June 1st 2013 - Launch of the First Annual National Health and Fitness Day

EDMONTON, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - June 1, 2013) - Fitness Industry Council of Canada (FIC) is pleased to announce the launch of National Health and Fitness Day (NHFD) on June 1, 2013. John Weston, MP for West Vancouver, has spearheaded National Health and Fitness Day 2013 and has the commitment of over 60 members of parliament. These MPs will approach their local governments to promote health and fitness in their communities.

Introduced as a Private Members Bill, NHFD revolves around educating Canadians about the importance of staying fit through physical activity. The Bill encourages local fitness facilities to open their doors on a complementary basis on the first Saturday of June each year. This act strives to benefit Canadians by encouraging participation in healthy physical activities at a time when obesity-related conditions such as diabetes are taking an increasing toll on our health and economy.

Fitness facilities are being highlighted as vehicles for increasing physical activity. On the first Saturday of June each year, fitness facilities across Canada will be waiving their drop-in fees for the public. Members of clubs are encouraged to bring friends and family for a workout free of charge. Many individual clubs have supported this event, as well as a number of chains including Fitness Unlimited (BC), World Health (AB), Motion Fitness (SK), and many more. National clubs including Goodlife Fitness and participating Curves will be supporting NHFD.

"We hope that this promotion in our Canadian fitness clubs will assist in providing a large public support for this bill to pass. This is a great way to start getting more Canadians, more active, more often," says FIC's President, David Hardy. "As the association representing the Canadian fitness industry, this is an excellent initiative to promote fitness and physical activity."
By visiting Gympass.ca, Canadians are able to see a list of locations which will be open free of charge on June 1^st 2013 for NHFD.

"We have strong support from individual clubs across the country registering for NHFD on Gympass.ca. It's great to have the Canadian fitness industry come together to support something we all believe in - the promotion of a healthy lifestyle." says FIC's Association Manager, Trisha Sarker.

"I applaud the Fitness Industry of Canada for taking leadership to promote health and fitness for all Canadians. At this time in our nation's history, physical participation rates have dropped, FIC's endorsement of National Health & Fitness Day provides a platform for less active people to get involved; for more active Canadians to encourage their friends; and for all of us to share the health, economic, and other life benefits that result," says MP John Weston.