Looking for a few good fitness professionals

We need a few good fitness professionals to travel to Washington, DC on May 6 and 7, 2009 to represent their congressional district or state and meet with key congressional leaders about the role of exercise in health care reform as part of the Campaign for a Healthier America. Are you willing to step up to the plate and speak out for healthy lifestyles?

Maybe in your mind, you scrolling through a list of excuses right now. I'm too busy. Someone else from my district will go. It's too expensive. I can't make a difference. I don't know the first thing about politics. I'm not even interested in politics.

Here is the thing: the Summit for a Healthier America is not about politics, it is not about professional lobbyists, it's not about leaving it up to the "next guy." It's about participating in the political process, something that every American has the right and the obligation to do.

What happens in your health club matters to the future of America and fundamental changes in our health care system. We need you to tell that story to your Members of Congress. You don't have to know the specific details of the legislation, you just need to be passionate about making America healthier.

I hope you will consider joining us. It is an amazing experience. You will leave with a new outlook on DC and the difference that you can make in our country. It may sound hookey, but I promise, it's true. Register online today.

If you are at fitness professional at an IHRSA member club in good standing and live or work in one of our target districts, you may be eligible for a travel scholarship to the Summit for a Healthier America. See a list of target districts here.

- Breanne McGahey

Humana Health Care Reform Video Encourages Exercise as a Cost Solution

While on Twitter (http://twitter.com/campaign4health) today, I saw a tweet one from the New America Foundation about a great video on the basics of health care reform. It's a really simple look at the basics of health care reform. Two things that I really liked about about.

1) They mention exercise and healthy eating as one of three main ways to create costs savings (technology and payment for quality rounded out the pack). It also recognized that 70% of health care costs are preventable. It's so important that we are beginning to see greater acceptance of exercise and proper nutrition as part of broader health care reform.

2) The video is produced by Humana, an insurance company. The New America Foundation put it perfectly when they said: "The fact that the insurance company is putting PSAs on “what is health reform and why do we need it?” is just another sign of how far we’ve come from the Harry and Louise Days of 1993-94."




- Breanne McGahey

Wall posts, and pokes, and status updates – Oh my!

By now, if you’re not already a member, you’ve all at least heard about the global phenomenon that is Facebook. With over 200 million active members, it is now the 4th highest trafficked web property worldwide behind Yahoo!, Google, and Live.com (according to Compete.com).

Founded over five years ago at Harvard University, Facebook has proven it’s here to stay, as it’s is a staple in people’s everyday lives to quickly and efficiently stay in touch with friends, family, and co-workers.

In short, it is a social networking website community that enables people to connect with other people and share information, pictures, videos, etc. You can send messages, join causes and groups, and become a fan of ketchup, Bruce Springsteen, or even IHRSA.

Last week, IHRSA launched a Facebook page and group for the Campaign for a Healthier America, our newest grassroots advocacy initiative to bring together exercise enthusiasts to make healthy lifestyles a priority for all Americans and help pass the Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) and Workforce Health Improvement Program (WHIP) Act – http://www.campaign4health.org.

Become a fan of the Campaign for a Healthier America page on Facebook. It provides a community to view videos, pictures, and any updates that people contribute from the Virtual March on Washington (the Campaign’s digital messages to Congress to support the passage of PHIT and WHIP). Watch the videos and see why exercise is important to other people, than tell us your story.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Campaign-for-a-Healthier-America/85844830406



You can also join the new Facebook group, “I want to live a long and healthy life (and save money while doing it)” to find out how you can save money on health club memberships, your kids’ sports league fees, and some exercise equipment with pre-tax dollars if the PHIT Act is passed. Find out how you can be a part of the cure for a healthier America: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=148406825183


Not a Facebook member? You can write an e-mail by clicking here to exercise your rights.


Cheers,
Kara Thomspon

It's never too late to Start! (exercising)

Last week, a team of IHRSA staff members attended the American Heart Association's National Start! Walking Day Rally in Boston. The event was a part of Start!, the AHA's campaign to educate Americans about the benefits of walking and to motivate people to be more active every day. The event was also sponsored by Fitcorp, an IHRSA member.

