EN 17229-2:2023

Fitness centres - Requirements for centre amenities and operation - Part 2: Requirements for supervision and staff

This document specifies requirements for the supervision and staffing, necessary to protect the health, safety and welfare of users, staff and contractors across a wide range of fitness centres as specified in EN 17229.
This document specifies the essential skills required from operational staff and fitness staff who have a responsibility for the supervision of their users, staff and contractors using and working in their fitness centres.
This document applies in conjunction with, and in addition to EN 17229. This document cannot be used separately from EN 17229.
NOTE   National occupational health and safety rules and regulations are not affected by this document.

Fitness-Studios - Anforderungen an Studioausstattung und -betrieb - Teil 2: Anforderungen an die Aufsicht und das Personal

Dieses Dokument legt Anforderungen an die Aufsicht und das Personal fest, das in unterschiedlichen Arten von Fitness-Studios nach EN 17229 zum Schutz der Gesundheit, der Sicherheit und des Wohlergehens von Benutzern, Personal und Auftragnehmern erforderlich ist.
Dieses Dokument legt die wesentlichen Fähigkeiten fest, über die das Betriebs- und Fitness-Personal verfügen muss, das für die Aufsicht von Benutzern, Personal und Auftragnehmern verantwortlich ist, die Fitness-Studios nutzen und darin arbeiten.
Dieses Dokument ist anzuwenden in Verbindung mit und als Ergänzung von EN 17229. Dieses Dokument kann nicht getrennt von EN 17229 verwendet werden.
ANMERKUNG   Die Regeln und Bestimmungen des nationalen Arbeitsschutzes sind von diesem Dokument nicht betroffen.

Clubs de fitness - Exigences en matière d’équipements et d’exploitation - Partie 2 : Exigences relatives à la surveillance et au personnel

Le présent document spécifie les exigences relatives à la surveillance et au personnel, nécessaires pour préserver la santé, la sécurité et le bien être des usagers, des membres du personnel et des coachs sportifs indépendants, sur une large diversité de clubs de fitness, comme cela est spécifié dans l’EN 17229.
Le présent document spécifie les aptitudes essentielles exigées pour le personnel d’exploitation et le personnel en charge des cours de fitness, chargés de surveiller les usagers, le personnel et les coachs sportifs indépendants y intervenant dans un cadre professionnel.
Le présent document s’applique conjointement avec, et en complément de, l’EN 17229. Le présent document ne peut pas être utilisé indépendamment de l’EN 17229.
NOTE   Les règles et règlements nationaux relatifs à la santé et la sécurité sur le lieu de travail ne sont pas affectés par le présent document.

Fitnes centri - Zahteve za opremo in delovanje centrov - 2. del: Zahteve za nadzor in osebje

Ta dokument določa zahteve za nadzor in osebje, potrebne za varovanje zdravja ter zagotavljanje varnosti in dobrega počutja uporabnikov, osebja ter izvajalcev v številnih fitnes centrih, kot je opredeljeno v standardu EN 17229:2019.
Ta dokument določa bistvene veščine, zahtevane pri operativnem osebju in fitnes osebju, ki je odgovorno za nadziranje svojih uporabnikov, osebja in izvajalcev, ki uporabljajo opremo in delajo v njihovih fitnes centrih.
Ta dokument se uporablja v povezavi in skupaj s standardom EN 17229 Fitnes centri - Zahteve za opremo in delovanje centrov - Zahteve za delovanje in vodenje. Ta dokument se ne sme uporabljati ločeno od standarda EN 17229.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 01-Aug-2023
• ICS: 03.080.30 - Services for consumers
• ICS: 97.220.01 - Sports equipment and facilities in general
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 136 - Sports, playground and other recreational equipment
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 136/WG 2 - Fitness clubs
• Current Stage: 6060 - Definitive text made available (DAV) - Publishing
• Start Date: 02-Aug-2023
• Due Date: 02-Mar-2022
• Completion Date: 02-Aug-2023
• Ref Project: SIST EN 17229-2:2023 - Fitness centres - Requirements for centre amenities and operation - Part 2: Requirements for supervision and staff

