Overcoming the Unwelcome Stigma

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.

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

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

Health Care Reform, Prevention, Cost-Savings

President Barack Obama will address the nation tonight in a prime time news conference on health care reform. This is the latest event in what has been a full court press by the White House in recent days to try to build awareness and momentum around the debate. At a White House Rose Garden event on Tuesday, Obama said, “We've agreed that our health reform bill will emphasize prevention and wellness by investing in programs that help Americans live healthier lives. We will save money, prevent illness, and increase the competitiveness of our country. “

IHRSA and its partners continue to encourage legislators to use prevention to contain skyrocketing costs. In a statement released Monday, the Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease (PFCD) urged Congress to focus on the number one driver of health care costs- chronic disease. "We must focus on disease prevention and wellness in order to reduce unnecessary - and often preventable - costs and create a sustainable health care system," said Ken Thorpe, Ph.D., PFCD Executive Director. "We hope that as other Senate and House committees continue through mark ups, they will make certain that their bills contain adequate measures to address the economic burden of chronic disease and control costs in order to insure the passage of comprehensive, sustainable health care reform legislation in 2009."

While members of Congress and the Obama administration discuss health care reform, the President continues to call on Congress to move bills out of committee and to vote before the scheduled August recess. Though some in Washington are beginning to call the deadline impossible, committees are working very quickly to mark up the bills as soon as possible making this a crucial time for IHRSA’s Personal Health Investment Today Act and Workplace Health Improvement Program Act.

“Our DC team has been actively engaging with key legislators in both the House and the Senate on including the WHIP and PHIT Acts in health care reform,” said Helen Durkin, executive vice president IHRSA public policy. “But we do not have a million dollars a day to spend like the insurance and pharmaceutical lobbies. Our strength is the number of fitness professionals across America that are passionate about creating a culture of wellness in our nation.”

Fitness professionals can do their part by writing an email to Congress asking for their support of exercise as part of prevention in health care reform. All of the details are provided online at http://ihrsa.org/campaign. Clubs will be speaking out for legislation that not only encourages Americans to lead healthy lives but also provides them tax incentives to do so while promoting health clubs and growing the number of Americans with gym memberships.

- Breanne McGahey

Teen Fitness Connection - Empower a Teen This Summer

As the nation waits this summer for long-anticipated health care reform and for prevention to play a critical role, you may be asking what more you can do to have your voice heard and how to play a part in keeping Americans healthy this summer. You should, of course, write or call your Congressional representative and ask for their support of Workforce Health Improvement Program (WHIP) Act and the Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act. If you submitted a video for IHRSA’s Campaign for a Healthier America, we thank you and encourge you to invite your staff to do the same. If you are looking for a program to make a difference in a young person’s life this summer, I would ask you to consider running the Teen Fitness Connection (TFC) in your club.

The TFC is a nationwide initiative designed to introduce exercise to teens by offering free summer matinee memberships. Now in its second year as an IHRSA program, it is designed as a community outreach initiative that invites club owners and operators to fight teen obesity and physical inactivity on a local level. Geoff Dyer, Founder of Lifestyle Family Fitness health clubs and the TFC, began the program three years ago with the intent to provide an outlet for teenagers to raise their self-esteem, get in control of their physical health, and to fight teenage obesity.

Adopting a healthy lifestyle begins at an early age, and needs to be reinforced in order to become habit. The TFC gives teens a fun activity to engage in during the summer months and to explore the offerings and support health clubs give. Clubs can modify and adjust the program as they see fit.

The program takes place at IHRSA clubs across the country from July 1 - August 31, 2009. Please visit http://www.ihrsa.org/teenfitnessconnection for more information and enrollment.
I urge you to consider implementing this program in your club and join in empowering teens with fitness this summer!

- Rosemary Lavery

The Personal Health Investment Today Act (H.R. 2105)

The following is detailed information on the Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act (H.R. 2105). This bill is currently before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Ways & Means. If you would like to support this bill, join the virtual march on Washington by visiting http://campaign4health.org.

