WASHINGTON, DC—October 14, 2025—The Health & Fitness Association (HFA) will induct Gale Landers, founder and CEO of Fitness Formula Clubs in Chicago, into the Health & Fitness Hall of Fame.
Landers is being recognized for his advocacy on behalf of the fitness industry, his dedicated service to HFA, and his leadership in building a health club brand that has positively impacted the health of the Chicago community.
Landers joins Les Mills founder Phillip Mills and fitness and nutrition advocates Jack and Elaine LaLanne as part of the HFA Hall of Fame’s second class. Additional inductees for the 2026 class will be announced in the coming weeks. The induction ceremony will take place on March 15, 2026, in San Diego, ahead of The HFA Show.
“Gale Landers has been a driving force behind some of the most impactful advocacy efforts in our industry,” said HFA President and CEO Liz Clark. “From leading the HFA board to chairing the National Health & Fitness Alliance, Gale has consistently stepped up to serve, guide, and elevate the fitness industry. His tireless work—from shaping national policy to mentoring state coalitions—has left an indelible mark. We’re proud to induct him into the HFA Hall of Fame in recognition of his extraordinary leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment to our mission.”
Landers responded: “It’s a true honor to be inducted into the HFA Hall of Fame. From the beginning, my vision for Fitness Formula Clubs was to inspire people to live stronger, healthier, and more connected lives. This recognition reflects the incredible commitment of the vast FFC team and the communities we’ve built together. I’m humbled and inspired – and optimistic about the bright future of our industry.”
Landers has served on the HFA board twice, including a term as board president in 2000. He played a pivotal role in shifting HFA toward a stronger advocacy focus and provided guidance to Clark during her early years as president and CEO, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He was the inaugural chair of the National Health & Fitness Alliance, an advocacy initiative launched by HFA, and continues to serve in that role. Landers also co-founded the Illinois Fitness Alliance to support the industry during the pandemic, sharing its strategic playbook with other state alliances to help them establish their own advocacy efforts.
He worked closely with US Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL) and US Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) to introduce the GYMS Act in response to the pandemic’s impact on fitness businesses. He has been a regular participant in HFA’s annual Fly-In and Advocacy Summit in Washington, DC, where he champions the PHIT Act and other key industry issues.
In 2023, HFA honored Landers as HFA Advocate of the Year.
The HFA Hall of Fame recognizes individuals whose contributions have elevated the association and industry’s profiles, set new standards for excellence in leadership, and supported the industry’s commitment to improved physical and mental health for all.
The inaugural class—which was composed of Dr. Kenneth Cooper, Rick Caro, Red Lerille, Julie Main, John McCarthy, and Augie Nieto—was inducted in March during The HFA Show 2025 in Las Vegas.
A new class will be inducted each year, based on the following criteria:
- Health and fitness business community leaders who have invented, innovated, created, and grown services, products, and programs that have shaped the industry;
- Those who have expanded the industry over time and its impact around the world and/or driven key development and improvement of the association over time;
- Exceptional advocates whose message has resonated with non-governmental organizations and government officials on behalf of association and industry goals; or,
- Seminal industry, academic, and allied organization leaders as determined by the Hall of Fame selection committee.
Tickets to the HFA Hall of Fame induction ceremony are available for $250 and can be added during The HFA Show registration process. Proceeds from the tickets go to the HFA Foundation, a 501(c)3 public charity that works to support health through exercise.
For more information about the HFA Hall of Fame and to register for The HFA Show 2026, visit healthandfitness.org/show.
