A newly formed lobby group, ‘Fit 4 Life,’ is set to advocate for government intervention to introduce tax breaks for gym memberships. Comprising 891 gyms with a collective membership of 625,000 individuals, the group aims to promote physical activity positively and foster healthy lifestyles.
Darina Dunne, Chairperson of the ‘Fit 4 Life – Irish Physical Activity Alliance’ (IPAA), articulated the group’s mission, emphasizing the importance of recognizing physical activity as a crucial component of healthcare. “We are lobbying the Government to fully recognize physical activity as an essential healthcare measure,” stated Dunne. “This includes making it eligible for tax relief, thereby elevating physical activity to its rightful status as something that can fundamentally improve our health and reduce the barrier to entry.”
Dunne highlighted the potential impact of tax breaks on increasing gym memberships, noting that financial incentives have proven efficacy, particularly amid the current cost of living crisis. “We know incentives work, and in this cost of living crisis, gym owners up and down the country will tell you one of the main reasons people are leaving the gym is because they can’t afford it,” she explained. “They consider it an accessory spend – it’s not essential – so they tend to cancel. Which they really shouldn’t because nothing will have a bigger impact on your long-term health than staying physically active.”
The advocacy for tax breaks aligns with the recommendations of the Health Service Executive (HSE), which advises adults to engage in at least 30 minutes of physical activity on at least five days every week. Regular exercise not only enhances physical health but also has positive effects on mental well-being by releasing endorphins that promote feelings of happiness.
The ‘Fit 4 Life’ lobby group’s initiative underscores the importance of incentivizing physical activity to improve public health outcomes and address barriers to gym membership affordability.