What are the top common causes of personal injuries at the gym? Do you remember signing a waiver form when you signed up for your gym membership? Signing a waiver is usually required in order to become a member. Gym owners have you sign the waiver to try and deter you from filing a lawsuit against the gym if you were injured on their property.
The waiver for is just a limited liability form that could potentially prevent you from taking legal action. Please note, that signing this form doesn’t fully protect the gym and you are still entitled to certain rights in the event of an injury. It is possible that you can challenge their limited liability form in court if you were injured due to negligence.
Always keep a copy of all of the documents that you sign including the limited liability form. Having a copy of the form readily available, to give to a personal injury attorney, can speed up the process and help you recover any damages quickly. Make sure that you contact a knowledgeable personal injury attorney, such as Winters and Yonker in Tampa, FL, to help you determine what your legal rights as a patron and help you file a lawsuit if you have a legitimate case.
In the event of an accident, you must to notify the manager on duty and take photos if possible, if you are able. Call 911 if you have a life-threatening emergency. Do keep a record of the names and phone numbers of people that you talk to including any witnesses. Seek immediate medical attention for your injuries and follow the doctor’s recommendations. Ask for a copy of any tests, imaging results, and doctors notes. Then take all of your documentation to a reputable personal injury attorney Tampa, to file a case against the gym.
Prevention goes a long way when it comes to protecting you and other patrons at the gym. If you see anything that could potentially cause an injury, you should report it immediately to the manager on duty. Reporting potential problems before they happen can help keep everyone at the gym safe. Keep an eye out for these most common types of injuries that happen at the gym.
Broken or Damaged Equipment
Never use any gym equipment that is broken, damaged, or isn’t working as it should. Most gyms check their fitness equipment regularly, but occasionally, the staff may miss something. Always report any broken, damaged, or equipment not working correctly to a staff member.
Never attempt to use broken or damaged equipment. Doing so could result in personal injury. Using equipment that you know is defective could prevent you from filing a lawsuit against the gym for your personal injuries.
Slippery Floors
Wet, slippery floors are the number one cause of personal injuries at the gym. Whether you are coming in the front doors on a rainy day, walking barefoot in the locker room or bathroom, or spills near the water fountain, are the mostly likely place that you would encounter slippery floors.
Staff members are responsible for ensuring that wet areas remain safe for the patrons as well as preventing personal injuries from occurring. Wet or even damp floors should always have a caution wet floor sign so that you are aware of potential problems before they happen. But even with a wet floor sign up, the gym could still be held responsible for any personal injuries that occur due to slippery floors. Again, if you see a potential hazard always notify the manager on duty or a staff member immediately.
Read Equipment Instructions
There are a variety of fitness equipment at the gym and it is important that you carefully read the instructions if don’t know how to properly use it. The weight machines is one of the most attractive features that gym goers enjoy. Each machine is designed to specifically target an individual or even a small group of muscles. Most of the machines always have detailed instructions with graphics so that it is easy for gym patrons to follow.
It is important that you know how to properly use each piece of equipment to prevent an injury. If you still don’t understand how to properly use a machine, it is always better to ask an employee or schedule a session with a personal trainer.
Typically, most gyms allow their patrons access to a personal trainer. Personal training offers one on one consultations or even a group session. A personal trainer isn’t normally an employee of the gym and is considered an approved contractor. Do expect that the personal training session to cost a nominal charge in addition to your monthly gym fees. Planet fitness is one of the only gyms that include personal training as a part of your monthly membership fee. Paying for one or two sessions with a personal trainer is worth the extra expense so that you avoid injuring yourself at the gym.
Watch for Trip Hazards
Always pay attention to your surroundings. The gym is filled with a variety of different types of exercise equipment, weight machines, and free weights. Each patron is responsible for returning equipment to its original state or put free weights back on the rack. However, there are times where other patrons fail to put their equipment back where they found it.
Therefore, you should always watch where you step so that you can avoid tripping over a set of dumbbells, exercise mats, or any other equipment that patrons can be moved around the gym. If you see equipment lying on the floor, you can either put it away or notify an employee.
Use the Correct Amount of Weight Needed to Safely Perform Your Repetitions
The weight machines were created so gym patrons can easily customize the amount of weight needed. Simply select the proper weight by changing the pin selection. Push the pin into the proper weight that you need to safely do your repetitions. Always check the pin for any visible damage.
Avoid personal injuries by selecting the correct weight needed to safely perform your repetitions. It is always better to use a lighter weight than what you think that you can safely lift.
Greatist recommends that you start 50% less than what you think you can lift and try a few reps. Don’t worry even a lighter weight can still achieve an adequate workout and gain muscle too. After several sessions at that weight level, you can slowly increase it as you get stronger.
Take the proper precautions at the gym in order to prevent gym injuries during your workout routine. Even though you signed a limited liability form when you signed up for a gym membership, don’t be shocked if it includes a statement that could make your potentially responsible for any injuries that occur on their premises.
Keep in mind that even though the limited liability form states you are responsible, there are circumstances where you could challenge personal injuries in court especially if the facility is negligent. Please speak to a personal injury lawyer to discuss your particular case to determine if you have a case against the gym and can hold them responsible for any personal injuries.