Relations

• Revised: EN 17229:2025 - Fitness clubs - Requirements for amenities and operation - Operational and managerial requirements
• Effective Date: 07-Feb-2024

Overview

EN 17229-2:2023 - "Fitness centres - Requirements for centre amenities and operation - Part 2: Requirements for supervision and staff" (CEN) specifies staffing and supervision requirements to protect the health, safety and welfare of users, staff and contractors in fitness centres. It defines the essential skills, competencies and operational duties for both operational staff and fitness staff (e.g., fitness instructors, group instructors, personal trainers, advanced fitness instructors). This standard is intended to be used in conjunction with EN 17229 and cannot be applied on its own. National occupational health and safety regulations remain unaffected.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope & relationship to EN 17229
  • Applies in addition to EN 17229:2019; intended for a wide range of fitness centre types and services.
• Supervision types
  • Physical supervision: Competent staff present on-site with responsibility for monitoring operations and responding to incidents.
  • Remote supervision: Surveillance systems monitored by competent operators (including Monitoring and Alarm Receiving Centres - MARC) to provide continuous oversight.
  • Non-supervision: Requirements for fitness centres or areas operating without on-site or remote supervision.
• Staff competence, skills & qualifications
  • Defines terms such as competent person, competence, skill and qualification.
  • Normative annexes specify qualifications for: fitness instructors and group instructors, personal trainers, and advanced fitness instructors (exercise for health specialists).
• Operational requirements
  • Duties for supervising staff (visibility, understanding and execution of health & safety procedures, emergency response chains for life‑threatening medical events).
  • Requirements for remote surveillance systems, alarm handling and operator responsibilities are covered in a normative annex.
• Technical and normative references
  • Cross-references relevant standards (examples: EN 54, EN 1627, ISO 30061, EN 50131-1, EN 50518, EN 62676‑4) for fire detection, intrusion, alarm monitoring, access control and video surveillance.

Practical applications

• Use EN 17229-2:2023 to:
  • Develop staff training, recruitment and competency frameworks for fitness centres.
  • Define operational procedures for on-site supervision, emergency response and remote monitoring.
  • Specify requirements for CCTV/surveillance, alarm systems and MARC interfaces when implementing remote supervision.
  • Support risk assessments and safety management systems tailored to different fitness areas and service offerings (group classes, personal training, open gym, remote fitness services).

Who should use this standard

• Fitness centre operators and managers
• Facility designers and consultants
• HR and training managers responsible for instructor qualifications
• Security integrators and MARC operators providing remote supervision services
• National standards bodies and regulators aligning local guidance with CEN practice

Related standards

• EN 17229:2019 (Operational and managerial requirements for fitness centres)
• EN 54 (fire detection and alarm systems)
• EN 50518 (Monitoring and Alarm Receiving Centre)
• EN 62676-4 (video surveillance application guidelines)
• EN 50131-1, EN 1627, ISO 30061 (alarm, access and emergency lighting references)

Keywords: EN 17229-2:2023, fitness centres, supervision, staff qualifications, remote supervision, MARC, surveillance system, fitness instructor, personal trainer, operational requirements.

