How to Prevent Injury Claims in Fitness Centers

Fitness centers are now a common sight in neighborhoods across the US. From those that specialize in a certain type of workout to ones that focus on a specific demographic, like women or seniors, to general fitness centers, if you want to get in shape, there are options.

These facilities typically have a lot of expensive equipment that is either too big, too bulky, or just too costly for people to have at home. There are also group classes for a wide range of activities, from yoga and Pilates to cycling and “boot camps.”

With any physical activity, there is a chance for injuries. Combine that with the use of weights and unfamiliar equipment or trying to keep up in a class, and the risk goes up.

Fitness center owners and operators must pay attention to this risk and take steps to reduce the chance that fitness center guests could be injured on their property.

What type of insurance do gyms need for injury claims?

Liability insurance is the form of insurance that covers injury claims caused by gym accidents. If someone is injured and the fitness center is determined to be at fault, such as an older piece of equipment breaking and causing an injury, liability insurance would cover the legal and medical bills resulting from the injury.

However, if someone is injured in a fitness class setting or when using a personal trainer, the instructor—rather than the equipment—may be found to be at fault. That’s why it’s also important for a fitness center to make sure that they are carrying professional liability insurance.

Does general liability insurance cover gym injuries?

Yes, general liability can cover injuries that occur at the fitness center, and also covers property and can cover reputational damage claims too.

Reputational claims might seem like a less important concern, but it can become a problem quickly. Social media influencers, including fitness influencers, can have large audiences and complaints can quickly go viral. A small concern can balloon into a business challenge overnight.

One of the primary concerns for fitness center owners is injuries caused by exercise equipment. The National Safety Council, a nonprofit that promotes health and safety, tracks a wide range of sports injuries that end up in emergency room visits. Exercise and exercise equipment resulted in an estimated 482,886 injuries in 2023, making it the top category. Most of these accidents happen in the age range of 25-64, and most are treated and released from the hospital.

Whether it’s people using exercise equipment incorrectly, overestimating their abilities and/or fitness levels, or simply not paying attention, injuries from equipment are a major concern.

What is the cost of insurance for a fitness center?

Fitness centers and gyms will need several different forms of insurance to adequately cover the building (commercial property), fitness equipment, employee theft, liability, and workers’ compensation coverage for employees. You may even need to carry cyber insurance, particularly if monthly dues are automatically assessed.

If fitness, personal trainers, or nutrition classes are offered, professional liability insurance will also be necessary. This type of insurance protects against claims of negligence or poor instruction on the part of instructors and anyone offering professional advice and is also called “errors and omissions,” which offers a clear picture of the types of claims it protects against.

If a gym member working with a personal trainer is injured on a weightlifting machine and blames the trainer’s instruction, professional liability insurance will kick in.

Or, if a member slips in the locker rooms due to a wet floor and breaks a wrist, that would likely be covered under general liability insurance.

As with other types and forms of insurance, the levels and types of risk and prior history play big roles in the amount of premium cost you’ll pay. The types of equipment available will be a contributing factor—more expensive equipment will cost more to insure, as will equipment that has a high probability of leading to injuries, such as trampolines.

With so many different factors involved in assessing premiums, it can be hard to pin down exactly how much an individual fitness center might pay for insurance.

Are there steps a fitness center can take to reduce the risk of injury claims?

Fitness centers can take a number of steps to reduce the risk of injury claims.

• Regularly check fitness equipment and make sure it is in working order.
• Repair exercise equipment/machines promptly, and use “out of order” signage if there is any question of it being potentially unsafe to use.
• Require that anyone who uses the fitness center has signed a form acknowledging they have received and read the rules and expected behavior when exercising or participating in group classes at the gym.
• Post signs to remind patrons about high-risk behaviors, such as using a spotter when lifting weights.
• Be vigilant about enforcing “no horseplay” rules. Goofing around and showing off can lead to serious injuries.
• Talk to your personal trainers, and make sure that they are listening closely to those whom they are coaching. There can be a fine line between encouraging a client to get the most out of a workout and pushing them which leads to sustaining an injury.

Liability waivers are important to have, but they aren’t likely to hold up in situations where there are serious injuries. So, it’s best to try to make the gym or fitness center as safe as possible by having clear, enforceable rules and expectations for behavior.

If you have questions about the type of insurance coverage you need for a fitness center or gym, contact the experts at Rate Insurance. They can help design a package of coverage to match your fitness center’s offerings, employees, and locations.

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