Service Animals

Service Animals In The Fitness Facility The NIHCA Networking Group was asked about a policy for emotional support animals. Service animals are a lifeline for some members and we want to make sure all members know they are welcome at our facilities. This is a tough question as it isn’t just an opinion or a…

Maintenance and Janitorial Services

November 22, 2022 Cleaning is inevitable. It has to happen at home, at work, and especially at the gym. The question is, who should do the cleaning and when? We asked the NIHCA Networking Group and we received responses from a variety of facilities: University and Hospital facilities often have contracted staff that will come…

Handling Conduct Issues

July 21, 2022 There is something to be said about good behavior, but bad behavior is talked about more often. Being a new manager or director comes with the responsibility of discipline. As a manager, do you feel like a High School Principal at times? It isn’t just young adults or older kids; how is…

Collections and Cancellations

June 23, 2022 There are many benefits to owning and running a fitness facility but there are some really tough aspects as well, like collections. When many of our members gathered for the 2022 NIHCA Spring Conference and Exhibit Expo we talked to each other about collections. There was concern from some clubs about how…

Appropriate Clothing

Appropriate clothing for the gym should be basic knowledge but there may be times we need to spell it out for our dear members. Do you have a clothing policy in place for your facility? When we reached out to the NIHCA Networking group, we were surprised to find out more facilities do not have…

Youth Policy

“In youth we learn; in age we understand” ~Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach This quote speaks volumes as to what we may need to look at when setting up a Youth Policy. Youth are important to our communities and to the growth of our clubs and facilities. For the purposes of this youth policy, we are clarifying…

Hot Tub Rules and Policies

August 26th, 2021 If your facility has a hot tub, what are your policies regarding age and use of the hot tub? It is imperative that you clearly have your policies posted not only for employees to reference but also for your members to be able to review. We recommend at minimum to include the…