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-november-2023
Fitnes centri - Zahteve za opremo in delovanje centrov - 2. del: Zahteve za nadzor
in osebje
Fitness centres - Requirements for centre amenities and operation - Part 2:
Requirements for supervision and staff
Fitness-Studios - Anforderungen an Studioausstattung und -betrieb - Teil 2:
Anforderungen an die Aufsicht und das Personal
Clubs de fitness - Exigences en matière d’équipements et d’exploitation - Partie 2 :
Exigences relatives à la surveillance et au personnel
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 17229-2:2023
ICS:
03.080.30 Storitve za potrošnike Services for consumers
97.220.01 Športna oprema in Sports equipment and
pripomočki na splošno facilities in general
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EN 17229-2
EUROPEAN STANDARD
NORME EUROPÉENNE
August 2023
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
ICS 03.080.30; 97.220.01
English Version
Fitness centres - Requirements for centre amenities and
operation - Part 2: Requirements for supervision and staff
Clubs de fitness - Exigences en matière d'équipements Fitness-Studios - Anforderungen an Studioausstattung
et d'exploitation - Partie 2 : Exigences relatives à la und -betrieb - Teil 2: Anforderungen an die Aufsicht
surveillance et au personnel und das Personal
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 19 June 2023.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references
concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN
member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management
Centre has the same status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway,
Poland, Portugal, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and
United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION

EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Rue de la Science 23, B-1040 Brussels
© 2023 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 17229-2:2023 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
European foreword . 3
1 Scope . 4
2 Normative references . 4
3 Terms and definitions . 5
4 Physical supervision for operations and fitness staff . 7
4.1 General. 7
4.2 Physical supervision of operations by staff . 8
4.3 Physical supervision of users by fitness staff . 8
4.3.1 General. 8
4.3.2 Fitness instructor . 8
4.3.3 Personal trainer . 8
4.3.4 Advanced fitness instructor . 9
5 Remote supervision for operations and fitness trainers . 9
5.1 General. 9
5.2 Requirements for remote supervision . 10
5.2.1 Requirements for surveillance systems for remote supervision . 10
5.2.2 Requirements for staff using surveillance systems for remote supervision . 10
5.2.3 Requirements for fitness staff using surveillance systems for remote supervision of
exercise instruction . 11
6 Non-supervision for operations only . 11
6.1 General. 11
6.2 Requirements for non-supervised fitness centres or fitness areas . 12
Annex A (normative) Qualifications for fitness staff . 13
A.1 Fitness instructor and group fitness instructor . 13
A.2 Personal trainer . 14
A.3 Advanced fitness instructor, e.g. exercise for health specialist . 15
Annex B (normative) Operational requirements for remote supervision . 18
B.1 General. 18
B.2 Planning . 18
B.3 Security . 18
B.4 Alarm systems of the remotely operated/supervised fitness facility. 19
B.5 Communication network . 21
B.6 MARC Operations . 22
Annex C ⁠⁠(informative) Qualifications for operator staff of a MARC . 25
Annex D (informative) A-deviations . 26
Bibliography . 27

