A friend and I are considering hosting a little bootcamp for a few ladies we work with. Nothing huge to begin with, but maybe if it catches on we might like to do a little bit more of a formal offering.
Neither of us do this for a living, or have any certs, we are simply going off of personal experience as we both have a personal love of fitness and nutrition. Basically, we're just thinking of charging a little for our time and getting these ladies on the right track.
We want to be smart about this though and I'm wondering what we will need to make sure we aren't going to get ourselves into any trouble... ;o)
I've drawn up a general registration form with all sorts of questions from medications to general fitness ability plus several paragraphs of "hold harmless" language that we will have the ladies initial and then sign. Do we need to go one step further and get insurance, etc?
Any help is appreciated - we both have other day jobs and are very new to this whole idea. The thought of making it a full time business is very appealing, but baby steps must be taken first...
Do you have any idea what you would do differently based on any of the answers to the "using medications" questions?
Do you know how to modify your exercises or your plans if the client has a preexisting medical condition or any prior injury?
Have you checked with anyone with a legal background to know if your "hold harmless" clauses would carry any weight in a court should someone become injured or disabled while under your direction?
I'm not a professional in this field, but to my mind it is a big jump from working out with some friends from work and charging for your services and filling out registration forms and other formalities including appropriate business permits, taxes and so forth.
Well, we certainly would take appropriate precautions with anyone with any sort of health concerns depending on what the problems (if any) actually are. We also have it in our language that they acknowledge that their dr has cleared them for this type of physical exercise.
The "legal jargon" is along the same lines of the disclaimers / disclosure that we both signed when joining our local gym. But, I do plan on having another friend of ours familiar with this type of thing have a look to see if we left anything out.
I agree wholeheartedly that it's very different when you begin to charge for this type of thing. I don't want to take anything lightly... We don't have an official business or anything, but maybe someday we will. That's a whole other gamut of confusing red tape to work through!!
It's extremely nerve wracking to start something like this up!
I personally wouldn't just assume that because some clause was in paperwork you had to sign to join a gym means that it's actually uphold-able in court. There's plenty of things we sign that aren't actually enforceable, but the people making us sign are betting on us not knowing that, or thinking it'd be too hard to fight.
My question was more along the lines of do you have any education or training that would give you a clue as to what the appropriate precautions might be for any given medical conditions or medications in use?
As far as it not being a business ... if you are charging money for services, you are in business and you should get your business and tax ducks in a row. Again, my opinion.
A few points. I would have them fill out a par-Q and a release of liability form. No they do not actually completely realease you from liability, but they are the two accepted standards in the industry. I forget all the details on what it does/doesn't do but it is better to have them than not in any instance. Follow the instructions on the PAR-Q and make sure you get the Dr. to sign off on it with any issues there. I believe you can get both those forms off of exrx.net. Insurance is something you would also want to strongly consider. As lisa said, if you charge you are in business and it will be in your best interest to get yourself as protected as possible.
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At certain times of your life you've got to quit being such a slave to your pussiness and step up and see how well you can do under shitty conditions. - Wendler
That's an excellent point Aoife! I've often thought that when looking at the things I've personally signed.
We have been consulting with various people that have knowledge of business licensing / tax laws / etc. The more I learn the more confusing it is! What I meant by not being an actual business was that we don't have an official business license yet. But yes, it's considered business rather than favors since money would be changing hands.
This industry is something that we both have been wanting to explore for a long time so we have decided to just take the plunge! For those of you in the business already - I'm not sure how you made it to the other side! There is so much to consider and take care of to cover yourself and your future clients! I guess the whole point though is that if you want something bad enough, you'll figure it out right?
Student, I'll definitely check out that website, thanks! We have both looking into individual liability insurance as well. I think that's a must for sure.
Thanks again to everyone! You input is appreciated!
Insurance is not just something to consider - it's a MUST.
.. and i agree with 'Student'... the release of liability form is an important piece to have and more times than not, especially in smaller instances (where the cost to hire a lawyer is more expensive than the actual 'happening'), this should be strong enough to cover you under 'most' circumstances.
I totally agree with Verryberry and 'student', you've got to have liability coverage for boot camp. As far as getting a business license, you liability provider will definitely ask for that before providing your business with coverage. I know it sounds like a lot of things to do before starting up a camp, but once it's done you'll sleep better at night, and feel more comfortable knowing your potected.
What is the bare minimum to get started?
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