GYM

St. Laurence’s Gym Policy

General:

St. Laurence’s Gym is a squad-sized gym for the benefit of the club’s Playing Members ONLY. This gym has been installed primarily to facilitate athletic development programs for Adult Playing Members as well as supervised athletic development programs for Underage Playing Members, and Gym inductions for St. Laurence’s Coaches and other Volunteers who will be involved with Official Supervised Collective Team Training gym sessions.

There are strict access/usage rules for the gym.

Membership: PLAYERS MEMBERSHIP MUST BE PAID UP IN FULL AT ALL TIMES
Gym Induction Course: COMPLETE CERTIFIED GYM INDUCTION COURSE [Contact Gym Administrator]
Gym Health Screening Form: COMPLETE & SIGN FORM
Gym Waiver & Release Form of Liability: COMPLETE & SIGN FORM

Playing Members are NOT permitted to use the gym if they have not fulfilled ALL the above requirements.

The rules set out in the Rules & Regulations for Use of St Laurence’s Gym must be adhered to so that our club follows GAA Policy and to protect the officers of the club in the event of an accident or injury.

Teams will be allocated pre-arranged and agreed time slots for gym sessions, which will be booked by the gym administrator and displayed in the gym WhatsApp group. Remaining gym availability times will be displayed empty to indicate ‘free use’.

Only adult playing members 18+ will be provided with a key fob for entry to the gym. This will be issued upon receipt of the required forms and completion of the induction.

St. Laurence’s GAA Club reserves the right to implement or amend any rules or guidelines that protect the health, safety, and welfare of the users of gym at any time. It is up to the user to make sure they are familiar at all times with all and any updated Rules & Regulations.

Rules & Regulations for use of St Laurence’s Gym

1. ACCESS

a) The gym is EXCLUSIVELY for the use of Playing Members of St. Laurence’s GAA, LGFA & Camogie Clubs, who are regularly involved with their squads, and training with their teams.

b) The club will only issue an access fob to playing members 18+ who wish to use the gym. This access fob must be used as a method of entry for all visits. It may not be passed on to anyone else. Misuse of an access fob will result in permanent withdrawal of access rights to St. Laurence’s gym. If lost, a replacement access fob will cost €10 ( the old fob will be deactivated)

c) Under no circumstances can guests or non-playing members be allowed to use the facilities – this is an insurance compliance requirement.

d) Playing members admitting non-members onto the gym premises without proper/prior permission may have their memberships suspended or revoked. Non-compliance with regulations or sharing access fobs with non-members may also result in membership being revoked.

e) The gym sign-in sheet must be signed by each player member when training, upon entering the gym (this is for insurance purposes). No access to the gym is permitted after 10PM or before 6AM.

f) Playing members must check the gym schedule in advance to ensure the gym is free to use and must not enter the gym area when it is in use by a team as part of their athletic development program.

g) By accessing the gym and using the gym equipment, members are deemed to have read and understood the terms and conditions of membership and to have dealt with their club membership fee appropriately.

h) St Laurence’s reserves the right to refuse or revoke access rights to any member deemed to have breached the gym policy, rules, and regulations, or for any act or behaviour that is deemed serious.

i) All persons accessing the gym facility do so at their own risk.

2. INSURANCE, HEALTH & SAFETY

a) Membership must be in place, in full, at all times, for player members.

b) Playing members must take all necessary medical and professional advice to ensure their safety, verify their fitness, and confirm their suitability for using the gym prior to using its facilities. This should be reviewed throughout the course of their membership.

c) All playing members must submit the following:

- Gym Health Screening Form.

- Gym Waiver & Release Form of Liability. [All members will use the gym at their own risk, as advised in this form

d) In addition, all playing members must complete a Gym Induction Course in St. Laurence's GAA Gym, overseen by a Suitably Qualified & Insured Gym Instructor [Contact Gym Administrator for list of approved Induction Providers, T&Cs apply]

e) U16s are NOT permitted to use the gym.

f) On occasion, U16s may be given a Tour of the gym, and/or a Demonstration on how the equipment in the gym can be used safely, as part of an Official Supervised Collective Team Training session, and where U16s will not be permitted to use the gym equipment on the day. Prior approval will be required by the Underage Chairperson of the specific club, and all Demonstrations must be given and supervised by a suitably Qualified & Insured Strength & Conditioning Coach/Instructor [Contact Gym Administrator for list of approved Providers, T&Cs apply]. Coaches, Supervisors, and Volunteers working with underage members must hold current Vetting/Safeguarding records and have a coaching qualification. These records must be available for verification by the club’s Children’s Officer.

g) 16 & 17-year-olds may use the gym ONLY as part of an Official Supervised Collective Team Training gym session, supervised by a suitably qualified Strength & Conditioning coach or suitably trained coach. Coaches, Supervisors, and Volunteers working with underage members must hold current Vetting/Safeguarding records and have a coaching qualification. These records must be available for verification by the club’s Children’s Officer.

h) CCTV in operation throughout St. Laurence’s GAA Complex Building, including the Gym. Signage is in place to indicate this.

i) The GAA Injury Benefit Fund provides benefits to registered members playing Hurling, Gaelic Football, Handball and Rounders’, whose clubs are registered with the fund. The LGFA Injury Fund provides benefits to registered members playing Ladies Gaelic Football, whose club are registered with the fund. The Camogie Association members are required to be covered by Personal Accident Insurance purchased on the open insurance market.

