HFA has been tirelessly defending the fitness industry from harmful regulations, advocating for fair policies, and amplifying the voice of the industry in state capitals nationwide.

As much as 70% of HFA’s advocacy focus is protecting and promoting the industry at the state level. State houses are the incubators of many policy ideas that eventually find their way to the US Congress. This is because legislation is easier to introduce and pass on the state level and tends to stay under the radar.

At HFA, nothing stays under the radar for long. As reported in The 2024 State Advocacy Report: Empowering the Industry Through Strategic Engagement, last year HFA had a record of 49-1 in amending, blocking, or supporting bills in state legislatures.

In 2025, HFA met with 104 policymakers and secured 56 wins in 22 state legislatures, including those in California, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and Virginia, among others.

What HFA Is Targeting

HFA is taking action in state legislatures on the following issues:

● Blocking New Tax Burdens on Fitness Businesses: Successfully defeated proposals in multiple states that aimed to impose new sales taxes on fitness memberships and services, saving businesses thousands in added costs and protecting affordability for consumers.

● Advancing Protections Against Frivolous Lawsuits: Secured liability reform in several states, ensuring fitness facilities are shielded from frivolous lawsuits related to health and safety concerns, reducing legal risks and costs for our members.

● Advocating for Business-Tenable Membership Policies: Successfully shaped state legislation, such as “one-click to cancel” laws, to ensure compliance remains achievable for fitness operators while preserving effective membership retention strategies. Our efforts focus on promoting policies that balance consumer protection with operational feasibility, keeping businesses competitive and sustainable.

● Ensuring Access to Affordable Health and Fitness Services: Advocated for policies that exempted fitness facilities from onerous healthcare facility licensing requirements in several states, ensuring businesses can operate without unnecessary regulatory burdens.

● Fostering Local Collaboration for Growth Opportunities: Partnered with state policymakers to introduce legislation incentivizing fitness facility investments in underserved communities, creating opportunities for growth while expanding access to health and wellness services.

You Have a Part to Play

We all know the consequences of not having a seat at the table in key policy discussions. Even as memories of the pandemic fade, we need to move forward with the same urgency as we did during the crisis.

This is the reason we are so quick to act, especially on the state level. More than 70% of our advocacy efforts focus on the bread and butter of protecting your bottom line at the state level. State legislatures are where many of the policies that directly impact your business—taxes, regulations, and operational requirements—are crafted and enacted.

According to software company Quorum, state legislatures introduce 23 times more bills than the US Congress does. Last year, HFA monitored more than 1,000 bills in state houses and conducted a review to determine the impact of these bills on the industry. This scrutiny of pending legislation on the state level will continue. HFA amplifies industry messaging to achieve its objectives. Through countless meetings, grassroots actions, and direct engagement on key bills, the HFA advocacy team educates policymakers on the real-world impact of their decisions on fitness businesses.

But we can’t do it alone. HFA is only as strong as its members. C-suite executives, facility operators, suppliers, and personal trainers can all contribute by educating the public and engaging with policymakers to support the PHIT Act and other industry initiatives.

To stay informed and join grassroots campaigns, visit the Health and Fitness Action Center at healthandfitness.org.