and by maximizing the innovative programming, technologies, and available research within the fitness industry—health clubs can make a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of children.”
Health clubs play a vital role in keeping Americans of all ages healthy. With more than 30,000 across the country, they can be found in all 50 states, serving cities and towns in both rural and urban areas. Health clubs of all sizes and business models—including thousands of small and medium sized enterprises—are integral to community life. Together, they provide a gateway to healthy living for millions of Americans of all ages and backgrounds.
Historically, health clubs have been successfully engaging children in regular physical activity by drawing upon state-of-the art technologies and behavior research to implement innovative programs within local communities. Today, more than 22 percent of commercial health clubs offer children-specific programming. Almost 20 percent offer a kids-only section of the club. And together, health clubs serve more than 4.8 million members under the age of 18—including 1.13 million between 6 and 12 years old, and 3.11 million between 13 and 17.
What’s more, 33 percent of fitness professionals now teach kids’ classes, and 55 percent offer one-on-one personal training to youth aged 18 or younger. And the number of children using health clubs has increased by 108 percent since 1990. The number of first time health club members under the age of 18 has doubled in ten years.
Each year at IHRSA’s annual convention, health club owners and leaders in the health and fitness industry have the opportunity to see the latest in innovative technologies and exercise equipment designed specifically for youth—and to share ideas on how to best support the efforts of families and children who want to exercise regularly and live healthier lives. This year’s convention will take place in San Diego from March 10 through 13.
“Mrs. Obama has a tremendous and tremendously important task before her,” said Moore. “And she will need cooperation and help from all industries and from both the private and public sectors.”
According to research commissioned by IHRSA, 99 percent of Americans believe that exercise helps preserve good health, but most feel they have to battle current culture to exercise regularly and that the government should do more to promote physical activity. Americans agree at a high rate (79%) that “The current culture in America, including the pressures of work, family and financial demands, makes it hard for people to exercise regularly and maintain healthy lifestyles.” More than three-fifths of Americans (61%) believe the government should do more to promote physical activity.
At the time these survey findings were released in 2007, Moore commented: “[Americans] are losing the struggle to balance the demands of work and family with personal health and need greater support. Americans need access to the tools necessary to live healthier lifestyles.”
“We are extremely grateful that Mrs. Obama has taken on the issue of childhood obesity,” Moore said today. “We want to see her succeed in this initiative and in leading the way to create a national environment that supports health. We encourage all Americans to stand behind Mrs. Obama in her efforts to stop the tide of childhood obesity and to do what they can to help ensure healthy futures for our children and for our country.”
“On behalf of the entire health club industry, IHRSA heartily commends Mrs. Obama for standing up and leading America in a nationwide effort to solve the problem of childhood obesity,” said Joe Moore, IHRSA’s president and CEO. “As a devoted mother of two school-aged children, Mrs. Obama understands that the problem of childhood obesity isn’t about statistics. It’s about real children and real families in need of workable solutions. It’s about real parents struggling to protect the health of their children in a culture and environment that often work against them. Mrs. Obama’s pragmatic, compassionate, and hands-on approach to solving the problem will serve as an inspiring example on which all of us can model our efforts.”
The health and fitness industry believes strongly that regular exercise is a pivotal antidote to the obesity problem. For almost 30 years, the industry has been working to increase physical activity in America, while IHRSA has been speaking out and working tirelessly on the need to incorporate exercise into the health care continuum as part of preventive care.
In a letter to Mrs. Obama, Moore stated: “The health club industry is an important and effective resource for introducing young people to a lifetime of exercise, fitness, and healthy behaviors. We want to make sure that this far-reaching network of community-based fitness centers and professionals is at your disposal in the nation’s fight against childhood obesity and that it is not overlooked…
By educating our youth about exercise and nutrition, by showing them how much fun physical activity can be, by instilling healthy lifestyle habits at an early age, and by maximizing the innovative programming, technologies, and available research within the fitness industry—health clubs can make a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of children.”
Health clubs play a vital role in keeping Americans of all ages healthy. With more than 30,000 across the country, they can be found in all 50 states, serving cities and towns in both rural and urban areas. Health clubs of all sizes and business models—including thousands of small and medium sized enterprises—are integral to community life. Together, they provide a gateway to healthy living for millions of Americans of all ages and backgrounds.
Historically, health clubs have been successfully engaging children in regular physical activity by drawing upon state-of-the art technologies and behavior research to implement innovative programs within local communities. Today, more than 22 percent of commercial health clubs offer children-specific programming. Almost 20 percent offer a kids-only section of the club. And together, health clubs serve more than 4.8 million members under the age of 18—including 1.13 million between 6 and 12 years old, and 3.11 million between 13 and 17.
What’s more, 33 percent of fitness professionals now teach kids’ classes, and 55 percent offer one-on-one personal training to youth aged 18 or younger. And the number of children using health clubs has increased by 108 percent since 1990. The number of first time health club members under the age of 18 has doubled in ten years.
Each year at IHRSA’s annual convention, health club owners and leaders in the health and fitness industry have the opportunity to see the latest in innovative technologies and exercise equipment designed specifically for youth—and to share ideas on how to best support the efforts of families and children who want to exercise regularly and live healthier lives. This year’s convention will take place in San Diego from March 10 through 13.
“Mrs. Obama has a tremendous and tremendously important task before her,” said Moore. “And she will need cooperation and help from all industries and from both the private and public sectors.”
According to research commissioned by IHRSA, 99 percent of Americans believe that exercise helps preserve good health, but most feel they have to battle current culture to exercise regularly and that the government should do more to promote physical activity. Americans agree at a high rate (79%) that “The current culture in America, including the pressures of work, family and financial demands, makes it hard for people to exercise regularly and maintain healthy lifestyles.” More than three-fifths of Americans (61%) believe the government should do more to promote physical activity.
At the time these survey findings were released in 2007, Moore commented: “[Americans] are losing the struggle to balance the demands of work and family with personal health and need greater support. Americans need access to the tools necessary to live healthier lifestyles.”
“We are extremely grateful that Mrs. Obama has taken on the issue of childhood obesity,” Moore said today. “We want to see her succeed in this initiative and in leading the way to create a national environment that supports health. We encourage all Americans to stand behind Mrs. Obama in her efforts to stop the tide of childhood obesity and to do what they can to help ensure healthy futures for our children and for our country.”
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