European foreword
This document (EN 17229-2:2023) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 136 “Sports,
playground and other recreational facilities and equipment”, the secretariat of which is held by DIN.
This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an
identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by February 2024, and conflicting national standards shall
be withdrawn at the latest by February 2024.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CEN shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
Any feedback and questions on this document should be directed to the users’ national standards body.
A complete listing of these bodies can be found on the CEN website.
According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organisations of the
following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia,
Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland,
Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of North
Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye and the United
Kingdom.
1 Scope
This document specifies requirements for the supervision and staffing, necessary to protect the health,
safety and welfare of users, staff and contractors across a wide range of fitness centres as specified in
EN 17229.
This document specifies the essential skills required from operational staff and fitness staff who have a
responsibility for the supervision of their users, staff and contractors using and working in their fitness
centres.
This document applies in conjunction with, and in addition to EN 17229. This document cannot be used
separately from EN 17229.
NOTE National occupational health and safety rules and regulations are not affected by this document.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
EN 54 (all parts), Fire detection and fire alarm systems
EN 1627, Pedestrian doorsets, windows, curtain walling, grilles and shutters — Burglar resistance —
Requirements and classification
EN 17229:2019, Fitness centres — Requirements for centre amenities and operation — Operational and
managerial requirements
ISO 30061, Emergency lighting
EN 50131-1, Alarm systems — Intrusion and hold-up systems — Part 1: System requirements
EN 50136-1, Alarm systems — Alarm transmission systems and equipment — Part 1: General requirements
for alarm transmission systems
EN 50518, Monitoring and Alarm Receiving Centre
EN 60839-11-1, Alarm and electronic security systems — Part 11-1: Electronic access control systems —
System and components requirements
EN 62676-4, Video surveillance systems for use in security applications — Part 4: Application guidelines
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— IEC Electropedia: available at https://www.electropedia.org/
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https://www.iso.org/obp
3.1
competent person
individual who has acquired through instruction, qualifications or experience, or a combination of these,
the essential skills enabling that person to perform specified tasks
3.2
physical supervision by staff
competent person(s) present during the use of the fitness centre by users, staff and/or contractors with
the main responsibility to monitor operations
Note 1 to entry: Fitness staff may also be a competent person with responsibility for the operations.
3.3
remote supervision by staff
surveillance system operated by a competent person(s) continuously monitoring fitness centres used by
users, staff and/or contractors
Note 1 to entry: The qualification and competency of operators of Monitoring and Alarm Receiving Centre (MARC)
is covered in Annex C.
3.4
non-supervision
fitness centre without physical or remote supervision and in use by users, staff and/or contractors
3.5
competence
ability to use knowledge, skills and personal, social and/or methodological abilities, in work or study
situations and in professional and personal development
[SOURCE: Cedefop; European Parliament and Council of the European Union, 2014 [2]]
3.6
skill
ability to apply knowledge and use know-how to complete tasks and solve problems
3.7
qualification
official record (certificate, diploma) of achievement which recognises successful completion of education
or training, or satisfactory performance in a test or examination; and/or the requirements for an
individual to enter, or progress within an occupation
[SOURCE: Cedefop; European Parliament and Council of the European Union, 2014]
3.8
surveillance system
automated system including means for digitizing series of images of people in the
fitness centre, and means for comparing and analysing digitized images for the notification and sending
an alarm when an incident occurs
3.9
surveillance system
closed-circuit camera system to observe people in the fitness centre
3.10
alarm
initiated response to the detection of an incident by a person or the surveillance system
3.11
incident
occurrence or an activity of interest which can need a response by a person or the surveillance system
3.12
surveillance centre
operational centre which is continually manned and capable of receiving multiple concurrent
surveillance images from remote locations for the purpose of interacting with fitness centres to provide
safety and security to users, staff and/or contractors
3.13
risk
possibility of exposure to a hazard or danger with a consequence of injury, loss, infection, inflammation
3.14
surveillance
observation or inspection of persons or premises for security and safety purposes through alarm systems,
