Legal Judgment Rocks the Fitness World – is your equipment safe?

The recent liability judgement vs a physio therapy clinic and large equipment supplier has caused fee for use fitness facilities to review their protocol in ensuring the safety of their equipment.

This article is one of a series provided by STAK Fitness Int’l Inc to assist in making sure commercial fitness equipment selection, installation, maintenance and repairs are done regularly and efficiently to ensure maximum results and safety for your patrons and your business.

With the recent news about a liability judgment against a big commercial fitness equipment supplier in the USA, fitness businesses have been prompted to evaluate the safety of their equipment offering.

In the almost 20 years I have been in the industry, I have had the good fortune of working out in and seeing hundreds if not thousands of facilities.

You would be amazed at what I have seen in terms of equipment care, with a huge discrepancy in equipment layout, standards, equipment care, functionality and ease of use.

First and foremost, this verdict in the USA is a call to action for all fitness providers to evaluate the condition of their equipment and its suitability.

Here are a couple of problem areas I have noticed

Bodyweight training with commercial fitness equipment. Straps or tubes hanging off a power rack can be great for bodyweight workout, and definitely a trend, however the equipment must be stabilized to accommodate a usage it was not necessarily built for.

High use equipment must be checked everyday – but not just checked…systematized so it is part of the work being done everyday.

Variations of exercises must be limited on equipment when not meant for that particular usage

• anyone seen deadlifts done on a Olympic bench press? I have

• anyone seen calf raises done on a 45deg leg press – without a safety catch? I have

• anyone seen something put under a bench to make it a decline (like a step or block)? I have

• what about spin bikes that have not been checked in months and pedal cranks falling off?

• What about wet floors around the locker room – slippery when wet?? Yikes!

• dumbbells with loose handles ?

• Studio equipment, steps with peeling rubber ?

• do it yourself assembly to save a few bucks? I have seen more than a few people out in the cold of winter offloading 400 lb treadmills by hand from a transport trailer. The club owner wanted to save $200 for offloading services.

We all get the point.

I am sure you can come up with your own plan.

Even things like bolting down equipment should be evaluated a little closer.

Certainly having an injury in the facility is not something that can be prevented. Many injuries are not because of anything in the facility.

You can make your own judgment on where your equipment, layout and "safety" standards need to be.

At STAK Fitness, commercial fitness equipment supply is more than just providing equipment, it is also assisting to make sure the equipment is safe and well used for the benefit of all.

That is why we have launched our 14 point equipment checklist covering everything from cardio to studio product.

We have too much invested in our businesses, in our community and in our patrons to not verify equipment on a regular basis.

Shoot me an email at greg@stakfitness.com and I will be happy to send you the checklist.

In your service,

Greg