Considering opening a gym in a Free Zone?
Get your heart rate going with our business guide which shows you how to set up a gym in a Free Zone. The issue of health and fitness is never extended out of the media these days. With obesity levels rising there’s a high demand for gyms and fitness centers. Exercise comes in many forms, and most commercial gyms will offer group classes, as well as an area for individual fitness training. If you are considering a Free Zone Gym License, then here are the regulations you need to be aware of before setting up.
Gym License permissible activities shall only and strictly include the following:
1. Physical exercise and training for fitness and weight loss.
2. Meditation sports including yoga and tai-chi.
3. Provide different types of massage.
Gym License non-permissible activities shall include but shall not be limited to the following:
1. Performing of any medical or physiological treatments for rheumatism or any other similar diseases
2. Use of electrical therapeutic machines ultrasound machines or other similar treatment machines by unqualified staff
3. Allowing patients diagnosed with infectious diseases to enter or perform any activity in the health club/fitness center
4. Use of health club/fitness center premises for staff accommodation purposes
5. Causing disturbance as a result of noise from sporting activities
6. Employment of women in or allowing them entry to gents health clubs/fitness centers
7. Employment of men in or allowing them entry to ladies health clubs/fitness centers.
There are also special conditions that come along with the setup of a gym.
1. Instructors and users of the facilities in the fitness clubs/health centers are required to wear gym wear.
2. All staff employed in health clubs / fitness centers are required to maintain personal hygiene.
3. All staff performing massages are required to beduly qualified from DOHMS.
4. Weight reducing diets are to be prescribed and supervised by qualified nutritionist only.
5. Gyms/Health clubs/fitness centers should be equipped with the following:
• Source for drinking water;
• Enough clean WC for males and females;
• One shower for every six (6) persons;
• Changing area with cupboards/lockers;
• All necessary first aid items;
• Well maintained furniture and machines;
• Maintain smoke-free environment and place signage to that effect;
• Fire extinguisher system approved by Civil Defense;
• Suitable ventilation and lighting (availability of fresh air not less than 20 cubic foot per person designed as full occupancy);
• Washed and cleaned towels after each use;
• Proper drainage system;
• Detergents and disinfectants;
• Hand wash basin with liquid hand soap and tissues;
• Floor for the sports apparatus is required to be made from latex for shock resistance. Other areas are required to be smooth and easy to clean; an
• Presence of separation between ladies and gents health clubs/fitness centers.
• Swimming pools (if approved) are required to satisfy health conditions as determined and imposed by the Environmental and Safety Protection Section in Dubai Municipality.