surveillance methods, or other monitoring methods
[SOURCE: EN 62676-1-1:2014, 3.1.138, modified – The term ‘VSS’ has been replaced by ‘surveillance
methods’]
3.15
fitness staff
competent person providing fitness instruction
3.16
supervision
responsibility for the fitness centres’ execution and oversight of health, safety and welfare procedures
[SOURCE: EN 17229:2019, Clauses 4 and 5]
3.17
remote fitness service
service provided by a fitness centre/staff that contains digital content, including but not limited to group
exercise classes, exercise instruction, instruction programming, remote coaching, live-streaming classes
and online personal instruction; or any digital content provided by a fitness centre/staff to its users to
provide fitness instruction
Note 1 to entry: Remote fitness services can take place in the form of independent use of digital classes or workouts
in or outside a fitness centre.
3.18
group exercise class
service provided by a fitness centre in any and all forms of exercise performed in a group setting, led by
a personal trainer or group instructor
Note 1 to entry: Visual instruction can be given in written form or shown via an image, video or illustration.
3.19
instruction program
any type of instruction and workout program with a goal to achieve in a specific amount of time, provided
in a written, visual or auditory way
3.20
remote instruction
any type of online communication to instruct, motivate and support members in a written, visual or
auditory way with their exercise and/or health-related questions
Note 1 to entry: Instruction can take place in the form of, but is not exclusively:
a) individual instruction where a trainer has contact with users on a regular basis via written, spoken, and/or digital
or online communication;
b) instruction programs where users follow a pre-programmed, goal-based fitness program. Users are instructed
via written, spoken, and/or digital or online content which is created in advance by fitness staff;
c) all types of group classes which are streamed live online where members can follow classes in real-time via a
fitness centre;
d) instruction between a personal trainer and (a) client(s) where they work together, at the same time, with a live
connection.
4 Physical supervision for operations and fitness staff
4.1 General
This clause sets out operational procedures for physical supervision of users, staff and contractors in a
fitness centre. Essential skills of the operational staff and fitness staff are described. Given the wide range
of fitness centres as specified in EN 17229 the requirements and good practices set out below will apply
in full or in part, depending on:
a) the type of fitness centre;
b) the different services offered;
c) the different areas in the fitness centre;
d) the type and number of staff members present;
e) the operating hours of the fitness centre.
4.2 Physical supervision of operations by staff
Staff members, including fitness staff, shall:
a) be visibly identifiable as the supervising person(s) who is/are present and responsible for the health
and safety procedures, available to users, staff and contractors;
b) understand the health and safety procedures as specified in EN 17229;
c) carry out the health and safety procedures as specified in EN 17229;
d) respond to risks identified, take action to minimize the risks and notify appropriate persons;
e) understand the current procedure for response chain for life-threatening medical emergencies, as
specified in EN 17229:2019, Annex A;
f) carry out the response chain in the event of a life-threatening medical emergency, as specified in
EN 17229:2019, Annex A.
4.3 Physical supervision of users by fitness staff
4.3.1 General
In the following subclauses, the main fitness occupations present on the European market are specified
and requirements for their involvement in physical supervision are described.
4.3.2 Fitness instructor
A fitness instructor delivers fitness instruction to individuals with or without the use of equipment
(fitness instructor) or to a group through fitness classes (group fitness instructor). Both types of
instructors have the same purpose of promoting and delivering safe and effective exercise but depending
on the specific situation, some additional knowledge, skills and competences may be required.
A group fitness instructor supervises and instructs more than 1 person at a time.
A fitness instructor shall obtain a qualification that is recognized and/or approved by a national authority
and/or approved educational authority and/or a competent organization.
The qualification shall address theory and practical skills in relation to exercise instruction and
supervision services to encourage and enable exercise participation of new and existing members
through fitness programs and activities that meet their needs.
The minimum standard of qualification for a fitness instructor is equivalent to the European Qualification
Framework (EQF) [5], level 3.
4.3.3 Personal trainer
A personal trainer’s role includes designing, implementing and evaluating exercise or physical activity
programs for a range of individual clients by collecting and analysing client information to ensure the
effectiveness of personal exercise programs.
A personal trainer shall actively encourage potential clients and/or members to participate in and adhere
to regular exercise or physical activity programs, employing appropriate motivational strategies to
achieve this and to assist them with behavioural change as a result.
