There’s always two sides to a coin, says an adage. The same can also be said when it comes to fitness particularly in highly dynamic training programme like functional fitness. Think about distance runners as victims of potential heart attack or pole dancers breaking a limb or their neck. While functional fitness may prove to deliver astounding benefits, it cannot be denied that risks lurk in the shadows waiting to pounce without a moment’s notice. No wonder functional strength and conditioning gym insurance is also in demand among many facilities offering the said program.
Financial Backing
Accidents resulting to injuries or worse, fatality have always been a contention in the fitness business. Take the case of Silverchair drummer, Ben Guillies, who suffered a serious injury while doing weights. From not being able to go touring again due to multiple injuries to the supraspinatus tendon and muscles as well as depression and anxiety, the musician alleged that the cause of such predicaments stemmed from improper training. Meanwhile a freak accident in the US involving a franchise gym member suffering cardiac arrest had also burgeoned into a long legal battle as the family sued the gym for not being able to administer CPR. While all these cases were settled amicably out of court, huge money was shelled out by gym owners.
Fortunately, both facilities have liability coverage on their gym insurance policy. Instead of shelling out hundreds of thousands of dollars or risking financial ruin, it provides financial backing needed. Having general liability coverage on a functional strength and conditioning gym insurance policy or any type of gym insurance for that matter acknowledges the fact that at times, things can go twisted even when the facility’s focus is to keep client strong and healthy. When there’s intense activity involve, someone may always end up injured, hurt or, worse, dead. Gruesome as it may seem, this is the harsh realities in running a service facility that used equipment and physical prowess to attain results.
Preventative and Curative Approach
Leaning on an insurance policy, however, should not be the only precaution. Mitigating risks before they happen should be the tenet of maintaining a safe and secured gym facility for everyone to enjoy. Trainers must not only carry certification but must also be highly qualified for training programs being offered; but so does hiring other non-training staff and personnel as these people may also expose the facility and those in it to liabilities.
It is also not wise to rely on signed waivers or medical certificates alone. While these can help craft appropriate functional fitness training programme for particular individuals, the risk of being injured inside the premises either on their own or caused by another reckless client lingers. A preventative approach must always be applied when maintaining a gym or any service facility for that matter. Even yoga studios require comprehensive liability coverage to protect itself from possible financial ruin brought by legal battles emanating from injuries inside the facility or to the members.
Menu