President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition and Let’s Move! Announce Collaboration to Support Military Families

WASHINGTON, May 9, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, First Lady Michelle Obama joined the President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition (PCFSN) to announce a new fitness industry effort to support our military families, particularly our National Guard and Reserve families, to further the goals of both of the First Lady's initiatives, Let's Move! and Joining Forces.

Members of the International Health Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) will offer free memberships to immediate family members (ages 13 and older, where applicable) of deployed reservists and National Guard members. Clubs may also provide additional benefits such as childcare, children's programming, group classes, discounts for veterans, and discounts for active duty families. Beginning June 1, spouses and teen-age children can find participating clubs in their area online at www.healthclubs.com. The website will also offer a free digital subscription to Get Active! Magazine, a publication dedicated to promoting healthy living through exercise.

The American Council on Exercise® (ACE®), through its vast network of fitness professionals, is committing to a goal of providing at least 1 million hours of personal training and fitness instruction to family members of deployed reservists and National Guard members. Service members and their families can learn more about this effort and find participating fitness instruction in their area online at (www.acefitness.org/joiningforces) beginning June 1.

"Jill Biden and I launched Joining Forces to urge people to do whatever they can as neighbors, colleagues, and classmates to lend a hand to military families and to show our gratitude to those who serve our nation whether it's on the battlefield or at home," said First Lady Michelle Obama.  "I'm so pleased that our fitness clubs and trainers have stepped up to both encourage and enable healthy lifestyles for these very special members of our communities to ensure a strong and healthy nation."

The goal of Let's Move! is to solve the problem of the childhood obesity epidemic within a generation, and this announcement will help move one step closer to that goal through outreach to military communities across the country. Members of the President's Council will support Joining Forces and Let's Move! by meeting and inspiring military youth and families at events throughout the summer. Council members will promote the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA) to recognize and reward kids and adults who achieve their recommended daily physical activity goals. Upcoming engagements include:

• May 10-19: PCFSN Council Member and ESPN analyst Tedy Bruschi will join several Wounded Warriors to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro in Africa.

• May 14-15: PCFSN Council Member and NASCAR driver Carl Edwards will visit with military families in Dover, DE, and will continue his commitment to reaching military families during race weekends all year.

• May 16-20: PCFSN Council Member Dr. Stephen McDonough will join the 2nd Annual Warrior Games at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, CO.

• Participation in summer events with the Armed Forces branches.

Statements from ACE® and IHRSA

"The American Council on Exercise has always, and will always, proudly support our servicemen and women and their families. We are forever indebted to them for the sacrifices they make for our country. We are honored to have the opportunity to give back. Through our involvement with the Joining Forces initiative and participation from our extensive network of ACE® fitness professionals and others in the industry, we are thrilled to show our gratitude to these military families and rally support on their behalf."  - Scott Goudeseune, CEO, American Council on Exercise

"The freedoms that each of us enjoy every day are possible, in large measure, because of the sacrifices that our nation's military families bear. Joining Forces offers us an opportunity to provide these families with the support they are due. Rooted in communities all across America, IHRSA health clubs stand ready to serve our nation's military families. We are here to offer them safe, supportive environments where they can exercise and find encouragement in their efforts to stay well through healthy lifestyle choices. We are deeply honored to participate in this extremely important initiative."  - Joe Moore, President and CEO, International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association

About the President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition

The President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition (PCFSN) promotes healthy lifestyles through fitness, sports and nutrition programs and initiatives that educate, engage and empower all Americans. PCFSN is a committee of volunteer citizens appointed by the President who serve in an advisory capacity through the Secretary of Health and Human Services. For more information about PCFSN, visit www.fitness.gov. For more information about the President's Challenge Physical Activity and Fitness Awards Program or the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA), visit www.presidentschallenge.org.

SOURCE President's Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition