Figure: Fifth Avenue Club, Calgary, Alberta, Canada donates funds from its membership fees to support communities in Ethiopia
The Birth of Gymtopia
As the founder of Gymtopia, my goal was to establish a digital platform that promotes Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives within the global health and fitness industry. ESG refers to the three central pillars used to measure a company’s performance and practices with the aim of promoting sustainable and responsible business operations.
The idea for Gymtopia came to me during a conference talk I was giving in Sao Paulo, Brazil as part of my role at Oxygen Consulting. I met Richard Bilton, President of Companhia Athletica, a successful Brazilian club chain. Richard shared their innovative shoe collection project, which asked members to donate old gym shoes upon upgrading. These shoes were cleaned, bagged, and donated to Symap, a Brazilian charity promoting sports among underprivileged children. Starting with 700 pairs, the project now collects around 4,000 pairs annually.
The Power of Clubs
Health and fitness clubs are influential communities with the potential to drive significant social impact. For example, Planet Fitness, a US-based budget gym operator, had over 17 million members by the end of 2022, equivalent to the Netherlands’ population. Engaging such communities in acts of giving or environmental pledges can lead to extraordinary results.
Gymtopia’s Industry Support
Inspired by Companhia Athletica’s project, I aimed to create a platform promoting similar Environmental, Social, and Governance initiatives. Gymtopia has since garnered support from five companies across four countries, including:
Companhia Athletica — Brazil
Fitronics / Retention Management — UK/ USA
Gantner — Austria
Les Mills — New Zealand
The Gym Group – UK
Aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Gymtopia now integrates the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into its platform, mapping projects against these 17 goals to showcase the industry’s commitment to global development. The SDGs, launched in 2015, address pressing social, economic, and environmental challenges and serve as a call to action for businesses, governments, and individuals to create a better, more sustainable future by 2030. Aligning Gymtopia’s projects with the SDGs highlights the health and fitness industry’s potential to contribute to a more sustainable world.
The global health and fitness industry, with over 185 million members and at least 205,000 clubs (The IHRSA Global Report 2019), can make a significant social impact. By sharing inspiring stories on Gymtopia and mapping them against the UN SDGs, we hope to motivate clubs, suppliers, and individuals to initiate projects, support ongoing efforts, and make a lasting difference in their communities. More action is now urgently required because the Covid-19 pandemic has set back progress.
Time to Act
The Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) agenda has gained momentum, becoming a crucial aspect of corporate strategy. It’s time to act. Let’s unite to transform the global health and fitness industry into a force for good. Support Gymtopia and be part of this movement to connect, engage, and empower communities in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Together, we can leave a lasting impact on the world.
What clients say
Ray really has his finger on the pulse of the fitness industry and I often call upon him for expert comment and analysis in Workout magazine.
Mary Ferguson, Editor, Workout Magazine, UK
Ray’s passion and unbridled optimism are contagious. Combine that with his ability to think analytically and apply complex research in the health and fitness field, and you’ve got a powerful and thought-provoking consultant.
Kevin Foley, Web Content Manager, IHRSA, United States
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