According to the American Heart Association, more than 350,000 Americans die from a cardiac arrest each year. That means cardiac arrest claims more lives each year than car accidents, firearms, breast cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, flu, and pneumonia combined.

That’s a staggering statistic, especially considering the vast majority of cardiac arrests occur outside a hospital and away from professional medical care. A big percentage of cardiac arrests occur in gyms. Exercise and strain can induce cardiac arrest in people with heart problems. Fortunately, research suggests that individuals who experience cardiac arrest at exercise facilities have a higher chance of survival due to the presence of AEDs. 

Find out why AEDs are essential for gym safety, and which AED you should purchase for your fitness facility.

Why should gyms have AEDs? 

Working out at the gym is a high-risk activity for people with heart problems. High or even medium-intensity exercise and strain on a person with heart problems can trigger cardiac arrest. AEDs can save lives with up to 90% success. That’s why gyms should prioritize the safety of their patrons by keeping an AED in their gym.

Many gyms are on-board with this idea. For that reason, cardiac arrest victims have a 56% survival rate in gyms versus a 34% survival rate in other public facilities. This disparity is partly due to gyms being more likely to have AEDs. Another reason is that gym staff are more likely to be trained in CPR and AED practices.

What are the best AEDs for gyms?

Thinking about buying or upgrading an AED for your gym? There are some factors you should keep in mind when purchasing a defibrillator. 

Just about all modern AEDs are relatively small, self-check for proper function, and feature a one-button shock control. You’ll want to find an AED that’s easy to use, lightweight, and won’t break the bank.

Here are a few AED options that are perfect for gyms.

HeartSine Samaritan PAD 350P AED

The HeartSine Samaritan® PAD 350P was designed especially for use in public areas by providing a sophisticated defibrillator for adult or pediatric use, inside a lightweight and easy-to-operate system. Its advanced technology is balanced against the demands of real-world use.

This 350P uses HeartSine’s practical Pad-Pak™, which incorporates the battery and electrodes in a single-use cartridge–meaning only one expiration date to monitor and only one item to replace after use. Perhaps the main benefit of this AED is its easy-to-follow visual and audio prompts, making it operable even by laypersons. 

Philips HeartStart OnSite HS1 Defibrillator

The M5066A Philips Heartstart Onsite defibrillator has a proven track record of quality and dependability, from a name you can trust at a fraction of the other manufacturers’ cost. Much like the 350P, its specialty is the intuitive audio and visual cues for first-time users.