US-based Anytime Fitness has confirmed that it is to sue the Kingston, Massachusetts health board over its decision to make it compulsory to have automatic external defibrillators (AED) - and a staff member trained to use one - during all hours of operations.

The Kingston board's decision is an extension to the so-called "Kayla's Law", brought in by the state of Massachusetts in 2008. The law requires all health clubs to have AEDs and staff that knows how to use them – but only during staffed operating hours.

The Kingston Board of Health felt the law did not go far enough so added regulation requiring health clubs to have at least one employee or authorized volunteer trained to use an AED on duty during all hours of operation.

The Anytime Fitness club is usually manned between normal business hours (from 9am to around 6pm) but also offers its members 24-hour access to the club using a key-card system.