New Principles to guide the fitness industry

Fitness Australia revealed a new set of principles to guide Australian fitness businesses to prosper and put client safety first through adoption of ‘best practice’ guidelines.

The Business Principles and Guidance for Fitness Businesses explain legislation in Australia and best practice standards, as well as offering practical recommendations for simple implementation.

Introducing the initiative, Fitness Australia Chief Executive Lauretta Stace explains “we’ve consulted with a wide range of stakeholders to formulate these key principles and translate them to ensure appropriate standards of professionalism, safety and customer care are maintained at all times.”

The Principles are designed to support and complement the existing State and Territory Industry Codes of Practice for fitness businesses whilst the Codes are subject to review and updating. They apply to all Fitness Australia registered fitness businesses, including gyms, fitness centres, clubs and studios, as well as their employees.

Stace added “over the next 12 months, we will continue to consult with the Departments of Fair Trading in each State and Territory jurisdiction, as well as other regulatory bodies to promote the principles and seek their feedback. We’ll also continue to seek feedback from the fitness industry.

“These principles and guidelines will assist the many small business owners who strive daily to provide quality service to their consumers.”

The main benefits of adopting this approach are that it will:

(a) Help consumers by making their interests the focus, rather than compliance with a set of rules;

(b) Provide a basis for quality assurance in business practice, despite differences in regulations across Australia, and

(c) Allow for more efficient implementation of quality standards by fitness businesses.

The Guide including a resource kit is available to assist fitness businesses to apply these principles.

Click here to view The Business Principles and Guidance for Fitness Business.

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