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We are opening a new clubhouse with an indoor pool, spa, fitness center, etc. I am in the process of writing a "rule book" for members of the clubhouse. Does anyone have a rule book that I could review and use as a template to work from? What process did your club or center use to draft rules?

We - and most clubs that I have ever worked with over the years - do not have a rule "book" per se but, rather, we have a copy of our rules and regulations that we provide with a copy of the membership agreement at the time of enrollment. The rules and regulations are also posted in various places around the club. We would be happy to send you a copy of our particular rules and regulations for your consideration. The original rules were drafted many years ago but have been modified and changed over the years.

Well it isn't a book, but here is a list that I use at my gym. Maybe you can use as a guide to something bigger and better:
AGEE'S GYM RULES
IGNORE ANY OF THESE RULES AND YOU MAY BE ASKED TO STOP, LEAVE AND/OR HAVE YOUR MEMBERSHIP REVOKED
(1) No food or drinks. Water is allowed in gym if carried in sealed, unbreakable containers. MAKE SURE YOUR SHOES ARE CLEAN
(2) Cell Phones are best left at home. Don't yak at full volume into a cell phone. This is bad enough in other public places, but in the gym you're interrupting the concentration of people trying to train. Leave the phone at home, or at least turn the ringer to "vibrate" and tell callers you'll get back to them.
(3)Don't grunt like a dying moose with every rep. Whether or not this helps your performance in the gym (it generally doesn't), it hurts everybody else's.
(4)Working out with your buddies can be a good way to stay motivated, but don't let it get in the way of other people's efforts. Keep your voices low, and don't commandeer whole sections of the gym.
(5)Attire: No sandals, open-toe shoes or bare feet. Shirts and Athletic shoes must be worn. Make sure your shoes are clean.
(6)You are expected to ALWAYS clean up after yourself. If you make a mess in the locker room, clean it up. Don't leave puddles of water on the sink, piles of paper towels on the floor, or your clothes all over the bench. This includes the following:
-put all weights, plates and bars away - RETURN THINGS AS THEY WERE
-water bottles in trash before leaving - RETURN THINGS AS THEY WERE
-equipment used must be put away - RETURN THINGS AS THEY WERE
-towels in dirty towel bin
-wipe off equipment after use - Wipe off benches and machines after you use them.
(7)Please keep all weights and bars on HARD RUBBER MATS (NOT ON TOP OF BENCHES, LEANED AGAINST EQUIPMENT, OR ON CONCRETE, CARPET OR SOFT MATS), use only one piece of equipment at a time, be courteous, and take turns.
(8)Please don’t CLANK! dumbbells or THROW dumbbells or other weights on the floor OR EQUIPMENT - LIKE ON TOP OF BENCHES!! Try not to drop weights on the floor. There are correct ways of handling Dumbbells, JUST ASK.
(9)Between the physical discomfort, exhaustion and testosterone surges, some guys get downright grumpy in the gym. Treat people nicely, even if you don't feel like it.
(10)If you have to blow your nose, go into the locker room, use a tissue, and then wash your hands (SAME THING FOR USING THE RESTROOM). Germy equipment is one reason illnesses spread so fast in health clubs.
***For the same reason, don't even go to the gym when you know you have a communicable illness. One person with a cold will coat 30 percent of a weight room's surfaces with viruses.***
Speaking of which, be smell-conscious. Don't wear heavy colognes or perfumes as they can be irritating, and some people are allergic to them. Don't disperse personal-care products into the locker-room air--these include antiperspirants, aftershaves and, especially, foot-fungus spray. Use roll-ons and lotions whenever possible.
I hope I don't have to mention body-odor.
(11)Time Limit for cardio equipment
- 30 minute limit per machine
- If the machine you want to use is occupied, it is up to you to ask the person on it how long they have to finish their 30 minute limit and let them know you are waiting.
- If no one is waiting, you may stay on longer, but please be courteous to those arriving and anxious to do their program.
- Use safety clips on treadmills
You are exercising at your own risk. Please be sure to read the waiver as it releases AGEE'S GYM from responsibility for injuries you may incur while exercising in the facility.
Don't Touch the Radio. If you prefer something else, you are welcome to bring an iPOD or similar device.
Your cooperation in following these rules will help make AGEE'S GYM a pleasant and safe place in which to train.

Hi Alex, If you do not have the "BIBLE" of Facilities in your libaray don't walk, but run and purchase the American College of Sports Medicine - ACSM Facilities and Guidelines. You have have everything you will need including guidelines, rules, design, forms for operation. They have it all. I found their first edition several years ago and each time it is revised, I run out and purchase the new version. Good reading and good luck . . .you won't go wrong with ACSM.

