What must a gym display?
These notices protect you as much as your members: in case of an accident or a complaint, being able to show that information was clearly displayed counts. The simplest approach is one dedicated noticeboard near reception, separate from class timetables and promotions, checked whenever a trainer joins or leaves.
UK: what employers must display
The health and safety law poster
The Health and Safety Executive states that if you employ anyone, you must either display the health and safety law poster where your workers can easily read it, or give each worker the equivalent leaflet. It summarises British health and safety law and what employers and workers must do.
Employers’ liability insurance
GOV.UK explains that most employers must have employers’ liability insurance with at least £5 million of cover. You must display the certificate where employees can easily read it, which can be on your website or intranet, and show it to inspectors on request. The fine for not displaying it is £1,000; for not being properly insured, £2,500 for every day.
Fire safety
The “responsible person” for the premises (employer, owner, occupier or anyone in control) must carry out a fire risk assessment and review it regularly, put fire safety measures in place, plan for emergencies, and give staff information, instructions and training. GOV.UK warns that you could be fined or go to prison for not following fire safety regulations. Display your fire action notices and keep exits clear and signed.
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Good practice for members
Beyond the legal minimum, members expect to find key information without asking. These notices reduce questions at reception and disputes later:
- Price list with every membership, joining fee and class pass, showing the full price members will pay
- Cancellation terms and minimum contract length, in plain words
- House rules (wiping equipment, bags, phones, music)
- Trainers’ names and qualifications
- Emergency information: first aid kit, defibrillator, nearest A&E, who to call
- Opening hours, including staffed and unstaffed hours
In an emergency — [Gym name], [full address]
Emergency services: 999 or 112
Non-emergency medical advice: NHS 111
Nearest A&E: [hospital name, address]
Defibrillator: [exact location]
First aid kit: [exact location] · First aider on duty: [name]
When calling: give the exact address, what happened and the person’s condition. Do not hang up first.
Gym in France: what the Code du sport requires
If your gym or studio is in France, article R322-5 of the Code du sport (version in force since 19 May 2025) requires a copy of the following to be displayed where everyone can see it:
| Document | What it means | Update when |
|---|---|---|
| Coaches’ diplomas and titles | A copy for every person who teaches, leads or supervises for pay | Each time a coach joins, employed or freelance |
| Professional cards or trainee certificates | Copy of each coach’s sports educator card (valid 5 years) | At each renewal |
| Health and safety texts | The texts setting hygiene and safety guarantees and technical standards for your activities | When rules change |
| Operator’s insurance certificate | Proof of the premises’ insurance contract | At each renewal |
| Reporting violence | Information on reporting and support schemes for victims or witnesses of violence, abuse, discriminatory remarks, hazing or undue influence | As set by order of the sports minister |
The reporting-violence notice was added by decree no. 2025-435 of 16 May 2025, with six months from publication to comply. Article R322-4 also requires a first aid kit, a way to call emergency services quickly, and a displayed board with the addresses and phone numbers of people and organisations who can help in an emergency (in France: 15 for medical emergencies, 18 for the fire service, 17 for the police, 112 European number).
Prices in France
Under the French order of 3 December 1987 on consumer price information, the price shown must be the total amount including all taxes, and the price of each service must be displayed where it is offered, on a single document readable from where customers are received. The Consumer Code provides an administrative fine of up to €3,000 for an individual and €15,000 for a company (article L131-5).
French employer notices
With at least one employee in France, further notices are required at the workplace, including the labour inspectorate and occupational health contacts, emergency numbers, the anti-discrimination helpline, fire safety instructions, working hours and the smoking and vaping ban.
Online: your website and Google profile
Most new members discover your gym online first, and they ask the same questions: are the trainers qualified, what does it cost, how do I cancel?
- A “Meet the team” page with each trainer’s main qualification
- A pricing page identical to the list at reception, including joining fees
- Cancellation terms and house rules available to download
- Your website’s legal pages (see our guide to legal pages for a small business website)
- On your Google profile: real opening hours, holiday hours and photos of each area
A clear pricing page also cuts repetitive calls: visitors who find their answers online come straight in to sign up.
A house rules template
House rules are not a legal requirement in themselves, but they make expectations clear and give staff something to point to when a problem arises. Keep them short, positive and visible at reception and in the changing rooms.
[Gym name] — House rules
1. Please wipe equipment after use; spray and towels are by the water fountain.
2. Put weights and mats back where you found them.
3. Bags and coats in the lockers, not on the gym floor.
4. Headphones for music and calls, please.
5. Share equipment at busy times: let others work in between your sets.
6. Clean indoor shoes only on the gym floor.
7. Tell a member of staff straight away if you feel unwell or see equipment that looks damaged.
8. Respect everyone: no filming other members without their agreement.
Thank you for helping keep [gym name] a good place to train.
Unstaffed hours
If members can train when no one is on site, say so clearly at the entrance and in the app or welcome email: when the gym is staffed, how to call for help, where the defibrillator and first aid kit are, and any rules for unstaffed hours (for example, no heavy free weights without a training partner). Your insurer may have specific conditions for unstaffed opening: check them before you start.
Photos and filming
Members increasingly film their workouts. A simple rule on the noticeboard (film yourself, not others, without their agreement) prevents most conflicts, and protects you if you post photos of the gym on social media: only show recognisable people who have agreed.
Noticeboard checklist
Print it, tick it on opening day, then every three months:
- UK: health and safety law poster displayed (or leaflet given to each worker)
- UK: employers’ liability certificate visible to staff or online
- UK: fire risk assessment done and reviewed; fire action notices up
- Price list with full prices and joining fees at reception
- Cancellation terms and house rules
- Emergency information next to the phone and first aid kit
- First aid kit checked this month
- Copies of freelance trainers’ qualifications and insurance on file
- France: diplomas and professional cards of every coach, insurance certificate, health and safety texts, violence reporting notice, emergency board
Common mistakes
- Forgetting freelance trainers who rent space.
- An out-of-date insurance certificate.
- Mandatory notices lost among class timetables and offers.
- A monthly price without mentioning the joining fee.
- No one checking the first aid kit after it has been used.
The steps at a glance
The steps to gather the notices a gym or fitness studio should display.
- Display the employer notices. Health and safety law poster or leaflet, and the employers’ liability certificate.
- Check fire safety. Carry out and review the fire risk assessment; put up fire action notices.
- Show prices clearly. One price list with full prices and joining fees at reception.
- Prepare for emergencies. First aid kit, a working phone and an emergency information sheet.
- Collect trainers’ documents. Qualifications and insurance for every trainer, employed or freelance.
- Review every three months. Check dates, renewals and trainers who have joined or left.
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Sources
The rules quoted in this guide come from these official pages, checked on October 28, 2026.