Does anyone have ?

[Fi]

Do any of you have a gym or provide any kind of gym equipment (exercise bike, treadmill, crosstrainer etc.) in your holiday rental properties?

We're planning a get-fit campaign for ourselves this year and are going to equip a room within our new leisure area. We are not sure whether to make this available to all of our guests and would really appreciate your views on this.

We do not plan to buy any equipment for which we would need a specialist to instruct on its use and understand the equipment we have mentioned above falls within that category.

Fiona

[helene]

Hi Fiona - we have a cross-trainer and skiers-edge - bought for the same purpose as you are describing. These are in the games area (open to the Gite guests) and we do find the guests use them but only lightly - the kids seem more keen. So I would not advise anybody to buy them specifically unless you wanted to include other facilities like sauna, etc but are an added attraction.
Good reminder to use them more ourselves especially as we are going ski-ing later this year
regards
helene

[Fi]

Thanks Helene. Tell me more about 'skiers edge'! Not being a skier but within 30 minutes of slopes this may be of interest. Had a look at the skiers edge site and there seem to be quite a few of varying shapes and styles! Which have you got and would you recommend it. Also where did you buy it from and what kind of cost are we looking at? Thanks for your help.

Fiona

[helene]

Hello Fi - we bought ours about 10 years ago from the shopping channel when we were ski-ing in the US and paid around $200 for it and then shipped it home independently as we had regular shipments anyway for bronze sculpture - another existence. However I did go on the Skiers edge site tonight as you had asked about what I would recommend and the basic classic parallel carver seems to be about the same. As far as the equipment is concerned it is very well made and is an excellent work-out focussed on the ski-ing discipline. Michael tore his ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) one year (after we had bought it) and it was a recommended exercise to help build up the muscles. Also good for tennis and football where you need a turn of speed using the pivot of your legs/knees. So as far as equipment goes it is cery good although a bit noisy if you want to watch TV (and hear it) while you on the machine.

It is suggested that if you want to use for ski-ing you need to build up for at least 4 weeks beforehand so I am not sure how useful it will be once people are there ski-ing.

Hope the above helps and would be interested in hearing about your acommodation as we like to ski and it may be of interest
regards
helene

[paolo]

Hi Fi,

As a potential renter, fitness equipment would be a zero attraction for me...however, I think it is potentially a very good idea.

I don't know of any properties that offer this, so I reckon it would be a good way of differentiating yourself from what the competition offers. And when you think of the number of people, especially urbanites, who go to the gym regularly (or even religiously), you could be tapping into a some strong demand.

[HolidayWebs]

My only comment re offering equipment etc. is from an owner's point of view in that the more you offer, the more you are liable if something doesn't work or goes missing. This is especially an issue when you are living in another country & relying on a management agency. You cannot expect them to check that everything is working OK or if you do they will charge for it.

I keep wondering about providing hairdryers but wonder if they'll disappear.

[Sue Dyer]

We've got a swingball in the garden, thats about it!! Oh, and trivial pursuit which is never put back in the box properly, a scrabble set which seems to get a lot of use, packs of cards and a few card word games... anything more enegetic guests can run around the village!

I have one hairdryer which hasn't gone astray ... so far!

[tansy]

our hairdriers in each house have stayed put...we've even been left some jigsaws...and no I haven't checked to see if all 5,000 pieces in each are present & correct!

I would worry slightly that you could be open to being sued nowadays if someone hurt themselves....I've enough points on my Champion card now to have 2 bikes and could put them in the houses...but who is responsible if someone falls off & hurts themselves? Does anyone else leave a push bike?

[paolo]

but who is responsible if someone falls off & hurts themselves? Does anyone else leave a push bike?

Depends on which country you are in, but I have heard owners saying they can't leave bikes in case someone gets hurt and sues for damages.

[helene]

Hi Tansy - we have 6 bikes for Gite guests and 1 childs and they are very popular as we live next to a long distance cycle path. We do not charge for them as we felt that if we did they should be in tip-top condition and they are not. However they are all ridable and have tyres with treads, baskets to carry the picnic, etc. I do not know if we are liable for any damages but we do have public liability insurance anyway with our normal policy. One part of me says it would be a shame if we had to go down that path and find out about any liability and the other half says perhaps we should just to make sure - wonder if Alexia knows.

On mentioning this to my husband he thought that hairdryers were potentially more leathal so be intersted to hear others views.
Helene

[alexia s.]

Helen,
I think you should find out about liability: just ask your insurer if you are covered in the case of an accident involving the bicycles.
If s/he says "yes" ask to see the relevant clause.
If the answer is "no" it is up to you to decide if you want to ask for cover. It probably wouldn't cost much.
In French law you are liable for any damage caused by something which is "under your control" - I would think that a defective bicycle has to be "under the control" of the owner (faulty brakes, for ex.), but I'm not a French lawyer.

[tansy]

Alexia

what would happen if it was worded in the terms of business that if they use the bikes and had an accident they are responsible for the repair of the bikes but we the rentors cannot accept any liability?

I word the first part of our terms as below...They sign that they agree to our terms. So I could add that we can not be held responsible in the event of an accident on the bike but that they are responsible for the repair?

Please make sure you have adequate holiday insurance for cancellation, accidents, hospitalization and return of yourselves and vehicle/vehicles to your home address. We cannot be held responsible for any accidents, break in’s or theft within the property during your stay.

Thank you.

[alexia s.]

Tansy,
It wasn't an accident that I was thinking of, but something like faulty brakes or a punctured tyre leading to an accident: if this ended up before a French tribunal an "expert" would be named by the judge to investigate and decide responsability. You can't effectively exclude your responsability in a contract.
A contract can be effective though, in dissuading somebody from going to court in the first place, because a lot of people think that the contract can't be attacked.
You could certainly add that the tenant be responsable for any repairs required to the bicycles following an accident, but this shouldn't be necessary:you have a security deposit which covers any damage to the property(including buildings, garden, pool etc) or contents (add:"including the bicycles", if you like).
Don't depend on my advice, though - I'm not a French lawyer.

[helene]

Thanks Alexia - you are right of course I should check it - and I will so once again your expertise is appreciated and welcome. I will do the same for our rowing boat - although we do insist that everyone has a life jacket if they take it out.

However I do have some reservations about the need to do this - any normal person should check that the tyes are pumped up and there are no obvious punctures and that the brakes work - before they ride off. So maybe I need to think that as I am providing bikes they are another responsibility - oh dear.

Thanks to Tansy as well I think your wording is great and will be adding it to the T & C.
Best wishes
helene