IHRSA submitted comments this week to the federal government regarding the U.S. Access Board's proposal to require health clubs to provide wheelchair accessible routes to each 'type' of exercise equipment.
On that point, IHRSA submitted the following recommendation: 'Given that specific muscle groups coordinate specific physical motions, determinations of 'type' should be based on the physical motion performed by the user of the machine. For example, a chest press designed to build pectoral muscles by employing mechanical press arms attached to cables would be considered the same type of machine as a chest press utilizing handles attached directly to cables provided that the motions performed by the users of each machine are substantially similar.'
IHRSA also submitted comments about the importance of preserving floor space for exercise equipment. For example, the comments included a subsection entitled 'Removing exercise equipment from a health club - even one piece - can have a major impact on the financial stability of a club.'
In recent months, IHRSA has also met with representatives from the U.S. Department of Justice regarding proposed requirements that would affect health clubs.
Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee recently launched a national initiative called Healthy America. Huckabee, who is the chairman of the National Governors Association, has lost more than 110 pounds and is on a mission to improve the health of the nation's children and adults.
Huckabee describes Healthy America as being about 'building a culture of physical activity, prevention and wellness in the United States.'
Stay tuned to Capitol Report to learn about ways in which you and your club can get involved in this initiative.
In 2004, 49% of clubs reported that the commission structure for their sales staff included a set fee or commission per account/membership sold, while 30% paid their sales staff a percent of the total department revenues generated. If a set fee was paid out, the median amount per membership sold was $25. Clubs also indicated that they paid their sales representatives an average of $33,485.00.
Complete IHRSA's 2005 Compensation & Benefits Survey by this Friday, October 28 and receive similar data from 2005 in the form of the survey results (a $215 value)!
Individual responses are completely confidential. Please use the link below to complete the survey. Contact Katie Rollauer at research@ihrsa.org or (800) 228-4772 x146 with any questions.
New York: HB 9035 would establish a task force on food, nutrition and physical education for New York City schools. It would also require annual physical edurance tests for students.
