GYM

Rules

• Under 16s are not permitted to use the gym - can use on or after 16th birthday.
• All gym users are asked to complete a Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PARQ).
• Any user replying 'yes' to any PARQ question must provide a doctor's note prior to being given access to the equipment.
• All gym users must have an induction into the gym equiptment prior to use.
• Appropriate clothing must be worn, including trainers.

Reasons

• The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) advises that under 16s are a high-risk user group and should not be permitted to use gym equipment without a specialist child exercise professional on duty. Our staff do not hold such a qualification.
• ACSM guidelines are widely followed throughout the world and fully endorsed by the Fitness Industry Association (FIA), of which we are a member.
• The ACSM advises that any positive answers on the PARQ require GP authorisation before gym exercise commences.
• A written disclaimer is not acceptable as it is the operator who has a duty of care to protect the user and the user can not indemnify the operator against this duty of care.
• As part of the operator's duty of care an induction must be provided for the use of any specialist equipment.
• As part of the operator's duty of care it is essential that any users wear clothing that helps to minimise the risk of injury.

POOL

Rules

• No glass is allowed on the poolside.
• One adult must enter the pool with every two children (under 16), no matter what level of swimming ability the children have.
• Pool access will be limited to safe levels - access may be denied at busy times.

Reasons

• If glass is broken and goes in the pool then the pool may need to be emptied, causing operational difficulties.
• The Health & Safety Executive's (HSE) publication 'Managing Health & Safety in Swimming Pools' sets out all systems that are required to safety protect pool users.
• HSE guidelines state that one adult is needed for every two children to adequately protect their safety.
• The HSE states that the adult responsible for children must be in the water with them at all times - not on the poolside, or watching from the sauna, etc.
• The pool has a maximum bather-load - if 80% of the maximum is reached then access will be limited or a lifeguard will supervise the pool.

SAUNA, STEAM ROOM & SPA

Rules

• No under 12s in the sauna.
• No under 12s in the steam room.
• No under 8s in the spa.
• An adult must accompany over 12s into the sauna and steam room.
• An adult must accompany over 8s and under 16s into the spa.

Reasons

• The Institute of Sport & Recreation Management (ISRM) publishes regulations on the safe use of saunas, steam rooms and spas.
• All rules are designed to protect the safety of children when using heat experience facilities.