The minimum standard of qualification for a personal trainer is equivalent to the EQF level 4 [5].
4.3.4 Advanced fitness instructor
An advanced fitness instructor (e.g. exercise for health specialist) shall have the ability to communicate
sensitively with a wide range of individuals that have existing chronic health conditions or are at high
risk of developing them due to their lifestyle. He or she can program and supervise exercise for
individuals, and for groups if he/she holds this prior competency, with a range of chronic health
conditions determined to be of low or moderate risk of an adverse event according to recognized
stratification tools. An advanced fitness instructor is able to communicate effectively with medical and
healthcare professionals about participants' conditions using correct medical terminology and with an
understanding of the standard treatment options for an individual’s condition. They will need to take a
holistic approach to the wellness of their clients that includes advising on lifestyle, healthy eating and
stress management, in addition to exercise relevant to the condition, medication and with respect to
professional boundaries.
For advanced fitness instruction, the level of qualification shall be EQF level 5/6 or equivalent [5].
Where a national qualification framework exists, it should be referenced to the European Qualification
Framework (EQF) [5].
Where no national qualifications exist, the qualification should be delivered by an accredited
organization.
Where there is no accredited organization available, qualifications should be delivered by a competent
independent body for example a higher education institute.
The essential skills for a fitness instructor (EQF L3), personal trainer (EQF L4) and exercise for health
specialist (EQF L5) are described in Annex A.
5 Remote supervision for operations and fitness trainers
5.1 General
This clause sets out the requirements for:
— the remote supervision of users, staff and contractors in a fitness centre; and
— remote fitness services provided via the fitness centre.
The requirements for the essential skills (of the associated staff) and operational procedures are
specified. Given the wide range of fitness centres as specified in EN 17229, the requirements and good
practices set out below will apply in full or in part, depending on:
a) the type of fitness centre;
b) the different services offered;
c) the different areas in the fitness centre;
d) the type and number of staff members present;
e) the operating hours of the fitness centre.
NOTE The performance of risk analyses can be a parameter which good practices are based on as well.
5.2 Requirements for remote supervision
5.2.1 Requirements for surveillance systems for remote supervision
a) A visible notification of the operation of the remote supervision system responsible for the health
and safety procedures for users, staff and contractors;
b) if applicable, inform users, staff and contractors how they can contact the remote surveillance system
centre and inform on incidents and/or risks observed;
c) initiate a response to risks/incidents detected and/or notify appropriate persons;
d) apply the minimum requirements for the monitoring, receiving and processing of alarm messages
generated by alarm systems taking place as a part of the total fire, safety and security risk assessment
and planning in accordance with EN 50518.
NOTE 1 For application of relevant national and/or European regulations on the processing of personal data,
please refer to the General Data Protection Regulation [6] and eventual additional national rules and related
guidelines, such as European Data Protection Board Guidelines 3/2019 on the processing of personal data through
video devices [7].
NOTE 2 The operational requirements of the Monitoring and Alarm Receiving Centre (MARC) comprise the
technical receiving of communications which are transmitted from the fitness centre under remote surveillance
systems, where hazards or incidents have been identified, and the capturing and processing of relevant security
information as well as expert information being processed in the fastest possible time to initiate an appropriate
response.
NOTE 3 EN 50518 cannot supersede any legislative requirements deemed necessary by a national government
to control the security sector on a national basis. This document cannot interfere with those items that are regulated
by (inter)national regulations concerning external services.
The requirements for the operations of a Monitoring Alarm Receiving Centre (MARC) are included in
Annex B.
5.2.2 Requirements for staff using surveillance systems for remote supervision
Staff shall:
a) understand the health and safety procedures as specified in EN 17229;
b) carry out the health and safety procedures as specified in EN 17229;
c) understand the current procedure for response chain for life-threatening medical emergencies, as
specified in EN 17229:2019, Annex A;
d) carry out the response chain in the event of a life-threatening medical emergency, as specified in
EN 17229:2019, Annex A, A.1 to A.3.
Staff operating a remote surveillance system shall have the essential skills to perform activities of
manually handling alarms and messages at the MARC, and to have been appropriately security-checked.
The essential skills for an operator at a MARC are described for information in Annex C.
5.2.3 Requirements for fitness staff using surveillance systems for remote supervision of
exercise instruction
The fitness centre shall adhere to the following requirements of providing remote fitness services in-club:
