Chapter 24; Facility Policies, Procedures and legal issues

     Continuing along with the Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning study guide we have reached the last chapter (yay!) of the book Chapter 24 Facility Policies, Procedures and legal issues.

     Much like any other good article post we start with definitions (sarcasm). We do need to establish a baseline of communication. Pick five different gym managers and you might get five different answers on policies and procedures for the gym. One policy that this author would advocate for is to ban tripods and filming during busy hours. Nothing is worse than trying to work out and have a person filming. Now, if you want to film for a show or video then do it during non-busy times or have allocated times that allow videoing. One exception to this rule would be to have low key filming that checks form and technique. These guys discreetly film themselves then check the video between sets. Dartfish can be accessed through a smartphone that analyzes body mechanics. Ok rant over, back to the book.

    Policies are the facilities rules and regulations. Procedures are how policies are met and carried out. For example, a policy could be a dress code, and a procedure could be how to handle someone who breaks this policy. The idea behind having policies and procedures is to protect the facility and the employees from litigation. A mission statement is the facilities statement of purpose. This is a general, vague statement that outlines the program goals. Planet fitness has done this remarkably well (current polices about who can use the locker rooms aside) of providing cheap gym memberships and catering to personal who may or may not take the gym serious. Program goals is the desired end products of a strength and conditioning program. Program objectives are specific means of attaining program goals. Gyms can be centered around a specific sport that only trains in the manner to improve in that sport. Baseball is pretty big in the south and all over the state baseball academies exist with the sole purpose to improve baseball players. 

    Within the facility (from the lenses of a collegiate strength and conditioning program) you would have a Director of Strength and Conditioning or Head strength and Conditioning Coach. That person is responsible for the overall direction of the program. They would handle facility, equipment, hiring staff, training the staff, writing policies and procedures and administrative duties. Basically, they are in charge of the entire facility. A Strength and Conditioning professional main responsibilities are continuing education to stay relevant and to uphold current certifications. By having current, up to date education it reduces liability across the facility. In addition to professional certifications pertaining towards fitness a strength and conditioning professional should have CPR and AED certifications.