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August 2010
The UK’s No 1 fitness industry magazine
Independent gyms’ VAT fight going to No. 10
Clearer rules mean less risk for owners By Emma Spencer PRE-EXERCISE assessments are radically changing meaning clearer rules and less risks for gym owners. The Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) is being replaced by the Health Commitment Statement (HCS) drawn up by healthcare experts EIDO. If all gyms and clubs sign up it means the end of long lists of questions about a person’s medical history. Instead the HCS puts the onus on the individual to make sure they are fit to participate not the gym or health club. EIDO and the Fitness Industry Association along with other industry experts have been looking at the legal issues created by the 15-year-old PARQ document and the money it was costing the industry. Owen Tudor, EIDO director, said people with conditions ranging from arthritis to heart murmurs trying to join clubs were being referred to a GP first to be declared fit to exercise – but 15 per cent didn’t come back. He added: “We set about creating something up to date in terms of medical law that took the pressure off health clubs in terms of risk and was good for members.
“If for example I suffered from asthma, went to my local health club, slaughtered myself on an exercise bike and died from an asthma attack that is not the health club’s fault, it is mine. “It is up to me to get my own advice about the type and level of exercise I do. Health clubs are more at risk using the PAR-Q than the HCS.” So far only 400 (primarily chains) of the nation’s 12,000 gyms have signed up leaving almost 70 per cent susceptible to misinterpretation of the law. There is still some resistance to changing from the PAR-Q to the HCS which could be done by e-mailing clients, asking everyone in person to sign a copy or displaying the agreement on reception desks and around the gym. FIA members who sign up can also receive up to 30 per cent discount on insurance premiums. David Stalker, FIA executive director, added: “HCS has removed a long standing and, many believe, unnecessary hurdle consumers had to overcome if they wanted to get fit and be more active. “It also brings operators in line with all other sports and active leisure in regard to all health matters.”
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This time last year Hannah Golding weighed over 11 stones, worked in a catering factory and had a lazy boyfriend. Since ditching the boyfriend and joining Fit4Less in Swindon she has lost over two stones and is a finalist for the Miss Wiltshire competition topping the public vote while raising money for the Variety Club Children’s Charity. Ben Palmer, Fit4less manager, said: “We wish her all the best in the final rounds of Miss England.” Picture: Cassandra Golding
A CAMPAIGN to abolish VAT for gyms is being taken to Downing Street. An online petition has been set up and already has several hundred signatures with many more expected as the plight of the private sector gathers pace. The argument about why council run centres are exempt from paying the tax while independent operators and chains are not has been re-ignited following the new government’s plans to increase the tax from 17.5 per cent to 20 per cent from January. The ‘No VAT 4 Gyms’ campaign is encouraging gym owners, managers and instructors to sign up and get in touch with local newspapers to highlight their plight. Gyms and clubs are being asked to put posters up around their premises and No VAT 4 Gyms has set up Twitter and Facebook accounts so people can get daily snippets and updates on any progress. The petition will be presented at number 10 on October 1. Full story, Page 3