The PHIT Act (H.R. 2105) would eliminate a federal policy barrier and create a financial incentive for Americans to engage in physical fitness and exercise.

Americans could utilize up to $1,000 annually from their tax-favored accounts (such as FSAs and MSAs) to make expenditures related to organized individual and team sports, fitness and exercise, recreation and other physical activities. The PHIT Act would not increase the total contribution limits to those pre-tax accounts.

• 64% of American adults and 34% of American children suffer from overweight, obesity, and physical inactivity. These rising rates of obesity and Americans’ proclivity for inactivity are resulting in double digit annual increases in healthcare costs to the government and business.

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that healthcare costs directly associated with inactivity were $76.6 billion in 2000; roughly one-third of those costs ($25 billion) fall directly on U.S. taxpayers since approximately one in three Americans is covered by a taxpayer-funded health plan.

• The PHIT Act would help to reverse the trend of increasing physical inactivity and obesity by eliminating a federal policy barrier and providing an important tax incentive to promote exercise.

• Public health experts agree that regular physical activity substantially reduces the risk and symptoms of numerous chronic diseases and medical conditions, resulting in fewer hospitalizations, physician visits, medications and lower health care costs.

• The PHIT Act would change the types of expenditures that could be payable out of tax-favored investment accounts: flexible spending accounts (FSAs), medical savings accounts (MSAs) and/or medical reimbursement arrangements.

• Under the current set-up, Americans predominantly use pre-tax accounts to pay for treatment and detection of illnesses: prescription drugs, doctor visits, examinations and screenings.

• The PHIT Act would allow consumers to to pay with pre-tax dollars for prevention in the form of increased physical activity, including:

• fitness center dues
• group exercise classes
• youth sports league fees
• some exercise equipment
• other fees associated with physical activity programs

• Depending upon their income tax bracket, the PHIT Act could help Americans save 20-30% on the cost of physical activities, exercise programs and related expenses.

• The PHIT Act tax incentive represents an important tangible benefit that the federal government can provide to promote healthier lifestyles and reverse the rising costs of treating obesity-related chronic diseases.

• Fitness-related tax savings would provide a great incentive for Americans to take an important first step toward reversing their sedentary lifestyles and lowering healthcare costs.

Why is the PHIT Act necessary?
The PHIT Act would eliminate a federal policy barrier and create a financial incentive to engage in physical fitness and exercise.

What will the PHIT Act do?
The PHIT Act would change the types of expenditures that could be payable out of tax-favored investment accounts (such as FSAs and MSAs). Under the current set-up, Americans predominantly use pre-tax accounts to pay for treatment and detection of illnesses: prescription drugs, doctor visits, examinations and screenings.

The PHIT Act would allow consumers to set aside up to $1,000 ($2,000 per family) annually from their tax-favored accounts to make expenditures related to prevention in the form of increased physical activity, allowing fitness center dues, payments for some exercise equipment, and other fees associated with physical activity programs to be paid with pre-tax dollars.

What will the PHIT Act cost?
IHRSA has met with the Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation and has requested an immediate “score” for the PHIT Act, which will determine the total cost of implementing the bill over a ten year period.

Who is supporting the PHIT Act?
IHRSA has gathered broad support for the PHIT Act during previous sessions of Congress. The PHIT Act was re-introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on April 27, 2009 by Representative Ron Kind (D-WI) and referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means. Co-sponsors, at the time of introduction, include Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Kevin Brady (R-TX), and Zach Wamp (R-TN). (Full co-sponsor list.)

Legislating a Healthier Future for Our Children

The following is an excerpt from the June 2009 issue of Club Business International, IHRSA's monthly magazine reaching almost 25,000 fitness professionals around the world.

The children of America are on the verge of a health crisis—and, ultimately, so, too, is the nation’s healthcare system. About one in three children and youth are already overweight or obese. In fact, today’s kids could be the first generation of Americans to live shorter lives than their parents.

Across the spectrum, it’s widely agreed that a lack of physical activity and poor nutrition are two of the leading culprits. According to the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, an initiative of the William J. Clinton Foundation, 92% of elementary schools do not offer daily physical education classes year-round, and only about 20% of high school students report eating fruits and green vegetables five or more times a day.

