The easiest way to create a professional, compliant risk assessment for a gym, fitness centre, or health club is to use a pre-filled, editable template.

To create your own risk assessment from scratch, start by identifying potential hazards, assessing who might be harmed and how, and putting measures in place to control those risks. Walk through your gym or fitness centre and note common hazards such as slips and trips, manual handling, use of equipment, cleaning chemicals (COSHH), fire risks, and lone working. Consider who could be affected — staff, members, contractors, or vulnerable users — then decide what precautions are already in place and what improvements are needed, such as training, equipment checks, or clearer signage. Record your findings and review them regularly, especially when new equipment or activities are introduced.

Using our pre-filled Gym and Fitness Centre Risk Assessment Template can save significant time and ensure you don’t overlook key legal requirements. The editable template is pre-filled with detailed, gym-specific content and includes example controls for common industry risks, helping you save time, stay compliant, and protect both staff and members.

To ensure full health and safety compliance across your Gym, Fitness Centre, or Health Club business, use our Gym and Fitness Centre Health and Safety Template Bundle, which includes a suite of over 60 essential health and safety documents.

Yes — every gym, fitness centre, and health club must carry out a health and safety risk assessment to comply with the law and protect staff, members, and visitors. Conducting regular risk assessments helps you identify potential hazards — such as slips and trips, equipment misuse, COSHH substances, manual handling, and fire risks — and put effective controls in place to prevent accidents and injuries.

Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, all employers are legally required to assess and control risks in the workplace. A written risk assessment is mandatory if you employ five or more people, but even smaller or self-employed fitness businesses are strongly advised to have one in place as a best practice measure. This not only helps prevent accidents and injuries but also protects your business from potential legal action, claims, or enforcement notices in the event of an incident. It also demonstrates professionalism and due diligence to clients, insurers, and enforcing authorities such as the HSE or local council.

Our Gym and Fitness Centre Risk Assessment Template makes this process quick and simple. It’s pre-filled with detailed, industry-specific content and includes example control measures to guide you through each section. You can easily edit and adapt the document to suit your gym’s layout, equipment, and staffing arrangements, saving valuable time while ensuring your assessment meets legal requirements.

For complete coverage, our Gym and Fitness Centre Health and Safety Template Bundle includes over 60 essential documents — from risk assessments and health and safety policies to fire safety forms, COSHH assessments, accident report templates, staff safety guidance, and even health and safety posters. This comprehensive package helps you manage every aspect of your gym’s safety and compliance with confidence and efficiency.

Gym and fitness business owners are bound by the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and other related regulations. These laws require establishments to provide a safe environment for employees and customers. Risk assessments, staff training, and appropriate signage are among the mandatory elements.

For an all-in-one compliance solution for your Gym, Fitness Centre, or Health Club business, our Gym and Fitness Centre Health and Safety Template Bundle provides a suite of over 60 essential documents — including risk assessments, policies, COSHH forms, fire safety templates, staff safety guidance, and more — giving you everything you need to maintain a safe, compliant, and professional environment for staff, customers, and members.

You will need to provide training for all members of staff if you have identified this requirement in your risk assessments.

It is good practice to provide employees with information that cover topics such as first aid, fire safety, and the correct usage of gym equipment. Employees should be knowledgeable about emergency procedures, escape routes, and how to assist customers and members safely.

To ensure health and safety compliance across your Gym, Fitness Centre, or Health Club business use our Gym and Fitness Centre Health and Safety Template Bundle.

Gym equipment should be inspected regularly to ensure it remains safe, functional, and compliant with health and safety regulations.

In general, daily visual checks, weekly recorded inspections, and annual professional servicing are considered best practice for most gyms and fitness centres. Daily checks should focus on spotting obvious faults — such as frayed cables, loose bolts, or damaged upholstery — before equipment is used. Weekly inspections should be recorded and cover more detailed checks on stability, wear, and general condition. Annual inspections or services should be carried out by a competent person or equipment specialist, in line with manufacturer recommendations.

Keeping accurate inspection records not only protects staff and members from injury but also demonstrates due diligence and can help defend your business in the event of an insurance claim or HSE investigation.

Our editable Gym and Fitness Centre Risk Assessment Template includes example controls for defective equipment to help you complete your inspection process effectively. For full compliance, our Gym and Fitness Centre Health and Safety Template Bundle provides over 60 essential documents — including equipment checklists, staff safety guidance, accident report forms, and policies — helping you manage your gym’s safety and maintenance procedures with ease.

A gym’s health and safety policy should outline how you manage risks and protect staff, members, and visitors from harm.

Your policy should include three key sections:

1. Statement of intent – a clear commitment from the business owner or manager to maintain a safe and healthy environment for everyone.
2. Responsibilities – detailing who is responsible for health and safety duties, such as conducting risk assessments, maintaining equipment, or providing staff training.
3. Arrangements – explaining how health and safety will be managed day-to-day. This section should cover areas such as equipment maintenance, cleaning and hygiene, COSHH, fire safety, first aid, accident reporting, and staff inductions.

A well-written health and safety policy helps demonstrate compliance with the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and shows your commitment to managing risk professionally. It also provides clear guidance for staff on how to work safely and consistently.

Our Health and Safety Policy Template is easy to adapt for gyms, fitness centres, and health clubs. It provides a clear structure and professional wording, allowing you to customise the document to your specific business, whether you operate a small independent gym or manage multiple fitness facilities.

For complete coverage, our Gym and Fitness Centre Health and Safety Template Bundle includes this policy alongside over 60 essential health and safety documents — including risk assessments, COSHH forms, fire safety templates, accident report forms, and staff safety guidance — helping you manage compliance efficiently and confidently.

Yes — every gym, fitness centre, and health club must have adequate first aid provisions in place to comply with health and safety law and protect both staff and members.

Under the Health and Safety (First-Aid) Regulations 1981, employers are legally required to provide appropriate first aid equipment, facilities, and trained personnel based on the risks within their workplace. For gyms, this typically means having a clearly stocked first aid kit, easily accessible first aid point or room, and at least one trained first aider on duty whenever the facility is open. The exact level of provision depends on factors such as the size of your gym, the number of staff and members, and the types of activities taking place.

Regularly checking and restocking your first aid kit, recording incidents using an accident report form, and training staff in emergency response procedures all help demonstrate compliance and create a safer environment for everyone.

Our Gym and Fitness Centre Health and Safety Template Bundle includes a professionally written First Aid Guidance Sheet, Accident Report Form, and over 60 other essential health and safety documents to help you manage first aid compliance efficiently and meet your legal obligations with confidence.

Signage should clearly indicate potential hazards, such as wet floors or heavy weights, as well as provide instructions for the correct usage of gym equipment. Emergency exits and locations of first aid kits should also be clearly marked.

To ensure health and safety compliance across your Gym, Fitness Centre, or Health Club business use our Gym and Fitness Centre Health and Safety Template Bundle.