byLarry Eder
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IHRSA, the publisher of Get Active! magazine, sent us this release today. They were one of two groups, IHRSA and Let’sMove.org, to join Michelle Obama in announcing free health club memberships for military families!
First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden joined with the IHRSA representatives to make the announcement of free 100,000 family memberships for military families across the country. This program starts June 1.
What a nice program for families who give up their family members to protect our country!
(Get Active! magazine is a member of the 23 publications who make up the RunningNetworkLLC and Running Network.com)
Fitness
Industry Provides Free Health Club Memberships to Military Families as
Part of Joining Forces and Let’s Move! initiatives
Permalink Mon, May 9, 2011 at 15:51Executives from the International Health, Racquet &
Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) joined First Lady Michelle Obama on the
South Lawn of the White House today to announce the launch of the IHRSA
Joining Forces Network–an affiliation of health clubs throughout the
country that will offer free memberships to immediate family members of
actively deployed reservists and National Guard members.* The
announcement took place at a health and wellness event for military
families hosted by Mrs. Obama which combined the Joining Forces and
Let’s Move initiatives.
Joining Forces is a comprehensive national initiative launched by
First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden to mobilize all sectors of
society to give our service members and their families the opportunities
and support they have earned. Let’s Move! is also a comprehensive
initiative launched by the First Lady, dedicated to solving the problem
of obesity within a generation so that children born today will grow up
healthier and able to pursue their dreams.
“The freedoms that each of us enjoys every day are possible because
of the sacrifices that our nation’s military families bear,” said Joe
Moore, IHRSA’s President and CEO. “Joining Forces offers us an
opportunity to provide these families with the support they are due.”
The IHRSA Joining Forces Network hopes to offer at least 100,000 free
health club memberships throughout the country–the equivalent of more
than 18 million days of free access to health clubs and an estimated
value of more than $30 million.
Clubs also may provide additional benefits, such as childcare,
children’s programming, group classes, discounts for veterans, and
discounts for active duty families.
“Rooted in communities all across America, IHRSA health clubs stand
ready to serve our nation’s military families,” said Moore. “We are here
to offer them safe, supportive environments where they can exercise and
find encouragement in their efforts to stay well through healthy
lifestyle choices. We are deeply honored to be part of the Joining
Forces and Let’s Move! initiatives.”
Beginning June 1st, eligible military families can find participating
clubs in their area online at www.healthclubs.com. The website also
offers a free digital subscription to Get Active! Magazine, a consumer
resource dedicated to promoting the benefits of safe and effective
exercise, and offers useful advice on making healthy lifestyle choices.
Moore also noted that IHRSA is particularly excited about the
opportunity that these free memberships will provide for the teenaged
children of deployed reservists and National Guard members, who will now
have access to positive health club environments where they can stay
physically active and feel supported in making smart lifestyle choices.
IHRSA has been an outspoken supporter of the Let’s Move! initiative
since its inception.
Enroll or learn learn more at www.healthclubs.com
About IHRSA
IHRSA is a not-for-profit trade association representing health and
fitness facilities, gyms, spas, sports clubs, and suppliers worldwide.
IHRSA is committed to taking a leadership role in advancing physical
activity, which is critical to America’s health and the battle against
obesity and disease. IHRSA supports effective national initiatives to
promote more active lifestyles for all Americans and is working to pass
laws that will help affect societal changes toward a more fit America.
IHRSA is a co-chair of the Business & Industry Sector of the
National Physical Activity Plan; a proud supporter of The First Lady’s
Let’s Move! initiative, America’s Move to Raise A Healthier Generation
of Kids; a member of the advisory board of the Partnership to Fight
Chronic Disease (PFCD); a founding member of the National Coalition for
Promoting Physical Activity (NCPPA); a partner with the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services (HHS) in promoting the 2008 Physical
Activity Guidelines; a network member of the Exercise is Medicineâ„¢
initiative; was a primary participant in the launch of the Adult Fitness
Test introduced by the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports &
Nutrition; has helped the HHS Office on Women’s Health in promoting
National Women’s Health Week, National Women’s Check-Up Day, and the
Woman Challenge; partnered with the President’s Council in 1995 on the
three-year “Get Up, Get Out” public awareness campaign focusing on youth
fitness; was one of the earliest proponents of the PEP legislation
(Carol M. White Physical Education Program); and recently introduced the
publication, “The Economic Benefits of Regular Exercise.” Through its
member clubs, IHRSA has offered community outreach and health promotion
programs since 1986, including Commit to Get Fit, Families Involved
Together, Teen Fitness Connection, I Lost It at the Club!, and Get
Active America!
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* Age restrictions may apply.
