Health & Fitness Association

06/14/2026

130 fitness industry leaders. 92 meetings on Capitol Hill. One unified message: physical activity is essential prevention infrastructure.

This week, health club operators, studio owners, supplier partners, and advocates came together in Washington, DC, to advance policies that support healthier communities, lower healthcare costs, and a stronger, more resilient nation.

From launching the Service Ready initiative to engaging directly with lawmakers and administration officials, the industry demonstrated its commitment to making physical activity a cornerstone of healthcare and national readiness.

Read more about the event 👉https://hubs.ly/Q04l79Fw0

Thank you to everyone who participated, shared their stories, and helped elevate our industry's voice where it matters most!

06/12/2026

Before he became a CEO, advocate, and industry leader, Mike Stack was a kid nicknamed "Fat Stack." A life-changing experience at his local YMCA showed him the power of movement, belonging, and feeling truly safe in a fitness environment.

That experience would ultimately inspire him to build and dedicate his career to creating spaces where everyone feels welcome.

In this episode of HFA Pod with host Tom Richards, Mike shares how his personal journey shaped his mission and why so many fitness professionals are driven by impact, not income.

🎧 Listen now and hear the story behind the mission: https://hubs.ly/Q04l4dDZ0

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06/11/2026

Today, 130 industry leaders met with policymakers in over 110 meetings across Capitol Hill, making the case that physical activity belongs at the center of America's preventive health strategies, not on the margins of it.

This industry has the research, the relationships, and the reach to deliver a healthier America, if federal policy steps up to help. It was a long day but a good one, and it was a reminder that this kind of advocacy doesn't end when the buses leave Washington.

06/10/2026

Day two of the 2026 HFA Fly-In & Advocacy Summit was about showing up to Capitol Hill tomorrow not to ask policymakers to support the fitness industry, but to demonstrate how the industry can help solve a national health and cost challenge.

The day opened with a keynote from Admiral Brian Christine, Assistant Secretary for Health at HHS, and marked the formal launch of HFA's Service Ready initiative, connecting community-based fitness to military readiness and national preparedness.

We gave out our first HFA Heavy Lifter Awards to US Rep. Jason Smith and US Rep. Jimmy Panetta in thanks for their support of the fitness industry!

And the evening closed with Dr. Mehmet Oz, CMS Administrator, keynoting the leadership dinner on physical activity and preventive healthcare.

A huge thank you to our speakers: US Rep. Jake Auchincloss, Mark Harrington Jr. (Healthworks Fitness Centers), Erika Parker (The Harris Poll), Jordan Crenshaw (U.S. Chamber of Commerce), Al Noshirvani (AltaDX), and Brian Vidrik (ABC Fitness).

Read coverage about what was discussed today 👉 https://www.healthandfitnessbusiness.org/2026-fly-in/

06/09/2026

The 2026 HFA Fly-In & Advocacy Summit is underway in Washington, DC!

Tonight, we gathered the people — industry executives, partners, and stakeholders — who believe the fitness industry has a central role to play in prevention, public health, and positive long-term health outcomes.

Tomorrow, we dive into a full day of programming designed to align our industry around a unified, prevention-focused narrative before we take that message on Wednesday to policymakers on Capitol Hill.

06/05/2026

If you've ever felt intimidated by advocacy or simply unsure of where to start or how to get involved, this episode of is for you.

This week's host, Tom Richards, sits down with Mike Stack — founder and CEO of Applied Fitness Solutions-Ann Arbor, President of the Physical Activity Alliance, Chair of Michigan Moves Coalition, and longtime HFA member — to tell us his story from fitness operator to nationally recognized advocate for physical activity and public health.

Get notified when this episode drops next week! 👉 https://bit.ly/4ujgLbo

Sponsored by Hapana

06/04/2026

Want to make a real impact on your local, state, and federal politics? Invite your elected officials to your facility!

On this episode of , Former Congresswoman Susan Molinari breaks down why inviting your elected officials to your facility — and making sure the local press shows up — is one of the most effective advocacy moves an operator can make.

Full episode available now wherever you get your podcasts!

🎧 HFA Pod: Inside the Advocacy Equation



HFA Pod is sponsored by

06/03/2026

We're thrilled to welcome six brands into the fold as new members of the Health & Fitness Association!

Join us in celebrating Premium Pilates and Fitness, Designed Hospitality, Swymfit, Fitizens Holdings, Performance Food Centers, and Renu Therapy as our newest club and industry partner members 👏

06/02/2026

GLP-1 medications are reshaping the conversation around obesity care, and the fitness industry has a real opportunity to be part of the solution.

As these medications grow in use, patients face challenges that healthcare alone can't address: muscle loss, the need for structured movement, and long-term lifestyle support. Fitness professionals are uniquely positioned to fill that gap.

This September in London, the HFA European Congress is bringing together leaders from fitness, medicine, and public health to align around this moment — including the release of new HFA research on combining GLP-1 treatment with structured exercise.

What role do you think the fitness industry should play? 👇

06/02/2026

Have you seen it yet?

The first episode of , our rebranded podcast, went live last week!

Drawing on her time in Congress, former US Rep. Susan Molinari gives a look behind the curtain about how to truly leave an impression on policymakers.

🎙️ Watch it now:

In this episode of HFA Pod, HFA Chief of Staff Mike Goscinski speaks with former US Rep. Susan Molinari (R-NJ) about what truly influences policymaking. Draw...