It is entirely up to each individual member, of each specific association, to make themselves fully aware of each associations and clubs specific T&C's in relation to injury cover, as all are different, and unique to each association and each club.

j) GAA Injury Benefit Fund cover is in place for Official Supervised Collective Team Training gym sessions ONLY and does NOT cover individual gym training sessions outside of Official Supervised Collective Team Training gym sessions.

k) LGFA Injury Fund cover is currently NOT in place for any type of gym training sessions, either collectively or individually.

l) The Camogie Association Personal Accident Insurance is in place for Official Supervised Collective Team Training gym sessions ONLY and does NOT cover individual gym training sessions outside of Official Supervised Collective Team Training gym sessions.

m) PLEASE REMEMBER that Risk is an inherent factor doing any activity, such is life. When people take part in activities such as sports, they must accept the risks that such participation may bring. Members are strongly advised to check they have adequate PERSONAL ACCIDENT COVER and HEALTH INSURANCE in place to meet their own individual needs and personal circumstances in the event of accidental injury. It is highly recommended that all members take out their own PERSONAL ACCIDENT INSURANCE and HEALTH INSURANCE to meet their own individual needs and personal circumstances in the event of accidental injury, if they do not currently have such insurance in place.

n) On sounding of the Fire Alarm, all members must safely stop what they are doing immediately, and exit the complex building, using the nearest safe Fire Escape Exit from the building.

o) In the event of a power outage, all members must safely stop what they are doing, and exit the complex building, using the nearest safe Fire Escape Exit from the building.

p) If any member has a concern regarding health and safety, please the report the issue to the St. Laurence’s GAA Gym Administrator straight away.

3. GYM ETIQUETTE & USE OF GYM EQUIPMENT

a) St Laurence’s GAA will not supply towels or wipes so please ensure you wipe down benches/equipment after use - a small towel should be carried to wipe down equipment.

b) Football boots are not to be worn in the gym area, please remove boots at the bottom of the stairs.

c) Please put weights back in their original place and any other equipment used when finished. Gym equipment must not be removed from the gym.

d) All equipment must be used in the manner for which it is designed. Do not attempt to modify equipment.

e) Do not use equipment that has not been already covered in the Gym Induction (this is a prerequisite). If you’re unsure do not use the piece of equipment - DO NOT put yourself in danger.

f) Weight bars, plates and dumbbells must NOT be dropped, stood on, propped against walls or other equipment.

g) Extreme caution to be exercised when lifting weights to avoid injury. Top loading additional weights onto existing weight stacks is unsafe and prohibited.

h) Food, chewing gum and drinks are also prohibited except for water/isotonic drinks which MUST be in resealable containers/bottles. Please bring all waste with you when leaving the gym – DO NOT USE DRINKS WHILE ON OR NEAR EQUIPMENT (spillage will lead to rusting on metal)

i) Please ensure no towels, mats, or gym equipment are left lying out of place as a trip hazard to other members using the gym. Please practice GOOD HOUSEKEEPING before and after your gym session as we don't have full time staff to clean up after you!

j) Lone Gym use is NOT permitted; A buddy system must be in place amongst players to reduce any risk of exercising alone.

k) A spotter is REQUIRED on ANY lift where the lifter is positioned underneath a loaded Weight bar.

l) Non-Slip Flip Flops/Sliders/Footwear must be worn at all times in wet rooms e.g. Showers, Changing Rooms, Toilets, Sauna and Steam Room areas.

m) No phone or any other recording device used to take photos/videos/clips etc. may be used to take photos/videos/clips etc. at any time in the Gym or any other room associated with the Gym including changing rooms, toilets, showers etc.

n) Money/Jewellery/Valuables should NOT be brought into or left in the Gym at any time. St. Laurence’s GAA accepts no responsibility for any items lost/stolen/damaged in the Gym.

o) Please report any defective equipment, maintenance or safety issues immediately. Do not use any equipment if in doubt for your safety - Any damage to equipment/floor/walls must be reported to St. Laurence’s GAA Gym Administrator.

p) All other club rules relating to conduct extend to the use of the gym area.

4. SAUNA & STEAM ROOM GUIDELINES

a) If you have medical conditions such as heart problems, high blood pressure, respiratory issues, or are pregnant, consult a doctor before using a sauna or steam room.

b) Ensure that you wear the correct attire walking across the gym floor, be respectful to other gym users.

c) Drink plenty of water before and after your session to avoid dehydration.

d) Shower before entering to clean your skin and after to remove sweat.

e) Lone Sauna & Steam Room use is NOT permitted; A buddy system must be in place amongst players to reduce any risk of using the Sauna & Steam Room alone.

f) Sauna & Steam Room use is permitted during Official Supervised Collective Team Training gym sessions ONLY, and must be booked in advance by your Manager.

g) GAA Injury Benefit Fund cover, LGFA Injury Fund cover and Camogie Association Personal Accident Insurance is not in place for Sauna & Steam Room use. All persons using the Sauna & Steam Room facilities do so at their own risk.

h) Limit Time Inside

Saunas: Stay for 10-15 minutes per session.
Steam Rooms: Stay for 15-20 minutes per session.
Always listen to your body and exit if you feel dizzy, lightheaded, or uncomfortable.

i) Allow your body to cool down for at least 10-15 minutes between sessions.

In the event of an emergency please call 112 or 999 and direct the required service to the following address

ST. LAURENCE’S GAA CLUB, OLD GRANGE, NARRAGHMORE, CO. KILDARE, R14 CX28

St. Laurence’s GYM Administrator & Coordinator

AARON GORMAN

086-0594243