State advocacy is where policy decisions most directly impact fitness businesses—and where early, effective engagement can prevent costly mandates before they ever reach an operator’s balance sheet. In 2025, HFA led a coordinated, nationwide state advocacy effort to protect operators from policies that would have increased operating costs, restricted business models, or reduced consumer access to physical activity.

Across 25 states, HFA tracked and engaged on 72 bills directly affecting the health and fitness industry, holding 100+ meetings with lawmakers and regulators to stop harmful proposals, secure amendments, and advance pro-fitness policy. As a result, and based on the scope and scale of legislation stopped or materially amended, HFA’s state advocacy efforts are estimated to have saved fitness operators $25 million to $60 million annually in avoided operating costs nationwide.

This is state advocacy in action—preserving viable business models, protecting access to fitness, and delivering measurable return on investment for the industry.