With funding provided by Sport England, the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity has developed Professional Standards which will be used to inform the development of qualifications for the sport and physical activity sector. These standards will outline job roles 'by defining what knowledge and skills an individual must understand and demonstrate to undertake a particular role.' Professional standards have been created for the roles of personal trainer, gym instructor and group exercise to music instructor. 

In essence, the professional standards propose a minimum level of understanding and knowledge that someone in the health and fitness industry must have. Once approved by the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs), course providers like TRAINFITNESS will need to incorporate these standards into the courses they deliver in order to meet REPs requirements. With new standards ready to be rolled out, changes to the TRAINFITNESS personal training certificates and diplomas are being made for courses delivered in 2018.

What do Professional Standards Mean to Potential New Personal Trainers

As new research on exercise comes to light, the information must be disseminated to fitness professionals. The industry as a whole also evolves, so new legislation, new equipment, new technology must also be taught to anyone looking to work in the industry. Those looking to start a career in the fitness industry will therefore be furnished with the skills and abilities to do their job properly and safely in today’s world. As well as learning the basics of delivering programmes and ensuring correct technique and form, all students will be trained to these new industry standards.

The standards are in place to ensure there are no gaps in learning.  The new standards seek to ensure that all students are prepared for real world situations, taking their knowledge further than ever before, ensuring they are best prepared and equipped for a working life in the fitness industry. Students will now have a greater understanding of the real world working environment, dealing with different clients with different personalities, needs and backgrounds.

PT course graduates will, for example, have a deeper understanding of common occurring medically controlled diseases and will be able to offer wellness advice in line with these. Students will also have a greater knowledge of apps, their use and applying them to clients’ needs, as well as having a thorough understanding of exercise and training “best practices” in the fitness environment.

These standards will help to bridge the gap between knowledge and actual practical skills, a gap identified by employers. New personal trainers will now be better equipped when heading out into the working world.

What do Professional Standards Mean to the Public

In short, the professional standards have been designed to help ensure that members of the general public are training in a safe environment with suitably trained fitness professionals available to assist. For the public using Personal Trainers, they can be sure that their PT has had rigorous training and is able to deliver workouts, and oversee the general health and wellbeing of clients.

Once released, these new standards will apply to group exercises instructors, lifeguards, gym instructors, personal trainers, swim teachers and recreation assistants, meaning all the staff at your gym or health club have been trained to the highest standards, graduating from their courses with the most in-depth, up-to-date knowledge.

The new TRAINFITNESS personal training courses will be available early 2018.