On Tuesday, March 21, 2023 during the Day 2 Opening Keynote at the IHRSA International Convention and Trade Show, the IHRSA Board President, Chris Craytor, presented the Advocate of the Year Award to Gale Landers, the founder and CEO of Fitness Formula Clubs (FFC).
“This award reminds us all of the importance of public policy for fitness,” said Craytor. “Gale has worked tirelessly to advocate for health clubs and fitness on a state and federal level.”
Landers is the current chairman of the National Health and Fitness Association Advisory Council, an Illinois Fitness Alliance (IFA) board member, and has worked closely with U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (IL-5) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (IL) to introduce the GYMS Act coming out of COVID-19.
Craytor added, “Gale gives freely of his time and has generously contributed financially to grow, promote, andprotect our industry, on behalf of us all.”
Landers is currently working with the NHFA Advisory Council to pass the PHIT Act, recently re-introduced to Congress.
“If we learned one thing coming through COVID-19, it was how incredibly valuable it is to be proactive with our health by building and reinforcing our immune system,” said Landers. “We as a nation need to focus on supporting a healthy-care lifestyle vs just paying for sick care. Passage of the PHIT Act will allow millions of Americans to use their HSA or FSA to pay for gym memberships, fitness programs, and youth sports activities up to $1,000 annually for individuals, and $2,000 for families.”
As part of the presentation, Craytor awarded Landers with a United States flag that had recently flown over the Capitol Dome.
IHRSA released a statement which in part read, “We applaud Gale for all his efforts and passion, and we thank him for the indelible mark he’s left on the industry.”
