FITNESS ADVANTAGE
Fitness Advantage offers an opportunity to get a head start on a healthier lifestyle through access to International Fitness Club Network (IFCN), a network of high quality health and fitness clubs at affordable rates.
Highlights
- Members are assured the club's "lowest membership rate for the type of membership selected."
- Members receive a one-week introductory trial membership certificate, free of charge. This allows members to try several participating clubs for one week each, giving the opportunity to truly experience the club and its facilities. (Not to be combined at the same club.)
- Available in all 50 states with over 7,000 participating health clubs worldwide. Some of the largest club chains in the country are members of the IFCN, including Bally Total Fitness, Jazzercise, LA Fitness and Lifetime Fitness.
- Members may access the member service website or call the toll-free number 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to speak with a trained member service representative concerning various club locations and facility information.
- IFCN also offers discounts on fitness equipment from 2nd Wind Fitness and Bigfitness.
- Health and Fitness Clubs are required to meet the American College of Sports Medicine's health and safety standards.
- Dues are to be paid directly to the club, in accordance to the signed membership contract.
*IFCN is piloting a program in IL, WI, IA and MN where certain clubs, designated as "IFCN Preferred Clubs" offer the option to join these clubs directly through IFCN via the web portal. In these cases, all dues and fees are owed to IFCN.
STATISTICS
"A new survey by the NPD Group, a leading market research firm based in Rosemont, Ill., shows that about 62% of adults and 34% of children are overweight or obese" USA Today, 2005
"CDC's National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey, considered the gold standard because people are actually weighed and measured, shows that the percentage of adults who are obese has doubled over the past 30 years from 15% in the late 1970s to about 31% now." USA Today, 2005
"The segment of baby boomers (ages 35-54) has mushroomed by 180 percent {since 1987}—to 14.8 million in 2003, claiming 37.6 percent of all health club memberships." October 2004 InternationalHealth, Racquet & Sportsclub Association/American Sports Data, Inc. Health Club Trend Report.
"60% of U.S. adults are overweight, and the government blames 300,000 deaths a year to weight related diseases." International Health Racquest & Sportsclub Association, 01/03
FITNESS ADVANTAGE FAQs
Q. What "rate" will members receive with this benefit?
A. The Fitness Advantage benefit contracts with quality health and fitness clubs that vary greatly in size, amenities offered and facilities available. To this end, it is impossible to set one rate for every club. Participating health clubs will offer the member their "lowest membership rate, for the type of membership selected." Many clubs offer a variety of memberships (i.e. Aerobics Only, Fitness Room Only or a Full Facility Membership) therefore Fitness Advantage members receive the lowest rate for whichever membership they have selected.
Q. How does this benefit work?
A. To take advantage of the benefit, members should:
- Visit the member services website or call the toll-free number located on the back of the membership card to locate a participating facility.
- Call the health club and speak with someone in the membership department. Schedule a time to tour the facility and utilize the one-week free membership certificate. Present the membership card at the time of the visit to receive the lowest membership rate.
- Discuss what the lowest membership rate would be for the type of membership selected with the health club's membership department.
Q. How do members get the free certificates?
A. Certificates are available online at the website address located in the membership kit. Members simply print the certificate and present it to the fitness facility to receive a one week free membership. If a member does not have access to the Internet, call the toll-free number located on the back of the membership card and reference Fitness Advantage to receive the certificate by mail.
Q. May members use this benefit in conjunction with their existing membership?
A. The "lowest membership rate for the type of membership selected" may only be offered to new members joining a club. If a member already belongs to a facility and has a contract with a participating club, he/she should contact someone in the club membership office to see if the Fitness Advantage rate will apply.
Q. Do all facilities within a national chain participate with IFCN?
A. Some club chains, such as Bally Total Fitness, Lifetime Fitness and LA Fitness, are enrolled in the IFCN on a national level, meaning that every club that bears this name is an IFCN club. However, there are some club chains, such as Curves for Women that enroll in the IFCN on a club-by-club basis. These clubs are independently owned and operated, and can therefore choose whether or not they would like to enroll in the IFCN. Please use the IFCN club search engine to make sure that a club near you is part of the IFCN.
Q. What if I can't find a gym in my area?
A. Members should visit the website to access the health club database or call the toll-free number and speak with a member service representative to locate a club. If you are still unable to find a club in your area, members may nominate a health club to join the network. Simply fill out the "Refer a Club" form online or call the customer service number and speak with a representative. Nominated clubs are invited to join IFCN without obligation.
Q. My gym didn't know about the program but they are listed as a member club. What do I do?
A. The International Fitness Club Network (IFCN) benefit works with over 7,000 health clubs worldwide - health clubs have a large ever-changing staff; therefore there will be an occasion when one club representative doesn't know about their club’s participation in IFCN. If this happens, speak with someone in the health club’s membership department and mention that you have the IFCN benefit through Fitness Advantage. If they are unclear as to their participation, please call the toll-free member service number located on the back of the membership card and speak with a representative.
Q. May my wife/husband join the club with me?
A. Fitness Advantage is extended to members and their immediate family. Immediate family members are defined by the individual club.
Q. What do the clubs have to do to belong to the IFCN program?
A. IFCN is a free and voluntary program for clubs to join. Every participating club signs a contract stating they will:
- Offer their "lowest membership rate for the type of membership selected"
- Offer a 1 week free trial membership (subject to space availability)
- Abide by the American College of Sports Medicine's (ACSM) and International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association's (IHRSA) Health and Safety standards
Q. I'm not ready to join a gym but I would like to start exercising and take better care of myself. Does Fitness Advantage offer anything for me through IFCN?
A. Yes, IFCN also offers home fitness equipment at a discounted rate for Fitness Advantage members. Visit the online store located on the website for a list and description of products offered. Members may also access information about each piece of equipment through the home fitness equipment order line. In addition, IFCN offers members self-help programs through the American Institute for Preventive Medicine (AIPM) and information about the Rockport Walking Test.