Fitness World Canada CEO Chris Smith Elected Chair of Health & Fitness Association Board
Krissy Vann | Host, All Things Fitness and Wellness
At the recent meeting of the Health & Fitness Association, Chris Smith, President and CEO of Fitness World Canada, was elected as chair of the board of directors. Smith has been with the association's board for four years, serving as vice chair for the past year. His extensive background in the fitness industry, spanning over 25 years, has seen him hold various positions across major fitness organizations.
Chris Smith began his career as a personal trainer and has held leadership roles at 24 Hour Fitness, Bally Total Fitness, and Steve Nash Fitness World. He joined Steve Nash Fitness World in 2011, where he eventually became COO and CEO before rebranding the business as Fitness World Canada. Under his leadership, Fitness World Canada operates 16 clubs across British Columbia.
Smith is also the Principal and Founder of ATFW Media BC Ltd and the Founder and CEO of the British Columbia Personal Training Institute. His passion for fitness and wellness has driven his career, and he is known for his commitment to improving the lives of others through exercise and wellness.
The COVID-19 pandemic presented significant challenges for Smith and Steve Nash Fitness World. After the company filed for creditor protection early in the pandemic, Smith undertook the difficult task of restructuring the business, including the termination of thousands of employees. Despite these challenges, Smith remained dedicated to reviving the company, which was later rebranded as Fitness World Canada, driven by a strong sense of responsibility to its members and employees.
Through a consumer-driven strategy, Smith and his team overhauled the business model, leading to consistent growth and improvement. His experience as an athlete and coach has instilled in him resilience and a positive mindset, which he applies to his leadership style.
“Chris is an inspiring and empowering leader and his background as an international executive will help the Health & Fitness Association build on our recent transformation,” said HFA president & CEO Liz Clark. “His attention to detail and strategic vision will help us continue to deliver on our core strategic pillars of advocacy, education, and research and to continue working to elevate our member services, engagement, and operational performance,” she added.
The Health & Fitness Association also elected Luke Carlson as vice chair and Al Noshirvani as treasurer. Carlson, founder and CEO of Discover Strength, brings extensive knowledge in personal training and resistance training. Noshirvani, managing director of Integrity Square and co-founder of Alta Technology Group, offers expertise in M&A, venture capital, and consulting.
In addition to these appointments, five new board members joined the association: Ahmar Azam, founder and CEO of TriFit; Deborah Fiorella, chief technology and digital officer at 24 Hour Fitness; Richard Idgar, COO of EoS Fitness; Mel Kleist, CEO of East Bank Club; and Matthew Stevens, president and CEO of The Bay Club Company.
The Health & Fitness Association, a global community of industry leaders, is dedicated to advocating for the health and fitness industry, providing education, and conducting research to navigate the industry's evolving landscape. Under Smith's leadership, the association aims to continue elevating its member services, engagement, and operational performance.
Elevate Your Expertise: Tune in to Our YouTube Channel for Exclusive Podcasts with fitness and wellness Industry Titans and Game-Changers
Chris Smith, CEO of Fitness World Canada
(L to R) Mark Mastrov, Krissy Vann, Lise Kuecker, Chris Smith