Washington, D.C. – May 9, 2011
Today, First Lady Michelle Obama joined the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition (PCFSN) to announce a new fitness industry effort to support our military families, particularly our National Guard and Reserve families, to further the goals of both of the First Lady’s initiatives, Let’s Move! and Joining Forces.
Members of the International Health Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) will offer free memberships to immediate family members (ages 13 and older, where applicable) of deployed reservists and National Guard members. Clubs may also provide additional benefits such as childcare, children’s programming, group classes, discounts for veterans, and discounts for active duty families. Beginning June 1, spouses and teen-age children can find participating clubs in their area online at www.healthclubs.com. The website will also offer a free digital subscription to Get Active! Magazine, a publication dedicated to promoting healthy living through exercise.
The American Council on Exercise® (ACE®), through its vast network of fitness professionals, is committing to a goal of providing at least 1 million hours of personal training and fitness instruction to family members of deployed reservists and National Guard members. Service members and their families can learn more about this effort and find participating fitness instruction in their area online at (www.acefitness.org/joiningforces) beginning June 1.
“Jill Biden and I launched Joining Forces to urge people to do whatever they can as neighbors, colleagues, and classmates to lend a hand to military families and to show our gratitude to those who serve our nation whether it’s on the battlefield or at home,†said First Lady Michelle Obama. “I’m so pleased that our fitness clubs and trainers have stepped up to both encourage and enable healthy lifestyles for these very special members of our communities to ensure a strong and healthy nation.â€
The goal of Let’s Move! is to solve the problem of the childhood obesity epidemic within a generation, and this announcement will help move one step closer to that goal through outreach to military communities across the country. Members of the President’s Council will support Joining Forces and Let’s Move! by meeting and inspiring military youth and families at events throughout the summer. Council members will promote the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA) to recognize and reward kids and adults who achieve their recommended daily physical activity goals.
