Online fitness coaching is simply training your clients virtually instead of your clients commuting to gym facilities. This is done in many ways. While some personal trainers streamline pre-recorded videos via a specific platform or app, others prefer presenting live training. Hybrid versions are even a new trend today, which means training is mingled with both online and in-person activities.
Though the concept of online fitness coaching sounds bizarre, it has really evolved during the pandemic. Nevertheless, providing this innovative service offering does involve new risks. From technical issues to cyber risks, online fitness coaching can broaden the trainers’ liability unless they have specific gymnasium insurance to cover their needs.
What Risks Do Online Fitness Training Involve?
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Physical Harm To The Members At Their Own Home While Training
Unlike at the gym training, instructors are limited in their ability to closely monitor the environment where the client is training. Ie; at home, in their garage etc. No matter how experienced the trainer is, given the circumstance, clients are potentially more prone to bodily harm or injuries sustained while participating in an online training session.
Factors such as inadequate space at the client’s home, unsuitable flooring, and incompatible equipment can be a matter of concern.
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Likelihood of Data Breach
Digital fitness training platforms and apps collect enormous amounts of personal data on clients. As an example, clients are often required to provide their medical information and history, where they live and a credit card or banking information.
Despite the fact that trainers have no control over the nature of the platform or app being used to provide online coaching, the trainer will still be partially responsible should there be a data breach for example. The client in that instance, could pursue a lawsuit.
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Technical Interruptions
Technology has proven to be a boon for traditional gym businesses having to diversify their offering during the pandemic. However, from the trainers point of view it can be fraught with problems such as technical glitches when running a class. This can cause potential issues with clients who have paid for the class and the class not properly delivered. Whilst not the trainers fault, they would no doubt be held accountable by their client.
How Can Gym Insurance Reduce The Risks?
Gym insurance is VITAL in the field of fitness. Getting the right insurance protects your business against potential problems, which in turn could save you thousands of dollars.
Listed below are the types of insurance cover to consider:
- Public Liability – Public liability insurance can cover legal and financial loss against claims put forth by the public, that is, clients or contractors. Make sure when taking out public liability insurance that you express your requirements clearly to your advisor and look for an insurance provider that doesn’t include restrictions for online trainers
- Professional Indemnity – If your professional gym business offers advice or consultative services, taking out professional indemnity insurance can cover you against providing wrongful advice.
- Product Liability – Product liability is a type of private gym insurance that covers your legal or financial charges in the event of a product related issue. This form of insurance is extremely helpful in the event of any physical damage or harm suffered by a client as a result of a product defect.
- Cyber Insurance – When providing fitness coaching online, cyber insurance is a must have. Particularly important for gym owners advertising their business via a website or online. It is essential gym insurance to protect yourself from culpability for third party losses due to cyber attacks or security or data breaches.Online fitness coaching has become popular due to the pandemic, however once the pandemic settles down, there will be remaining gyms opting to provide some form of service via this method. Either as an add-on to their existing gym business, providing online health sessions, or nutrition advice, owners will be required to have specialist gym insurance to protect the interest of business and their clients. Look out for the specific risks that your online fitness training involves, and book a call with us to receive the right advice for the right kind of private gym insurance that business entails.
Happy Training!
This type of gym insurance is essential to protect yourself from culpability for third party losses due to cyber-attacks or data breaches.
Online fitness coaching is a burning need for personal trainers and gym businesses until the pandemic fades away. Even if it is taken as an alternative to in-facility training at present, the dynamics and ethics of business cannot be ignored. It is why aligning with the specialist gym insurance dealer group to protect the interest of business and your clients is a smart idea.
Look out for the specific risks that your online fitness training involves, and book a call with us at 1300 815 344 to receive the right advice for the right kind of private gym insurance that business entails.
Happy Training!