Using some of our suggested tips and best practice recommendations below may help you avoid situations that could lead to a claim, and ultimately control your premiums.

Communication is key!

Guild’s claims experience shows us that poor communication is a factor in almost all complaints made about our fitness clients. Improved communication will help you build positive relationships with your clients and ensure they understand how to perform the exercises you’re prescribing them.  So, try to focus on not just your technical knowledge, but also how you communicate it.

Choose the exercises you prescribe wisely.

Stories from our claims department show that your clients can suffer severe injuries while exercising. Choosing the right exercise for each individual client can help reduce the likelihood of these injuries. Really consider your client, their fitness goals and current level of fitness and ability and remember, one size does not fit all.

Work within your scope of practice.

Know what you’ve been trained to do and are competent in, as giving advice outside this will potentially be creating a risk for your client and yourself. If the client’s needs or requests are outside your scope of practice, you need to seek assistance or refer the client to someone. Remember that you’re responsible for all professional advice and guidance you provide, regardless of what the client requests.

Keep records of sessions.

It’s important to keep a record of your sessions with clients. Having a record means you don’t have to rely on your memory to recall what took place in each session, and if there’s an allegation made against you, your records will assist in your defence. Your records should detail what exercises your client has performed and the specifics of those exercises in terms of weight, height, sets, repetitions etc.

Balance creativity and risky.

Fitness professionals are continually looking for new and different offerings for their clients to keep things fun and engaging. However, this creativity can be dangerous if the risks of the activity outweigh the likely benefits.  When implementing any new program or exercise, think about what can go wrong before it does, and ensure you put processes in place to minimise those risks.

To learn more about how you can mitigate your risk and avoid a claim being made against you, head to guildinsurance.com.au/business/fitness-centre-and-gym-insurance