New Year, New Goals, New Responsibility: Why AED-Ready Fitness Facilities Save Lives

Author: Marcy Burnham, RN

Every January, gyms fill up. Treadmills hum, weights clang, and people everywhere commit to New Year’s resolutions centered on getting healthier, stronger, and more active. It’s a powerful time—one full of motivation, optimism, and fresh starts.

But there’s an important, often overlooked truth that comes with increased physical activity: the risk of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) rises during exertion, especially for individuals who are new to exercise, returning after time away, or unknowingly living with heart conditions.

That’s why a truly “healthy” fitness environment isn’t just about equipment, classes, or personal trainer; it’s about being prepared to save a life.

Sudden cardiac arrest can strike without warning. It doesn’t discriminate by age, fitness level, or appearance. In fact, many SCA victims appear outwardly healthy and have no prior symptoms.

Exercise, particularly intense or unfamiliar workouts, can act as a trigger. This makes gyms, recreation centers, wellness studios, and training facilities high-risk locations for cardiac events, especially during the New Year resolution surge.

The good news? Sudden cardiac arrest is survivable if the right tools are available immediately.

An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is the single most effective treatment for sudden cardiac arrest. When used quickly, an AED can increase survival rates by up to 70%.

Every minute without defibrillation reduces the chance of survival by about 10%. Waiting for emergency responders—no matter how fast they are—is often not enough.

For fitness facilities, having an AED that is:

• Visible

• Accessible

• Fully functional

• Properly maintained

…is just as essential as having fire extinguishers or first aid kits.

An AED only saves lives if it works when needed. Unfortunately, many facilities unknowingly store AEDs that are:

• Expired or missing pads

• Low or dead batteries

• Locked away or difficult to locate

• Untracked and uninspected

AED readiness means regular inspections, automated reminders, clear documentation, and staff confidence in using the device during an emergency. When a cardiac emergency occurs, there is no time to troubleshoot.

As people commit to healthier lifestyles this New Year, fitness facilities have an opportunity—and a responsibility—to match that commitment with lifesaving preparedness.

An AED-ready facility sends a powerful message:

• You care about your members beyond their workouts

• You take safety as seriously as fitness

• You are prepared for the unexpected

For many individuals starting their health journey this January, that preparedness could mean the difference between tragedy and survival.

Health isn’t just about movement—it’s about protection. As resolutions are made and goals are set, let’s ensure every place dedicated to fitness is also equipped to rescue.

Because the healthiest facilities aren’t just places where people get stronger.

They’re places where lives are saved.