As ukactive pushes for government to focus on physical activity for healthcare, Brad Tucker, managing director at Premier Global NASM, explains how the training provider is evolving its programmes to help fitness professionals deliver person-centred, holistic health solutions

Even a few years ago, the majority of people working out in gyms were there to get fit. Yes, some wanted to enhance their health but most simply wanted to be fitter or stronger. Today it is a very different story.

The nation’s inactivity crisis has driven a profound change in government health care strategy, which now recognises the vital role physical activity can play in its ‘prevention rather than cure’ strategy.

The health care sector is looking to our facilities and fitness professionals to support the prescription and implementation of active care plans. This means our gym floors must host personal trainers who are professionally proficient in serving a much wider set of health needs and who can prescribe a more holistic, wraparound plan that incorporates all aspects of life from physical activity to nutrition.

As global leader in the provision of training and education for fitness professionals we take our responsibility to ensure the workforce is able to serve the needs of the market very seriously. Qualifying as a personal trainer is just the start of the journey. In order to meet the health needs of our increasingly diverse population, investment in ongoing education is absolutely vital.

All Premier Global NASM education programmes, from our world renowned personal trainer qualification to all of our CPD education specialisms, base practical application on solid, proven, scientific theory and teach how to adapt the science to deliver a highly bespoke person-centric plan. No two people are the same, so no two plans should be the same.

Take the most recent addition to our CPD arsenal. Following several years of development with input from more than 20 experts in nutrition, metabolism, physiology, psychology and behaviour change, we have recently introduced the NASM Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC) certification.

With obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer all on the rise, the need to adequately equip our workforce with scientifically based nutrition knowledge to support individuals in the pursuit of healthier, lifesaving behaviours has never been greater. There is a minefield of confusing and often contradictory information out there when it comes to nutrition. This course separates myth from fact and teaches students how to practically implement evidence-based strategies into daily life.

Nutritional requirements are highly variable and influenced by a plethora of external factors including allergies, religion, long-term health conditions and ethnic food preferences. The NASM-CNC certification teaches aspiring Nutrition Coaches how to apply behavioural change coaching techniques to help their clients implement and commit to a nutrition plan.

Another example of a CPD certification which directly addresses an emerging market need is the Senior Fitness Specialism (NASM-SFS). The UK has an ageing population. The Office of National Statistics predicts that 75 per cent of UK population growth between 2012 and 2040 will take place in the over-60 age group, with increases from 14 to 22 million people.

Our dedicated product development team has created a course which teaches students how to create training programmes based on our world renowned Optimal Performance TrainingTM (OPTTM) model. The OPTTM model takes into account the physiological, psychological and lifestyle factors specifically affecting this market segment and teaches how to make practical applications.

Teaching methods
All of our education is designed to make learning as enjoyable, accessible and affordable as possible for students. As a result, we have developed a bespoke interactive distance training platform which provides the flexibility to fit learning around both work and family commitments. Working with cutting-edge interactive and multimedia designers, Premier Global NASM has created an instructional experience that is fun, engaging, and immersive.

Closing comment
The role of the gym floor fitness instructor is more diverse than ever and requires a broad knowledge base to serve all segments of the population and deliver wraparound, holistic lifestyle advice and programming. The Premier Global NASM CPD offer supports this need and is constantly reviewed and updated to reflect the ever-changing needs of the fitness market.

For more information visit www.premierglobal.co.uk