Gym & Fitness Waiver Templates: What Your Form Must Include

Whether you run a gym, yoga studio, CrossFit box, or personal training business, you need a solid liability waiver. Here's your complete guide to fitness waivers that actually protect you.

Why Fitness Waivers Are Critical

Fitness activities carry inherent risks. Without a proper waiver:

You're exposed to lawsuits

Your insurance may not cover claims

You have no documented proof of informed consent

Clients can claim they weren't warned

Essential Waiver Components

1. Assumption of Risk

Clients must acknowledge they understand:

Exercise involves risk of injury

They're voluntarily participating

Results vary by individual

They're responsible for their own limits

2. Release of Liability

Include a clear statement releasing you from liability for:

Injuries sustained during exercise

Use of equipment

Interaction with other members

Conditions of the facility

3. Health Disclosure

Critical questions to ask:

Heart conditions or cardiovascular issues

Joint or bone problems

Recent surgeries or injuries

Current medications

Pregnancy

Doctor-imposed exercise restrictions

Diabetes or blood pressure issues

4. Emergency Contact

Always collect:

Emergency contact name and phone

Relationship to client

Any allergies or medical conditions to disclose

5. Medical Clearance Acknowledgment

Include a statement like:

"I certify that I have consulted with a physician before beginning this exercise program, or I have chosen to participate without medical clearance and assume all associated risks."

6. Photo/Video Release

If you film workouts or take photos for marketing:

Include a separate checkbox

Make it optional

Specify where media may be used

Waivers by Fitness Type

Personal Training

Additional elements:

Session cancellation policy

Injury reporting procedure

Nutritional advice disclaimer

One-on-one acknowledgment

Group Fitness Classes

Include:

Assumption of risk in group settings

Acknowledgment of varied fitness levels

Agreement to follow instructor guidance

Space/equipment sharing awareness

CrossFit/High-Intensity Training

Extra considerations:

Specific acknowledgment of high-intensity risks

Understanding of technical movements

Agreement to scale appropriately

Explicit injury risk acknowledgment

Yoga/Pilates Studios

Add sections for:

Physical adjustments consent

Props/equipment usage

Modifications awareness

Mind-body practice acknowledgment

Going Digital with Your Waivers

Benefits

Pre-arrival completion: Clients sign before their first session

Automatic storage: No filing cabinets or lost paperwork

Easy retrieval: Find any waiver in seconds

Professional appearance: Clean, branded forms

Legal validity: E-signatures are legally binding

Implementation

1. Create your digital waiver 2. Add to your onboarding workflow 3. Send link after sign-up/booking 4. Automatic reminders if not completed 5. Require signature before first session

Creating with Apollyx

Build a professional fitness waiver in under 60 seconds:

1. Tell our AI: "Create a liability waiver for my CrossFit gym" (or yoga studio, personal training, etc.) 2. Customize: Add your business name, specific activities, and policies 3. Deploy: Share via your booking confirmation or as a standalone link 4. Collect: Get e-signatures and store securely

Our fitness waivers include:

Comprehensive health questionnaire

Industry-specific risk acknowledgments

Emergency contact collection

Optional photo release

E-signature capture

Best Practices

Annual Renewal

Have members re-sign waivers annually. Health conditions change, and this protects you with current information.

Paired with Booking

The best time to collect waivers is during the booking process—before the client arrives.

Staff Training

Ensure staff knows:

Never allow participation without a signed waiver

How to handle medical emergencies

Where to find waiver information if needed

Legal Review

Have a lawyer review your waiver to ensure it meets your state's requirements.

Conclusion

A proper fitness waiver is your foundation for a protected business. Don't rely on generic templates or outdated paper forms. Invest in a professional, digital waiver system that keeps you safe and impresses new members.

Create your fitness waiver and protect your gym, studio, or training business today.