The health and fitness industry in the United Kingdom is currently witnessing steady growth levels. Following months of anxiety for gym owners due to the multiple UK lockdowns, membership numbers have nearly recovered to pre-covid levels. Meanwhile, the UK government has urged the general population to increase their physical activity. The benefits to the public being both physical and mental health.
As a result, if you’re a fitness professional or personal trainer considering opening your own gym, you’ll find a sizable market for regular exercise.
Prior to establishing any new business, it is critical to understand the unique hurdles and conditions that exist in the health and fitness market. There are a variety of distinct aspects that new gym owners must examine, particularly in the post-Covid era, in order to provide proper support to consumers. In this article, gym startup, we take a look at these issues in more depth.
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Free Initial Telephone Discussion
For a free initial discussion with a member of our New Enquiries Team, get in touch with us today. We are experienced in dealing with all the legal aspects of a gym startup, and once instructed, we will review your situation and discuss the options open to you in a clear and approachable manner. Early expert legal assistance can help ensure you are on the best possible footing from the start and also avoid the stress of dealing with these issues on your own. Simply call us on 0345 901 0445 or click here to make a free enquiry and a member of the team will get back to you.
Startup costs and financial modelling
When opening a gym, there are numerous variables to consider. Finance is one of the most important and it is critical to be realistic about the costs associated with the following:
- Legal fees
- Employing staff
- Construction work
- Costs associated with operations for the first three months
- CRM software
- Accounting software
Additionally, you’ll need to develop a pricing strategy. Conduct market research on your competition. Determine their fees and the services they provide.
Additionally, you could consider incentives for regular clients, group registration discounts, and free promotional offers. Additionally, if you’re developing a gym and spa business plan, consider including discounts on spa services.
It’s also critical to consider how a consumer pays for their gym membership or other costs. The key is to make it as simple as possible for them to pay you. Avoid impeding a customer’s purchase by requiring complicated payment options. Direct debit is desirable for a variety of reasons, with regular payments critical to business budgeting.
What are the legal considerations?
Employment law
Employers must adhere to employment legislation. Recruitment, employment contracts, wages, working hours, holidays, employment policies, sickness, maternity, paternity, discrimination, discipline, grievances, dismissals, and redundancies are all significant areas of regulation to consider. It can seem a little daunting but with the right legal help, it doesn’t have to be.
Health & Safety
You must adhere to all applicable workplace health & safety and fire safety regulations.
You must guarantee the safety of members and other visitors to the centre to the extent that is reasonably possible. This may include conducting risk assessments, employing qualified lifeguards, overseeing and managing swimming pool facilities, and ensuring that facilities and equipment are properly maintained and meet applicable requirements.
Additionally, you must comply with all applicable health and safety laws. This encompasses all facets of workplace health and safety. Employers have a responsibility to guarantee their employees’ health and safety at work. Those with five or more employees are required to develop a written health and safety policy. Your local council will be able to offer more guidance.
Licensing Requirements
The licenses/registrations required for your health club will vary according to the range of activities and services offered. Typical activities that require a licence include the following:
If you sell or make food on the premises, you must register your business with the local authority environmental health department.
If you intend to play copyrighted music in fitness classes, you must obtain a PPL ‘Exercise to music’ licencing. The cost of this licence is determined by the number of fitness sessions you teach each year. Keep in mind that, since the laws changed in 2013, your centre is required to have this licence even if all exercise-to-music programmes are taught by freelance instructors. Additionally, a PRS for Music ProDub licence is required for an individual to copy music onto various formats and devices and then use that music for professional or semi-professional purposes such as a fitness class (unless all of the music is purchased from a company that holds a PRS for Music ‘Fitness Music Services’ licence, in which case the ProDub licence is typically not required).
If you wish to play background music in other areas of the centre, such as changing rooms, workout spaces, or the restaurant, you must get a separate licencing from PPL PRS Ltd.
If television programming is shown in exercise rooms or common spaces, a television licence from TV Licensing is required. If you intend to screen films or television programmes, you must obtain an MPLC licence.
If you maintain computerised records of individuals’ personal information and/or utilise CCTV, you may be required to register with the Information Commissioner’s Office as a data user.
The use of sunbeds
Certain local authorities may require sunbed establishments to register with them and/or obtain a licence. They may impose restrictions on how you conduct business and inspect your facilities to ensure compliance with applicable health and safety rules.
You must ensure that both customers and staff are protected from the potentially harmful effects of UV radiation to the greatest extent practicable. Additionally, you must ensure that used tubes are disposed of according to hazardous waste rules.
All sunbeds and other electrical equipment must be professionally installed and serviced on a regular basis to ensure their safety for both consumers and workers. You should establish a strategy for inspecting and repairing your electrical equipment on a regular basis.
Insurance Considerations
Contact an insurer or insurance broker and describe your business in detail; they will then explain what insurance coverage is required by law and what additional coverage you might consider. This may involve the following:
- Premises, premises contents, and stock
- Employer’s liability
- Insurance for public liability,
- Product liability
Try and avoid going with the cheapest insurance. You tend to get what you pay for and the value of insurance really comes into its own when you actually need it. Although you may pay a little more by using an insurance broker, they can be valuable in ensuring you have adequate cover in place and will deal directly with the insurance company in the event of a claim. Remember, insurance companies are mostly vast, faceless organisations and it is easy to get lost in the system
How we can help
We have a proven track-record of helping clients with their Gym startup. We will guide you through the process and ensure all checks are carried out swiftly and efficiently and we firmly believe that with the right solicitors by your side, the entire process will seem more manageable and far less daunting.
How to Contact our Corporate Solicitors
It is important for you to be well informed about the issues and obstacles you are facing. However, expert legal support is crucial in terms of saving you money and ensuring you achieve a positive outcome.
To speak to a member of our new enquiries team today, simply call us on 0345 901 0445 or click here to make a free enquiry . We are well known across the country and can assist wherever you are based. We also have offices based in Cheshire and London.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal advice on any individual circumstances.
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