BOSTON, 2 June, 2025—The Turkish Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation (TVGFBF) and North Macedonia Active (NMA) have entered into partnerships with the Health & Fitness Association (HFA), creating exciting new opportunities for fitness club owners, operators, and trainers across both jurisdictions.
TVGFBF is Turkey’s most prestigious fitness and bodybuilding institution, and NMA is a newly formed health club and studio federation.
The partnerships offer the two federations discounted access to some of HFA’s global events, such as the HFA European Congress 2-4 October in Amsterdam, as well as knowledge sharing through research and the exchange of policy and advocacy best practices.
“This agreement not only expands the vision of our federation but also advances the growth of Turkey’s fitness industry. Partnering with a global organization like HFA will elevate the country's presence and influence in this field, making it more visible and impactful on the international stage,” said TVGFBF President Koray Girgin.
Magdalena Spasovska, founder of North Macedonia Active, said: “Joining the Health & Fitness Association is a milestone for North Macedonia’s growing fitness sector. This partnership brings powerful opportunities, not just for connection but also for transformation. Through access to global research, education, and innovation, we’re empowering our trainers, owners, and fitness leaders to raise the bar. Together, we’re building a more active, informed, and resilient fitness culture—one that puts North Macedonia firmly on the global fitness map.”
HFA EMEA Director Florian Cartoux said, “We are confident that our collaboration with TVGFBF and NMA will serve as a model for the region and inspire further collaboration. It is important to share best practices in our attempt to get fitness and exercise recognised as essential preventive health care.”
About the Health & Fitness Association
The Health & Fitness Association, 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, the HFA European Congress, and the Fly-In and Advocacy Summit. Follow the Health & Fitness Association on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X and YouTube.
About the Turkish Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation
Turkish Bodybuilding, Fitness and Armwrestling Federation (Turkish: Türkiye Vücut Geliştirme, Fitness ve Bilek Güreşi Federasyonu, shortly TVGFBF) is the governing body of bodybuilding, physical fitness and arm wrestling in Turkey. It was formed in 1991 and is based in Ankara.
About the North Macedonian Active
North Macedonia Active was founded in 2025 because the fitness and wellness sector did not have a voice and its own representative in society.
The association is working to raise the level of education and promotion of fitness and wellness studios in the country, improve the infrastructure of the facilities, revise the sports law and regulations for sports facilities, have an impact on tax changes, and reduce the gray economy.
Through a wide range of activities, the association helps increase the visibility of member brands before public institutions, and contributes to greater education of companies and individuals in the sector.
