Health City, Jan Middelkamp, Business Development Director: “... when EHFA explained to us what their strategy and reason for being was we did not have to think long; we decided to become a Platinum Partner because we want to support this kind of initiative as we will all benefit in the long run; More People - More Active - More Often simply means more business for us all”.

SATS Group, Nordic Region, Dag Lee, Deputy CEO:  “... as an operator with more than 160 clubs, of which 108 are owned across four countries, we know how important cross border capabilities of staff are. That’s why we support EHFA and EREPS.

In addition we are member of EHFA with all our owned clubs, and we do that because we want to contribute to the cause of promoting our industry at the highest political levels in the EU”.

Les Mills, Christophe Andanson, CEO: “... Les Mills operates in more than 1000 clubs in French speaking countries. We believe there is a need for a cooperation between the countries with regards to Certification and Qualifications, and EHFA is our voice at the European level to create a strong European Fitness Industry”.

Fitness First Group, Steve Kouma, Head of Fitness Europe: "... national boundaries mean very little to a company that has over 550 sites in 16 countries across the globe. Fitness First is a pan-European operator of health and fitness clubs and for that purpose, we are members of EHFA, the body best placed to represent the interests of the health and fitness industry in Brussels.

What is most appealing for Fitness First (apart from the important lobbying role in Brussels)  is that EHFA offers the possibility of bringing the revolutionary concept of the Register of Exercise Professionals to every country in Europe through the European Register of Exercise Professionals.

Fitness First has direct experience of two countries where Registers are in place and the effects on the industry are clear. In both Australia and the UK, Registers of Exercise Professionals have transformed the way staff see their roles in the company.

The effects on business are clear. In the UK the Register has formed the backbone of our growth over the last three years, especially in the areas of expertise and professional standards. We worked with REPS UK to assess levels of training in the Fitness First Personal Trainer team and this led to a 40% improvement in personal trainer attrition as we were able to target our training investment where it was most needed.

This improvement directly contributed to a like for like revenue increase in excess of £225k and an additional 9,000 members engaged in personal training. Over the entire membership base we saw an 8% improvement in member retention.

It is the foresight and vision of EHFA that makes the concept of an operational Register across Europe a believable objective. That is why Fitness First have invested in EHFA and will support it to make sure that it achieves its goals”.

FIA, UK Association, David Stalker, CEO: "...it is clear to us that we have real issues that can only be dealt with at the European level – for example, up to 80% of regulations affecting business in the United Kingdom has its origins in Brussels. If we are not upstream to catch these issues before they have time to take root, it costs our members dearly. National trade associations have no route to influence such issues. It is only by being part of a European Association with a presence in Brussels that you can ensure that your voice is heard.

Nonetheless, we are committed members of EHFA not for the threats posed at the European level but the massive opportunities within reach of the industry.

We believe that a proposition can be built that sees the UK working with other European trade associations to launch shared community intervention programmes linking up health clubs and leisure centres with schools, colleges, workplaces, health insurers, governments and other willing partners right across the European continent.

This vision can only be achieved through EHFA and it is for that reason why the FIA board has signed a collective membership agreement that sees the UK industry fully behind developments at the European level".