Taking your fitness coaching online?

In these challenging times, keeping healthy and fit is imperative – particularly in the confines of our homes. In reaction to this, many personal trainers and fitness coaches are moving to provide their services online, through ‘Zoom’, ‘facetime’, videos and live streaming workouts.

Doug Kaye, account executive, Mann Broadbent commented: “Helping to keep clients active is important but it is also important to remember the safety of you and your business. So if you are adapting how you provide your service to your clients and moving to ‘remote’ coaching, you need to think about how this could affect your liability and your insurance cover.”

Whether you are providing live or pre-recorded online fitness instruction/coaching, it is strongly recommended that you should:

1. At the start of any session, let viewers/subscribers know:
   • That by participating they do so at their own risk
   • A suitable, non-slip floor space is required and any potential obstructions in the vicinity are removed before starting
   • To avoid activities if they have, or suspect they may have, any current health concerns, injuries aches and/or pains
   • Avoid the use of blades, weapons or sharp instruments of any description
   • Avoid physical contact with other participants and, where appropriate, adhere to social distancing guidelines
2. Ensure that sessions are conducted for the benefits of existing members/participants/contacts only who have demonstrated sufficient suitability to participate
3. Continue to only instruct activities in which you are qualified to do so
4. Know who is watching:
   • Check your policy small print, but generally you’ll only be covered for UK residents (being online means anyone in the world could be participating)
   • Many coaches are setting up closed accounts and inviting clients, regular members or people expressed an interest, so it is password protected and a fee can also be charged, helping with income.
5. Record the session
   • Retaining the recording for a period of up to 36 months may assist in any claim made against you.

Doug continued: “This might seem like a very ‘computer says’ checklist, but it is for both you and your business’ safety and peace of mind, and that of the people you are trying to help.”

If you are unsure of what cover your coaching business has, or should have, then get in touch with our team on 01905 612336 or contact us.