In today’s fitness industry, a loose cable, missing checklist or expired video clip can carry consequences far beyond the gym floor. In our latest interview, Brian Rawlings of FITLIFE discusses how risk management has evolved from a back-office function into a core operational priority for fitness club operators.
Risk Management as a Daily, Documented Process
According to Rawlings, effective risk management starts on the fitness floor with consistent, documented walk-throughs. Regular inspections of equipment, member behavior and potential slip, trip and fall hazards — supported by formal checklists — are essential to maintaining safety and reducing liability.
Rising Litigation and the Importance of Defensibility
Rawlings shares how the industry is seeing an increasingly litigious environment, with higher-value lawsuits and “nuclear verdicts” becoming more common. As franchises and private equity–backed brands expand, operators must prioritize defensibility through thorough documentation, incident reporting, waivers and surveillance systems.
Technology, AI and Scalability in Risk Management
Rawlings explains how digital tools, analytics and AI are playing a larger role in risk management, from tracking equipment maintenance to securely storing waivers and video footage. As clubs grow across multiple locations and states, risk management systems, protocols and staffing must scale alongside the business to avoid operational gaps.
Final Advice
Rawlings’s closing guidance centers on keeping risk management a constant priority, even amid growth pressures. He stresses that while operators naturally focus on expansion, sales and new locations, they cannot let risk management slip into the background.
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