We can expect to perspire when we go to the gym or leisure centre but it is widely expected that this happens because of the work that we are putting in, rather than as a result of poor temperature control. In fact it is highly important that gym and leisure centre owners have done their due diligence when it comes to managing the temperature within their building. Maintaining the correct temperature in the gym is a responsibility which the management team should place quite high focus on and believe it or not the consequences of mismanaging this can be severe. To understand just why this is so important, we need to first understand the risks.
Duty of Care
A highly placed health and safety executive that we spoke to concedes that there are actually no specific regulations when it comes to temperatures within leisure centers and gyms, although she did allude to the fact that standard health and safety regulations already cover this. The Approved Code of Practice covers temperatures in all workplaces and it is recommended that 16 degrees celsius should be considered the base level. Sport England have had their say on the matter and it is their recommendation that a fitness gym be between 16 and 18 degrees, whilst studios should have a temperature of 18 degrees. Naturally these temperatures can be slightly altered depending on the climate and time of year.
The Dangers of High Temperature
If the air conditioning unit is not fully operational you may experience some higher than normal temperatures inside the gym which can cause problems. Not only is a hot gym not a very nice experience, it also presents the risk of fast dehydration and even heatstroke. Beyond the health risks, fitness website We Be Fit actually suggests that those working out in a hot temperature can impact your workout negatively by almost 50%. Given that working out is hard enough, the last thing that you need is a reduction in the benefits which a gym session will give you.
Dangers of Low Temperatures
High temperatures are more commonplace in the gym environment than low temperatures but that is not to say that low temperatures do not occur. The main risk associated with a cooler gym temperature is that of injury as a result of muscles seizing up and then pulling or even snapping. If you go to the gym and the temperature is overly cold, it is best that you speak to the staff and then avoid working out until the temperature is fixed.
How Gyms Can Maintain the Optimum Temperature
In order to properly regulate the temperature in the gym it is important to consider all rooms within the building and understanding where cold or warm air may naturally come from. The key is to invest in a high quality air conditioning system that will work around the clock to both achieve and maintain the optimum temperature throughout the gym.
Because of how seriously people take their gym time, leisure centers and gyms must do all that they can to create the very best environment for their customers and the temperature is one of the most important aspects that they must focus on.