Fitness Law Academy, LLC
Fitness Law Academy, LLC
Our Mission
Founded in 2013, our mission is to advance the fitness and wellness professions by providing educational programs and resources that will help minimize legal liability.
By learning and applying legal concepts and risk management strategies, fitness and wellness managers and professionals will be well-prepared to carry out their many legal duties, provide high quality programs for their participants, and advance the credibility of the fitness and wellness professions.
NEW! Must Have Resource for Health & Wellness Coaches and Managers
TOOLKIT: Legal Toolkit for Health & Wellness Coaches and Managers
This new 108-page Legal Toolkit is the only comprehensive, legal/risk management resource designed for Health & Wellness Coaches, Managers, and Educators.
For more information about the Legal Toolkit and the NBHWC-approved CE course that accompanies the Legal Toolkit, go to the Toolkit Page.
Authors: JoAnn M. Eickhoff-Shemek, PhD,
Julia K. Buchanan, PhD,
Barbara J. Zabawa, JD, MPH
Publisher: Fitness Law Academy, LLC. 2025
The Need for Legal and Risk Management Education: Health & Wellness Coaches
and Managers
It is unlikely that health & wellness coaching textbooks and certification preparation programs adequately cover the many legal duties and risk management responsibilities of health and wellness coaches and managers.
This Legal Toolkit was prepared for that purpose. Although important topics (e.g., scope of practice, ethical standards, legal/risk management competencies) are often listed in various educational resources and programs, a legal understanding and analysis of them is often not provided. This Legal Toolkit fills that void.
Did You Know?
1. There are many federal and state laws that health & wellness coaches and managers need to follow (e.g., laws that cover data privacy/security, unfair and deceptive practices, intellectual property, and discrimination).
2. Conduct that reflects practicing outside the scope of practice of a health & wellness coach can lead to criminal charges and civil lawsuits.
3. Legal issues arise when health & wellness coaches practice across state lines and in dual roles.
4. Most Important: Situations that lead to legal liability risks can be effectively managed by acquiring the knowledge and skills to develop and implement a comprehensive risk management plan.
What Can You Do?
Start Your Legal/Risk Management Education!
Browse through our TOOLKIT page for a description of our
(1) Legal Toolkit and its three chapters
(2) Eight essential risk management strategies
(3) NBHWC-approved CE course (earn 4.0 CEs)
Interested in Workplace Wellness Law?
See the Educational Resources page for a description of the 2nd edition of Rule the Rules of Workplace Wellness Programs.
Authors:
Barbara Zabawa, JD, MPH and JoAnn Eickhoff-Shemek, PhD
Publisher: American Bar Association
Must Have Resource for Fitness Managers and Exercise Professionals
TEXTBOOK: Law for Fitness Managers and Exercise Professionals
Three years in the making, this ground-breaking, comprehensive, 538-page textbook is the “go-to” resource for fitness managers and exercise professionals.
For more information, go to the Textbook page.
Authors: JoAnn M. Eickhoff-Shemek, PhD, FACSM
Barbara J Zabawa, JD, MPH
Paul R. Fenaroli, JD
Publisher: Fitness Law Academy, LLC, 2020
The Need for Legal and Risk Management Education: Fitness Managers and Exercise Professionals
Many injuries and subsequent negligence lawsuits are due to the lack of legal and risk management education. Too often, academic and certification preparations programs do not adequately provide this important education.
Did You Know?
1. A high number of exercise and exercise equipment injuries occur every year.
2. Given our litigious society, injured parties do not hesitate to file negligence lawsuits against exercise professionals and their employers.
3. In addition to minimizing negligence lawsuits, fitness managers and exercise professionals need to comply with many federal, state, and local laws that are applicable to the exercise profession.
4. Most Important: Situations that can lead to legal liability risks can be effectively managed by acquiring the knowledge and skills to develop and implement a comprehensive risk management plan.
What Can You Do?
Start Your Legal/Risk Management Education!
Browse through our website to learn about our:
(1) textbook
(2) educational courses for academicians, fitness managers, exercise professionals, and students
(3) many "free" educational resources.
Now is the time to enhance your legal and risk management knowledge and skills.