Operating a successful gym takes a lot of time and effort. You’ve considered every detail, designed the business to appeal to as wide an audience as possible, and filled the venue with the best amenities and state-of-the-art equipment.
But have you thought about what it takes to protect everything that you’ve built and safeguard the business from costly liability claims and preventable accidents? No matter the size and scope of the gym you operate, risk management should be priority one.
Consider the following as you take steps to protect your gym, your personnel, your business assets, and your members against the unexpected:
Get the Right Insurance Coverage
Safeguard everything you’ve built against liability claims with a comprehensive insurance policy. General liability insurance is the foundation for protecting your gym’s long-term financial stability as this coverage includes bodily injury and property damage claims. Professional liability safeguards the gym from claims brought about due to training advice or instruction that resulted in a member getting injured.
Additional types of insurance coverage including workers’ compensation, property, and equipment coverage are all tailored to the particular needs of the business and will come in handy should something unexpected occur.
Always Maintain a Highly-Qualifed Staff
Your employees are a representation of your business and whether it’s the front desk staff, your trainers, or the janitorial department, you want to make sure you are hiring the best and brightest in the business.
Once you’ve hired your team, be sure they go through sufficient training to understand the most efficient emergency response procedures, spotting techniques, and instruction on the correct way to use the equipment that members will have access to when visiting your gym.
Trailers should maintain certifications from accredited organizations such as the American Council on Exercise and the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Keeping these certifications up to date will reflect well on your business and give it the credibility that members want from their fitness center.
Unqualified or poorly trained staff increase the risk of injury claims. Ensure that all trainers hold reputable certifications from organizations such as National Academy of Sports Medicine or American Council on Exercise.
Keep All Equipment and Facilities in Good Working Order
Your workout equipment is one of the main attractions of your gym and if any machine is not in good working order, your members are going to feel short-changed. Even worse, should one of those machines end up as faulty and result in someone getting injured or suffering some kind of property damage, your business could be at risk for a serious claim.
Inspect all of your equipment on a daily basis, make sure all machines are serviced by certified technicians, and above all, you can never clean or sanitize too much. Keep a record of all repairs and inspections in the event a claim is brought against the business. You can clearly prove that you maintained the equipment as a responsible business owner.
Insist on Signed Liability Waivers for Members and Guests
No matter how experienced a member or guest may be when it comes to working out in a gym setting, there is an inherent risk to using workout equipment or participating in a fitness class, either public or with a private trainer.
A well-written and detailed liability waiver can protect your business from liability claims and having all members and guests sign such a document establishes a clear understanding that these individuals are assuming the risks that come with such activities.
The waiver should clearly state the individual acknowledges these risks and releases the gym from certain liabilities in the event something happens. Always consult an attorney to draft the waiver or, at the very least, show it to your lawyer if you have had another party draft it for you instead. Make sure the waiver is enforceable and keep all signed copies in a safe place for easy access should a claim be made.
Establish Clear Safety Rules and Policies
Safety rules and regulations should be posted all over the gym to ensure that every member and guest is aware of these policies and abides by them while on the premises. These rules should cover the proper use of equipment, appropriate attire, rules of behavior, the presence of minors in the gym, and expectations for cleaning the equipment after use.
Enforcement is key and keeping these standards consistent at all times is the best way to protect against liability claims and accidents.
Protect What Matters Most with Performance Insurance
In today’s litigious society, you can never be too careful. This is particularly true for owners and operators of gyms and fitness centers where injuries can occur for many reasons. That’s why you want to have comprehensive insurance coverage in place with stringent safety policies and a zero tolerance for faulty equipment and sub-standard facilities.
Risk management is a big part of running any business but when it’s a gym, a safe environment where members and guests can work out with peace of mind is mandatory.
Every gym is different, don’t expect a one-size-fits-all approach to adequately protect everything you’ve worked so hard to build. You may find out the hard way when you’re paying for claims out of pocket from your business and even your own personal finances.
Don’t leave anything to chance when it comes to finding the right insurance coverage.
Click Here to contact us today and let’s talk about the ways our policies can protect your gym (and you) from liability claims that can threaten the future of your health and fitness enterprise.