New anti-doping program for fitness centers

JUNE 2011: An increasing number of fitness centers are promoting a doping-free training environment, focusing on the positive values from training and physical activity. These fitness centers want their customers to experience the benefit of a doping-free, healthy and positive training environment. The use of doping is not compatible with these principles.

Anti-Doping Norway offers an anti-doping program for fitness centers for the purpose of promoting a “Clean Center” and preventing doping abuse. As part of the program, the centre’s anti-doping policy will identify a clear and unambiguous commitment to a doping free training environment, enabling members to be fully aware of the fitness center's approach to anti-doping. The fitness centers anti-doping policy is part of the standard agreement between the members and the center

The program is composed of different elements:
E-learning program for employees
Doping control

E-learning program for employees
The new program is an internet-based educational program (e-learning program). This educational program aims to increase the knowledge among employees at the fitness centers of the physical, mental and social side effects of doping. This will enable the employees to better prepared for promoting a Clean Center. The program also educates staff on how to communicate healthy values and the centers zero-tolerance for doping.  The e-learning program will replace the existing lecture-based education program.

An e-learning program will have a lower cost and ensure that the material is always updated. It also means more flexibility for the fitness centers in the implementation of the program. All centers are required to appoint a responsible person dedicated for the implementation and maintenance of the anti-doping program, ensuring that the desired quality of the program is achieved.

Anti-Doping Norway may carry out lecture based education, if requested.

Doping control
In order to carry out doping controls the center must have implemented the new anti-doping program and obtained a license from the Data Inspectorate for handling personal data. One of the major changes in the new program is the possibility to test members upon suspicion of doping, with the consequences of terminating the membership if proof of doping is established.

The doping control has become a three-step process:
1. The first step of the program require all members in the Fitness Center to accept the Centre's anti-doping policy, by signing the general agreement of the Center.
2. If doping is identified as an issue, the second step of the program will be initiated.  In a dialogue with the member, an agreement including consent to submit to doping control will be presented.  If the member refuses to sign this agreement, the membership will be terminated.
3. If suspicion of doping use continues, after the dialog with the member in question, the center can initiate a doping control and have the person tested, as the third step of the program. If the test is positive or the member refuses to be tested, the membership will be terminated.

More information about the three step process can be obtained from the guide included in the new program.

“Clean Center” certificate
As part of the agreement between Anti-Doping Norway and the fitness center, the center must inform all its members of the changes in the anti-doping program. Anti-doping Norway is happy to assist in implementing the new program and is available for further information and questions.

Once the fitness center has implemented the new anti-doping program, they will receive the anti-doping certificate, identifying that this is a “Clean Center”. The certificate should be visible to the center members. As long as the fitness center has a valid agreement with Anti-Doping Norway, the center is encouraged to promote the cooperation. The center will have an opportunity to use the logo "Clean Center" in their profile (on websites, inside the center, on information materials, etc.).

Costs 
The costs for the new program will be NOK 5500 per center per year. Costs related to doping controls will be additional.

The Federation of Norwegian Commercial and Service Enterprises, HSH – Training, has identified the need for a nationwide systematic anti-doping education of employees at fitness centers. HSH-training encourages all its members to enter into an agreement with Anti-Doping Norway.

Anti-Doping Norway is confident that the new anti-doping program for fitness centers will help the centers to promote a clean, safe and healthy center at a reasonable cost. We are looking forward to a continued cooperation with the new program and to promote Clean Centers.