The New Year and Getting In Shape

This coming January, as Americans make an attempt to abide by their New Year’s resolution, there will be a sudden spike in new health club memberships.

Weight loss has become an obsession as reports show that one-third of the U.S. population can be classified as clinically obese. So in January they will dust off their work out clothes and head out to the gym. If you are one of them tread lightly. Almost 2,000 new exercisers ended up in the emergency room last year as a result of a gym injury. If you get hurt during your work out and require medical attention call upon a Missouri personal injury attorney to review your case. You could be entitled to compensation for your medical bills.

Signing a Waiver

Be prepared at your first visit to sign some paperwork before being allowed to start your new fitness regime. Most gyms and health clubs require new members to sign a waiver absolving them of fault if you are injured during your workout. These forms are sometimes invalid or even improper so do not let the fact that you have signed one deter you from seeking compensation if you are injured.

Equipment Related Injuries

The most often seen injuries in gym newcomers are equipment related. Treadmills, weights, and even jump ropes can pose a risk and cause an injury. Inexperience is mostly to blame in these instances. It is important when trying a new form of exercise for the first time that you start slow and pace yourself. Ask the staff questions if you are unsure how to operate a piece of equipment and seek advice about how you should start your workout regimen. If you do fall off of the treadmill or drop a weight on your foot notify an employee immediately and have them fill out an accident report. If warranted, seek immediate medical attention and ask for copies of your medical record. If it seems that the health club or gym may be liable, your Missouri personal injury attorney will need that documentation to file a claim. Like any business, gyms have a duty to their patrons to ensure that their premises hold no risk of harm. They should be doing regular inspections of equipment and warning patrons of the potential hazards of using it.

 Using a Personal Trainer

Another risk to the health club newbie is the personal trainer. While other professionals you hire to perform a service, say a real estate agent or your hairdresser, have had to at least pass an exam before being issued a license, there are no federal or state requirements for trainers. Yes, there are certification classes that a trainer can take, but these are not required. In fact, your gym may claim that all of their trainers are certified, but for all you know they are certified in cosmetology. The muscle bound guy directing your spinning class may not have the experience to know that he is pushing a newcomer too hard and causing them to injure themselves. This was the case with a Missouri woman whose gym trainer had her doing movements that were far too advanced for her. She needed knee surgery to correct the damage caused by the strain. The gym settled the lawsuit for a confidential amount before a lawsuit was filed.

Go ahead and follow through on your New Year’s resolution this January. Join the gym, buy the sneakers, and set off on a new fitness regimen. Take care not to hurt yourself in the process, but if you do, call upon Zevan and Davidson Law Firm L.L.C. at (314) 588-7200 to see if you should be compensated.

Photo credit:  ninahale