In the high-liability world of fitness, insurance is often an afterthought — until something goes wrong. But for Don Murphy, a longtime Gold’s Gym franchise owner and president of the Gold’s Gym Franchisee Association, risk management is a cornerstone of running a successful business. That’s why he’s partnered with Players Health — a company he describes as not only an expert in insurance but a true ally to fitness operators.
The partnership began more than a decade ago through Murphy’s relationship with Steven Meisner of Players Health. “It just gave us peace of mind in terms of our insurance needs in the gyms,” said Murphy. “He, more than anybody we’ve ever worked with in the world of insurance, has given us peace of mind.”
Players Health distinguishes itself by focusing exclusively on the fitness industry, which Murphy says makes a major difference. “You have some agents that will have a very wide range of products in a multitude of different industries, where I find that Players Health is really focused on the niche of the fitness industry — and knowing what’s required in that industry versus many of them.”
Rather than taking a hard-sell approach, Players Health operates consultatively. Murphy explained that when reviewing existing coverages, “they don’t come in and say, ‘Let’s replace the coverages.’ They’ll take a look at what we currently have, and sometimes they’ll just say, ‘Stay with what you have. You have good coverage.’”
That kind of transparency and trust has been key to the relationship. According to Murphy, Meisner and his team often catch gaps or oversights other providers have missed. “They’re really good as consultants in the world of insurance in the fitness industry,” he said.
For Murphy, that guidance provides more than just a financial safety net — it lets him sleep at night. “Knowing that we have all the coverages that we need, I just sleep peacefully because Players Health and Steve have all the products that we need and we’re protected.”
He also emphasized the critical importance of choosing the right insurance partner in today’s litigious environment. “The fitness industry is one of the most susceptible to lawsuits,” said Murphy. “You really want to make sure you’re protected through and through. If you’re not working with an agent or a provider that has that expertise and knowledge, you’re leaving yourself exposed to a lot of risk.”
Beyond the professional services, Murphy noted Meisner’s value as a person and community builder. “He’ll go above and beyond just being an insurance provider,” said Murphy. “He’ll get you answers and connect you with people that can provide solutions in any aspect of your business, because he’s just so well networked in the industry.”
Players Health also supports the Gold’s Gym Franchisee Association and its initiatives — a gesture Murphy doesn’t take lightly. “They’ve just always been there to support everything that we do.”
To explore Players Health’s solutions for health clubs, visit playershealth.com.