Fortunately, there’s a growing awareness of the issue. Congress, many state legislators, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Surgeon General, and political leaders are actively working to improve the health of America’s kids.

So far this year, 26 states have introduced physical education (PE) legislation. Many of the bills seek to impose specific requirements on PE programs’ weekly duration, standards, and implementation requirements, or create an assessment mechanism. In Illinois, House Bill 2291 proposes requiring each school board to have an annual assessment on the physical fitness levels of all students in grades five, seven, and nine. The results would be available in report cards, along with the average number of minutes of exercise PE students receive per week at each grade level.

Legislators in Mississippi are taking a different approach. They’re currently considering House Bill 791, which would require that children’s Body Mass Index (BMI) be measured starting in kindergarten and then every other year through tenth grade. The results, including percentile and an explanation, would be provided to parents. Montana is also considering a similar bill.

During these tough economic times, three states are currently weighing the merits of tax credits to encourage physical activity among youth. In Illinois and Maryland, families could be eligible for $500 tax credits for qualified youth physical fitness programs. The Maryland bill is part of a broader legislation that also includes tax credits for adults and seniors, including $500 tax credits for health club membership dues.

In 2007, the Canadian government began providing parents with a $500 children’s fitness tax credit for eligible expenses for children under age 16. While the U.S. federal government doesn’t offer such an incentive, the Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) bill, one of IHRSA’s signature pieces of proposed federal legislation, would allow parents to pay for children’s physical fitness expenses with money from their family’s pre-tax savings account. These accounts are typically used for such health-related costs as doctor visits and prescription drug co-pays. This bill would allow parents to pay for exercise expenses that could prevent diseases associated with obesity. The pre-tax savings would grant many families access to youth fitness activities, such as little league and soccer. [Advocate for passage of the PHIT Act on campaign4health.org.]

It’s not just legislators who are taking aim at childhood obesity. Acting Surgeon General Rear Admiral Steven K. Galson, M.D., M.P.H., has launched an initiative called Healthy Youth for a Healthy Future. The goal of the program is to highlight local communities that are coming together to motivate kids to exercise and eat nutritious foods as well as teaching them to make healthy choices.

“Teaching our children the importance of eating well and being physically active at a young age is crucial to reversing the trend of obesity in this country,” said Galson. “Everyone has a role to play in this fight to prevent childhood obesity.”

IHRSA actively supports efforts to improve the health of children through physical activity and proper nutrition. In 2008, via work with the National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity, IHRSA supported the addition of PE requirements in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act in Congress.

For more information, visit www.ihrsa.org/publicpolicy.

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

VICTORY! New York Health Club Dues Tax Defeated

New York Governor David Paterson announced just hours ago that he has come to an agreement with legislative leaders to not extend the sales tax to health club membership dues and services. This is a major victory for healthy lifestyles in New York and the health club industry.

Over the last nine weeks, 2,441 fitness professionals and health club members wrote 7,902 messages to legislators in Albany. Many fitness professionals and club companies met personally with legislators to discuss the impact that the tax would have on their members and their businesses. The voices of our advocates for healthy lifestyles were heard loud and clear in Albany!

“This is an incredible victory, especially considering the massive deficit facing New York,“ said Joe Moore, IHRSA President and CEO. “It is a testament to the power of working together. With IHRSA collaborating with concerned fitness professionals, our lobbyist, and the people of New York, we were able to highlight the inconsistent messaging of an "obesity" tax on sodas and a "healthy lifestyle tax" on preventative exercise, and stop this proposal in its tracks.”

Paterson came to an agreement with Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver to eliminate $1.3 billion in tax increases included in the proposed 2009-10 Executive Budget. In addition to health club dues and services, clothing under $110, sugared drinks, digital downloads, cable and satellite television, manufacturers’ coupons, haircuts, manicures, concerts, movies, live theatre, bowling, golf, skiing and others were eliminated.