We have a membership handbook that we recently updated to include our policy about the AED use in our clubs; the right to terminate members that are disrespectful of staff, other members or equipment, etc. The rule list is "short" but I think very effective as it emphasizes good, expected behavior as well as the "thou shalt nots." Our clubs are located on the campuses of our retirment communities and servce residents and members-of-the-community that are 40+ years of age. Let me know if you want me to send you the teamplate, Alex.

I have been involved with our member policies for the past 12 years. I suggest starting with the most basic information and be ready to update it as often as necessary. It will grow very large on its own as more issues are discussed and made into policy. Ours started as 3 pages and is now over 30 pages long and growing and changing all the time. Feel free to look at ours on our website www.summithealthcenter.com. Here is the direct link . . . . http://summithealthcenter.com/membership/mempolicies.htm.

Alex, I agree with Linda. Get the ACSM Health/Fitness Facility Standards and Guidelines and use it to help with your rule book and cover yourself liability-wise. I recently heard the authors speak. They are knowledgable and experienced. A piece of their advice: if you have a rule or policy, follow through with it.

Unfortunately, most rules are in place because of members doing something wrong, dangerous, or harmful. One would think common sense would be enough, but sadly it is not. Your rule book will probably be an unfinished work of experiences.

The best advice I can give you is to brainstorm by asking "What if...? and then drafting a rule to address the issue. Think of the possible problems that could arise and then write the rules to protect the members and the facility as well as any visiting members of the public. If you have specific questions, feel free to e-mail them to me.

There is a lot of information in this book that will likely help you out. http://www.amazon.com/Recreation-Management-Reducing-Leisure-Industry/dp/0974998931/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1227658524&sr=1-9

Kristin
edited by alex on 5/19/2011

My advice is to look at other facilities in the area. You may even use some of these services elsewhere yourself. See what rules they govern their members with and adapt, as well as brainstorm your own. You may even want to contact your club's insurer and find out liability-wise if they require rules for the membership to follow.

Whatever you do try to state every rule in the positive. Make suggestions so that you can prevent putting people on the defensive. Like, if you want to bring food to the pool, bring it in a cooler and with plastic drink cups or plastic bottles. Or like, plan the day with your children, think of what they would like to use while in the pool, noodles, squeesy ball,(state things which you want them to bring to the pool not the things you don't want),googles, white t-shirt to protect their skin from the sun. I think you get the idea. Remember Rules are first set by the health department because they govern your pool. They have the right to shut down your pool whenever they find something wrong, Check what your local guidelines are and use them as a base for all the rules. You can always attach your own set of rules and suggestions.

Yes, I'd recommend you include as many of your rules and regulations in a "handbook-style" format. This allows everyone (members, guests, staff) to have a clear document that explains your operational expectations. Here's an example of topics you could include:

PART I - GENERAL
PURPOSE, PROGRAMMING, HOURS, HOLIDAY CLOSURES, PARKING

PART II - ENTRANCE POLICIES
AGE LIMIT, MEMBERSHIP PRIVILEGES, ELIGIBILITY, DAY PASS, FREE PASSES, MEMBERSHIP FEES, SPECTATOR FEE, RESTRICTIONS, MEMBERSHIP CANCELLATION, REFUNDS

PART III - HEALTH & SAFETY
MEDICAL EXAMINATION, INSURANCE, FIRE ALARM, SAFETY & SUPERVISION, DANGEROUS ACTIVITY

PART IV - CONDUCT
STANDARDS OF CONDUCT, OFFENSIVE WORDS & ACTIONS, ALCOHOL/DRUGS, STOLEN ITEMS, DISORDERLY/DISRUPTIVE CONDUCT, CONTROL, FIGHTING, DISCIPLINE, DISPUTE, APPEALS HEARINGS

PART V - ATTIRE
GENERAL, PANTS, SHIRTS, SHOES

PART VI - EQUIPMENT
SPORTS EQUIPMENT, TOWELS

PART VII - FACILITY USAGE
REFRESHMENTS, PLASTIC WATER BOTTLES, SMOKING, LOCKERS, PERSONAL PROPERTY, AUDIO, VIDEO, ANIMALS/PETS, SALES/ADVERTISING, SOLICITATION, SAUNA USE

PART VIII - COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS
QUESTIONS, CUSTOMER COMMENTS, COMPLAINTS

PART IX - MISCELLANEOUS
TOURS, VENDING/CATERING/CONCESSIONS, WEAPONS AND FIREARMS, LOST AND FOUND, COMPUTERS, STEROID WARNING