The Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA)


For more than 100 years, the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association (SGMA) has effectively represented sports and fitness businesses. One key area for SGMA is promotion of more active and healthier lifestyles in America. As the voice of the industry in Washington, SGMA annually hosts National Health Through Fitness Day to promote policies that will increase physical activity in America. More information about SGMA can be found at www.sgma.com.

SGMA’s National Health Through Fitness Day


SGMA’s Annual National Health Through Fitness Day brings celebrity athletes, physical education teachers, physical activity advocates and fitness & sporting goods industry leaders to Capitol Hill for meetings with Members of Congress. This annual advocacy effort advances our agenda of making physical activity more accessible and affordable through two SGMA legislative initiatives: the Personal Health Investment Today Act (PHIT) and the Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP).

• The Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) provides funding for innovative physical education programs in America's schools. Introduced in 2001 by SGMA, PEP has provided almost $600 million in federal funds to schools and community-based organizations for quality physical education programs. PEP is the only federally funded program dedicated exclusively to physical education.
  
  PEP results consistently show that access to quality P.E. teaches children the importance of physical activity for lifelong health.
  
   
• The Personal Health Investment Today Act (PHIT) is pending in Congress; PHIT will encourage improved health through increased physical activity for all Americans by making healthy, active lifestyles more affordable. Physical activity prevents illness and PHIT promotes physical activity through the use of tax incentives. Current law limits the use of funds in pre-tax medical accounts primarily to reimbursement of medical expenses once you become sick. PHIT would allow taxpayers to place up to $2,000 a year in existing pre-tax medical accounts for reimbursement of physical activity expenses. Reducing the costs of physical activity will lead to healthier, more active lifestyles on America. To write to your Representatives to support PHIT and to learn more about this physical activity initiative visit www.getphit.sgma.com.

Celebrity athletes who have attended previous SGMA National Health Through Fitness Days include:

If you would like to learn how you can join SGMA for their 11th Annual National Health Through Fitness Day on March 9 & 10th click here. If you would like to learn how your company can become more involved in the event please contact Jim Baugh at jimbaugh@sbcglobal.net.

Click here to read how HOPSports was involved in SGMA’s 2009 National Health Through Fitness Day.

SGMA's National Health Through Fitness Day Photo Albums Through the Years

 

Click here for more photos of previous SGMA National Health Through Fitness Days.