“The proposed tax increases we are eliminating today were only put forward as a last resort when the deficit ballooned to an unprecedented level,” said Paterson in a statement. “Now that enhanced federal funding is available, our highest priority must be to provide targeted relief to those who need it most during this economic crisis – average New Yorkers struggling to make ends meet.”

-Breanne McGahey

An Exercise Stimulus Plan

When the details of an economic stimulus plan are eventually agreed upon, Congress will likely make available millions of dollars to tax payers, but will do so with designs on how that money will be used once it reaches our wallets. Both current Senate and House packages include a substantial income tax credit with the idea that it will prompt retail sales. A tax credit for home purchases will be made available to revive the housing market.

This idea is not new or rare. Governments understand that tax policy has a unique power to influence behavior. However, while all lawmakers seem to understand this power, they struggle to always implement it in useful ways.

Bre McGahey’s post about New York Governor Paterson’s budget proposal ("Paterson’s State of the State Hypocrisy") highlights his recognition that taxing a behavior will discourage it. Unfortunately, as the post poignantly brings to light, the Governor’s budget discourages healthy lifestyles by imposing New York’s sales tax on health club dues.

With a nationwide obesity crisis, it is difficult to understand why New York is not alone in its attempt to tax health club memberships. Will the revenue gained from 5 or 6 percent of gym dues cover the costs of health care for type-2 diabetes? Heart disease? Cancer? A single one of the many other diseases associated with obesity?

It’s time to apply a more beneficial carrot-and-stick approach to health care. Some lawmakers have done this by introducing legislation that would offer a tax credit for engaging in a more active lifestyle. As of today, eight state legislatures are considering proposals that would offer a financial incentive for trying to get in shape. Tom Richards has posted on this page about WHIP and PHIT, two federal pieces of legislation that would encourage exercise through tax policy

I hope that more lawmakers, in Washington and in the 50 state legislatures, decide to use their most effective means to encourage physical activity. I can think of no better use of taxpayer money than having it re-invested in America’s health.

-Tim Sullivan

American Fitness Index

I had the pleasure earlier in the week of attending a board meeting of the National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity (NCPPA). As usual, the meeting was lively, congenial, and long on exciting ideas about how to promote physical activity in America. One of the highlights of the meeting for me was receiving a copy of the American Fitness Index (published by The American College of Sports Medicine) - a wonderful advocacy tool that ranks the health and community fitness status of the 50 largest metropolitan areas. Copies of the American Fitness Index can be downloaded here.

How does your community rank?

How can your club improve your community’s rank?

-Tom Richards

Kung Fu Boomers?

Baby Boomers are exactly that, a booming population. The U.S. Census Bureau considers a Baby Boomer to be someone born between 1946 and 1964, meaning today, Boomers are between the ages of 45 and 63.

According to Colin Milner, CEO of the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA), “Baby boomers, the largest, richest, and fastest-growing segment of the population, are beginning to accumulate in middle age. As a matter of fact, this group’s numbers will increase by 25% over the next eight years, unlike the 18-49-year-olds, who will experience virtually no growth over the same period. With a greater number of older consumers, the demand for products and services designed for, and marketed specifically to, them will certainly grow.”

A story on an ABC affiliate in Los Angeles yesterday, focused on a fitness and defense class for seniors called “Cane Fu”. What an interesting concept; helping an older population to be physically active, while simultaneously teaching them how to protect themselves. The defense classes, at a health club called Nifty over Fifty, have empowered older populations, including Boomers, and given them a new lease on life.

Nifty Over Fifty is among a growing niche market of health clubs geared toward aging populations, it offers unique programming, including a driving simulator to help users improve upon driving skills, customized exercise programs, physical therapy, brain aerobics, spa services, and nutrition programming.

Similar clubs include Peoplefit, in Woburn, MA serves a clientele averaging 60 years of age, Silver Sneakers, Avalon Woods Health Club for Mature Adults, in Toronto, Ontario, and AgeWell Personal Training Center, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Given the spending power of Boomers, (77 percent of all financial assets in the US are owned by people 50 or older, according to the ICAA), and their desire to remain healthy and stave of the effects of aging, I am certain we will see a boom (pardon the pun) in clubs catering to this demographic.

