Victory for Fitness in Louisiana: HB 9 Fitness Tax Blocked

The Coalition for Registration of Exercise Professionals (CREP), in collaboration with The Health & Fitness Association (HFA), achieved a significant victory by blocking Louisiana House Bill 9 (HB 9). This bill proposed a 5% sales tax on personal training, group fitness classes, youth sports, spa services, and other wellness activities. If passed, it would have increased consumer costs, reduced non-dues revenue for fitness facilities, and added administrative burdens for boutique studios and fitness centers.

Thanks to the collaborative advocacy efforts of the HFA, CREP, state government affairs teams, facility owners, and other stakeholders, HB 9 did not advance by the end of the legislative session.

What Was at Stake?

HB 9 sought to introduce a 5% sales tax on various fitness services, including personal training, group exercise classes, and sports coaching. This tax would have created unnecessary financial barriers to accessing fitness programs at a time when promoting healthy lifestyles is more critical than ever.

Louisiana ranks in the top five nationally for obesity rates and 90% of healthcare costs are tied to inactivity-related chronic diseases, taxing fitness services would have discouraged healthy behaviors and increased long-term healthcare costs. This counterproductive measure threatened both public health and the sustainability of fitness businesses.

Why This Matters: Protecting Facilities and Members

Blocking HB 9 safeguarded fitness facilities and their members from:

• Higher costs for personal training, group classes, and wellness services.
• Operational and administrative burdens that would have strained resources and bottom lines.

HB 10: A Mixed Outcome

While HB 10 did pass, it brought both opportunities and challenges:

• Positive Changes: Eliminating the corporate franchise sales tax and reducing the corporate income tax rate, creating a more favorable business environment for fitness facilities.
• New Challenge: A 0.55% sales tax increase on fitness memberships raises costs for members and facilities.

Fortunately, HB 10 does not impact exercise professionals or their services.

Advocacy in Action: How We Fought HB 9

Success in blocking HB 9 is a testament to the power of coordinated advocacy. CREP’s formal letter of concern and outreach to the bill’s author, Representative Neil Riser, highlighted how taxing fitness services would discourage healthy habits and increase healthcare costs. The combined efforts of HFA, CREP, state lobbyists, and facility owners ensured that legislators understood these consequences and acted accordingly.

What’s Next: Continuing the Fight for Fair Policies

Looking ahead, HFA will continue to advocate for removing the sales tax on fitness memberships. This change would:

• Expand access to fitness facilities.
• Promote healthier lifestyles and reduce chronic disease.
• Support financial stability for fitness businesses.

This victory underscores the importance of industry-wide advocacy and collaboration. Keeping fitness services tax-free ensures we continue making healthy choices accessible and affordable for everyone.