Questions for UK gym owners

[rock_ten]

I have no idea about the rules and regulations surrounding gyms and similar operations. For example are there all kinds of obligatory insurances that have to be in place? That kind of thing, really.
I mean, could anyone just stick a load of gear in a room and put a sign up, then charge membership and let people use it, or is it a lot more complicated and regulated than that?

Thanks for any help

[TroJon]

Go to a citizen's advice thingy in your local town, they'll point you in the right direction for free. There are loads of business startup agencies which help for free, as the uk government obviously likes more business as it takes in more money from the public in taxes etc

(not joking btw)

[jules_d1]

there is a lot to take into account. even the set up of the machines needs to be correct in regards to space from walkways, other machines etc.

[aqueous]

Appart from the obvious health and safety regulations you'd have to adhere to, you'll have to take out a public liability insurance etc....

[rock_ten]

Thanks, dudes.

The thing is, when do you pass the threshold into having to suck the man and adhere to regulations and ****? I mean, if someone just had a friend round to work out in his garage gym, does that count? What if he had a few friends, and they paid a contribution to the equipment? And so on until you have a big gym with lots of independant members.

[aqueous]

Seems like a metaphorical question to me!

Are your friends or friends of friends likely to claim compensation if something goes wrong?

[rock_ten]

well, what about if all users of my gym sign a disclaimer that exempts me from responsibility for any injuries sustained on the premises? Would I then no longer need insurance and all that (so long as users were aware of the fact)?

[raysmith]

Gyms more so council owned gyms will make you do an induction for insurance purposes. I think you can cover your back by asking new people if they know what they are doing and to ask if they need help.

[rock_ten]

yea, hmm.

I'll help by explaining my particular situation:

I bought a lot of old (but perfectly good) weights, machines, benches, cages, etc. from a gym that was replacing all its gear. Added to what I already had, it is the makings of a small gym in itself, and it wouldn't take very much more money or effort to turn it into a decent gym. I don't have a property to set it up in, but one day perhaps I will, and I'm just trying to get an idea about how feasible the idea is.

[aqueous]

Sorry bit of a disjointed response from me but thinking about it.

If you are going to be charging people membership you'll be liable to pay taxes on your income. You'll also have to pay your local authority Business Rates for the room your gym is in etc.....

[rock_ten]

...You'll also have to pay your local authority Business Rates for the room your gym is in etc.....

Damn, I looked that up, I'd never really heard of it before. **** the police

Everything is so expensive in England - I'd move abroad but I'm scared to. It's such a change. And there's nowhere left to run to, anyway. The world is ****ed.

owned

[TroJon]

Dude, I'd just say to your mates, you can come in my house/garage with a minimum donation of X amount going towards your cause of maintaining the gym for charity - free use.

To be honest, I know people who train martial arts, fairly famous instructors as well, who dodge the tax bullet very well when it comes to garage + cash in hand! (some of his students are even police officers)

[Barney Gumble]

Dude, I'd just say to your mates, you can come in my house/garage with a minimum donation of X amount going towards your cause of maintaining the gym for charity - free use.

To be honest, I know people who train martial arts, fairly famous instructors as well, who dodge the tax bullet very well when it comes to garage + cash in hand! (some of his students are even police officers)

Yep. The first gym I went to was a martial arts school but the owner had a gym set up in the basement and he didn't tell the council/authorities about it. It had very basic equipment, most of it old and torn to bits but its cool for a beginner.