Last week, I joined more than 100 health and fitness leaders in Washington, D.C. at the 2025 Health & Fitness Association Fly-In and Advocacy Summit. Together, we met with lawmakers, participated in expert panels, and shared stories of how our industry changes lives every day.
Through every conversation, one message rang loud and clear:
Structured movement is medicine—and our industry delivers it daily.
From small-town community centers to national fitness brands, our customers are on the front lines of improving physical and mental health. But they can’t do it alone. That’s why Daxko proudly supports the Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act and is committed to advocating for a more equitable, affordable, and impactful future for fitness.
Why the PHIT Act Is a Game-Changer
The PHIT Act would allow Americans to use pre-tax dollars from their Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) to pay for fitness expenses like gym memberships, youth sports, and fitness classes. This simple but powerful change could help individuals save up to $1,000 per year — or $2,000 per household — to invest in their health and wellness.
It’s a small policy change with big potential:
- 86% of voters support the PHIT Act, with support evenly split across party lines.
- 58% of Americans say cost prevents them from using fitness facilities.
- The median gym membership is about $30 per month — manageable for some, but still a barrier for many.
This isn’t just about expanding choices — it’s about removing the financial barriers that prevent millions from participating in fitness activities that improve health and quality of life.
After all, Americans already use HSA and FSA dollars for prescriptions, eye care, and dental visits. Why shouldn’t they be able to invest those same dollars in disease prevention, mental wellness, and healthier living through structured movement?
Numbers Speak Volumes: The Economic and Health Impact Is Clear
According to the Health & Fitness Association, the PHIT Act could unlock:
- $12.8 billion in economic impact
- 230,000 new jobs in the fitness industry
- 500,000 cases of preventable chronic disease avoided
- $12.2 billion in annual healthcare cost savings
The broader impact is even more compelling:
For every $1 invested in promoting physical activity, there’s a $4 return in economic growth.
That’s a return on investment no government — or business — can afford to ignore.
Our Industry Is Already Driving Change
Today, one in five Americans holds a fitness membership — representing more than 77 million people nationwide. The industry supports over 600,000 jobs and contributes more than $22 billion in direct economic output each year. These numbers reflect the people our customers serve and the communities they strengthen every day.
We See Results:
- Gym members are 50% more likely to meet CDC activity guidelines.
- One in three members is more likely to live longer thanks to regular activity.
- Two in five say they work out primarily for their mental wellness.
And here’s something that inspires us even more — Gen Z is investing more in fitness than any other generation — not because it’s trendy, but because they recognize it as essential to their well-being. They’re showing us that the next generation already understands what we in the industry have long known: movement changes lives.
Why Daxko Is Showing Up — And Why You Should Too
Daxko supports more than 19,000 health and wellness organizations, helping them serve over 25 million people. From YMCAs and JCCs to enterprise clubs and boutique studios, our customers are doing the vital work of building healthier communities through movement.
We’re proud to back that work with industry-leading software and services. But our support doesn’t stop there. We are equally committed to policy advocacy that expands access, removes barriers, and recognizes fitness as essential infrastructure for public health and economic vitality.
The PHIT Act is a smart, bipartisan step toward that future. We urge Congress to act — and we’ll keep showing up to ensure the voices of our customers and their members are heard.
Join Us in Moving Forward — Together
We encourage everyone — industry leaders, club operators, and members—to contact their representatives and advocate for the PHIT Act. Together, we can make fitness more accessible, more affordable, and more impactful for everyone.
Let’s keep moving forward—together.
Jeff VanDixhorn is the Chief Executive Officer at Daxko; a leading software and integrated payments provider for health and wellness organizations.