MPs visit members of FIA Vanguard Council

Vanguard Council members are receiving visits from their local MPs, as part of the Fitness Industry Association's (FIA) strategy to educate the government about the role the fitness industry plays in improving the health of the nation.

Sir George Young MP visited the FLAME Award winning club Andover Leisure Centre, run by Valley Leisure in Andover. Young was particularly interested in the development of a children’s play area and spent time speaking to a number of children from special needs schools.

Jim Fitzpatrick MP, the second in the Whips office, visited LA Fitness in East-India Quays. Fitzpatrick, who had previously used the venue for charity functions, was extremely complimentary about the club.

Ian Pearson, minister for Northern Ireland, toured Fortnocks Health and Lifestyle club and, despite a heavy workload, pledged to adopt a regular exercise regime and use the health club to support his efforts. It has also been arranged for Barry Sheerman MP, chair of the Education and Skills Select Committee, to visit Kirklees MC Leisure and Recreation.

Andrée Deane, executive chair, of the FIA, says: “We have had the opportunity to stress the crucial role the fitness industry must play if the government is to reach its target of 70 per cent of the population being ‘reasonably active’ by 2020.”