Whether you’re lifting weights at the gym or doing aerobics at the leisure centre, you’re probably aware that you need to keep cool to avoid overheating. But do gyms and leisure centres have a set temperature that they legally have to maintain and are there any laws in place to keep clients from overheating?

Although it isn’t talked about enough, poor temperature control can pose a significant threat to gym-goers. This article aims to look into the rules and regulations surrounding temperature regulation in gyms and leisure centres as well as exploring the most effective ways that these facilities can adapt themselves to ensure that their customers are not at risk.  

Current laws surrounding temperature regulation

Health and Safety Executive currently states that there are no specific laws in place that relate specifically to leisure centre or gym temperature control. Standard health and safety laws do cover a large majority of other safety requirements in the gym, however. In terms of temperature, although there are no fixed regulations specifically for gyms and leisure centres, we can use minimum workplace temperature requirements as an estimate of what constitutes a comfortable temperature during activity.

The Approved Code of Practice recommends 16°C as the base level for a workplace, with work requiring “rigorous physical effort” at 13°C. Again, this isn’t a legal requirement, but it gives an idea of what an optimum temperature is for comfortably engaging in physical activity.

Sport England released their own design guide for fitness and exercise spaces, with notes on ideal temperatures for gymgoers:

·         Fitness Gym – 16°C to 18°C (60°F to 64°F) in the summer, with “comfort cooling” as needed.

·         Studios – 18°C (64°F), with a slight summer rise acceptable.

High temperature workouts – The risks

It’s never a comfortable experience to work out in a gym during the summer months or when it’s particularly hot inside the building. Plus, it’s a risky activity; dehydration and heat stroke are notable risks of working out in an overheated gym. But even just sweating too much can be a problem. We Be Fit notes that while over-sweating can cause gym-goers to notice an extra pound of weight loss at the end of their workout, the weight lost is fluids from sweating and will be negated with a drink. The article suggests that working out in an overheated gym for a long period can result in a 50% less effective workout! All that sweating for nothing.

Low temperature workouts – The risks

Cold gyms are less of an issue as your body heats up naturally during a workout, but when it does happen it’s just as much of a problem. My Inner Go looked at the pros and cons of working out in a cold environment and found that chilly temperatures brought with it a higher risk of injury. This is because muscles tend to seize up in the cold (which is why warming up before physical activity is so important). The website offered a great analogy for cold muscles: consider them like Play-Doh! When Play-Doh gets cold, it goes stiff and doesn’t stretch, it just snaps. But warm Play-Doh is stretchy and flexible.

How gyms and leisure centres should regulate their temperatures

Gyms and leisure centres need to consider each of the different rooms within the building and evaluate how best to ensure that their customers are kept cool. Investing in an efficient, responsive air conditioning unit will help regulate a comfortable temperature within the building. After all, a good workout requires a comfortable environment. Keeping a good temperature through a facility will ensure customers stay happy and are more likely to keep coming back. If the gym starts to get a reputation for being freezing cold or too stuffy, gym goers will quickly turn to other establishments.