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Advocating for a Stronger Industry and a Healthier World

Through collaboration and advocacy, the Health & Fitness Association (HFA) works to protect, promote, and grow the health and fitness industry around the world.

Our Advocacy Mission

Advocacy is central to HFA’s mission to protect, promote, and grow the health and fitness industry. For over 40 years, we’ve worked to ensure that fitness facilities are recognized as essential to public health and community well-being. Our government affairs team, partner lobbying firms, and international federations collaborate to defeat harmful legislation, elevate the industry’s role in health policy, and expand access to physical activity worldwide.

We’re on the front lines—engaging policymakers, mobilizing members, and shaping the future of fitness through strategic advocacy. Together, we’re building a healthier, more active world.

what we do

Driving Policy. Elevating Wellness. Strengthening Business.

HFA is the unified voice of the health and fitness industry, working across sectors to protect the industry and promote policies that expand access to physical activity and elevate the role of fitness facilities in public health.

Here’s how we advocate:

We champion legislation that encourages physical activity and supports the use of health clubs and studios. Our advocacy is rooted in science, which shows that regular exercise is a powerful solution to obesity, chronic disease, and rising healthcare costs.

We push for the removal of financial barriers to fitness facility membership because wellness should be accessible to all and because thriving communities mean thriving businesses.

Through research, media outreach, and public commentary, we highlight the essential role fitness facilities play in improving physical and mental health, reducing stress, boosting productivity, and driving economic prosperity.

We collaborate with respected organizations like the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition; the World Health Organization; Business at OECD; the American Cancer Society; and the Physical Activity Alliance to amplify our message and expand our reach.

We mobilize club and studio operators, fitness professionals, and consumers to support policies that promote movement and protect the business environment that makes it possible.

Policy Influence

We champion legislation that encourages physical activity and supports the use of health clubs and studios. Our advocacy is rooted in science, which shows that regular exercise is a powerful solution to obesity, chronic disease, and rising healthcare costs.

Financial Access

We push for the removal of financial barriers to fitness facility membership because wellness should be accessible to all and because thriving communities mean thriving businesses.

Thought Leadership

Through research, media outreach, and public commentary, we highlight the essential role fitness facilities play in improving physical and mental health, reducing stress, boosting productivity, and driving economic prosperity.

Strategic Partnerships

We collaborate with respected organizations like the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition; the World Health Organization; Business at OECD; the American Cancer Society; and the Physical Activity Alliance to amplify our message and expand our reach.

Grassroots Engagement

We mobilize club and studio operators, fitness professionals, and consumers to support policies that promote movement and protect the business environment that makes it possible.

Policy Influence

We champion legislation that encourages physical activity and supports the use of health clubs and studios. Our advocacy is rooted in science, which shows that regular exercise is a powerful solution to obesity, chronic disease, and rising healthcare costs.

Financial Access

We push for the removal of financial barriers to fitness facility membership because wellness should be accessible to all and because thriving communities mean thriving businesses.

Thought Leadership

Through research, media outreach, and public commentary, we highlight the essential role fitness facilities play in improving physical and mental health, reducing stress, boosting productivity, and driving economic prosperity.

Strategic Partnerships

We collaborate with respected organizations like the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition; the World Health Organization; Business at OECD; the American Cancer Society; and the Physical Activity Alliance to amplify our message and expand our reach.

Grassroots Engagement

We mobilize club and studio operators, fitness professionals, and consumers to support policies that promote movement and protect the business environment that makes it possible.

We champion legislation that encourages physical activity and supports the use of health clubs and studios. Our advocacy is rooted in science, which shows that regular exercise is a powerful solution to obesity, chronic disease, and rising healthcare costs.

We push for the removal of financial barriers to fitness facility membership because wellness should be accessible to all and because thriving communities mean thriving businesses.

Through research, media outreach, and public commentary, we highlight the essential role fitness facilities play in improving physical and mental health, reducing stress, boosting productivity, and driving economic prosperity.

We collaborate with respected organizations like the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition; the World Health Organization; Business at OECD; the American Cancer Society; and the Physical Activity Alliance to amplify our message and expand our reach.

We mobilize club and studio operators, fitness professionals, and consumers to support policies that promote movement and protect the business environment that makes it possible.

what we do

Driving Policy. Elevating Wellness. Strengthening Business.

HFA is the unified voice of the health and fitness industry, working across sectors to protect the industry and promote policies that expand access to physical activity and elevate the role of fitness facilities in public health.

Here's how we advocate:

Policy Influence

We champion legislation that encourages physical activity and supports the use of health clubs and studios. Our advocacy is rooted in science, which shows that regular exercise is a powerful solution to obesity, chronic disease, and rising healthcare costs.

Financial Access

We push for the removal of financial barriers to fitness facility membership because wellness should be accessible to all and because thriving communities mean thriving businesses.

Thought Leadership

Through research, media outreach, and public commentary, we highlight the essential role fitness facilities play in improving physical and mental health, reducing stress, boosting productivity, and driving economic prosperity.

Strategic Partnerships

We collaborate with respected organizations like the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition; the World Health Organization; Business at OECD; the American Cancer Society; and the Physical Activity Alliance to amplify our message and expand our reach.

Grassroots Engagement

We mobilize club and studio operators, fitness professionals, and consumers to support policies that promote movement and protect the business environment that makes it possible.

US Federal Advocacy

HFA champions federal policies that position fitness facilities as vital centers of community health. Our government affairs team collaborates with lobbying partners to monitor legislation, meet with lawmakers, submit testimony, and influence decisions that support the industry’s growth and accessibility.

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US State Advocacy

State-level policies often have the most immediate impact on fitness businesses. That’s why HFA actively tracks legislation across all 50 states and engages directly with state lawmakers to protect and advance the industry. Our advocacy ensures that fitness remains a priority in every community.

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The Economic Power of the US Fitness Industry

Fitness is good for health and for the economy. HFA offers a comprehensive resource that quantifies the industry’s economic impact at the national, state, and county levels. From job creation to local investment, the data tells a powerful story and underscores why advocacy matters.

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Global Advocacy

HFA collaborates on advocacy efforts worldwide, partnering with federations and organizations such as the World Health Organization, the Global Wellness Institute, and the Business at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. Together, we promote physical activity as a global health solution and elevate the role of fitness facilities in policy conversations in multiple countries.

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