Personal Training Waivers - Personal Trainer Community - Forum

[Christina]

Hey guys,

Did you have a lawyer look over the waiver you use for your personal training business? I know that laws vary from state to state so we cannot all use the same waiver. My friend who is an attorney in another state suggested that I go to a gym in my area and get a copy of their waiver. (Not a bad idea.) Just wondering how those of you who are in business for yourselves have handled it. Did you just bite the bullet and shell out a few hundred dollars for an attorney to draw something up? I am in Texas by the way.

Christina

[Christina]

I just answered my own question regarding personal training waivers.

Here are a couple of great resources for legal documents for your personal training business.

Resource #1: http://www.uslegalforms.com/

Resource #2: Your local library most likely has access to Thomson Gale legal forms. Here's how it works: Most libraries now have websites that connect to databases. (You may need to get a library card to access the databases.) In my particular case, I went to my local library's website, clicked their database link, and was taken to a page containing a list of 50+ databases. I found a database entitled "Legal", clicked on it, and suddenly I had access to tons of FREE legal documents for the State of Texas. So far I have found documents entitled WAIVER AND RELEASE FROM LIABILITY FOR USE OF EXERCISE FACILITY, WAIVER AND RELEASE FROM LIABILITY FOR AEROBIC SPORTS, and AGREEMENT TO PARTICIPATE IN FITNESS AND DIETARY PROGRAM.

When I talked to a lawyer about drawing up a personal training contract and/or waiver he wanted to charge me 800 bucks! He probably would have done the same thing that I did. It only took 10 minutes and saved me hundreds of dollars!

Christina

[scrpmtl23]

When I talked to a lawyer about drawing up a personal training contract and/or waiver he wanted to charge me 800 bucks! He probably would have done the same thing that I did. It only took 10 minutes and saved me hundreds of dollars!

Christina

$800 is pretty extreme. Good thing you didn't pay the guy. Hope he isn't your regular attorney; you might want to find someone new!

[ncruz]

Hey guys,

My friend who is an attorney in another state suggested that I go to a gym in my area and get a copy of their waiver.
Christina

I did this too, it is a great guideline to help you to get familiar with the laws in your specific state. It is always a good idea to get a lawyer to look over everything. Consider bartering with a contract lawyer - training sessions for their legal advice if you are on a tight budget.

[megfit]

Something else for people to consider is Pre Paid Legal services. For $49/month, you will have access to your own attorney, and there is a certain amount of forms they will look at each month covered under that rate.

Margie