Empowering Health Through Legislation
How Life Fitness / Hammer Strength Champions the PHIT Act
In this edition, we speak with our Chief Commercial Officer, Andrew Mahadevan, about a topic that we hold near and dear to our hearts. We’re all-in on helping to pave the way for fitness to be both more affordable and more accessible to everyone. When we sat down with Andrew, we discussed how the company works to support Federal efforts in this area.
The Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act, currently under review in Congress, aims to reduce the cost barrier to fitness by allowing Americans to use pre-tax dollars from Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for gym memberships, fitness equipment, and youth sports fees.
As Andrew states, “In an era where physical activity is more important than ever for public health, Life Fitness / Hammer Strength is proud to stand behind federal legislation that aligns with its mission: making fitness a fundamental part of everyday life. We believe this is the right thing to do and as such, we continue to speak out about the benefits of this program. As global leaders in commercial fitness, Life Fitness / Hammer Strength has been a long-time champion for the role exercise plays in preventative health. We believe supporting the PHIT Act reflects a deep commitment to creating healthier communities by driving both innovation in fitness equipment and advocacy for policies that increase access to exercise.”
At Life Fitness and Hammer Strength, our mission has always been clear: Inspiring the World to Workout. The PHIT Act represents a pivotal opportunity to advance that mission—bringing us closer to a future where more people have access to the tools and motivation they need to embrace active, healthy lifestyles. As Andrew further notes, “It can change lives.”
The company has also joined forces with industry coalitions like HFA and the Physical Activity Alliance to help push the PHIT Act forward. Whether it’s collaborating with club operators, or sharing consumer stories that illustrate the impact of accessible fitness, Life Fitness / Hammer Strength is ensuring its voice is part of the conversation in Washington.
“Whether you’re training for a sport, recovering from an injury, or just trying to improve your health, having the tools and resources matters,” Andrew continued, “PHIT makes those tools more financially accessible, which aligns perfectly with our goal of making strength training and fitness universal.”
We’ll be back with more noteworthy insights from our executive leadership in the months to come.
About Andrew Mahadevan
Andrew serves as the Chief Commercial Officer for the Life Fitness / Hammer Strength family. His focus has been to serve as an inclusive, growth oriented leader for the company. Andrew brings 15+ years of commercial experience in P&L management, international business leadership, talent acquisition and development, multi-channel and segment distribution models, and revenue / EBITDA growth and he is currently responsible for Life Fitness / Hammer Strength global sales, marketing, and revenue operations organizations.
The Personal Health Investment Today (PHIT) Act, currently under review in Congress, aims to reduce the cost barrier to fitness by allowing Americans to use pre-tax dollars from Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for gym memberships, fitness equipment, and youth sports fees.
As Andrew states, “In an era where physical activity is more important than ever for public health, Life Fitness / Hammer Strength is proud to stand behind federal legislation that aligns with its mission: making fitness a fundamental part of everyday life. We believe this is the right thing to do and as such, we continue to speak out about the benefits of this program. As global leaders in commercial fitness, Life Fitness / Hammer Strength has been a long-time champion for the role exercise plays in preventative health. We believe supporting the PHIT Act reflects a deep commitment to creating healthier communities by driving both innovation in fitness equipment and advocacy for policies that increase access to exercise.”
At Life Fitness and Hammer Strength, our mission has always been clear: Inspiring the World to Workout. The PHIT Act represents a pivotal opportunity to advance that mission—bringing us closer to a future where more people have access to the tools and motivation they need to embrace active, healthy lifestyles. As Andrew further notes, “It can change lives.”
Industry Advocacy Meets Innovation
Life Fitness / Hammer Strength are doing more than just voicing support though. Aside from independently lobbying on Capitol Hill, the company is working with health clubs, community leaders, and policy advocates to help raise awareness for the Act. By leveraging their nationwide expertise and knowledge in commercial and institutional fitness facilities, whether the local gym or university training centers, Life Fitness / Hammer Strength is helping bring visibility to the bill’s potential impact.The company has also joined forces with industry coalitions like HFA and the Physical Activity Alliance to help push the PHIT Act forward. Whether it’s collaborating with club operators, or sharing consumer stories that illustrate the impact of accessible fitness, Life Fitness / Hammer Strength is ensuring its voice is part of the conversation in Washington.
Helping Clubs Help Communities
For health clubs and training centers, the PHIT Act could be a game-changer. By making fitness costs eligible for pre-tax spending, more Americans may be able to join local gyms or invest in home workout solutions that, in turn, could lead to healthier populations—and stronger fitness businesses. Life Fitness / Hammer Strength, known for its high-performance strength training equipment, equipment that is used by professional athletes and military training programs, sees this as a chance to bring elite-quality fitness within reach for everyone.“Whether you’re training for a sport, recovering from an injury, or just trying to improve your health, having the tools and resources matters,” Andrew continued, “PHIT makes those tools more financially accessible, which aligns perfectly with our goal of making strength training and fitness universal.”
A Call to Action
As momentum builds around the PHIT Act, Life Fitness / Hammer Strength are encouraging fitness professionals, club operators, and everyday gym-goers to contact their Congressional representatives in support of the legislation. Andrew points out, “We can’t do this alone. If you believe in the power of fitness to transform lives, this is the time to act. Together, we can make health and fitness a right—not a privilege."We’ll be back with more noteworthy insights from our executive leadership in the months to come.
About Andrew Mahadevan
Andrew serves as the Chief Commercial Officer for the Life Fitness / Hammer Strength family. His focus has been to serve as an inclusive, growth oriented leader for the company. Andrew brings 15+ years of commercial experience in P&L management, international business leadership, talent acquisition and development, multi-channel and segment distribution models, and revenue / EBITDA growth and he is currently responsible for Life Fitness / Hammer Strength global sales, marketing, and revenue operations organizations.