By Erin Phelan
National Health and Fitness Day Champion and Communications Lead, Fitness Industry Council of Canada
Let’s do this.
What could be called the Superbowl of the Fitness Industry is now here: this Saturday, June 7, is National Health and Fitness Day — a powerful initiative encouraging all Canadians to get up, get out, and get moving. Join gyms, community centres, medical facilities, training centres, boutique studios and anyone who believes in fitness as a catalyst for change to get Canadians moving!
Fitness Industry Canada has one simple message to gym owners and operators across Canada:
Open your doors.
Invite people in.
Be part of something bigger.
National Health and Fitness Day (NHFD) is our chance as an industry to lead — to be the spark for healthier habits, more active communities, and real momentum toward long-term change.
Why This Day Matters
We are in a health crisis, where chronic health conditions continue to rise.
While Canadians are living longer, they are not living healthier. In fact, according to Statistics Canada, four out of five Canadians have at least one modifiable risk factor for chronic illness (such as physical inactivity or unhealthy eating patterns); sedentary behavior and obesity rates remain high, particularly among children and YouTube, and Canada ranks as one of the worst countries in the world for obesity.
How do we change physical activity in Canada?
One way: We get more people into the gym. Only 16–18% of Canadians are members of a gym. We know that gym goers are healthier — in fact, in the recent report from Health and Fitness Association, people who regularly went to the gym had lower rates of illness, better mental health and felt more connected to their community.
Canada has been lagging behind many other countries — in the US, it is estimated that one in four Americans has a gym membership.
NHFD is our opportunity to show Canadians what we do! Offer people the gift of movement — a chance to try something new, feel welcomed, and be inspired to take the first step.
This Is Smart Marketing
Let’s talk business: opening your doors for one day isn’t just altruistic — it’s a smart strategy.
- You reach people who may have never walked into a gym before.
- You create community buzz and generate leads.
- You show that your facility is about more than fitness — it’s about connection, wellness, and belonging.
Even a simple free workout or open house can lead to long-term relationships. When Canadians see your gym as a place that supports them, not just sells to them, you build trust — and that’s what leads to growth.
Celebrate Wellness. Celebrate Community.
Gyms are more than equipment.
We are places of transformation, motivation, and resilience. This Saturday let’s show that to the world.
You don’t have to host a massive event. A group workout in the park. A free drop-in class. A community walk. A mental wellness seminar. A yoga session on the front lawn. Or just open your doors.
Every gesture — big or small — makes a difference.
This Is Bigger Than One Day
National Health and Fitness Day can be the catalyst for a larger shift in Canadian culture. If every gym in the country opens its doors, we send a clear message: health matters.
Community matters.
And fitness is for everyone.
Imagine the impact if even a fraction of the 82% of non-members found a reason to come in — and stay.
Final Call to Action
If you’ve been on the fence, this is your sign.
Open your doors.
Share your event on social media.
Email FIC communications@ficdn.ca and tell us what you are doing. Follow us on Instagram and at Facebook, and tag us. Use the hashtag #LetsMoveCanada and tag @ficdn so we can share your efforts. Show your community that your gym isn’t just a business — it’s a vital part of Canada’s health care system.
Because the more we move together, the stronger we become.
Let’s move, Canada.
One gym at a time.
With health and gratitude,
Erin Phelan
National Health and Fitness Day Champion
Fitness Industry Council of Canada
Fitness Industry Council of Canada (FIC) is the not-for profit trade association that represents the voice of fitness facility operators across Canada. Representing more than 6,000 facilities with more than six-million members nationwide, FIC pursues a legislative agenda in the hope of bettering the fitness industry for both consumers and operators. FIC aims to work with both industry and government to improve the health and physical activity levels of Canadians.
