The Danish fitness industry has recently welcomed the establishment of the first trade body for the sector – the Danish Fitness & Health Organisation (DFHO).

The DFHO was officially launched following new research from IDAN (The Danish Institute for Sports Studies) which revealed that 71 per cent of the fitness and wellness operators in Denmark wanted a trade organisation.

Currently around 350,000 Danes actively engage in fitness activities.

Jens Kramer Mikkelsen, chair of the newly-founded DFHO and former head mayor of Copenhagen, said: “We will reach at least 500,000 active members by the year 2012. Our role is to act as a common spokesperson for the trade and, in that way, contribute to increasing people’s knowledge and use of the health-promoting potential of our industry.”

Also on the DFHO’s board of directors are: Lars Stig Møller, deputy chair and CEO of Fitness Audio; John Hansen, CEO of CMS Denmark; Trey Greenwood, CEO of SATS Denmark; Henrik Rossing, CEO of Fitness World; and Rasmus E. Ingerslev, CEO of fitness dk.

Møller added: “There is an increasing need for competent business partners within the health arena. We also want to play a part in education and training.”

The non-profit organisation has close links to the International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association and has joined the Danish Chamber of Commerce, which will be in charge of the DFHO’s daily operations and administration.