How to Achieve Emergency Preparedness in the Fitness Setting

In August, a weightlifting accident claimed the life of a teen at an Anytime Fitness location in Redmond, Ore. In July, a mother of four fell on a treadmill at an LA Fitness in Kent, Wash., hit her head on the front of the machine and never regained consciousness. Also weeks apart in late summer, in separate gyms overseas, one man suffered a fatal injury while performing a squatting exercise, another was left paralyzed when a squatting machine’s safety mechanism failed as he was resting between exercises, a former fitness club trainer who was bench pressing without a spotter died under weight he couldn't lift off his neck, and a 19-year-old man collapsed and died on a treadmill.

Running a fitness facility is fun and rewarding, providing an environment where individuals can enjoy themselves while enhancing their health and wellness. However, despite the positive atmosphere we create, we must acknowledge that unforeseen challenges can arise. Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of your members is paramount in the event of an emergency — from member accidents and medical episodes to fire outbreaks within the facility. A well-prepared staff is crucial to creating a safe and secure fitness environment.

Not only is training your fitness facility staff to handle emergencies a legal requirement in most places, it should also be seen as a moral obligation to protect the health and lives of your valued clients.

Imagine if one of your members, while running on a treadmill in your fitness facility, starts feeling light-headed and dizzy, and suddenly passes out and falls off the treadmill. How ready would your staff be to respond? This column will discuss five key points to effectively train and prepare your staff to respond confidently and competently to emergency scenarios.

1.  Comprehensive Emergency Action Plan (EAP)

Your staff should be well-versed in the EAP, which includes clear guidelines for responding to emergencies such as medical incidents and natural disasters, as well as detailed evacuation procedures, communication protocols and staff responsibilities. In the example of a treadmill user’s collapse, a staff member should immediately assess the situation while another staff member notifies the front desk to call emergency services. They should also know how to safely move other clients from the immediate area to ensure a clear path for medical responders. Regular updates and reviews of an EAP should take place to promote and confirm its effectiveness.

2.  CPR and first aid certification

Fitness facility staff must be certified in CPR and first aid to respond to medical emergencies swiftly and effectively. When an exerciser passes out while using the treadmill, a CPR-certified staff member should quickly reach the individual and check for vital signs. If the person is not breathing and has no pulse, the trained staff member should start performing CPR. Another staff member should locate the nearest automated external defibrillator (AED) and bring it to the scene. AED training will instruct on how to use the AED effectively, and the unit itself will prompt when to administer shocks if needed. When a CPR/AED-certified staff member acts quickly, it significantly increases the likelihood of a positive outcome in dire situations, improving the victim’s chances of survival.

3.  Role-specific training

In our example of a member passing out on the treadmill, the fitness trainers should utilize their training to assess the individual’s condition swiftly, provide basic first aid if needed, and assist in safely moving the individual to a designated area away from potential hazards. The front desk staff, meanwhile, should promptly call emergency services, providing essential information about the incident’s location and details, and maintenance staff members should follow their training to power down the treadmill and other relevant equipment, minimizing potential risks.

This collective response, driven by role-specific training, ensures that every staff member is well-prepared to contribute effectively and efficiently during emergencies.

4.  Simulated emergency drills

Regularly conducting simulated emergency drills is vital. These drills prepare staff for real-life emergencies and help them understand the dynamics of working together under pressure.

Drills can take the form of role-playing exercises during staff meetings, where different scenarios are presented, discussed and acted out. For instance, the scenario described here, in which one of your members passes out on a treadmill, could be incorporated into a drill. This would enable staff members to practice their roles, improve coordination and refine their response strategies based on real-time feedback, enhancing their readiness to handle such situations effectively, in the unfortunate event they happen in real life.

5.  Effective communication and leadership

In an emergency, communication and leadership matter. The staff member in the leadership role should coordinate the response, assign tasks and communicate with emergency services and other staff members. Effective communication techniques learned during training will be critical in maintaining a calm and organized atmosphere.

Leading with confidence and transparent decision-making can help stabilize the situation until professional help arrives. This proactive approach increases the chances of a positive outcome in scenarios such as the collapsed treadmill user and instills confidence among staff and clients.

After the emergency, it is crucial that you conduct a thorough review and debriefing session with all staff members involved. This discussion allows for evaluating what went well and areas needing improvement, fostering a continuous learning process.

When emergencies strike, there is no room for hesitation or uncertainty. The safety and wellbeing of your fitness facility’s clients and staff depend on a well-prepared team that can respond promptly and efficiently. By implementing a comprehensive EAP, ensuring staff members are certified in CPR and first aid, providing role-specific training, conducting regular emergency drills, and emphasizing effective communication and leadership, you can create an environment in which members not only feel secure and protected, but in fact are.

Remember, preparedness is not just about checking off boxes. It’s about cultivating a culture of safety and responsibility that resonates throughout your fitness facility, leaving a lasting positive impact on staff and members.