Another manufacturer also is helping health clubs properly secure accessible lockers. Ojmar in Holland, MI, sells ADA User Keys, which feature a small wand that uses infrared technology to operate touch keypad locks. On nine out of 10 projects, club owners consider purchasing these keys for their members with disabilities, even though these keys add significantly more cost per locker, says James Oonk, U.S. sales manager for Ojmar.

“Every project always has budget considerations, and that is the tightrope that health clubs walk in making their facilities ADA compliant,” Oonk says. “The more that clubs market themselves to say that they are accessible, however, bodes well for the culture and overall feel of the club.”

For example, Poudre Valley Medical Center, whose average member is 50 years old, features accessible lockers in its locker rooms, ADA-compliant showers, and lockers, sinks and countertops that can be accessed by a member in a wheelchair, says Ryan Donovan, fitness supervisor. The 25,000-square-foot Windsor, CO, club opened last December and now has 1,200 members.

The majority of health clubs, however, probably have locker rooms that don’t meet current ADA requirements, says Karen Pyonin, CEO of Benco, Pine Brook, NJ, which sells ADA-compliant benches. For that reason, she expects to receive calls from club owners about the changes.

Although club owners may have to make a minimal investment to improve their accessibility, Earlene Sesker, accessibility specialist with the U.S. Access Board, says the changes are a monumental step in allowing people with disabilities to enjoy health clubs.

“Right now, they may be able to get into the facilities, but if the space is not there, they can’t get through and use the equipment,” says Sesker, who works for the independent federal agency that wrote the architectural specifications under the ADA Act. “Now they not only have access to the facilities, but they can get some use out of them.”

Want to use this article? Click here for options!
© 2012 Penton Media Inc.