Personal Fitness Press Release

I thought you would be interested in a piece of legislation that we, in conjunction with our trade association, the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), are working hard to enact in the U.S. Congress. The Workforce Health Improvement Program (WHIP) Act (H.R. 1634; S. 772) would provide an important tax incentive to promote fitness in the workplace.

As I am sure you are aware, public health experts are unanimous that active and fit lifestyles in the workplace result in reduced health care costs, medical claims, absenteeism, and improved productivity, morale and quality of life.

The WHIP Act would reaffirm an employer's right to deduct the cost of subsidizing or providing off-site health club benefits for their workers. In addition, this measure would exclude the wellness benefit from being considered additional taxable income for employees.

Current law allows businesses to deduct the cost of on-site work out facilities, but when a business wants or needs to out source this health benefit, employees who receive off-site fitness center subsidies are required to pay income tax on the benefits and their employers bear the associated administrative costs of complying with IRS rules.

Since many employers do not have the resources or office space to offer on-site exercise rooms and fitness programs, the WHIP Act provides employers and incentive to offer health and fitness programs to their workers. However, the legislation imposes no mandate on businesses to provide fitness center subsidies if they choose not to.

If you would like to join in our effort to enact this legislation, one way you can help immediately would be to sign up to join the Workplace Fitness Coalition.

Coalition membership is completely free of charge and imposes no administrative or any other burdens on those companies or groups that decide to join. Members can be as active (or inactive) as they choose to be within the coalition.

If your company is interested in joining the Workplace Fitness Coalition, please contact Marisa Traniello at IHRSA, mt@ihrsa.org, 800-228-4772 ext. 185. Thank you for any assistance you can provide.

Sincerely,

Randy Sabourin, President
Personal Fitness, Inc
205 Salina Place
Syracuse, NY 13202
(315) 426-8917
Pfp1on1@aol.com



Personal Fitness works closely with corporate partners! I thought you would be interested in a piece of legislation that we, in conjunction with our trade association, the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), are working hard to enact in the U.S. Congress. The Workforce Health Improvement Program (WHIP) Act (H.R. 1634; S. 772) would provide an important tax incentive to promote fitness in the workplace. As I am sure you are aware, public health experts are unanimous that active and fit lifestyles in the workplace result in reduced health care costs, medical claims, absenteeism, and improved productivity, morale and quality of life. The WHIP Act would reaffirm an employer's right to deduct the cost of subsidizing or providing off-site health club benefits for their workers. In addition, this measure would exclude the wellness benefit from being considered additional taxable income for employees. Current law allows businesses to deduct the cost of on-site work out facilities, but when a business wants or needs to out source this health benefit, employees who receive off-site fitness center subsidies are required to pay income tax on the benefits and their employers bear the associated administrative costs of complying with IRS rules. Since many employers do not have the resources or office space to offer on-site exercise rooms and fitness programs, the WHIP Act provides employers and incentive to offer health and fitness programs to their workers. However, the legislation imposes no mandate on businesses to provide fitness center subsidies if they choose not to. If you would like to join in our effort to enact this legislation, one way you can help immediately would be to sign up to join the Workplace Fitness Coalition. Coalition membership is completely free of charge and imposes no administrative or any other burdens on those companies or groups that decide to join. Members can be as active (or inactive) as they choose to be within the coalition. If your company is interested in joining the Workplace Fitness Coalition, please contact Marisa Traniello at IHRSA, mt@ihrsa.org, 800-228-4772 ext. 185. Thank you for any assistance you can provide. Sincerely, Randy Sabourin, President Personal Fitness, Inc 205 Salina Place Syracuse, NY 13202 (315) 426-8917 Pfp1on1@aol.com