The rally included speeches by local celebrities, success stories of people who have begun to exercise and lost weight or learned to manage chronic disease. Several local organizations were awarded the title of AHA Fit Friendly Company, which is a designation received by organizations who promote wellness amongst their staff. IHRSA was amongst the companies recognized for their healthy work environment and efforts to keep their employees fit. The event ended with a walk across Boston.

The Start! campaign is a powerful example of a successful national health promotion campaign. In only 3 years, Start! has hosted over 450 corporate events nationwide, including the Boston Heart Walk last fall, which several IHRSA staff volunteered at. AHA Heart Walks bring together different types of organizations, including health clubs (Sports Club LA, an IHRSA member, was there last year). Start! also has over 3,000 companies participating in the Start! Walking Program (IHRSA is one) and over 52,000 consumers are registered on the Start! online community, which features a walking tracking tool, food diary and social networking features, allowing people to find 'sole mates' - or workout partners.

IHRSA is currently preparing for our own national health promotion campaign, called Get Active America!. This program helps IHRSA clubs to reach out to their local communities and welcome new guests. Participating clubs host events and programs showcasing their staff, equipment and amenities. The program has two parts: Bring a Friend, where members invite a guest (May 11-14) and Open House, where the club is open to the public (May 15-17). This program has been successful at increasing foot traffic, membership and helping clubs receive media attention.

We at IHRSA believe that one of the best things you can do for your club is to increase your visibility in the community and participate in programs such as Start! and Get Active America!. Not only do these programs show your current members and community that you care about their health, but they also help your club attract more prospective members.

To learn more about IHRSA's 6th annual Get Active America! program or to enroll, please visit www.ihrsa.org/getactiveamerica

To join the online Start! community, visit mystartonline.org

To learn more about IHRSA Health Promotion efforts, visit www.ihrsa.org/wellnessresourcecenter and never hesitate to email me at kh@ihrsa.org


Sincerely,

Katie Horne
Health Promotions Program Coordinator

Industry Numbers- What Do They Mean?

Yesterday, IHRSA released 2008 research figures for the health club industry, with revenue, total club numbers, and membership numbers announced via press release. Industry revenues reached $19.1 billion in 2008, an increase of three percent over 2007. The number of health clubs increased by one percent in 2008, totaling 30,022 facilities in the United States. Membership decreased from 2007 to 2008 by 2.4 percent, with a survey margin of error of 4% making the decrease in membership statistically insignificant. Non-dues revenues increased by four percent over 2007.

What do these numbers mean? Current members continue to be believers in their clubs, as they are still spending money on services that are essential to their health. IHRSA data has indicated members are using their clubs even more, as they are not willing to give up their memberships in tough times. They need their club MORE, as exercise de-stresses, and makes for more productive and happier employees. Successful clubs continue to function and operate at high levels, as it is much harder to gain a new member than to retain a happy one!


The opportunity for 2009 is great, as an approximate 85% of the U.S. population do not currently belong to a health club. It is both our challenge and opportunity to impact next year's membership numbers for the better, as the rates of overweight and obesity continue to climb and as a result, preventable diseases become a reality for many. This year, all fitness enthusiasts need to continue their work as educators, reminding their friends, family and coworkers that exercise is critical to their health. We need to tell our legislators that we need greater accessibility to exercise, health clubs and fitness equipment. Prevention as a staple to health care reform is on the horizon, but our work must continue in order for real change to occur. Have you made your mark yet on 2009? Now is an opportune time.

Rosemary Lavery

Campaign for a Healthier America Advocate Spotlight

This week, the Campaign for a Healthier America spotlight is on our new friend and advocate for healthy lifestyles, Michael Field. He is the owner of Gold's Gym in Providence, Rhode Island. This is a great club! Not only have fitness professionals from this club attended our Summit for a Healthier America in DC, but they are a sponsor and event host for Shape Up RI.

According to the Shape Up RI website, "Shape Up RI is a statewide exercise and weight loss challenge founded by Brown Medical School student Rajiv Kumar on the belief that the solution to healthy living lies in the power of teamwork and peer support. This annual health campaign encourages Rhode Islanders to pursue healthy lifestyles through increased physical activity and better nutrition."

IHRSA is proud to Michael and Gold's Gym Providence as part of our family of fitness professionals who work hard every day to make America healthier!