Jim Worthington was appointed to serve as a member of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition. Jim Worthington is the owner of two athletic clubs in Pennsylvania, including the Newtown Athletic Club (NAC) and the Horsham Athletic Club. He has been involved in the industry for 40 years, growing Newtown from a 15,000-square-foot racquet club on three acres to a 300,000-square-foot health, wellness, and recreation complex and lifestyle club on 25 acres.
Jim was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors of the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA), the largest fitness equipment trade association in the world, on March 24, 2018, at the 2018 IHRSA International Conference in San Diego, California. As Chairman of the Board, Worthington is responsible for leading IHRSA to become the solution for the global obesity crisis as well as to protect, promote, and grow the fitness industry. His vision and leadership helps to shape the direction of fitness and wellness worldwide during a time when the world is beginning to recognize that “Exercise is Medicine” has a positive effect on almost every disease state, as well as prevents many diseases from ever developing.
Jim is a long-time supporter of IHRSA’s Industry Leadership Council (ILC) and IHRSA educational events. Jim is a strong believer in giving back to the community. He serves and has strong ties with local charities, non-profits, government, and fellow clubs.
Worthington also founded the Delaware Valley Alliance of Health and Sports Clubs, a consortium of regional clubs dedicated to promoting wellness while sharing best practices to continuously improve the industry.
In addition to his work in the fitness industry, Mr. Worthington is a real estate developer and a supporter of startup entrepreneurs. He has partnered to establish the Way of Life Recovery Homes in Pennsylvania, to provide a supportive, more affordable, and safe environment for rehabilitation – helping residents achieve a happy, healthy, and sober lifestyle.
Mr. Worthington is the recipient of the Augie’s Quest National Leadership Award in 2016, in honor of his contributions to the Quest for a Cure for amyotrophic lateral schlerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. He has also received the Westchester University Distinguished Alumni Award.
Mr. Worthington founded the NAC Have a Heart Foundation (501 c 3) to identify and raise awareness and funds for causes which affect the quality of life of the members of our community and the world at large. To date, his foundation has raised millions of dollars for ALS research and the search for a cure for this terrible disease, as well as other causes.
As a result of Worthington’s vision and leadership, the Newtown Athletic Club is globally recognized as a leader in the fitness industry, and Worthington and his senior staff are notable experts in every aspect of club operations and healthy lifestyle programming and promotion.