- Kara Thompson

Mental Health

The physical health benefits of exercise are well-documented and, relatively, well known. Less understood, however, are the mental health benefits of exercise. Intuitively, I think most people would nod along with any suggestion that exercise improves overall mood, but the science seems less understood and considered. If the public discussion included more emphasis on the mental health benefits of exercise, wouldn't that strengthen the political case for including health clubs in public health initiatives? This article tells me we are heading in the right direction.

- Tom Richards

Paterson’s State of the State Hypocrisy

Some casual observers of New York politics may be surprised to hear that Governor David Paterson would tax health clubs, especially given his high profile comments in recent weeks about childhood obesity and the need to get New York healthier. I commend any effort by Paterson that recognizes that the growing waistlines and children and adults is a serious public health issue. He, like the other politicians referenced in Mr. Richard’s post below, are increasing awareness about wellness.

Here is an excerpt from his State of the State address [full text available http://ny.gov/governor/press/press_0107091.html].

“While we have made some progress, we still incentivize the wrong care in the wrong setting at the wrong price. Where we are overpaying for inpatient or institutional care, we must shift funding to primary, preventive and community-based care. Preventing illness is a good investment. It saves taxpayer money, improves patient care, and unburdens our economy.

This is why we should aggressively address the greatest threat to our children’s health today, the epidemic of obesity. One out of every four New Yorkers under 18 years of age is obese.

Childhood obesity causes serious health problems including Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. The American Heart Association reports that obese children have blood vessels that look like they belong to 45 year olds. These children have much greater risks of having heart attacks, suffering strokes, and losing limbs.

Obesity not only blights our children’s futures — it creates a significant economic burden on our health care spending. New York spends $6.1 billion each year to treat obesity-related health problems— the second-highest level of spending in the nation.”

He continues on to say: “By protecting our children from obesity, we protect their health and our health care system. That is why this matters.“

Bravo Governor. Well said. Now the praise stops here.

I cannot wrap my head around hearing this rhetoric then reading his proposed Executive Budget that calls for a tax on health club dues. It counters everything he said in his own speech about obesity-related health problems and our health care system. While there is clearly a massive budget deficit that must be resolved, it cannot be done on the backs of New Yorkers who are taking initiative to lead healthy lifestyles by exercising at a fitness facility. Sure, there are plenty of other services being targeted but health clubs should not be included among them.

It’s like taxing someone’s annual check-up at their physicians. You don’t discourage healthy habits, especially those that create significant long-term cost savings. Paterson himself acknowledges that taxing a behavior can discourage it. That is exactly why he included his so-called “obesity tax” on sugary, non-diet sodas in his budget. [Check out page 28 - http://publications.budget.state.ny.us/eBudget0910/2009-10ExecutiveBudgetPresentation.pdf]

The hypocrisy is off the charts. As people that believe in healthy lifestyles, we need to speak out loudly and together against this attack on healthy lifestyles. Today IHRSA launched its first Grassroots Initiative campaign of 2009. We sent out a call to action for fitness professionals across the Empire State to voice their opposition. This needs to be stopped.

If you don’t live in New York, watch out. Similar legislation is coming down the pike in a number of other states…

- Breanne McGahey

This City Is Going On A Diet

If I was a political adviser to a governor, mayor, or town supervisor, I would urge my boss to launch a "wellness initiative." Aside from the obvious health benefits that such an initiative could provide to constituents, it also would associate my boss with several positive political attributes. Who would not want to be associated with wellness? "Wellness" is good, positive, buoyant, vigorous, vital - all wonderful traits for a politician to possess, or, at the very least, appear to possess.

In fact, several municipalities are taking the lead on wellness in their communities and enjoying great results. For example, in Oklahoma City, Mayor Mick Cornett is spearheading a brilliant anti-obesity campaign titled, "This City Is Going On A Diet," which, among other things, directs citizens to local fitness centers. In Carmel, Indiana, the Carmel Mayor's Wellness Challenge just kicked off its third year. And, as has been noted in several national media outlets, Somerville, MA is conducting a groundbreaking initiative titled Shape Up, Somerville.

