Risk management for 24-hour gyms and fitness centres
The fitness industry in Australia continues to grow, with one in five Australians holding a gym membership and spending more than $3.5 billion annually on fitness clubs. Running a 24-hour gym can be a great way to meet the needs of your members, whether they prefer training before sunrise or after their late shift. But when the doors never close, the risks remain open.
Incidents can occur at 24-hour gyms and in such situations, if no staff are on-site, the member may be unable to reach anyone until the next morning. While these incidents may not always result in harm, the potential consequences could be serious.
It is important to remember that round-the-clock operations bring unique challenges. From safety incidents to system breakdowns, things can go wrong when no one’s there to step in. Managing those risks is key to protecting both people and your business.
Common risks for 24-hour gyms and fitness centres
Most 24-hour gym users are young adults aged 18 to 34, who expect flexibility and independence, but this also means they’re often training alone or late at night, and when there is no one on-site, that’s when incidents can happen without warning.
Key risks include:
- Injuries or medical emergencies: if a member collapses after hours, there may be no one to help.
- Security breaches: stolen access cards, tailgating, or unauthorised entry can lead to damage or theft.
- System failures: doors, lighting, or alarms can malfunction, which may result in people getting trapped inside or leaving the facility unsecured.
- Liability for injuries: even without staff present, gym owners may still be held responsible for accidents on-site.
Beyond the immediate costs, these incidents can damage your reputation and stories like “gym member gets trapped in 24-hour gym” can travel fast online.
How gym insurance helps you protect your business
No matter how careful you are, accidents can still happen. That’s where having the right gym insurance can help you stay protected.
Under the gyms and studios combined liability policy wording, Marsh Advantage Insurance provides protection that typically includes:
- Public liability insurance covers claims if someone is injured or property is damaged at your gym.
- Products liability protects you if a product you sell (like supplements or merchandise) causes harm.
- Professional indemnity insurance helps cover claims arising from professional advice or training programs you deliver.
These covers can help you pay for defence costs, legal fees, and compensation payments if you’re found liable.
Gym incident example: what could go wrong
The “locked-in member” case might sound minor, but it could lead to serious consequences:
- The member could injure themselves trying to get out.
- They might claim emotional distress or negligence.
- Emergency services could be called, causing property damage or fines.
- Media coverage could harm your brand’s reputation.
Public liability and professional indemnity insurance can help manage the financial fallout from incidents like this, covering investigation, legal defence, and compensation where applicable.
Simple ways to manage risk in an unstaffed gym
Good insurance helps, but preventing incidents in the first place is even better.
Here are three simple ways, among others, to strengthen your risk management plan for gyms:
- Keep equipment and systems in good order: Test access systems, lighting, CCTV, and alarms regularly. Keep maintenance logs up to date.
- Make safety visible: Display clear instructions, emergency buttons, and signs. Encourage members to report hazards early.
- Have clear after-hours policies: Limit guest access, track entries and exits, and make sure members agree to safety rules in their contracts.
These steps show that you’ve taken reasonable precautions, something insurers will look for if a claim occurs.
Building your gym risk management game plan
Like your members, your risk management program works best with consistency and routine.
Your game plan might look like this:
- Before an incident: Run regular safety checks and review your emergency procedures.
- During an incident: Record what happened, contact emergency services, and ensure anyone injured receives help.
- After an incident: Notify your Marsh advisor as soon as possible. Provide photos, reports, or witness details to help process the claim efficiently.
Under a gym policy arranged by Marsh, support includes assistance with investigations, defence costs, and claims management, helping you get back to business sooner.
Need support with gym insurance or risk advice?
Even with cost pressures, the fitness industry continues to expand. More Australians are joining gyms, and more of those gyms are staying open 24 hours, making strong risk management and insurance support more important than ever.
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