In our most recent IHRSA Board of Directors meeting, held in Boston, we engaged in some very meaningful discussions about our industry at large and the diverse community of IHRSA members. Typical of our meeting agendas, we dedicated time to review recent public policy efforts, current advocacy initiatives, and plans for the future related to promoting the benefits of regular physical activity and the role health clubs can play in this overarching goal.
One of the insights we collectively agreed upon, was the idea that although the monikers of “health”, “fitness”, and even “wellness” are frequently used interchangeably, these indeed are often regarded quite differently by the general public and other constituents. Perhaps, as we attempt to reach more of the inactive population and get them involved in our clubs, we need to remember some basic nuances of these message points.
Working with Dr. Kenneth Cooper for many years, I can recall a key point of virtually every presentation he gave, and it was his declaration that the definition of “health” is simply the absence of disease. Being in good “health” did not equate to being “fit” and certainly not overall “wellness”. Although it seems contradictory, one can be “healthy” and still be unfit, or “fit” and still unhealthy. Wellness on the other hand is typically defined as a holistic approach to a healthy lifestyle, including positive behaviors related to nutrition, sleep, stress management, exercise, safety habits, weight management, mental status, hydration, spiritual connection, and other components.
The point is that while these general definitions may seem obvious, and most of us working in health clubs believe we offer a breadth of services that address all three of these elements, the masses may not seen us in this same light. Even internally, our clubs sometimes struggle to appreciate the value of just being healthy. For the most part, we attract individuals seeking “fitness”, which members may equate with losing weight, adding muscle definition, looking better, or any number of other desired outcomes. In our desire to help members get these results, and participate in our programs, we can lose perspective that it would be incredibly impactful if we could get the 85% of Americans that don’t belong to our clubs to “just move”.
The reality is that the vast majority of the population view our clubs as places to “get in shape” (aka get fit) – not necessarily as resources to help them maintain good health or support their commitment to wellness beyond exercise. As we desperately seek ways to attract a broader spectrum of society, our appreciation, acceptance, and approach with those who are sedentary needs to be genuinely supportive.