I believe the success of these municipal programs, and the positive attention they've received, should give any club the confidence to approach its own elected officials to discuss the possibility of partnering to create a local wellness initiative. The officials should be thankful for the opportunity - it would be good for their constituents and it would be good for their political careers. Have any clubs tried this yet?

- Tom Richards

New interest from faith communities?

This article (Exercising Body & Soul: 2 Greenwood megachurches use fitness centers as a ministry tool; Indianapolis Star online) does a fair job of articulating the broad range of issues, from theology to tax policy, associated with the emerging issue of tax-exempt competition from religious institutions. The impact of this new frontier in tax-exempt competition is relatively unclear right now, and we will certainly remain attentive and watchful, but for now, I wonder if the bigger story isn't the enormous amount of interest attracted by these fitness centers. It seems like personal fitness is gaining importance among some faith communities.

Are there promising opportunities for IHRSA members to reach out to local religious institutions? Are any health clubs offering educational seminars to religious groups? Advertising in bulletins?

- Tom Richards

Healthy People 2020

I spent my morning at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services building, attending a meeting of the Advisory Committee charged with making recommendations for the next set of public health objectives known as Healthy People 2020. These meetings are particularly notable for the existence of two competing dynamics. On one side, you have the rather exhilarating experience of listening to extremely intelligent, qualified people discuss our nation's public health goals for the next decade. On the other, you have the bleak, rainy Monday morning, life draining vibe that permeates a federal committee meeting. Fortunately, the former is typically stronger than the latter, especially when the committee room is on the same floor as the coffee machine.

A portion of the morning's discussion focused on best practices for creating the HP2020 objectives. Of course, many of the ideas could benefit any organization looking to create objectives. For example: 1) Achieving objectives requires coordination and leadership; 2) Fewer objectives allow for greater focus; 3) An immeasurable objective isn't worth pursuing; 4) Objectives require frequent progress measurement; and 5) Objectives should be aspirational.

The meeting also impressed upon me that taxpaying health clubs are still considered, generally, outside the purview of "public health," despite their inherent value as providers of safe and healthy exercise, and, often times, bastions of fitness and nutrition expertise. Clearly, taxpaying clubs are obvious partners in any public health effort to combat the obesity epidemic, but i don't think public health officials are yet making that connection. Are any clubs working with public health officials - if so, what is the best approach?

- Tom Richards

Community Outreach

Earlier today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) held a conference call to discuss organizational efforts to promote HHS's landmark Physical Activity Guidelines. The call, which attracted over 700 participants, featured four speakers: Dr. Bill Kraus of the American Heart Association, Dr. Jim Pivarnik of the American College of Sports Medicine, Sheila Franklin of the National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity, and IHRSA's standard bearer, Joe Moore. Melissa Johnson, executive director of the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, acted as moderator.

Joe's comments highlighted the commercial fitness industry's enthusiastic embrace of the Physical Activity Guidelines, especially as a tool for community outreach. In fact, IHRSA's Guidelines Report, a 6 issue email newsletter to help IHRSA members implement the guidelines within their communities, has been one of the most popular IHRSA offerings since its inception in October. The call strengthened my belief that commercial clubs are at the forefront of promoting physical activity on a community-wide level.

I can't shake the feeling, however, that clubs are still undervalued by the public and not recognized, generally, as "community" facilities - or, rather, front of mind community resources for typical Americans. Earning that recognition, I imagine, will be one of the great industry struggles of the next decade, requiring continued substantive outreach and intensified public relations at both the national and local levels. To be sure, there are already some fantastic examples of clubs that are entrenched in the minds and affairs of their local communities, and their achievements should be celebrated and studied, but my hunch is that there's still room for explosive growth on this front.

I'd love to hear about what clubs are already doing - and ideas for what they could be doing - to become front of mind community resources...

- Tom Richards