Hello HurtsBad Members! Having just joined your group, I've decided to try to post a Blog on a (hopefully) regular basis to help anyone interested train and perform better, and if you decide to one day open a gym (or Dojo if you are a Traditional Martial Artist), some tips to get you going. Just remember that the opinions are my own, take it or leave it. Or as my Grandfather used to say, " Try to remember, opinions are like body orifices. Everyones got them and most of the time they stink."
So for my first few Posts, let me start by talking to anyone interested in starting a gym or dojo. Before you find a suitable location for your gym, whether it's renting a building of your own, training at a health club, a community center, or your garage, GET SOME INSURANCE!! In fact, you can't rent or lease a space anywhere without it. And it has to cover both you and whoever you're renting from. And if you consider what you are doing, it would be pretty dumb not to have it. I carry a $2,000,000 General Aggregate Limit Policy on my school ($1.000,000 Personal Injury - $1,000,000 Each Occurance Limit including Fire Protection). This may sound a bit overwhelming to most people, but bear with me. You are going to be engaging in extremely rigorous physical exercise, as well as hard contact training. Building core strength and cardio endurance, sparring, matwork, and submission training, injuries can and probably will occur. After all, this is not a dance class or learning needlepoint (come to think of it, you can get hurt doing those activities, too). So having insurance coverage is a necessary evil.
Now for the advice. SHOP AROUND! Most people get the first policy they can find, usually in an ad in one of the many Martial Arts magazines out there. There are a few insurance companies that specialize in Martial Arts that have been around for Decades and offer good policies. Rhulen Insurance, for example, has advertised Martial Arts policies in Black Belt Magazine since the 1960's. The problem is some of these policies, while having great coverage, are damned expensive. Go to several insurance agents in your area and inquire about coverage and rates. Don't just take the first policy that you're told about. I shopped around to about 15 or 20 insurance agents asking questions until one of them told me about Francis L. Dean, a company he used for Summer Sports Camps he was involved in. They have policies for all sports including Martial Arts Tournaments and Schools. I have been with them now for 15 years and my yearly coverage costs about $400. Not Bad. They will even provide you with student release forms. So shop smart, you may find a bargain.
One last thing. Be certified in First Aid/CPR. The Insurance Companies love it when they know someone onsite is certified to handle emergencies and may give you a small break on your insurance costs. I am certified in First Aid, CPR, AED (automatic emergency defibulator), and Blood Borne Pathogens. I go through recertification and training with the Fire Department every 2 years. Check with them or the local Red Cross for training and certification.