|
Victory! Harmful Fitness Professional Certification Stopped –
Fight Likely to Continue in 2010 - 1.5.10 The recent efforts of IHRSA, the New Jersey Coalition of Fitness Professional, fitness professionals and health club consumers across the state have successfully ensured that legislation requiring certification of New Jersey fitness professionals will not move forward this session. IHRSA’s Trenton lobbyist confirmed over the holiday weekend that the Senate Commerce Committee will not take up Senate Bill 2164 (SB 2164) during their last meeting of the year this Thursday, January 7th. The legislation, which would impose burdensome requirements on personal trainers and group exercise instructors, could have put the jobs of thousands of fitness professionals at risk. The ability to prevent SB 2164’s enactment this year is a major success for New Jersey’s health club industry. The bill would have be extremely detrimental to the industry and would have had the dual effect of reducing the number of personal trainers and group exercise instructors and the number of consumers who are able to use their services to pursue healthier lifestyles. SB 2164 sponsor, Senator Paul Sarlo, has indicated that he is committed to passing legislation to require fitness professional certification and IHRSA expects the introduction of a similar bill sometime early this year. IHRSA, fitness professionals and our lobbyist continue to work with Senator Sarlo’s office and other elected officials to protect personal trainers and group exercise instructors from harmful regulation. IHRSA thanks all those who have gotten involved in our grassroots advocacy effort. You generated 11,675 emails to legislators at the state house. You spoke out and they responded. The Fight Continues Despite this incredible victory, which saved the jobs of thousands of group exercise instructors and personal trainers, the industry cannot rest. As long as there exists legislation harmful to the club industry, the efforts of IHRSA and our members must continue. But our work comes at a price. Retaining a successful lobbyist in Trenton is an expense that IHRSA incurs as part of our efforts to protect the industry. We are able to do this thanks in part to your membership dues. However, the majority of our funding for lobbyists comes from contributions to the Public Policy Council’s Industry Defense Fund. Whether it’s $100 or $250,000, every contribution counts and every contributor, from large clubs to small clubs, becomes a member of a committed group of fitness professionals who understand the need to protect our industry. Please consider making a contribution today to help us continue our efforts to protect the livelihoods of group exercise instructors and personal trainers and to protect the bottom lines of the clubs they work at. Contribute today. If you have any questions, please contact Tim Sullivan, Legislative Analyst, at ts@ihrsa.org or (800) 228-4772. |
|
|
International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association |
|
