BOSTON, MA—May 28, 2020—The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) is pleased to announce the release of the key considerations document for sports, fitness, aquatics & ancillary facilities and clubs in the context of COVID-19 with accompanying risk assessment and mitigation tools.
A working group, instigated and led by IHRSA, produced these documents.
Members of the group include:
- Kilian Fisher, International Public Policy Advisor, IHRSA
- Helen Durkin, Executive Vice President, Global Public Policy, IHRSA
- Andreas Paulsen, Executive Director, Europe Active
- Professor Alfonso Jimenez, Board Member, Europe Active
- Emma Mason, Vice President for Strategic & External Affairs, WFSGI (World Federation of the Sporting Goods Industry)
- Paul Hackett, Health & Safety Consultant
- Paul Eigenmann, Standards Expert, Qualicert
- Richard Budgett, Medical and Scientific Director, IOC (International Olympic Committee)
- Dr. Andrew Murray, Chief Medical Officer, European Tour Golf
In addition, consultation took place with ICREPS (International Confederation of Registers for Exercise Professionals) and EREPS (European Register of Exercise Professionals).
The group’s principal purpose is to adapt and tailor the World Health Organization (WHO) Advisory COVID-19 guidance for mass gatherings, sporting events, and other risk assessment tools for application in the sports and fitness industry. Specifically, the group looks to offer advice to recreational sports clubs and facilities, such as gyms, fitness studios, sports halls, swimming pools, spa & wellness areas, and other ancillary facilities.
To help the fitness industry emerge from this crisis as successfully as possible, club owners and operators need guidance now more than ever. Not only is the future of fitness businesses at stake, but the health of the entire world. IHRSA—in collaboration with WFSGI and Europe Active—is committed to producing resources and providing guidance for the reopening of health and fitness clubs worldwide. This key considerations document, along with IHRSA’s four-pronged framework, can also be used in consultation with national and state governments and health authorities in showing how clubs can open as safely as possible.
“We commend the working group for all they have done during this crisis and look forward to working alongside this team,” said Joe Moore, IHRSA president and CEO. “IHRSA is lobbying and creating resources for the fitness industry, and is prepared to assist the global industry through the process of reopening.”
About IHRSA
IHRSA, the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association, is a not-for-profit trade association representing the global fitness industry of over 200,000 health and fitness facilities and their suppliers.
IHRSA maintains a leadership role in advancing physical activity, which is critical to peak health and fight the battle against obesity and chronic lifestyle disease. As one of the world's leading authorities on the commercial health club industry, IHRSA’s mission is to grow, promote, and protect the health and fitness industry, while providing its members with benefits and resources. IHRSA and its members are devoted to making the world happier, healthier, and more prosperous through regular exercise and activity promotion.
