Fitness Center and Health Club Insurance

Save up to 38% with our best-in-industry Health Club Insurance program

• Instant quote with easy application.
• Lower prices because we insure small to medium-sized health clubs, which have lower risks than large fitness clubs.
• No requirement to join an expensive association to be eligible.

Choose from the three plans below to get a quote:

1. Exercise Studio Program: Offers protection for U.S.-based fitness center owners and operators with less than 3000 sq. ft. of space offering individual training in Pilates, yoga, Jazzercise, aerobics, Zumba, and other fitness programs under the direct supervision of a fitness instructor or personal trainer.
2. Circuit Training Studio Program: Protects U.S.-based owners/operators of circuit training facilities of less than 3000 sq. ft. of space. Facility must offer circuit training exercise programs exclusively.
3. Health Club Program (Limited Services): Designed for U.S.-based health clubs with up to $500,000 in yearly sales offering programs and services that may include personal training, fitness and exercise classes, free weights, and resistance and cardio machines. Exercise studios and circuit training facilities ineligible under the first two programs because they exceed 3000 sq. ft. in space may be eligible under this program.

Fitness Center Risk Management

We offer free risk management material on how you and your health club employees can lower the risk of injuries and lawsuits. The best defense is a good offense: knowing what the potential risks are is the first step in avoiding them and lowering the chances of liability and paying attorney and settlement costs that can bankrupt your business.

Below are the most commonly cited reasons for gym-related injuries:

• Inattention due to reading, watching TV and cell phones.
• Lack of proper instruction for first-time users of equipment
• Working out too hard or too soon after being inactive.

Treadmill accidents are the most frequently occurring injuries in health clubs, and they are usually the most preventable. Interestingly, however, there are three common claims that unique to health clubs and fitness centers:

• Injuries from falling of a moving treadmill. This is usually a result of user error, but the injured person can file a liability claim if they didn’t receive proper instructions on using the treadmill.
• Slip-and-fall accidents in wet areas. Of course these usually occur in pool areas, locker rooms, saunas, and Jacuzzis. Correct placement of non-slip mats, “Wet Floor” warning signs and encouraging clients to wear non-slip footwear are critical to lowering the risk of injury claims.
• Slip-and-fall accidents in exercise classes. Group exercise class participants can slip or fall off step platforms and on floors/mats that become wet with perspiration and/or condensation from water bottles. Check daily for particularly worn step treads and worn, wet or damaged sections of the floor

Top Legal Issues Faced by Fitness Centers and Health Clubs

The most potential for risks in health clubs are in the areas of staff certification, emergency procedures, protective documentation, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. It’s imperative that health club owner/operators learn what steps they can take to be and stay in compliance in these areas to avoid liability.

No matter how many precautions you and your employees take, accidents and emergencies are bound to happen. It’s critical to have written emergency procedures that are followed in the event of illness, an injury, or emergency such as a fire, tornado, or power failure.

• All employees, independent contractors and volunteers should receive a copy of the health club’s emergency procedure manual and be required to sign that they have read and understood it. Procedures should be reviewed at least once a year.
• Employees who work in the fitness area should be trained in first aid. There should be at least one CPR-certified staff member on site at all times.
• If your facility houses a defibrillator (AED), one employee trained in its use should be on site at all times. Please see our article “Lowering the Risk of Health Club Deaths with AEDs.”

Signage for Fitness Centers

Signs are important to client safety and help protect your business and employees from liability claims.

Warning Signs

These signs remind members of safety procedures in an effort to avoid accidents. Examples are warnings of wet floors and improper use of equipment. Warning signs should be printed professionally and strategically placed at eye level where they can be seen clearly.

 Policy and Procedure Signs

These range from front-desk postings about general policies to issues of cleanliness and courtesy throughout the facility. Minimum age policies, use of showers, locker rooms, and equipment and guest privileges are examples. These signs should be placed near the relevant area(s) at eye level and also be printed professionally. Mirror/glass door/widow decals are useful attention grabbers.

Announcements

Signs informing clients about upcoming classes and special events can be made by hand or computer and positioned where they don’t interfere with signs about safety and policy.

Directional Signs

Signs designating exits, stairways, emergency exit routes, ADA facilities and equipment, location off first aid kits, AEDs, alarms, fire extinguishers, etc. should be professionally generated and posted per building regulations.

Free risk management material for health club owner/operators:

• Before You Sign the Sports Facility Lease Agreement
• Sample Waiver/Release Form
• Are Waiver/Release Forms Worth the Paper They Are Written On?
• Collecting Certificates of Insurance from Vendors

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