REPs Magazine Spring 2016 | Page 17
TECHNICAL
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available, so if your session would
normally require access to first aid
indoors, then the same will apply to
outdoor areas.
The best advice for anyone organising
events that could potentially affect
people’s health and well-being is to
use common sense, an obvious skill so
often overlooked.
‘When planning to take your class
outdoors for the first time, it is
advisable to check your insurance
cover, especially your Public Liability’,
says Goulbourne, and further adds,
‘specific wording in the policy may
not cover you outside of your regular
studio environment, and may even
preclude outdoor activity altogether’.
If you’re unsure about your level of
cover, then you should seek advice
from your broker.
children’s play areas, the regulations
permitting its use by those over the
age of 14 are often overlooked. Whilst
very few trainers tend to offer advice
on the use of this equipment, care
should be taken with any instruction
given, just like in a ‘real’ gym.
If you’d like to find out more about
the specialist Sports & Recreation
schemes for trainers, clubs and
coaches offered by Perkins
Slade, contact them by emailing
[email protected] or
call on 0121 698 8160.
Perkins Slade is authorised and regulated
by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Adding complexity into the mix
is the prevalence of outdoor gym
equipment, for use by the public.
Given its frequent installation next to
© Route55 | shutterstock.com
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of a hardcore Zumba workout.
Care should be taken to monitor
the area for other hazards such as
any nearby projectile sports such
as cricket or football, as well as
amateur kite or drone flyers.
Are the weather conditions
appropriate to exercise in?
Excessive rain or hot sunshine will
affect the suitability of the site for
those taking part.
Are the facilities adequate? Whilst
not all outdoor spaces will have
changing rooms and showers,
appropriate sun protection and
rehydration should be accounted
for – even if that means the trainer
providing bottles of water.
An often overlooked issue outside
of a studio is the lack of mirrors –
participants can’t see themselves
and won’t be able to check their
form, so trainers will need to be
extra vigilant for bad practice that
may cause injury.
Are there adequate first aid
facilities on site? In many open
spaces, first aid is not readily
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