International fitness entrepreneur Rasmus Ingerslev has today (23 March) been announced as the next chair of IHRSA.

Denmark-born Ingerslev will become the first IHRSA chair from outside America when he succeeds the outgoing Molly Kemmer on 1 July 2016.

Ingerslev will bring a broad range of fitness experience to the role. He boasts a strong operational background having been the founder of fitness chain Fresh Fitness, and he has also been a leading light in the technology space since founding virtual fitness giant Wexer.

Ingerslev's appointment was confirmed this morning during the IHRSA annual meeting at the organisations ongoing international trade show in Florida.

He said: “My foundation for success has been innovation, often including technology, but more than anything networking! I am a true believer in Success By Association, IHRSA’s slogan, and look forward to bringing my best efforts and experience into the chairmanship for the benefit of the organisation and the industry.

"We have taken on a big task, wanting to reverse the global inactivity epidemic. But if we, being IHRSA, our partners and members, can continuously move the needle just a little bit forward in regards to the number of people we help lead better lives through exercise, we are a success."

The meeting also saw IHRSA welcome Steve Capezzone (CEO of New England Fitness & Wellness), Jason Reinhardt (founder of Go M.A.D. Fitness), and Anastasia Yusina (founder of Orange Fitness and City Fitness health clubs) as newly-elected members of the IHRSA board of directors, due to serve four-year terms from 1 July.