CEN/TC 136/WG 2 - Fitness clubs

This document specifies requirements for the supervision and staffing, necessary to protect the health, safety and welfare of users, staff and contractors across a wide range of fitness centres as specified in EN 17229.
This document specifies the essential skills required from operational staff and fitness staff who have a responsibility for the supervision of their users, staff and contractors using and working in their fitness centres.
This document applies in conjunction with, and in addition to EN 17229. This document cannot be used separately from EN 17229.
NOTE   National occupational health and safety rules and regulations are not affected by this document.

This document specifies guidelines and recommendations for the safe operation of fitness centres during an infectious outbreak. This document sets out guidelines relative to the wide range of operating models for fitness centres with a framework of good practices for operators to use.
This includes the operational and managerial procedures for offering and delivering the service covering users, staff, and contractors whilst on the premises. These guidelines will cover, but are not limited to:
- overall risk reduction
- the practise of social distancing and control of users
- air treatment and ventilation
- cleaning, hygiene and health protocols
- management and training of staff and use of personal protective equipment
This document is applicable to all publicly accessible fitness centres where physical activity for groups and/or individuals is delivered to all of its users in order to provide a safe and controlled environment. This document does not cover fitness centres where physical activity is exclusively secondary business.
Note: A fitness centre is a publicly accessible place where diverse physical fitness activities for groups and/or individuals is delivered. Note: A fitness centre can comprise of an exercising area with equipment-based strength training, free weights, portable/fixed equipment and/or most often also cardiovascular training equipment/machines and/or frequently also group fitness training in specific rooms or in a studio.

This document for fitness centres specifies minimum requirements for structured exercise and physical activity. This includes requirements for equipment and any associated facilities, if present, together with the operational and managerial procedures for delivering the service.
This European Standard is applicable to all publically accessible fitness centres where diverse structured exercise and/or physical activity for groups and/or individuals are delivered in a safe and controlled environment .
NOTE   In the event that the fitness centre is designed to be accessible to people with disability and/or impairments, attention is drawn to any relevant national guidelines.
This European Standard excludes any permanently installed outdoor fitness equipment according to EN 16630 or stationary exercise equipment for medical use according to directive 93/42/EWG. ((To be discussed later after clarification with committee for training equipment and outdoor fitness equipment.))
Additional services such as spa services, child care, tanning beds, swimming pools, nutritional counselling, facilities for racket sports etc. are not included in this part. ((To be discussed whether to remove this paragraph.))

This document specifies the minimum requirements for the provision of physical exercise at fitness clubs.
This includes the operational, managerial, and supervision requirements in the delivery of both within and any externally related services offered by fitness clubs, together with the selection and positioning of exercise equipment, the essential skills required by fitness trainers, and any associated environmental and procedural requirements for safe physical exercising to take place.
This document is applicable to all publicly accessible fitness clubs where exercising in groups or individually takes place and is irrespective of the size of the club. It is intended to provide a safe and controlled environment for its users, including through the use of digital technologies.
This document is applicable to fitness clubs publicly available and open to user subscription or pay-as-you-go services. This document does not cover clubs that are exclusively secondary businesses and offered in addition or as a complement to their primary service.
NOTE   In the event that the fitness club is expected to be accessible to people with special needs (e.g. people with a disability and/or impairments, minors, etc.), attention is drawn to any relevant national guidelines.