a) clearly communicate to what degree the remote instruction services offered are digital/virtual and
the complexity, related risks associated so that the user can make an informed decision. Additionally,
it shall be clear to the user whether there is access to any additional help or information;
b) provide an overview of the remote instruction service, exercise, class or program. The overview shall
include:
i. duration of the workout;
ii. type of the workout;
iii. equipment used;
iv. description of the workout;
v. the complexity of the workout;
c) inform the user that the equipment used in these classes is fit for purpose. When equipment is
required whilst following any of the digital content, provide the user with recommendations on the
type of equipment to use;
d) ensure that the exercise component in any remote instruction service, exercise, class or program has
been designed by a qualified fitness staff (see Annex A);
e) inform the user(s) of the intended nature, type, ability level, and duration of the exercise(s) to be
delivered prior to the activity commencing;
f) allow user(s) to ask for clarification of the intended exercise(s) and activity to be delivered;
g) ensure user(s) can make an informed decision on whether to take part in the proposed exercise(s)
or activity.
6 Non-supervision for operations only
6.1 General
This clause sets out operational procedures in the absence of all supervision of users, staff and
contractors in a fitness centre. Essential communication requirements and an explanation of
procedures/protocol for the users of the fitness centre are specified. Given the wide range of fitness
centres as specified in EN 17229, the requirements/good practices set out below will apply in full or in
part, depending on:
a) the type of fitness centre;
b) the different services offered;
c) the different areas in the fitness centre;
d) the operating hours of the fitness centre.
6.2 Requirements for non-supervised fitness centres or fitness areas
The fitness centre shall adhere to the following requirements:
a) a visible notification of the absence of supervision;
b) a visible notification of the potential risks associated with the use of the fitness centre’s facilities in
absence of supervision;
c) a visible explanation (e.g. infographics) and clear instructions of how to perform the health and safety
procedures for themselves, other users and contractors.
Annex A
(normative)
Qualifications for fitness staff
A.1 Fitness instructor and group fitness instructor
A.1.1 Description
The role of a fitness or group fitness instructor is to build fitness participation of new and existing
members through fitness experiences that meet their needs. An instructor delivers fitness instruction to
individuals with the use of equipment (fitness instructor) or to a group through fitness classes (group
fitness instructor). Both types of instructors have the same purpose of promoting and delivering safe and
effective exercise but, depending on the specific situation, some additional knowledge, skills and
competences may be required. The essential skills needed are listed in Table A.1.
This occupation is informally referenced to the European Qualification Framework (EQF) level 3. A group
fitness instructor supervises and instructs more than 1 person at a time.
A.1.2 Essential skills
Table A.1 — Essential skills for fitness instructor and group instructor
Skill Explanation
Maintain the exercise environment Help to provide a safe, clean and friendly fitness environment
User care Observe clients/members at all times and inform them where
necessary about health and safety requirements and emergency
procedures and be able to deal with foreseeable accidents and
emergencies
User service Welcome clients/members, keep records and bookings of their
activities, and direct them for further technical assistance or to
other appropriate members of staff for guidance and support
User objectives Identify individual motives and resulting short, medium- and
long-term fitness goals
Collect information Identify client information which is to be collected and advise
clients of correct procedures, protocols and risks prior to
commencing physical assessment and exercising
Safe instruction Provide safe and effective fitness instruction
Integrate exercise science to the Apply the knowledge of the musculoskeletal system,
design of the program biomechanical concepts as they relate to movement and
exercise, the knowledge of related physiological concepts, the
knowledge of the cardio-respiratory system and energy systems,
to program design.
Observe and correct Observe users who are exercising and suggest corrections and
adaptations as necessary to ensure techniques and procedures
(posture, range of motion, control, timing and form) are safe and
effective
Skill Explanation
Adaptation of exercising Suggest relevant exercise adaptations or options to allow for
individual client differences or needs and provide participants
with advice on intensity and how to progress their individual
performance and results
Offer motivation Positively interact and motivate clients/members using
appropriate strategies in order to promote adherence to exercise
Promote a healthy lifestyle Provide information about the role of physical activity, modes of
exercise and related services and the importance of healthy
activities for daily living to clients
User referral Promote user referral: invite users to bring friends and family
along and promote their fitness
...