0203 442 8479 Book a consultation

SPORT AND FITNESS SOLICITORS

Legal support for gyms, studios and clubs

We act for gyms, fitness studios, sports clubs, coaches and leisure operators across the UK, keeping your membership terms, your instructors and your safety documentation in order so the business can concentrate on its members. A fixed monthly fee, with no hourly billing.

Assess your legal risk
SRA-regulated solicitors icon SRA-regulated solicitors Sport and fitness sector expertise icon Sport and fitness sector expertise Fast, responsive support icon Fast, responsive support
  • ComplyCube
  • Giles
  • Virgin
  • Kaikaku
  • Global Tech
  • Uptown
  • Additional
  • Bio
  • Agentric AI
COMMON PROBLEMS IN SPORT AND FITNESS

The problems that bring sport and fitness businesses to us

There is no licensing regime for fitness businesses in England, so the obligations come from general health and safety law, the membership contract and the premises. These are the six situations we are asked about most, and what each one turns on.

There is no gym regulator, which surprises people, and it means the membership terms and the risk assessments are doing more work than most operators realise.

James Conning

Commercial Solicitor, Lawyerly

Portrait photo

James Conning

Commercial Solicitor, Lawyerly

A member has been injured Duties to people who are not employees under section 3 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, equipment duties under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, and occupiers' liability in any civil claim. A signed waiver does not remove the duty.
Members are disputing the contract Minimum terms, notice periods, freezes and price rises. Terms that tie a consumer in are assessed for fairness under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, and cancellation rights apply where the member signed up online.
Instructors are engaged as self-employed Space rental, class allocation, whether they can send a substitute and who sets the price. Status turns on how the arrangement actually runs, and it decides holiday pay and liability as well as tax.
Coaching involves children Safeguarding policies, DBS checking where the work is regulated activity, and supervision arrangements. This is the first place insurers and governing bodies look.
The premises constrain the operation Permitted use, hours, noise and plant, and whether the term is protected under Part II of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954. Pools and spas bring their own water treatment and legionella duties.
A brand, class format or partnership needs protecting Trade mark registration for the name, ownership of programme and content, and what a coach is entitled to take with them when they leave.
OUR LEGAL EXPERTISE

We understand the business behind the workout

A boutique studio, a multi-site gym and a community sports club face different legal questions. We act across sport and fitness and shape our advice to the way you sign up members, staff the floor and run the facility.

  • Gyms and health clubs

    Independent gyms, franchised and multi-site operators and health clubs with membership-based models.

  • Boutique and specialist studios

    Yoga, pilates, cycling, functional fitness and martial arts studios, class-based and membership-based.

  • Sports clubs and academies

    Amateur and semi-professional clubs, academies and coaching businesses working with adults and children.

  • Personal trainers and coaches

    Self-employed trainers, online coaches and small training businesses, and the gyms that host them.

  • Leisure operators and fitness brands

    Leisure centres, pools, fitness apps, equipment suppliers and brands selling programmes and products.

LEGAL SERVICES FOR SPORT AND FITNESS BUSINESSES

Take care of the legal side of the facility

From day-to-day contract work to the questions particular to sport and fitness, our solicitors work alongside you so that your members are contracted properly, your instructors are on the right terms and your duty of care is documented.

  • Membership terms and consumer law

    Membership and class pass terms, minimum periods, renewals and cancellation, freeze and refund policies, pricing and promotions under consumer law.

  • Instructors, trainers and staff

    Employment contracts, self-employed instructor and personal trainer agreements, floor rental terms, employment status and restrictive covenants.

  • Health, safety and safeguarding

    Risk assessments, induction and health commitment procedures, equipment maintenance records, safeguarding policies and DBS requirements.

  • Member data and UK GDPR compliance

    Biometric access systems, CCTV, app and wearable data, marketing consent, privacy notices and processor terms with software providers.

  • Premises and leases

    Gym and studio leases, planning use, fit-out and alterations, hours of operation, break clauses and licences for pop-up and outdoor classes.

  • Brand, formats and IP

    Trade marks for the business, class formats and programmes, licensing of formats to other operators and protection of online content.

  • Sponsorship, events and licensing

    Sponsorship and partnership agreements, event permits and safety plans, music licences and supplier and equipment contracts.

  • Disputes and fee recovery

    Membership fee arrears, member complaints and disagreements with instructors, suppliers and landlords, resolved directly with the other party rather than through the courts.

Legal risk check

Is your sport or fitness business legally protected?

Our solicitors built this check around what a solid legal setup looks like for a sport or fitness business: the foundations they put in place and the gaps they fix. Answer honestly and you will see where yours stands and where it needs strengthening.

About 3 minutes · Confidential

Your result

Where you are exposed

    The full report shows your score in each area, every gap with why it matters, and what to fix first.

    Your full report

    Unlock your full report

    A few details about the business and the report opens here, with every area scored and what to fix first.

    Preparing your full report

    Your full report

    Breakdown by area

    Next step

    Ready to act on this?

    A focused conversation with one of our founders about your priority gaps, a remediation plan you can act on, and fixed fees agreed up front.

    Where to focus first

    From your answers, these are the highest-impact gaps to address. Items tagged critical are the ones most likely to turn into a claim, a penalty or a lost customer.

      Section by section

      Your answers, your score, and why each area matters. Items with a marker are gaps worth attention.

      Now that you have the full picture, the next step is a short call to agree what to fix first.

      This report is generated from your self-reported answers and provides general information only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. The regulatory landscape in this area is evolving rapidly. For advice specific to your circumstances, please speak with a qualified solicitor. © Lawyerly Ltd.

      CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

      What our clients say about working with us

      4.8 on Google

      Real support. Ideal for founders like me.

      As an early-stage startup founder, legal fees have always been a challenge. I've turned to AI, but it doesn't give personalised support. Lawyerly delivers the real thing on a subscription.

      Tessinita Okoye Founder, Better You and Friends
      CONTACT US

      Talk to us about your fitness business

      Book a complimentary consultation with our team. We will take the time to understand how you sign up members, staff the floor and run the facility, and explain how we can support you.

      Willem van der Merwe

      Co-Founder

      Read profile