WASHINGTON, DC–May 15, 2025–More than 125 fitness industry leaders participated in 130 meetings with policymakers, and one group held a meeting with White House staff at the HFA Fly-In and Advocacy Summit May 5-7 in Washington, DC.
In the May 7 meetings, operators from health clubs, studios, and industry suppliers asked for support of the Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act. The PHIT Act would allow Americans with flexible spending accounts (FSAs) and health savings accounts (HSAs) to use up to $1,000 for single people and $2,000 for couples to pay for fitness facility memberships, fitness equipment, and youth sports leagues.
These visits, which topped off years of HFA advocacy efforts on behalf of PHIT, paid off this week, when the House Ways & Means Committee included in its reconciliation package language treating physical activity expenses as eligible medical expenses.
“Inclusion in the reconciliation package of key elements of the PHIT Act marks a major milestone for the industry,” HFA Vice President of Government Affairs Mike Goscinski said. “This package represents one of the strongest opportunities yet to achieve our goal of passing the PHIT Act.”
Although the meetings occurred on May 7, the event began on May 5 when the industry executives attended a reception at the new DC offices of the HFA.
On the morning of May 6, Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) led a workout at Gold’s Gym NoMa Center for attendees. Also participating in the workout were five members of Congress – Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA), Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Rep. Monica De La Cruze (R-TX), Rep. Darin LaHood (R-IL), and Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AK) – and Olympic gold medal gymnast Dominique Dawes, who is founder and brand ambassador for Dominique Dawes Gymnastics & Ninja Academy.
HFA hosted a lunch with a keynote address by Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ), member of the House Ways and Means Committee and chairman of the House Oversight Subcommittee.
After the lunch, participants listened to three panels focused on three vital industry topics: positioning physical activity as preventive medicine in chronic disease, how trade and tariff policy is impacting the industry, and understanding tax and the reconciliation process.
Panelists included luminaries such as Dawes; Dr. Katrina Piercy, director, Division of Prevention Science at Health & Human Services; Dr. Laura Makaroff, senior vice president for prevention and early detection at the American Cancer Society; and Neil Bradley, executive vice president, chief policy officer, and head of strategic advocacy for the US Chamber of Commerce.
That evening, participants enjoyed a dinner at the Naval Observatory where 11 members of Congress also attended: Rep. Sheri Biggs (R-SC), Rep. Rob Bresnahan (R-PA), Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO), Rep. Buddy Carter (R-GA), Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA), Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX), Rep. Adam Gray (D-CA), Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA), Rep. Frank Lucas (R-OK), Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Rep. Bob Onder (R-MO), and Rep. Marc Veasey (D-TX).
On May 7, the industry leaders divided into groups for meetings with legislators and their staff. Legislators who met with the groups included Sen. Jim Banks (R-IN), Rep. Aaron Bean (R-FL), Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO), Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI), Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA), and Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-TX).
One group also met with Jeff Freeland of the White House Office of Legislative Affairs, Ashley Walukevich of the White House Office of Political Strategy and Outreach, and other Trump administration officials in the East Wing of the White House.
Participants in the fly-in included executives from 24 Hour Fitness, Bay Club, Fitness International (LA Fitness), Gold’s Gym, Life Time, Planet Fitness, Purpose Brands, [solidcore], as well as the following sponsoring suppliers:
- Premier sponsors: Alta Technology Group, Technogym
- Industry Leader sponsor: Matrix
- Advocate sponsors: Daxko, DirecTV, Life Fitness, True Fitness
- Supporters: DotFIT, DX Factor, Echelon, EGym, Lionel University, NASM, OnePass, Powertec, ROR, Tivity Health, Wellhub, WellnessSpace Brands
The next HFA Fly-In and Advocacy Summit is scheduled for May 4-6. 2026.
About the Health & Fitness Association
The Health & Fitness Association (formerly IHRSA), a global community of industry leaders, is the only worldwide trade association providing a unified voice for the community of leaders who operate health and fitness facilities, offer professional guidance on physical activity, and provide the tools and equipment to do so to the millions of fitness facility members who understand that exercise improves their physical and mental health.
Through advocacy, education, and research, the association speaks to opportunities, challenges, and changes that are moving the industry into a new era.
Founded in 1981, the association publishes a monthly magazine, Health & Fitness Business, and operates The HFA Show and the HFA European Congress. Follow the Health & Fitness Association on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
