Unfortunately, injuries do occur during exercise, and the legal implications that follow them can be quite significant. Taking small, reasonable precautions at the onset of a new personal trainer-client relationship can stave off significant problems down the road.

Protect your fitness career with NSCA Certified Professional Liability Insurance (CPI) Membership. Get up to $5M in liability coverage plus NSCA Member benefits.

Every client should participate in a 20 – 30 min initial interview and consultation prior to participating in any physical activity. This process allows the personal trainer and client time to complete the strategy session form, physical activity readiness questionnaire (PAR-Q), professional liability form, and trainer-client agreement.

Gain an understanding of the legal concept of negligence and how to avoid being negligent in daily strength and conditioning settings. In this session from the NSCA’s 2017 Coaches Conference, attorney and coach Reed Wainwright also explains how the “standard of care” concept affects the potential liability of a strength and conditioning coach and how this perception is affecting the profession.

Little information is available for personal trainers in regards to differentiating the requirements and responsibilities of working as an employee or an independent contractor. Personal trainers and gym owners would benefit from understanding professional guidelines, details, and general knowledge of these two options.

Download this free packet of sample documents and information to use when proposing a new position, including: case studies of successful programs, a sample job description, evidence-based reasons why your high school needs a qualified strength and conditioning professional, and a quick worksheet to assess current liability risk.

Recertification fees are due on December 31, every three (3) years, and are required to maintain your NSCA certification. Professional and Student Membership renewal fees are due annually.

There's risk in every business, but fitness professionals can often face higher risk than most. While personal trainer insurance can offer solid protection, fitness professionals can best protect themselves by understanding the fundamentals of risk management as they apply within the realm of sports and fitness. In this article, global insurance firm Integro Entertainment & Sports offers tips on how to best protect yourself and your business, defines common insurance terms, and provides an overview to understanding insurance conditions.

Get this free printed packet designed to be shared with ADs and school administrators. The packet explains the need for qualified strength and conditioning professionals in high schools. Packet contents include: case studies of successful programs, evidence-based reasons why your high school needs a qualified strength and conditioning professional, a quick worksheet to assess current liability risk, and ways a position can be structured.