A Healthier America “We were introduced to people in
the industry who are engaged in socially responsible fitness initiatives,” reported Linda Howard, the owner of Alternative Fitness, in Baltimore, Maryland, and a first-time Summit attendee. “I was very impressed—they inspired me to do more.” Conducting a health-promotion
program isn’t always easy for club operators, who are often burdened by daily operating demands, but another first-timer, Debbie Stauble, of Health- trax International, Inc., based in Glastonbury, Connecticut, found the presentation and subsequent attendee responses both inspiring and instruc- tive. “Hearing how club owners share many of the same core challenges generates ideas for solutions.”
A full briefing
Jay Sweeney, IHRSA’s federal lobbyist, and Helen Durkin, IHRSA’s executive vice president of public policy, briefed attendees on IHRSA’s efforts to create more opportunities for physical activ- ity, describing the federal bills that the industry is currently supporting: The Personal Health Investment
Today Act (PHIT), the Physical Education Programming Act (PEP), and Fitness Integrated with Teaching Act (FIT Kids) would all increase access to quality exercise for children and families. PHIT would allow indi- viduals to pay for certain activities,
Attendees, from l., Sara Talcott, Tiffany Vandermark, Scott Goudeseune, Cary Wing
subsidies as nontaxable income for employees, encouraging greater worksite wellness participation. Sweeney and Durkin also discussed
two proposals that have yet to be put into bill form: a regular review of the National Physical Activity Guidelines, and a possible House version of Senate Resolution 97. “It’s important for the industry to
get involved in legislation designed to get people to be more active,” observed Pete McCall, an exercise physiologist with the American Council on Exercise (ACE). Following a coffee and networking
break, attendees heard from Andrea Cernich, the director of strategic part- nerships for the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition (PCFSN), and Jay Keese, a founding
“HEALTH CLUBS HAVE THE UNIQUE ABILITY TO GROW THEIR BUSINESSES, WHILE ALSO MAKING OUR NATION PHYSICALLY—AND FISCALLY—HEALTHIER.”
such as a club membership, with pretax dollars from a tax-favored account (e.g., flexible spending account). PEP and FIT Kids would promote physical education programs in America’s schools. The Workforce Health Improve-
ment Plan Act (WHIP) would reclassify employer-provided gym membership
52 Club Business Internat ional
partner of the Capitol Advocacy Group, in Washington, D.C. Cernich spoke about how the White House’s Lets Move! campaign, created to get children to be more active, can also work to the advantage of health clubs and the industry, as a whole. Keese, a prominent Republican strategist, offered his thoughts on the priorities
| SEPTEMBER 2011 | www.
ihrsa.org
Summit smiles: Talcott, l., Vandermark
of the current Republican leadership and what it means for prevention measures in the 112th Congress. Mike Raymond, the president of
Curves International, Inc., served as moderator for a wrap-up session. The first day’s events concluded
with a networking reception and din- ner. The latter featured Cornell McClel- lan, the “first trainer” to the President and First Lady, and the owner of Natu- rally Fit, in Chicago, Illinois. McClellan spoke passionately about the need for fitness and the White House’s Let’s Move! campaign, and then answered questions from audience members. When asked if he had anything to do with Michelle Obama’s lean and toned arms, he responded, with a smile, “I will take credit for that.”
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