IDEA Health & Fitness Association Sold to Amy Boone Thompson

Media company Outside Interactive has sold IDEA Health & Fitness Association, San Diego, to Amy Boone Thompson, IDEAfit Inc. announced last week. The purchase price was not disclosed.

Thompson had been vice president and general manager of IDEA, but she is now CEO and full owner of IDEAfit, Inc. and its holding company In-Out Fitness Solutions Inc. 

IDEA is an organization for fitness and wellness professionals that also operates the IDEA World Convention. Soon celebrating its 40th anniversary, the association was founded by Kathie and Peter Davis, who sold it in 2016 to Active Interest Media (AIM). Then in July 2020, AIM sold three of its divisions, which included IDEA, to Pocket Outdoor Media (which rebranded to Outside in February 2021).

"While we are no longer owned by Outside Interactive, IDEA will maintain a strong strategic relationship with the Outside family of brands, connecting our professionals and partners with Outside's audience to help inspire more people to enjoy the benefits of an active lifestyle," Thompson said in the announcement.

Thompson has almost three decades of experience as a career fitness professional and practitioner, wellness advocate and business owner/leader.

"The common thread through all of the roles I've held in the industry is that I bring a relentless obsession to improving the careers, benefits, standards and opportunities for professionals and owners so they can impact more lives with the gift of movement and wellness," Thompson said. "IDEA's platform and global authority allow for greater impact to support even more professionals, empowering them to create positive outcomes for our communities."

Robin Thurston, CEO and chairman of Outside Interactive, Inc. said: "We are confident in Amy's leadership of IDEA Health & Fitness. IDEA has been central to the wellness community for 40 years, and we look forward to what this next phase of growth brings to fitness enthusiasts around the globe."

The sale came just a few days prior to Outside laying off 15 percent of its staff as it moves away from print media to digital media, according to media reports. Outside has 36 brands, including Yoga Journal, Gymclimber, Clean Eating and Outside TV. It reportedly will close its bicycling magazine Peloton along with its fitness magazine Oxygen.

The ownership change comes in time for IDEA's 40th anniversary celebration, which ties into the upcoming IDEA World Convention, to be held in Las Vegas, July 20-24, for personal trainers, group fitness instructors, fitness facility owners, nutrition and wellness coaches, and anyone who wants to expand their relationship with wellness.

This year's highlights include more than 250 workouts, workshops, lectures and experiences, a keynote address by Billy Blanks, and the IDEA World Fitness & Nutrition Expo, which includes hundreds of fitness, nutrition, apparel, wellness and technology brands.