AEDs for Gyms
& Fitness Facilities

While all gyms, athletic facilities, and fitness centers should have an AED, legal requirements vary from state-to-state.

Only about 13 states have legislation outlining specific AED requirements for health clubs. Some states like New York, Connecticut, California, and Illinois have legislation that legally requires gyms to have an AED on site. Check to see if your state is among them.

When it comes to AEDs, it is important to remember that purchasing the device is not the only expense that you will incur! Some people look at the one-time purchase cost of an AED and forget that most of the devices on the market today require some level of maintenance, whether it be in pad replacement, battery replacement, etc. 

AEDs have both an upfront purchase price as well as something called Total Cost of Ownership (TCO). TCO is the operating cost of the device over a period of time and includes both the upfront purchase price plus the cost of replacing components, such as the battery and electrode pads, when they expire.

Given the universal pads and rechargeable battery, Avive remains one of the lowest priced AEDs when you consider the TCO. Further, Avive's LIFESaver Plan™ gives people access to a life-saving AED for the low annual price of only $449/year. 

Another way to think about this question is: how long will it take to retrieve the AED in the event of a cardiac arrest emergency? Every second matters when it comes to saving the life of a cardiac arrest victim, so you want to have an AED nearby. Check out this guide to see where and how many AEDs you should have in your facility. As a general rule, you want to have an AED within a two minute round-trip from anywhere in your facility.

The short answer is that AEDs should be put in public, accessible places in your facility that are no more than a two minute round-trip from a potential cardiac arrest emergency. Any member walking into the gym should know that there is an AED on the premises. To learn more about what this looks like, check out this AED placement guide.

You should avoid placing AEDs inside of personal offices or behind a front desk as the device may not be accessible at all times or by all gym members and staff. 

Having an AED is an important part of preparing for SCA. However, to make sure you and your organization are fully ready to respond to these emergencies, learn more about implementing a Sudden Cardiac Arrest Response Plan. These plans provide simple, practical steps for making sure you are ready to respond to cardiac arrest.

SCA often strikes with little warning and in such a way that, tragically, the first symptom may be death.

However, there is something you can do to reduce risk and help prevent SCA! Learn more about how cardiac screening can identify young people who are at risk of SCA.