As the country gears up for another round of New Year’s resolutions, eating healthier and getting more exercise top the nations lists of things to do this January.

Gym memberships increase 19% in January alone and there are now 6,728 fitness facilities in the UK, up 4.6% on last year, with the low-cost market continuing to be the driving force behind the growth.

But with the wave of budget gyms come increased risk management needs.  Often unmanned at night, 24-hour gyms pose a hotbed of risks, from customers stealing or damaging property; injuring themselves; to even violent crime.

PureGym, by far the largest chain with 176 clubs around the country, ensures customers that it has a solid system in place with help points and wearable alarms that allow members to contact Pure Gym’s central support office by telephone in the event of an emergency.  It also operates a keyless entry system, single person access and CCTV linked to a central monitoring hub.

However, the unmanned aspect of these facilities is by far the largest hurdle when trying to get insurance, with many companies still unwilling to entertain the idea beyond a basic commercial combined policy with significant liability exclusions.

Geo Sports Insurance will cover 24-hour gyms providing they have been trading for 18 months and can demonstrate good risk management, similar to PureGym.  As well as standard equipment we can also provide cover for gyms with sunbeds; full theft cover (not by forcible / violent entry); money cover; and member to member cover under the Liability Section.

Standard sections of cover under the Sports Insurance Wording include;

• Buildings
• Contents
• Equipment
• Business Interruption
• Public & Products Liability
• Employers’ Liability
• Trustee’s and D&O Liability
• Commercial Legal Protection
• Terrorism

Click here to get a quote or for more information you can email us on sle@geospecialty.co.uk or call 0370 909 2575.