Civil Surgeon Urges Gyms to Strictly Implement Fitness Safety Guidelines

On August 19, 2025, civil surgeon Ramandeep Kaur issued a strong call for the strict implementation of the Punjab Government's new fitness advisory across all gyms, sports academies, and fitness centres. This comes in the wake of a rise in sudden health complications, particularly cardiac arrests, during gym workouts and sports activities.

Dr. Kaur stressed that fitness must be pursued responsibly, with safety and health as the top priorities. She directed gyms and academies to prominently display the advisory and sensitize members about safe practices. The advisory mandates medical screening, including ECG, blood pressure, blood sugar, and BMI, before beginning intense workouts. Individuals with pre-existing conditions like hypertension, diabetes, asthma, or heart disease must consult doctors before exercising.

The civil surgeon further instructed that every workout session should start with a 10-15 minute warm-up and end with cool-down stretches to prevent muscle stiffness and reduce cardiac strain. All training must be supervised by certified trainers to avoid unsafe lifting and overexertion. On the nutrition front, Dr. Kaur recommended a balanced intake of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, pulses, nuts, and lean proteins, alongside adequate hydration. She issued a strict warning against the use of steroids, unregulated supplements, and junk food.

To ensure wide awareness, the health department's mass media wing will run campaigns through various platforms to spread these vital safety messages across gyms, schools, and sports academies.