Good morning Paul, there was a discussion recently about provisions for a gym which might be useful if can find it with the search facility. What I would say, if your friend is capable of setting up a new gym, then with a few steers he should be equally capable of devising an induction. It would be useful for him to think about the type of people who will be using the gym, equipment, maintenance, supervision, training, emergency procedures, environment and the associated risks.

Hi Paul, I have worked in the leisure industry for the majority of my working life and now a health and safety consultant for 3 and a half years. There is a standard Pre Exercise Questionnaire most gyms use. IMSPA can help as well (Previously the Institute of Sport and Recreation Management) The facility management and risk assessing is straight forward but there are several daily checks that must be done in a gym/health club is which industry standard processes etc etc. I can give you some free pointers and documents that may be useful. The main questions that will need to be asked are if a participant have any heart/circulation issues or conditions that may put them at risk. And the "clincher" - If there are any reason that they could not exercise safely. These records must be kept for some time and usual DPA applies. Glad to discuss any other gym quesions. I started as a part time lifeguard and crawled all the way to Management over 14 years. Oh the fun!!