The International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) and member health clubs across the nation announced today the start of the 6th annual Get Active America! campaign, IHRSA’s national health promotion program. During the week of May 11-17, participating health clubs open their doors to the public, free of charge, inspiring tens of thousands of Americans to become more active and to manage their health.
“Tough economic times and looming healthcare costs are making it more important than ever for people to proactively care for their own health,” says Joe Moore, IHRSA’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “The easiest, most cost-effective way for people to care for their health and maintain their strength is to get moving. The Get Active America! program provides Americans with a gateway to healthier living.”
IHRSA reminds people that not only can exercise help save on long-term healthcare and medical costs, but it boosts morale in tough economic times, helps prepare people physically and mentally for the job hunt and interview process, and helps minimize absenteeism and stress at work.
New program tracks for 2009 include men’s, women’s, and family/youth health, in addition to featured programming:
Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans - a guide to help members and prospects understand the Guidelines and how to fit the new recommendations into their busy lives.
The Wellness Footprint - a fun program that will encourage clubs and their visitors to increase their Wellness Footprint by engaging in healthy, active behaviors throughout the day.
For a list of participating clubs, visit www.getactiveamerica.com.
As part of Get Active America!, many clubs will be educating their local communities about disease prevention and healthy living through exercise; and clubs will be creating programs to benefit all members of the community with a broad spectrum of exercise needs. Clubs also will be encouraging their members to sign up for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Office on Women's Health (OWH) WOMAN Challenge–an eight-week physical fitness challenge that encourages women to get at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week - as part of National Women's Health Week. People participating will be able to track their steps online.
IMPORTANT DATES:
May 10, 2009: The WOMAN Challenge (Women and Girls Out Moving Across the Nation)
The WOMAN Challenge kicks off on Mother's Day, the start of National Women's Health Week (May 10-16, 2009), and ends on July 4, 2009. The WOMAN Challenge encourages women to get at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week and girls to get at least 1 hour of physical activity each day. The WOMAN Challenge also allows women to track their steps online. (For information about the WOMAN Challenge, please visit http://www.womenshealth.gov/woman. For more information about National Women’s Health Week, please visit the National Women's Health Week web site at http://www.womenshealth.gov/whw.)
May 11, 2009: National Women's Check-Up Day
This nationwide effort, coordinated by OWH, encourages women to visit healthcare professionals to receive or schedule a check-up, which can play a vital role in prevention and early detection of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, mental health illnesses, sexually transmitted diseases, and other conditions. (For more information, see http://www.womenshealth.gov/whw/check-up-day.)
May 11-14, 2009: Bring a Friend
Health clubs nationwide invite current members to bring in their friends, family members, neighbors and co-workers so they, too, can experience the health and quality-of-life benefits of exercise - for free!
May 15-17, 2009: Open House
Health clubs nationwide open their doors to their communities for free to help Americans learn how they can live more physically active - and healthier - lives.
Related to:
May 15 2009
