Voluntary Fitness Facility Certification

An initiative is underway to create a voluntary certification process for fitness facilities that will strengthen our industry and raise our standing as quality providers of safe and healthy exercise.

The initiative is spearheaded by NSF International, a world leader in standards development for public health and safety. NSF has invited IHRSA to participate on the Joint Committee responsible for developing and approving the certification standards. IHRSA accepted the invitation after being assured that every IHRSA member would have the opportunity to participate in the process and make his/her voice heard. As a regional association of IHRSA, THRSA members will have access to this process.

IHRSA’s participation in the process is guided by 5 principles:

1. Certification standards should be reflective of current responsible industry practice.
2. Certification should grow the health club industry by increasing consumer confidence in the safety of accredited facilities.
3. Certification should attract positive attention from the medical community, including an increase in the number of patient referrals to health clubs.
4. Certification should attract positive attention from employers, insurance companies, and other potential third-party payers.
5. Certification standards must be practical.

As IHRSA works with the Joint Committee to develop these principles and see that they are put into practice, you are encouraged to send your thoughts on the topics expected to be addressed by the certification standards:

1. Pre-activity screening and orientation
2. Staffing requirements
3. Emergency and risk management procedures, and
4. Operational practices

We look forward to hearing from you. We know that by working together we can create a certification process that will strengthen our industry and confirm its enormous value to the public. In the meantime, we will keep you posted with regular updates about the progress of the initiative.

Get Involved
View the public documents relating to the Joint Committee, visit standards.nsf.org and scroll down to “Joint Committee on Health/Fitness Facility Standards.”

Please direct comments to:
IHRSA’s Public Policy Department at gr@ihrsa.org or  61... (fax).

Attorneys for The FitLife Club Network, an association of independently-owned health and fitness clubs in the Pacific Northwest, have prepared a letter to IHRSA stating their concerns about the Voluntary Certification Standards in their current form.  You may download the letter below.  If you would like to add your name to the letter please e-mail THRSA's Executive Director, Michele Melkerson-Granryd, at: info@thrsa.org.